Quote for the Day 2/02/12

“There is a great need for dedicated Christian groups committed to one another, committed to a vision of justice, committed to Christ; groups that will pray together, think together, formulate policies together, and get to work together in the community.” - John Stott

Quote of the Day - 01/11/12

“I think that best way to honor Christ is to be extraordinary at what you do.” – *Phil Cooke

This is probably the best motivation a Christ follower could have to succeed in whatever you pursue.  We are called to honor Christ in everything we do, say and think.  While we can go crazy in our pursuit of excellence we should always strive to me more Christ like in how we live our lives.  Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” - John 8:31-32. 

What an awesome opportunity to live in this day for Christ.  I see it as a personal challenge to be winsome in my witness to those who openly oppose Christ today.  To try and live out WWJD in every situation becomes increasingly difficult if you are not grounded in the faith and continually studying, mediating, praying and involved in fellowship with other believers.

1 John 2:4-6

The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

*Phil Cooke is a director, producer, author and speaker.  Phil, along with his wife Kathleen, founded Cooke Pictures in 1991.  He has a lot of insight on the topic of Christian media because he sees it first hand.  You can check out his web page at http://philcooke.com/.  Please pick up his book Jolt.  It is a must for those looking to get their career moving and stay motivated.

Please read my interview with Phil Cooke in the interview section of the blog.
http://cafe-fellowship.blogspot.com/p/interviews.html

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