Blog Archives

Lord, Won't You Buy Me a.......

11/26/2022

Lord, Won’t You Buy Me a.....

In January 1971 the late Janis Joplin released a song with the following lyrics,

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz.

Although popular with her fans, the song is a sad parody of prayer, not surprising from a singer involved in drugs, alcohol and promiscuity. When she died of a heroin overdose at the age of 27, she was found clutching a pack of cigarettes and a wad of money.

Even more tragic is the tendency of many people (including some Christians) to think of God as a genie, ready to grant virtually any request. But the God of the Bible discourages such thinking. James 4:3 says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Asking God to bless us with a luxury home, expensive car, or a bigger bank account is a symptom of love for the world - NOT good (1 John 2:15-17). A desire for possessions can lead us away from God and down the path of spiritual destruction.

So how can we handle desires for the “good things” in life?
 We should remember that Jesus was poor and homeless, yet without complaint (Matt. 8:20).
 We can pray that God will help us transform our thinking (Rom. 12:1-2).
 We can pray that God will help us develop self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).
 We can pray that God will help us learn that contentment with godliness is great gain (1 Tim. 6:6).
 We must remember that we will carry nothing to the grave (1 Tim. 6:7).
 We can be more generous in giving to God (2 Cor. 9:6-9).
 We must remember that what we give (or do) to help others will result in treasures in heaven (Matt. 19:21-22).

Jesus FIRST!

Dennis

Exercise Your Gratitate

11/23/2022

THE THANKFULNESS EXERCISE

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

In the above passage the Apostle Paul challenges Christians in three ways:

1. Rejoice always! While this is easy to do when things are going well, how about when we are struggling with one or more issues? However, if we remember that God has promised to work everything out for our good (Rom. 8:28), it becomes easier.

2. Pray without ceasing! Paul does not mean that we should spend every waking hour in fervent prayer, but to pray consistently and persistently. No day should pass without prayer!

3. In everything give thanks! Again, it’s easy to be thankful for the good things in our lives, but “everything" includes the "not so good" things, as well. Don’t misunderstand - I doubt that Paul meant that we should be thrilled about everything that happens in our lives. However, we can LEARN to thank God for virtually anything.

Doing so requires PRACTICE. It’s like exercising your body. Paul practiced thanking God so often that he did so even while chained to the wall of a prison. No matter how bad the situation, Paul always found something for which to thank God.

So where do we start? A great exercise is to “Count Your Blessings” when you begin your day. Don’t get out of bed until you have thanked God for five or more specific things. If married, have your spouse do the same. (Don’t forget to include the kids!) And if you repeat this exercise before retiring at night, you will soon find that you are thanking God for virtually everything!

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name" (Heb. 13:15).

Jesus FIRST!

Dennis

Ready For A Thief?

11/23/2022

Ready for a Thief?

One of modern society's necessities is that of physical security. Small businesses spend up to $10,000 for security systems, along with monthly fees up to $300 to mitigate the possibility of theft. Some fairly modest homeowners pay $1,000 for home systems, along with $50 monthly fees.

Aside from such elaborate systems, many of us install deadbolts and video doorbells to deter thieves from breaking into our homes. Moreover, virtually every modern vehicle comes standard with a burglar alarm.

And don't forget the threat of bank, credit card or identity theft. Although LifeLock and similar companies can help, none of them guarantee that one's sensitive financial data is 100% safe.

The bottom line is that despite the aforementioned security measures, it's impossible to prevent all thefts or predict when thieves will strike.

Jesus was well aware of this in His day. In fact, He employed the thief as a metaphor to describe His second coming and the end of the world. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only (Matt. 24:36-44). He went on to say if the master of the house knew when the thief was coming, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into (v.43). He concluded by saying, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (v. 44).

To avoid being unprepared, we must be ready and watchful at all times for the coming of our Lord. Paul warned, “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober (1 Thess. 5:6).

As long as we are faithful to Jesus and stand ready for His return, we can watch with eagerness for that great day
(John 14:1-4). It IS coming. Are you ready?

Jesus FIRST!

Dennis

Always your servant in Christ, Dennis

Being a Sheep Can Be Great

11/23/2022

Being a Sheep Can Be Great!

The 23rd Psalm may be the most popular chapter in the Old Testament. It is a song of comfort and assurance based on the competence, compassion and guidance of the Lord - the ultimate "Shepherd.”

During His ministry, Jesus frequently employed the imagery of a shepherd and his sheep in connection with His loyal followers and Himself. In doing so, He provided His followers with many wonderful assurances. Several examples are below:

 Jesus is deeply concerned for those without a shepherd (Matt. 9:36).
 Even ONE sheep is worth saving (Luke 15:1-7).

 Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd of the sheep (Heb. 13:20).

 Jesus is the Good Shepherd for sheep from all nations (John 10:16).

 The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep (John 10:11).

 The Good Shepherd knows His sheep by name (John 10:3).
 The Good Shepherd watches over His sheep (1 Pet. 2:25).
 The Good Shepherd will never abandon His sheep (Heb. 13:5).
 The Good Shepherd gives His sheep abundant life (John 10:10).
 The Good Shepherd will separate His sheep from the goats at the judgement

(Matt. 25:32-34).

We are exceedingly blessed to be sheep of the Good Shepherd. Praise God and Jesus Christ forever!

Jesus FIRST!

Dennis