John 21:3-4
3 "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
(NIV)
One day my daughter, Sahara , came running up to me saying, “Donovan hit me.” I called for Donovan, but he did not come. He knew he was in hot water and was on the run. I went to go look for him. After awhile, I found him hiding in the closet. I asked him, “What in the world are you doing hiding in the closet?” He really did not have anything to say for himself. Justice was administered, and it was only a short while till things were back to normal.
When we blow it or fall into sin, it is in our human nature to go into seclusion and try to avoid facing the consequences of our wrong. Peter had denied Jesus three times. He had broken his promise that he had so confidently made in front of everybody. So now, Peter is going out to go fishing. He is sliding back to his old self. I am sure he wanted to just be alone, but others followed. The last time Peter saw Jesus was when the rooster crowed after his third denial.
Luke 22:61
The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times."(NIV)
I can imagine that that image of Jesus staring at Peter would forever be burned into his memory. I am sure that every time from then on, when he heard that rooster crow, he would be taken back to that day. Although Peter felt physically distant from Jesus and was probably feeling depressed, Jesus was standing on the shore watching him. Jesus didn’t have to look for Peter. He knew right where Peter was. He knows right where we are today as well. Jesus went to Peter. Jesus does the same for you and me when we sin. He comes to us and waits on our shore, and is waiting for the words to roll off our lips, “Forgive me, Jesus.”
Copyright 2005 Greg Graham
Friday, August 10, 2007
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sing
Rev 19:4-6
4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:
"Amen, Hallelujah!"
5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying:
"Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!"
6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
"Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
(NIV)
I remember when my daughter started singing in the youth choir. Let me tell you I have never been more proud of her in all my life. She is a great athlete, an honor student, and has received all kinds of awards, but seeing her singing praises to our God fills my heart with an inexpressible joy that I can not find the words to describe. As I was reflecting upon how the youth choir led the congregation into worship, I started thinking about how God was feeling at the time. I am sure He had a big smile as He looked down upon His children worshiping him. Just as I was proudly watching my daughter worship, God was looking at me worshiping Him. I was so encouraged!
Sing to make God smile! That is what kept coming to my mind. Sing to make the Lord smile with pleasure. We can sing to make ourselves feel better. We can sing for an audience to receive their praise. Or we can sing to God to please him. When I sing and worship I often close my eyes and imagine Jesus sitting on his throne before me. It is important for us all to have times of devoted worship, free of all distractions and interruptions so we can wholeheartedly worship Jesus. Ask yourself, “When was the last time I really worshiped Jesus?” Imagine yourself witnessing the passage above. It was loud! It was exciting and intense! A “roar of rushing waters,” “loud peals of thunder,” “shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.” When the church gathers and starts praise and worship, it should be no different.
Copyright 2006 Greg Graham
4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:
"Amen, Hallelujah!"
5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying:
"Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!"
6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
"Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
(NIV)
I remember when my daughter started singing in the youth choir. Let me tell you I have never been more proud of her in all my life. She is a great athlete, an honor student, and has received all kinds of awards, but seeing her singing praises to our God fills my heart with an inexpressible joy that I can not find the words to describe. As I was reflecting upon how the youth choir led the congregation into worship, I started thinking about how God was feeling at the time. I am sure He had a big smile as He looked down upon His children worshiping him. Just as I was proudly watching my daughter worship, God was looking at me worshiping Him. I was so encouraged!
Sing to make God smile! That is what kept coming to my mind. Sing to make the Lord smile with pleasure. We can sing to make ourselves feel better. We can sing for an audience to receive their praise. Or we can sing to God to please him. When I sing and worship I often close my eyes and imagine Jesus sitting on his throne before me. It is important for us all to have times of devoted worship, free of all distractions and interruptions so we can wholeheartedly worship Jesus. Ask yourself, “When was the last time I really worshiped Jesus?” Imagine yourself witnessing the passage above. It was loud! It was exciting and intense! A “roar of rushing waters,” “loud peals of thunder,” “shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.” When the church gathers and starts praise and worship, it should be no different.
Copyright 2006 Greg Graham
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Importune
Luke 11:5-10
5 Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'
7 "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.'
8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
(NIV)
importune:/ urgent in request, to annoy or trouble with persistent request or demands
Why is it that our children have to say our name twenty times before we answer them? Last night my Pastor taught on this passage of scripture and as I was driving home I was lost in thought about what he had said. Sahara was trying to get my wife’s attention, “Mom put in a different CD, Mom can you please put in a different CD? Mom!” I helped her out, “Kristi, Sahara is trying to get your attention.” A couple of minutes later Austin was trying to get my attention saying, “Dad, hey dad, daddy, Hey dad, dad.” Then my wife decided to help me out, “Greg, Austin is trying to ask you something.” If our children only said our name once we would probably rarely ever answer them. The majority of the time it is because of their importunity that their request are granted.
There are several Christians today that feel as though their prayers are never answered. Jesus said that when we ask, seek, and knock, we will receive. I believe the determining factor is “importunity.” Most people ask and stop there. They say a prayer and cross there fingers hoping it will be answered. Asking is only the first step. We ask with our voice, but then we are to seek with our eyes! When you lose your car keys do you just look in one spot and give up? To seek something is to diligently search until you find it. Then we are to knock. Try going to your neighbors door and just hit the door once. I guarantee you that you will be waiting out there for a long time. When you knock on a door you have to get physically involved, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. Knock until you get an answer.
The fact is most of us Christians today do not pray enough. In the New Testament the word ‘pray’ is mentioned 73 times, ‘prayer’ 33 times, and ‘prayed’ 24 times. There are more then 130 references to prayer in the New Testament alone! When we pray we need to pray with persistence and urgency. To see results to our prayers we have to pray with all of our heart, all of our mind, all of our strength, and all of our soul!
Copyright Greg Graham 2005
5 Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'
7 "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.'
8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
(NIV)
importune:/ urgent in request, to annoy or trouble with persistent request or demands
Why is it that our children have to say our name twenty times before we answer them? Last night my Pastor taught on this passage of scripture and as I was driving home I was lost in thought about what he had said. Sahara was trying to get my wife’s attention, “Mom put in a different CD, Mom can you please put in a different CD? Mom!” I helped her out, “Kristi, Sahara is trying to get your attention.” A couple of minutes later Austin was trying to get my attention saying, “Dad, hey dad, daddy, Hey dad, dad.” Then my wife decided to help me out, “Greg, Austin is trying to ask you something.” If our children only said our name once we would probably rarely ever answer them. The majority of the time it is because of their importunity that their request are granted.
There are several Christians today that feel as though their prayers are never answered. Jesus said that when we ask, seek, and knock, we will receive. I believe the determining factor is “importunity.” Most people ask and stop there. They say a prayer and cross there fingers hoping it will be answered. Asking is only the first step. We ask with our voice, but then we are to seek with our eyes! When you lose your car keys do you just look in one spot and give up? To seek something is to diligently search until you find it. Then we are to knock. Try going to your neighbors door and just hit the door once. I guarantee you that you will be waiting out there for a long time. When you knock on a door you have to get physically involved, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. Knock until you get an answer.
The fact is most of us Christians today do not pray enough. In the New Testament the word ‘pray’ is mentioned 73 times, ‘prayer’ 33 times, and ‘prayed’ 24 times. There are more then 130 references to prayer in the New Testament alone! When we pray we need to pray with persistence and urgency. To see results to our prayers we have to pray with all of our heart, all of our mind, all of our strength, and all of our soul!
Copyright Greg Graham 2005
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Interview
2 Cor 5:19-6:2
20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 6
1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.
2 For he says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you."
I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
(from New International Version)
Whether we like it or not everyone is going to have to go through a job interview, some of us more times then we would prefer. It is just one of those things that if you want a job you are going to have to go through an interview process. Could you imagine getting a chance to interview for a dream position at the perfect job and sending someone else to represent you at your interview? That would be taking a long shot chance, because there is only one you. What if they don’t know all the right answers to the interview questions and bomb the interview? Then you are left unemployed. It would be hard to find someone that you could trust enough that could represent your attitude, personality, talent, skill, and ability.
The truth is that God has chosen us to represent him as a mirror reflection of who God is and what heaven will be like. We are representatives of God Almighty! When people spend time with a person proclaiming to be a Christian, it is like they are interviewing what God is like. People will judge God by the way they are treated by Christians. That is why it is very important for us who confess Jesus as our Lord to love others the way Jesus loved others. Our actions speak louder then our words. Here is an important question for us to ask ourselves: “If I was sent alone to a foreign country as an Ambassador of Jesus Christ what impression would I portray of Christianity?” Bringing it back to home, now what about the clerk at the grocery store, the bank teller, my co-workers, and my neighbors? When people spend time with us do they feel loved unconditionally and inspired to live a more righteous life? Remember we are Christ’s Ambassadors everyday and everywhere we go.
Coyright Greg Graham 2007
20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 6
1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.
2 For he says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you."
I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
(from New International Version)
Whether we like it or not everyone is going to have to go through a job interview, some of us more times then we would prefer. It is just one of those things that if you want a job you are going to have to go through an interview process. Could you imagine getting a chance to interview for a dream position at the perfect job and sending someone else to represent you at your interview? That would be taking a long shot chance, because there is only one you. What if they don’t know all the right answers to the interview questions and bomb the interview? Then you are left unemployed. It would be hard to find someone that you could trust enough that could represent your attitude, personality, talent, skill, and ability.
The truth is that God has chosen us to represent him as a mirror reflection of who God is and what heaven will be like. We are representatives of God Almighty! When people spend time with a person proclaiming to be a Christian, it is like they are interviewing what God is like. People will judge God by the way they are treated by Christians. That is why it is very important for us who confess Jesus as our Lord to love others the way Jesus loved others. Our actions speak louder then our words. Here is an important question for us to ask ourselves: “If I was sent alone to a foreign country as an Ambassador of Jesus Christ what impression would I portray of Christianity?” Bringing it back to home, now what about the clerk at the grocery store, the bank teller, my co-workers, and my neighbors? When people spend time with us do they feel loved unconditionally and inspired to live a more righteous life? Remember we are Christ’s Ambassadors everyday and everywhere we go.
Coyright Greg Graham 2007
Vitamins
Everyone knows the importance of taking a nutritional supplement. If you are taking a multi-vitamin or not I want to encourage you to check out GBG's 10 in 1 liquid vitamin. It is absorbed within 3 minutes compared to 5 to 6 hours for a pill. There is also a 60 day empty bottle money back guarantee! The best thing about the gbg vitamins is that they are ONLY $19.95/month! That is an unbeatable price! It contains 23 vitamins and minerals, Mangosteen, Acai, Wolfberry,Co-Enzyme Q-10, Lutein, Pomegranate, and a lot more.
With the Superior Advantage of Super Age-Delaying Antioxidants; Immune Enhancers; Digestants; Whole Body System Support & A Whole Lot More!10 Formulas in One Bottle!
• Multi-Vitamin/Mineral!• Potent Antioxidant• Immune Enhancer!• Natural Energizer!• Mood & Memory Booster• Stress Reliever!• Healthy Heart Formula!• Bone & Joint Formula!• Digestive Aid!• Vision Support!
If you are looking for something you should watch the video on my site:
http://www.shopgbg.com/gregnkristi
I wish you a Healthy and Prosperous Life,
Kristi
With the Superior Advantage of Super Age-Delaying Antioxidants; Immune Enhancers; Digestants; Whole Body System Support & A Whole Lot More!10 Formulas in One Bottle!
• Multi-Vitamin/Mineral!• Potent Antioxidant• Immune Enhancer!• Natural Energizer!• Mood & Memory Booster• Stress Reliever!• Healthy Heart Formula!• Bone & Joint Formula!• Digestive Aid!• Vision Support!
If you are looking for something you should watch the video on my site:
http://www.shopgbg.com/gregnkristi
I wish you a Healthy and Prosperous Life,
Kristi
Dental Benefits
I just wanted to put a quick note about the discount dental plan that I offer. It is $11.95/month for an individual and $19.95/month for a household(everyone that lives there is covered). This plan also includes vision, prescription, and chiropractic care. I have used the plan for myself and my kids and have saved a significant amount of money. If you would like to find out more about the plan you can click on the dental link on the side or go to http://www.mybenefitsplus.com/kgraham
Ameriplan is the #1 discount plan in America and has been in business for 15 years. Here are a few of the highlights from this plan:
NO WAITING PERIOD
NO LIMIT ON VISITS
ALL ONGOING PROBLEMS COVERED
ORTHODONTICS (braces) INCLUDED FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
CHANGE DENTIST ANYTIME
COSMETIC DENTISTRY COVERED
There is a 30 day money back guarantee if you are not happy, so you have nothing to lose!
Ameriplan is the #1 discount plan in America and has been in business for 15 years. Here are a few of the highlights from this plan:
NO WAITING PERIOD
NO LIMIT ON VISITS
ALL ONGOING PROBLEMS COVERED
ORTHODONTICS (braces) INCLUDED FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
CHANGE DENTIST ANYTIME
COSMETIC DENTISTRY COVERED
There is a 30 day money back guarantee if you are not happy, so you have nothing to lose!
Friday, July 06, 2007
Fire
Heb 1:7
7 In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."
(from New International Version)
Remember when you were younger and your parents told you not to play with fire, because you would get burned? Fire is consistent. It consistently affects everything that it comes in contact with. Fire does not adapt to its surroundings. It changes its surroundings by setting everything it comes in contact with ablaze. Stick your finger in a flame and it is going to burn your finger! Fire uncompromisingly demands that everything it touches with its flame will eventually catch on fire, no matter what its value is nor its size. It serves one purpose; to change everything it comes in contact with.
Everywhere Jesus went he impacted people and influenced people to seek God’s will and to live a righteous life. Anyone who follows Jesus is a servant of fire! When we are following Jesus, we will affect everyone we come in contact with as well. There are too many Christians today that are just blending in with the world and practicing what I call “Chameleon Christianity.” As a Christian, we must remember that the Holy Spirit of God resides in us, and that we have the words of eternal life at our fingertips. We have the information that the world needs for their salvation. What keeps us from standing up for Jesus anyhow? What are we afraid of? God himself has given us the charge to: “go and make disciples of all nations….. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”(Matt.28:18 ). Let’s go heat up some things! How can I serve those around me? Who can I encourage and inspire today? Who can I bring to church this Sunday? Who can I share the Gospel with? Who and how can I make a difference in someone’s life today?
Copyright 2006 Greg Graham
7 In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."
(from New International Version)
Remember when you were younger and your parents told you not to play with fire, because you would get burned? Fire is consistent. It consistently affects everything that it comes in contact with. Fire does not adapt to its surroundings. It changes its surroundings by setting everything it comes in contact with ablaze. Stick your finger in a flame and it is going to burn your finger! Fire uncompromisingly demands that everything it touches with its flame will eventually catch on fire, no matter what its value is nor its size. It serves one purpose; to change everything it comes in contact with.
Everywhere Jesus went he impacted people and influenced people to seek God’s will and to live a righteous life. Anyone who follows Jesus is a servant of fire! When we are following Jesus, we will affect everyone we come in contact with as well. There are too many Christians today that are just blending in with the world and practicing what I call “Chameleon Christianity.” As a Christian, we must remember that the Holy Spirit of God resides in us, and that we have the words of eternal life at our fingertips. We have the information that the world needs for their salvation. What keeps us from standing up for Jesus anyhow? What are we afraid of? God himself has given us the charge to: “go and make disciples of all nations….. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”(Matt.28:18 ). Let’s go heat up some things! How can I serve those around me? Who can I encourage and inspire today? Who can I bring to church this Sunday? Who can I share the Gospel with? Who and how can I make a difference in someone’s life today?
Copyright 2006 Greg Graham
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Honor Others
Rom 12:10
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
(NIV)
honor \: 5092 time (tee-may');from 5099; a value; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself: precious, price.
Webster: outward respect, recognition
I recently had to purchase some equipment for our company. I called a vender out of the phone book and was very surprised by this young mans attitude towards me. I was younger them him but every chance he had he addressed me as “sir.” It was amazing! He did not miss one chance: Yes sir, No sir, Thank you for calling sir, It was good meeting you sir.” He was respecting me and making me feel important. I know he was making a sale, and our purchase was a very small purchase compared to the normal amount of business they are accustomed to, but that did not change his attitude towards me. His professional attitude towards me challenged me to be more professional in my own career.
Although this was just a daily business situation it is a biblical principle. To often I find myself so consumed with my life that I can be short with people at church and at work. As I make the decision to be devoted to loving others and honoring them above myself it makes others feel loved and valued. How do people feel after they have had a conversation with me? Do my conversations inspire people or bring people down? Am I discouraging or am I encouraging others? Our words are way more powerful then we take for granted. Not only do we need to encourage others with our words but also with our actions. Think of ways how you can encourage others. What acts service towards others can I provide that would make someone feel honored? Look at how Jesus honored and loved us. He washed the disciple’s feet; he healed the sick; he feed thousands of people; and he even took our sins upon himself so that we could be forgiven. Just as we want others to love and honor us we need to take the time each day to make sure that we are honoring and loving those around us.
Copyright 2006 Greg Graham
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
(NIV)
honor \: 5092 time (tee-may');from 5099; a value; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself: precious, price.
Webster: outward respect, recognition
I recently had to purchase some equipment for our company. I called a vender out of the phone book and was very surprised by this young mans attitude towards me. I was younger them him but every chance he had he addressed me as “sir.” It was amazing! He did not miss one chance: Yes sir, No sir, Thank you for calling sir, It was good meeting you sir.” He was respecting me and making me feel important. I know he was making a sale, and our purchase was a very small purchase compared to the normal amount of business they are accustomed to, but that did not change his attitude towards me. His professional attitude towards me challenged me to be more professional in my own career.
Although this was just a daily business situation it is a biblical principle. To often I find myself so consumed with my life that I can be short with people at church and at work. As I make the decision to be devoted to loving others and honoring them above myself it makes others feel loved and valued. How do people feel after they have had a conversation with me? Do my conversations inspire people or bring people down? Am I discouraging or am I encouraging others? Our words are way more powerful then we take for granted. Not only do we need to encourage others with our words but also with our actions. Think of ways how you can encourage others. What acts service towards others can I provide that would make someone feel honored? Look at how Jesus honored and loved us. He washed the disciple’s feet; he healed the sick; he feed thousands of people; and he even took our sins upon himself so that we could be forgiven. Just as we want others to love and honor us we need to take the time each day to make sure that we are honoring and loving those around us.
Copyright 2006 Greg Graham
Friday, May 25, 2007
Remember Me
Watch this video about our troops.
http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1
1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
(from New International Version)
Every day my family enjoys living in an air conditioned house, safe from the rain and bad weather, and we have the luxury of taking a hot shower when ever we want to. As I relax in the comforts of my home, it is easy to forget that there are soldiers with the American flag stitched on their sleeve laying in a foxhole praying to stay alive another day.
I get to work and I am quickly consumed with my task list, phone calls to return, faxes to send, and emails to read. The deadlines are always pressing and there never seems to be enough time to get everything done on time. It is easy to forget that as I am taking my coffee break at work in my leather chair and in my air conditioned office that there is a soldier in a tent in the dessert on watch for enemy combatants that seek to destroy America.
As I get in my air conditioned vehicle and turn on the radio to listen to some music or a talk show on my drive home from work, only to get frustrated as I get stuck in traffic, because someone got in a wreck and now it is going to take me twenty minutes longer to get home; it is easy to forget that there is a soldier that hasn’t seen his family in a year.
My wife and I go out eat for a dinner date at our favorite restaurant. We are enjoying our appetizer and iced tea in the air conditioned restaurant and everyone is happy and enjoying themselves. The waitress brings out my steak and as I take a bite I become greatly disappointed because it is room temperature. I call the waitress over and send it back for a hot off the grill steak. It is easy to forget that there is a soldier using his helmet as a chair and eating his lunch out of a can that he warmed up on the engine of his jeep.
America we are blessed beyond what we can imagine. We have so many freedoms that it is easy to take for granted. If it was not for the soldiers of our country we could be in an entirely different situation in America today. Thank God that we live in a country that we can choose where we want to work. Thank God that we live in a country that we can live where we want to live. Thank God that we live in a country where we can turn on the radio and listen to Christian music. Thank God that we live in a country where we have plenty of food to eat and water to drink! Thank God for the Americans that enlist in the armed forces and lay down their lives.
1 Thess 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
Copyright 2007 Greg Graham
http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1
1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
(from New International Version)
Every day my family enjoys living in an air conditioned house, safe from the rain and bad weather, and we have the luxury of taking a hot shower when ever we want to. As I relax in the comforts of my home, it is easy to forget that there are soldiers with the American flag stitched on their sleeve laying in a foxhole praying to stay alive another day.
I get to work and I am quickly consumed with my task list, phone calls to return, faxes to send, and emails to read. The deadlines are always pressing and there never seems to be enough time to get everything done on time. It is easy to forget that as I am taking my coffee break at work in my leather chair and in my air conditioned office that there is a soldier in a tent in the dessert on watch for enemy combatants that seek to destroy America.
As I get in my air conditioned vehicle and turn on the radio to listen to some music or a talk show on my drive home from work, only to get frustrated as I get stuck in traffic, because someone got in a wreck and now it is going to take me twenty minutes longer to get home; it is easy to forget that there is a soldier that hasn’t seen his family in a year.
My wife and I go out eat for a dinner date at our favorite restaurant. We are enjoying our appetizer and iced tea in the air conditioned restaurant and everyone is happy and enjoying themselves. The waitress brings out my steak and as I take a bite I become greatly disappointed because it is room temperature. I call the waitress over and send it back for a hot off the grill steak. It is easy to forget that there is a soldier using his helmet as a chair and eating his lunch out of a can that he warmed up on the engine of his jeep.
America we are blessed beyond what we can imagine. We have so many freedoms that it is easy to take for granted. If it was not for the soldiers of our country we could be in an entirely different situation in America today. Thank God that we live in a country that we can choose where we want to work. Thank God that we live in a country that we can live where we want to live. Thank God that we live in a country where we can turn on the radio and listen to Christian music. Thank God that we live in a country where we have plenty of food to eat and water to drink! Thank God for the Americans that enlist in the armed forces and lay down their lives.
1 Thess 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
Copyright 2007 Greg Graham
Monday, May 21, 2007
On Time
Ps 119:88-97
88 Preserve my life according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.
92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.
94 Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts.
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes.
96 To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless.
97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
(NIV)
Think of how many things have changed since this psalm was written. Governments have changed tremendously since then. The geography of earth has changed. Society has changed. Transportation has changed. Technology is changing every second. Thank Goodness that the word of God does not change like technology. God has not changed and will not change. Psalm 119 will mean the same thing 10,000 years from now as it did when it was written!
God is consistent, faithful, and trustworthy. Nothing can compare to the dependable faithfulness of God. Our car may have started today, but tomorrow it might not. Your computer might be running great today, but tomorrow it may not work at all. God works 24 hours a day 7 days a week. God is never early, never late, he is always right on time! He was right on time with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego in the blazing furnace. He was right on time with Daniel and the lions den. He was right on time with David and Goliath. You can count on it, he will always be right on time for me and you in every situation, everyday!
Copyright 2004 Greg Graham
88 Preserve my life according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.
92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.
94 Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts.
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes.
96 To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless.
97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
(NIV)
Think of how many things have changed since this psalm was written. Governments have changed tremendously since then. The geography of earth has changed. Society has changed. Transportation has changed. Technology is changing every second. Thank Goodness that the word of God does not change like technology. God has not changed and will not change. Psalm 119 will mean the same thing 10,000 years from now as it did when it was written!
God is consistent, faithful, and trustworthy. Nothing can compare to the dependable faithfulness of God. Our car may have started today, but tomorrow it might not. Your computer might be running great today, but tomorrow it may not work at all. God works 24 hours a day 7 days a week. God is never early, never late, he is always right on time! He was right on time with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego in the blazing furnace. He was right on time with Daniel and the lions den. He was right on time with David and Goliath. You can count on it, he will always be right on time for me and you in every situation, everyday!
Copyright 2004 Greg Graham
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Weakness
Rom 8:26-28
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
(NIV)
When my sons are playing superheroes in the living room with their friends they all are invincible, bulletproof, supernaturally strong, and have cosmic powers of infinite proportions. I love to listen to their creative dialog. Here is a sample of a battle that took place in our living room:
Jake: ”I saw you coming and then I cut your head off with my laser sword.” Donovan: “Then I grew another head and came back to life. Then I blew you up with my atomic hand grenade.”
Jake: “But I had on my force field and it protected me from the blast.”
One thing is for sure none of the kids wants to be defeated or be the weaker one that loses the battle. Sometimes as adults we still play that same game just with less drama. Have you ever noticed that adults never want to talk about what their weaknesses are? No one wants to appear weak and no one wants to brag about the sin that they constantly give into again and again. We want to look good and powerful, sharp and classy all the time.
The question is can we live without the help of the Holy Spirit? Surly not. We need the help of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit we are left powerless to change and overcome sin. A good question to ask ourselves is; “Do I have the Holy Spirit?” If you are not sure if you have the Holy Spirit or not, then I suggest studying the bible and find out how to receive the Holy Spirit.
Now if there was anyone who had some bragging rights about being a “Super Christian” I would say it was the Apostle Paul. Notice what the Apostle Paul said: “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.(2 Cor 11:30NIV) The point is that only by the grace of God does the Holy Spirit help us overcome our weakness. When we are humble and honest is when the Holy Spirit can work powerfully in our lives. By admitting our weaknesses we are allowing the Holy Spirit to take over our weakness and empower us with true supernatural strength.
Copyright 2003 Greg Graham
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
(NIV)
When my sons are playing superheroes in the living room with their friends they all are invincible, bulletproof, supernaturally strong, and have cosmic powers of infinite proportions. I love to listen to their creative dialog. Here is a sample of a battle that took place in our living room:
Jake: ”I saw you coming and then I cut your head off with my laser sword.” Donovan: “Then I grew another head and came back to life. Then I blew you up with my atomic hand grenade.”
Jake: “But I had on my force field and it protected me from the blast.”
One thing is for sure none of the kids wants to be defeated or be the weaker one that loses the battle. Sometimes as adults we still play that same game just with less drama. Have you ever noticed that adults never want to talk about what their weaknesses are? No one wants to appear weak and no one wants to brag about the sin that they constantly give into again and again. We want to look good and powerful, sharp and classy all the time.
The question is can we live without the help of the Holy Spirit? Surly not. We need the help of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit we are left powerless to change and overcome sin. A good question to ask ourselves is; “Do I have the Holy Spirit?” If you are not sure if you have the Holy Spirit or not, then I suggest studying the bible and find out how to receive the Holy Spirit.
Now if there was anyone who had some bragging rights about being a “Super Christian” I would say it was the Apostle Paul. Notice what the Apostle Paul said: “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.(2 Cor 11:30NIV) The point is that only by the grace of God does the Holy Spirit help us overcome our weakness. When we are humble and honest is when the Holy Spirit can work powerfully in our lives. By admitting our weaknesses we are allowing the Holy Spirit to take over our weakness and empower us with true supernatural strength.
Copyright 2003 Greg Graham
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Loving Actions
I Jn 3:16-24
16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence
20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God
22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.
23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
24 Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
(NIV)
There once was a young man that was dying and decided to give his vital organs to people that needed transplants to continue living. The time came that he died and his mother grieved greatly at the loss of her son. For over a year she could not get over the death of her son. The Chief Surgeon that oversaw her son's death heard about the grieving mother and scheduled a meeting with her at a minister’s home. He also contacted all the people that received an organ transplant from her son. They all came to this meeting with their spouses and children. When the grieving mother arrived she did not understand why there were so many people at the minister’s house. As she came in the Minister talked with her for a bit and told her these people had something to tell her. The first man introduced himself, his wife, and his children. Then he took her hand and said, "Thank you, your son saved my life." He put her hand over his heart. Your son gave me his heart so I could live. One by one they came to her and thanked her for her son.
Although she lost her son she could now see that her son was a hero. He gave of himself so others could live and be spared of the grief of death.
Anyone can verbally say, "I love you." It is easy and effortless to say those three words. The real challenge is to communicate, "I love you" without using words at all. That is what Jesus did. He did not say that he loved us he demonstrated with his everyday life how much he loved people. Actions talk louder then words. The way we live everyday communicates how we love God and how we love others.
Copyright Greg Graham 2006
16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence
20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God
22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.
23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
24 Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
(NIV)
There once was a young man that was dying and decided to give his vital organs to people that needed transplants to continue living. The time came that he died and his mother grieved greatly at the loss of her son. For over a year she could not get over the death of her son. The Chief Surgeon that oversaw her son's death heard about the grieving mother and scheduled a meeting with her at a minister’s home. He also contacted all the people that received an organ transplant from her son. They all came to this meeting with their spouses and children. When the grieving mother arrived she did not understand why there were so many people at the minister’s house. As she came in the Minister talked with her for a bit and told her these people had something to tell her. The first man introduced himself, his wife, and his children. Then he took her hand and said, "Thank you, your son saved my life." He put her hand over his heart. Your son gave me his heart so I could live. One by one they came to her and thanked her for her son.
Although she lost her son she could now see that her son was a hero. He gave of himself so others could live and be spared of the grief of death.
Anyone can verbally say, "I love you." It is easy and effortless to say those three words. The real challenge is to communicate, "I love you" without using words at all. That is what Jesus did. He did not say that he loved us he demonstrated with his everyday life how much he loved people. Actions talk louder then words. The way we live everyday communicates how we love God and how we love others.
Copyright Greg Graham 2006
Friday, March 30, 2007
A Bad Day
Luke 23:38-43
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?
41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
(NIV)
Have you ever had a time in your life when something happened and you were betrayed and let down by the people closest to you? Here you are going through the hardest time of your life; a time where you need support from your best friends, and you are alone. As Jesus was hanging on a cross with nails driven through his flesh, his back shredded to ribbons from a sever flogging, thorns piercing his skull, everyone around him began to mock him and laugh at his suffering. What kind of person mocks a dieing man? It was Satan's final hour, his last chance to break Jesus and cause him to sin. The soldiers hurled insults at him. Where was the blind man that received his sight? Where was the leper that was healed? Where was Jarius? Where was the demon-possessed man that was set free? Where were Peter and the rest of the disciples? No one came to his defense. No one came to encourage him. Then just when things seemed as though they could not get worse, the criminal dieing next to him joins in hurling insults at him. How had Jesus wronged any of these people, what had he done to deserve such treatment? Why didn't Jesus make them all fall over dead or have them all eaten by worms? He didn't bring wrath on them because he honestly loved those people. They were all his children and he wanted to save them more then punish them. Yes, he even loves the man that drove the nail through his wrist as much as he loves you and me.
During the darkest hour upon earth a miracle happened. The other criminal comes to Jesus defense and rebukes their actions. He defends Jesus, 'this man has done nothing wrong." Here is a man that has lived a life of crime, death is awaiting him, and Jesus touched his heart through his suffering. At that moment everything was put into perspective and Jesus looked to him and replied: 'today you will be with me in paradise." Yes paradise was seconds away! It was time to go home and he was bringing a new friend with him.
When your world is falling apart and everything is going wrong remember the crucifixion. Jesus endured the worst day anyone could have possibly ever had and did not sin, he did not give up, and in the midst of his greatest trial he won another soul over to the Kingdom. Having a bad day does not give us the right to be rude and vent on everyone around us. Don’t let a bad moment wreck your day. Bad moments are unavoidable, bad days are a choice. Just like picking your nose at the dinner table is unthinkable! So is walking around letting everyone know about how bad things are going for you is. Vow to never complain again about anything and never to say anything negative. If Jesus can be faithful, loving, forgiving, and evangelistic while dieing on a cross we can be faithful and grateful when a couple of things don’t work out the way we wanted them to! The same spirit that was in Jesus at the cross is in us today.
Rev 2:10 Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
(NIV)
Copyright 2005 Greg Graham
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?
41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
(NIV)
Have you ever had a time in your life when something happened and you were betrayed and let down by the people closest to you? Here you are going through the hardest time of your life; a time where you need support from your best friends, and you are alone. As Jesus was hanging on a cross with nails driven through his flesh, his back shredded to ribbons from a sever flogging, thorns piercing his skull, everyone around him began to mock him and laugh at his suffering. What kind of person mocks a dieing man? It was Satan's final hour, his last chance to break Jesus and cause him to sin. The soldiers hurled insults at him. Where was the blind man that received his sight? Where was the leper that was healed? Where was Jarius? Where was the demon-possessed man that was set free? Where were Peter and the rest of the disciples? No one came to his defense. No one came to encourage him. Then just when things seemed as though they could not get worse, the criminal dieing next to him joins in hurling insults at him. How had Jesus wronged any of these people, what had he done to deserve such treatment? Why didn't Jesus make them all fall over dead or have them all eaten by worms? He didn't bring wrath on them because he honestly loved those people. They were all his children and he wanted to save them more then punish them. Yes, he even loves the man that drove the nail through his wrist as much as he loves you and me.
During the darkest hour upon earth a miracle happened. The other criminal comes to Jesus defense and rebukes their actions. He defends Jesus, 'this man has done nothing wrong." Here is a man that has lived a life of crime, death is awaiting him, and Jesus touched his heart through his suffering. At that moment everything was put into perspective and Jesus looked to him and replied: 'today you will be with me in paradise." Yes paradise was seconds away! It was time to go home and he was bringing a new friend with him.
When your world is falling apart and everything is going wrong remember the crucifixion. Jesus endured the worst day anyone could have possibly ever had and did not sin, he did not give up, and in the midst of his greatest trial he won another soul over to the Kingdom. Having a bad day does not give us the right to be rude and vent on everyone around us. Don’t let a bad moment wreck your day. Bad moments are unavoidable, bad days are a choice. Just like picking your nose at the dinner table is unthinkable! So is walking around letting everyone know about how bad things are going for you is. Vow to never complain again about anything and never to say anything negative. If Jesus can be faithful, loving, forgiving, and evangelistic while dieing on a cross we can be faithful and grateful when a couple of things don’t work out the way we wanted them to! The same spirit that was in Jesus at the cross is in us today.
Rev 2:10 Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
(NIV)
Copyright 2005 Greg Graham
Friday, February 09, 2007
The Provider
II Kings 4:42-44
42 A man came from Baal Shalishah*, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. "Give it to the people to eat," Elisha said.
43 "How can I set this before a hundred men?" his servant asked. But Elisha answered, "Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the LORD says: 'They will eat and have some left over.'"
44 Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD. (NIV)
*A city in Palestine
Have you ever tried to cook a meal for 100 people? You make the menu and the shopping list. Now, it is time to do the shopping. You know, while unloading the groceries, you are going to make more then one trip. Once you have prepared all the food for 100 people, you definitely are not going to be able to carry everything in one trip. I can imagine this scene: a hundred men ready to eat and one guy comes walking up carrying some bread. This situation does not look good. I can hear the stomachs growling and the complaints rising. Elisha, being the host, did not fret one bit, but trusted in what the Lord had told him: “They will eat and have some left over.”
Now does this scene sound familiar? Jesus feed a crowd of five thousand men with five loaves and two fish (Mt. 14:17). Elisha’s miracle happened around 562 B.C. The Lord resolved the same situation 600 years later, but to an even greater extent! That tells me that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Heb 13:8) We can depend on the Lord! The Lord provided Manna from heaven for Israel and he ordered the ravens to feed Elijah (I Kings 17:4). How can the Lord provide for us? He can drop it right out of the sky. He can send it by another means. Or he can make it appear right before you. What amazes me the most is that the Lord is never late, He is never behind, nor is he ever absent-minded! He sees to it that the sun rises and falls everyday. While running the universe and supporting all life, he is concerned about a child of his who is hungry and takes the time to provide for him. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19 NIV)
42 A man came from Baal Shalishah*, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. "Give it to the people to eat," Elisha said.
43 "How can I set this before a hundred men?" his servant asked. But Elisha answered, "Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the LORD says: 'They will eat and have some left over.'"
44 Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD. (NIV)
*A city in Palestine
Have you ever tried to cook a meal for 100 people? You make the menu and the shopping list. Now, it is time to do the shopping. You know, while unloading the groceries, you are going to make more then one trip. Once you have prepared all the food for 100 people, you definitely are not going to be able to carry everything in one trip. I can imagine this scene: a hundred men ready to eat and one guy comes walking up carrying some bread. This situation does not look good. I can hear the stomachs growling and the complaints rising. Elisha, being the host, did not fret one bit, but trusted in what the Lord had told him: “They will eat and have some left over.”
Now does this scene sound familiar? Jesus feed a crowd of five thousand men with five loaves and two fish (Mt. 14:17). Elisha’s miracle happened around 562 B.C. The Lord resolved the same situation 600 years later, but to an even greater extent! That tells me that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Heb 13:8) We can depend on the Lord! The Lord provided Manna from heaven for Israel and he ordered the ravens to feed Elijah (I Kings 17:4). How can the Lord provide for us? He can drop it right out of the sky. He can send it by another means. Or he can make it appear right before you. What amazes me the most is that the Lord is never late, He is never behind, nor is he ever absent-minded! He sees to it that the sun rises and falls everyday. While running the universe and supporting all life, he is concerned about a child of his who is hungry and takes the time to provide for him. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19 NIV)
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Sweet Victory
Rom 8:37
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
(NIV)
“more than conquerors”
5245 hupernikao (hoop-er-nik-ah'-o);
from 5228 and 3528; to vanquish beyond, i.e. gain a decisive victory:
One night my daughter's basketball team won 34 to 14 and they were playing one of the best teams in their league. They didn’t just win they conquered! After the game, they were on fire. Their eyes were gleaming and their smiles were big. They were drinking from the cup of victory and savoring every drop. No one was complaining, no was having a bad attitude, because they were so excited about being victorious. For a moment in time everything was perfect in their world. We as Christians need to remind ourselves that everyday that we still hold to our faith is the greatest victory that anyone could ever achieve.
In Christ we are definitely more than a conqueror. This is an awesome phrase: “more than conquerors.” Getting a deeper look at the Greek meaning of this phrase, “ hupernikao”, its meaning is to overcome, beat, overpower, overwhelm, and upset your opponent, with an exceeding, abundant prevailing, and decisive victory to the point that your opponent is vanquished to oblivious defeat. We are talking a major upset. This is like a college team winning the Super Bowl 56 to 0. Yes, we are on the winning team! When we are celebrating a victory there is no room in ourselves for complaining, arguing, or self pity, because we are so caught up in the victory that our focus is not on ourselves but on the victory. In Christ we are more than a conqueror, we are Invincible-Mega-Conquerors, Saints of Faith in the Heavenly Kingdom of God! We have the opportunity everyday to triumph over temptation and sin. Just as we get excited when our favorite team wins, we need to get even more excited about being in Christ and being filled with his Spirit. Before you go to bed today lift your hands in victory, do a little victory dance, and yell, “I am more than a conqueror in Jesus.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
(NIV)
“more than conquerors”
5245 hupernikao (hoop-er-nik-ah'-o);
from 5228 and 3528; to vanquish beyond, i.e. gain a decisive victory:
One night my daughter's basketball team won 34 to 14 and they were playing one of the best teams in their league. They didn’t just win they conquered! After the game, they were on fire. Their eyes were gleaming and their smiles were big. They were drinking from the cup of victory and savoring every drop. No one was complaining, no was having a bad attitude, because they were so excited about being victorious. For a moment in time everything was perfect in their world. We as Christians need to remind ourselves that everyday that we still hold to our faith is the greatest victory that anyone could ever achieve.
In Christ we are definitely more than a conqueror. This is an awesome phrase: “more than conquerors.” Getting a deeper look at the Greek meaning of this phrase, “ hupernikao”, its meaning is to overcome, beat, overpower, overwhelm, and upset your opponent, with an exceeding, abundant prevailing, and decisive victory to the point that your opponent is vanquished to oblivious defeat. We are talking a major upset. This is like a college team winning the Super Bowl 56 to 0. Yes, we are on the winning team! When we are celebrating a victory there is no room in ourselves for complaining, arguing, or self pity, because we are so caught up in the victory that our focus is not on ourselves but on the victory. In Christ we are more than a conqueror, we are Invincible-Mega-Conquerors, Saints of Faith in the Heavenly Kingdom of God! We have the opportunity everyday to triumph over temptation and sin. Just as we get excited when our favorite team wins, we need to get even more excited about being in Christ and being filled with his Spirit. Before you go to bed today lift your hands in victory, do a little victory dance, and yell, “I am more than a conqueror in Jesus.”
Trash to Treasure
Col 1:13-14
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(NIV)
When I was in college my roommates and I used to go ‘Garbage Picking.’ When the end of the semester came all the out of state students would throw most of their furniture away. We had a house that we rented for the whole year so we would drive around campus and shop for free furniture. It was actually a bit exciting especially when we would make a great score like a Lazy Boy recliner or solid wood coffee table. A little bit of vision, some 409, a dab of Old English furniture polish, some glue, and it looks almost new. What others thought as worthless we were hopeful and considered it as being valuable. What others gave up on and threw away we picked it up, carried it home with us and proudly claimed it as our property.
God does the same with us humans. He searches the earth for a soul in need of some vision and a polishing. While others thought us useless and worthless Jesus saw worth and value. He reached out and choose us to be his own. He picked us up off the side of the road and took us home with him. He dusted us off, washed us, polished us up, and made us like new. Then he placed us in his Kingdom and gave us purpose. Our sense of value increases and we go from being trash awaiting destruction to being a treasured possession in the Kingdom of Heaven.
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(NIV)
When I was in college my roommates and I used to go ‘Garbage Picking.’ When the end of the semester came all the out of state students would throw most of their furniture away. We had a house that we rented for the whole year so we would drive around campus and shop for free furniture. It was actually a bit exciting especially when we would make a great score like a Lazy Boy recliner or solid wood coffee table. A little bit of vision, some 409, a dab of Old English furniture polish, some glue, and it looks almost new. What others thought as worthless we were hopeful and considered it as being valuable. What others gave up on and threw away we picked it up, carried it home with us and proudly claimed it as our property.
God does the same with us humans. He searches the earth for a soul in need of some vision and a polishing. While others thought us useless and worthless Jesus saw worth and value. He reached out and choose us to be his own. He picked us up off the side of the road and took us home with him. He dusted us off, washed us, polished us up, and made us like new. Then he placed us in his Kingdom and gave us purpose. Our sense of value increases and we go from being trash awaiting destruction to being a treasured possession in the Kingdom of Heaven.
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