Light of the World

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else" - C.S Lewis

It would be a mistake to think that Christianity does nothing more than tell us what happens when we die. It does even more than simply tell us how to live. The Word of God is the lens through which every thing else comes into focus. We need to learn to adopt Christianity as both a philosophy and a world view. Just as we are called to become like Christ in our personal lives, we are called to shape the world into the Kingdom of God, but we cannot hope to do that unless we understand it.

Hebrews 4:12 (New International Version)
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Turning to Scriptures for Comfort

Here are ten inspirational bible verses that deal with comfort.
After reading you might want to share some of your own.

1. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29, NKJV

2. Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14;1-3, NKJV

3. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV

4. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10, NKJV

5. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:4-5 NKJV

6. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6;37, NKJV

7. There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself. Proverbs 11:24-25, NKJV

8. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24, NKJV

9. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:11, NKJV

10. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

CONSIDER JESUS

Last evening during our weekly bible study Pastor Tom spoke on Hebrews 3:1 "Consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess."

We spent time discussing the text consider Jesus. Pastor Tom suggested that we spend time during the week in meditation on those words. I googled consider Jesus and found the following website.

Consider Jesus
Thoughts for Daily Duty, Service, and Suffering
by Octavius Winslow, 1870

Check it out: http://www.gracegems.org/Winslows/Consider_Jesus.htm

Lectio Divina

"...lectio divina has no goal other than that of being in the presence of God by praying the Scriptures."

Experiencing God's Presence and His Word through:

Reading

Meditation

Prayer

Contemplation

Check out the link below for additonal information

http://www.fpceh.org/newsletter/Lectio%20Divina.pdf

Don't lose heart!!!

They were going about there daily work as fishermen at the Sea of Galilee when Jesus walked by and said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. They immediately left their nets and followed Him”.

I wonder how many of us are out there today, weary and discouraged because things haven’t turned out as we once envisioned. Looking at our lives and ministries we wonder why there isn’t more to show for all the years of labor in the Kingdom.

Maybe what Jesus is calling us to isn’t what we’ve done before but something new. Many of the old paradigms are failing, for there is a new thing being birthed in and through the Holy Spirit. Just as new wine skins are needed to hold new wine lest the old be destroyed; so a new paradigm is needed for the new work and anointing of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives and ministries.

Just maybe things haven’t turned out as we’ve expected because they weren’t supposed to. The Lord in His mercy hasn’t let us remain comfortable in that which He no longer has His hand upon for our lives, because He’s calling us to something different.

So please don’t lose heart! Whether discouraged in ministry or in your walk as a beleiver in Jesus Christ, keep pressing on.
The darkest hour is just before the dawn. Soon the light of a new day will shine on the horizon and we will hear the Lords voice calling out once again.
“Cast your nets into the sea one more time…
Come, Follow Me…
Feed my sheep.

from: Faith Walk Blog / Thoughts from along the journey of life with Christ

Late Thursday Night: I Am

“Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?’ ‘I am,’ said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ ” (Mark 14:61-62)

We come to late Thursday night in this terrible beautiful week. The Jewish religious leaders have finally engineered the arrest and trial of Jesus. They’re squeezing it all in under the cover of darkness, because they’re afraid the people will revolt.

Under intense questioning by the high priest, Jesus had remained silent. Now He answers a direct question with a direct reply about who He is, something He had often chosen not to do. Quoting from Psalms and Daniel, He tells His judges that He is, indeed, the Messiah. More: He will one day judge them while sitting at the right hand of God (at the “resurrection” at the end of time).

If a lie or a delusion, Jesus’ words were blasphemy. The Jewish leaders would be right to silence Him. But if Jesus’ words are true, He is the most amazing person ever to live -- and die and live again -- in human history.

Think: Why do you think it’s hard for some people to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God? Why do you think it seems so much easier for others?

Pray: Thank God for the spiritual vision to believe that Jesus is the Son of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Do: Think of someone you could ask about the high priest’s question this week: “Do you believe that Jesus was the Son of God?”

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

And they'll know we are Christians by our love.......

If I . . . can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge . . . but have not love, I am nothing.
- 1 Corinthians 13:2

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. - 1 Corinthians 1:10

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. - Ephesians 4:3

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father just as you are in me and I am in you… I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one and we are one… May they be brought in complete unity to let the world know that you sent me. - John 17:20-23

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush to evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. - Proverbs 6:16-19

May we spend time in prayer, each day, for one other. We need to show grace amongst ourselves. How can we expect anyone else to respect us or our beliefs when we act as nasty as the world? They should recognize us by our love.