This is a picture of Hurricane Katrina. It hit New Orleans on August 29, 2005. As you wake up today Hurricane Gustav is making land somewhere in the Gulf. Pray that God will keep people safe. Also pray that people will use the brain God has given them and make good decisions for themselves and their families. Matthew 16:3 says "There will be a storm today" We all know about the one in the gulf but there are all sorts of storms coming ashore in peoples lives today. Some will find out they have a terminal illness, others that their spouse has left them. Some will hear that they have lost a child or parent. others that they no longer have a job. Storms come in all shapes and sizes. As you read this stop and pray for the victims of storms today.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
A Storm is Coming September 1, 2008
This is a picture of Hurricane Katrina. It hit New Orleans on August 29, 2005. As you wake up today Hurricane Gustav is making land somewhere in the Gulf. Pray that God will keep people safe. Also pray that people will use the brain God has given them and make good decisions for themselves and their families. Matthew 16:3 says "There will be a storm today" We all know about the one in the gulf but there are all sorts of storms coming ashore in peoples lives today. Some will find out they have a terminal illness, others that their spouse has left them. Some will hear that they have lost a child or parent. others that they no longer have a job. Storms come in all shapes and sizes. As you read this stop and pray for the victims of storms today.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Make it a Beautiful Sunset...Friday August 29
When you are angry,do not sin,and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day.Ephesians 4:26 (NCV)
The NASB says Don't let the Sun go down on your anger. This is great advice from the Apostle Paul. It is never good to end your day angry with anyone, especially your spouse. Overnight people tend to dwell on the argument or disagreement and pursue it the next day. The next day always has it's own challenges. So, do yourself a favor and take a few minutes to resolve any difference you may have had that day. Then pray and wake up ready to face a new day. Make this a daily habit and you will live a longer, happier, healthier life. Have a GREAT weekend and do something fun.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Whooooo Do You Love?
Many times a day we will hear people use the word "Love". They use it in various ways. Someone might say "I Love Baseball" or "I Love Pizza"
or "I Love going to the beach" or my personal favorite "I Love You". Can this word mean the same thing each time. Do we really love someone like we love Pizza? The Greeks had several words for Love. For example Eros meant erotic love, Phileo on the other hand was brotherly love (Philadelphia...city of brotherly love) and , there is Agape God's perfect love for us. A good example of Agape Love would be wanting the very best for someone while while they were doing the very worst to you. Christ said we should love God with all our Heart Soul Mind and Strength, and Love
your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27 So I ask you Whooooo do you Love? If it is God tell Him we all like to hear the words I Love You. So be WISE as an Owl. Think of all the people you Love and before this day is over call them, write them, see them, and tell them I Love You.
Thought for the Day Wednesday Aug.27
"The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time." --Abraham Lincoln
This is the day the Lord has made ; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24
The future is here. What are you going to do with it? Yesterday is a cancelled check, tomorrow is a promissory note, today is the only legal tender you have, spend it wisely.
Monday, August 25, 2008
What Do Olympic Athletes and Christians Have in Common?
Tuesday August 26,2008
The Olympic Games have just been completed in China. I, like many others, found myself staying up very late each night watching the games. I am sure we were all amazed by the accomplishments of the athletes and especially Michael Phelps. He won more Gold medals in one Olympic Games than any other person in the history of the modern games, eight gold medals. How does an athlete prepare for such a feat? There are many factors that go into such a performance; diet, workout schedule, rest, coaching and discipline. Take away any of these factors and I feel sure the results would have been much different. So, what do Olympic Athletes and Christians have in common? In order to live a victorious Christian life there are also many factors to be considered. I will discuss four. Leave any of these components out and it is difficult to live the Christian life in a consistent way. So what are these essential ingredients?
1. Bible Study: II Timothy 2:15; 3:16 The Bible is God's manual for daily living. If we were going to be a lawyer we would read law books. If our goal was to be an M.D. we would spend a great deal of time reading medical books. So if we intend to live our lives in a manner that would be pleasing to our Creator don't you think it would be important to read His Word to us on life.
2. Prayer: Luke 11:1; I Thessalonians 5:17 The Disciples only asked Jesus to teach them how to do one thing and that was pray. We are encouraged to do it without ceasing. If we want to get to know someone it is important to spend time with them. Through reading God's Word and Communicating through Prayer we begin to understand God much better and discern His plans for our life.
3. Fellowship: Hebrews 10:25 People come together in all kinds of groups. We do it for friendship, love, entertainment, encouragement, companionship. God wants us to spend time with other Christians. We can encourage and be encouraged. We need this social interaction for many reasons. That is why God encourages us not to forsake assembling ourselves together.
4. Witnessing: Acts1:8 Matthew 28:19,20 We are commanded to go out and as we are going to share our faith with others, in love. Christ came to reach the lost and He left us specific instructions on continuing that mission. Many folks one they have found Christ feel comfortable knowing they have eternal life. How can we feel comfortable knowing so many others don't have it.
It has been my experience if a Christian practices these four disciplines consistently they are able to stay close to God and reflect His nature on a daily basis. The further we drift from the source of our strength the weaker we become. The athletes of the Olympic Games compete for a prize and records that will eventually Fade and Fall. We compete for a prize that is Eternal. Shouldn't we be at least as committed to our calling as they are to theirs?
In Christ,
Jeff Nichols
The Olympic Games have just been completed in China. I, like many others, found myself staying up very late each night watching the games. I am sure we were all amazed by the accomplishments of the athletes and especially Michael Phelps. He won more Gold medals in one Olympic Games than any other person in the history of the modern games, eight gold medals. How does an athlete prepare for such a feat? There are many factors that go into such a performance; diet, workout schedule, rest, coaching and discipline. Take away any of these factors and I feel sure the results would have been much different. So, what do Olympic Athletes and Christians have in common? In order to live a victorious Christian life there are also many factors to be considered. I will discuss four. Leave any of these components out and it is difficult to live the Christian life in a consistent way. So what are these essential ingredients?
1. Bible Study: II Timothy 2:15; 3:16 The Bible is God's manual for daily living. If we were going to be a lawyer we would read law books. If our goal was to be an M.D. we would spend a great deal of time reading medical books. So if we intend to live our lives in a manner that would be pleasing to our Creator don't you think it would be important to read His Word to us on life.
2. Prayer: Luke 11:1; I Thessalonians 5:17 The Disciples only asked Jesus to teach them how to do one thing and that was pray. We are encouraged to do it without ceasing. If we want to get to know someone it is important to spend time with them. Through reading God's Word and Communicating through Prayer we begin to understand God much better and discern His plans for our life.
3. Fellowship: Hebrews 10:25 People come together in all kinds of groups. We do it for friendship, love, entertainment, encouragement, companionship. God wants us to spend time with other Christians. We can encourage and be encouraged. We need this social interaction for many reasons. That is why God encourages us not to forsake assembling ourselves together.
4. Witnessing: Acts1:8 Matthew 28:19,20 We are commanded to go out and as we are going to share our faith with others, in love. Christ came to reach the lost and He left us specific instructions on continuing that mission. Many folks one they have found Christ feel comfortable knowing they have eternal life. How can we feel comfortable knowing so many others don't have it.
It has been my experience if a Christian practices these four disciplines consistently they are able to stay close to God and reflect His nature on a daily basis. The further we drift from the source of our strength the weaker we become. The athletes of the Olympic Games compete for a prize and records that will eventually Fade and Fall. We compete for a prize that is Eternal. Shouldn't we be at least as committed to our calling as they are to theirs?
In Christ,
Jeff Nichols
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
