We are blessed beyond our comprehension living here in America. Our standard of life is so far above that of the majority of the world population. We rarely remember that during the day to day.
James 4:10 tells us to 'humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and he will lift us up'
If we can realize how blessed we are, determine the one thing that we love the most and make the decision to refrain from it then the Lord will raise us up in exchange for our humility.
Please note Matthew 6 in regard to fasting as well as humility:
16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.[d]
As we fast next week, let us do it secretly. Don't tell anyone that you are fasting. This can come across as if your are bringing glory to yourself. The act of fasting should be between you and God as an avenue to increase your personal relationship with him.
In reference to gluttony, Matthew 19:24 states:
"Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Why is this true?
How did the rest of this story play out and why did the rich young ruler decline Jesus' demand?
Please determine what you are going to refrain from starting this Wed night. We will be doing a group fast so that we can not only pray for ourselves but also the entire group.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Contentment
The human nature is to never be satisfied. We are always looking to improve our social status, our wordly possessions, our appetites, and to keep up with the neighbors.
Why is that? How can we learn to be happy with what we have?
1 timothy 6:
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain[c] we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
---
Post Away
Why is that? How can we learn to be happy with what we have?
1 timothy 6:
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain[c] we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Phillipians 4:10....
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ[b] who strengthens me.---
Post Away
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Integrity
Integrity can be described as a series of principles that we hold ourselves accountable for. "Think - Say - Do" is the model in which integrity is generally perceived. If we do what we say, and say what we think, we can be considered a person of integrity.
So as you can see, by definition, one can be considered to have integrity but not necessarily be a Christian. Biblical Integrity is based upon the principles given to us from the gospels. Integrity in this sense can be seen throughout the entire bible.
'Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking"
“Honesty is telling others the truth, integrity is telling myself the truth”
=====================================================
Find examples of integrity demonstrated throughout the bible.
What are some characteristics of Integrity?
What are some situations that we may face on a daily basis that can compromise our integrity?
So as you can see, by definition, one can be considered to have integrity but not necessarily be a Christian. Biblical Integrity is based upon the principles given to us from the gospels. Integrity in this sense can be seen throughout the entire bible.
'Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking"
“Honesty is telling others the truth, integrity is telling myself the truth”
=====================================================
Find examples of integrity demonstrated throughout the bible.
What are some characteristics of Integrity?
What are some situations that we may face on a daily basis that can compromise our integrity?
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Boldness
Wikipedia defines boldness:
Boldness is an opposite of shyness. A bold person may be willing to risk shame or rejection in social situations, and willing to bend rules of etiquette or politeness. An excessively bold person could aggressively ask for money, or persistently push a person to fulfill some request, and so on. Excessive boldness may thus be regarded as impertinence or arrogance. Outside a social context, "boldness" can also refer to a willingness to get things done, even despite risks, and is therefore broadly synonymous with bravery.
Why is it crucial for us to be BOLD?!
Take a look at this clip:
As you can see, there is a growing trend to slowly remove God from society. It is up to Christians everywhere to stop being politically correct and start professing God as much as possible.
----
What are some examples of boldness being portrayed in the Bible?
What does it take to have that confidence?
Let's weigh the consequences of being bold vs NOT being bold? Are they legitimate enough to even worry about?
Is there ever a situation where we can be TOO BOLD?
Boldness is an opposite of shyness. A bold person may be willing to risk shame or rejection in social situations, and willing to bend rules of etiquette or politeness. An excessively bold person could aggressively ask for money, or persistently push a person to fulfill some request, and so on. Excessive boldness may thus be regarded as impertinence or arrogance. Outside a social context, "boldness" can also refer to a willingness to get things done, even despite risks, and is therefore broadly synonymous with bravery.
Why is it crucial for us to be BOLD?!
Take a look at this clip:
As you can see, there is a growing trend to slowly remove God from society. It is up to Christians everywhere to stop being politically correct and start professing God as much as possible.
----
What are some examples of boldness being portrayed in the Bible?
What does it take to have that confidence?
Let's weigh the consequences of being bold vs NOT being bold? Are they legitimate enough to even worry about?
Is there ever a situation where we can be TOO BOLD?
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Relationships
Ok, so here are some possible things to consider about our topic next week on relationships:
1. Relocation - Keeping track of old ones and making new ones
2. Which ones to maintain and when to end them.
3. Dating relationships - How to manage them while undertaking a career/life change
4. Family relationships
This is just a short list that I had in mind. Be thinking of verses and applications from the
Bible. I'll input more info later on.
1. Relocation - Keeping track of old ones and making new ones
2. Which ones to maintain and when to end them.
3. Dating relationships - How to manage them while undertaking a career/life change
4. Family relationships
This is just a short list that I had in mind. Be thinking of verses and applications from the
Bible. I'll input more info later on.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Managing Time
Ok, this is the first post and its on a topic that I need the most right now
To start, I think we need to first think about why there is a need to manage time. I sometimes wonder if people in earlier centuries really had this problem. They most likely had quite the opposite issue of having too much time. Only in the past few decades has the issue of managing time become something to worry about.
I'm thinking the main reason we are too busy is because:
A) We are in a career that requires us to climb that ladder quickly
B) Trying to get out of school as fast as possible
C) Majoring in a degree that is very complex (doctor, lawyer, etc)
D) Entrepreneurship and having to work extra hard to get your company on its feet before it goes under
E) Planning an event or party
I can't really think of too many more right now but from looking at the list it seems that it all boils down to money and making a living. Now if I were a farmer, I may have time management issues such as planting seed before the raining season hits or gathering my crops in time before winter hits, but in general this would probably not cause that much stress.
There are a few passages that come to my mind immediately:
Matthew 6: 25-33
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
James 1: 9-11:
Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
These both talk about not worrying about life and about pursuing earthly things that will vanish away. I think that Matt 6 really hits the nail on the head when it says in vs33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and ALL these things shall be added unto you"
If we seek God in all that we do, if he is in every thought throughout the day, the spirit will make our decisions for us. Managing time is not about how your going to fit all those appointments in, its how God is going to work in your life at HIS time.
I sometimes feel that I'm just a passenger in this path that I'm taking. Many look at how hard I'm working right now and think; "Man, Bryan is trying to do WAY too much" But in my eyes, I'm loving every minute of it. I'm seeing my prayers answered daily with every new customer that walks in, every person that says "Bryan, I appreciate you building a place for our kids to come hang out, have fun, and enjoy themselves without alcohol" or "I'm glad you decided to offer fair trade coffee that supports the environement".
Time for me is very limited but at the same time, I know who is in control and I'm just here for the ride. I'll continue to fill you guys in about the spiritual growth that this 'Capture' venture has given me over the next couple of weeks. I don't want it to come across that I've got it figured out, because thats quite the opposite.
I'm going to stop typing now and send out this blog to all of you so that you can share your own situation and how managing your time is like.
To start, I think we need to first think about why there is a need to manage time. I sometimes wonder if people in earlier centuries really had this problem. They most likely had quite the opposite issue of having too much time. Only in the past few decades has the issue of managing time become something to worry about.
I'm thinking the main reason we are too busy is because:
A) We are in a career that requires us to climb that ladder quickly
B) Trying to get out of school as fast as possible
C) Majoring in a degree that is very complex (doctor, lawyer, etc)
D) Entrepreneurship and having to work extra hard to get your company on its feet before it goes under
E) Planning an event or party
I can't really think of too many more right now but from looking at the list it seems that it all boils down to money and making a living. Now if I were a farmer, I may have time management issues such as planting seed before the raining season hits or gathering my crops in time before winter hits, but in general this would probably not cause that much stress.
There are a few passages that come to my mind immediately:
Matthew 6: 25-33
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
James 1: 9-11:
Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
These both talk about not worrying about life and about pursuing earthly things that will vanish away. I think that Matt 6 really hits the nail on the head when it says in vs33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and ALL these things shall be added unto you"
If we seek God in all that we do, if he is in every thought throughout the day, the spirit will make our decisions for us. Managing time is not about how your going to fit all those appointments in, its how God is going to work in your life at HIS time.
I sometimes feel that I'm just a passenger in this path that I'm taking. Many look at how hard I'm working right now and think; "Man, Bryan is trying to do WAY too much" But in my eyes, I'm loving every minute of it. I'm seeing my prayers answered daily with every new customer that walks in, every person that says "Bryan, I appreciate you building a place for our kids to come hang out, have fun, and enjoy themselves without alcohol" or "I'm glad you decided to offer fair trade coffee that supports the environement".
Time for me is very limited but at the same time, I know who is in control and I'm just here for the ride. I'll continue to fill you guys in about the spiritual growth that this 'Capture' venture has given me over the next couple of weeks. I don't want it to come across that I've got it figured out, because thats quite the opposite.
I'm going to stop typing now and send out this blog to all of you so that you can share your own situation and how managing your time is like.
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