Jealousy, the horrible green eyed monster of William Shakespeare!
Jealousy is not envy.
Jealousy is desire for what another has.
Envy is wanting what someone else has and wanting them to not have it - whether you have it or not!
Either of these can destroy friendships, marriages, business and yes, tear a church apart.
It is a problem for everyone, even you ...
Read Mark 9:38-41
Reach For Jesus
Release the jealousy.
Talk to yourself - Why am I jealousy of that person? What is it about their success that bothers me?
It is about Jesus, not my method versus your method.
It is about Jesus, not my success versus your success.
Decide That Different Is Not Demonic
If you are not against us, you are for us.
Different is fine - as long as we are all for Jesus.
There are false teachers, we are warned of them, but if the teaching is Scriptural - well, it is just fine.
- we are sinners
- we need a savior
- Jesus paid the price for our sin
The rest is just difference and what we should not be separating over!
Just stop your comparisons!
Worry about your relationship with Jesus.
Sincerely Applaud The Success Of Others
Their success is based upon their preparation and readiness to be used.
Applaud others accoplishments.
Draw attention to what others do right, not what they do right.
Applaud others victories.
Do not turn conversations to being about you.
Get The Priorities Right
God only asks you to do what you can do - not what you can not do - not what others can do.
Bless others in Jesus name.
December 16, 2015
December 15, 2015
God's Way To Bring Joy
I lived most of my young life in villages of less than 750 people, including people, kids, dogs and pigs! Everyone knew everyone else's business! You could never get away with anything! The only saving grace was that most of those villages only had one telephone and so no one could immediately call my parents! :) The big joke was that if you sneezed, your neighbor would holler "Geshundeit!" Just was true was having intestinal distress and if you hollered enough - a neighbor would bring you a newspaper! (yeah, no toilet paper back in those days!)
Micah 5:2-5
God Comes To Ordinary Places
Think about this: Bethlehem was a small insignificant town. So small that it did not appear on any ancient maps. So small that it had to be qualified in the Old Testament, both times, when it was being mentioned! How small you ask? Think in terms of perhaps 150 people and easily even fewer! So just think on what I said above about life in a small village six times the size of Bethlehem!
Everyone knew everyone. Everyone knew everyone's business! Remember those shepherds in the field? Think they did not tell what they had seen? Think the stable boy was silent?
News travels fast in a small town.
God Uses Humble People
Remember Samuel in the Old Testament? He traveled to Bethlehem to find Jesse, to find which of his sons would be anointed as King. Eventually David is called into town to be anointed by Samuel. So the most insignificant of towns, the youngest son of Jesse - nothing going for him at all! And yet, one day he would be King and a man after God's own heart.
God Saves Through A Tiny Baby
Because of a Roman census, all Jews had to return to the towns and cities of their origin. Joseph was apparently from Bethlehem and so traveled there with a very pregnant teenager named Mary. She was to give birth, more than likely in a field or corral for the stable in town. The stable could have even been in a cave!
And again, a postage stamp town, a teenage girl giving birth - I well imagine her screams were heard all over the small town. A baby is being born, whose is it?, where did they come from, why are they here? Every town has gossips and the news spread about the baby, the star, the shepherds. Indeed something worth noticing ...
A child was born.
A child whose destiny was sealed.
A child to die as a man on the cross.
Mighty tough destiny ... The sole purpose to pay for your sins and mine - because, well, mankind does not do too well in the realm of loyalty to our Creator.
God Looks For Open Hearts
Mary was willing to be used by God.
Joseph was willing to be used by God.
A stable boy was willing to be used by God.
Shepherd boys were willing to be used by God.
But, there were those in town whom were not willing to be used, for whatever reason. I have often wondered what the thoughts of the inn keeper were ... you know he had to have been visited by some wise men and their entourage ... and learned what had happened that odd night.
God uses small things, to accomplish great purposes ... just like your or me, even when we can not see the purpose nor the possible outcome. But He can and He will use you, with or without your permission - if for nothing else than as an example ...
Micah 5:2-5
God Comes To Ordinary Places
Think about this: Bethlehem was a small insignificant town. So small that it did not appear on any ancient maps. So small that it had to be qualified in the Old Testament, both times, when it was being mentioned! How small you ask? Think in terms of perhaps 150 people and easily even fewer! So just think on what I said above about life in a small village six times the size of Bethlehem!
Everyone knew everyone. Everyone knew everyone's business! Remember those shepherds in the field? Think they did not tell what they had seen? Think the stable boy was silent?
News travels fast in a small town.
God Uses Humble People
Remember Samuel in the Old Testament? He traveled to Bethlehem to find Jesse, to find which of his sons would be anointed as King. Eventually David is called into town to be anointed by Samuel. So the most insignificant of towns, the youngest son of Jesse - nothing going for him at all! And yet, one day he would be King and a man after God's own heart.
God Saves Through A Tiny Baby
Because of a Roman census, all Jews had to return to the towns and cities of their origin. Joseph was apparently from Bethlehem and so traveled there with a very pregnant teenager named Mary. She was to give birth, more than likely in a field or corral for the stable in town. The stable could have even been in a cave!
And again, a postage stamp town, a teenage girl giving birth - I well imagine her screams were heard all over the small town. A baby is being born, whose is it?, where did they come from, why are they here? Every town has gossips and the news spread about the baby, the star, the shepherds. Indeed something worth noticing ...
A child was born.
A child whose destiny was sealed.
A child to die as a man on the cross.
Mighty tough destiny ... The sole purpose to pay for your sins and mine - because, well, mankind does not do too well in the realm of loyalty to our Creator.
God Looks For Open Hearts
Mary was willing to be used by God.
Joseph was willing to be used by God.
A stable boy was willing to be used by God.
Shepherd boys were willing to be used by God.
But, there were those in town whom were not willing to be used, for whatever reason. I have often wondered what the thoughts of the inn keeper were ... you know he had to have been visited by some wise men and their entourage ... and learned what had happened that odd night.
God uses small things, to accomplish great purposes ... just like your or me, even when we can not see the purpose nor the possible outcome. But He can and He will use you, with or without your permission - if for nothing else than as an example ...
December 14, 2015
Do You Want To Be Great?
How do you see people?
Do you see them as Jesus does?
They are trying to deal with life just like you ...
Mark 9:33-37
If You Want To Be Great
Put on your apron ...
Greatness has to do with service, being the willing servant of others.
We are all equal before God - we are all servants.
Some servants are more visible but we are all equal before God's eyes.
Remember Jesus stripped, knelt and dried this disciples feet ...
He was the lowliest of servants.
And modeled this for them.
If you want to be Great
Welcome the child ...
A child is just an example, it is just as easily the new believer, the weak in the faith, those needing our help and support in the faith!
Be the servant to all, that includes children - those whom are of complete insignificance. They are dependent upon you, they need you, they can not stand without you and your support!!!!!
Think on the implication of that.
You are needed.
Will you be available?
Will you be qualified to serve?
Will you be able to do what is required?
Are you ready for greatness?
Do you see them as Jesus does?
They are trying to deal with life just like you ...
Mark 9:33-37
If You Want To Be Great
Put on your apron ...
Greatness has to do with service, being the willing servant of others.
We are all equal before God - we are all servants.
Some servants are more visible but we are all equal before God's eyes.
Remember Jesus stripped, knelt and dried this disciples feet ...
He was the lowliest of servants.
And modeled this for them.
If you want to be Great
Welcome the child ...
A child is just an example, it is just as easily the new believer, the weak in the faith, those needing our help and support in the faith!
Be the servant to all, that includes children - those whom are of complete insignificance. They are dependent upon you, they need you, they can not stand without you and your support!!!!!
Think on the implication of that.
You are needed.
Will you be available?
Will you be qualified to serve?
Will you be able to do what is required?
Are you ready for greatness?
December 12, 2015
Musical Saturday Morning
What across the past two years has become probably my favorite song ... It causes pain. of course now with no memory, I have no conscious idea what the pain is other than it pains me to listen to it! You have no idea the misery amnesia brings at the weirdest of situations!
On the other hand, out of the clear blue I remembered my first girl friend's birth date yesterday! Really? I can not even remember her maiden name and I have to look up my own birth date! eepah! The brain is a weird wonderland.
Just in case I had already posted this in the foggy past, here is a live version to make up for repeating myself, maybe, if I did ... oh, whatever!
On the other hand, out of the clear blue I remembered my first girl friend's birth date yesterday! Really? I can not even remember her maiden name and I have to look up my own birth date! eepah! The brain is a weird wonderland.
Just in case I had already posted this in the foggy past, here is a live version to make up for repeating myself, maybe, if I did ... oh, whatever!
December 11, 2015
Facing Finals
"If you would be first, then you will be last. You will be the servant of all.
Receives a child in my name ... receives me and Him whom sent me."
Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem and a fate only He understood.
The Disciples had to be prepared for what was about to happen.
Mark 9:30-37
Follow For The Right Reasons
Jesus tells them plainly what the future holds.
But, it makes so no sense to them - it was contrary to their expectations.
Jesus is the Messiah and yet ... you say what is going to happen?
It did not compute.
What are your expectations because you follow Jesus?
Are you expecting persecution and death?
Why not ... ?
It is what is promised to you.
Forgiveness, Peace, Heaven, the Holy Spirit are already yours.
Talk As If Jesus Is Always Listening
Yup, back to prayer.
Anytime, any place, any situation - Jesus is waiting to be included in your life.
But, remember He is not a supporter of the never ending shopping list so many bore Him with!
Our needs, our prayers for others, our praise, our thanks are all desired by Him.
Let Go Of Your Own Greatness
When a Rabbi was about to teach, they sat down (bema (judgement) seat?), what they had to say was to be listened to.
3 John 9
"... who likes to put himself, does not acknowledge our authority ..."
Do not be great or boastful. Seek not position but be the servant to all, the least of all in any gathering.
Seek to develop a grateful heart ...
Receives a child in my name ... receives me and Him whom sent me."
Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem and a fate only He understood.
The Disciples had to be prepared for what was about to happen.
Mark 9:30-37
Follow For The Right Reasons
Jesus tells them plainly what the future holds.
But, it makes so no sense to them - it was contrary to their expectations.
Jesus is the Messiah and yet ... you say what is going to happen?
It did not compute.
What are your expectations because you follow Jesus?
Are you expecting persecution and death?
Why not ... ?
It is what is promised to you.
Forgiveness, Peace, Heaven, the Holy Spirit are already yours.
Talk As If Jesus Is Always Listening
Yup, back to prayer.
Anytime, any place, any situation - Jesus is waiting to be included in your life.
But, remember He is not a supporter of the never ending shopping list so many bore Him with!
Our needs, our prayers for others, our praise, our thanks are all desired by Him.
Let Go Of Your Own Greatness
When a Rabbi was about to teach, they sat down (bema (judgement) seat?), what they had to say was to be listened to.
3 John 9
"... who likes to put himself, does not acknowledge our authority ..."
Do not be great or boastful. Seek not position but be the servant to all, the least of all in any gathering.
Seek to develop a grateful heart ...
December 10, 2015
Dealing With Doubt
As children we learn to trust, mostly through trial and error. Playing begins as trust as we leap into our parents arms and do it again, and again. But, that is not always so ...
The disciples tried to cast out a demon from a boy and ... well ... they failed. And doubt set into their minds.
Mark 9:23-24
Understand Faith
Faith is belief in what you can not see nor understand.
Unfortunately we have the ability to place our faith poorly.
Faith is in God and God alone.
If your hope is in Gold, Guns, Groceries and God - well, you have a surprise coming ...
God wants you to come to Him in Faith, for Faith, because of Faith.
Recognize Doubt
A lack of certainty. Not sure about a situation.
It is not unbelief!
James call this "Double Mined"!
You can not ride two horses at the same time!
You can not live in sin and still walk Jesus' path.
Deal With Doubt
Admit your doubts.
Seek help dealing with your doubt.
Be honest with God.
Be open with God.
Trust God (perhaps with more than you can any human being)
Don't be afraid of asking for help in dealing with faith issues.
Act on your faith, not your doubts. Thinking of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Job, Jonah here. They acted on faith in what they were told.
Doubt Your Doubts Not Your Faith
Acknowledge your doubt - but have Faith.
Avoid questioning God. We are His creation - not the reverse!
Go Back To What You Know Is True
The Birth.
The Death.
The Resurrection.
These are true, these were done expressly for you, you can hold to His teachings as your hope.
"God, I believe, help me in my unbelief ..." Good place to start.
The disciples tried to cast out a demon from a boy and ... well ... they failed. And doubt set into their minds.
Mark 9:23-24
Understand Faith
Faith is belief in what you can not see nor understand.
Unfortunately we have the ability to place our faith poorly.
Faith is in God and God alone.
If your hope is in Gold, Guns, Groceries and God - well, you have a surprise coming ...
God wants you to come to Him in Faith, for Faith, because of Faith.
Recognize Doubt
A lack of certainty. Not sure about a situation.
It is not unbelief!
James call this "Double Mined"!
You can not ride two horses at the same time!
You can not live in sin and still walk Jesus' path.
Deal With Doubt
Admit your doubts.
Seek help dealing with your doubt.
Be honest with God.
Be open with God.
Trust God (perhaps with more than you can any human being)
Don't be afraid of asking for help in dealing with faith issues.
Act on your faith, not your doubts. Thinking of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Job, Jonah here. They acted on faith in what they were told.
Doubt Your Doubts Not Your Faith
Acknowledge your doubt - but have Faith.
Avoid questioning God. We are His creation - not the reverse!
Go Back To What You Know Is True
The Birth.
The Death.
The Resurrection.
These are true, these were done expressly for you, you can hold to His teachings as your hope.
"God, I believe, help me in my unbelief ..." Good place to start.
December 9, 2015
Getting Past The Mountain Top
We all have mountain top experiences: events which lift us up and give us elation. Too bad that reality has to set in and real life has to intervene.
Read Mark 9:14-29
Stop The Arguing
The father cared about his son, but here are the Disciples fighting.
This Jesus, the Rabbi, is not there! His son is not going to be healed!
What has been lost is the suffering of the father and the son.
The world does not care about the detail of the Church, yet that is all we battle between ourselves.
Look To Jesus
No one should be coming to the Church to see you, they are seeking Jesus.
You are not the star, you can make no difference what so ever positively.
Jesus is completely capable of handling everything - if He is allowed to!
Express Whatever Faith You Can
When your kids hurt, you hurt.
You worry for your grandchildren.
You are powerless however.
You need strength in your unbelief.
You need to rely on FAITH.
When life is overwhelming - faith is what you need to fall back on!
Make Prayer Primary
Prayer is the most important vehicle we have - to communicate with God, to formulate our own needs so we can understand them, to express what we can not even put into words. Prayer must be the most important aspect of your life!
Pray over everything in your life! Pray about your safety before you drive. Pray your food is not poisoned and be thankful for the hands which provided it. All aspects of you life need prayer and only you can do it!
Sometimes it is hard to have faith: you are laid off, your loved ones turn their backs on you, everything goes wrong, your health fails and oh so many other examples! And for me, I have been whacked by all of these! It seems insurmountable sometimes - but, I know this is when prayer becomes the most important in my life. My prayers, prayers from those I trust to pray for me, and prayers from my Church body. Pray when you are driving. Pray when you are in the quiet of the bathroom!
When opportunity provides itself - pray, like no body else will. You need far more help than you think, God needs far more praise than you give, your friends and family's needs are more than you know.
Read Mark 9:14-29
Stop The Arguing
The father cared about his son, but here are the Disciples fighting.
This Jesus, the Rabbi, is not there! His son is not going to be healed!
What has been lost is the suffering of the father and the son.
The world does not care about the detail of the Church, yet that is all we battle between ourselves.
Look To Jesus
No one should be coming to the Church to see you, they are seeking Jesus.
You are not the star, you can make no difference what so ever positively.
Jesus is completely capable of handling everything - if He is allowed to!
Express Whatever Faith You Can
When your kids hurt, you hurt.
You worry for your grandchildren.
You are powerless however.
You need strength in your unbelief.
You need to rely on FAITH.
When life is overwhelming - faith is what you need to fall back on!
Make Prayer Primary
Prayer is the most important vehicle we have - to communicate with God, to formulate our own needs so we can understand them, to express what we can not even put into words. Prayer must be the most important aspect of your life!
Pray over everything in your life! Pray about your safety before you drive. Pray your food is not poisoned and be thankful for the hands which provided it. All aspects of you life need prayer and only you can do it!
Sometimes it is hard to have faith: you are laid off, your loved ones turn their backs on you, everything goes wrong, your health fails and oh so many other examples! And for me, I have been whacked by all of these! It seems insurmountable sometimes - but, I know this is when prayer becomes the most important in my life. My prayers, prayers from those I trust to pray for me, and prayers from my Church body. Pray when you are driving. Pray when you are in the quiet of the bathroom!
When opportunity provides itself - pray, like no body else will. You need far more help than you think, God needs far more praise than you give, your friends and family's needs are more than you know.
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