1 Timothy 1:3-7 gives us insight into the disciple Timothy’s life. As “mentor,” Paul has carefully sent written instruction. Paul urges young Timothy to “mature” in Christ. Paul boils this message down to one simple concept: love. Not just love, but “love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith.” Have you considered what “love” really looks like? Is your love contaminated by self-interest…preconceived ideas…or bias that has been clinging onto your life for some time? Paul asks that we remain ”open” to God in order that we might “reconsider” what love really looks like. I love how successful businessman, Christian speaker and author Zig Ziglar puts it. Sometime (he says) we need “a checkup from the neck up.” Maybe instead the neck…we need “a new start from the heart.”
Faith
All posts tagged Faith
Great Challenge!
Yesterday (Saturday) we at Central Church experienced a great community outreach in the Music Fest 2010! There was food, games, and music…but most of all, there was worship! The apostle Paul gave us some insight when he instructed us to “reach people in any possible way.” Let’s not miss opportunities that may seem “obscure” and look for “any way possible” to share the love of Christ with others!
One of the things I enjoy in life is nature! Last night I sat on my deck with my family and we enjoyed seeing the deer come out from the woods. Then God gave us an unbelievable sunset to enjoy. The scripture says we are to look into the heavens for “evidence” of Him. I think we saw His presence last night as we viewed His handiwork!
Jean Pierre de Caussade says, “that each moment of our lives can be a sacrament, a vehicle for God’s love and power. The present moment holds infinite riches beyond your wildest dreams, BUT you will only enjoy them to the extent of your faith and love….to discover God in the smallest and most ordinary things, as well as in the greatest, is to possess a rare and sublime faith.”
I suppose there are many places each of us could call “Paradise.” In my travels I’ve seen many of these kinds of places that God has created for my enjoyment. This picture is such a place I enjoyed for 25 years in Bradenton. Everyday I went to work at Public Safety, this was the view I had (out the conference room window) from the 5th floor of the County Administration Center. This week I sat outside and “contemplated” this view once again and realized how good God has been to me. He has created and given so much! Take some time and find one of the many “paradises” in your life and offer your gratitude. If you don’t make time, you’ll skip by these places and never see the amazing evidence of His work!
I was recently intrigued while listening to a news cast that advised a company was offering to hire people to get their head tattooed in order to market their business. It’s a fairly simple and straightforward proposition…shave your head, have a marketing slogan tattooed on your head, and receive royalty payments as long as the company makes money. The scripture says, “….faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17). There are so many ways that we communicate “the message.” I’m glad we don’t have to shave our heads and get tattooed in order to share the message of Christ. Through scripture the message of Christ can be so vibrant in our lives that it will get more attention than even a shaved/tattooed head!
Where is He?
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“Jesus was a homeless man.”
After coming off another Christmas season, I have to ask….has it been easy for you to forget about Jesus? I mean, it just seems when I look around that everyone has a focus; making a living, education, activities, sports, purchasing a new car or house, and the list goes on and on!
In some cases, even going to church could be placed on the list. Could it be possible that we could even forget Him there…in church? Anything (and any place or any person) can become a distraction if we allow it. Yes, even good things, good places, and good people! Whatever we do, let’s make certain we never forget what Christ has done for us…and let’s take every opportunity to get to know Him better!
