I shouldn't be surprised about this, but just as I started a series on work...work started getting really hard. My attitude last week was terrible at work. Really the two greatest helps for me have been the passages that Andrew and Keith shared while giving their testimonies at ABF the last couple weeks.
Andrew shared:
Proverbs 16: 9 The heart of man plans his way,
but the LORD establishes his steps.
Keith shared:
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
You guys helped remind me that God ordained the difficult times for my good and His glory!
I'll write more later on our "approach to work" in future posts...but let me give this to you as a word of encouragement. The promises in the passages that you cling to are sweet to encourage other brothers and sisters in Christ. Share what drives you and it will encourage others greatly.
Andrew and Keith...you guys are awesome. I'm more motivated to seek Christ this week because of your testimonies! Thank you!
We need to keep practicing and sharing our testimonies. There's nothing more contagious than a grace that has been truly tasted and then shared!
In Christ
Noah
Monday, March 27, 2006
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Work: Part One
Here's a question for the rest of the week.
Am I content at work?
Ask yourself that question.
Initially, I would answer yes, but if I look into my heart more I see by my thoughts, actions and emotions that I'm not. If I view every aspect of my life as a God glorifying opportunity, I have to admit my attitude at work, a lot of times, is not aimed at pleasing God.
I look forward to the weekends...is that bad? In a sense I would say, "Yes," and in another sense I would say, "No." It's good that I look forward to enjoying my time away from work, but I need to look forward to my time at work in the same way. It is an opportunity to take joy in serving the Lord there.
More to come on this one...this is one of the ways I think the flesh, Satan, and the world can steel our joy in Christ.
Are you content at work? Ask yourself why or why not?
Am I content at work?
Ask yourself that question.
Initially, I would answer yes, but if I look into my heart more I see by my thoughts, actions and emotions that I'm not. If I view every aspect of my life as a God glorifying opportunity, I have to admit my attitude at work, a lot of times, is not aimed at pleasing God.
I look forward to the weekends...is that bad? In a sense I would say, "Yes," and in another sense I would say, "No." It's good that I look forward to enjoying my time away from work, but I need to look forward to my time at work in the same way. It is an opportunity to take joy in serving the Lord there.
More to come on this one...this is one of the ways I think the flesh, Satan, and the world can steel our joy in Christ.
Are you content at work? Ask yourself why or why not?
Friday, March 10, 2006
Purpose??
I'm just posting a few thoughts that came to mind as I was reflecting on my purpose.
Probably 4 months ago we were told to write down what our purpose was at the request of Bob Stouffer at Crosstrainers. Here's what I wrote, "To light a fire for Christ in an awakening of faith in Des Moines." I can think of a million ways that I have fallen short, but I can also see a few ways that God is giving me the strength to step up to the challenge more and more. Also, I don't know that this is my sole purpose for my entire life...but right now by the strength God gives me this is what I try to do wherever I am.
The question is how would you respond to this question? What is your purpose in Christ? Here, now, Lord willing in the Future? If you have any thoughts or ideas put a response out there.
I thought we might be able to get some dialogue going:) If not that's cool.
In Christ
Noah
Probably 4 months ago we were told to write down what our purpose was at the request of Bob Stouffer at Crosstrainers. Here's what I wrote, "To light a fire for Christ in an awakening of faith in Des Moines." I can think of a million ways that I have fallen short, but I can also see a few ways that God is giving me the strength to step up to the challenge more and more. Also, I don't know that this is my sole purpose for my entire life...but right now by the strength God gives me this is what I try to do wherever I am.
The question is how would you respond to this question? What is your purpose in Christ? Here, now, Lord willing in the Future? If you have any thoughts or ideas put a response out there.
I thought we might be able to get some dialogue going:) If not that's cool.
In Christ
Noah
Saturday, March 04, 2006
ABF lesson (2/26/06): Jesus/Atonement
Teaching points from ABF on 2/26/06.
I. Who is Jesus Christ?
(1) Fully man
• Jesus was a man in all respects accept one... He was sinless!
o 2Co 5:21
o 1Pe 2:22
o 1Jo 3:5
o Heb 4:15
(2) Fully God
• Jesus is God
o Col 2:9
• He is the great I AM!
o Exo 3:14
o Isa 44:6
o Joh 8:58
• Alpha an the Omega
o Isa 44:6
o Rev 1:8
o Rev 22:12-13
II. What is the Atonement? Mat 1:21 … “he will save his people from their sins."
(1) No man can save other men from their sin
• Psa 49:7-8
(2) By His wounds I am healed
• 1Pe 2:24
(3) He was made sin for our sake
• 2Co 5:21
(4) Jesus became a curse for us.
• Gal 3:13; Pro 17:15
(5) The result of the atonement
• Mat 1:21 … "he will save his people from their sins."
• Col 1:13-14 "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
I. Who is Jesus Christ?
(1) Fully man
• Jesus was a man in all respects accept one... He was sinless!
o 2Co 5:21
o 1Pe 2:22
o 1Jo 3:5
o Heb 4:15
(2) Fully God
• Jesus is God
o Col 2:9
• He is the great I AM!
o Exo 3:14
o Isa 44:6
o Joh 8:58
• Alpha an the Omega
o Isa 44:6
o Rev 1:8
o Rev 22:12-13
II. What is the Atonement? Mat 1:21 … “he will save his people from their sins."
(1) No man can save other men from their sin
• Psa 49:7-8
(2) By His wounds I am healed
• 1Pe 2:24
(3) He was made sin for our sake
• 2Co 5:21
(4) Jesus became a curse for us.
• Gal 3:13; Pro 17:15
(5) The result of the atonement
• Mat 1:21 … "he will save his people from their sins."
• Col 1:13-14 "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Friday, March 03, 2006
Babies Laughing
I saw this at Justin Taylor's blog and I know you'll all enjoy.
Make sure you have the audio on (headphones or speakers). This clip of laughing babies is the cutest thing I think I've seen!
Go here to see the clip!!!!!
Make sure you have the audio on (headphones or speakers). This clip of laughing babies is the cutest thing I think I've seen!
Go here to see the clip!!!!!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
What does the leaven/yeast represent? (Mark 8:15)
Leaven is an ingredient (yeast is a kind of leaven) in cooking that is often used to represent an influence of something in our lives spiritually or in general. The leaven causes dough to rise by fermentation (the process by which sugar is converted to carbon dioxide and alcohol...I know too much information:-). Leaven is also an element, influence, or agent that works subtly to lighten, enliven, or modify a whole (from dictionary.com).
It is usually used as an illustration in regards to either a good influence:
Matthew 13:33: He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”
or bad influence
Matthew 16:6 : Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Basically in Mark 8:15 the leaven of Herod and of the Pharisees might be an example of what Quintin was preaching about from Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ,” last Sunday.
A philosophy that takes captive or empty deceit is the opposite of what Colossians 2:7 says, “established in the faith, just as you were taught.” So cling to Christ and faith, which we are taught in the Bible, in order that the leaven of erroneous philosophies, that take captive, and empty deceitfulness won’t rule us.
A few verses come to mind:
Romans 8:15: For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Galatians 4:7 : So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 5:1: For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
In Christ we have a Spirit of adoption as sons of the living God, we are not slaves to sin, Christ has set us free from the slavery of these things. Let us fall in praise of God for His grace given through God the Son, Jesus Christ.
Ask yourself, "What is the leaven in my life?" I pray it's the kingdom of heaven and God's word!
It is usually used as an illustration in regards to either a good influence:
Matthew 13:33: He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”
or bad influence
Matthew 16:6 : Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Basically in Mark 8:15 the leaven of Herod and of the Pharisees might be an example of what Quintin was preaching about from Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ,” last Sunday.
A philosophy that takes captive or empty deceit is the opposite of what Colossians 2:7 says, “established in the faith, just as you were taught.” So cling to Christ and faith, which we are taught in the Bible, in order that the leaven of erroneous philosophies, that take captive, and empty deceitfulness won’t rule us.
A few verses come to mind:
Romans 8:15: For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Galatians 4:7 : So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 5:1: For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
In Christ we have a Spirit of adoption as sons of the living God, we are not slaves to sin, Christ has set us free from the slavery of these things. Let us fall in praise of God for His grace given through God the Son, Jesus Christ.
Ask yourself, "What is the leaven in my life?" I pray it's the kingdom of heaven and God's word!
Men's Bible Study on Mark 8
Here are a few questions (from Zach) to think about for the Bible study tonight:
(1) verses 11-13: How does ones faith play in this verse? Where were the hearts of the Pharisees?
(2) verses 14-16: What does the leaven/yeast mean?
(3) verses 17-32: Why would Peter confess that Jesus is Christ in verse 29 and then argue with Jesus’ plan?
(4) verse 33: Does Satan have to be present with you to affect your thinking? Or if you let him into your life, can he affect your focus in life?
(5) verses 34-35 What must take place for somebody to save their life by losing it?
I’ll write a little later regarding (2) What does the leaven/yeast mean, (4) Does Satan have to be present with you to affect your thinking, or if you let him into your life can he affect your focus in life?, and (5) What must take place for somebody to save their life by losing it?
In Christ
Noah
(UPDATE: I didn't have enough time this week to answer question 4 and 5. I tried, but my mind went down too many tangents to bring into a short/cohesive post to put on the blog, if your curious ask me sometime:)
(1) verses 11-13: How does ones faith play in this verse? Where were the hearts of the Pharisees?
(2) verses 14-16: What does the leaven/yeast mean?
(3) verses 17-32: Why would Peter confess that Jesus is Christ in verse 29 and then argue with Jesus’ plan?
(4) verse 33: Does Satan have to be present with you to affect your thinking? Or if you let him into your life, can he affect your focus in life?
(5) verses 34-35 What must take place for somebody to save their life by losing it?
I’ll write a little later regarding (2) What does the leaven/yeast mean, (4) Does Satan have to be present with you to affect your thinking, or if you let him into your life can he affect your focus in life?, and (5) What must take place for somebody to save their life by losing it?
In Christ
Noah
(UPDATE: I didn't have enough time this week to answer question 4 and 5. I tried, but my mind went down too many tangents to bring into a short/cohesive post to put on the blog, if your curious ask me sometime:)
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