My Simple Point of View

Merry Christmas,

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Hebrews 2:18, “For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted”.

It is clear that Jesus knows exactly what we are going through. He really gets it. Now look at the next passages.

Hebrews 4:15-16, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”.

What an encouraging thought to know that Jesus lived on this earth just as each of us do. Living with the very trials, tests and disappointments we do. Yet he lived the life that we could not so that we could come to Him for strength.

To often we think we must do IT, when in reality ONLY CHRIST COULD DO IT AND DID. We all sin, we all fall short, yet we have been given the perfect sacrifice for us to cling to. That sacrifice is Christ Jesus.

Don’t get discouraged when you fall, thank God for the Savior and another chance to live because of what Jesus did on the cross. It’s not about getting it perfect or right (at what point do we have it all right). It’s about trusting and having faith in Jesus. Living each day the best that we can. And in the process of this thing called life, we cling to Jesus for dear life. Knowing we are going to make mistakes all the way home.

A little blues from the past, to bring us a little joy and laughter today. Louis Armstrong and Johnny Cash, two men that have always kept it real. I didn’t say they always got it right. It’s not whether you win or loose, but how you play. What a blessing.

Psalms 51:9-13 Spring Cleaning

In these next few verses we see a frail man honestly and openly seeking God’s cleansing. As you read, you sense that he truly believes in God and His ability to make him new.

9 Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. 13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.

Verse 9; Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. What is it that you think David is talking about in this passage? Who is looking repeatedly? Continue Reading »

Contrary to past reports, depression and suicide rates actually fall during the holidays. At least that is what the article in the LA Times said yesterday. The report made perfect sense to me, but then again consider the source. ☺

What caught my attention was a statement made by Barbara Fiese, the chairwoman of psychology at Syracuse University. Stating, people with strong family routines and rituals at holiday time reported more marital satisfaction, better Continue Reading »

This was passed on to me, the BIG buzzz… According to Shiloh Place Ministries (shilohplace.org), which drew its information from Focus on the Family, Ministries Today, Charisma Magazine, TNT Ministries, and other respected groups:

• 1,500 pastors leave the ministry permanently each month in America.
• 4,000 new churches start each year in America.
• 7,000 churches close each year in America.
• 50% of pastors’ marriages end in divorce.
• 70% of pastors continually battle depression. Continue Reading »

What a wonderful message. Enjoy!

He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:2-11 NKJ

AMPLIFIED BIBLE TRANSLATION
Whoever says he is in the Light and [yet] hates his brother [Christian, born-again child of God his Father] is in darkness even until now. Whoever loves his brother [believer] abides (lives) in the Light, and in It or in him there is no occasion for stumbling or cause for error or sin.

But he who hates (detests, despises) his brother [in Christ] is in darkness and walking (living) in the dark; he is straying and does not perceive or know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:2-11 AMP

The problem we typically have is that we tend to think that those that we do not like (hate) are not our brother or sister in Christ (Christians). We all better take another look at God’s word for clarification!

I really love how the amplified drives it home, leaving no stone unturned. Don’t you.

Continuing from last weeks study lets begin in Psalm 51:4

Psalm 51:4-8
4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

5 For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
6 But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.
7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice.

Starting off in verse 4, David shows us the truth of sin and we don’t like it. To see all the wrong we have and will do to each other in this world, even when we may feel they deserve it, is actually against God Himself. OUCH!

You may say, Continue Reading »

Please pray for us as we embark on our first church wide fast this Wednesday. Just as they did in Acts 13, just prior to Saul (Pauls) ministry, they came together to minister to the Lord with prayer and fasting. We are at a pinnacle point and long for God’s direction. We pray that with humility, obedience and eagerness we will continue to remain sensitive to the Lord’s will alone.

I would like to invite any and all to join us on this fast. Let us as one body unite. We will start our fast Wednesday after lunch, ending Thursday night with a fellowship dinner in my home.

God Bless