grace Posts

What’s Next is Now

31 Jan , 2010 No Comments

Every decision you make sets the course for the future.  The choices you make today are tied to every other decision you’ll ever make.  In a very real sense, the future is being played out today.  What’s next is now.  Jesus taught that if we want to live for Him it happens as we chose to follow Him every single day.

Then He said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23

Perhaps you’ve heard the story- in some form, of the Chicken who suggests to his friend the pig that they help provide breakfast for a friend- the Pig notes that, for the Chicken- only a contribution is required a chicken can simply lay an egg and then resume normal activities), while for the Pig a “total commitment”- a total sacrifice is needed (in order to make ham or bacon, the pig must be slaughtered).

Too many of us want to be the like the Chicken and we’ve decided that we will give our lives to Christ and follow Him; but on our terms, not His.  C.S. Lewis stated, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be, is moderately important.”

I know so many people who are almost committed to God.  A lot of people are almost sold out to Him, but not really.  Some people live their lives and then die, almost fully devoted to Him.  When Jesus says, “Follow me”, He is not asking for a moderate commitment.  Today is the day.  What are you holding back?  What’s next is now.

Martin Luther King, jr.

18 Jan , 2010 1 Comment

A fun twist on one of the greatest speeches of all time:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0F4iXEzOqY&feature=player_embedded#]

Perspective and Haiti

15 Jan , 2010 No Comments

From now on, perspective is spelled, “Haiti”.  How should you and I look differently at our “problems” in light of this tragedy?

Please pray, give, and let us go (as the Lord leads).

Best word on the Pat Robertson comments that I’ve read.

TEN Questions for 2010

05 Jan , 2010 No Comments

10 questions to ask at the start of 2010 (Dr. Don Whitney)

Take some time to consider these thought provoking questions and how 2010 might be different for you than previous year:

1. What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What’s the most important way you will, by God’s grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

Can he say that?

03 Jan , 2010 No Comments

Brit Hume says that Tiger Woods needs to turn from Buddhism to the “Christian faith” because only the Christian faith provides forgiveness.  Can he say that?  Of course, he can; because it’s true. Mr. Hume offers this bold assessment with a typical matter-of-fact demeanor, but this is the most important word I’ve heard on the entire Tiger Woods situation.

If we only care about Tiger  (the golfer) then we can simply predict his certain return to win more majors.  But if we care about Tiger (the human being) then we’ll hope he can find redemption for his “transgression” (his words).  The only way that Tiger (or anyone else) can find forgiveness for sin is through Jesus Christ.  Christ alone has paid the price for our sins by dying on the cross.  Christ alone took on our punishment because of His love for us (and because we could not pay the price for our own sin).  Brit Hume is simply speaking the truth of God’s Word. “For He made Him who know no sin to become sin on our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

I hope  Tiger has come to the end of himself.  Only then will he realize that he is hopeless without the grace of Christ that is offered to him without cost.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LJKmWdJQc4]