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Tuesday, January 27, 2009
STATE OF MIND
Men, let's take encouragement in these difficult times from a passage in Matthew where Jesus
speaks. Listen to the words of Jesus:
"So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall
we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows
that you need them." Matthew 6:31-32(NIV).
The news is bombarding us every day with all the bad news.
I'm not so sure the news isn't the pagan way, pagan source, of steering our minds in totally the wrong direction,
a direction of worry and despair. Our great Adversary likes nothing better than a "down" state of mind. This is
the temperment most open to evil thoughts, deeds, and un-Christian living.
What does Jesus say we should do with
our "daily bread," our daily thinking?
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and these
things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day
his enough trouble of its own" Matthew 6:33-34(NIV).
Jesus isn't saying we won't have trouble.
He freely admits it!
Jesus isn't saying we won't suffer. We all do.
But what our Lord is reassuring
us is that if we focus first on prayer(less worry, more prayer), the kingom of God in all its awesome glory, we will get ourselves
in the right state of mind to meet the day and our needs will be answered.
The second you shift your mind, so to
speak, into the gear of the gospel message(remember the gospel is the 'good news'), you will be receptive to all the
blessings that are in store for you.
Men, don't get duped by all the bad news today! Just say little prayers
today and focus on the kingdom and righteousness of God. Be prepared for the good stuff that is going to
happen to you today!!
12:44 pm est
Monday, January 5, 2009
TOUGH TIMES: TOUGHER FAITH
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4
These tough times call for "tougher" faith. Paul knew all about hardship. He was stoned more than once, shipwrecked
more than once, ridiculed, jailed more than once, tried and ultimately executed.
He was a "fool" for
Christ! In the midst of such suffering he had an unwavering faith in the significance and power of the cross.
In his time he died for self long before he was unjustly tried and executed. He kept focused on "whatever
is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable..." Phil.
4:8 ff(NIV).
In short, he focused on all that is excellent and praiseworthy in the gospel, good news, of Jesus
Christ.
In our age of rampant mediocrity wouldn't it be refreshing to do the same?
Instead
of getting caught up in the anxiety and circumstances of our daily existence wouldn't it be better to put into practice
the advise of Paul in Philippians 4?
Paul exhorts us to take the High Road in thinking of all that is liberating
and joyful in the gospel of Jesus.
Doing so has a great reward indeed. In doing so "the God of peace will
be with you."
Now that deserves an exclamation mark and can't help but make for better future days for
us all.
3:19 pm est
Thursday, January 1, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM PAUL
2009 is going to be a great year of newness in the spirit of power. Not the power of self, not the power of
the world(just look back on last year!), but the newness we are taught when we put off our old ways and are made new in the
attitudes of Jesus.
Paul describes our message for the New Year when he reminds all of us:
"You
were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and
holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24(NIV)
How is that for a New Year's resolution?
Let's
suit up and see what this kind of self, new attitude of mind, can accomplish for the Kingdom in 2009.
Not just
happy, but Blessed New Year to you all!
7:16 pm est
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MEN WANT TIME AWAY FROM IT ALL!
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MEN WANT TO HIT THE MARK!
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MEN ENJOY THE CELEBRATION!
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Quotations from The Holy Bible, New International
Version(R), Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society Quotations
from The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright (c) 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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