What Kind of Example Are You? (4)

               

'...Be an example...in love' 1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

When Paul told Timothy to "be an example in love," Paul was preparing Timothy for one of the hardest lessons in life. Loving others! Jesus said: 'Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be the sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.' (Luke 6:35-36 NKJV) Such words bring us to our knees, for we fall far short of practicing them. The pastor of a large church tells of being on an elevator with a drunk man who was throwing up. The pastor couldn't wait to get off. All the way to his room he kept criticizing the man. Later that night God spoke to him and said, 'You laughed at him, but I loved him enough to die for him.' Watch your attitude! The same sunshine that melts the butter hardens the clay. When you constantly deal with people's problems, it will make you either callous or compassionate. In spite of His disappointment in people, Jesus never lost His sense of compassion. Love isn't a virus that you catch, it's a virtue you're supposed to practice every day. And there's a divine dimension to this kind of love. '...the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.' (Romans 5:5 NKJV) You can't reach into the well of your own emotions to find such love; you can only take the love of God that's been poured into your heart and share it with others. And if you are to serve God successfully, you must have regular transfusions of His love. That's why being a part of the body of Christ is so important. You need to be around others who are learning this love language the same as you...you are loved!

What Kind of Example Are You? (3)

               
'...Be an example...in conduct' 1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

I love this quote by Seneca, the Roman statesman, he said, 'I govern my life and thoughts as though the world were to see one and read the other.' You can always predict what a person of integrity will do in two areas: (1) In business. Saying 'no' to your boss usually isn't a good career move. But when faced with a choice between his career and his convictions, Daniel refused to eat the king's meat because it was a violation of God's law (Daniel 1:8-17). Joseph refused to sleep with the boss's wife (Genesis 39:6-12). Elisha refused to accept a rich man's money in exchange for healing (2 Kings 5:1-16). Getting the idea? This dosen't give you freedom not to work and do what the boss says. But when it comes to violations of Gods word, then we have a choice to make. (2) At home. Noah saved his family from destruction by listening to God (Hebrews 11:7). And the first thing he did when he emerged from the ark was to build an altar. Think about that! Noah had an altar before he had a home. What that means is he set up church first! Most of us have homes, but no prayer altar, and it shows! Lot, on the other hand, lost his wife and his sons-in-law to the destructive influences of Sodom (Genesis 19:14-26). Today issues of character that once raised alarm don't even raise an eyebrow. But they should. '...I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.' (Romans 12:1-2 NLT) You are loved!

What Kind of Example Are You? (2)

               

'...Be an example...in...speech' 1 Timothy 4:12 GNT
It's nice to say, 'Be an example,' but in what specific areas? For the next few days let's look at some of them: 'Be an example...in speech.' Go back and read what Paul says to Timothy before this: 'Don't let anybody look down on you because...' When you speak, your credibility is at stake. Solomon says, 'Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.' (Proverbs 29:20 NKJV) The trouble with words is, once they're spoken their impact is felt either positively or negatively-and you can't take them back! You can say you're sorry, but you may have to rebuild your credibility with the person you spoke to, or about. Here's the litmus test for your words, and it's a high standard: 'May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord...' (Psalm 19:14 NLT) A poet wrote: 'A careless word may kindle strife; a cruel word may wreck a life. A gracious word may soothe the way, a joyous word may light the day. A timely word may lessen stress, a loving word may heal and bless.' So today let your words be faith-building, for people battle with doubt and fear. Let your words be comforting, for people have wounds you cannot see. Let your words be uplifting, for people get torn down by criticism and discouragement. Let your words be calming, for God has promised to bless you if you are a peacemaker. And let your words be character-building; that way you'll leave people better off than you found them. You are loved...

What Kind of Example Are You? (1)

               
'...Be an example' 1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

Wonderful Monday morning to everyone. As I looked back at yesterday's service I broke down with emotion at what God did in our midst. We had the operation of his gifts in many areas break forth. The adult single group got off to a great start yesterday @the informational meeting. Please pray for Mary as she leads this task and her heart for wisdom on how to do it. Pray for Mike who gave his heart to Christ, Kelly Rees sister who needs her saviors touch, for Kent and his family, and many others who shared the Spirit's moving in their lives. God has placed the need to share these things with you so you will take a active part in what He's doing @CFW. Amazing how big our God is when we grasp the vision of who He is...

One of the scriptures I used yesterday was out of 1 Timothy 4:12. Paul told Timothy not to neglect his gift but be an example to everyone. Andrew Murray wrote, 'God has no more precious gift...than a man who lives as an embodiment of His will, and inspires those around him with the faith of what grace can do.' When Paul writes, 'Be an example,' he means 'be a role model.' The first car off the assembly line is a prototype of all that follows. Dressmakers study the pattern, and then design the garment accordingly. The word ideal sounds lofty, and it is. But even if you don't achieve the ideal, it should still be your goal. What Paul was saying to young Timothy was, 'When you talk about Jesus, people should see so much of Him in your life that they desire to know Him. When you talk about faith, the evidence of it should be so compelling that they want to live by it.'
Bruce Carroll sings: 'I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I'd rather one should walk with me than merely show the way. Actions speak much louder than all that words can say. That's why I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day.' Lectures may be wise and true but it's better for people to learn through seeing it lived out, rather than hearing words spoken. Words may be misunderstood but a life of love is difficult to misinterpret. You are loved...

Doing God's Will

               
'I desire to do Your will, O my God' Psalm 40:8 NIV

This Sunday we will begin Part two in the series "Power for Life." This week we'll be looking at God's spiritual gifts to us. Many ask the question, 'if I desire the gifts and God gives them to me, what's next?' Often when we start out ministering to others, we dream of doing earth-changing things and the thought of tackling them intimidates us. How do we use our gifts and not be intimidated? It's simple, just do God's will for you! Try to start small. Don't try to help everyone, just try to help someone! Do that, and in time you may find yourself living what Francis of Assisi described when he said, 'Start doing what is necessary; then do what is possible; and suddenly, you are doing the impossible.' Even if you never get to do big things, you can find great fulfillment in doing right things. No act of kindness is too small to be worth doing. John Maxwell writes: 'Little did I realize when I started with a desire to add significance to others, that it would add significance to me! Now I understand. We should not receive anything without giving, and we cannot give anything without receiving.' The truth is, your dream isn't worthy of your life if it doesn't bless others. President Woodrow Wilson stated: 'You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.' There's an old Middle Eastern blessing that says, 'When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. May you live your life so that when you die, the world will cry and you will rejoice.' And that will surely happen if you live by the Scriptural truth, 'I desire to do Your will, O my God.' You are loved...

Maximise This Day

'This is the day the Lord has made' Psalm 118:24 NKJV

Ever sang that song "This is the day, This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it?" I remember singing that song when I was younger and it always makes me smile and feel good inside. When I read Psalms 118 this morning it reminded me that God determines the number of our days, but we determine how they are spent. The Psalmist said, 'This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.' Yesterday is a cancelled check, tomorrow is a promissory note, today is all you've got. And you can begin your life over today, if you live by these words: 'Today I will delete from my diary two days-yesterday and tomorrow. Yesterday was for learning; tomorrow will be a consequence of what I do today. Today I will face life with the conviction that this day will never return, that it may be the last opportunity I'll have to contribute because there's no guarantee I'll see tomorrow. Today I will be courageous enough not to let opportunity pass me by; my only alternative will be to succeed. Today I will invest my most valuable resource, my time, into my most important possession, the life God has given me. I'll spend each minute purposefully, making today a unique opportunity. I'll tackle each obstacle knowing that with God's help I can overcome it. Today I will resist doubt and pessimism and warm my world with a smile. I'll maintain a strong faith, expect nothing but the best, take time to be happy, see every task as an opportunity to honor the Lord, and endeavour to leave His footprints on the hearts of those I meet.' So pray, 'Lord, help me to maximize this day.' You are loved...

Just Keep Chewing!

               
'...he struck three times, and stopped.' 2 Kings 13:18 NKJV

When threatened by the Assyrian army, Israel's king turned to the prophet Elisha for help. Elisha told him to take some arrows and keep striking them on the ground. But the king did it only three times and stopped. So Elisha was angry with him and said, '...You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times.' (2 Kings 13:19 NKJV) This is a story of partial victory, of what might have been if the king had put more into it. You see, it's not just the opportunity-it's often the attitude that meets the opportunity that determines the outcome. God will give you chances to win, but it's your commitment that determines the size of your victory. Paul writes, 'Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.' (Ephesians 6:7 NIV) The clock meant nothing to Paul because he was on a mission. 'I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may...complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me...' (Acts 20:24 NIV) People of impact live with that mindset. So here's the question: 'Is your heart in what you're doing? Are you giving it your all?' When Paul Hogan, who portrayed the movie character Crocodile Dundee, was asked how he became successful, he answered, 'The secret of my success is that I bit off more than I could chew, and chewed as fast as I could.' Visions don't come cheap or easy. The bigger your vision, the bigger the price-tag. I shared with you some of our vision on Sunday. Some of the big price-tag things. I've asked God how can we accomplish all these things? You know what He said, "trust your people with your vision and just keep chewing!" You are loved...