Last night as I reclined in my easy chair after a wonderful steak dinner, with muscles aching after a hard days work, my mind realizes how blest this man is. I think the trip to Louisville Friday night to see the Passion play started me thinking. It was a great trip with some Christian friends, and the scenes of the play were still resonating in my mind. Considering the blessings I have how can I be still. I also realize that sometimes soon satan will cause havoc in my life and attempting to shake my faith; his goal to reduce the feelings of blessing.
When someone says I am blessed what does that mean to you? I won’t enumerate on the ways most view blessing but I will speak from my heart. Consider, (Romans 5:8), “ While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I want you to ponder that a moment....... How about these from Jesus, (John 3:16), “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him would not perish but have every lasting life.”; (Matthew 10:39), “ if you cling to your life you will lose it; but if you give it up for Me, you will find it.” I ask you, are we blessed? Wow, wow, wow, without a doubt!
Consider the scene of me sitting in my easy chair, feet up, belly full, and muscles aching. Jesus was sent by God even though we are unworthy of His love; He bled and died for our sins. We can rest knowing that He does all things well. He was the sinless, perfect sacrifice required. His sacrifice, His atoning blood, was a free gift. I did nothing to deserve it, it was done because He loved me more than I’ll ever know. Yes, in this world we will have trials, hearts aches, but we can be assured that He cares for us; through His power, ”we are more than conquerors through Christ.” Good times, good food, and rest are all wonderful, but nothing truly satisfies man’s heart needs like Jesus.
Yes, I awoke this morning realizing how truly blessed I am. I will praise Him in worship with my Christian brothers and sisters at church on this Sabbath day. I’m thankful that Spring is finally here after a hard Winter. I look forward to what lies ahead knowing, “that all things work for the good of them that love the Lord and are called according to His purposes.” Thank you Lord for giving me the opportunity, each day, to serve you. Thank you for paying the price, and giving me direction and hope! Yes, I am truly blessed!
Have a great day!
Bill
Monday, March 21, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Appearance
I once knew a person a GE who believed that appearance was everything necessary for success. If you looked the part you will probably become the part. I have come to realize that a person can look the part but often doesn't have the ability needed. Consider, (1 Samuel 16:7-), " But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'" David was chosen that day though he was not the one most would have thought that God would pick. I'm immediately reminded of another, John the Baptist. He wore camel skin clothing, wandered in the wild and eating locust and honey. What about Jesus himself. Many misinterpreted Him and few recognized Him as Messiah.
One of the issues in faith is that often people are not as they outwardly appear to be. Man often fails to internalize the truth and outward appearances deceives many. Man often talks, appears to have a resemblance, but inwardly the heart is not in it. Jesus spoke many times about the hypocrite, the luke warm, those who had an appearance of holiness, but the truth was not in them. Many start on the road to glory but often fail because they have failed to allow the Holy Spirit to empower and support their daily lives: the inward power of God is not there. Other's want association only, nothing more. The price is too high and the path too difficult.
I believe if there was ever a time for Christians to be genuine it is now. I believe the time has come where if we the Christian element in America don't stand up for our faith we will be just another country without God's guidance and blessings. What troubles most is that America has allowed appearance to overshadow the reality that we have lost our first love. I'm concerned that even the appearance is being eroded and a good many of our leaders seek neutrality in their appearance as it is no longer popular to have a Christian appearance. No, I'm not getting off on jewelry, make up, etc; what I'm talking about is the presence of God that finds its way into our lives and makes our actions Christ like. We are not afraid to say as a country, " In God we trust," and our actions and laws represent that faith.
So where do we go from here? I have a plan and hope all will join me in that effort. Start today by reading God's word everyday. After you have read then write down what you have read. Then pray asking God to reveal the truth to you. Ask for the Holy Spirits leadership as the Word becomes a living part of your very being. Seek at least one person a day, e-mail, phone, personal, somehow get more outward with your faith. Determine that your family knows what you believe and ask God to give you the courage, wisdom, and above all love as you interact with them daily. Become a voice at home, on the job, in your community, assuring that God is recognized and honored in our community. Make your presence and testimony known. That is a tough assignment but what is our purpose. Do you get it yet? We were born with a purpose. That purpose is surround with people. Jesus depends on us, our inward and outward being is to be like Him. I know when people start telling other people what to do there is often a rub and so I must be careful. I feel an urgency, that what we are going to do, we need to do it now. We must realize as Christians that we have a job to do. That responsibility is not to be taken lightly. Appearance is not enough!
So what does a coach say to his team when they are facing defeat? Few really good coaches accept defeat because they are down. Most will appeal to the team members to go out there and play as you are capable. Sometimes the team will rally, put on a full court press, seek the rewards of victory. Other teams, will accept defeat, and hope at the end the coach will commend them for giving it their best. Jesus said, (Luke 9:23-25), "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow Me. If you try to keep your life for yourself you will lose it. But if you give up your life for Me, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your soul in the process." Paul realized the goal, (Philippians 3:12), "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of for me.......... Forget what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal, to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." We all need to consider, it's late in the game. the team is struggling, do we win or lose?
Have a great day!
Bill Gooden
One of the issues in faith is that often people are not as they outwardly appear to be. Man often fails to internalize the truth and outward appearances deceives many. Man often talks, appears to have a resemblance, but inwardly the heart is not in it. Jesus spoke many times about the hypocrite, the luke warm, those who had an appearance of holiness, but the truth was not in them. Many start on the road to glory but often fail because they have failed to allow the Holy Spirit to empower and support their daily lives: the inward power of God is not there. Other's want association only, nothing more. The price is too high and the path too difficult.
I believe if there was ever a time for Christians to be genuine it is now. I believe the time has come where if we the Christian element in America don't stand up for our faith we will be just another country without God's guidance and blessings. What troubles most is that America has allowed appearance to overshadow the reality that we have lost our first love. I'm concerned that even the appearance is being eroded and a good many of our leaders seek neutrality in their appearance as it is no longer popular to have a Christian appearance. No, I'm not getting off on jewelry, make up, etc; what I'm talking about is the presence of God that finds its way into our lives and makes our actions Christ like. We are not afraid to say as a country, " In God we trust," and our actions and laws represent that faith.
So where do we go from here? I have a plan and hope all will join me in that effort. Start today by reading God's word everyday. After you have read then write down what you have read. Then pray asking God to reveal the truth to you. Ask for the Holy Spirits leadership as the Word becomes a living part of your very being. Seek at least one person a day, e-mail, phone, personal, somehow get more outward with your faith. Determine that your family knows what you believe and ask God to give you the courage, wisdom, and above all love as you interact with them daily. Become a voice at home, on the job, in your community, assuring that God is recognized and honored in our community. Make your presence and testimony known. That is a tough assignment but what is our purpose. Do you get it yet? We were born with a purpose. That purpose is surround with people. Jesus depends on us, our inward and outward being is to be like Him. I know when people start telling other people what to do there is often a rub and so I must be careful. I feel an urgency, that what we are going to do, we need to do it now. We must realize as Christians that we have a job to do. That responsibility is not to be taken lightly. Appearance is not enough!
So what does a coach say to his team when they are facing defeat? Few really good coaches accept defeat because they are down. Most will appeal to the team members to go out there and play as you are capable. Sometimes the team will rally, put on a full court press, seek the rewards of victory. Other teams, will accept defeat, and hope at the end the coach will commend them for giving it their best. Jesus said, (Luke 9:23-25), "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow Me. If you try to keep your life for yourself you will lose it. But if you give up your life for Me, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your soul in the process." Paul realized the goal, (Philippians 3:12), "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of for me.......... Forget what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal, to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." We all need to consider, it's late in the game. the team is struggling, do we win or lose?
Have a great day!
Bill Gooden
Your Name
All morning, even before I got up, which was early, this phrase, “Your Name Is like no other”, keeps coming into my mind. It is a new song we have sung at church, and I can’t quote all the words, but I know the One of whom we sing. Most of my inspirations start with one word, redeemed, love, hope, all apart of Your Name, but today one word does not suffice. “There is no other name by which man may be saved.” “At the Name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.””I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.” Those are just a few of the verses of scripture that tell of Your Name. I realize that my mind is incapable of encompassing the words requires to descript You Lord. Abe Lincoln once said that all that I am, I am because of my Godly mother. My mother was a wonderful woman, no man could have had one better, but no one, or nothing else, has touched my life like Jesus.
Your Name Lord, has been the backbone of the Christian church. In Your Name the lame have walked, caused the blind to see, redeemed countless numbers of people around the world. By the power of Your Name man has been given a second chance. I often think what it must have been like to have met You first hand. To have witnessed Your miracles, to hear Your messages, to experience the joy when You arose from the grave. You even gave us the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, a part of you, to reside within us, to guide us, along life’s way. You have told us that you will come again and take us home with you to reside in your presence for eternity. Wow, how wonderful is that!
One of life’s great mysteries for me has been how an all seeing, all knowing God, could love mankind enough to send His only begotten son to come to this world, give His life for my sin and by His blood I now am saved. Not only have I been redeemed but I have Your presence in my life daily. Your grace provides me strength for all of life’s issues I encounter, I am never alone, for You care for me. From, (John 14:16-19) “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive Him and does not recognize Him. But you do, because He lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. In just a little while the world will see Me no more, but you will. For I will live again and you will, too.” Praise you Jesus!
Your Name Lord, when I think of you, I think of what life should be. We live in a troubled world, our country teeters on the brink of collapse, spiritually, socially, economically because I fear we have lost our first love. Yes, there was a time in the history of this great country, so blessed by your leadership, we wrote into our very laws, the principles within your word. Today, we are allowing every conceivable ungodly element center stage. Much has been lost. It is no longer though that, “In God we Trust,” is appropriate for our coins or a statement of our country’s belief. Your Name has seemly lost favor in the halls of Congress as we allow the unthinkable to become law. How can we allow partial birth abortion. Any way you see it breaks your law and I fear that the lives taken, the blood shed, carries with it the cry for justice. Some day man will cry out for the rocks to fall upon them so they might hide from your justice. Man will find out soon enough of the power of Your Name.
Yes, I long for the day when the affairs of this world will change. When I will reside with You forevermore, but until that day I pray that I, with my brother’s and sister’s in Christ, will continue to be faithful to our calling. Help us to seek your will, your guidance, may Your Name direct us and keep us until that day. Once again I have fallen short in my ability to express what is in my heart. Your Name brings joy to my heart and gives me energy to carry on. I praise You and want nothing more than to bring glory to Your Name, in all I do. May my life be an extension of Your Love. Praise Your Name forever!
Have a great day!
Bill
Your Name Lord, has been the backbone of the Christian church. In Your Name the lame have walked, caused the blind to see, redeemed countless numbers of people around the world. By the power of Your Name man has been given a second chance. I often think what it must have been like to have met You first hand. To have witnessed Your miracles, to hear Your messages, to experience the joy when You arose from the grave. You even gave us the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, a part of you, to reside within us, to guide us, along life’s way. You have told us that you will come again and take us home with you to reside in your presence for eternity. Wow, how wonderful is that!
One of life’s great mysteries for me has been how an all seeing, all knowing God, could love mankind enough to send His only begotten son to come to this world, give His life for my sin and by His blood I now am saved. Not only have I been redeemed but I have Your presence in my life daily. Your grace provides me strength for all of life’s issues I encounter, I am never alone, for You care for me. From, (John 14:16-19) “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive Him and does not recognize Him. But you do, because He lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. In just a little while the world will see Me no more, but you will. For I will live again and you will, too.” Praise you Jesus!
Your Name Lord, when I think of you, I think of what life should be. We live in a troubled world, our country teeters on the brink of collapse, spiritually, socially, economically because I fear we have lost our first love. Yes, there was a time in the history of this great country, so blessed by your leadership, we wrote into our very laws, the principles within your word. Today, we are allowing every conceivable ungodly element center stage. Much has been lost. It is no longer though that, “In God we Trust,” is appropriate for our coins or a statement of our country’s belief. Your Name has seemly lost favor in the halls of Congress as we allow the unthinkable to become law. How can we allow partial birth abortion. Any way you see it breaks your law and I fear that the lives taken, the blood shed, carries with it the cry for justice. Some day man will cry out for the rocks to fall upon them so they might hide from your justice. Man will find out soon enough of the power of Your Name.
Yes, I long for the day when the affairs of this world will change. When I will reside with You forevermore, but until that day I pray that I, with my brother’s and sister’s in Christ, will continue to be faithful to our calling. Help us to seek your will, your guidance, may Your Name direct us and keep us until that day. Once again I have fallen short in my ability to express what is in my heart. Your Name brings joy to my heart and gives me energy to carry on. I praise You and want nothing more than to bring glory to Your Name, in all I do. May my life be an extension of Your Love. Praise Your Name forever!
Have a great day!
Bill
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