A New Year and a New Progression

A New Year and a New Progression

Well, here we go! 2020 is upon us whether we were expecting it or not.

This year will be filled with countless blessings, renewed spirits and a desire to grow closer to God each day.

At the beginning of this year, some people will give themselves a new start and a set of achievements they want to see happen by this time next year. Some call the resolutions, some call them resolves, others call them goals. Whatever the description, allow me to share with you a few that will help you on your spiritual journey of 2020.

First, understand that God wants you to do well in 2020. God is still the same and He desires a relationship with you. God wants you to draw closer to Him and depend upon Him. He wants to bless you.

What Does God Want From Me In 2019?

God wants you to come to Him. “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

God wants to give you His mercy. “Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:10)

God wants to give you His grace. “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6)

God wants you to be victorious. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

God wants to give you a home. “…Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18)

If you understand that God wants you to be close to Him, what is stopping you from drawing near to Him?

Do you want to know what is stopping you?

Are you ready?

What Can You Do in 2020?

Remember, no matter what the year, the month or the day, God still wants you. It is His desire for you to have the greatest gift one could consider; a home with Him forever.

#1 - Attend all the services you can.

One of the best ways you can grow spiritually, is to be with the saints. You need the saints and the saints need you. God desires that His children encourage one another and grow together. Make it a priority to gather with your brothers and sisters.

#2 - Open your Bible and dig into it.

The Bible is a treasure map leading you to the greatest gift the world may ever know. God, the Creator of the World, has given you the gift of salvation, will you open it and dig into it.

#3 - Find a way to serve.

Have you taken the steps to serve your fellow man? God has asked that we serve one another. You can serve others by a variety of ways: send someone a card, send them a text, bake them cookies or a cake. Your service could be "small things" or "big things" but your heart must be in the service you have for others.

#4 - Surround Yourself with Christians

To make your weekend go better, especially, your Sunday, surround yourself with Christians.  As you plan for services, plan to meet with your church family after services. Be the one to step up and invite people to gather together.  A quick example is inviting people to eat together following services. If money is tight, invite everyone to chip in and have them at your house. (think of it as a potluck meal)

#5 - Pray

This weekend, schedule four times to offer quick prayers. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you of your scheduled prayer time. The weekends give us more time or more relaxed time, and this can be a great moment to pray.

Each Day

Each day, we have the opportunity to get better. Some take advantage of this opportunity every day and other let the opportunity slide by without notice. I encourage you to be a person to take advantage of the moment.

What about the advantage you have in Christ?

I typically call it an opportunity, but for a moment think of it as an advantage.  Here are a few of the advantages you have as a Christian:

  • The forgiveness of sins (Matthew 6.12-14; Luke 5.21-24; Acts 2.38; Acts 8.22)
  • The ability to live forever (John 3.15; John 6.47; Romans 2.7; Titus 1.2)
  • Prayer (Matthew 6.9-13; Acts 8.22; Ephesians 6.18; 1 Thessalonians 5.17)
  • Someone who cares (Matthew 11.28-30; 1 Peter 5.7)
  • Fellowship (Acts 2.42; 1 Corinthians 1.9; 2 Corinthians 13.14; 1 John 1.3-7)

Have you taken advantage of the benefits of Christ?

More than that, are you taking advantage of the benefits in Christ?

Just some thoughts,

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Two Daily Bible Reading Programs

Two Daily Bible Reading Programs

The new year is approaching! Are you ready?

A few years ago I found a couple daily Bible reading schedules and developed some study questions each week for them. This year I want to share the questions with you each week to assist you in your studies.

Once of these studies takes its daily Bible reading from five passages from different sections of the Bible. There is one passages for each day. By the end of the year following this reading program, you will have read throughout the entire Bible.

The second study allows one to begin in the Gospel of Matthew and read to Revelation in 26 weeks. Following this plan will cover the entire New Testament in 6 months.

 

Note: I do not have a copy of the particular reading schedule charts that I developed these questions from several years ago.  If you are familiar with them, let me know. I would like to have a copy of the charts again. Thank you.

Here is the Full Bible Reading Schedule

To download a PDF of the questions: Click Here!

Here is the 26 Week New Testament Reading Schedule

To download a PDF of the questions: Click Here!

I hope your studies will be great and these simple guides can aid you in your studies.

Just some thoughts,

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Where Have You Left Jesus – Sermon Powerpoint

Where Have You Left Jesus – Sermon Powerpoint

During the Christmas season, many people will leave Jesus at the manger.

Where have you left Jesus?

To view the PowerPoint of the lesson below, click the arrows and the bottom. Once you click the arrow, give it a moment to change the slide before clicking again.

 

Just some thoughts,

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What Would Make You Give Up Being a Christian?

What Would Make You Give Up Being a Christian?

Before you read on, take note that the only thing that “makes” us give up being a Christian is us. While one might blame other things, people or teachings, the fact is that it is one’s decision. Various factors may affect our decision, but ultimately, the decision is still our responsibility.

With that in mind, consider the findings from Amy Black. Dr. Black is a political science professor at Wheaton College in Illinois, and the author of Honoring God in Red or Blue. She earned her Ph.D. in political science at MIT and is a leader in research on the intersection of religion and politics.

In a 2019 interview, Dr. Black shared the following disconcerting information: “Studies show that party identity is even stronger than religious identity for many people. That means many ‘Christians’ would stop being a Christian before they stopped being a Democrat or Republican.” She paused and then added, “Think about that.”

For a moment, think about that.

When Christ takes second place to politics or anything else, the results will not be good.

What would make you give up being a Christian?

Politics? Sports? Work? Fame? Fortune?

May we find the strength of faith that will allow us to place Christ at the forefront of all.

Just some thoughts,

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John Wesley’s Rules for Singing

John Wesley’s Rules for Singing

Singing is powerful aspect of our worship that motivates one to a greater attitude and a greater desire to worship. Music has a tendency to transport the mind into a higher realm.

In 1780, John Wesley published his rules for singing as a part of a hymnal he produced that same year.. The list is fascinating and the points apply to this year even more than the year they were written. The list is contained below:

 

  • Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please.
  • Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all.
  • Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can.
  • Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep.
  • Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation.
  • Sing in tune. Whatever time is sung, be sure to keep with it. Do not run before or stay behind it. Take care not to sing too slow.
  • Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing.

A few years before the hymnal was published, Mr. Wesley wrote his views on a new song in a journal entry dated, July 3, 1764,

“I seldom relish verses at first hearing. Till I have heard them over and over, they give me no pleasure, and they give me next to none when I have heard them a few times more, so as to be quite familiar.”

I find it interesting that emphasis John Wesley put on singing. He knew there are something about worshipping God in song that brought delight to the worship of God.

Just some thoughts,

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Give Satan a Nail and It Will Not Be Pretty

Give Satan a Nail and It Will Not Be Pretty

While visiting in Haiti, Dale A. Hayes heard a Haitian minister illustrate to his congregation the need for total commitment to Christ.

The minister told of a man who wanted to sell his house for $2,000. Another man badly wanted the house but couldn’t afford the full price.

After much haggling, the owner agreed to sell the house for half the asking price with just one stipulation: he would retain ownership of one small nail protruding from just over the door.

After several years, the original owner wanted the house back, but the new owner was unwilling to sell. So, the first owner went out, found the carcass of a dead dog, and hung it from the single nail he still owned.

Soon the house became uninhabitable, and the family was forced to sell the house to the owner of the nail.

The Haitian minister’s conclusion: “If we leave the devil with even one small peg in our life, he will return to hang his rotting garbage on it, making it unfit for Christ’s habitation.”[1]

Question – How much have you given the devil?

Paul tells the Ephesians 4.27 to “give no opportunity to the devil.”

Have you given a place, no matter how small to the devil?

Even one small nail can make a difference.

Just a thought,

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