oh boy.... does THIS ever speak to me today. Brought tears to my eyes...
Epping Green Chapel - window to the world
http://www.chapel.plus.com
---------------
Thought for Today
---------------
A Morning Prayer
"O, God, for another day,
for another morning,
for another hour,
for another minute,
for another chance to live and serve You,
I am truly grateful.
Do this day free me
from all fear of the future,
from all anxiety about tomorrow,
from all bitterness toward any one,
from all cowardice in face of danger,
from all laziness in the face of work,
from all failure before opportunity,
from all weakness when Your power is at hand.
But fill me
with Love that knows no barrier,
with Sympathy that reaches to all,
with Courage that cannot be shaken,
with Faith strong enough for the darkness,
with Strength sufficient for my tasks,
with Loyalty to Your Kingdom's goal,
with Wisdom to meet life's complexities,
with Power to lift me to You.
Be with me for another day, and use me as Thou
will.
For Christ's sake, I pray. Amen."
~Author unknown~
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
Spiritual Growth: A Neglected Priority
A few weeks ago, our pastor preached on this... the title above is the title of his sermon. It was based on Ephesians 4:11-16
2 Peter 3:18 says to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Does your spiritual maturity correspond with your chronological age in Jesus Christ?
How concerned are you to move to the next stage of growth in your spiritual relationship?
Our spiritual growth controls every other area of our lives. Spiritual growth is foremost and central to growth in all other areas of our lives: physical, emotional, mental...
[Churches are filled with immature Christians]
God does not intend for you to remain where you are
God's intent is that we grow in Christ and come to know Him more.
Spiritual growth is not constant, but intermittant.
Eph 5:18 - be filled with the Holy Spirit
Spiritual growth is not an accident, but intentional. You do not grow accidentally.
Heb 6:11
1Peter 2:2
2Peter 1:5-7
Spiritual growth is not optional, but imperative.
The problem is we deal with symptoms and not with the root issues in our lives.
We are body, soul, spirit.
Proverbs 4:23 - Guard your heart for it is the well-spring of life.
Spiritual growth is the natural product of spiritual life.
Where there is no growth, no life exists.
If there is no desire for spiritual growth, then there is no life.
God desires for you to grow spiritually. God does not want you to remain an spiritual infant.
When we neglect spiritual growth, we are disobeying God.
The key to victorious living is to obey the Spirit of God promptly.
Prayer is an instrument of growth.
Testings or sufferings ar instruments of growth.
The testing of faith develops perseverence.
Suffering is for refining us.
We grow spiritually and spiritual growth produces service.
Are you a growing spiritual Christian?
Has your spiritual growth plateaued?
2 Peter 3:18 says to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Does your spiritual maturity correspond with your chronological age in Jesus Christ?
How concerned are you to move to the next stage of growth in your spiritual relationship?
Our spiritual growth controls every other area of our lives. Spiritual growth is foremost and central to growth in all other areas of our lives: physical, emotional, mental...
[Churches are filled with immature Christians]
God does not intend for you to remain where you are
God's intent is that we grow in Christ and come to know Him more.
Spiritual growth is not constant, but intermittant.
Eph 5:18 - be filled with the Holy Spirit
Spiritual growth is not an accident, but intentional. You do not grow accidentally.
Heb 6:11
1Peter 2:2
2Peter 1:5-7
Spiritual growth is not optional, but imperative.
The problem is we deal with symptoms and not with the root issues in our lives.
We are body, soul, spirit.
Proverbs 4:23 - Guard your heart for it is the well-spring of life.
Spiritual growth is the natural product of spiritual life.
Where there is no growth, no life exists.
If there is no desire for spiritual growth, then there is no life.
God desires for you to grow spiritually. God does not want you to remain an spiritual infant.
When we neglect spiritual growth, we are disobeying God.
The key to victorious living is to obey the Spirit of God promptly.
Prayer is an instrument of growth.
Testings or sufferings ar instruments of growth.
The testing of faith develops perseverence.
Suffering is for refining us.
We grow spiritually and spiritual growth produces service.
Are you a growing spiritual Christian?
Has your spiritual growth plateaued?
Bottom Line...
In my opinion, the bottom line is that God wants us to be in a relationship with Him.
"It's all about Him"
this past Sunday, my pastor talked about worship and how it's all about God. He based it on John 4:19-24
Larry says the average Christian in the average Church does not understand real "worship". We're missing the mark. Worship is all about Him - it's not about us.
We need to be flexible when we worship.
Worship is not a matter of where you are - it's a matter of who you know [in your heart].
In the Old Testament, God had a temple for His people
In the New Testament, God has a people for His temple
1Cor 6:19 - your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you
2Cor 6:16 - Jesus says, "You are the temple of the living God."
You don't have to go anywhere to worship. Worship is what you should do 24/7.
We need to be focused on who we worship.
John 4:23 - True worshipers will worship in spirit and truth
God is seeking worshipers who will worship Him in the way God wants to be worshiped.
God is looking for people who are so hungry for Him, that nothing else will satisfy.
Too often, we come to church focused on ourselves, not on God.
The church is not a place for needs to be met.
The church is a place where we go to worship God.
Then.... with all God's people worshiping, needs will be met.
We need to be faithful in the way we worship.
God is spirit - and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth.
We are body, soul and spirit.
Worship is when your spirit connects with His spirit through the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is looking at your heart.
Worship is not a social matter; it is a spiritual matter.
Romans 12:1 - present your bodies as a living sacrifice to God.
The heart of worship is surrender.
Larry says the average Christian in the average Church does not understand real "worship". We're missing the mark. Worship is all about Him - it's not about us.
We need to be flexible when we worship.
Worship is not a matter of where you are - it's a matter of who you know [in your heart].
In the Old Testament, God had a temple for His people
In the New Testament, God has a people for His temple
1Cor 6:19 - your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you
2Cor 6:16 - Jesus says, "You are the temple of the living God."
You don't have to go anywhere to worship. Worship is what you should do 24/7.
We need to be focused on who we worship.
John 4:23 - True worshipers will worship in spirit and truth
God is seeking worshipers who will worship Him in the way God wants to be worshiped.
God is looking for people who are so hungry for Him, that nothing else will satisfy.
Too often, we come to church focused on ourselves, not on God.
The church is not a place for needs to be met.
The church is a place where we go to worship God.
Then.... with all God's people worshiping, needs will be met.
We need to be faithful in the way we worship.
God is spirit - and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth.
We are body, soul and spirit.
Worship is when your spirit connects with His spirit through the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is looking at your heart.
Worship is not a social matter; it is a spiritual matter.
Romans 12:1 - present your bodies as a living sacrifice to God.
The heart of worship is surrender.
more thought for today
Epping Green Chapel - window to the world
http://www.chapel.plus.com
---------------
Thought for Today
---------------
This Man Jesus
What will I do with this man Jesus?
I’ll follow Him all of my life.
I’ll praise Him when I’m feeling joy
And I’ll praise Him when I face strife.
Though storms will come and toss me around,
I’ll hang on tight to this man.
For this man Jesus is all that I need
And I’ll hold on as tight as I can.
I’ll stretch my arms upward and worship His name,
For He is worthy of praise.
He died on the cross to free me from sin
So I’ll worship Him all of my days.
I know that I’ll never be worthy of Him,
But He takes me as I am.
So forever I’ll praise Him, forever I’ll shout
“Worthy is the Lamb!”
I’ll ask for forgiveness, I’ll fall on my knees,
His Word each day I will read.
I’ll always remember that He gave me life,
And He gives me all that I need.
All that I have on this life here on earth,
Are gifts from this man that I love.
So I’ll praise Him and thank Him for all that He
does
For the blessings He sends from above.
I’ll tell the whole world of the joy that I found
I’ll share this man Jesus with them.
By all that I say and by all that I do
I’ll tell of this priceless Gem.
I’ll shout from the mountains so all ears can
hear,
That this man Jesus is Love.
That He died for our sins so that we can all live
Forever in Heaven above.
What will I do with this man Jesus?
I’ll love Him all of my days.
I’ll never turn my back on this man,
Each day I’ll give Him my praise.
He’s the air that I breathe, the song that I
sing,
He's my Saviour and my King.
He gives my life meaning, He gives my life joy,
To me He is everything!
~Author Nancy Burr~
http://www.chapel.plus.com
---------------
Thought for Today
---------------
This Man Jesus
What will I do with this man Jesus?
I’ll follow Him all of my life.
I’ll praise Him when I’m feeling joy
And I’ll praise Him when I face strife.
Though storms will come and toss me around,
I’ll hang on tight to this man.
For this man Jesus is all that I need
And I’ll hold on as tight as I can.
I’ll stretch my arms upward and worship His name,
For He is worthy of praise.
He died on the cross to free me from sin
So I’ll worship Him all of my days.
I know that I’ll never be worthy of Him,
But He takes me as I am.
So forever I’ll praise Him, forever I’ll shout
“Worthy is the Lamb!”
I’ll ask for forgiveness, I’ll fall on my knees,
His Word each day I will read.
I’ll always remember that He gave me life,
And He gives me all that I need.
All that I have on this life here on earth,
Are gifts from this man that I love.
So I’ll praise Him and thank Him for all that He
does
For the blessings He sends from above.
I’ll tell the whole world of the joy that I found
I’ll share this man Jesus with them.
By all that I say and by all that I do
I’ll tell of this priceless Gem.
I’ll shout from the mountains so all ears can
hear,
That this man Jesus is Love.
That He died for our sins so that we can all live
Forever in Heaven above.
What will I do with this man Jesus?
I’ll love Him all of my days.
I’ll never turn my back on this man,
Each day I’ll give Him my praise.
He’s the air that I breathe, the song that I
sing,
He's my Saviour and my King.
He gives my life meaning, He gives my life joy,
To me He is everything!
~Author Nancy Burr~
Derek Prince
I really love Derek Prince. I think his books and teachings are right on the money.
Psalm 84:2,3,4
Psalm 84:2,3,4
Here is a word for you from the Word.
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. NIV
Every human soul longs for one thing, a home. A homeless person is an unhappy person. The psalmist cries out in agony in a sense of loneliness, a sense of being cut off. He says, “Lord, even the sparrow’s found a home, the swallow a nest for herself. I need a home too.” He says, “They found a place near your altar” and that’s where the home of the soul is. Even though we may not have much of a home in this world, there’s a home for the soul, a place where the soul belongs, a place where it finds rest and ease and peace, where it’s at home, a place near God’s altar. The altar is the place of yielding, sacrifice, dedication, self-surrender, and when our soul comes to that place, it’s come home.
There is a beautiful homecoming for each soul that will turn from sin and rebellion, turn back to God and come to the place near the altar. - Derek Prince
www.derekprince.com
Thought for Today -
Epping Green Chapel - window to the world
http://www.chapel.plus.com
---------------
Thought for Today
---------------
Gentle Whisper
The young man had lost his job and didn't know
which way to turn. So he went to see the old
preacher. Pacing about the preacher's study, the
young man ranted about his problem. Finally he
clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to
say something to help me. Tell me, Preacher, why
doesn't God answer?"
The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke
something in reply -- something so hushed it was
indistinguishable.
The young man stepped across the room. "What did
you say?" he asked.
The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone
as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved
closer until he was leaning on the preacher's
chair.
"Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you."
With their heads bent together, the old preacher
spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he
said, "so we will move closer to hear Him."
This time the young man heard and he understood.
We all want God's voice to thunder through the air
with the answer to our problem. But God's is the
still, small voice . . . the gentle whisper.
Perhaps there's a reason. Nothing draws human
focus quite like a whisper. God's whisper means I
must stop my ranting and move close to Him, until
my head is bent together with His. And then, as I
listen, I will find my answer.
Better still, I find myself closer to God
~Author unknown~
http://www.chapel.plus.com
---------------
Thought for Today
---------------
Gentle Whisper
The young man had lost his job and didn't know
which way to turn. So he went to see the old
preacher. Pacing about the preacher's study, the
young man ranted about his problem. Finally he
clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to
say something to help me. Tell me, Preacher, why
doesn't God answer?"
The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke
something in reply -- something so hushed it was
indistinguishable.
The young man stepped across the room. "What did
you say?" he asked.
The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone
as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved
closer until he was leaning on the preacher's
chair.
"Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you."
With their heads bent together, the old preacher
spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he
said, "so we will move closer to hear Him."
This time the young man heard and he understood.
We all want God's voice to thunder through the air
with the answer to our problem. But God's is the
still, small voice . . . the gentle whisper.
Perhaps there's a reason. Nothing draws human
focus quite like a whisper. God's whisper means I
must stop my ranting and move close to Him, until
my head is bent together with His. And then, as I
listen, I will find my answer.
Better still, I find myself closer to God
~Author unknown~
Thought for Today
Epping Green Chapel - window to the world http://www.chapel.plus.com
---------------
Thought for Today
---------------
LORD
let me know what I should do
before my life on earth is through.
In my dealings with my fellowman
have I done all that I can?
Have I sown love instead of hate?
Have I changed someone's fate?
Can I look back and say
I have helped someone have a good day?
Have I helped someone in need?
Did I listen with my heart
to their every plea?
Did I smile a warm greeting to everyone I passed,
or was my mind on my own
needs and by them I walked fast?
Have I thanked you GOD for the many
blessings you have given to me,
as I witnessed about you for all to see?
Tell me GOD,
for you have done so much for me,
Has my life been what you wanted it to be?
~Author Janice Stancil ~
---------------
Thought for Today
---------------
LORD
let me know what I should do
before my life on earth is through.
In my dealings with my fellowman
have I done all that I can?
Have I sown love instead of hate?
Have I changed someone's fate?
Can I look back and say
I have helped someone have a good day?
Have I helped someone in need?
Did I listen with my heart
to their every plea?
Did I smile a warm greeting to everyone I passed,
or was my mind on my own
needs and by them I walked fast?
Have I thanked you GOD for the many
blessings you have given to me,
as I witnessed about you for all to see?
Tell me GOD,
for you have done so much for me,
Has my life been what you wanted it to be?
~Author Janice Stancil ~
Sunday, August 20, 2006
This blog....
this blog is going to be all about God and who He is to me. It will include notes I have taken and continue to take during sermons. It will include scripture and maybe even some testimonies.... Let's see how God leads me in this.... thanks for reading.
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