Quote of the Day 12/23/11

Quote of the Day - 12/22/11

“Christmas is a time when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ.” - Bart Simpson

OK, so this is funny because it’s the cartoon character Bart Simpson talking.  Unfortunately many people (who are not cartoon characters) believe that there are many ways to Heaven; that Jesus is not the only way to God.  The popular belief is that we all can be right and to not be excepting of other faiths is intolerant.  The truth is that if you believe what Jesus said in any part of the Bible, you must believe that He is who He said He is.  And, if you believe that Jesus is who He said He is, you must believe that by believing in Jesus, and only Jesus, you will go to Heaven.  There is no grey area here.

As Christians we come together at Christmas time not to worship a myth, we come to worship the birth of our Savior.  Jesus is the only hope we have of ever being reconciled to God.  Without Jesus, we would be lost in sin and forever separated from God.

So Christmas is a time to celebrate the sacrifice that our Heavenly Father gave in order that His creation could once again stand in His presence.  Christmas is about Jesus.  To celebrate Christmas with Jesus is like having a birthday party for someone and not inviting them to their party.  Invite Jesus into your heart this Christmas.  He is the most precious gift you will ever receive.

1 John 5:11

And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

Quote of the Day 11/15/11

“I can't imagine more surprising places for God to appear than a manger or a cross. Yet all through his life and resurrection, Jesus demonstrates the power of showing and sharing God's love. Every time I write a script or a song or walk into the studio, I pray 'Let some word that is heard be Thine.' That's really all that matters.“

- Mr. Fred Rogers

As Christians, Mr. Rogers' prayer should be our prayer as well.  Not just in the work place but as we get up in the morning to start the day.  God needs to be glorified in everything we do, think and say. 

It has been said many times that we are the first “Jesus” that someone will meet.  If that is true, how did you represent Christ today? 

As representatives of Christ, we need to be alert and accountable.  God is present everywhere all the time.  God has always known our thoughts and yet we are forgiven.  He sent His Son to die for all the sinful thoughts and actions we have committed and all the ones we will commit.  If that is not deserving of our obedient faithfulness, I don’t know what is.

I pray that our work, thoughts and life give glory to God.

 

Ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Quote of the Day - 11/11/11

“Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.” – Ben Stein

It’s easy to get angry at the freedom from religion groups and atheists with all the anti-Christian lawsuits and attacks going on today.  They want to remove “In God We Trust” from our money, “under God” from our pledge and any cross within eyeshot.  What it really comes down to is they don’t like being told that what they are doing is wrong.  That a just God will hold all of us accountable one day for the blasphemy and perversions they deem acceptable.  That there is not real “truth.”  That morals and values are very personal and what ever you do is OK as long as you don’t mention Jesus.

Well, we cannot back down from these attacks on Christianity and the Truth of the Bible.  It would be one thing if the attacks were just against icons or the written word, but it doesn’t stop there. Anti Christian groups want to teach false truths to our children in our schools.  They have already taken out prayer from the schools and now promote contraceptives and abortion, but will not teach abstence.  In recent news it has been dictated that schools must teach the benefits that those with different sexual preferences have had in our history.  What about teaching about how Jesus and the Bible have formed the foundation of which our country was built?

I know it sounds like I am angry, and I am.  But as I study the Bible, read about other religions and listen to atheist debates, I am more convinced that God is real and we need to strive to live our lives according to His Word.  We need to follow and accept Jesus as our Lord and share the gospel with as many people as possible before it is too late.  We can do this in a winsome way.  We can use our God given talents to spread the Gospel to the lost and encourage the believer and we must teach our children.  In all this frustration, I do find comfort in the scriptures where it says that ALL will one day acknowledge Jesus.  Once again, we can rest in the promises of our God Almighty.

Philippians 2:10-11

so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Quote of the Day 11/08/11

"Our fates are in the hands of An Almighty God, to whom I can with pleasure confide my own; he can save us, or destroy us; his Councils are fixed and cannot be disappointed, and all his designs will be Accomplished." - Abraham Clark

As I talk and pray for and with many people who are sick, losing their jobs or in otherwise desperate situations these days, I find comfort in that fact that God is in control.  Our situation may seem too big for us to wrap our minds around, but not for God, the creator of everything.

I am also reminded that this upcoming weekend is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.  There are many Christians throughout the world, including the United Sates, who speak boldly for their faith and then assaulted or even killed. 

Please remember to pray for our Brothers and Sisters as they represent Christ in hostile environments.

1 Timothy 4:10

For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.  - Paul the Apostle, martyred in Rome 65AD

Quote of the Day 9/28/11

"To be silent does not mean to be inactive; rather it means to breathe in the will of God, to listen attentively and be ready to obey." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Quote of the Day 9/27/11

 “You have the opportunity to be a part of something bigger then yourself.”

- Pastor Perry Nobel – New Spring Church SC.

Pastor Perry Noble leads a “mega church” in South Carolina.  The services are not traditional and the worship time can seem like a rock concert, but the attendance is growing.  Some might see the approach of New Spring as merely entertainment, but people are hearing the true gospel and being saved.  The message in the sermons is clearly biblical and Perry makes no apologies for what God has told us in His Word.

In the quote above from Pastor Perry he calls for us to think beyond ourselves.  As Christ followers we have the responsibility to share the Good News with everyone, particularly the ones we love most.  Some of us are not comfortable sharing our faith with people even with close friends or family.  However God has given each of us talents that we can use to share the Gospel and reach those around us without being in an intimate situation. 

We are all creative people.  Please think about creative ways to share God’s Word and then put that into action.  Are you up to the challenge?  God has already empowered you and placed you where you are for His purpose.  Pray about it and then act on it.

Philippians 2:3-5

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

Quote of the Day 9/22/11

"God so loved you that, despite your hopeless state of sin, he sent his Son - God in the flesh - to live the life you could not live…Though Jesus was free from sin throughout his life, he bore the penalty of sin in his death.  He took your place and your punishment, dying the death you deserved.  Then he rose from the grave in victory over sin." – David Platt Radical Together

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

 

Quote of the Day 9/19/11

“We can change lives by telling stories about great family relationships.  Not perfect ones, you know, accessible ones…your future is what shapes your family, not necessarily your past.” - Jeff Kemp.

Jeff was talking about the new movie coming out this Sept. 30^th called COURAGEOUS.

It’s a great movie and I highly encourage everyone to go see this film.

Check out the News and Events section of this blog for more information about the film.

I also pray that Jeff’s words here would encourage you to think, and pray about, how you can change lives through your story telling.  We have been blessed with a gift that can reach hundreds if not thousands of people…maybe millions!  But through the process of you trying to influence a few, you might save only one.  The bible says that there is rejoicing in heaven when someone gets saved.  Who knows, you might grow closer to Christ in the process.

Luke 15:7

I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Quote of the Day 9/14/11

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
³ Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
                         

 ⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
⁶ The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
⁷ The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

 ⁸ Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
⁹ He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
¹⁰ “Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
¹¹ The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Usually I put the bible verse after a quote but this verse was actually read by President Obama at the 10^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks this past weekend.  This passage, along with the reading from Ecclesiastics by former New York Mayor Giuliani and a quote from Abraham Lincoln from former president George W. Bush, was an honorable tribute to those who gave their lives that tragic day.

Despite Mayor Bloomberg’s ban on clergy attending and offering prayer at the event, God’s Word was heard.

Quote of the Day 9/02/11

"The Master of Life's been good to me. He has given me strength to face past illnesses, and victory in the face of defeat. He has given me life and joy where other saw oblivion. He has given new purpose to live for, new services to render and old wounds to heal.  Life and love go on, let the music play." – Johnny Cash

Quote of the Day 8/29/11

"I don't leave a lot of things open-ended theologically. I believe there's one God. I believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven. I believe we're all sinners. I believe in a real hell and a real heaven. So I'm a Bible guy, for sure. I don't make any apologies about that." – Mark Driscoll 

“Tolerance.”  That seems to be the word of the day.  “We need to be more tolerant or compromising.” You might be able do this in some areas of your life, but compromising God’s word is just not one of them.  God’s Word is God’s Word.  You cannot change it to fit what you want it to mean, discount parts of the Bible because you don’t agree with it or omit sections because it does not fit your life style.  Some churches today are changing what they believe to be more accommodating to the pressures of society.  This is a very dangerous game they are playing.  Bending to the will of man (sinful by nature) will lead to destruction as it did during Jeremiah’s day.  Why repeat history when God’s Word speaks so clearly?  We have the warning signs and need to heed God’s Word.

Truth is truth.  If you walk off a cliff, you are going to fall no matter how much you say you won’t.  The truth that gravity is real is undeniable.  The same goes for God’s Word.  You can say that you are not a sinner or that God does not exist, but the truth will be made clear to you when you pass from this world and into eternity.  Where will you spend your eternity?  Don’t play the game.

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

 

Quote of the Day 8/18/11

“Life is not a manageable project or a test to be taken.  We can find small joys everyday if we have eyes of faith.  We can find meaning if we search for a greater purpose.  And perhaps most important, we need to realize that life is a great gift.” - Phil Cooke

It can be hard to find joy in life today given all the problems with or economy, health issues, wars, rumors of wars, and our faith coming under attack.  But when we latch onto our faith we really can be joyful.  The Bible teaches that God is faithful and His promises are true.  Like Phil Cooke says in his book JOLT!, of which the above quote is taken from, life is a great gift.  Our life is a gift from God.  God gave us this life and paid the price for our salvation.  Let’s not waste His investment.  Give glory to Him in all that you do.

Matthew 6:31-33

Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

 

Quote of the Day 8/06/07

"Consider where God has placed you, who God has put around you, and how God desires to use you for His glory where you live and work." - David Platt


I have been reading David Platt's book Radical Together so I will probably be posting more quotes from this book.  He makes many thought provoking statements including the one above.  What is our purpose?  Whether you are a Christian or not you have probably asked yourself this question once or twice, if not many times.  We all would like to feel that our time here in this life has some meaning or served some higher purpose.  David Platt lays it out plainly and gives many scripture references to back it up.  Consider the statement above in your life and pray about what direction God is leading you. What opportunities has God placed before you? Who has God brought in your life that has a need you can provide for?  God is with us and our lives are to bring Him glory.

Jeremiah 7:23
But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.

Quote of the Day 7/28/11

Help me, Lord, to remember that religion is not to be confined to the
church... nor exercised only in prayer and meditation, but that
every where I am in Thy Presence  - Susanna Wesley

The church is not a building; it’s the community of Christ.  Everywhere we go, God is with us and we are to represent Him in all respects.  Having just come back from Las Vegas I am reminded how easily sin can over take us.  In a city like Vegas, you can indulge any sin you desire.  The city feeds off of your temptations and you are rewarded for giving in to them.  You are told that there will be no consequences for your actions…”what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”  As Christians we know that this quote is not true.  All actions have consequences that stay with us, not in Vegas.

To be a light for Christ in such a sinful place is difficult to say the least, but not giving in and sharing God the lost brings a better, long lasting reward for all eternity!

Isaiah 43:10-11

“You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD,
“And My servant whom I have chosen,
So that you may know and believe Me
And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
And there will be none after Me.
“I, even I, am the LORD,
And there is no savior besides Me.

Quote of the Day 7/21/11

"...God-dependent faith is the only foundation for God-glorifying work." - David Platt

We are told to glorify God in everything we do.  David Platt helps to put this in perspective.  If God is not the root in everything we do, how can we be sure that He is getting the praise and glory that He truly deserves.  We are called to live a Christ centered life.  Some days and circumstances are easier then others, but as we reflect on this quote and others like it, hopefully we turn to God for His guidance in prayer.  He is what helps us to grow.

Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

Quote of the Day 7/15/11

“Many believe - and I believe - that I have been designated for this work by God. In spite of my old age, I do not want to give it up; I work out of love for God and I put all my hope in Him.” – Michelangelo

It’s encouraging to hear that early artists who are well respected, pioneers of their medium, and known as “the great ones” even today, wanted to honor God through their work.  On the flip side, how sad it is today that God is being pushed to the side or even eliminated from the work that we do…not to mention our daily lives.

God gave us our lives and our talents.  The Bible says that everything we have is from God, so everything belongs to God.

We honor great artists like Michelangelo because of the great work they created.  Michelangelo understood where his talents came from and therefore created art to honor God.

How much more should we honor God for the Great Work He created by working for Him?

Colossians 1:16

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

Quote of the Day 7/13/11

“Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right” - Abraham Lincoln

When it comes down to arguments for and against God, Jesus and the Bible, ultimately we know God wins in the end.  There is no "my truth," "your truth," or "what's true for me is...."  Only God's Word is truth.  

John 14:6 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

 

Quote of the Day 7/11/11

“Hollywood is a mouthpiece to the world and so if there is change in Hollywood revival will spread.” – Todd Coconato (www.hollywoodalive.com) 

Those of us who work in entertainment have the unique privilege of reaching many in the world from the work that we do.   The influence that media has on people is seen in the way we act, think, eat and dress, just to name a few.  This is undeniable. 

As Christians, with this level of influential "power," the spreading of the Gospel is not only easier but also necessary.  Because it is easier, there is no excuse for us.  Too many are being guided away from God by what they see on the "magic glowing box."  What does that say about us?  Does that convict you?  No? 

How about this?  Now that we are “grown up” our kids, our nieces and nephews, the future leaders of the world, are all watching what we are producing, but what are they watching...what are we allowing them to be influenced by? 

On that day when we stand before the Lord, we will be questioned on what we did with what God gave us…on what we taught His people.  We have a responsibility given to us by God.  I think about this all the time.  Please give this some thought and prayer…then take action.

2 Peter 1:10 

Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;