Volume 8 Post/Email 7 – An Alternative Vision
by brian
The Bible tells me that God can make a barren old couple the proud parents of a chosen people.
If I believe that, then I cannot also believe myself or anyone else to be a lost cause.
Nor can I believe only what any culture tells me about myself. The Bible gives me another authority to consult.
When the culture treats me as if all I am good for is to produce or consume, the Bible invites me to love.
When the culture encourages me to think of myself as a rugged individualist, the Bible calls me to be a neighbor.
When the culture conditions me to be a spectator on life, the Bible bids me to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
Over and over, the Bible offers me an alternative vision, not only of myself, but also of other people, and ultimately of the whole world.
Reflection Questions:
Do I desire and pray for eyes of faith to see what God wants me to see?
Do I see what God wants me to see in others? In myself?
Do I desire and pray for an open heart oriented to do what God wants me to do?
Do I have the heart that God desires for people, relationships, and ministry?
-Brian
Volume 6 Post/Email 5 – Daily Faith
by brian
The ELGUY internet ministry focuses on offering weekly encouragement to Christians. Every day is a gift from God. Each day is a chance to know Him personally and an opportunity to be used by Him in kingdom service.
Hebrews 3:12-14 reads, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first."
Jehovah is an ever-present and ever-living God. He desires for us to know him within our heart.
Satan actively works to turn us away from a believing heart and obedient faith in Almighty God. Satan offers temptations and trials to destroy faith and harden hearts.
We must be aware of the power of sin and deceitfulness of sin while facing challenges and adversity in life.
I am mindful of the saying, "Life would be easy if it weren't so daily."
Daily encouragement is the remedy to Satan's schemes and sin's grip.
We all need encouragement and can all offer encouragement to others.
Daily faith in Christ is fundamental to a life of focus and fulfillment.
We have God's eternal favor through our union with Christ.
Experiencing oneness with Jesus is the grandest joy of life.
Sharing Christ with others is our eternal purpose and delight.
We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end.
Every day let God use you and your faith to encourage people.
Our daily lifestyle and daily conversations reveal our daily faith.
-Brian
Volume 4 Post/Email 9 – Faith(#9)
by brian
In a discussion about Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ, Acts 15:9-11 reads, "He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
An amazing thing occurs when we choose to have faith in Christ - our heart is purified and our soul saved by the grace of Jesus.
Nothing else - including good works, spiritual acts or religious yokes - purifies our hearts and saves our soul.
If we attempt to quantify spirituality the way most do, the Pharisees win every time.
A good reflection question: Identify a few religious habits in your life that are currently losing (or have lost) their meaning and significance in helping you encounter/experience God and have a positive impact/impression upon your life. (After identifying any such religious habits, determine the reason(s) and solution(s). Understand, too, that this may not have happened suddenly, and therefore, it could take some time and thought to arrive at the reason(s) and solution(s).)
Faith in the atoning blood and grace of Christ is what saves us. There are many expressions of faith and options for deepening our faith and walk with God as a result of our standing with God in Christ.
The goal of the Christian should be "Christ formed in you" (Galatians 4:19). Religion and religious activity can help and hinder this pursuit. Sometimes we perceive ours and others spiritual walk and quantify such in ways that are putting on the necks of disciples of Jesus a yoke that is unnecessary.
May we all be men and women of faith who seek to honor Christ daily and grow spiritually through the many venues available and promoted in Scripture, but not in "yokeful contexts" placed on ourselves or others.
A second reflection question: What can/will I intentionally do this week to freely and sincerely worship God?
-Brian
Volume 3 Post/Email 5 – Proverbs 15:15
by brian
The cheerful heart has a continual feast.
I love this observation and statement of truth from Solomon!
We can excuse a sour attitude because of the negative events of life.
However, the choice is truly ours as to how we will live.
We do not have to be sour and miserable!
Neither do we have to be empty.
We can decide to be full of God and spiritual joy.
It is very possible to overcome the difficult people and negative circumstances that cross our path.
A cheerful heart has a continual feast, including days of discouragement and disappointment!
A cheerful heart has a continual feast, even when dealing with petty and unnecesary issues!
A cheerful heart has a continual feast, so choose to be glad and free in Christ!
-Brian