Monday, June 9, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
This Station Is Experiencing Technical Difficulties
As many of you know, I'll be leaving tomorrow for Paradise 2008. And...as soon as I get back from that I'll be taking a week off for a family vacation. Sadly, this leaves me no time to update the site with new Bible studies over the next couple of weeks. If you're new to the site, try some of the earlier stuff we've done...if you've been with us the whole time, please spend some time looking through the rest of 1 John and we'll get back to it when I get back.
If you wouldn't mind...I'm trying to determine how many people are actually using this site so if you could leave a comment to this message letting me know you use it I would appreciate it very much.
Until next time.
Wayne
If you wouldn't mind...I'm trying to determine how many people are actually using this site so if you could leave a comment to this message letting me know you use it I would appreciate it very much.
Until next time.
Wayne
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
It's All About The Love
Read 1 John 3:10-15
I've always been amazed at the extent that some people and/or churches will go to try and attract other people. It seems that there has been a trend, in the past at least, to try and bait people into the church with programs, activities, or just plain fun. It's like we're trying to offer people entertainment to get them to come to our churches. The problem with this way of doing things is that you've always got to one up yourself. If you put on a big event this time, it's got to be even bigger next time to keep people interested. Another problem with this way of doing things in the church is that most churches just do not have the resources or man power to compete with the world when it comes to entertainment.
So...how...do...we...compete. Well, there's one area that the church has a corner on that the world can't even come close to competing with us in - LOVE! That's right...if you think about it, the one thing that the church can offer (that the world just can't, btw) is the one thing that everyone in the whole wide world wants anyway! We all want to be loved...we all want to be appreciated, valued and cared for! And God designed the church to be the ONLY real place in this world where people can find genuine love!
FAQ:
- Would you say that your church is a place where you feel loved?
- What's more important to the people in your church: programs/entertainment or loving others?
- What is one thing you can do today to demonstrate God's love to another person?
I've always been amazed at the extent that some people and/or churches will go to try and attract other people. It seems that there has been a trend, in the past at least, to try and bait people into the church with programs, activities, or just plain fun. It's like we're trying to offer people entertainment to get them to come to our churches. The problem with this way of doing things is that you've always got to one up yourself. If you put on a big event this time, it's got to be even bigger next time to keep people interested. Another problem with this way of doing things in the church is that most churches just do not have the resources or man power to compete with the world when it comes to entertainment.
So...how...do...we...compete. Well, there's one area that the church has a corner on that the world can't even come close to competing with us in - LOVE! That's right...if you think about it, the one thing that the church can offer (that the world just can't, btw) is the one thing that everyone in the whole wide world wants anyway! We all want to be loved...we all want to be appreciated, valued and cared for! And God designed the church to be the ONLY real place in this world where people can find genuine love!
FAQ:
- Would you say that your church is a place where you feel loved?
- What's more important to the people in your church: programs/entertainment or loving others?
- What is one thing you can do today to demonstrate God's love to another person?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
I heard a story recently about a father and his daughter who were driving down the road. The little girl was standing up in the back seat. The father told her to sit down, but she refused. He told her again to sit down and buckle her seat belt, but she again refused. Finally he said, "If you don't sit down and buckle up, I'm going to pull over and spank you!" The little girl sat down and buckled her seat belt. A few minutes later she looked straight at her dad and said, "Dad, I may be sitting down, but I'm standing up inside!"
We all know what it's like to obey because we have to, but to still be rebellious and really want to disobey on the inside. There were many times as I was growing up that I did what I was told to do b/c I didn't want to suffer the consequences...not b/c I wanted to do what was right! I know that there are lots of times that my own children do that same thing.
Read 1 John 3:4-10
The first time I read this as a young person I immediately began to think, "Well, I know I sin so I must not be a Christian!" It just stands to reason that if a person who is born of God doesn't sin...and I sin...then I must not be born of God! However, that's not the point John is trying to make here! What John is talking about is that inward attitude of rebelliousness. In other words, he's saying that a person who is geniunely a child of God will not be rebellious against God...we may make mistakes, but in our hearts we'll genuinely want to do God's will and be the person he wants us to be! On the other hand, that person who, deep down inside, doesn't want to do God's will...or doesn't even think about it - they're the ones who are children of the Devil!
It all makes sense to me when I think about it that way b/c I know how it feels to be tempted to sin and my body want to give in to the temptation, but my heart tells me, "Wayne, this is wrong...you don't really want to do this!" Sometimes, my flesh is stronger than that voice inside and I sin, but other times that voice is what keeps me from giving in. That voice comes from a heart that genuinely wants to serve God.
FAQ:
- Are you rebellious against God's ways or are you willing to do what He asks?
- Would you say that you love God?
- Which is easier...to obey someone simply b/c of their authority...or...to obey someone b/c you genuinely love them and care about what they think?
- Which of those two types of obedience would you say you have towards God?
We all know what it's like to obey because we have to, but to still be rebellious and really want to disobey on the inside. There were many times as I was growing up that I did what I was told to do b/c I didn't want to suffer the consequences...not b/c I wanted to do what was right! I know that there are lots of times that my own children do that same thing.
Read 1 John 3:4-10
The first time I read this as a young person I immediately began to think, "Well, I know I sin so I must not be a Christian!" It just stands to reason that if a person who is born of God doesn't sin...and I sin...then I must not be born of God! However, that's not the point John is trying to make here! What John is talking about is that inward attitude of rebelliousness. In other words, he's saying that a person who is geniunely a child of God will not be rebellious against God...we may make mistakes, but in our hearts we'll genuinely want to do God's will and be the person he wants us to be! On the other hand, that person who, deep down inside, doesn't want to do God's will...or doesn't even think about it - they're the ones who are children of the Devil!
It all makes sense to me when I think about it that way b/c I know how it feels to be tempted to sin and my body want to give in to the temptation, but my heart tells me, "Wayne, this is wrong...you don't really want to do this!" Sometimes, my flesh is stronger than that voice inside and I sin, but other times that voice is what keeps me from giving in. That voice comes from a heart that genuinely wants to serve God.
FAQ:
- Are you rebellious against God's ways or are you willing to do what He asks?
- Would you say that you love God?
- Which is easier...to obey someone simply b/c of their authority...or...to obey someone b/c you genuinely love them and care about what they think?
- Which of those two types of obedience would you say you have towards God?
Monday, May 19, 2008
That's Just Weird!
Read 1 John 3:1-3
You won't believe it, but I saw a poor little dog that looked just like this a few days ago at the rest area outside of Jackson. I immediately felt sympathy for the ugly little thing...why would someone intentionally breed animals to make them look this way? Is there no decency? Dogs weren't meant to look like Yoda! That's just weird!
I'm sure you can sympathize with me...all of us have come across stuff that we thought was just crazy! Stuff that really didn't fit in with what we think is normal or even right! Stuff that makes us ask, "What's up with that?"
Well, in verse 1 of 1 John 3, the apostle John tells us that that's exactly how the world looks at those of us who have been born again! In fact, John says that the world doesn't even know us. In other words, they don't understand us...we're weird to them! It's kind of surprising to hear John say such a thing...especially since many of us spend a lot of time trying to fit in with and gain acceptance from those in the world! What's John's point? GIVE IT UP! The world doesn't understand God...didn't understand Jesus...and will not understand what makes a child of God tick either...so...give...it...up! Stop trying to fit in with the world...stop trying to gain worldly people's approval...and embrace your weirdness!
FAQ:
- Are there times when you're ashamed of your faith? Why?
- Do you think that worldly people are ever ashamed of their worldliness?
- Is it possible to be ashamed of someone you're completely in love with?
- Do you love God that way?
"I give thanks unto my God for this; that I am found worthy to be found among those the world hateth." - Jerome
Saturday, May 17, 2008
A Tale of Orphans
It was 1982 when we were introduced, on the big screen, to a little red haired orphan girl named Annie. A girl who wanted nothing more than a real family and who found it in an old cold hearted guy known as Big Daddy Warbucks! It was a beautiful story of a man who had it all taking in a young girl who had nothing and giving her the world!
Read 1 John 3:1-3
Have you ever thought about the fact that before you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you were a spiritual orphan? It's true! While every one of us was born with a physical mother and father, b/c of our sin we were born into a spiritual orphanage. In fact, every person who doesn't have Christ is still living in that orphanage today...and it's a sad place! Praise be to God that His love for us was so great that He chose to pay the price to make us His children by sending His only Son to a cruel and horrific death! Jesus died so we could be adopted into the family! What kind of love is that?
FAQ:
- When was the last time you thanked God for adopting you into His family?
- What are some of the responsibilities that come with being a child of God?
- Why is salvation so valuable?
“Salvation is the work of God for man; it is not the work of man for God.” - Lewis Sperry Chafer
Read 1 John 3:1-3
Have you ever thought about the fact that before you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you were a spiritual orphan? It's true! While every one of us was born with a physical mother and father, b/c of our sin we were born into a spiritual orphanage. In fact, every person who doesn't have Christ is still living in that orphanage today...and it's a sad place! Praise be to God that His love for us was so great that He chose to pay the price to make us His children by sending His only Son to a cruel and horrific death! Jesus died so we could be adopted into the family! What kind of love is that?
FAQ:
- When was the last time you thanked God for adopting you into His family?
- What are some of the responsibilities that come with being a child of God?
- Why is salvation so valuable?
“Salvation is the work of God for man; it is not the work of man for God.” - Lewis Sperry Chafer
Friday, May 16, 2008
In It For The Long Haul
Read 1 John 2:24-28
"In it for the long haul." Most of us have heard that phrase before, some have even used it. In the trucking industry there are short hauls (loads that are carried relatively short distances) and then there are long hauls (loads that are carried for thousands of miles and may even takes days or weeks to accomplish). A long haul trucker has to deal with issues that a short haul trucker doesn't...things like how to deal with mechanical problems, making sure he has enough fuel, making sure he get's enough rest along the way so he can complete his trip, making sure he has spare tires and other parts that might give out during the trip, etc. Long haul trucking is a career that requires a considerable amount of commitment on the part of the trucker! He could be gone from family for long periods of time and the job places demands on him physically, emotionally and spiritually! If he's going to do the job, and do it well, he's got to make sure he's in it for the long haul b/c you can't just get halfway to your destination, decide you want to quit and just leave your truck sitting on the side of the road!
John says that the Christian life is pretty similar. It's a commitment to a lifestyle, not just a church or an hour of worship each week. It's not easy being a Christian and there are demands placed on those who follow Christ...physically, emotionally and spiritually! It's not a lifestyle for the faint at heart...in fact, the only way you'll be successful at it is if you're determined to be in it for the long haul! Each follower of Christ must count the costs of discipleship and decide for himself if it's a price he's willing to pay (Jesus called that "taking up your cross"). For those who stick with it, John points out that there is a huge payoff - ETERNAL LIFE!
FAQ:
- Have you counted the cost of what it means to be a Christian?
- How is being a Christian costly?
- What are the benefits of following Christ?
"The ability to stand by one's principles, to live with integrity and faith according to one's belief—that is what matters, that is the difference between a contribution and a commitment." - Howard W. Hunter
"In it for the long haul." Most of us have heard that phrase before, some have even used it. In the trucking industry there are short hauls (loads that are carried relatively short distances) and then there are long hauls (loads that are carried for thousands of miles and may even takes days or weeks to accomplish). A long haul trucker has to deal with issues that a short haul trucker doesn't...things like how to deal with mechanical problems, making sure he has enough fuel, making sure he get's enough rest along the way so he can complete his trip, making sure he has spare tires and other parts that might give out during the trip, etc. Long haul trucking is a career that requires a considerable amount of commitment on the part of the trucker! He could be gone from family for long periods of time and the job places demands on him physically, emotionally and spiritually! If he's going to do the job, and do it well, he's got to make sure he's in it for the long haul b/c you can't just get halfway to your destination, decide you want to quit and just leave your truck sitting on the side of the road!
John says that the Christian life is pretty similar. It's a commitment to a lifestyle, not just a church or an hour of worship each week. It's not easy being a Christian and there are demands placed on those who follow Christ...physically, emotionally and spiritually! It's not a lifestyle for the faint at heart...in fact, the only way you'll be successful at it is if you're determined to be in it for the long haul! Each follower of Christ must count the costs of discipleship and decide for himself if it's a price he's willing to pay (Jesus called that "taking up your cross"). For those who stick with it, John points out that there is a huge payoff - ETERNAL LIFE!
FAQ:
- Have you counted the cost of what it means to be a Christian?
- How is being a Christian costly?
- What are the benefits of following Christ?
"The ability to stand by one's principles, to live with integrity and faith according to one's belief—that is what matters, that is the difference between a contribution and a commitment." - Howard W. Hunter
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