Thursday, February 23, 2012

A Word to False Prophets

The serpent speaks with split tongue
Tells just enough truth to sell the lie
False prophets follow suit
Inspired by demons
Their appearances deceive
Outwardly they play the part
Spiritual leaders on display
Inwardly they wreak of death
By their fruit we know them

God's people do not masquerade
They speak the truth in love
With ears attentive to the Father's voice
They strive for purity of heart
Humility marks this army
Unlike the others puffed up and proud
Like a hot air balloon inflated with an icy blast

People of God are bound to the Bible
Doers of the word
Willing to die for their faith if needed
Though not perfect
They choose to follow Christ

You who masquerade
As champions of the faith
Forsake your wickedness
And turn to Jesus
The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Friday, February 17, 2012

Learning to Serve

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40

When I was just out of college, I found a summer job working as an aide at a school for those with intellectual disabilities. This proved to be hard and sometimes thankless work, but it wasn’t without its rewards. In this place, I learned a little of what it means to love those that are less fortunate. I remember one boy, who couldn’t verbally communicate, but who still had an enormous sense of humor. When he was on the bus or in the classroom, he would fix his eyes on someone and then imitate their posture and body movements. Once he had accomplished this, he would burst out laughing. And once I discovered what he was doing, I joined in the laughter.

Many times individuals with these kinds of disabilities are capable of great love. I know a young man with Down’s syndrome. He is a Christian and his brother is a minister of the gospel. This young man delights in hugging people. His love is sincere and contagious. I believe his hugging heals hearts.

Jesus said that we are to become like little children. Scripture also says that God uses the weak things of this world to confound the wise. We can choose to serve those that are less fortunate than us – whether intellectually, emotionally, or economically. We can also learn from them. Let’s keep an open heart to those around us that need God’s love. Let’s be careful not to treat them with disdain. Remember, Jesus left His throne of glory to come and live among us. Then He did the unthinkable: He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross (See Philippians 2:8). We can learn to serve others as Christ has served us.

Dear Lord,

Forgive me for sometimes judging those that are less fortunate than I am. Help me to treat them the way that You treat me. Help me to love them with Your love. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

From the Dust

From the dust of the earth man was formed
Creator God breathed out miracle-life
Adam, crafted into the image of Jehovah with a word
Adam, spotted with fingerprints of the Divine

But soon the man and his helpmate ate of forbidden fruit
The clay was severely jarred
Their God-likeness marred
They fell headfirst into the abyss of selfishness

But God made a way
To reclaim His race
Christ’s blood reclaimed
Fallen man’s disgrace

We that hearken unto Jesus
Find His forgiveness frees us

Now the clay is restored
To its former beauty
Vessels of honor
Carrying the glory

His image shines through
When all is calm
When we suffer for the King
His glorious light is more vividly revealed

After dust returns to dust
We will bask in the light of His face
Along with all the redeemed
This born again race
With new bodies we’ll reign
Under God Sovereign

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

A Prayerful Challenge Update

I have been praying for a family that lives near me. Today, I bought Pillsbury cookie dough – the kind that comes in a tube. Although I'm not the greatest around the kitchen, I think I can handle baking some delicious treats for my neighbors. I may see if my wife, Lou, would like to help. She doesn't always like me fooling around in the kitchen. I tend to make a mess when I cook, but I always clean up when I'm finished.

My goal is simply to be a blessing to them. They are kind people. I may include a tract that I have written with the plate. The tract tells the gospel story in a winsome way. I am not interested in pushing them to come to Christ. I just want to show them Christ love and gently point the way. Have you thought of someone who you could be a blessing to?  Remember, you are the light of the world.

Blessings,

Tom

Saturday, February 11, 2012

The Body

We are the light of the world
The light is composed of a myriad of colors
We are the body of Christ
The body has many parts
Many functions

None of us are the same
We each play a part
In the performance of the Divine drama

We are kingdom makers
Instruments in His symphony

Let us lift up each other
For none is insignificant
All are worth the Son

Many races
Many faces
Make up this body
We sing for the glory of the One
Who is Light
We are the colors
Of this Light

Let us display His glory
As one
For He prayed that we'd be one
Jesus cried out for us
To be one body

One force
Made up of a multitude of faces
Reflecting His glory
For as one
We are greater than the sum
Of each member

Friday, February 10, 2012

Blessed to Be a Blessing

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you. I will make your name great and you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:1-2

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:29

Those that belong to Christ are heirs of the promises of God. Jesus has given us all things (See 1 Corinthians 3:21). We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (See Ephesians 1:3). Although our lives may not always seem to reflect these realities, they are nevertheless true. Our position in Christ is that of a child showered with abundance. Our baskets are full to overflowing.

God desires to meet our every need. He wants to encompass us with great blessings. One of the reasons for this is so that we can be a blessing to someone else. We are blessed to be a blessing. We are conduits of His power and grace, channels of His love, peace, and material supply. If our heart is bent on helping others, our Lord will see that His blessing is manifested in our lives. Jesus always gives seed to the sower (See 2 Corinthians 9:10).

Let's learn to see the Father as a good God. Let's remember that it was He who sent His son to die for us. His love is limitless. Although this is true, God's blessing does not come to us automatically. Abram, who God later named Abraham, did not receive the blessing until he took a step of obedient faith. Abram left his country to follow the Lord's leading. We too must obey the Lord's voice. We must follow His leading. The promises of God can never be earned, but they are realized when we get into the proper position. This means we must follow the Lord's direction, and it means we must walk by faith.

This year let's lay hold of God's promises to us not only so we can be blessed, but also so that we might be a blessing to others. Let the Lord lead you to be a blessing to someone today. Whether it's a heartfelt prayer, a kind word, the sharing of your testimony, or a timely gift given in secret, your act of kindness can touch a life. Let's endeavor to be channels of His blessings to others.

Dear Father God,


I believe You are always good to me. You have promised me wonderful things. Help me to receive all that you have for me, and help me to follow You through your written word and through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Lord, I desire to be a blessing to others. Help me to give to others what you have given me. Show me who I could be a blessing to this very day. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Pray and Obey

Have you prayed about who you could influence for the kingdom? Remember we are not responsible for the results. All we have to do is pray for the unsaved and be a light to them. We are to leave the ultimate outcome in the Lord's hands. Please read below. This is something the Lord spoke to me today. I believe it will encourage you.

My Son,


I have chosen you along with the rest of My body to represent Me. You were made to bring Me glory - to set the captives free. Yes, pray for those in darkness. Pray, Pray, Pray!  Then, let your light shine. Many are hanging in the balance. They need your effort to help them to move into My presence. They need to make the shift from dark to light. Be not afraid of them; they are people just like you. They deserve to know My story. My grace reaches out to them. My grace reaches out to the ends of the earth. Pray, pray, and obey. And I will use you to bring them in, says the Lord.