Archive for the ‘The Church’ Category

Abounding in Hope

October 20, 2016

thanksgiving-1000316_1280

In a letter to the church in Rome, Apostle Paul shared words of challenge and encouragement.

“Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.  Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:

‘For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles,
And sing to Your name.’

And again he says:

‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!’

And again:

‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!
Laud Him, all you peoples!’

And again, Isaiah says:

‘There shall be a root of Jesse;
And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
In Him the Gentiles shall hope.’

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:7-13 NKJV).”

Parting words…

Do they fall on deaf ears or sink into receptive hearts?

“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen (Romans 16:25-27 NKJV).”

 

 

 

 

Posted in Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, The Church  |  Tags: , , , , , , ,  |  2 Comments »

We Talk

March 4, 2016

farmer-657333_1280

I live in an area that is predominately agricultural.                    

Farmers, families, and friends depend on crops to keep money in circulation. We all talk about the weather. In times of summer drought, we talk more.

Farmers pray.

Christ Jesus compared the lost and dying to a harvest.

In our churches, pastors and congregations talk about the lost. In times of dwindling numbers and apostasy, we talk more.

Missionaries pray.

“After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, ‘The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (Luke 10:1-2 NKJ).”

Posted in Christian Growth, Devotionals, Missions, Salvation, The Church  |  Tags: , , , , , ,  |  4 Comments »

TAKE NOTES!

July 23, 2015

note-376397_1280

Do you take notes during your pastor’s sermons? I’m a note taker from way back. I not only stay focused; I save valuable teaching for future meditations. Pastors use varied methods in the delivery of their messages; the changing of methods is of little consequence as long as the message remains founded upon scripture. SEPTEMBER 2014 002

I am a fan of three-point sermons…

If you take notes, jot down this scripture verse from a KJV,                        1 Peter 5:10.

Message Outline:
I. Stablish
II. Strengthen
III. Settle

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect , stablish , strengthen , settle you (1 Peter 5:10 KJV).”

I’m flexible; I see a fourth point in the passage. I just might drop Stablish into second position and place Suffered in first place.

Keep pens and highlighters handy; take notes and hide God’s word in your heart. [Psalm 119:11]

Posted in Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, The Church  |  Tags: , , , , , , ,  |  2 Comments »

1-2-3

July 16, 2015

1-2-3

1. One church member resigns him or herself to sittin’ in their self-assigned pew. At the conclusion of the worship hour, he or she exits the sanctuary unmoved by the pastor’s call to sacrifice and service.SEPTEMBER 2014 002

2. Another, in the same congregation hears and decides to volunteer, to start servin’ others in their congregation. If a brother or sister in God’s family has a need, they will reach out a helpin’ hand.

3. The 3rd hears and hurts. He or she grieves over the indifferent and lost and as the Lord leads, will be sowin’ seed unto salvation.

“But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does bear fruit and yields: some 100, some 60, some 30 times [what was sown] (Matthew 13:23 HCS).”

Posted in Christian Growth, Devotionals, The Church  |  Tags: , , , , , ,  |  Leave a Comment »

UNITY EXPERIENTIALLY

July 9, 2015

287501751_564db59477_bphoto credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/15513233@N00/287501751″>IMG_2420</a&gt; via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/”>(license)</a&gt;

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3 NKJ).”

Are we, as Christ followers, making a diligent effort to guard cherished unity of the Spirit? Most of us never give unity a thought, or if we do, think it would mean forfeiting individuality.

We might better understand this passage when taken in by small bites.

Paul, though often a prisoner to Rome was willingly held captive by Christ. He felt a sense of urgency when addressing the church. Christ had called them to follow Him; they had answered His call to holiness and evangelism. In all endeavors, they were to be compassionate.

When will I experience unity of the Spirit?

Undoubtedly, I will know it experientially when tenderly bearing the burdens of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Where might I discover unity of the Spirit?

The LORD safeguards such unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace…

Posted in Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships, The Church  |  Tags: , , , , , , , ,  |  Leave a Comment »

PROTRACTED MEETING

August 15, 2014

Have ya’ ever  PAM CROPPED 2013 been a member of a church  congregation during a protracted meeting? 

It was ‘long’…            A CLOCK

How ‘long’ was it?

A CONGREGATION

The Old Testament Book of Nehemiah details a protracted meeting. (Nehemiah 8:1-12)

“So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law (Nehemiah 8:2-3 NKJ).”

Posted in Christian Growth, Devotionals, The Church  |  Tags: , , , , , ,  |  2 Comments »

Churches are Abuzz!

July 30, 2014

A BLOG CHURCH

 

Churches are abuzz with a factual phrase…                            PAM CROPPED 2013

“It’s not about us; it’s all about Him!”

The sooner we get that through our thick heads and hardened hearts the better off we’ll all be.

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen (Romans 11:36 NAS).”

Posted in Christian Growth, Devotionals, The Church  |  Tags: , , , , , ,  |  Leave a Comment »

Standing Room Only

December 27, 2013

PAM CROPPED 2013

a blog LOGO

It’s the dream of every pastor and faithful church member. The worship hour comes and the congregation and visitors fill the church to the rafters. There is standing room only. The life story of Peter Marshall is fascinating as well as motivational and inspiring.

 His dynamic preaching drew such large crowds that many were unable to worship inside the church buildings where he served. Loyal worshipers of Christ stood out in the rain and heard his message through loudspeaker systems. Oh, that today we would take such a stand against evil.

 God is not seeking bench-warmers; he has provided armor for protection against wicked forces and his word as sword. (Ephesians 6:10-20) With his armor and the Holy Spirit to empower us, we take our stand.

 “This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to persist in the evil day and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand therefore (Ephesians 6:13-14a HCS).” God wants no sitting down on the job, standing room only!

 

Posted in Christian Growth, Devotionals, The Church  |  Tags: , , , ,  |  4 Comments »

Ready-Set-Go!

September 12, 2013

 

CROPPED NOVEMBER 2012 PROFILE PICTURE

Dressed in running clothes and gym shoes, the hopeful squat at the starting line, prepared to run. Hearts racing, listening acutely, they wait for the command.

 “Get ready, get set…  Go!”

 Before Jesus ascended back to His Father, He gave commands, not pep talks, to His disciples.

“The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Then Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:16-20 HCS).”

Jesus had been readying them each step along the way. Through His teaching, preaching and healing miracles they learned the ways of ministry and outreach. Sent out by Him on two-by-two mission assignments, they discovered the necessity of going empowered by Him.  Were they all set to proceed?

“While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. ‘This [He said, is what] you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now (Acts 1:4-5 HCS).”

Set, they waited and watched… “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8 HCS).”  Ready and set they waited on the Lord…

Preparation, presence, provision and power fell upon them. “When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech (Acts 2:1-4 HCS).” Peter and the others were at the starting line.

“Go!”    

Posted in Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, The Church  |  Tags: , , , , , , , ,  |  1 Comment »

Listen to Your Body

January 15, 2013

CROPPED NOVEMBER 2012 PROFILE PICTURE

I easily understand the four-word-sentence. “Listen to your body.” As a senior adult, I have my share of ailments; though none is life threatening, they are chronic. I have learned to listen to the inaudible sounds of symptoms alerting me to trouble. When I hear a message, I pay close attention. I have learned that dealing with a problem, when it first surfaces, averts more serious discomfort and trips to see my doctor. I listen to my body.

As a member of the body of Christ, His church, I listen to my body. “ For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) (1 Corinthians 12:12 Amplified Bible).” If one of the members cries out in pain, or causes conflict within the body, I listen closely. I am no medical doctor; yet, I know I am wise to seek early prevention in all matters of the church body.

“So there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25 Amplified Bible).” I am hard-of-hearing and plan to invest in an affordable hearing aid soon. I tire of missing parts of conversations and repeatedly telling my husband, “I can’t hear you.” My body is talking. “I beg your pardon, what did you say? “

Posted in Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships, The Church  |  Tags: , , , , , , , ,  |  1 Comment »

%d bloggers like this: