A few years ago, I wrote a short devotional titled “We Will Meet Again.” A brother in Christ, John Baker, turned this into a really nice video. John recently remade this video in HD. He made a nice video into an even nicer video. I hope it brings comfort to you. – gc
Archive for July, 2010
Might To Save – Video
15
Jul
My friend was teaching last night in church and telling us how his father rejected the gospel when he tried to tell him about the Lord. He mentioned this song because it brings to mind that God can still save anyone even though they may seem so far away right now.
Where The Real Power Is
14
Jul
(Rom 1:16Rom 1:16
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
WP-Bible plugin) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;…”
By definition, trends come and go. Methods are only as current as the tastes of the culture. The church today is trying to make Jesus Christ “relevant” by following the world in trends and methodology. This isn’t something recently discovered by church marketers. Look back at the hippy culture of the 1960′s and early 1970′s. Jesus was “cool” to them too. But let’s not mistake trends for truth and methods for the manifest presence of God. The verse says “it is the power of God unto salvation.” What is the it? It is the gospel of Christ! Let’s not ever forget the gospel is a message that transcends time and culture. It is applicable to every race, nationality and people group. Jesus made Himself relevant to the souls of every one of us when He died and rose again 2,000 years ago. It’s good to find new and meaningful ways to communicate. But let’s never forget the real power is in what we communicate.
Renewed Thought – Will I earn a hearing today with unbelievers by how closely I am aligned to the world or by the difference they see in my life because of my relationship with Jesus Christ?
Purpose And Passion By Relationship
13
Jul
(1 Thessalonians 2:11 Thessalonians 2:1
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
2 1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
WP-Bible plugin) “For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:”
Paul entered into Thessalonica with purpose: The city was a hub for commerce in the Roman Republic. It was bustling with activity. Paul’s intention was to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to a city full of lost people. This was his focus, his goal, his aim.
Our lives are arranged around what drives us. God wants the relationship between us and Him to become the driving force in how we live our lives. As Christians, we fall into one of three groups of people. The first is those whose life is arranged around they want. This is self-motivated, self-centered passion. Life is lived on the terms determined by self-will. The second is those whose life is arranged in reaction to the events of life that occur. Although this may seem like living by faith, in reality it is a rudderless life driven only on the terms and convenience dictated by self. The third is those whose life is lived on God’s terms. The timing, location, and activity of life are produced by a passionate relationship with the Lord. This is a life of faith amongst the lost. This is a life willing and able to give up everything if need be to accomplish a greater purpose. This is a focused life not easily distracted. Our purpose is driven by the relationship and the passion in that relationship dictates the terms – self is removed and everything is centered in Christ.
When you walk amongst the lost today, which type of Christian are you? Are you living on the edge of terms dictated by the world’s lifestyle or are you living a life driven by a love relationship with the Lord? This will determine whether you walk in purpose or vanity.
Renewed Thought – “You have to live with the people to know their needs, and you have to live with God to know how to solve them.” – John Maxwell
What The French President Doesn’t Know
French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke at a conference of scientists last week. They are involved in building an atom smasher to investigate what the universe looked like right after the “Big Bang.” His comment is extremely telling of the secular spirit that encompasses today’s Europe. Here is a quote from that conference:
According to the French President, the “oldest dream of man” is to comprehend the reason for existence. In other words, we are still trying to figure out “why” existence is. It is a sad commentary on the Europe which once birthed Martin Luther’s Reformation, the Huguenots, and the tsunami of Biblical truth that followed. Sarkozy is putting his faith in man’s science rather than using common sense that there is an intelligent Designer who is capable of making something out of nothing. A society that doesn’t understand it’s purpose or reason for existence is condemned in their minds to wander aimlessly fulfilling biological functions and a patchwork of random events that appear to be a road to the precipice of emptiness. This is the point where all truth becomes relative and morality is defined by man’s observance of himself. If this is the case, then man can never answer the “why” question because it demands a definitive answer.
The answer to the “why do we exist”question is found in Genesis 1:1Genesis 1:1
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
The First Book of Moses, Called Genesis 1 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
WP-Bible plugin – “In the beginning, God…
God is the definitive answer to every question that asks about purpose and reason. He simplifies the complexity. He is absolute. He is the supreme Designer. He is the Architect. He is the embodiment of truth. The very one who is all of this loves each one of us individually enough to die as a sacrafice for our sins. We biologically exist because God created. We spiritually exist because we are made in His image. We find our purpose in Him. An open Bible thus becomes more powerful than the biggest atom smasher.
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