Now, that is a strange title to a blog, right? “I think myself happy…” These words struck me as so odd as I read them this morning. I think you will feel the same as I tell you the context in which I found these words.
These are Paul’s words to King Agrippa in the beginning of Acts, chapter 26. Paul says this after he has been imprisoned for several years; the last two of which he was imprisoned by the “as a favor to the Jews”. Unfortunately, certain Jews had Paul arrested on claims they could not prove and intended one way or another to see Paul killed. Persecution does not get much more intense than this. Yet, we see Paul given an opportunity after years of imprisonment to state his case before King Agrippa. It seems that almost any other words would have come out of Paul’s mouth at this time other than, “I think myself happy…”
In real estate you have heard there are three main ingredients to selling a property – location, location, location! I am sure there is a lot of truth to that statement. I believe I can make a similar statement about living the Christian life – attitude, attitude, attitude! John Maxwell says this about attitude, “A person with a positive attitude is like a bumblebee. The bumblebee should not be able to fly, because the size, weight, and shape of its body in relationship to its wingspread make flying aerodynamically impossible. But the bumblebee, being ignorant of scientific theory, flies anyway and makes honey every day.”
I think Paul had this kind of attitude. He considered his situation, realized there were a lot of things he could say to a king who was potentially in position to free him and chose to start off his thoughts with, “I think myself happy…” As Paul’s discourse continues in chapter 26 we find Paul actually beginning to win King Agrippa over to the Christian faith!
How about you? Have life’s circumstances got you thinking anything but happy thoughts? Let’s take a lesson from Paul’s playbook and turn what could be our next gripe session into an opportunity to see God’s Kingdom expanded in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
Today's Blogger: Pastor Eric Scott
Tomorrow's Text: Mark 1:1 - 11:33
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
a ticket to ride
Matthew 7:7-8
There is a wonderful Gospel song performed by Cissy Houston on the Divas of Gospel album called "Glory Train" (Spooner/Penn). You can hear a snippet of it here
"All aboard the Glory Train
Step forth, don't remain
Don't stand there shackled by your sin
Just get on board and let the Glory begin"
"All Aboard" reminds me of those black and white movies, where dramatic scenes play out between a handsome man in a tweed suit and fedora and an beautiful young lady with silk gloves and elegant hat. A cloud of steam billowing from the locomotive, while the whistle and the conductor's call amplifies the drama with time pressure.
"All aboard the Glory Train
There's a journey ensuing, so much to gain
You're standing at the crossroads, will you turn back
Or will you ride the Saviors train down the Glory track"
There's drama playing out in each of our lives that has eternal implications, with time pressure pushing us to the decision point. When Jesus gave his life for us at Calvary we were each handed a ticket to ride with Him for eternity.
"The Holy Spirit, conductor of souls
Just follow Him, if you're ready to go
You qualify, so come as you are
Get on board, the Glory car"
He didn't call a select few, He said "ALL Aboard". We all qualify because we have that ticket in our pocket. We don't need to clean up and look the part like the actors from those black and white movies of yore to ride this train. You have a ticket, so come as you are.
Just as the conductor won't chase you down the platform and drag you onto the train, our Lord is waiting for you to use the ticket He gave you at Calvary. He is waiting for you to knock and eager to see you walk through the door. (2 Peter 3:9)
Are you standing on the platform watching the train? Hesitating? Waiting? For what? The whistle has blown and the final call went out. Time is running out and you need to act. (Psalm 39:4) The Conductor doesn't want to see anyone left on the platform when the train leaves the station, holding a ticket for His train.
If you don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ or aren't sure, go to the Conductor of Souls and hand Him your ticket today. He desperately wants to welcome you aboard. Will you use your ticket today? (Romans 3:22-24)
"Get on board the love express
turn your back on your past, it's time to confess
Whatever you do, you gotta lay down your pride
Let the Lord God take you on a real good ride"
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
Matthew 7:7-8 (NASB)
Ask, seek, knock. Receive, find, enter.
Take action today. (Joshua 24:15)
"All Aboard the Glory Train!"
Today's Blogger: Mike Schutterup
Tomorrow's Text: Grace Day!
There is a wonderful Gospel song performed by Cissy Houston on the Divas of Gospel album called "Glory Train" (Spooner/Penn). You can hear a snippet of it here
"All aboard the Glory Train
Step forth, don't remain
Don't stand there shackled by your sin
Just get on board and let the Glory begin"
"All Aboard" reminds me of those black and white movies, where dramatic scenes play out between a handsome man in a tweed suit and fedora and an beautiful young lady with silk gloves and elegant hat. A cloud of steam billowing from the locomotive, while the whistle and the conductor's call amplifies the drama with time pressure.
"All aboard the Glory Train
There's a journey ensuing, so much to gain
You're standing at the crossroads, will you turn back
Or will you ride the Saviors train down the Glory track"
There's drama playing out in each of our lives that has eternal implications, with time pressure pushing us to the decision point. When Jesus gave his life for us at Calvary we were each handed a ticket to ride with Him for eternity.
"The Holy Spirit, conductor of souls
Just follow Him, if you're ready to go
You qualify, so come as you are
Get on board, the Glory car"
He didn't call a select few, He said "ALL Aboard". We all qualify because we have that ticket in our pocket. We don't need to clean up and look the part like the actors from those black and white movies of yore to ride this train. You have a ticket, so come as you are.
Just as the conductor won't chase you down the platform and drag you onto the train, our Lord is waiting for you to use the ticket He gave you at Calvary. He is waiting for you to knock and eager to see you walk through the door. (2 Peter 3:9)
Are you standing on the platform watching the train? Hesitating? Waiting? For what? The whistle has blown and the final call went out. Time is running out and you need to act. (Psalm 39:4) The Conductor doesn't want to see anyone left on the platform when the train leaves the station, holding a ticket for His train.
If you don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ or aren't sure, go to the Conductor of Souls and hand Him your ticket today. He desperately wants to welcome you aboard. Will you use your ticket today? (Romans 3:22-24)
"Get on board the love express
turn your back on your past, it's time to confess
Whatever you do, you gotta lay down your pride
Let the Lord God take you on a real good ride"
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
Matthew 7:7-8 (NASB)
Ask, seek, knock. Receive, find, enter.
Take action today. (Joshua 24:15)
"All Aboard the Glory Train!"
Today's Blogger: Mike Schutterup
Tomorrow's Text: Grace Day!
Friday, September 3, 2010
from Peter to Paul to the ends of the earth
Acts 16:1 - 28:31
Pack your bags. Get in! Start your engine. Shift gears! You are about to travel with Paul to the ends of Europe and through the end of his ministry and life. The first part of Acts was mostly about the transition from Jesus to the disciples; then specifically, Peter's story. The last half of Acts follows Paul on many journeys, dangers, toils and snares.
Enjoy the courtroom drama, the adventure on the high seas at the end, and imitate Paul's faith as you read, listen to the Holy Spirit, and obey. The great part about the end of Acts is that it never really ends. You could say that it is the most open ended book of the New Testament - Acts 29 and beyond is waiting to be written in your life and in the earth! Go ahead! Write your chapter with your life!
This is a good day to pray for missionaries you support or know of. Pray as the Spirit gives you words. Pray for their health and safety and for an open door for the word of God through their ministry. Amen.
Today's Blogger: Pastor Sean Steinke
Tomorrow's Text: Grace Day!
Pack your bags. Get in! Start your engine. Shift gears! You are about to travel with Paul to the ends of Europe and through the end of his ministry and life. The first part of Acts was mostly about the transition from Jesus to the disciples; then specifically, Peter's story. The last half of Acts follows Paul on many journeys, dangers, toils and snares.
Enjoy the courtroom drama, the adventure on the high seas at the end, and imitate Paul's faith as you read, listen to the Holy Spirit, and obey. The great part about the end of Acts is that it never really ends. You could say that it is the most open ended book of the New Testament - Acts 29 and beyond is waiting to be written in your life and in the earth! Go ahead! Write your chapter with your life!
This is a good day to pray for missionaries you support or know of. Pray as the Spirit gives you words. Pray for their health and safety and for an open door for the word of God through their ministry. Amen.
Today's Blogger: Pastor Sean Steinke
Tomorrow's Text: Grace Day!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
learning to hear
Acts 5:1-15:41
Ahhh, the early church, this passage is full of stories of the wonders of the church in its formational stages.
Is it the model we should follow for the church today – full of love and unity, sharing communally, evangelistic, missions minded, expanding!?! Or is it merely the birth pangs of learning how to deal with a faith community?
The answer is Yes!
Let me explain. The early church was a beautiful model of all things wonderful but perhaps not like you would think. Some have made charts of each action the early did and then proceeded to make a how-to prototype for us to follow in hopes of the same dynamic results. But perhaps the “correct” method is not so much in how they did things but how they leaned on the Spirit’s guidance and grew in relationship with Him learning to hear His voice in each situation.
Have you noticed He seems to like to have His own way? He may do things differently and as He chooses. It’s a part of His sovereign nature.
Personally, I’d rather have a list of hoops to jump through, a how-to prototype to “get what I want” but He’s not like that. He wants relationship with us. He’s going to do things His way and the only way we can know that that way is to spend time with Him! He has a plan for each situation we are facing, each difficulty, each need, but we have to go to Him in faith and learn Him.
Enjoy learning to hear from Him today and every day!
This is the great adventure!
Today's Blogger: Cindy Scott
Tomorrow's Text: Acts 16:1-28:31
Ahhh, the early church, this passage is full of stories of the wonders of the church in its formational stages.
Is it the model we should follow for the church today – full of love and unity, sharing communally, evangelistic, missions minded, expanding!?! Or is it merely the birth pangs of learning how to deal with a faith community?
The answer is Yes!
Let me explain. The early church was a beautiful model of all things wonderful but perhaps not like you would think. Some have made charts of each action the early did and then proceeded to make a how-to prototype for us to follow in hopes of the same dynamic results. But perhaps the “correct” method is not so much in how they did things but how they leaned on the Spirit’s guidance and grew in relationship with Him learning to hear His voice in each situation.
Have you noticed He seems to like to have His own way? He may do things differently and as He chooses. It’s a part of His sovereign nature.
Personally, I’d rather have a list of hoops to jump through, a how-to prototype to “get what I want” but He’s not like that. He wants relationship with us. He’s going to do things His way and the only way we can know that that way is to spend time with Him! He has a plan for each situation we are facing, each difficulty, each need, but we have to go to Him in faith and learn Him.
Enjoy learning to hear from Him today and every day!
This is the great adventure!
Today's Blogger: Cindy Scott
Tomorrow's Text: Acts 16:1-28:31
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
what will you do?
Matt. 24:1-28:20; Acts 1:1-4:37
St. Francis of Assisi (b. 1182) was hoeing his garden one afternoon when a friend, passing by, stopped and asked, “Francis, what would you do if you knew that at sunset this evening you would be standing in the presence of Jesus Christ?” Francis thought a moment and said, “I would finish hoeing my garden.”
As the Gospel of Matthew is concluding, Jesus is especially interested in preparing His followers, not just for His departure and Second Coming, but for the period of time between the two. The disciples wanted to know when He would return and what to watch for (Matthew 24:3). Jesus gave them signs, but He emphasized the importance of knowing how to live while He was away.
In the closing hours of His earthly ministry, Jesus taught them (and us) to be faithful and wise servants in His absence (24:45ff); to be a wise ‘virgin’ with oil for our lamps, prepared for the return of the Bridegroom (25:1ff); to faithfully invest the talents we have been given – for “after a long time the Master of those servants returned” (25:14ff); and to help other people in very practical ways, for in serving others we are ultimately serving Him. And when He returns to separate the sheep from the goats, these very works will be mentioned (25:31ff).
God is looking, not just for ‘superstar-saints’ with great works of faith, but for regular people, faithful in doing what He has called them to do, whether the work is small or great. Jesus calls us all, like St. Francis, to ‘hoe our garden’ and live our everyday lives in the light of His coming, always watching for His return. What has God called you to do? “Blessed is the servant whom his Master finds so doing when He returns.” (24:46)
Today's Blogger: Dick Grout
Tomorrow's Text: Acts 5:1-15:41
St. Francis of Assisi (b. 1182) was hoeing his garden one afternoon when a friend, passing by, stopped and asked, “Francis, what would you do if you knew that at sunset this evening you would be standing in the presence of Jesus Christ?” Francis thought a moment and said, “I would finish hoeing my garden.”
As the Gospel of Matthew is concluding, Jesus is especially interested in preparing His followers, not just for His departure and Second Coming, but for the period of time between the two. The disciples wanted to know when He would return and what to watch for (Matthew 24:3). Jesus gave them signs, but He emphasized the importance of knowing how to live while He was away.
In the closing hours of His earthly ministry, Jesus taught them (and us) to be faithful and wise servants in His absence (24:45ff); to be a wise ‘virgin’ with oil for our lamps, prepared for the return of the Bridegroom (25:1ff); to faithfully invest the talents we have been given – for “after a long time the Master of those servants returned” (25:14ff); and to help other people in very practical ways, for in serving others we are ultimately serving Him. And when He returns to separate the sheep from the goats, these very works will be mentioned (25:31ff).
God is looking, not just for ‘superstar-saints’ with great works of faith, but for regular people, faithful in doing what He has called them to do, whether the work is small or great. Jesus calls us all, like St. Francis, to ‘hoe our garden’ and live our everyday lives in the light of His coming, always watching for His return. What has God called you to do? “Blessed is the servant whom his Master finds so doing when He returns.” (24:46)
Today's Blogger: Dick Grout
Tomorrow's Text: Acts 5:1-15:41
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
