GETTING A FIRM GRIP
Have you ever felt like you are missing something in your life? You trythe best you can, yet you can't seem to find the power to make the right decisions or to stand up and be counted as a Christian. We know that God has promised to be with us always, yet somehow we just can't make the connection. We all struggle with those things at times and we may not understand why it is so hard for us to touch God, especially when we want so badly to tap into God's power.
A man tells of riding on a street car some time ago. It was one of those cars with an underground trolley cable. He observed that the motorman could easily make the car go slowly or make it go fast. When they would come to a cross street he noticed that by touch of the handle the car would almost stop, and yet would not quite stop, but just go creeping along like a snail. Then all at once the motorman would touch the handle again and the car would speed up again.
He got curious to know how the thing was done, so he ventured to the platform and ask the motorman how it worked. "Why, when I squeeze this handle I open the mouth that grips the trolley cable (where the power comes from). When I want to go slow, I open the mouth and just barely grip the cable. WE CALL THAT SKINNING THE WIRE." (Author unknown)
The problem with many people today, is that they are just skinning the wire.. They have never tapped into or gotten a firm grip on the power of God. Much of the Apostle Paul's writings to the early church contained encouragement to get a strong grip on God. We often are content to hold loosely onto God, barely keeping in touch, skinning the wire so to speak. the problem with that is, when the need for God's power in our lives surprises us, the handle is frozen in the loose position and we can't seem to free it to connect completely to the power.
Paul wrote the young man Timothy, both warning and encouraging him in 1 Timothy 6:12. He tells him: "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (NIV)
Holding on to God (and eternal life) is a constant fight, a constant struggle to maintain a strong grip. When we slack off, relax our grip (skin the wire) we are doing exactly what Satan wants us to do. How far do we move from the source of power before we suddenly find it is no longer within our reach?
Perhaps it is time for you to take a firm grip on eternal life while you still can. If you are struggling with your Christian walk, maybe it is time to 'Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called," and stop just letting life slip through your fingers.
Russ Lawson, Messages From The Heart (http://mfth.net)Messages from the Heart is sent several times each week.To subscribe send a blank email to: join-messages-from-the-heart@hub.xc.org
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
New Testament Episode 7 - Sermon on the Mount II Bible study by Pastor Jason
Salt of the earth Matthew 5:13
#2. Power ~ Ye are the salt of earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thereforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Godly men & women every and dive/in the world exerting their influence
Theon ~Salt
You are precious
You already are the salt..
Salt is only useful when it is spread out & dispersed
Christ has always intentionality spending time with the lost!
In the world but not of the world.
Mathew 5:14~You are the light of the world.
Who am I? Why am i here? Where am I going?
V16 ~ Let your light shine ~ may see your goodworks
only possible if we're walking with the Lord.
Jesus say " I am the light of the world"
Christ living through me.
#3. Principles/precepts (5:17-20)
V18. God's word is precise down to the strike of the letter!
V19. Greatless obedience ~ to be obedient you need to know / love the word of God
V20. Matthew 15:3-9, 23:6,7
Problems with scribes & pharisees style of righteousness.
#2. Power ~ Ye are the salt of earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thereforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Godly men & women every and dive/in the world exerting their influence
Theon ~Salt
You are precious
You already are the salt..
Salt is only useful when it is spread out & dispersed
Christ has always intentionality spending time with the lost!
In the world but not of the world.
Mathew 5:14~You are the light of the world.
Who am I? Why am i here? Where am I going?
V16 ~ Let your light shine ~ may see your goodworks
only possible if we're walking with the Lord.
Jesus say " I am the light of the world"
Christ living through me.
#3. Principles/precepts (5:17-20)
V18. God's word is precise down to the strike of the letter!
V19. Greatless obedience ~ to be obedient you need to know / love the word of God
V20. Matthew 15:3-9, 23:6,7
Problems with scribes & pharisees style of righteousness.
- Humanestic
- Hypocritical
6 egs ~ Anger, Adultery, Divorce,Honesty, Relaliation, Love
Matthew 5:21~26 ~ Anger.
Matthew 15:19 ~ Sins begins @ heart
Eph 4:26,27 ~
6th commandment ~ ensure that you have nothing in your heart against your brother & your brother has nothing against you.
Adultery ~ Matthew 5:27 ~ 30
Its not the glance that is the problem but the gaze.
Matthew 15:19
James 1:13~16
V30. Do something drastic! Flee from templation
Genesis Book of Origins ~ Patriarchal History (I) Abraham Bible study By Pastor Chee Kee
#1 Call of Abraham (12:1-9)
Romans 4:11 ~ Father of Faith
James 2:23 ~ Friend of God.
Hebrews 11:8-10 ~ By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Faith not evidenced by our OBEDIENCE to the command of God.
V7. Build altar : worship
V8. Pitched Tent : Livelyhood
Colosians ~ Set your affection on things above.
#2. Famine & Failure ( 12:10 -20)
1 cor 10 ~ Let Him that he standeth take heed lest he fall.
#3. Activity of Faith (13:1 ~ 14:24)
~Genesis
~ Courage 14 v 14
Active
~ Humility 14 v 20
God has His men of faith everywhere, don't get puffed up with pride to think that you're so spiritual.
~ Dented 14v21-24
#4. Honesty of Faith (16)
a. Fear (v1)
b. Perplexity (v2)
~15:6 -Rom 4:3
Your word dependence on the word of God will result in an outward obedience.
The commitment of God to bless your life when you trust Him, is incredible.
#5. Impatient of Faith (16)
~Waiting is the test
Ishmoel ~ God hears.
Romans 4:11 ~ Father of Faith
James 2:23 ~ Friend of God.
Hebrews 11:8-10 ~ By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Faith not evidenced by our OBEDIENCE to the command of God.
V7. Build altar : worship
V8. Pitched Tent : Livelyhood
Colosians ~ Set your affection on things above.
#2. Famine & Failure ( 12:10 -20)
1 cor 10 ~ Let Him that he standeth take heed lest he fall.
#3. Activity of Faith (13:1 ~ 14:24)
~Genesis
~ Courage 14 v 14
Active
~ Humility 14 v 20
God has His men of faith everywhere, don't get puffed up with pride to think that you're so spiritual.
~ Dented 14v21-24
#4. Honesty of Faith (16)
a. Fear (v1)
b. Perplexity (v2)
~15:6 -Rom 4:3
Your word dependence on the word of God will result in an outward obedience.
The commitment of God to bless your life when you trust Him, is incredible.
#5. Impatient of Faith (16)
~Waiting is the test
Ishmoel ~ God hears.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Old Testament Bible study by Pastor Chee Keen
Chapter 6-11: Judgment for sin
- Noah's pre-flood world
- Noah's distinction
A. found grace [unmeritted/undeserved favor]
B. Just man [ Genesis 15:6 ~And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness] [Hebrews 11:7~By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Eph 2:8-9 ~For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
C. Perfect in his generation.[ Mature/Blameless]
God always uses a life to impact another life.
D. Walked with God
3. Noah and the ark
A. Command to build the ark [ 6:14-20]
B. Entry to the Ark[ 7:1-16]
C. Judgment of the flood[ 7:17-24]
D. End of the flood[ 8:1-14]
2 Peter 2:5 ~And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
E. Exit from the Ark[8:15-22]
How to begin a new annoument??
- Worship [8:20~And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every cleanse fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.]
- Word of God [9:1-6~ And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them. Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
F. Noahic covenant ~ Rainbow!
3. Warning
Chapter 10 ~ Table of Nations
Chapter 11 ~ Dispersion @ the Tower of Babel
Man, Price, Fear, Work against God
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Psalm 84
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
2 I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young
at a place near your altar,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
4 What joy for those who can live in your house,
always singing your praises.
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
2 I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young
at a place near your altar,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
4 What joy for those who can live in your house,
always singing your praises.
Psalm 70
1 Hasten, O God, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me.
2 May those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
3 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" turn back because of their shame.
4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "Let God be exalted!"
5 Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay
2 May those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
3 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" turn back because of their shame.
4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "Let God be exalted!"
5 Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay
Renew Me
Renew Me
A Morning Prayer
Helen Steiner Rice
You are ushering a new day,
Untouched and freshly new,
So here I come to ask You God,
If You'll renew me too?
Forgive the many errors
That I made yesterday,
And let me try again dear God,
To walk closer in Thy way.
But Father I am well aware,
I can't make it on my own,
So take my hand and hold it tight,
For I can't walk alone.
A Morning Prayer
Helen Steiner Rice
You are ushering a new day,
Untouched and freshly new,
So here I come to ask You God,
If You'll renew me too?
Forgive the many errors
That I made yesterday,
And let me try again dear God,
To walk closer in Thy way.
But Father I am well aware,
I can't make it on my own,
So take my hand and hold it tight,
For I can't walk alone.
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