Jesus Wants the Rose

... shouldn't we?

If so, why do we say it and not act upon it enough?

"And in the same way, wasn't Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by a different route? For just as the body without the Spirit is dead, so also is faith without works dead."
James 2:25-26

Hmmm...

I wonder what Jesus thought the first time He had a bad headache?
...And how many He had during His ministry?

Giving

This is a sermon from Andy Stanley which he preached earlier this month. Please take some time to watch it while eating leftovers today. It is well worth the 30 minutes, and an excellent message for any time of the year, but particularly the season.

Andy Stanley 9.8.09

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

"And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful."  Colossians 3:15

One Thing I Am Not Thankful For

If Thanksgiving is to be about "Giving Thanks" why do we stress so much about preparations and buying? We can't even be all that thankful when it's over because Black Friday looms to herald in the Christmas Credit Crunch.

Please take some time this Thanksgiving to stop, relax, and thank God for His bountiful blessings. If you can't think of any, ask Him - and then listen.
Then be thankful that He listens and answers!

What Is Love?

"You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you... For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same?"   Matthew 5:43-44, 46


"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31


"Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold."  Matthew 24:12


"I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."  John13:34-35


"Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor."  Romans 12:9-10


"Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law." Romans 13:10


"Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love."  1 Corinthians 13:13


"But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head -- Christ. From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part."  Ephesians 4:15-16


"Above all, [put on] love -- the perfect bond of unity."  Colossians 3:14


"And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, "  Philippians 1:9


"And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you. "  1 Thessalonians 3:12


"Above all, keep your love for one another at full strength, since love covers a multitude of sins. "  1 Peter 4:8


"This is how God's children -- and the Devil's children -- are made evident.Whoever does not do what is right is not of God, especially the one who does not love his brother."   1 John 3:10


"Little children, we must not love in word or speech, but in deed and truth;"  1 John 3:18


"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19


All these are to remind us to pray we will hear this: 
"I know your works -- your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. Your last works are greater than the first." Revelation 2:19 


...and not this.  
 "But I have this against you: you have abandoned the love [you had] at first." Revelation 2:4 

So Out Of My Box There Was No Shape

I had an amazing experience in worship yesterday morning! 

Never have I felt the presence of the Lord so strongly for such a distinct period of time. There was a very limited portion of the message where His presence was so strong and pressing, I could hardly breathe. Tears came to my eyes and I had to gasp a few times for breath. If I hadn't been raised Baptist and been in a Baptist church, I would have fallen on the floor prostrate: I almost did anyway! How I should have!

The Lord spoke very boldly to me through this. It was not necessarily an audible voice. The best way I can describe it is by saying I was sitting in a room infused with His jelly of Truth. It was so thick and so obvious, I can find no other was to explain it. And just as quickly as it came, it went away. It was so powerful that I couldn't even comprehend it until later. I had no idea why He was there in that way, or what He was trying to say, but I do now. The Spirit wants to help us understand! And so He explained it to me. And I'm excitedly frightened. That just seems to be His way at times, isn't it?

Have you ever experienced the overwhelming presence of your Lord and Savior? If so, don't forget the lesson or comfort He was giving you. If you haven't, ask Him for it. Day and night seek Him. I don't believe that it is something to be experienced on demand, or very often, but it is a blessing I believe He desires to bestow upon us. Trust me, if He can be so gracious to me, He certainly can to you!