“Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.” v. 16
What you believe affects how you live and how you live affects what you teach. Therefore we need to watch these things closely. We must be on constant guard against falling into sin that can so easily destroy us. Yet we must watch what we believe 9teaching) just as closely. Wrong beliefs can quickly lead us into sin and heresy. We should be on guard against those who would persuade us that how we live is more important than what we believe. We should keep a close watch on both, staying true to the truth.
Today, think about your beliefs and how they impact you live and what you teach. Is your life style matching up to what you believe and what you try to teach with your words?
“May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” v.5
Yes Lord my this verse seep deep into my heart so I can know you more, represent you in a way that influences the people you have placed in my life t want to know you more. That’s the desire of my heart!
Today, think about what it means to have a full understanding of God’s love and how it affects you personally.
“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.”[d] v. 11-12
Powerful passage on the importance of prayer, vision, faith, and lifestyle. When I read a passage like this I underline important verses. Today I underlined these two verses. Here is are the questions I ask myself after reading so I can begin to take what i read and apply it to my life. Today, I want to challenge you with theses questions. I would love to see a dialogue happen, feel free to answer any of the questions you want.
Today’s questions: How do these things impact your life? How often do you pray for these things for others and for yourself? When you read this, what comes to mind, what might the Lord be teaching you that we could learn from?
Well I had the bottom three picked pretty well but was shocked when Lil was told to grab a seat leaving Matt standing there in shock that he was going home. However, I was glad to see the judges use their special privilege of saving the contestant from going home. Next week will be interesting to see which two will go home. Who do you think they will be?
I must say that I am a Danny fan, but feel that he needs to bring it next week to compete with Allison and Adam. I think with it being Disco week all the contestants will be challenged. I think Danny might be able to pull off a disco song the best, but you never know what you are going to get when Adam sings. It will be interesting to watch. Who do you think will have the best week next week and Why?
“God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control his own body[b] and live in holiness and honor—5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. 6 Never harm or cheat a Christian brother in this matter by violating his wife,[c] for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. 7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. 8 Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” v. 3-8
Strong words with deep meaning. When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior we are made Holy. However, to live in Holiness means to live pure in a sinful world. Almost every passage of scripture that encourages us to turn from sin starts with sexual sin. If you look at our world today the number 1 temptation we face involves sexual thoughts and or actions. Why, because because sex sells! Therefor, its everywhere.
If we are going to live pure in a dirty world we have to begin by examining our thoughts, what we watch, and what we listen too. Have you ever listened to what some of the main stream music is talking about? I am guilty here of getting wrapped up in a song and not thinking about what it is talking about. My wife pointed out one of theses to me two weeks ago. Then two days ago my 5 year old was singing along with a song that had the phrase “give you hell” in it. I had to apologize to him and tell him not all the songs on the radio are good songs and asked him not to sing that song again. He replied, well change the channel to a song i can sing. That’s innocence by the way.
Now please hear me, I am not saying that you need to only listen to Christian Music. What makes it Christian music by the way? That’s probably another topic. However, what you listen too, what you watch, and how you think, begins to be seen in your actions. If you don’t believe me take a look at this.
Today, will you examine your life and begin to surrender the areas that are keeping you from living in holiness.
Excited to watch Idol tonight. There is a lot of talent this year!!! However, I think the battle will be between Danny, Adam, and Allison for the final three. Tonight, I think we will see Lil perform well but not well enough to keep her from getting voted off tomorrow. That’s my prediction, who do you think will go home tomorrow?
Last week one of our 8th graders posted a note on Facebook sharing his journey and how he came to know Christ. Since he posted his story (testimony) others have done the same thing including myself. It’s also posted on my blog if you want to read it just click the about tab at the top.
So here is my challenge. If you have Facebook, will you allow yourself to be vulnerable and transparent enough to write your story and post it on Facebook as a note so others can read? The fact is, everyone has a story, and each story, no matter how similar, is different. We never know how our story could impact someone else. Will you take the challenge and allow God to use you in this way?
“And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God.” v.8
When you aren’t around, how would people describe you? Would they say you were a person with strong faith and love for God or would their description include something else? When Paul writes to the Thessalonians, he commends them on their faith. In fact their faith was so strong that other people were beginning to hear about them. How did this happen?
Paul says that in the midst of severe suffering these people accepted the Gospel with Joy. WOW! Here is a lesson for us. The way we respond to the Gospel is important. In spite of their present surroundings or situations, the Thessalonians received the Gospel with joy. Because of this, they experienced God in new ways and God was using them to influence and inspire others for His Kingdom throughout a region.
Wow, what would that look like today? I can only speak for myself, but I so badly want to receive every-part of the Gospel with Joy. I know that it will penetrate the deepest parts of me, changing me from the inside out. When this happens, I become available for God to use in ways that I never thought possible.
Today, will you join me in asking God to be that type of person. A person that loves God with all my heart, and who has strong faith that inspires others for His Kingdom. My prayer is that it starts right here with me, and that it starts right here with you.
New Series starting Sunday, April 19th & ending Saturday, May 30th with CRUD WAR!
Let’s face it, being a Christian isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it’s very difficult. In this series, we are going to talk about how we can be Survivors in this thing called “The Christian Life”. Here is what we will talk about each week:
Week 1 – The Battle Week 4 – Hanging on to your Head
Week 2 – Staying on Your Feet Week 5 – Battling with your Sword
Week 3 – Fireproof Faith Week 6 – Battling with your Mouth
Here are the details:
This is a battle of the Grades in which each of the students in small group lead the charge for their Grade.
Each Grade will compete for points that are awarded at the Weekend Worship Service. Points are awarded through attendance, bringing visitors, and donating canned goods. The final challenge consists of each team competing in CRUD WAR.
POINT SYSTEM
Personal Attendance Points – 100 points each time you are at the Service.
Visitor Attendance Points – 200 points for each visitor you bring every time they attend the Service! (yes, if they come more than once, that’s 200 points each time the attend for your team)
Canned Good – 50 points awarded for each canned good you bring to Service.
Game Points – 500 points will be awarded to the representative from your team that wins the game each week.
CRUD WAR – all of the points above apply to CRUD WAR with these two additional point values added.
Participation Points – 100 points given to each student participant in each game.
Leader Participation Points – 200 points given to each adult participant in the game.
Each team needs to wear their team color for CRUD WAR.
We will keep track of points and update the Survivor Wall each week with the new scores. We will announce the Survivor Winners at the Weekend Worship Service on May 31st. Make sure you plan to attend and invite others to participate . . . It’s going to be dirty, but life changing!
Team Colors for CRUD WAR
6th grade team – Orange 9th grade team – Red
7th grade team – Blue 10th grade team – Pink
8th grade team – Green 11th & 12th grade team – Purple
I am really digging this song. I heard Saddlebacks HSM do this song to open their service a couple of weeks ago and since then I can’t get it out of my head. It’s a year old but seems so new to me right now. Enjoy?
Dan Gould 