Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Bible Characters who Celebrated CHRISTMAS
The proper emphasis and spirit of Christmas is worship! Every personality attached to the birth of Christ worshiped God with jubilation and sincerity of heart. Worship is never man-centered, but Christ-centered! Worship is an attitude of the heart that is so filled with wonder and thanksgiving to God that it simultaneously comes out in adoration and praise.
Elisabeth, mother of John the Baptist
"And she spake out with a loud voice" (Luke 1:42)
Zacharias
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited and redeemed his people" (Luke 1:68)
Angels
"A multitude of the heavenly host praising God" (Luke 2:13)
Shepherds
"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen." (Luke 2:20)
Simeon
"Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God." (Luke 2:28)
Anna
"She coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord" (Luke 2:38)
Wise Men
"Come to worship him" (Matthew 2:2)
Mary
"My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour" (Luke 1:46-47)
May our main focus this Christmas be to WORSHIP our Savior, Jesus Christ!
Elisabeth, mother of John the Baptist
"And she spake out with a loud voice" (Luke 1:42)
Zacharias
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited and redeemed his people" (Luke 1:68)
Angels
"A multitude of the heavenly host praising God" (Luke 2:13)
Shepherds
"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen." (Luke 2:20)
Simeon
"Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God." (Luke 2:28)
Anna
"She coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord" (Luke 2:38)
Wise Men
"Come to worship him" (Matthew 2:2)
Mary
"My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour" (Luke 1:46-47)
May our main focus this Christmas be to WORSHIP our Savior, Jesus Christ!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
BIBLICAL THANKSGIVING
Psalm 100:4
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
Biblical thanksgiving is a continuous expression of the heart. It is thanking God for who He is and what He has provided for us in Christ. Thanksgiving is an everyday occurrence for the redeemed of God. It should not take a special national holiday to motivate and stimulate us to give thanks to the Lord. The word “thanks” in one form or another is found some 140 times in the Bible. The song writer was absolutely correct when he penned the following words: “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” The Apostle Paul said:“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Col. 3:17).
Luke 17 gives us a great thanksgiving story about ten lepers who came to Jesus in order to be healed. Of all the stories in the Gospels, there is none that so passionately sets in contrast the difference between a life of gratefulness and a life of ungratefulness. The lepers had come to Jesus with a deep longing and a desperate need. Jesus miraculously cured all of them, but only one out of the ten had enough appreciation in his heart to return and give thanks. The Bible says,“And (he)fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks…And Jesus answering said, were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” The nine lepers were guilty of the same sin that you and I commit regularly. They were more willing to get something than to give something.
God is our provider who meets our daily needs. Everything we have is from our Heavenly Father. James 1:17 says: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.” Asaph said in Psalm 50:14: “Offer unto God thanksgiving.” God commands us to give Him praise. This should be the constant activity of every believer in Christ. Psalm 92:1 says: “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High.” Are you and I truly thankful? During this thanksgiving season, let us examine our hearts and give praise on a regular basis to God!
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
Biblical thanksgiving is a continuous expression of the heart. It is thanking God for who He is and what He has provided for us in Christ. Thanksgiving is an everyday occurrence for the redeemed of God. It should not take a special national holiday to motivate and stimulate us to give thanks to the Lord. The word “thanks” in one form or another is found some 140 times in the Bible. The song writer was absolutely correct when he penned the following words: “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” The Apostle Paul said:“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Col. 3:17).
Luke 17 gives us a great thanksgiving story about ten lepers who came to Jesus in order to be healed. Of all the stories in the Gospels, there is none that so passionately sets in contrast the difference between a life of gratefulness and a life of ungratefulness. The lepers had come to Jesus with a deep longing and a desperate need. Jesus miraculously cured all of them, but only one out of the ten had enough appreciation in his heart to return and give thanks. The Bible says,“And (he)fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks…And Jesus answering said, were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” The nine lepers were guilty of the same sin that you and I commit regularly. They were more willing to get something than to give something.
God is our provider who meets our daily needs. Everything we have is from our Heavenly Father. James 1:17 says: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.” Asaph said in Psalm 50:14: “Offer unto God thanksgiving.” God commands us to give Him praise. This should be the constant activity of every believer in Christ. Psalm 92:1 says: “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High.” Are you and I truly thankful? During this thanksgiving season, let us examine our hearts and give praise on a regular basis to God!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Come Join us for our 9/11 SERVICE
SEPT. 11TH REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
(DARE WE FORGET!)
WHERE: New Life Bible Church
1810 Brown Trail
Bedford, TX 76021
www.newlifebibledfw.org
817-876-9901
WHEN: Sunday 10:30 AM
SPEAKER: Captain Mike Griffith, 720th MP Battalion Army Chaplain, Fort Hood
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Counseling Others
Here's a few reminders that I have learned from other mentors over the last 25 years of church ministry:
1. The Word of God is our best Counselor- Psalm 119:24. There is no substitute when it comes to seeking advice about a domestic relationship, a job, a health concern, a financial matter, etc.
2. You can only lead someone as far as you are spiritually- Romans 15:14. Our kids, and spouse, and loved ones, will grow as much as we have grown (or less).
3. Counseling is causing one to grow up in Christ- I Corinthians 14:20; Ephesians 4:15. One of the goals in counseling is for the patient to solve his own problems from the Word of God where he is dependent on Christ, not the counselor.
4. Sin is irrational...and remember that in counseling with others.
5. Don't give counseling outside of your field.
6. Listen and gather information (James 1:19). Listen for themes and patterns- Proverbs 18:13; Proverbs 14:15.
7. Identify the problem (Proverbs 19:20; Gal. 5:19-23)- Get to the source of the problem (i.e.- bitterness- Heb. 12:15-16; depression; immorality; not surrendered- Rom. 12:1-2; etc.).
8. It’s been said: “Tears can deceive; there are different reasons why people cry." II Corinthians 7:9-10 reminds us that sorrow doesn’t always lead to repentance that is godly. Peter wept, but wasn’t walking with God (Matthew 26:75).
9. Always be solution-oriented in your counseling- Ephesians 4:29 (Give help, hope, and homework).
10. Observe time limits and be confidential. Keep it short and don’t bring 3rd parties into your conversation.
11. Remind folks that their problems and temptations are not abnormal (I Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:15).
12. Be careful in counseling the opposite sex (Titus 2:4-5)...have some accountability.
13. Stress prayer as a vital tool (Matthew 21:22).
14. Thinking right leads to right actions, feelings, habits, etc.
15. Always follow-up with individuals you are helping. And remember, there’s no problem God’s grace cannot overcome.
1. The Word of God is our best Counselor- Psalm 119:24. There is no substitute when it comes to seeking advice about a domestic relationship, a job, a health concern, a financial matter, etc.
2. You can only lead someone as far as you are spiritually- Romans 15:14. Our kids, and spouse, and loved ones, will grow as much as we have grown (or less).
3. Counseling is causing one to grow up in Christ- I Corinthians 14:20; Ephesians 4:15. One of the goals in counseling is for the patient to solve his own problems from the Word of God where he is dependent on Christ, not the counselor.
4. Sin is irrational...and remember that in counseling with others.
5. Don't give counseling outside of your field.
6. Listen and gather information (James 1:19). Listen for themes and patterns- Proverbs 18:13; Proverbs 14:15.
7. Identify the problem (Proverbs 19:20; Gal. 5:19-23)- Get to the source of the problem (i.e.- bitterness- Heb. 12:15-16; depression; immorality; not surrendered- Rom. 12:1-2; etc.).
8. It’s been said: “Tears can deceive; there are different reasons why people cry." II Corinthians 7:9-10 reminds us that sorrow doesn’t always lead to repentance that is godly. Peter wept, but wasn’t walking with God (Matthew 26:75).
9. Always be solution-oriented in your counseling- Ephesians 4:29 (Give help, hope, and homework).
10. Observe time limits and be confidential. Keep it short and don’t bring 3rd parties into your conversation.
11. Remind folks that their problems and temptations are not abnormal (I Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:15).
12. Be careful in counseling the opposite sex (Titus 2:4-5)...have some accountability.
13. Stress prayer as a vital tool (Matthew 21:22).
14. Thinking right leads to right actions, feelings, habits, etc.
15. Always follow-up with individuals you are helping. And remember, there’s no problem God’s grace cannot overcome.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
