Category Archives: Messages

An Offering to God First

Ravi Zacharias, a Christian speaker and author, said during one of his presentations, “Before this was a presentation to you (his audience,) it was an offering to God.”

This is a powerful way to look at our work, no matter what we do. God gave us the skills and talents we have, and using them to the best of our ability to provide service and value to others is giving an offering to God.

Paul writes in Colossians 3:23, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” And in Ephesians 2:10 he writes, ” For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Dear Lord, thank you for the gifts and talents you have given us. Help us remember that you gave them to us to glorify You and serve each other. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Avoid The Four C’s

I have to thank my new friend and bible study member, Tom, for telling me about the four C’s. He said growing up he was taught to avoid the four C’s. It is a great reminder for all of us. The four C’s to avoid are; Criticizing, Complaining, Comparing, and Condemning.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:29 something similar, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

After avoiding the four C’s, we should then replace them with words that, as Paul tells us, are good, helpful and encouraging.

Dear Lord, It is very easy for us to speak before we think about the effects of our words. Help us remember the power of our words and make them good, helpful and encouraging to others, and ourselves. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Not A Salesperson?

Some people are born “Sales People,” they have no trouble spending lots of time trying to convince someone else of their idea, sell them their product, or in the case of Christianity, walk through the neighborhood knocking on doors telling people the Good News. Praise the Lord for those folks! For the rest of us, the idea of being “pushy” with our faith seems impolite and overbearing.

Good news for us introverts, the bible tells us that just living as a good example is witnessing. Among other passages, 1 Peter 2:12 says “live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he returns.” In 1 Peter 3:15 Peter writes ” always be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks the reason for the hope you have.”

So one way to witness is to live as a good example and be prepared to talk about your hope and faith when you are asked.

Dear Lord, help us feel the immortal value of our hope in you and be anxious and prepared to share it with others when the opportunity arises. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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Integrity and Honesty

The famous investor Warren Buffet is quoted saying, “Somebody once said that in looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if you don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.”

Solomon was a couple thousand years ahead of him, writing in Proverbs 19:1-2, “Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool. Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.”

Without honesty and integrity being smart and enthusiastic will eventually lead us into trouble.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the wisdom of Solomon, and help us to have the courage to have integrity and honesty. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Our Pride and Joy

You have probably heard people use the expression when discussing something of great value to them, “..it is my pride and joy.”

Paul uses this expression in NLT translation of 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 when speaking about the congregation in Thessaloníca. He says, “After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy.”

What a great way to think about those whose lives we have the opportunity to influence for their salvation, our children, siblings, parents, other relatives, and friends. They are our Pride and Joy.

Dear Lord, help us see the great importance and joy of influencing and supporting others in their faith journey. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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