Sunday, August 17, 2008

Insights from Psalms Pt. 1

We are constantly bombarded with thoughts, ideas and activities that are no where near what the Word of God teaches us. The messages that come in to our life are constantly pulling for our attention, our priorities and our faith. How to we handle or filter these messages to our "JUNK FOLDER" and do we get rid of the "SPAM" in our life. I don't have a new suggest or teaching. But, I do find that a simple answer is HIS WORD. David understood a lot even though he only had part of what we have today. God's word is vital to having a relationship with him.


Psa 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
Psa 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
Psa 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Psa 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction's.


Do you see it ? These are just 5 of the 58 verse in the book of Psalms where David places a priority on Gods Word. And, because he placed a priority on THE WORD he was able to have a better understand or "filter" on everything around him. David realized that an occasionally experience with the Word was not enough. If his life was going to be different he had to get up close and personal with Gods Word. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Later he wrote "I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word."


There is something powerful about his Word. Are you ready to experience life change ? Are you ready to filter out the JUNK messages of this World and tune into messages from God. Then don't wait another day, don't wait for Sunday, get in his word today. There is no excuse for not having God's Word a part of your everyday life. His Word is STILL relevant to ever issue of our life, it STILL has the answer to every question. Get the "FILTER" in your life and you will find a new strength and direction.


For online Bible resources be sure to check out biblegateway.com or e-sword.net . Both free resources to explore God's Word.



Thursday, August 14, 2008

Treasures Of The Net #1

The Internet is like a ocean and if explored in the right places there are some great free treasures to be found. And, I know in a day were everyone is trying to save a penny its nice t get something FREE. So, Each week I am going to share my pick 5 for the week of great websites and free software that my benefit your day. Some of them may be serious and some may just be for fun.



Treasures of the net #1


1. http://budgettracker.com Comprehensive and highly-customizable personal finance calculator and budget tracking tool. Using Budget Tracker you can manage your budget, bills and transactions from a single place, setup bill due reminders to your email or mobile phone, track upcoming bills and lots more.



2. http://tadalist.com/ A simple online to do list, you can access from any computer. You can also share your to do list with other. For instances, have a chore for your child to do add it to their list and they will receive a e-mail reminder. Maybe that's a stretch for its use, the refrigerator may still work better. But, HEY its free and a neat deal.



3. http://whocalled.us/ The phone is ringing, and I don't recognize the number, All Caller ID says is, "NAME UNAVAILABLE". Type the number in here and you might find out who it is.



4. http://www.frugalreader.com/ I haven't tried this one yet, but it looks great for BOOK READERS. Get the books you want, when you want them, for as long as you want them. Three simple steps: List books that you own for other members to request. Request books from other members. Mail requested books to other members and they do the same for you. I am am avid book reader, i think i'll try it.





5. http://www.openoffice.org/ Do you need a program that does word processing, database, presentations and more for free. This is a free office program that is similar to microsoft office (word, powerpoint, excel and etc). I loaded this on my wifes computer and it works great, and its FREE!




Check back next week for my pick 5 treasures of the net.
DISCLAIMER - I do not support any viewpoints or agendas from any linked site. And, I dont make any money by sending you to a free site. With any resource you may need to use a shovel and a rake. Rake in what you can use and shovel out the junk.

Monday, August 11, 2008

The Purpose Of The Message

Trying to get back in some sort of routine after a crazy summer. We had two awesome youth camps this summer I was privileged to be a part of. Two crazy weeks of running the fireworks stand, camp meeting, taking care of things while Pastor was away and then, I had a week of beautiful weather in Wisconsin spending time with Lisas family.

All summer it seems there has been one constant theme in my thoughts and dreams. "I've been brought out." Now, dont get me wrong I have been raised in a wonderful home and have a great apostolic heritage. I was shielded and protected from so many things. But, I have countless friends that have had similar backgrounds but still it didnt change their life. I was 11 at Gateway College in St. Louis for Missouri Junior Camp. It was hot, it was my first camp in Missouri. But, Justin Gleason and I both made up in our minds we were going to ge the Holy Ghost that week. And it was Tuesday Night as The Kings Clown preached a illustrated message about Noah that I came to the altar lifted up my hands and "God Brought ME Out."

It was no longer a message my family believed, it was no longer a message I just heard preached. But, the message had changed my life. Its been since that day where I am constantly reminded that the message was never intended to be keep silent in me. The only reason I was brought out, its because I had family, friends, and ministers that live, taught, and preached "GOD BROUGHT ME OUT." I have grown to understand there is a purpose for the message; we truly have been brought out of darkness into this marvelous light, that we should show forth the praise of him that brought us out.

The Old Testament there is an unfolding drama. He was a baby that shouldn’t have even been alive. But, a mommy and daddy hid him away. Then as time went on they put him in the river in a basket. And, God took that baby right into the enemy’s house. He was raised and protected right in the midst of who was trying to destroy him. And, there came a day that Moses walked before Pharaoh and said, I've been brought out, the meaning of his very name. But, he said Pharaoh God has given me a message that I cant keep to myself, the purpose of the message was not to keep to myself, "LET MY PEOPLE GO." I wish I could have seen old Pharaohs face as the one he thought he would destroy stood before him and declared victory for the captive.

The New Testament has the wonderful account of a Baby Born. The Baby was thought to have been killed with all of the rest under the age of 2. But a day came as Herod was comfortable on his throne that the reports started coming in from all around about miracles, signs and wonders being done by Jesus. Herod thought he had things under control, as Jesus was lead to a cross. All of Hell thought that they had silenced the MESSAGE, it was 3 days later. Jesus arose from that grave and took the keys to death, hell and the grave. A made a way for you and me. I believe his voice pierced hell "LET MY PEOPLE GO."
Isa 53:5(5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

John 10:10 "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. "

So, just like Paul understood in the NT the message isn't for you to keep to yourself. The message isn't something just to come in to church and sing and shout about. The message has a purpose. The message isn't just to think about or get happy about. The message has a purpose. The message isn't just for a preacher to preach or a singer to sing. It has a purpose.
Mat 22:9(9) Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

Question: Where would you be if someone hadn't fulfilled the purpose of the message? He has done too much for us to stay quiet any longer; he has done too much for us for us to be complacent. It’s time to fulfill the purpose of the message. Don’t wait another minute share with someone the message that God brought me out and he wants to bring you out.