Monday, November 01, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Calender Reading
It is futile to wish for a long life, and then give so little care to living well. T. aKempis
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Christ Raised - The Symbol For Christianity
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures...I Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV
Suffering Growth
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
II Corinthians 1:1-11 NIV
Experiencing trials and suffering can help us grow and minister to others. For example, in 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 we read three good things that God can bring out of suffering. First, is that we can learn to comfort others.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (vv. 3-4).
Anyone who has gone through a heartbreak, a time of loneli¬ness, or a period of great pain and had been comforted by God is able to comfort those who go through a similar trial. There is a mutual understanding and a real compassion that allows one to better help and minister to someone during a dark and hard time in their life.
A second thing we learn is not to trust in ourselves but in God who can see us through our difficulties. In verses II Corinthians 1: 8-9 we read that the apostle Paul was "burdened beyond measure, above strength, ... that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead."
It seems that we are often inclined to try to go through life in our strength as long as we can, and often never learn the lesson of dependency on God until we are forced to-until we are taken beyond our ability to cope and learn that we need God's strength. In the midst of trials we learn that we can depend on God as we lean on him and go through the difficult times with His presence and strength.
Third, we can learn to give thanks in all things because of God's mercy and grace. In verse 11 Paul writes, "you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many." The apostle Paul thanked the Corinthian believers for praying for him when he was in such difficulty. In our trials and pain, we learn that we need God and we need others, and can be thankful when we experience how important they all are to our lives.
Taken From Max Anders
To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
II Corinthians 1:1-11 NIV
Experiencing trials and suffering can help us grow and minister to others. For example, in 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 we read three good things that God can bring out of suffering. First, is that we can learn to comfort others.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (vv. 3-4).
Anyone who has gone through a heartbreak, a time of loneli¬ness, or a period of great pain and had been comforted by God is able to comfort those who go through a similar trial. There is a mutual understanding and a real compassion that allows one to better help and minister to someone during a dark and hard time in their life.
A second thing we learn is not to trust in ourselves but in God who can see us through our difficulties. In verses II Corinthians 1: 8-9 we read that the apostle Paul was "burdened beyond measure, above strength, ... that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead."
It seems that we are often inclined to try to go through life in our strength as long as we can, and often never learn the lesson of dependency on God until we are forced to-until we are taken beyond our ability to cope and learn that we need God's strength. In the midst of trials we learn that we can depend on God as we lean on him and go through the difficult times with His presence and strength.
Third, we can learn to give thanks in all things because of God's mercy and grace. In verse 11 Paul writes, "you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many." The apostle Paul thanked the Corinthian believers for praying for him when he was in such difficulty. In our trials and pain, we learn that we need God and we need others, and can be thankful when we experience how important they all are to our lives.
Taken From Max Anders
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Some Leadership Thoughts
I met with a friend last week and we discussed numerous topics and went away encouraged as men and as leaders. Below is some of the discussion.The negative happens, the positive has to be created.
What is the next good thing coming around the corner?
Leaders create better tomorrows. - Bob Dale
Be aware and careful that your passion does not create a threatening environment, but instead a positive influence.
Determine your destination, chart the course, go there.
When processing clutter or feeling overwhelmed keep in mind and act on this - It is never as big on paper as it is your mind. Another words, write things out and think a little more clearly.
When sharing in person a difficult and very important thought with people in your organization it is fair, smart and helpful to write it out and read it to the group.
Leaders build morale and focus on mission, but you cannot do both at the same time. - Bob Dale
The Lord Is Near
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all...
Psalm 34:18-19
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all...
Psalm 34:18-19
Monday, October 18, 2010
Life And Leadership Adages
Heard and learned these years ago.
If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.
If we keep doing what we have done we will keep getting what we got.
Determine where you want to arrive, chart the course, and go there.
Change can happen.
Leaders create better tomorrows.
Today's choices determine our future and our history.
If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.
If we keep doing what we have done we will keep getting what we got.
Determine where you want to arrive, chart the course, and go there.
Change can happen.
Leaders create better tomorrows.
Today's choices determine our future and our history.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Financial Ministry Team Meeting
The HCC Financial Ministry Team and the Ministry Leadership Team members met together this morning for 3.5 hours so that we could look ahead, plan ahead and discuss what we want to see happen in people's lives as we seek to be good stewards of the financial gifts given to God via HCC. The individuals on these two teams are good thinkers, wise planners and seek to honor God as we see HCC lead people to become totally committed followers of Jesus Christ. We are off to a good start and look forward to completing the Financial Ministry Operation Plan for 2011 and mailing it to all HCC members and regular attenders for their prayers, input and approval as we move forward and seek to make disciples.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The Great Sub
The essence of sin is we human beings substituting ourselves for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for us. We ... put ourselves where only God deserves to be; God ... puts himself where we deserve to be. John Stott
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
12th Grade Prayer
God give me the strength and wisdom so I may help others who may need it. AmenJason Reed, A senior at WBHS.
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This post may seem long and yet it is only the beginning. Followers of Jesus Christ need to turn to God, worship Him - surrender to Him, see...
