Click on the above title and it will take you to a full article about Biblical thanksgiving. Use some of it in your devotionals as we celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday. The article is from the website biblestudytools.com.
Thanking God for you all,
Pastor Paul
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Going Alive - Mark Ch.16
I have been learning to look behind my desires. What I mean by this is that I am asking why I want certain things in life. I am discovering my true needs, those behind the ones on the surface, are the things that God wants me to have. I believe that this is the case for all of us. Knowing this will help us look for them in Christ and move us away from looking to find life in things that lead to death. Below are the things that I believe are behind most if not all of the surface desires of our hearts and how God has given them to us in Christ.
Three things that God has promised through Jesus Christ that we often look for in dead places.
1. Rest: Matthew 11:28-29
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. 29 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.
2. Truth: John 18:37-38
Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.Pilate said to him, "What is truth?"After he had said this,he went back outside to the Jews and told them, "I find no guilt in him.
3. Freedom: Romans 8:1-2
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are
in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in
Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
Three things that God has promised through Jesus Christ that we often look for in dead places.
1. Rest: Matthew 11:28-29
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. 29 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.
2. Truth: John 18:37-38
Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.Pilate said to him, "What is truth?"After he had said this,he went back outside to the Jews and told them, "I find no guilt in him.
3. Freedom: Romans 8:1-2
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are
in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in
Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
Friday, October 1, 2010
GO120 - Road Blocks Part 2
This entry is a continuation of last weeks. If you are lost read last weeks post "Road Blocks - Part 1" then pick up here.
4. Roadblock #4 – The threat of destruction 3:6-19
Jesus navigated through this road block by leaving the area but He kept on ministering. to many of just quit. Yes it true that at times leaving may be the answer, we are never to stop ministering to others.
5. Roadblock #5 – Opposition from His friends and family who did not yet understand His mission. 3:20-35
Jesus navigated through this road block by using common sense. He warned his loved ones of condemnation that would be the result of continued rejection and He knew who his real friends and family were. This is extremely difficult when trying to help family, but the result was His family eventually got it.
So what am I suggesting that you do with these examples? I think when you encounter roadblock you should understand that the road to heaven full of trouble. See Acts 14:19-22
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."
With this in mind we should also be examples of the right thing. (See Titus 2:7-8)
7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
Following 120,
Pastor Paul
4. Roadblock #4 – The threat of destruction 3:6-19
Jesus navigated through this road block by leaving the area but He kept on ministering. to many of just quit. Yes it true that at times leaving may be the answer, we are never to stop ministering to others.
5. Roadblock #5 – Opposition from His friends and family who did not yet understand His mission. 3:20-35
Jesus navigated through this road block by using common sense. He warned his loved ones of condemnation that would be the result of continued rejection and He knew who his real friends and family were. This is extremely difficult when trying to help family, but the result was His family eventually got it.
So what am I suggesting that you do with these examples? I think when you encounter roadblock you should understand that the road to heaven full of trouble. See Acts 14:19-22
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."
With this in mind we should also be examples of the right thing. (See Titus 2:7-8)
7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
Following 120,
Pastor Paul
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Go120 - "Roadblocks" Part 1
Following Jesus in servant hood requires us to do the right thing when encountering roadblocks. Jesus encountered opposition when He did the right thing. These could have been seen as roadblocks on His journey. How He navigated through them gives us a path to travel as we follow Him.
1. Roadblock #1 – Jesus ate with the wrong the crowd. 2:13-17
His navigation – He explained that He was calling the sick to repentance.
2. Roadblock #2 – Jesus did not follow outdated tradition. 2:18-22
His navigation – He brought newness of thought and operation which coincided
with the original thoughts of God.
3. Roadblock #3 – Jesus had the right but unpopular concept of a religious tradition.
2:23-27 / 3:1-5
His navigation – He pointed out that the tradition was for man not man for
the tradition. He did what was right in the sight of His opposition.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
GO 120
We live in a fast paced society. Do we know where we are going and do you have enough energy to get there. Or is life simply about going as fast as you can in multiple directions until you simply can’t anymore? "GO 120" is a series of messages about following Jesus at His pace and in His direction. As a Christian, who is following Jesus,have you every asked, “where are we going and what are we doing along the way?”
It always amazes me when I read about how people in the New Testament followed Jesus. In particular the twelve who would become the Apostles. Mark records the beginning of their journey this way. "And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him" (Mark 1:20,ESV). The rest of the Gospel of Mark records how they continued to follow Jesus. Jesus set the pace and the direction and they followed. With this in mind we read Mark's fast paced account of this journey of servant hood and learn what it is like to follow Jesus. Are you following Him or are you asking that He follow you? Are you setting the pace and the direction or is He? Ask yourself these questions as you read the Gospel of Mark. This week at CONNECT we will be looking into the road traveled and the fuel it takes to travel. The notes below are notes from the first message of "GO 120"
You need to know where you are going and have the fuel to get there.
Fuel: Mark’s presentation of Jesus identifies what fueled His mission
1. Power of the Holy Spirit
- Given by Jesus 1:1-12
- Unstoppable 1:21-34; 2:1-12
2. Solitude 1:35
The Road for Jesus:
1. Identify with man. 1:9-13
2. Having a concise message. 1:14-15
3. Calling disciples 1:16-20 (v. 20 key verse for the series)
4. Completing the mission. 1:36-39
God Bless you an your as you follow closely.
Pastor Paul
It always amazes me when I read about how people in the New Testament followed Jesus. In particular the twelve who would become the Apostles. Mark records the beginning of their journey this way. "And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him" (Mark 1:20,ESV). The rest of the Gospel of Mark records how they continued to follow Jesus. Jesus set the pace and the direction and they followed. With this in mind we read Mark's fast paced account of this journey of servant hood and learn what it is like to follow Jesus. Are you following Him or are you asking that He follow you? Are you setting the pace and the direction or is He? Ask yourself these questions as you read the Gospel of Mark. This week at CONNECT we will be looking into the road traveled and the fuel it takes to travel. The notes below are notes from the first message of "GO 120"
You need to know where you are going and have the fuel to get there.
Fuel: Mark’s presentation of Jesus identifies what fueled His mission
1. Power of the Holy Spirit
- Given by Jesus 1:1-12
- Unstoppable 1:21-34; 2:1-12
2. Solitude 1:35
The Road for Jesus:
1. Identify with man. 1:9-13
2. Having a concise message. 1:14-15
3. Calling disciples 1:16-20 (v. 20 key verse for the series)
4. Completing the mission. 1:36-39
God Bless you an your as you follow closely.
Pastor Paul
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Seen In The Story - Sermon 5 "Context is Everything"
I think we all want our lives to matter to those around us. However we will only matter when we make an impact and we cannot impact our culture by being disconnected from it. No one will connect with every one but every one can connect with some one. This is clearly seen throughout the Bible, some places being more obvious than others. One place where it may not be so obvious at first glance is in the story of Boaz redeeming Ruth as her kinsman redeemer. This story is found in Ruth chapter four and is full of things that can only be understood from the view of Jewish culture.
To summarize, Boaz was very public in the way in which he helped restore the future of Ruth by marrying her following the death of her first husband. In the Jewish culture this meant that Boaz was her kinsman redeemer. The public nature of this event and the manner in which Boaz operated fit into the cultural norms however the impact was far from normal. Initially the people had some thing that prompted praise in a time for which there was little to give thanks. The far reaching impact was that Ruth became the grandma of King David. Reaching farther still, Ruth was a member if the lineage of Jesus as recorded in Matthew chapter one. Perhaps the largest impact of this story is that Boaz became a "type" of Jesus Christ in that he defined the role of redeemer.
If this is to mean anything to us we must without fear or arrogance engage in your cultural context.
I hope to see you at CONNECT each and every Saturday night at Apple Valley Church of the Nazarene. Enjoy the video below and understand that it is not an example of impacting your culture.
Trying to engage,
Paul
To summarize, Boaz was very public in the way in which he helped restore the future of Ruth by marrying her following the death of her first husband. In the Jewish culture this meant that Boaz was her kinsman redeemer. The public nature of this event and the manner in which Boaz operated fit into the cultural norms however the impact was far from normal. Initially the people had some thing that prompted praise in a time for which there was little to give thanks. The far reaching impact was that Ruth became the grandma of King David. Reaching farther still, Ruth was a member if the lineage of Jesus as recorded in Matthew chapter one. Perhaps the largest impact of this story is that Boaz became a "type" of Jesus Christ in that he defined the role of redeemer.
If this is to mean anything to us we must without fear or arrogance engage in your cultural context.
I hope to see you at CONNECT each and every Saturday night at Apple Valley Church of the Nazarene. Enjoy the video below and understand that it is not an example of impacting your culture.
Trying to engage,
Paul
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Seen In The Story - Sermon 4 "Coming to the Redeemer"
I ask God a lot of questions, sometimes not as humble as I ought to. Psalm 99:1 says, “The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!” This verse checks me in the way that I ask questions of God. Verses like this help me to stay in place. It helps me come to God with the right attitude of humility.
We in our self-help culture have somehow come live and worship as though God owes of something. Many come to God with a sense of entitlement or with a pointing finger. I think we could use a reminder that we are to come to our redeemer with humility. The world needs us to tell our story of how to appropriately come to Jesus. The world needs you to tell you story of coming to our Redeemer in humility. This is how Ruth exemplified this:
1. Show the way of rest and security in the Redeemer. 3:1-2
2. Teach the way in which one is to come to the redeemer. 3-5
What Ruth was saying to Boaz was, “I respect you, I trust you, and I put my
fate in your hands.” - David Guzik
3. Display the way of finding protection V.6-9
In Ezekiel 16:8, God uses the same terminology in relation to Israel: I
spread my wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to
you and entered into a covenant with you and you became Mine, says the LORD
God."
4. Model that needs are met by going in the right direction. V. 10-11
5. Reveal that our redeemer follows the law of God in redemption 12-18.
We in our self-help culture have somehow come live and worship as though God owes of something. Many come to God with a sense of entitlement or with a pointing finger. I think we could use a reminder that we are to come to our redeemer with humility. The world needs us to tell our story of how to appropriately come to Jesus. The world needs you to tell you story of coming to our Redeemer in humility. This is how Ruth exemplified this:
1. Show the way of rest and security in the Redeemer. 3:1-2
2. Teach the way in which one is to come to the redeemer. 3-5
What Ruth was saying to Boaz was, “I respect you, I trust you, and I put my
fate in your hands.” - David Guzik
3. Display the way of finding protection V.6-9
In Ezekiel 16:8, God uses the same terminology in relation to Israel: I
spread my wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to
you and entered into a covenant with you and you became Mine, says the LORD
God."
4. Model that needs are met by going in the right direction. V. 10-11
5. Reveal that our redeemer follows the law of God in redemption 12-18.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Seek Synergy With God
I have come to understand that there are many things that only God can accomplish in my life, and yet there are other things that He expects me to do. These are not always easily distinguished and I often stumble around a bit before I get it right. Though we are limited and God is not we must commit to doing our part. My stumbling around is my effort to seek synergy with God. This must be my goal to fulfill the work he has for me and I gather from my discussions with others that you need to seek synergy with God as well. Ruth is a good example of this and in Ruth chapter two we receive four means to accomplish this synergy.
1. God will guide you as you humbly go. Ruth 2:1-3
2. God will bless you and honor our servitude. Ruth 2:4-12
3. God's provision is not the end of our work. Ruth 2:13-18
4. God's provision is often of a greater significance than we first realize.
2:19-23
Seeking Synergy,
Pastor Paul
1. God will guide you as you humbly go. Ruth 2:1-3
2. God will bless you and honor our servitude. Ruth 2:4-12
3. God's provision is not the end of our work. Ruth 2:13-18
4. God's provision is often of a greater significance than we first realize.
2:19-23
Seeking Synergy,
Pastor Paul
Friday, August 6, 2010
Seen In The Story - Sermon #2
As the video below illustrates, there are times when situations seem hopeless. At the end of the video the narrator states that hope is never over. This is a great truth and is seen in countless stories through out the history of God's people. The story being considered in our current series at CONNECT is the story of Ruth. In the first chapter God allows a tragedy to strike a family. It is when God allows these things that we are tempted be believe that he has forgotten us or that He simply does not exist. For many they give up and take life into their own hands and fight for what is theirs. Ruth presents a radical approach to facing tragedy. She totally forgoes her rights. In doing this she commits to her love for her mother-in-law.
In the second sermon in the series "Seen In The Story" four examples of love that forgoes its rights are presented:
1. God's example: Ruth 1:6 - God gave food to rebellious people following a time
of famine.
2. Naomi's example: Ruth 1:7-13 - Naomi released her daughter-in-laws from
caring for her as a widow.
3. Ruth's example: Ruth 1:14-22 - Ruth gave up her right to be free and find
another husband.
4. Jesus' example: Philippians 2:5-8 - Jesus gave up His to be served and became
a servant.
Do you think that you need to fight for your own rights? Can you love in such a way that forgoes your rights? How about when God allows tragedy? This is a radical way of looking at life, but the alternative is a life of getting what you can on your own. As I view our society that philosophy is not getting us very far.
Pastor Paul
connectavnaz@gmail.com
In the second sermon in the series "Seen In The Story" four examples of love that forgoes its rights are presented:
1. God's example: Ruth 1:6 - God gave food to rebellious people following a time
of famine.
2. Naomi's example: Ruth 1:7-13 - Naomi released her daughter-in-laws from
caring for her as a widow.
3. Ruth's example: Ruth 1:14-22 - Ruth gave up her right to be free and find
another husband.
4. Jesus' example: Philippians 2:5-8 - Jesus gave up His to be served and became
a servant.
Do you think that you need to fight for your own rights? Can you love in such a way that forgoes your rights? How about when God allows tragedy? This is a radical way of looking at life, but the alternative is a life of getting what you can on your own. As I view our society that philosophy is not getting us very far.
Pastor Paul
connectavnaz@gmail.com
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Seen In The Story - Sermon #1
The story in the Old Testament book of Ruth is a story of love and redemption. Those that dig into the theological aspects of the well known Bible stories will tell us that this story is a picture of Jesus as our "kinsmen redeemer". In short an kinsmen redeemer is just that, a family member who gets you out of trouble. In the book of Deuteronomy the Jew was instructed to marry his brothers wife should his brother die without having any children. Though this seems a bit odd in our culture, for the Jew it meant the ability to carry on the family name. One thing that becomes apparent to us in the stories of the Bible is that the deeper truths of God are understood in the context of these life stories. To be encouraged by the Bible we need to see it fleshed out in our lives. Some may see this as nonspiritual, but I would disagree and point out that God gave us the story of Ruth for that very reason. Why else would we need to know about Ruth? We need to move away from knowing the Bible just for the sake of knowing the Bible. We need to know the Bible to understand life! Look at the stories of life around you and see our Redeemer at work. It is true beauty!
Pastor Paul
Pastor Paul
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Cursed No More - Rev. 22:1-5
At times I need a reminder that this world is temporary. This seems to motivate me to be diligent in loving people and dealing with what often makes life difficult. The fact is, the Bible speaks of Heaven as being that place where those things that make life hard are gone. All the effects of sin have been washed away and we can live in the worship of our God without the stuff that so often distracts and pulls us away from the fellowship of His Spirit.
But I also need to realize that there are many things here and now that make life beautiful. They seem to be hints of heaven. Little things that bread anticipation for our eternal home. Many of those little things are seen in the lives of those that we love. Look for them, God will reveal them to you and you will be motivated to love and live with endurance.
I hope that you enjoy the video below and are blessed with hints of Heaven!
Pastor Paul
But I also need to realize that there are many things here and now that make life beautiful. They seem to be hints of heaven. Little things that bread anticipation for our eternal home. Many of those little things are seen in the lives of those that we love. Look for them, God will reveal them to you and you will be motivated to love and live with endurance.
I hope that you enjoy the video below and are blessed with hints of Heaven!
Pastor Paul
Friday, July 16, 2010
Filled With Glory
Welcome to the CONNECT blog,
This week at CONNECT we are continuing in our series "The Destiny of the Believer". The third message in this series is entitled "Filled With Glory" and will cover Revelation 21:9-27. This passage is the Apostle John's attempt to show us what Heaven will look like as revealed to him by an angel. What sticks out to me most about this passage is the use of the word "glory". Literally this word means "to think". In the New Testament it is used in regard to ascribing honor and praise as well as describing an event, place or person as dazzling.
This being the case, Heaven is described in dazzling beauty. We are also told in this passage that "kings of the earth will bring their glory into it" and that "they will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations." This brings all sorts of questions regarding Heaven, but to boil it down this is where the "to think" definition of glory comes into play. What John is describing here is that finally those who received glory in life will ascribe it to God. The word translated "nations" is the same word translated "Gentiles" in other texts of the New Testament. In other words heaven is a place of indescribable beauty where everyone is thinking right about God.
Peter ends his second epistle with the words, "To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." This presents the challenge for us to not wait until we get to heaven to think correctly about God. It is my opinion that thinking correctly about God is the key to living right. Learn to ask yourself the question during times of decision, "what truth about God effects my choice?" The main issue then becomes to live in the glory of God means to live your life in accordance with right thoughts about God while enjoying His beauty.
Now that you have read this, view the video "Aaron Shust: "To God Alone" then add your two cents to the conversation.
Learning to think correctly,
Pastor Paul
This week at CONNECT we are continuing in our series "The Destiny of the Believer". The third message in this series is entitled "Filled With Glory" and will cover Revelation 21:9-27. This passage is the Apostle John's attempt to show us what Heaven will look like as revealed to him by an angel. What sticks out to me most about this passage is the use of the word "glory". Literally this word means "to think". In the New Testament it is used in regard to ascribing honor and praise as well as describing an event, place or person as dazzling.
This being the case, Heaven is described in dazzling beauty. We are also told in this passage that "kings of the earth will bring their glory into it" and that "they will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations." This brings all sorts of questions regarding Heaven, but to boil it down this is where the "to think" definition of glory comes into play. What John is describing here is that finally those who received glory in life will ascribe it to God. The word translated "nations" is the same word translated "Gentiles" in other texts of the New Testament. In other words heaven is a place of indescribable beauty where everyone is thinking right about God.
Peter ends his second epistle with the words, "To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." This presents the challenge for us to not wait until we get to heaven to think correctly about God. It is my opinion that thinking correctly about God is the key to living right. Learn to ask yourself the question during times of decision, "what truth about God effects my choice?" The main issue then becomes to live in the glory of God means to live your life in accordance with right thoughts about God while enjoying His beauty.
Now that you have read this, view the video "Aaron Shust: "To God Alone" then add your two cents to the conversation.
Learning to think correctly,
Pastor Paul
Thursday, July 8, 2010
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