Monday, December 19, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, Philippians 2:6-9














What a gracious, loving Savior we have. May Jesus be exalted in your Christmas celebration. We hope and pray you have a joyful and blessed Christmas.
          David and Charlyn

Monday, December 12, 2011

TIS THE SEASON FOR WISDOM

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2 (NLT)

To have been able to find Jesus, to even know about Him and being from a far country, and to be sensitive to the Lord God’s leadership – the wise men must have been very learned and well-read men. They were wise.

God says we should be wise. He wants us to learn and grow. He tells us to add to our learning and be instructed. He says that revering Him is the gateway to knowledge of true knowledge. “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance, … The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:5, 7.

What are you reading this holiday season that will make you wiser? I know it’s a busy time of the year, but if we’re going to keep our perspective and balance we need to take the time to nurture our souls. It’s wise to become knowledgeable of God’s ways and to follow them.

Monday, December 5, 2011

HEALTHY CONSCIENCE

The Apostle Paul served God with a clear conscience. He said in his letter to Timothy, “I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience”, 2 Timothy 1:3. The conscience is a powerful part of each one of us. According to Romans 2:15 (NLT) our conscience speaks to us, They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. Our conscience is one of the ways God directs our words and actions.

If the conscience is stifled, resisted, or denied, not only will sin increase but emotional health will be sacrificed. Spiritual and emotional health diminish. The world’s ways which are expressed in very influential ways through our current culture push many people to go against their consciences. A self-focused attitude is loudly proclaimed, and would seem to drown out the voice of conscience.

However if the voice of conscience is muzzled enough, it can become deaf, blind, and speechless to truth. We become deluded. Not only do we become sick individuals – spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and relationally – our society becomes sick as well. Or should I say our society IS sick and unhealthy. It’s in desperate need of truth.

Jesus said, "…know the truth, and the truth will set you free", John 8:32. The truth is what sets us free from our delusional selves. The truth is what frees up our conscience so that we can become healthy.

So what’s the key to knowing the truth? In verse 31 Jesus begins by saying “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, …” John 8:31. The key is to live as a disciple of Jesus, a follower of Him and His teaching. It means to believe in Him such that you learn how to live from Him. You learn life from Him. You actually get life from Him. That is the way to truth which sets our consciences free from self-deceit, from delusional thinking, from emotional pain, and from oppressive on-going guilt.

Guess who has been given the responsibility to express the truth? It’s been given to the church. Whether our society realizes it or not, it needs the church. It’s the agent through which Jesus makes more disciples.

As disciples of Jesus, we must serve Him with a clear conscience. Here are some of the ways a clear conscience can make you healthy and strong:

A clear conscience:

• makes you courageous to tell others about the difference Jesus has made in your life (Acts 23:1)

• leads to right conduct toward the world and toward other believers in Christ (2 Cor. 1:12)

• is necessary in order to love others (1 Tim. 1:5)

• is needed to fight the good fight of spiritual warfare (1 Tim. 1:19)

• is needed to serve in the church (1 Tim. 3:9)

• produces a pure character (1 Peter 3:16)

• is provided by the Lord (1 Peter 3:21)

• makes you competent and certain (Heb. 13:18)

A clear conscience must be worked at continually. Paul said in Acts 24:16, “I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” Make it a priority to have and maintain a clear conscience. It is a powerful part of who you are and who you become.