Matthew 6:33 "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness"
What comes to mind when you hear this term? Checking in when you were ten was mandatory or you faced the one who had "that look." Those words, when you were a senior in high school and they handed you their keys, took on a deeper responsibility. The process of checking in is preparatory for the man who takes one giant step for mankind. "Will you marry me?" Those four words are wrapped in the package of "check in." If man does not regularly check in with the one who responded "I do", well, man, you know the consequences will be cold, lonely, and costly.
The soul has a "Check In" responsibility as well. The Maker of your soul requires His creature to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). Checking in with Jesus is not optional. Checking in with Jesus results in righteous living. Checking out Jesus is the first step towards checking into His kingdom.
Pray with me,
O' LORD my God, YOU ordained the days of my life. YOU entrusted YOUR treasure into my safe keeping. YOUR Word is more precious than gold, more valuable than diamonds, and YOU, O' God, have entrusted "IT" with me. My Jesus, My Savior, YOU know "i am" is lowly, a sinner whom YOU have rescued out of the dominion of darkness. YOU, my Jesus died for me and YOU conquered the grave for me. "i" owe my all to YOU. Gracious Father, YOU have recorded my name in YOUR Book of life and now "i am" forever in awe of YOU, willing to do and serve YOU in caring and loving others as YOU love and care for me. In YOUR Holy Name. Amen.
Love,
Chappy
Copyright 2008 MOTE, Inc.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Distraction
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
"Distractions can really be a pain, Bra"! (That's Hawaiian for "brother"), I was speaking to my new Hawaiian friend, Bill, while surfing the third break off Waikiki Beach. He stated that he was a follower of Jesus living in Honolulu, a retired Police Officer from San Diego. I learned that he went to Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego where another fellow surfer, Mike McIntosh, serves as senior pastor. But, my new surfer friend said it was about 25 years ago. He sort of said it apologetically, which he did not need to do, but I guess he felt he needed too cause he had been distracted by the things of the world. Especially living amongst the Hawaiian pleasures which he said had drawn him away from God's Holy Word.
We both caught a couple of nice five footers, long rides and a long paddle back out! I came alongside of his board and suggested simply that maybe he might make a U-Turn back to the Word! He appreciated my distraction that was leading him back to the full life Christ promises. The Apostle John in his gospel in chapter 10 and verse 10. Jesus said "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
You know, we could name thousands of distractions if we had the time. A persistent fly buzzing in our ears. The alarm shrill on Monday morning. But, what is a distraction anyway? Self was doing its thing and most happy doing it when something interrupted the all-important self. "How rude!" JaJa Bing would so eloquently say from the Star Wars series. Interruption is not the way of human nature at all. The way of the world has a central focus, which is on self. It, "the self" gives permission to be interrupted, when it is convenient for the "self". However, when the Christian gives self, which by the way was crucified with Christ, self no longer lives. My dear Christian friend, when you allow the distractions of the world to take you away from the Word, as my surfer buddy had done, you become as the Apostle Paul stated to the Galatians in Chapter 3 verse 1, Paul said that they had been "bewitched." The evil one desires to distract Christians by the pleasures of the world, pride of life, lust of the flesh, all to distract the Christian away from the truth of God's Holy Word.
Have you been distracted from your daily devotions, your devotion to daily prayer? (Colossians 4:2) Get the sword out and swat that distracting gnat out of your ear, out of your sight, and be refreshed in your inner person today. No more distraction from God's best for my Hawaiian surfer friend, for you or for me. The best for us is in Christ Jesus - look into His Word and He will meet you there.
Your Attitude of Fortitude determines your Outcome.
Love,
Chappy
Copyright 2008 MOTE Inc.
"Distractions can really be a pain, Bra"! (That's Hawaiian for "brother"), I was speaking to my new Hawaiian friend, Bill, while surfing the third break off Waikiki Beach. He stated that he was a follower of Jesus living in Honolulu, a retired Police Officer from San Diego. I learned that he went to Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego where another fellow surfer, Mike McIntosh, serves as senior pastor. But, my new surfer friend said it was about 25 years ago. He sort of said it apologetically, which he did not need to do, but I guess he felt he needed too cause he had been distracted by the things of the world. Especially living amongst the Hawaiian pleasures which he said had drawn him away from God's Holy Word.
We both caught a couple of nice five footers, long rides and a long paddle back out! I came alongside of his board and suggested simply that maybe he might make a U-Turn back to the Word! He appreciated my distraction that was leading him back to the full life Christ promises. The Apostle John in his gospel in chapter 10 and verse 10. Jesus said "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
You know, we could name thousands of distractions if we had the time. A persistent fly buzzing in our ears. The alarm shrill on Monday morning. But, what is a distraction anyway? Self was doing its thing and most happy doing it when something interrupted the all-important self. "How rude!" JaJa Bing would so eloquently say from the Star Wars series. Interruption is not the way of human nature at all. The way of the world has a central focus, which is on self. It, "the self" gives permission to be interrupted, when it is convenient for the "self". However, when the Christian gives self, which by the way was crucified with Christ, self no longer lives. My dear Christian friend, when you allow the distractions of the world to take you away from the Word, as my surfer buddy had done, you become as the Apostle Paul stated to the Galatians in Chapter 3 verse 1, Paul said that they had been "bewitched." The evil one desires to distract Christians by the pleasures of the world, pride of life, lust of the flesh, all to distract the Christian away from the truth of God's Holy Word.
Have you been distracted from your daily devotions, your devotion to daily prayer? (Colossians 4:2) Get the sword out and swat that distracting gnat out of your ear, out of your sight, and be refreshed in your inner person today. No more distraction from God's best for my Hawaiian surfer friend, for you or for me. The best for us is in Christ Jesus - look into His Word and He will meet you there.
Your Attitude of Fortitude determines your Outcome.
Love,
Chappy
Copyright 2008 MOTE Inc.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The Prayer Approach to the Plate of Grace
Psalm 109:4 “In return for my love they are my accusers, but I give myself to prayer.”
“Prayer must not be our chance work, but our daily business, our habit and vocation.”
“Prayer is the safest method of replying to words of hatred.”
C.H. Spurgeon
When the apostle Paul penned these words in his letter to the church at Colosse, “Be devoted to prayer” (Col. 4:2), he was being led by the same God, and the same Holy Spirit that King David spoke about when he penned in Psalm 109, “But I give myself to prayer”
Friends, are the tongues of envy, slander, or ridicule flying at you these days? Do you feel the impact of the words on your body by the blows of these negative attacks? Words that are empty of love, without encouragement, lacking in compassion. Well, you are not alone! God, who is able to be your personal All Star Catcher, is with you. He is behind you catching all those curve words, all those fast slanders, and all those sliders that attempt to clip you on the head. Believers in the Lord, you who are on the right team, keep that helmet of salvation on tight; keep the shield of faith firm; and the bat of prayer ready to respond. Your grand slam is about to happen. Go to Him! He is on first base terms with you. He is the Second in the trinity as you see Him. Know that! He is risen on the Third day. Now you run the race to Home Plate. Not looking back, but pressing on in your Prayer Approach to the Plate of Grace. World champions, at the throne of the King of kings, to the glory of God. Amen!
Copyright 2008 MOTE Inc. http://www.mote.ws/
“Prayer must not be our chance work, but our daily business, our habit and vocation.”
“Prayer is the safest method of replying to words of hatred.”
C.H. Spurgeon
When the apostle Paul penned these words in his letter to the church at Colosse, “Be devoted to prayer” (Col. 4:2), he was being led by the same God, and the same Holy Spirit that King David spoke about when he penned in Psalm 109, “But I give myself to prayer”
Friends, are the tongues of envy, slander, or ridicule flying at you these days? Do you feel the impact of the words on your body by the blows of these negative attacks? Words that are empty of love, without encouragement, lacking in compassion. Well, you are not alone! God, who is able to be your personal All Star Catcher, is with you. He is behind you catching all those curve words, all those fast slanders, and all those sliders that attempt to clip you on the head. Believers in the Lord, you who are on the right team, keep that helmet of salvation on tight; keep the shield of faith firm; and the bat of prayer ready to respond. Your grand slam is about to happen. Go to Him! He is on first base terms with you. He is the Second in the trinity as you see Him. Know that! He is risen on the Third day. Now you run the race to Home Plate. Not looking back, but pressing on in your Prayer Approach to the Plate of Grace. World champions, at the throne of the King of kings, to the glory of God. Amen!
Copyright 2008 MOTE Inc. http://www.mote.ws/
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Deception
Psalm 119:33-40 "Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good. How I long for your precepts! Preserve my life in your righteousness."
Every man or woman, boy or girl, teenager, parent, or student, employee or employer who chooses to follow the example of righteousness will be taking the road less traveled. Doing the right thing all the time is so opposite of the ways of the world.
Considering others first, praying in public, attending church on a week night, is very odd in this American culture.
Have you ever considered why that is? Are not these positive acts meant to improve a person's outlook on life?
When practiced daily, doesn't it seem logical that the "doer" of kindness, the valor of courage, the commitment to one's fellow man, are good qualities that improve life, health, family, and community?
Why is it then, with all the benefits, do the vast majority choose to reject the Author, the Finisher of all that is good? Deception! Psalm 119.
Copyright 2008 MOTE, Inc.
Every man or woman, boy or girl, teenager, parent, or student, employee or employer who chooses to follow the example of righteousness will be taking the road less traveled. Doing the right thing all the time is so opposite of the ways of the world.
Considering others first, praying in public, attending church on a week night, is very odd in this American culture.
Have you ever considered why that is? Are not these positive acts meant to improve a person's outlook on life?
When practiced daily, doesn't it seem logical that the "doer" of kindness, the valor of courage, the commitment to one's fellow man, are good qualities that improve life, health, family, and community?
Why is it then, with all the benefits, do the vast majority choose to reject the Author, the Finisher of all that is good? Deception! Psalm 119.
Copyright 2008 MOTE, Inc.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
