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!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
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.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
The Importance of Sharing our Faith
"YOU FORGOT MY SOUL"
YOU LIVED NEXT DOOR TO ME FOR YEARS,
WE SHARED OUR DREAMS, OUR JOYS, AND TEARS;
A FRIEND TO ME YOU WERE INDEED.
A FRIEND WHO HELPED ME WHEN IN NEED.
MY FAITH IN YOU WAS STRONG AND SURE.
WE HAD SUCH TRUST AS SHOULD ENDURE.
NO SPATS BETWEEN US EVER ROSE,
OUR FRIENDS WERE ALIKE--AND SO, OUR FOES.
WHAT SADNESS, THEN MY FRIEND, TO FIND,
THAT AFTER ALL, YOU WEREN'T SO KIND.
THE DAY MY LIFE ON EARTH DID END,
I FOUND YOU WEREN'T A FAITHFUL FRIEND.
FOR ALL THOSE YEARS WE SPENT ON EARTH,
YOU NEVER TALKED OF SECOND BIRTH.
YOU NEVER SPOKE OF MY LOST SOUL
AND OF THE CHRIST WHO MAKES ME WHOLE!
I PLEAD TODAY FROM HELL'S CRUEL FIRE,
AND TELL YOU NOW MY LAST DESIRE--
YOU CANNOT DO A THING FOR ME;
NO WORDS TODAY MY BONDS WILL FREE.
BUT DO NOT ERR, MY FRIEND, AGAIN--
DO ALL YOU CAN FOR SOULS OF MEN.
PLEAD WITH THEM NOW QUITE EARNESTLY,
LEST THEY BE CAST IN HELL WITH ME!
(Dr. Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.)
John 3:36- "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him."
YOU LIVED NEXT DOOR TO ME FOR YEARS,
WE SHARED OUR DREAMS, OUR JOYS, AND TEARS;
A FRIEND TO ME YOU WERE INDEED.
A FRIEND WHO HELPED ME WHEN IN NEED.
MY FAITH IN YOU WAS STRONG AND SURE.
WE HAD SUCH TRUST AS SHOULD ENDURE.
NO SPATS BETWEEN US EVER ROSE,
OUR FRIENDS WERE ALIKE--AND SO, OUR FOES.
WHAT SADNESS, THEN MY FRIEND, TO FIND,
THAT AFTER ALL, YOU WEREN'T SO KIND.
THE DAY MY LIFE ON EARTH DID END,
I FOUND YOU WEREN'T A FAITHFUL FRIEND.
FOR ALL THOSE YEARS WE SPENT ON EARTH,
YOU NEVER TALKED OF SECOND BIRTH.
YOU NEVER SPOKE OF MY LOST SOUL
AND OF THE CHRIST WHO MAKES ME WHOLE!
I PLEAD TODAY FROM HELL'S CRUEL FIRE,
AND TELL YOU NOW MY LAST DESIRE--
YOU CANNOT DO A THING FOR ME;
NO WORDS TODAY MY BONDS WILL FREE.
BUT DO NOT ERR, MY FRIEND, AGAIN--
DO ALL YOU CAN FOR SOULS OF MEN.
PLEAD WITH THEM NOW QUITE EARNESTLY,
LEST THEY BE CAST IN HELL WITH ME!
(Dr. Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.)
John 3:36- "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him."
Friday, June 17, 2011
One Another's of the Bible- Home Study
How well do you treat people? Are you Christ-like in your dealings with others at work, home, or in the church? Please sit down with your family or spouse and look these passages up to enrich your spiritual life.
1. ______________ one another- I Thess. 5:11 (build up and encourage each other)
2. ________________ to one another- Eph. 5:21 (“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”)
3. ______________ one another- Gal. 5:13 (“by love…”)
4. ___________ one another’s burdens- Gal. 6:2 (“…and so fulfill the law of Christ.”)
5. ________________ ye one another- Rom. 15:7 (“…as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”)
6. _________________ one another- Rom. 15:14
7. _________________ one another- Rom. 12:10 (“in honor…”)
8. Kindly ____________________ one to another- Rom. 12:10 (devoted to one another)
9. _______________________ one toward another- Rom. 15:5 (“according to Christ Jesus”).
10. ____________ __________ one another- Eph. 4:2 (“With all lowliness and meekness…forbearing one another in love.”)
1. ______________ one another- I Thess. 5:11 (build up and encourage each other)
2. ________________ to one another- Eph. 5:21 (“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”)
3. ______________ one another- Gal. 5:13 (“by love…”)
4. ___________ one another’s burdens- Gal. 6:2 (“…and so fulfill the law of Christ.”)
5. ________________ ye one another- Rom. 15:7 (“…as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”)
6. _________________ one another- Rom. 15:14
7. _________________ one another- Rom. 12:10 (“in honor…”)
8. Kindly ____________________ one to another- Rom. 12:10 (devoted to one another)
9. _______________________ one toward another- Rom. 15:5 (“according to Christ Jesus”).
10. ____________ __________ one another- Eph. 4:2 (“With all lowliness and meekness…forbearing one another in love.”)
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