I missed out a basic Christian attitude. “Did you?” Yes; without it you probably will miss opportunities to witness and glorify God when things seemingly go the wrong way. “So what is it?” In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you 1Th 5:18(MKJV). We may not be able to control the way things happen around us all the time but we can certainly control how we respond! “You mean I should accept everything as being the way God wanted it to happen?” Of course not, but look for things to thank God for. “Things could have been worse, huh?” We-ell…you could thank Him that the present situation gives another opportunity for a testimony. You could thank Him for what His word says about your situation.
“I’m glad you said in everything and not for everything; some things are just not good.” Well, actually Eph 5:20(MKJV) says always giving thanks for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. “I think that’s tough; sometimes the thanksgiving gets stuck at my throat.” Me too; but I’ve learned from experience that giving thanks from the heart marks a turnaround in circumstances. “You mean it keeps you from backsliding.” Not only that: remember what Jehoshaphat did when faced with an army too big for him and already in Israelite territory? And …he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, "Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever." 2Ch 20:21(ESV)
“Look God had already promised them victory…” Yes, but notice it was when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men … who had come against Judah, 2Ch 20:22(ESV). “I thought you were talking about thanksgiving.” Actually singing, praising and thanks giving go together:
Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God Col 3:16(CEV). “Someone once said it was when Paul and Silas were praying and singing in prison that their situation turned around (Act 16:25, 26).” How right. We must habitually be thankful to do all things in the name of Jesus: whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him Col 3:17(MKJV). “Okay! Thanksgiving coming up; and I expect an instant change... why are you shaking your head?” When will you get off instantaneous manifestations?
Friday 25 February 2011
Saturday 19 February 2011
Positive Christian Attitude Week 8, 2011
“I’m used to the phrase “positive mental attitude”; is that what you mean?” Not exactly; I am also familiar with that terminology but I have some issues with it. “What issues?” I want to explain this bit first and you might notice the differences. “And if not?” Well we could get into it later. “Okay, go ahead."
By a positive Christian attitude I mean be on the lookout for what you can do to bring God glory under every circumstance. Yeah don’t let the changing scenes of life make you lose focus of what God called you to do. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what happened to me has helped to spread the Good News. As a result, it has become clear to all the soldiers who guard the emperor and to everyone else that I am in prison because of Christ Phil 1:12, 13(GW). I had noticed Paul’s mode of operation was to get to the synagogue and preach first, and then get to the gentiles, or else get to a place of worship and begin teaching about Christ (Acts 17:1-2, 23).
“What has positive mental attitude got to do with what you quoted?” I said Positive Christian Attitude. Notice how he turns his imprisonment to an opportunity to witness to the soldiers guarding him. “So when these policemen ask for some bribe I should take as opportunity to give them Jesus.” Yes. In fact look at his journey to Rome: On the way his warning was ignored. When everyone got into trouble because of that after much prayer he uses the opportunity to introduce his faith: After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood among them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete. You would have avoided this hardship and damage. For just last night an angel of God, to whom I belong and whom I serve, stood by me Act 27:21, 23 (ISV)
“But they shouldn’t have been shipwrecked.” Change attitude! The shipwreck simply became an opportunity to take the gospel to the island of Malta. No sitting around and saying “Look what mess these guys’ disobedience brought; I warned them.” After that had happened, other sick people on the island went to Paul and were made well Act 28:9(GW). You may not be able to go out and witness but witness to those who come to you. Confinements because you have a new baby, you working long hours and can’t be in the 40 days evangelism are opportunities to take the gospel to a new focus.
“That’s fine; suppose you are ill and hospitalised?” The stop in Galatia for ill health was Paul’s reason to preach there. You remember why I preached the gospel to you the first time; it was because I was sick Gal 4:13(GNB).
By a positive Christian attitude I mean be on the lookout for what you can do to bring God glory under every circumstance. Yeah don’t let the changing scenes of life make you lose focus of what God called you to do. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what happened to me has helped to spread the Good News. As a result, it has become clear to all the soldiers who guard the emperor and to everyone else that I am in prison because of Christ Phil 1:12, 13(GW). I had noticed Paul’s mode of operation was to get to the synagogue and preach first, and then get to the gentiles, or else get to a place of worship and begin teaching about Christ (Acts 17:1-2, 23).
“What has positive mental attitude got to do with what you quoted?” I said Positive Christian Attitude. Notice how he turns his imprisonment to an opportunity to witness to the soldiers guarding him. “So when these policemen ask for some bribe I should take as opportunity to give them Jesus.” Yes. In fact look at his journey to Rome: On the way his warning was ignored. When everyone got into trouble because of that after much prayer he uses the opportunity to introduce his faith: After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood among them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete. You would have avoided this hardship and damage. For just last night an angel of God, to whom I belong and whom I serve, stood by me Act 27:21, 23 (ISV)
“But they shouldn’t have been shipwrecked.” Change attitude! The shipwreck simply became an opportunity to take the gospel to the island of Malta. No sitting around and saying “Look what mess these guys’ disobedience brought; I warned them.” After that had happened, other sick people on the island went to Paul and were made well Act 28:9(GW). You may not be able to go out and witness but witness to those who come to you. Confinements because you have a new baby, you working long hours and can’t be in the 40 days evangelism are opportunities to take the gospel to a new focus.
“That’s fine; suppose you are ill and hospitalised?” The stop in Galatia for ill health was Paul’s reason to preach there. You remember why I preached the gospel to you the first time; it was because I was sick Gal 4:13(GNB).
Tuesday 15 February 2011
Protective costudy Week 7, 2011
“What’s that?” It is a situation where a person is held by the police or other law enforcement agents for his own safety. If a man is involved in an accident which killed another person the crowd may wish to lynch him, you know, wrap tyres around him and set him ablaze. So the police may keep him behind the counter for safety. “Thanks for the lesson in law but what has that got to do with me?” You are wondering why God is allowing this to happen to you, protesting your innocence; even saying “You can't do that. If you did, the innocent would be punished along with the guilty. That is impossible. The judge of all the earth has to act justly Gen 18:25(GNB).” “Yes that is scriptural. I want God to vindicate me.”
Have you considered Joseph? How Potipher’s wife became desperate for him. Even though Joseph did everything right, speaking to her and avoiding being alone with her. And it happened as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not listen to her to lie with her, or to be with her Gen 39:10(MKJV). “What has protective custody got to do with that?” Has it not occurred to you the safest place from her and other women was the prison yard? “You’re strange.” No; think about it: where else would the influence of this ancient Jezebel not have reached? You had shared with me some months back the nature of pressures you have been facing from the opposite sex in you place. “I agree that is true, but surely God can send His angels to protect His own and not suffer wrongful termination or punishment.”
Well consider Paul the apostle; remember how he almost got killed by the Jews in Jerusalem? The quarrel was becoming violent, and the officer was afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces. So the officer ordered his soldiers to drag Paul back to the barracks Act 23:10(GW). “
“What protection was Paul getting in Philippi when his back was ripped open with canes and he was thrown into the deepest dungeon in chains? From demons he already cast out?” Has it occurred to you the jailer and prisoners were in God’s agenda for salvation at that time? This may mean a new ministry focus also, at least for now. “How do you mean?” Remember Jesus got chased out after casting out a legion of demons? Well a dying girl was waiting just on the other side of the lake for help:
So they began to beg Jesus to leave their territory. When Jesus again had crossed to the other side in a boat …a synagogue leader named Jairus… begged him urgently, saying, "My little daughter is dying. Come and lay your hands on her so that she may get well…” Mk 5:17-23
Have you considered Joseph? How Potipher’s wife became desperate for him. Even though Joseph did everything right, speaking to her and avoiding being alone with her. And it happened as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not listen to her to lie with her, or to be with her Gen 39:10(MKJV). “What has protective custody got to do with that?” Has it not occurred to you the safest place from her and other women was the prison yard? “You’re strange.” No; think about it: where else would the influence of this ancient Jezebel not have reached? You had shared with me some months back the nature of pressures you have been facing from the opposite sex in you place. “I agree that is true, but surely God can send His angels to protect His own and not suffer wrongful termination or punishment.”
Well consider Paul the apostle; remember how he almost got killed by the Jews in Jerusalem? The quarrel was becoming violent, and the officer was afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces. So the officer ordered his soldiers to drag Paul back to the barracks Act 23:10(GW). “
“What protection was Paul getting in Philippi when his back was ripped open with canes and he was thrown into the deepest dungeon in chains? From demons he already cast out?” Has it occurred to you the jailer and prisoners were in God’s agenda for salvation at that time? This may mean a new ministry focus also, at least for now. “How do you mean?” Remember Jesus got chased out after casting out a legion of demons? Well a dying girl was waiting just on the other side of the lake for help:
So they began to beg Jesus to leave their territory. When Jesus again had crossed to the other side in a boat …a synagogue leader named Jairus… begged him urgently, saying, "My little daughter is dying. Come and lay your hands on her so that she may get well…” Mk 5:17-23
Wednesday 9 February 2011
Is any suffering right? week 6, 2011
“He is quite religious.” Yes but walking on his knees for that distance to show devotion to God: that’s unnecessary suffering. That’s worse than being ascetic. “Aser what?” Enjoying deprivation; it pains me just thinking of it. Ah! “Why is it paining you; is he not suffering with Christ?” Instead, because you are participating in the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that you may be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed 1Pt 4:13(GNB).
Is that what you think? What he is doing is wrong.
“But did not the scripture say Christ suffered here on earth. Now you must be ready to suffer as he did, because suffering shows that you have stopped sinning 1Pt 4:1(CEV)?” Suffering with Christ is not a self imposed thing at all. "Don't handle this," "Don't taste that," "Don't touch the other"… they are only human rules and teachings. Of course such rules appear to be based on wisdom in their forced worship of angels, and false humility, and severe treatment of the body; but they have no real value in controlling physical passions Col 2:21-23(GNB). It has no value in making you holy. People who flog themselves, have people crucify them with nails for a period of time to be like Jesus are not pleasing God at all. Such practices are of the flesh not the Spirit of God. God your father is no sadist: He wouldn’t allow what isn’t meant for good. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine… and so your faith… must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed 1Pt 1:7(GNB).
“I thought when you talk of suffering we should be happy in deprivation.” Not at all: suffering with Christ is not about being poor or rich; or enduring sickness. Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross so that freed from our sins, we could live a life that has God's approval. His wounds have healed you 1Pe 2:24(GW).
“I want you to tell me what real Christian suffering is about.”Suffering with Christ has to do with when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and say that you are evil, all because of the Son of Man Lk 6:22(GNB). Someone else or some people else do it to you. Not all will face being killed or wounded physically. In fact you are not the one to choose the type or timing of such suffering. Such suffering is for a limited time. You will suffer for a while, but God will make you complete, steady, strong, and firm 1Pe 5:10(CEV).
Is that what you think? What he is doing is wrong.
“But did not the scripture say Christ suffered here on earth. Now you must be ready to suffer as he did, because suffering shows that you have stopped sinning 1Pt 4:1(CEV)?” Suffering with Christ is not a self imposed thing at all. "Don't handle this," "Don't taste that," "Don't touch the other"… they are only human rules and teachings. Of course such rules appear to be based on wisdom in their forced worship of angels, and false humility, and severe treatment of the body; but they have no real value in controlling physical passions Col 2:21-23(GNB). It has no value in making you holy. People who flog themselves, have people crucify them with nails for a period of time to be like Jesus are not pleasing God at all. Such practices are of the flesh not the Spirit of God. God your father is no sadist: He wouldn’t allow what isn’t meant for good. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine… and so your faith… must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed 1Pt 1:7(GNB).
“I thought when you talk of suffering we should be happy in deprivation.” Not at all: suffering with Christ is not about being poor or rich; or enduring sickness. Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross so that freed from our sins, we could live a life that has God's approval. His wounds have healed you 1Pe 2:24(GW).
“I want you to tell me what real Christian suffering is about.”Suffering with Christ has to do with when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and say that you are evil, all because of the Son of Man Lk 6:22(GNB). Someone else or some people else do it to you. Not all will face being killed or wounded physically. In fact you are not the one to choose the type or timing of such suffering. Such suffering is for a limited time. You will suffer for a while, but God will make you complete, steady, strong, and firm 1Pe 5:10(CEV).
Tuesday 1 February 2011
The broiler christian
Week 5, 2011
My wife runs a poultry, has done so for over 10 years now, and one of her important moments is watching those chicks grow. You may wonder at the term but I’ll get to that later. Usually we rear broilers, pullets, or cockerels. In case you are not familiar with poultry terms the cockerels are males, their meat is tough, and their wattle big and red. They are not my favourite. Pullets are females. When they mature as from 16 weeks they stoop down for you when you want to grab them, and they lay eggs. They’ll do this daily for over a year. Poultry keeping isn’t what we are on about today. It is the last and most interesting set of chicks: the broiler.
Right from day old chick stage they are bigger than their counterparts. Yes: the broiler. They sure can eat, and once the lights are on through the night they’ll keep eating and eating. If the power goes off and they don’t see food loud cries arise. Their din will bring you round. The same happens if they run out of food or water. Ah but the food shows on them. They grow up very fast; right before your eyes almost. By 6 week they are table birds. Fast food restaurants snap them up about then. By 8 weeks they are big enough to sell to individuals, and if you reach 12 weeks, wow, impressive size; the type you take to church for thanksgiving. What has this got to do with us? Other seeds fell on thin, rocky ground and quickly started growing because the soil wasn't very deep Mat 13:5(CEV).
So what’s the lesson from them? They lack natural immunity to disease- these “agriculture birds”. A visit by local birds that may quietly carry disease can spell disaster. You don’t work simultaneously in 2 different farms for fear of disease. A strict vaccination schedule is necessary. So what? It happens with all agric birds, n’est pas? Broilers can’t stand stress, at all! The temperature has to be right all through, even beyond the brooding phase. If it’s cold they die, if the day gets very hot you lose some. Some farmers even install fans to keep them cool and put cold water for them to drink! Speaking of water: 12 hours without any and they could start dying. Don’t keep them without food for a day otherwise...ever heard the term die like a fowl? A friend bought 2 and closed them up in her boot. When she got home less than an hour later one had already suffocated; the other was “gasping”. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and dried up, because they did not have enough roots Mat 13:6(CEV). Are you a broiler Christian? Falling off at the least stress? Can’t stand on your two feet? The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it right away. But they don't have deep roots, and they don't last very long. As soon as life gets hard or the message gets them in trouble, they give up. Mat 13:20-21(CEV).Broilers are unreliable for egg laying.
My wife runs a poultry, has done so for over 10 years now, and one of her important moments is watching those chicks grow. You may wonder at the term but I’ll get to that later. Usually we rear broilers, pullets, or cockerels. In case you are not familiar with poultry terms the cockerels are males, their meat is tough, and their wattle big and red. They are not my favourite. Pullets are females. When they mature as from 16 weeks they stoop down for you when you want to grab them, and they lay eggs. They’ll do this daily for over a year. Poultry keeping isn’t what we are on about today. It is the last and most interesting set of chicks: the broiler.
Right from day old chick stage they are bigger than their counterparts. Yes: the broiler. They sure can eat, and once the lights are on through the night they’ll keep eating and eating. If the power goes off and they don’t see food loud cries arise. Their din will bring you round. The same happens if they run out of food or water. Ah but the food shows on them. They grow up very fast; right before your eyes almost. By 6 week they are table birds. Fast food restaurants snap them up about then. By 8 weeks they are big enough to sell to individuals, and if you reach 12 weeks, wow, impressive size; the type you take to church for thanksgiving. What has this got to do with us? Other seeds fell on thin, rocky ground and quickly started growing because the soil wasn't very deep Mat 13:5(CEV).
So what’s the lesson from them? They lack natural immunity to disease- these “agriculture birds”. A visit by local birds that may quietly carry disease can spell disaster. You don’t work simultaneously in 2 different farms for fear of disease. A strict vaccination schedule is necessary. So what? It happens with all agric birds, n’est pas? Broilers can’t stand stress, at all! The temperature has to be right all through, even beyond the brooding phase. If it’s cold they die, if the day gets very hot you lose some. Some farmers even install fans to keep them cool and put cold water for them to drink! Speaking of water: 12 hours without any and they could start dying. Don’t keep them without food for a day otherwise...ever heard the term die like a fowl? A friend bought 2 and closed them up in her boot. When she got home less than an hour later one had already suffocated; the other was “gasping”. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and dried up, because they did not have enough roots Mat 13:6(CEV). Are you a broiler Christian? Falling off at the least stress? Can’t stand on your two feet? The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it right away. But they don't have deep roots, and they don't last very long. As soon as life gets hard or the message gets them in trouble, they give up. Mat 13:20-21(CEV).Broilers are unreliable for egg laying.
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