A New Year Revolution!

"The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes... Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective." – G. K. Chesterton

Over the next couple of days, hundreds of millions of people around the world will engage in one of the most common annual rituals on the planet: The "New Year's Resolution." I did a Google search for "New Year's Resolution" awhile back, and 980,370 sites popped up! That's a lot of "resoluting" going on out there every year!

Personally? I don't like New Year's resolutions. I've never done them, and if I had, I never would have kept any of them.

I looked up resolution in the dictionary, and it said, "Determination with firmness and intention to change what I'm going to do." Theoretically and theologically, I actually have a problem with that.

Think about it! A resolution is supposed to change you by changing your behavior. That is actually backwards from the New Testament which reveals that your behavior is changed by an awareness of this fact: Christ has ushered in a dynamic revolution that transforms you from the inside out.

Revolution, on the other hand, is defined as "a radical change in constitution... to change completely." But the traditional pattern this time of year is to make resolutions, rather than allow revolutions. Paul had something to say about that:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. – Romans 12:2

Over the next two weeks I am going to take you through Proverbs 30, which contains nine radical revolutionary statements. If taken seriously, they can be used by the Spirit to completely change who you are as a person. These are specific transformations that are caused by the revolution Christ has begun in your heart.

May you start this new year not with temporary resolutions that are bound to fail, but by committing to the eternal revolution that Christ is bringing about in your heart!

Holy Spirit, please take the powerful, unchanging truths of Scripture and make them alive in fresh new ways each day of this coming year. Amen.

Someone who can never repay you

"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." – John Bunyan

Gifts

🙏 Prayer 4 2day!

Father, thank you for making me a part of something so precious, so awesome, as the bodily presence of the Lord. Please help each person in our church family to find his or her gifts of service and to use those gifts in ways that touch others with your grace and that bring you glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Thank You!

I would like to say a Huge Thank You to everyone who read's/follows my Blog! When i started my Blog earlier this year i had no idea that anyone would read it never mind follow it. I am so Blessed that you take a little time to read some of the posts i upload and i hope that you are inspired and continue to follow as i try to make it more interesting in the future.

God Bless you all! :D

More Gifts & Blessings

"What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day." – Phyllis Diller

What's the heartbeat of Christmas? God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. In the most significant gift exchange that has ever taken place, God gave first. He gave His Son and, through His Son, He gave the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit has come with more gifts and more blessings than we could ever have imagined.

But it is an exchange. In order to receive this life from Him, you must give your life to Him.

God designed life to work best when everything you have is released back to Him, and put in His control. His desire is to have our lives given over fully to Him, but here's what we do: We make a deal and say, “God, I really appreciate all these amazing gifts You are willing to give. They're really great, really! But, um, I'm really not quite ready to give you all of myself yet. Here, take this!"

And we give Him the part of us that we're willing to give. All the other stuff – the battles we want to keep our claws in, the areas we want to remain king over, the things we want to possess – we try to keep for ourselves, usually with disastrous results.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:1-2

This Christmas, the best gift that you can give yourself is giving all of yourself away to Him, so that you can fully receive what He is willing to give you.

Lord Jesus, I confess that there are many aspects of me and my life that I am holding on to. These things rightly belong to You, since I belong to You, and I know in my head that I would be better off to release them to You. By the power of Your Holy Spirit in me, by the faith which You promise to give me, I offer these areas of my life to You today, that I might experience true and proper worship! Amen.

Reflect The Character of Christ

⛪ Prayer 4 2day!
"Loving God, please bless me with character as I resist those who are critical, cynical, and vengeful toward me. Please help me respond in a way that reflects the character and Lordship of Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen."

Words of Kindness

Instead of hurling angry words
That wound and stir up strife,
Use words of kindness, filled with love,
That heal and nourish life. —Sper

Serve The Lord

 

   

   

 

 

✞ Verse 4 2day! 

"Do not be afraid," Samuel replied [to the people of Israel]. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart."
—1 Samuel 12:20

Jesus - The Reason 4 The Season

A Great Facebook Cover Image!! 

Christmas is Forever Poem

Christmas is forever
Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself.

✞ Quote 4 2day! - The Bad Stuff!

The bad stuff will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay.

God shaped vacuum

There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.

Blaise Pascal

The Paradox of our time here in History!

The Paradox of our time here in history is that we spend more but have less, we buy more but enjoy it less, we have bigger houses but smaller families, more conveniences but less time.

More medicine but less wellness, we read too little, watch TV too much and Pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values. these are times of tall men but short character. steep profits and shallow relationships. 

These are days of 2 incomes but more divorce, fancier houses but broken homes. 

We have learnt how to make a living but not a life, we have added years to life but not life to years. 

We have cleaned up the air but polluted the soul!

Impressions about Christmas!

"One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons." – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Most of our impressions about Christmas revolve around concepts like "peace" and "harmony" and "unity." But the first Christmas was filled with intense contrasts. On one hand, we have Herod who is willing to murder countless innocent babies in order to save his position as king. Then there are the three Magi, the wise men from the east:

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. – Matthew 2:11

These were gifts of great monetary and symbolic value:
MYRRH was a substance used in embalming fluid. This little boy had been born to die as the Savior of mankind! So in giving that gift, the wise men said, "You are Savior, You are worthy to be trusted, we trust You fully."
INCENSE was burned in the Tabernacle and in the Temple as an act of worship to God. In giving frankincense, they were saying, "You are God, and You are worthy to be worshiped!"
GOLD was a gift given to kings. In giving the gold to Jesus, they said, "You are King, You are worthy to be followed."
There was a time when your sinful nature was inclined to do what Herod did – clinging to and defending your position as king of your own life. But now that you are in Christ, now that your sinful nature has been crucified with Him (Romans 6), now that His Holy Spirit lives within you (Romans 8), you can listen to His voice that invites you to bow down and worship the Child as Savior and King today.

Jesus, my Lord! With great joy, I follow the leading of Your Spirit in my heart today. I bow before You as my Savior and my King. May my words, thoughts, and actions all be expressions of sincere worship to You. Amen.

Epitome of the Christian religion

"If any of you should ask me for an epitome of the Christian religion, I should say that it is in one word — prayer." —Charles Spurgeon

God Has Set Things Right

✞ Verse 4 2day! - Romans 3:21-24
The Message (MSG)

God Has Set Things Right

21-24 But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.

 

Do all the good you can

Do all the good you can,
in all the ways you can,
at all the times you can,
to all the people you can,
as long as ever you can.
- John Wesley

ISN'T THERE ANYONE WHO KNOWS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT?!!!

“ISN'T THERE ANYONE WHO KNOWS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT?!!!" – Charlie Brown

"Aren't we forgetting the true meaning of Christmas? You know... the birth of Santa!" – Bart Simpson

I had a young lady in my office recently. In the course of our conversation, I came to the conclusion that she hadn't come to grips with God's love for her. So I looked her in the eyes as I thought of one of the foundational verses in the Bible:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." – John 3:16

"Let me tell you something, are you aware of this simple fact, that God couldn't possibly love you more than He does right now?" I asked. "That He loves you as much as a perfect God can? That He loves you perfectly, and there's nothing you can do to make Him love you more? There's nothing you can do to earn His approval; you have it. Are you aware of that? Do you realize how deeply God loves you?"

Her eyes filled with tears, and she bowed her head and started to weep. She didn't stop. She just kept crying. Our conversation ended with her thanking me and walking out, still crying. I called a few days later, just to follow up, to make sure she was okay. She said, "Pete, I cried for three days! It just finally hit me that God loves me! I finally got it! All these years, I've been sitting in church and never allowed myself to realize how deeply and passionately He loves me!"

Why Christmas? Because God loves you so much that He gave His one and only Son, sending Him into the world as a poor baby so that He could show you how to live – no, more than that – that He might be your life. He lived perfectly, died a grizzly death, shed His blood so that your sins might be removed, so that you will not perish, but spend forever with Him.

Do you get it? Have you received this gift?

Holy Spirit, today and through this season, give me the ability and the willingness to realize how deeply and passionately You love me. Amen.

The Masterpiece

The Masterpiece

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

There is a story about a wealthy man and his only son who travelled the world together collecting priceless paintings by Van Gogh, Monet and many other masters. Tragically, the son died at war while rescuing others. Distraught and lonely, the old man dreaded the upcoming Christmas day.

Christmas morning, a young soldier knocked on his door and said, “I’m a friend of your son. I’m one of the ones he rescued.” Then the soldier presented a picture he had painted of the son. Though the picture lacked genius, the brokenhearted father saw the features of his precious son and immediately valued this painting above all the masterpieces in his home. Every day, the father gazed at the portrait and told his housekeeper of his great love for it.

When the father died, the art world buzzed with excitement over the sale of his extraordinary art collection on Christmas day.

The first item offered was the painting of the son, but no one in the self-important crowd would bid on the amateurish portrait. The auctioneer insisted that the terms of the will required the portrait must be sold before any other paintings could be offered. Finally, the housekeeper, tears streaming down her cheeks, said to the auctioneer, “May I pay ten dollars for it? That is all the money I have. I knew the son, and I know how much the father treasured that portrait.” The auctioneer said, “The bid is ten dollars. Going once, going twice, gone,” and the gavel fell.

The auctioneer then announced that the auction was over. “What do you mean?” said the stunned audience. “There must be hundreds of millions of dollars of art here.” The auctioneer replied, “It is very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son gets it all.”

Like the art collectors, not everyone can see the real value of a relationship with Jesus. John 1:11 tells us that Jesus came to His own but His own received Him not. They did not accept the precious gift of God’s Son, a gift that brings with it all the blessings and love of God.

If you are not intentional about recognizing and receiving Jesus Christ, you will have nothing in the end, and there will be no negotiation of God’s terms. God’s Son may have been born in the most humble of circumstances in a manger in Bethlehem, but He is coming back in power and glory. The next time we see Jesus, things will be very different from His first coming. Not only will He be the King of kings but He will be a judge and we will be held accountable for our lives.

Read John 3:18-36 and Revelations 3:16. Clearly, there are two categories of people: those who fully accept the Son as the only means to the Father and those who don’t. People who are indifferent or neutral about the Son will miss the opportunity to live eternally with the Father in Heaven. It is not enough to believe Jesus was a good man or a prophet; James 2:19 says that even the devil believes and “trembles.”

Have you said “Yes” to the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior? Luke 15:7 says there will be joy in Heaven when you do. Tell the Father today about your love for His Son. Ask God to protect your heart from being neutral or complacent about your devotion to Jesus. Is there someone you know who needs to acknowledge Jesus as Savior? Pray about being intentional about introducing them to the Son.

"Beautiful" by Phil Wickham

✞ Lyrics 4 2day! - "Beautiful" by Phil Wickham

When we arrive at eternity’s shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we’ll sing
You’re beautiful.

Keep Back Nothing!

✞ Quote 4 2day! 

Your real, new self (which is Christ's and also yours, and yours just because it is His) will not come as long as you are looking for it. It will come when you are looking for Him. Does that sound strange? The same principle holds, you know, for more everyday matters. Even in social life, you will never make a good impression on other people until you stop thinking about what sort of impression you are making. Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it. The principle runs through all life from top to bottom, Give up yourself, and you will find your real self. Lose your life and you will save it. Submit to death, death of your ambitions and favourite wishes every day and death of your whole body in the end submit with every fibre of your being, and you will find eternal life. Keep back nothing. Nothing that you have not given away will be really yours. Nothing in you that has not died will ever be raised from the dead. Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.

"Does Sunday Church Violate the Sabbath Commandment?"

"Does Sunday Church Violate the Sabbath Commandment?"

Hello Michael, I read your article on why Christians go to church on Sunday instead of the sabbath. Our Sunday school teacher gave us an assignment to find out how this goes along with the commandment "Remember the sabbath and keep it holy." Are we breaking this command? Is there any scripture I can share with the class that explains this?

The command to observe the Sabbath is rooted in both creation and redemption. It was a non-negotiable command for Israel under the Mosaic Covenant. However, it seems to me that this is no longer the case for Christians today, for we are now called to relate to God under the terms and conditions of the New Covenant. Hence, I personally don't think that Christians can violate this command for I do not think it is still in effect (at least not as it was under the Old Covenant).

That the Old Covenant has been made obsolete is stated explicitly in Hebrews 8:13. Paul recognizes that there will be difference of opinion among believers regarding how one observes (or does not observe) certain days like the Sabbath in Romans 14:5-6, 13. He clearly indicates that such observance is not necessary for salvation in Galatians 4:8-11. In Colossians 2:16-17 he says that we are not to judge (or let ourselves be judged) with respect to things like Sabbath day observances, for these things are but "a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ." Finally, the author of Hebrews reminds us of that true Sabbath rest that remains for God's people today. This, I take it, refers to a "rest" that is available to us in some respects now, but will be fully and perfectly realized only in the future, in the new heaven and new earth. Insofar as this "rest" is available to us now, it is not limited to a single day of the week, but is rather a "perpetual" sort of "rest" that we can enter by surrendering ourselves completely to the will of God and trusting wholly in what Christ accomplished for us through His death and resurrection. In other words, we cease trying to earn God's favor by what we do and we "rest" in the fact that Christ has already done this for us! Properly understood, of course, this does not mean that we cease doing good works, which we are clearly told to do (see Ephesians 2:10 and Titus 2:14). It does mean, however, that we can get off the treadmill of trying to earn God's favor by what we do (and "rest" in the fact that Christ has done this for us).

The Sabbath day rest under the Old Covenant, then, is but a type or "shadow" of this fuller "rest" that we can enjoy in Christ—both now (through faith) and in the future new heaven and new earth.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with setting aside a day for rest each week, provided that one does not think that this gains them some sort of special favor with God, favor that is somehow not available to all who trust Christ for salvation. In other words, as I understand it, a Christian is free to set aside a day for rest, but is not required to do so. All Christians, however, are clearly commanded to set aside time for worship and fellowship with other believers (see Hebrews 10:23-25). This, as I see it, is the primary purpose for Christians to set aside Sunday each week. It is to be a day for worshiping the Lord and enjoying fellowship with one another, and encouraging one another to love and good deeds.

Of course, not everyone will agree with what I've written here. But this seems to me to be the New Testament teaching about this issue.

Shalom in Christ,

Michael Gleghorn

Posted Nov. 28, 2012
© 2012 Probe Ministries

 

Joke 4 2day! - The 3 Sons

Three sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting together for Christmas, they discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother. 

The first said, “I built a big house for our mother.”
The second said, “I sent her a Mercedes.”
The third smiled and said, “I’ve got you both beat. You remember how mom enjoyed reading the Bible? And you know she can’t see very well. So I sent her a remarkable parrot that recites the entire Bible. It took elders in the church 12 years to teach him. He’s one of a kind. Mom just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot recites it.”
Soon thereafter, mom sent out her letters of thanks:
“Dear Milton,” she wrote one son, “The house you built is too huge. I live in only one room, but I have to keep the whole house clean!”
“Dear Gerald,” she wrote to another, “I am too old to travel. I stay at home most of the time, so I rarely use the Mercedes.”
“Dearest Donald,” she wrote to her third son, “You have the good sense to know what your Mother likes.
The chicken was Dee-licious!”

What is the Christian view of Tai Chi (TaiChi)?

Question: "What is the Christian view of Tai Chi (TaiChi)?"

Answer: Tai Chi is more specifically called Tai Chi Chuan, which can be translated as “supreme ultimate force.” Tai Chi is a martial art, though it’s often called a “moving meditation” since the movements are done slowly and deliberately, and it is taught more as a meditative and health-enhancing practice than as a martial art. Though its origins are unclear, the foundation of Tai Chi is the Taoist belief in a universal energy called chi (also spelled qi or ki depending on the language of origin). Chi is believed to be the binding life force in the universe, existing both externally and internally, moving through invisible channels in the body called meridians.

Taoism teaches that strengthening and reinforcing one’s inner chi will bring good health and long life as well as spiritual benefits. Certain breathing techniques, meditations, and bodily movements are taught to cultivate and enhance the chi. This belief is the basis of Tai Chi. There is no supreme God or Creator in Taoism; all originated from the Tao, which is an impersonal principle or source of creation.

From the Tao came yin and yang, two forces that manifested in creation. These forces appear opposite but actually are in a state of constant flux, merging with each other. The chi flows more harmoniously when yin and yang are balanced; this balance is brought about through special diets, herbs, exercises, breathing techniques, and bodily movements. Tai Chi, therefore, has a worldview at odds with the Christian worldview. Tai Chi is based on a Taoist spiritual view of the body and the chi, and how to enhance the chi, a view incompatible with how the Bible tells us we were made—in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).

Jesus Christ created and holds the world together, not the Tao or an invisible force called chi: “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17). Doing Tai Chi, even for physical purposes, is paying homage to a spiritual belief system at odds with God’s Word.

"Is Quantum Physics Legitimate or Spiritually Dangerous?"

"Is Quantum Physics Legitimate or Spiritually Dangerous?" by Probe Ministries

Michael, thank you so very much for your insightful articles about Reiki. My father was an excellent medical doctor and surgeon and after retiring, he was led into Reiki and he is always trying to push this on us. His three adult Christian children all have known from the start that this was not of the Lord and have rejected it. Now he is advocating Quantum Physics as the answer to life even though he claims to be a Christian. Have you written anything about Quantum Physics or can you give me just a couple of scriptural reasons why it is off-base? I imagine that they are the same as the reason for Reiki.

Thanks for your kind and encouraging letter. I'm glad to hear that the article on Reiki was helpful to you. Concerning quantum physics, this is a legitimate and highly-developed branch of contemporary physics. Any difficulties with quantum physics would not be due to the legitimate scientific work being done. However, difficulties with quantum physics do arise, and these can usually be traced back to two sources of origin.

In the first place, the vast majority of people who mention quantum physics have very little idea of what it is they're actually talking about. They may have read a popular-level book or two on the subject (or they may not have even done that). With this bit of new knowledge they may then make all kinds of far-fetched and dubious claims. The problem is, they usually don't know what they are talking about and it is difficult for anyone to challenge them (because not many people have a deep enough knowledge of this important field of physics to do so). In particular, quantum physics has been embraced by many non-Christian Eastern religious movements (or religious movements influenced by such philosophies) as a means of showing that physical reality is paradoxical, or illogical, etc. This often fits in with their religious claims, but many of these views are based on misunderstandings, misappropriations, and misinterpretations of quantum physics—and hence are not to be accepted uncritically.

Secondly (and this is very important), there are MANY DIFFERENT interpretations of what the mathematics and experimental science behind quantum physics is actually telling us about the nature of physical reality. This is terribly important to understand, but sadly, most people are not aware of this. Many of the "wild and crazy" ideas which people propound with an appeal to quantum physics are based on a particular interpretation of the mathematical and physical evidence. But the problem with this is that there are numerous competing interpretations, each one of which adequately accounts for the data, but many of which would NOT result in the same strange views of the physical world. And here's the kicker: we do NOT know which interpretation is the right one! Hence, as you can easily imagine, many of the strange ideas which are based on a particular interpretation of quantum physics may be incorrect, simply because the interpretation upon which these ideas are based is incorrect!

For more on quantum physics from an informed Christian perspective, please check out some of William Lane Craig's materials on his website here. These are the search results from "quantum physics" on his website. Craig is a world class Christian philosopher and theologian, who is intimately acquainted with the issues in contemporary physics. You might also want to refer your father to Craig's work. His website has scholarly and popular-level articles, podcasts, debates with leading atheists, etc. I would highly recommend Craig's work.

I hope this is helpful. May the Lord richly bless you in your service for Him!

Shalom in Christ,

Michael Gleghorn

Posted Nov. 28, 2012
© 2012 Probe Ministries

 

Love Without Giving?

✞ Quote 4 2day! 

You may give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.

I'd love you unconditionally, but you just don't deserve it

"I'd love you unconditionally, but you just don't deserve it." – Unknown

Jesus saw through the surface to the soul. That's the first reason that He loved in such an amazing way. Whether it was a leper, or a prostitute, or an adulterer, He seemed to naturally look past outward appearances and blatant behavior. He looked deep into the human soul, and what He saw there, He loved.

Jesus also looked past people's issues and touched the soul. He didn't even try to fix them before He had connected with them in a way that validated their value, even in the midst of their sin. Over and over, He loved first.

Finally, Jesus risked everything to touch the human soul. His reputation as a holy man was on the chopping block the night He let the prostitute anoint Him with perfume and wipe His feet with her tears and hair. And how about the physical diseases He risked by reaching out to touch those who were sick? Yeah, He put His own health on the line to heal them and love them.

That's radical stuff. The source of such audacity is not just a decision or an act of the will. It is an extension of unity with God.

"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me… because you loved me before the creation of the world." – John 17:22-24

When we consciously let Christ live through us to love like this, His radical love brands us as authentically Christian and gives glory to God.

Is it possible that we don't love as we should because we don't recognize how He could love through us?

Holy Spirit, today, I ask that You would give me one opportunity to experience Your love flowing through me like never before. You can love through me like I could never love on my own – the love that sees, the love that touches, and the love that risks. Please, do that in a radical way through me today. Amen.

The Fashionable god of Darkness!

Verse 4 2day!

2 Corinthians 4:3-4
The Message (MSG)

3-4 If our Message is obscure to anyone, it’s not because we’re holding back in any way. No, it’s because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won’t have to bother believing a Truth they can’t see. They’re stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we’ll ever get.