From: Love Worth Finding
“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
Do you know what is wrong with many of us? We are trying to get out of trouble rather than get into righteousness. We are so focused on the defensive side of Christianity that we forget about offensive, positive approach.
•Wouldn’t you like to get up and stay up?
•Wouldn’t you like to experience the abundant life our Lord talks about?
Jesus came to give us eternal life. He came to give us the abundant life. We need to do like the old song says, and “Accentuate the positive. Eliminate the negative.”
April 21, 2010
Encouraging Words 4/21/10 More Blessed to Give Than to Receive
From: Love Worth Finding
“...remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
Unhappiness comes from mirrors. Happiness comes from windows. If you want to be miserable, then think about yourself first...
•what you want,
•what people are saying about you,
•what you ought to have done for you,
•how down you feel,
•how good you feel.
Just focus on yourself. Feeling good yet? If you are, then something is wrong. Selfishness and happiness just don’t go hand in hand.
If you’re thinking it is better to receive than to give, then you’ll never be happy. You’ll never experience the blessing of giving that Jesus taught.
Hold out your hand and make a fist for at least one minute. Now, relax. Which feels better — the clinched fist or the relaxed and flexible hand?
Imagine that your spirit is tight like that fist and think of how severely that can quench His work in your life. Now relax and submit your spirit to the One who truly blesses.
“...remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
Unhappiness comes from mirrors. Happiness comes from windows. If you want to be miserable, then think about yourself first...
•what you want,
•what people are saying about you,
•what you ought to have done for you,
•how down you feel,
•how good you feel.
Just focus on yourself. Feeling good yet? If you are, then something is wrong. Selfishness and happiness just don’t go hand in hand.
If you’re thinking it is better to receive than to give, then you’ll never be happy. You’ll never experience the blessing of giving that Jesus taught.
Hold out your hand and make a fist for at least one minute. Now, relax. Which feels better — the clinched fist or the relaxed and flexible hand?
Imagine that your spirit is tight like that fist and think of how severely that can quench His work in your life. Now relax and submit your spirit to the One who truly blesses.
Encouraging Words 4/20/10 Determining Your Course of Action
From: Love Worth Finding
“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” Psalm 57:7
When I was in college, I kept a motto on my desk that said, “He who would not fall down ought not to walk in slippery places.”
•Keep yourself clean.
•Keep yourself pure.
•Watch what you set before your eyes.
There needs to be discipline. Job said, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look upon a maid” (Job 31:1). If we are to have a walk of purity in obedience to God, we must determine ahead of time what our course of action will be.
One big decision will take care of a lot of little ones.
Are you going on a trip alone any time soon? If so, make the decision right now to keep your walk pure and holy for God’s glory.
“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” Psalm 57:7
When I was in college, I kept a motto on my desk that said, “He who would not fall down ought not to walk in slippery places.”
•Keep yourself clean.
•Keep yourself pure.
•Watch what you set before your eyes.
There needs to be discipline. Job said, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look upon a maid” (Job 31:1). If we are to have a walk of purity in obedience to God, we must determine ahead of time what our course of action will be.
One big decision will take care of a lot of little ones.
Are you going on a trip alone any time soon? If so, make the decision right now to keep your walk pure and holy for God’s glory.
Affirming Words 4/21/10-"How Can I Be Sure God Loves Me Too?" Part 3 of 3
A sermon from Soulforce founder Mel White:
Affirming Resource 4/21/10-New Hope First Community Church, Boynton Beach, FL
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Following the call of Christ to "Love one another, as I have loved you" (John 15:12), we welcome everyone regardless of race, gender identification, sexual orientation, marital or divorce status or any other category used by people and churches in a divisive way. There are no barriers for all that seek Christ with a true heart. Whether you have been divorced or remarried, are straight,gay, lesbian or transgender you are welcomed here. Likewise, our clergy can be male or female, gay or straight, celibate or coupled. All baptized Christians are welcome at Holy Communion.
New Hope offers a special welcome for those who have been made to feel unwelcome or rejected by other churches. We trust you will spend a few minutes here getting to know us. Better yet, we pray you will join us for one of our services or activities and give us a chance to get to know you a little better.
Click here to find out more.
April 20, 2010
Affirming Words 4/20/10-"How Can I Be Sure God Loves Me Too?" Part 2 of 3
A sermon by Soulforce founder Mel White:
Matthew 25 Resource 4/20/10-Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin (Madison)
Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, a private, nonprofit organization, distributes food to more than 400 charitable programs that feed the hungry in 16 southwestern Wisconsin counties. Through food and fund donations from corporations, organizations, businesses, foundations and individuals, the Foodbank is able to distribute food to charitable shelters, food pantries and meal sites.
OUR MISSION: To feed the hungry in southwestern Wisconsin by acquiring food and related products and distributing them to nonprofit organizations; to provide these programs with appropriate assistance; to act as a resource for information related to fighting hunger; and to develop partnerships with others who work on hunger issues.
Click here to find out more.
OUR MISSION: To feed the hungry in southwestern Wisconsin by acquiring food and related products and distributing them to nonprofit organizations; to provide these programs with appropriate assistance; to act as a resource for information related to fighting hunger; and to develop partnerships with others who work on hunger issues.
Click here to find out more.
April 19, 2010
Affirming Words 4/19/10-"How Can I Be Sure God Loves Me Too?" Part 1 of 3
A sermon from Soulforce founder Mel White:
LGBT Helping Hands 4/19/10-Rainbow Center (Tacoma, WA)
The Rainbow Center's mission is to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity by providing education, resources, information and opportunities for empowerment to individuals and organization with the south Puget Sound area. We find our activities falling into three general categories.
* Educate - to provide information to all individuals and groups about the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersexed, Questioning/Queer and Allied individuals community in an effort to eliminate harmful stereotypes
* Advocate - to ensure that Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersexed, Questioning/Queer and Allied individuals receive the same basic human rights as all other citizens of pierce County, the State of Washington and the United States.
* Celebrate - to acknowledge pride in who we are as valuable creative members of a diverse population in this county, state, and country.
* Educate - to provide information to all individuals and groups about the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersexed, Questioning/Queer and Allied individuals community in an effort to eliminate harmful stereotypes
* Advocate - to ensure that Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersexed, Questioning/Queer and Allied individuals receive the same basic human rights as all other citizens of pierce County, the State of Washington and the United States.
* Celebrate - to acknowledge pride in who we are as valuable creative members of a diverse population in this county, state, and country.
Encouraging Words 4/19/10 Procrastination is a Sin
From: Love Worth Finding
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17
Are you one of those people who believes, “Put off until tomorrow what you could be doing today”? This is one of those times when the fingers pointing back at me outnumber the one that’s pointing to you! What am I talking about? Procrastination.
Did you know that procrastination is a sin? I say that because sin is not merely doing wrong, it is failing to do what you ought to do. Procrastination and disobedience are just different shades of the same sin.
I heard a quote once that said it well:
When you have a job to do, begin this very hour. You supply the will, God supplies the power.
That is the will power we need to instantly obey!
Has a certain task been hounding you? Confess your procrastination as sin. And act now; don’t hesitate.
•Yesterday is gone.
•Tomorrow may never come.
•Today is the day!
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17
Are you one of those people who believes, “Put off until tomorrow what you could be doing today”? This is one of those times when the fingers pointing back at me outnumber the one that’s pointing to you! What am I talking about? Procrastination.
Did you know that procrastination is a sin? I say that because sin is not merely doing wrong, it is failing to do what you ought to do. Procrastination and disobedience are just different shades of the same sin.
I heard a quote once that said it well:
When you have a job to do, begin this very hour. You supply the will, God supplies the power.
That is the will power we need to instantly obey!
Has a certain task been hounding you? Confess your procrastination as sin. And act now; don’t hesitate.
•Yesterday is gone.
•Tomorrow may never come.
•Today is the day!
April 17, 2010
Affirming Words 4/17/10-"Reconciling Voices"
Stories from members of churches who belong to the LGBT affirming Reconciling Ministries Network of the United Methodist Church:
Encouraging Words 4/17/10 The Voice of the Lord
From: Love Worth Finding
“The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth.” Psalm 29:3
Some people think it’s a waste of time to simply sit at God’s feet and listen. It is not a waste of time to wait on God any more than a woodchopper is wasting time when he sharpens his axe.
Charles Hummel wrote a booklet entitled “Tyranny of the Urgent.” In it, he said:
•When we fail to wait prayerfully for God’s guidance and strength we are saying, with our actions if not our lips, that we do not need Him….
•Prayerful waiting on God is indispensable to effective service. Like the time-out in a football game, it enables us to catch our breath and fix new strategy…
•The need is not the call. The call must come from the Lord who knows our limitations.
Read Psalm 29. Count how many times the phrase, the “voice of the Lord” is repeated. Spend at least that many minutes listening for His voice and trusting He will speak His will to you.
“The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth.” Psalm 29:3
Some people think it’s a waste of time to simply sit at God’s feet and listen. It is not a waste of time to wait on God any more than a woodchopper is wasting time when he sharpens his axe.
Charles Hummel wrote a booklet entitled “Tyranny of the Urgent.” In it, he said:
•When we fail to wait prayerfully for God’s guidance and strength we are saying, with our actions if not our lips, that we do not need Him….
•Prayerful waiting on God is indispensable to effective service. Like the time-out in a football game, it enables us to catch our breath and fix new strategy…
•The need is not the call. The call must come from the Lord who knows our limitations.
Read Psalm 29. Count how many times the phrase, the “voice of the Lord” is repeated. Spend at least that many minutes listening for His voice and trusting He will speak His will to you.
April 16, 2010
Affirming Words 4/16/10-"What Does Affirming Mean?"
A video that shows the responses to that question by members of the First Congregational Church in Sioux Falls, SD, an Open and Affirming congregation within the United Church of Christ:
Matthew 25 Resource 4/16/10-Peoria (IL) Rescue Ministries
Located at 601 SW Adams Street in Peoria, IL the Peoria Rescue Mission is a residential program ministering to the physical, spiritual, & emotional needs of hurting men.
Victory Acres, a farm in rural Peoria County, seeks to help men find a productive Christian lifestyle as they deal with alcohol & substance abuse.
The Women’s Pregnancy Center was opened to minister to the needs of women who experience an unplanned pregnancies or post-abortion trauma. The center provides caring, compassionate assistance to mothers and babies.
At Barnabas Center caring, trained counselors offer free Biblical counseling to scores of clients of all ages.
The need for an in-house, long-term facility for women and women with children was met when Esther House was opened. Esther House provides a safe, inviting environment where ladies can come to know Jesus Christ and grow in their daily walk with Him.
Click here to find out more
Victory Acres, a farm in rural Peoria County, seeks to help men find a productive Christian lifestyle as they deal with alcohol & substance abuse.
The Women’s Pregnancy Center was opened to minister to the needs of women who experience an unplanned pregnancies or post-abortion trauma. The center provides caring, compassionate assistance to mothers and babies.
At Barnabas Center caring, trained counselors offer free Biblical counseling to scores of clients of all ages.
The need for an in-house, long-term facility for women and women with children was met when Esther House was opened. Esther House provides a safe, inviting environment where ladies can come to know Jesus Christ and grow in their daily walk with Him.
Click here to find out more
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