Thoughts and prayers

 

Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. Acts 12:5

You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers.” If you hear those words, you might wonder if the person really means it. But you never had to wonder when Edna Davis said them. Everyone in the small, one stoplight town knew of “Ms. Edna’s” yellow legal pad—page after page, lined with name after name. Early each morning the aging woman prayed out loud to God. Not everyone on her list received the answer to prayer they wanted, but several testified at her funeral that something God-sized had happened in their lives, and they credited it to the earnest prayers of Ms. Edna.

God demonstrated the power of prayer in Peter’s prison experience. After the apostle was seized by Herod’s men, thrown into prison, and then “guarded by four squads of four soldiers each” (Acts 12:4), his prospects looked bleak. But “the church was earnestly praying to God for him” (v. 5). They had Peter in their thoughts and prayers. What God did is simply miraculous! An angel appeared to Peter in prison, released him from his chains, and led him to safety beyond the prison gates (vv. 7–10).

It’s possible some may use “thoughts and prayers” without really meaning it. But our Father knows our thoughts, listens to our prayers, and acts on our behalf according to His perfect will. To be prayed for and to pray for others is no small thing when we serve the great and powerful God.

Sipping Saints

 

Some Christians think it is perfectly fine to drink alcohol, while others believe it is sinful to partake. Which view is correct?

Alcohol consumption is a tough topic because it is associated with both joyful and tragic situations. People go to weddings and special events and see those in attendance lifting glasses of champagne in celebration. Try finding a Super Bowl party where alcohol isn’t part of the festivities.

On the other hand, everyone reading this most likely knows someone who has been hurt in some way because of alcohol. You may live with an alcoholic or know someone who does. You may know a family whose relative has died in an accident caused by the consumption of alcohol.

What does the Bible have to say about the topic of alcohol use? Alcohol is not evil in itself. It is one of God’s good gifts that can be—and often is—abused (Psa. 104:14–15) For Christians, the use of alcohol generally falls between those who totally abstain and those who drink in moderation. There are verses to support both views, allow me to share why I abstain from alcohol use. I do not condemn or judge those who do drink in moderation. But allow me to share why I do not use alcohol:

1. Christians are called to be good stewards of the resources God has given us. I personally cannot support companies that sell alcohol as it destroys people's lives and families. I know that me refusing to purchase alcohol will not affect those companies' profits, but I must give an account of my stewardship.

2. The Bible calls for us to live in such a way as to leave a good testimony to an unbelieving world. Someone who knows I profess to know Christ, may see me purchasing alcohol and think I may drink to access. I may only one or two beers a week, but they don't see that. Romans 14:21

Believers who feel it is safer not to drink any alcohol have the freedom to abstain. Those who choose to drink alcoholic beverages must always do so responsibly doing no harm to others or themselves. We should always seek to bring honor to the Lord in all our activities. 1 Corinthians 10:31

What's In Your Jar

 “...so that he [Jesus Christ] might hold first place in everything. “Colossians 1:18

A philosophy professor once stood up before his class with a large empty mayonnaise jar. He filled the jar to the top with large rocks and asked his students if the jar was full. The students said that yes, the jar was indeed full.

He then added small pebbles to the jar, and gave the jar a bit of a shake so the pebbles could disperse themselves among the larger rocks. Then he asked again, “Is the jar full now?” Fewer students agreed that the jar was still full.

The professor then poured sand into the jar to fill up any remaining empty space. Less students agreed that the jar was completely full.

The professor went on to explain that the jar represents everything that is in one's life.

The rocks are equivalent to the most important things you have going on, such as spending time on your relationship with God, spending time with your family and maintaining your health. This means that if the pebbles and the sand were lost, the jar would still be full, and your life would still have meaning.

The pebbles represent the things in your life that matter, but that you could live without. Your job, house, hobbies, and friendships, but they are not critical for you to have a meaningful life. These things often come and go, and are not permanent or essential to your overall well-being.

Finally, the sand represents the remaining filler things in your life, and material possessions. This could be small things such as watching television, browsing through your favorite social media site, or running errands. These things don't mean much to your life as a whole and are likely only done to waste time. 

So, what's the big lesson with the rock, pebbles, and sand in a jar story?

The metaphor here is that if you start with putting sand into the jar, you will not have room for rocks or pebbles. This holds true with the things you let into your life. If you spend all of your time on the small and insignificant things, you will run out of room for the things that are actually important.

In order to have a more effective and efficient life, pay attention to the “rocks,” because they are critical to your long-ter

No Expiration Date

 

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35

When you buy food at the grocery store, particularly dairy products, do you check the expiration date? Occasionally I forget and discover several days or a week later that the milk remaining in the carton has expired and taken a turn for the worse. Or the formerly white cottage cheese has turned green, but not from envy.

These days virtually all consumable products – packaged lunch meat, canned goods, cereals, even over-the-counter drugs, have expiration dates. “Best when used by,” “sell by,” “best enjoyed thru,” or simply, “Exp. Date. Things get old. They spoil or get stale. They lose their usefulness.

We buy devices and they're out of date almost before we know how to use them. Planned obsolescence is standard in the technology industry. That's why I love the Bible. It's never out of date. People may think it is no longer relevant but I find just the opposite. Matthew 24:35

• Are you looking for wisdom on how to build a healthy marriage? You’ll find no greater advice than in the Scriptures. Ephesians 5:25-33

• What about handling finances? Proverbs 22:7

• Wondering how to raise kids? Proverbs 22:6

• Wanting to know how to succeed in the workplace? Colossians 3:23

How is it that almost everything around us has time restrictions and limitations, but the Bible doesn't? I believe the reason is simple: Eternal truth has no expiration date.

Unlike passing fads and slang vocabulary, the truths about life transcend time, culture and trends. Just as gravity is a physical constant, truth about human nature – especially truth found in the Scriptures – is equally constant and unchanging. 

Are You Real?

 

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these...And he [Jesus] took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:13-14; 16

Scripture repeatedly tells us that God highly values children. He warns us, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matthew 18:6 This warning to those who would cause a child to sin is severe, and it is a reminder of our responsibility before the Lord for our children. It is vitally important that parents live an authentic Christian life before their children. Our profession of faith must match our lifestyle.

I personally knew a very gift man who was asked to resign his church due to alcohol addiction. Recently, he was sentenced to 10 years for improperly touching a 12 year-old girl. This man has a wife who stood by him as a battled his addiction and several beautiful children.

While I am concerned for him personally, I am extremely concerned for his family. I have seen too many children who saw a contradiction in their parent's behavior at church and their behavior at home. As a result, they grow up angry, bitter, and leave the church.

But when children see parents that are living lives that match their testimony; they will be drawn to the Savior and His Church.

Being Open-Handed

 Therefore, I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be lent to the LORD.” So, they worshiped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:28

One of the most difficult lessons that parents have to learn is to hold their children with open hands because they belong to the Lord. Hannah is the ultimate picture of the “open-handed” parent. She had vowed that she would give her son back to the LORD “all the days of his life” (1 Sam. 1:11). Hannah fulfilled her promise by bringing her son Samuel to live and serve in the tabernacle. The word “lent” used here means to give unconditionally in dedication to the Lord.

Therefore, I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.

In Luke 2, we see another example of parents giving their child to the Lord when Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem. In doing this, they were not only affirming God’s prior claim on the child’s life, but committing themselves to raise him in God’s ways. We as parents should follow the same example in dedicating our children to the Lord. How God chooses to use them is not for us to decide, but He allows us to partner with Him in directing our children toward His purpose.

Praying For A Godly Marriage

 

He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22

In his last days, the great patriarch Abraham primary concern was that his son marry a woman of the same 0faith. Genesis 24 The command to marry only within their faith was repeated to Israel throughout the Old Testament. Deut. 7:3; Nehemiah 13:25 The result of intermarriage were devastating. King Solomon married many foreign wives and as a result he no longer “wholly” followed the Lord. 1 Kings 11:1,4 The theme continues in the New Testament: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” 2 Cor. 6:14

We no longer live in a culture where parents arrange their children's marriages. But we can pray for their marriage partners. My wife and I prayed continually that God would send godly people into our children's lives so that as they will have partners in faith and life who will strengthen their hearts in the Lord.