The New Free

April 27, 2013

The New Free

Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/spiders

Everything that is free is not free.

Across the body of Christ, there are many ministry leaders and churches giving away various resources for ‘free.’  A few definitions of free (according to Dictionary.com) are:

  • provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment: free parking; a free sample.
  • not subject to special regulations, restrictions, duties, etc.
  • not subject to rules, set forms, etc.
  • without cost, payment, or charge.

Leaders and churches are giving away these resources (i.e. books, slides, pictures), but not without YOU giving some form of your personal information.  In exchange for the free resource, they ask that you subscribe to their newsletter/website/church by providing your name, e-mail address, etc. These resources are used to lure you to support an organization or person that you would not have previously.  Then, you are subjected to continuous e-mails about their ‘for-profit’ items seeking to make merchandice of you:

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What Makes Preaching Effective?

April 27, 2013

Effective Preaching

Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/axcvilla

I received a question from a friend on Facebook:

Besides the Word, what makes preaching effective? (paraphrase)

Here was my ‘seven’ cents:

  1. The Spirit’s power (1 Corinthians 2:4, 4:20).
  2. Not trying to please people (Galatians 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:3-5; James 4:4)
  3. Following the Holy Spirit’s direction for the message (especially when it’s not what you studied).
  4. Knowing that preaching is not about you (and your style of preaching/dress), but the One who called you (1 Corinthians 1:17).
  5. Being humble.
  6. Not looking at the number of people coming to the altar as a ‘sign’ of your ‘success.’
  7. Knowing your ‘success’ comes from being obedient and faithful to the Lord, not in what others say about your preaching (Matthew 25:14-30).
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3 Ways to Improve Your Life

April 16, 2013

3 Ways to Improve Your Life

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Ephesians 5:15-16 – See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

1. Make the most of every opportunity. There are 1,440 minutes in each day. Everyone receives the same amount. The difference is how each person uses those minutes.

  • You can use a minute (or more) to pray.
  • Help someone in need.
  • Give of your time and talent.
  • Spend quality time with your family.
  • Mend a bad (or strained) relationship.

Some opportunities come and never return. Don’t waste the moments you have, make every minute count.

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Talk About Your Sin

April 1, 2013

Talk About Your Sin

John 3:20-21 – For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Many people live with hidden sins.  There’s a great sense of fear, terror, and shame drives us to remain silent because we don’t want that part of our lives to be exposed. When we live in this manner however, we allow sin to live and breed in the darkness of our mind, will, and emotions. We allow sin to have its greatest victory over us, where we become its slave (John 8:34; Romans 6:16).

Sometimes we’re so ashamed that we refuse to speak about our sin to the Lord, who knows and sees all (Psalm 44:21, 139:7-12).

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Public Profession

March 29, 2013

Public Profession

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Scripture references: Matthew 5:13-16, 3-11

As Jesus continued to speak to His disciples on the mountain (Matthew 5:1-2), He spoke about their personal conduct/character in receiving the eternal kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3-11). And Matthew 5:13-14 addresses their conduct among others in the world.

Many have referred to salt as a cleansing agent or a preservative. When looking at the Greek translation for ‘lose his savor’ in Matthew 5:13, it is to make flat and tasteless, to be foolish, to act foolishly or act as a simpleton.1 The opposite of a fool is a sage or wise man. Therefore from this translation, being the salt of the earth is being the wisdom of the earth – godly wisdom and character. (Note: this is different from the wisdom of world, which God considers futile and foolish – cf. 1 Corinthians 1:19-20, 3:18-20). If you lose this godly wisdom (by acting foolish or being a simpleton), how else will the world receive or see the Gospel of Christ?

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Responding to the Lord’s Call

March 25, 2013

Responding to God's Call

Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/kconner

Scripture Reference: Matthew 4:18-22

When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, they immediately followed Him. There was no concern about what they were doing prior to Jesus’ arrival. They were called by Jesus…and followed.

A bit later in Matthew 8:18-22, a scribe came to Jesus saying He would follow Jesus where ever He sent, but Jesus said, “[t]he foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head (Matthew 8:20).” Jesus’ statement may have been a direct ‘challenge’ for the scribe to accept considering his lifestyle as a scribe. The scribe was not disqualified from following Jesus, but it was something he needed to consider.

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Matthew 4 – Commentary

March 20, 2013

Commentary on Matthew

VERSES 1-11: Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Jesus was led up of the Spirit to be tempted of the devil in the wilderness. He was tempted by the devil as He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights (cf. Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). Even in the midst of fasting, Jesus endured this ‘season’ without sinning. As a last confrontation, the temper came to Him with three separate propositions. Jesus used the Word of God to overcome him.

May we be encouraged to endure temptation through the overcoming power of the Word of God (cf. Ephesians 6:10-18; Hebrews 12:1-4).

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Posted on March 19, 2013  In Love ,
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10 Rules for Ministry

March 19, 2013

We are THere

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1. The foundation of any ministry grows from your love of God and compassion for His people (cf. Matthew 22:36-40; John 14:12).

2. Ministry is associated with serving others – giving and not receiving (cf. Acts 20:32-35).

3. Ministry is given freely from one’s talents, gifts, and calling(s).

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No matter your age, race, social status, amount in your bank account, or current situation, God still loves you…and is waiting to hear from you.

Quick Quote – 19 March 2013

Posted on March 19, 2013 In Quotes ,
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