Endurance!

Colossians 1: 10 – 11

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way:

bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance…

 

The word, “endurance”, only appears in the Bible 12 times.

Just because the word isn’t mentioned very much, shouldn’t dictate that its meaning is insignificant.

 

It’s also interesting to me, that the word, “endurance”, is only mentioned in the New Testament, and not the Old Testament.

I wonder if the word being used only in the NT, has anything to do with the need for “endurance”, as we head for the last days of the dispensation of grace?

 

Now that the weather is nicer, I hope to test my physical endurance sometime this week.

I hope to get my bicycle out of mouth balls, and actually use it.

 

Because of my hip problems over the last few years, I doubt I will have much physical endurance, seeing I’ve been away from physical activity for quite some time.

I guess the old adage, “no pain—no gain”, will somehow apply to me this week.

 

The reason so many believers have trouble with spiritual endurance, is that they’re out of practice.

Spiritual endurance comes, from being active in the daily spiritual grind.

 

Are you out of spiritual shape? How’s your spiritual endurance these days?

The test of our endurance, is when troubles come our way. That test, will actually show if we’re ready or not to endure.

 

What needs to change, for your endurance to be strengthened?

And since we’ve indentified the problem, what are you going to do today, to increase your spiritual endurance

Be Loyal

2 Chronicles 16: 9

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

 

Have you ever stopped to consider, what God sees when His eyes look your way?

When is the last time you considered God’s strength, supporting you in your cause?

 

How loyal would you say your heart is to Him?

Whatever we desire as it has to do with the things of God, that we shall have.

 

If we can afford it, most of us can have what we want, right when we want it.

God grants to those who want Him, the freedom and resolve to chose Him.

 

Will you set your heart on God this day?

Do you really love Him?

If you do, then you will have Him.

 

Desire to be loyal to the cause of his Kingdom.

Love him today, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength…

 

“Father, there are things that we want in our lives, that do not in any way compare with You.

If there is an area of our lives, that isn’t as loyal to You as we should be, would You help us?

Thank You for the daily strength You provide. You are a great and loving God, and thank You for keeping an eye on us. Amen

Set you Sights!

Matthew 14: 30

“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

 

This is without a doubt, one of the simplest teachings in the Bible.

Peter was able to walk on water by faith, by keeping his focus on the perfecter of his faith.

 

So often we take our eyes off the Lord.

Troublesome co-workers take away our focus—marital difficulties—disgruntled church people.

 

When we find ourselves walking through these storms of life, we need to refocus.

Our focus needs to be on the Word of God—Jesus Christ!

 

It’s easy to lose our focus, especially when we consider that Paul told Timothy in 3: 1, that perilous times would come.

People can be so cruel sometimes, but we need to be strong enough not to get distracted.

 

This Bible lesson is probably one of the first, that children learn at a young age in Sunday School.

It also a lesson that adults should never lose sight of.

 

What will the burdens of life matter, 100 years from now?

All they will have accomplished, is that they took our eyes off of the symbol of our faith.

 

Fortunately for Peter, he caught sight of the only One who could save him, and in the end, so can we, when we refocus

Fix your eyes!

Hebrews 12: 2

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…

If Jesus had a Twitter account, I wonder how many true followers He’d have?

It is suggested that Justin Beaber has over 50 million Twitter followers.

Even Christians have trouble, keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus.

Let’s face it—that takes incredible effort.

The object of our faith, is Jesus.

We should not look to the world, to fulfill our greatest desires.

Call me old fashioned, narrow minded and even cynical, but I think Jesus is deserving of more attention than He gets.

Jesus allows us unlimited contact, and His connection service is never, ever interrupted.

Actually, the cost of following Jesus, cost God everything—and us, not a single penny.

The Father above, can customize a plan to fit your every need. His service contract, was signed with the blood of His Son.

He also offers free roaming!

Don’t be distracted by this crazy, mixed up world.

Fix your eyes today, on something…no someone, that is eternally so good…

“Father, would you give us today, a focus on the things of Your Kingdom?

This world is so filled with distractions and temptations. Help us to fix our eyes this day, on the greatness of Your love. Amen”

Focus!

Psalm 101: 3

I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.

On Friday I took to the roads, and traveled on Wisconsin byways a fair distance.

The scenery was beautiful, and I tried not missing anything God meant just for me to see.

On my way I saw a beautiful bald eagle, and an Amish man in his buggy.

I noticed his horse that was pulling the buggy, was actually wearing blinders.

Horses have peripheral vision, which means they could run off course, unless they are made to remain focused.

Did you know that horse blinders they say, were actually invented by a Preacher?

This Pastor realized, that by covering a portion of the horses eye, it could encourage the horse to take chances it would not normally take, and it would not become distracted.

What chances will you take this week, as it has to do with the things of God?

What area of your spiritual life, needs to be refocused?

Why does it seem harder to take God centered risks, when sin sometimes comes so naturally?

The difference, is that God things come in the supernatural.

Focus on the things of God, and you will see increased power.

Focus on the things of the world, and you might just get distracted.

Maybe if we started this new day, purposed not to set any vile things before our eyes, our week might just be better all the way around…

What do you find amazing?

Matthew 9:33

And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."

Today is the start of the Men’s NCAA college basketball tournament.

It’s expected that over 18.4 million viewers will watch the first day of the tournament.

Some people will see some amazing basketball played.

Don’t we mostly over use the word… “amazing”?

Ladies look at the quilt the neighbor just sewed, and offer up… “AMAZING”!!

Men see a half court shot at the buzzer, and shout… “AMAZING!!”

When Jesus ministered to everyday people, the “amazing”, was just an everyday occurrence.

When surgeons remove tumors or replace joints, we are mostly amazed at what medical science can accomplish.

Sometimes we forget, Whose behind the amazing power in the surgeons hands.

Jesus does the “amazing”, every day.

I happen to think, that every time my heart beats, that is an, “amazing” feat.

What troubles me ever so slightly, are the people who miss the Divine “amazing” every day.

Have we been so absorbed by the culture we live in, that we’re only “amazed”, by the things that will never last anyway?

The things of God will last forever. When the trumpet blasts and Jesus returns for His church, people are going to be so “AMAZED”.

Then, what we classified as “amazing” from this old world, will seem pretty dull, compared to the “amazing” of God…

Radical Amazement!

Matthew 8: 26 – 27

"You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

 

Can you imagine for a moment, witnessing an event like this?

One minute things were bedlam in this boat, and then everything became completely calm.

 

One would assume, that just the thought of this event that evening, would’ve kept anyone wide awake for the night.

But Jesus did the amazing all the time.

 

Everyone who has ever met Jesus, has witnessed something amazing.

When He returns for His church, this will be an amazing event.

 

When Jesus started His earthly ministry, people were amazed at His teaching.

When His earthly ministry ended, people were amazed at His teaching.

 

What amazes you about Jesus anymore?

Does Jesus, amaze you anymore?

 

The smartest people on earth, tried to trap Jesus is social and religious conflict.

But Jesus always had an answer—and His answer wasn’t only wise, but it was true.

 

Seek all of the answers to the problems of life, and let Him silence all of your doubts.

You’ll be amazed, at what He can do

Amazing!

Habakkuk 1: 5

"Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”

This was an amazing thing that God was going to do, that in today’s modern eyes, would not have the appearance of good.

God does some amazing good things—and He has, and will do, some amazing things just to get our attention.

70 people assembled at church on Sunday night (3/16/14), to watch the John Hagee preaching series, “The Coming Four Blood Moons”.

Based on the scriptural facts of this sermon series, the period between April 15, 2014 to September 28, 2015, could be amazing.

Depending on where people stand with God, this could be a good “amazing”, and maybe, a not so good “amazing”.

It all has to do with one’s perspective.

When I witness the rampant sin going on in the church and in the culture we live in, I often hear myself say… “Amazing”.

Most of the time—this isn’t the good kind of amazing.

What I am amazed at most though, is that many people don’t have recollection of a God who can do amazing things, just to get our attention.

I, along with many Bible scholars (and by the way—I’m no scholar), think that the time is coming when God is going to do something amazing.

When we saw airplanes fly into buildings 12 ½ years ago, most of us had never seen anything like it before.

Whether you’d agree or not, that was amazing.

Was 9-11 of God? You’ll have to come to your own conclusion on that.

What I will say, is that someday soon, we’re going to see something amazing come from the Heavenlies.

So don’t be surprised, because He said a generation of His people, would see it. (See Matthew 24: 30 – 31)

If we live long enough to see it with our own eyes—make no mistake about it—it will be AMAZING!!!

Simple Amazement!

Joshua 3: 5

"Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."

I wonder this morning, how many people are still amazed at the things of God?

It was not any simple feat, to create the Heavens and the earth in six days, and then rest on day seven.

Does the creation story still amaze the people of God anymore?

The church still looks for ways to excite and amaze it’s people.

Folks who are looking for a new church, the first item on their list of pre-qualifiers, is the music.

Churches for years now, have tried to incite excitement, by how many people they have in their pit orchestra.

We still look to add a dash of Hollywood, so as to amaze the people in attendance.

Isn’t the concept of God, amazing no matter what?

I am still amazed at how much God loves me so, and I don’t need a worship band to remind me of that.

I am overwhelmed, that God still knows me by name.

There have been over 112 billion people, born on the face of the earth in historical times, and the God of the universe still knows Dan Gibson by name.

That amazes me.

Are you still amazed at how much God loves you?

Maybe you need to recall that this morning, as you jump out of bed to start this new day.

Be amazed, that God extends His love to you this morning, and He brings brand new mercies for you, this very day…

Accountability

Colossians 3: 9

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices…

The Bible says that those in the church, should not lie to each other.

Like when you notice that someone is giving you the cold shoulder, and you ask…. “Is everything OK with us?”, and the response is… “Everything’s fine.”, when you know it is not

One of the eyebrow raising words in the church today, is accountability.

We don’t have much problem encouraging one another—or carrying each other’s burdens, but when it comes to accountability, that’s a whole other issue.

Accountability runs against the grain of a self sustaining, Christian church contributor.

We often like to be our own person, and do our own thing.

That’s not how the church is supposed to work.

In the church, we cannot stand independent of one another.

Within the Body of Christ, we are responsible to one another to do our part and to help other people.

People in the church often look at accountability, as being warned—challenged and admonished, and to certain degree, those elements are true.

What church people often forget, is that the church is also a place, to receive…support—counsel—encouragement—teaching and affirmation.

God designed the Body of Christ to function best, when it’s members are honestly there for each other.

People who refuse church membership or accountability, have some other underlying issues, that really needs to be dealt with.

We must spur one another on to commitment, and each person should be held responsible, for the way they follow Christ Jesus…

Be a burden carrier!

Galatians 6: 2

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

 

The Bible suggests, that we in the church, should actually help one another.

I wonder how different our churches might be, if we had people come next to us, and walk with us?

 

If we’re about to stumble, how comforting it would be, to have another brother or sister, be on the watch with us, for a misstep.

In this daily walk of faith, any of us are prone to a trip, once in a while.

 

Church people often get offended, when another person of the faith, offers gentle, subtle, correction.

We’re actually supposed to be grateful, for the one who helps us along the way.

 

The actual translation to the words… “Carry each other’s burdens…”, is, “if you see one about to stumble under his burden, hold him up.”

What is this burden? Sin, and the temptation to sin.

 

Who do you know today, who needs to be held up?

The other question that comes into play is… “Will they allow themselves to be held up?”

 

Waking with Jesus every day, is not to be done, solo.

The church needs other people, to join in this pilgrimage.

 

How comforting to know, that God distinctly put special people in our lives, so we would not fall, and so that we would not stumble…

Holy Ambassadors

Psalm 10: 17

You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry…

 

Often the theme in society is, “Where is God when you need Him the most?”

The answer is, “He’s our very present help, in times of trouble.”

 

God’s people, are often His on the spot helpers.

We are called to bring Salvation to the lost, and a word of encouragement to those who need it the most.

 

The question seems quite redundant, but whom have you encouraged lately?

Among the afflicted, who have you extended a word of hope to?

 

I meet people almost daily, who are crying out for someone to help them.

It’s up to us to notice the signs, and then respond.

 

Have there been times, when you’ve missed the signs?

I wonder how many have prayed to God for sincere help, and He’s sent one of us, but we were slow to respond—or didn’t respond at all?

 

Today is a new day, to be one of God’s Holy ambassadors.

Don’t miss the chance, to bring someone a word of good news, and maybe end their affliction, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

God may be giving us direct orders today, so let’s be ready when our name is called….

An Encouraging Word!

1 Thessalonians 4: 18

Therefore encourage each other with these words.

 

Paul was talking to the church at Thessalonica about the coming rapture of the church.

The coming of the rapture could happen at any time—but before that occurs, we need to encourage one another.

 

Who do you know today, that could use an encouraging word?

Who will prayerfully phone today, that could use a word of hope?

 

Maybe it’s time to show some last days love.

The Bible speaks of a great falling away in the last days, and it would seem we’re seeing that on a grand scale these days.

 

Virtually everywhere we look now days, we’re seeing the decline of moral ethics everywhere—even in the church.

Just be sure of this, a time of refreshment is very near, so don’t lose heart.

 

The Hebrew word, “bo-neh” is directly translated as our English word, “builder”. It is also translated as our word, “repairer”.

When Jesus came over 2,000 years ago, He came to repair lives.

He came to do a complete restoration, and build back up, all that was broken in the world.

 

Be encouraged today, because Jesus is coming again!

He is coming to make everything new.

That should put a hop in your step today…so be encouraged… 

Preach it!

Galatians 2: 5

We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.

 

Paul, Barnabas and Titus, faced some opposition to preaching the Gospel. False teachers had infiltrated the ranks.

However, it did not stop them, from bringing the truth to the Gentile nation, and defending God’s Word.

 

Christians today, face a similar foe.

The Christian society, has been largely silenced, by those who say we’re judgmental and narrow minded.

 

Make no mistake about that—the devil will do anything to bring opposition, to the message of salvation.

He’s very good at what he does, but I think sometimes we forget, that believer’s operate with Resurrection Power!

 

The church is the light of the world today, which cannot be put out by the darkness around us.

We shine more and more unto the noon day, until we usher in the brightness of His future coming.

 

Jesus gave His life as fuel, to light our very vessels.

We give our life in service to Him, that He may light other vessels, through us as He lives in us.

 

As Christians endure fiery trials for righteousness sake, we give off light that others may see the way, the truth and the life.

“In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1: 4)

 

Don’t give in to the opposition you face for one single moment.

God is on our side, and there isn’t one single additional thing we need…

Be Prepared!

1 Peter 3: 15

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

 

This is one of those Bible verses, that sometimes easily falls through the cracks.

For anyone who asks us about our faith in Christ, we should be prepared to give some response.

 

Faith in Christ, is not a fairy tale as some would believe, but there are grave life & death issues, for those who choose not to believe.

There’s a question that I often have to ask myself…

“If I truly value my relationship with Father God, how much of my time do I plan to give Him today?”

 

Sometimes, I liken this ultimate choice, with someone flying in an airplane, and the engine stops running.

If given a parachute, that person has a choice of riding that airplane into the ground, or jumping to safety.

One could even doubt whether or not the parachute is going to do its job—but you had better decide quickly, before it’s too late.

 

When God is the very center of my life, it controls everything I say and do—or at least it should.

There was a time in my life, when I could not come to grips with people who were willing to die for their faith—but not the older I get, I understand that position quite clearly.

It does not seem like too many people are willing to go to the gallows for their faith anymore.

Actually, I’m not sure too many are willing to make a defense of their faith.

 

A great theologian once said… “Our lives begin to end, the day we become silent, about the things that matter most.”

Well said, indeed…

Defend yourself!

Jeremiah 31: 33

"I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

 

The Word of God is the very foundation of our faith.

As Christians, we’re supposed to believe that the Bible is the infallible, inspired Word of God.

 

This necessitates a thorough knowledge of scripture.

It should be assumed that a follower of Jesus, has a working knowledge of the Bible.

Would you say that’s true for you?

 

We must not only know what the Bible contains, but we should be very ready to defend it, when asked about it.

It is suggested, that 2 in 10 modern day confessed American Christians, believe that Moses was a disciple of Jesus.

That would not necessarily suggest, that those people have a working knowledge of the Bible.

 

Bible illiteracy in the United States of America, is at an all time high.

It’s no wonder why we have such a difficult time, defending what we believe.

 

Do you truly believe, in what you believe?

To know how to operate any motor vehicle, one should familiarize themselves with the owner’s manual.

 

The Bible, is the Christian’s owner’s manual.

How familiar are you, with how the Word of God operates?

 

Are you able to defend your faith?

Sadly, most people can’t…but all is not lost…at least not yet… 

Prepared Defender!

John 8: 32

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

 

It is not that most people are not  willing to defend their faith, it’s that they don’t know enough of it, to offer a convincing defense.

In the midst of defending one’s faith, most people are fearful of the cost of being faithful.

 

Did you know that as we’re willing to stand up for the things of God, God is then willing to stand up for us?

If we are faithful, the Lord restores us and makes us as good as new, and takes our fear and doubt away.

 

Just be sure of this, when we do stand up for the Bible, we’ll face guaranteed rejection and persecution.

Influences of the satanic realm, will most certainly attack us, until the very day we die.

 

The best defense of our faith, is a prepared defender.

So how much time will you spend today, studying the Word?

 

What’s the most important thing in your life?

The things of the world perhaps—your family and friends—or the faith that Jesus was willing to die for?

 

Let me make this complete claim….as you attempt to get to know the God of the Bible—the Holy Spirit then counsels and encourages.

Our defense cannot come by our own power—everyone of us needs a helper.

 

Make sure you ask the “Helper”, to help you today, along the way…