Friday, November 27, 2009
Evangelistic Service
There will be a special evangelistic service at the Harvest Center, Sunday, November 29th at 6:00 PM. Everyone is invited to come and come expecting a mighty move of God.
Thanksgiving Reflection
A Grateful People
What does true thankfulness mean?
Gratitude is difficult. Isn't that ironic? It seems so easy and innate. God gives, we accept and are thankful—end of story. But it's rarely so simple or clean. What if we're not in a healthy place to receive God's blessings? What if God takes something or someone away from us? How do we live gratefully in the midst of suffering, or simply in the normal messiness of life?
It's easy to fall into the trap of believing that gratitude is passive: God is the one acting, bestowing gifts upon us. We just have to receive what he gives us. Receptivity, though, isn't always easy, and it is never passive. It means actively unclenching and opening our hands and our lives, not just when God wants to give us something shiny and new, but even when he gives us trials.
True gratitude stems from this receptivity. It is an intentional, courageous undertaking, challenging our assumptions of what God's faithfulness looks like in good times and in bad. If we are only grateful during good times, our response hinges on God's gifts to us, and our gratitude becomes conditional and weak.
The Israelites expressed this conditional gratitude to God many times throughout the Old Testament. They were thankful when the Lord delivered them, but they were often grumbling and ho-hum in their faith when things didn't go their way. We, too, are often irresolute with God because, if we're honest, it's easier to be thankful when things are great in our lives, not when they are hard.
Of course, it's always right to express thankfulness for specific situations, things, or persons God has given us. There is a sweetness found in this gratitude. The old adage "count your blessings" seems corny and over-used, but it is helpful at its core: Naming those good relationships and things in our lives is part of actively pursuing gratitude.
The danger comes when our warmth toward the Giver becomes dependent on the tangible good things he provides us rather than the good God he has proven to be. It becomes formulaic and impersonal, like a monetary exchange or an unhealthy friendship.
God desires that we desire him, the Giver, and not the gifts alone. But here's the good news: God manifests himself through his goodness to us, and this is why we offer him thanks. As the Psalmist says, "Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!" (Psalm 107:15, ESV).
God is not aloof or distant, nor is he fickle in his love like the Israelites and us. He is ever-present and continually offers the gift of himself, even when we experience suffering, persecution, sickness, financial burden, relational turmoil, or other hardships.
James tells us that "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change" (James 1:17, ESV). Because God is faithful, we can be receptive to him even during difficulty. This doesn't mean we like the situation or that we have to find some sort of good in it while we're in that situation. Sometimes the only good thing we will meet is God himself, and he will sustain us.
C.S. Lewis, in one of his letters, says, "We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is 'good,' because it is good, if 'bad' because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country." In other words, we don't have to muster up a false pleasure in bad times, but true gratitude comes from seeing the hand of God working in our lives.
By: Bonnie McMaken
What does true thankfulness mean?
Gratitude is difficult. Isn't that ironic? It seems so easy and innate. God gives, we accept and are thankful—end of story. But it's rarely so simple or clean. What if we're not in a healthy place to receive God's blessings? What if God takes something or someone away from us? How do we live gratefully in the midst of suffering, or simply in the normal messiness of life?
It's easy to fall into the trap of believing that gratitude is passive: God is the one acting, bestowing gifts upon us. We just have to receive what he gives us. Receptivity, though, isn't always easy, and it is never passive. It means actively unclenching and opening our hands and our lives, not just when God wants to give us something shiny and new, but even when he gives us trials.
True gratitude stems from this receptivity. It is an intentional, courageous undertaking, challenging our assumptions of what God's faithfulness looks like in good times and in bad. If we are only grateful during good times, our response hinges on God's gifts to us, and our gratitude becomes conditional and weak.
The Israelites expressed this conditional gratitude to God many times throughout the Old Testament. They were thankful when the Lord delivered them, but they were often grumbling and ho-hum in their faith when things didn't go their way. We, too, are often irresolute with God because, if we're honest, it's easier to be thankful when things are great in our lives, not when they are hard.
Of course, it's always right to express thankfulness for specific situations, things, or persons God has given us. There is a sweetness found in this gratitude. The old adage "count your blessings" seems corny and over-used, but it is helpful at its core: Naming those good relationships and things in our lives is part of actively pursuing gratitude.
The danger comes when our warmth toward the Giver becomes dependent on the tangible good things he provides us rather than the good God he has proven to be. It becomes formulaic and impersonal, like a monetary exchange or an unhealthy friendship.
God desires that we desire him, the Giver, and not the gifts alone. But here's the good news: God manifests himself through his goodness to us, and this is why we offer him thanks. As the Psalmist says, "Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!" (Psalm 107:15, ESV).
God is not aloof or distant, nor is he fickle in his love like the Israelites and us. He is ever-present and continually offers the gift of himself, even when we experience suffering, persecution, sickness, financial burden, relational turmoil, or other hardships.
James tells us that "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change" (James 1:17, ESV). Because God is faithful, we can be receptive to him even during difficulty. This doesn't mean we like the situation or that we have to find some sort of good in it while we're in that situation. Sometimes the only good thing we will meet is God himself, and he will sustain us.
C.S. Lewis, in one of his letters, says, "We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is 'good,' because it is good, if 'bad' because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country." In other words, we don't have to muster up a false pleasure in bad times, but true gratitude comes from seeing the hand of God working in our lives.
By: Bonnie McMaken
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Food For Thought
THE U IN JESUS
Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of His Son.
And each time U pray, you'll see it's true,
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.
You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.
And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.
Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?
The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
And this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.
When JesUs left earth at His Upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.
"Go into the world and tell them it's true
That I love them all - Just like I love U.."
So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too
It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know,
But it all starts with U.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" Phil. 4:13
Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of His Son.
And each time U pray, you'll see it's true,
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.
You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.
And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.
Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?
The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
And this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.
When JesUs left earth at His Upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.
"Go into the world and tell them it's true
That I love them all - Just like I love U.."
So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too
It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know,
But it all starts with U.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" Phil. 4:13
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Devotion
Retrain Your Mind
"Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind…"(Romans 12:2, AMP)
Many people today don't realize that the reason they're not happy, the reason they're not enjoying life is simply because they've trained their minds in the wrong direction. They've trained their mind to worry. They've trained their mind to complain. They've trained their mind to see the negative. But just as we can form these negative mindsets, we can retrain our minds and form positive mindsets.
One of the main keys to developing a positive attitude is to learn how to stay grateful. When you stay grateful, you are focusing on what's right rather than what's wrong. This doesn't happen automatically, you have to discipline yourself to focus on the positive. You have to make a conscious effort every single day until a good habit is formed.
Remember, when you live with an attitude of praise and thanksgiving, you are shielding yourself from the attacks of the enemy. The seeds of discouragement cannot take root in a grateful heart. Neither can bitterness, envy, or strife. When you have a grateful heart, you are strong. You are empowered, and you can confidently enjoy the good life He has prearranged for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father in heaven, today I surrender my thoughts and mind to You. Help me retrain my thoughts so that they are in line with Your will for my life. I choose to have a positive attitude of faith and expectancy and thank You for empowering me to enjoy the good life You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
"Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind…"(Romans 12:2, AMP)
Many people today don't realize that the reason they're not happy, the reason they're not enjoying life is simply because they've trained their minds in the wrong direction. They've trained their mind to worry. They've trained their mind to complain. They've trained their mind to see the negative. But just as we can form these negative mindsets, we can retrain our minds and form positive mindsets.
One of the main keys to developing a positive attitude is to learn how to stay grateful. When you stay grateful, you are focusing on what's right rather than what's wrong. This doesn't happen automatically, you have to discipline yourself to focus on the positive. You have to make a conscious effort every single day until a good habit is formed.
Remember, when you live with an attitude of praise and thanksgiving, you are shielding yourself from the attacks of the enemy. The seeds of discouragement cannot take root in a grateful heart. Neither can bitterness, envy, or strife. When you have a grateful heart, you are strong. You are empowered, and you can confidently enjoy the good life He has prearranged for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father in heaven, today I surrender my thoughts and mind to You. Help me retrain my thoughts so that they are in line with Your will for my life. I choose to have a positive attitude of faith and expectancy and thank You for empowering me to enjoy the good life You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Devotion
Growing in Faith
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God"(Romans 10:17, NKJV)
Did you know that your faith in God can grow and increase every single day? Notice today's scripture doesn't say, "Faith comes because you have heard the Word of God one time." No, it says that "faith comes by hearing"–in the present tense.
Sure, God's Word can transform us in an instant; but most of the time, we need to hear God's principles over and over again before they become active in our lives. God's truth sets us free and puts His plan for our lives into motion. As you study the Word of God, it chisels away at the doubt and unbelief that's been built up over the years. And, just as a seed needs water to grow daily; your spirit needs the Word of God daily. The more you hear God's promises, the more you know Him, and the more confidence you will have to believe His word.
I encourage you to choose a few verses to meditate on daily. Write them down and carry them in your purse or wallet. The more you hear the Word of God, the more your faith will grow, and you will move forward in the freedom and victory He has for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father in heaven, thank You for Your Word that is living and active and growing in my life. I submit myself to You today. Teach me Your ways and give me insight into Your Word so that I may know You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God"(Romans 10:17, NKJV)
Did you know that your faith in God can grow and increase every single day? Notice today's scripture doesn't say, "Faith comes because you have heard the Word of God one time." No, it says that "faith comes by hearing"–in the present tense.
Sure, God's Word can transform us in an instant; but most of the time, we need to hear God's principles over and over again before they become active in our lives. God's truth sets us free and puts His plan for our lives into motion. As you study the Word of God, it chisels away at the doubt and unbelief that's been built up over the years. And, just as a seed needs water to grow daily; your spirit needs the Word of God daily. The more you hear God's promises, the more you know Him, and the more confidence you will have to believe His word.
I encourage you to choose a few verses to meditate on daily. Write them down and carry them in your purse or wallet. The more you hear the Word of God, the more your faith will grow, and you will move forward in the freedom and victory He has for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father in heaven, thank You for Your Word that is living and active and growing in my life. I submit myself to You today. Teach me Your ways and give me insight into Your Word so that I may know You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)