Phil 1:4,6
4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy… 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. –NIV
The word happiness evokes visions of unwrapping gifts of Christmas morning, strolling hand in hand with the one you love, responding with unbridled laughter to a comedian, or vacationing in an exotic locale. Everyone wants to be happy; we make chasing this elusive ideal a lifelong pursuit: spending money, collecting things, and searching for new experiences.
But if happiness depends on our circumstances, what happens when the toys rust, loved ones die, health deteriorates, money is stolen and the party’s over? Often happiness flees and despair sets in.
In contrast to happiness stands JOY. Running deeper and stronger, joy is the quiet, confident assurance of God’s love and work in our lives – that He will be there no matter what! Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends of Christ.
Philippians is Paul’s JOY letter. The concept of rejoicing or joy appears sixteen times in its four short chapters and the pages radiate a positive message, culminating in the exhortation to “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again Rejoice!” (4:4). More amazing is that Paul wrote Philippians while in prison! Whatever the circumstances, Paul learned to be content, and find his JOY in knowing Christ and obeying Him.
May we share Paul’s aspiration and seek to know Jesus Christ more and more.
I encourage you to READ Paul’s short letter to the Philippians. Take time to Rejoice with Paul and rededicate yourself to finding joy in Christ.
Blessings,
Darren
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
God Came Down
Luke 2:11-12
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. –NIV
Every other world religion attempts to reach up to God. Good deeds, rituals, acts of service, penance. Some focus on self abasement, afflicting enough “abuse” on ourselves in attempt to appease God. Others focus on self improvement believing that the divine can be found within man through self improvement, science or enlightenment. Most just do not know what to do so they create rules, acts of service or elaborate religious rituals to adhere to in hopes of reaching up to God. All in vain.
The truth is man cannot reach God. God is holy, man is a sinner. In the words of Paul, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Man cannot reach up to God. Any attempts to do so are arrogant in self pride or fool hearty from lack of knowledge.
The wonder of Christmas is that while we are unable to reach God, God CAME DOWN TO US. While we were powerless, God demonstrated his love for us by reaching out to His Creation. God brings us back to Himself. Through His love, His grace, His mercy.
How great is the love and mercy of our God! Ponder today the fact that God CHOSE to come down to us. Why? Because it is impossible for us to reach Him. What great love God demonstrated to His Creation at Christmas!
Phil 2:5-11
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. –NIV
Take time this holiday season to remember…you did not come to God, He came to you!
Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
Darren
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. –NIV
Every other world religion attempts to reach up to God. Good deeds, rituals, acts of service, penance. Some focus on self abasement, afflicting enough “abuse” on ourselves in attempt to appease God. Others focus on self improvement believing that the divine can be found within man through self improvement, science or enlightenment. Most just do not know what to do so they create rules, acts of service or elaborate religious rituals to adhere to in hopes of reaching up to God. All in vain.
The truth is man cannot reach God. God is holy, man is a sinner. In the words of Paul, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Man cannot reach up to God. Any attempts to do so are arrogant in self pride or fool hearty from lack of knowledge.
The wonder of Christmas is that while we are unable to reach God, God CAME DOWN TO US. While we were powerless, God demonstrated his love for us by reaching out to His Creation. God brings us back to Himself. Through His love, His grace, His mercy.
How great is the love and mercy of our God! Ponder today the fact that God CHOSE to come down to us. Why? Because it is impossible for us to reach Him. What great love God demonstrated to His Creation at Christmas!
Phil 2:5-11
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. –NIV
Take time this holiday season to remember…you did not come to God, He came to you!
Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
Darren
Friday, December 17, 2010
Filled to Fullness
Eph 3:16
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. –NIV
“The church has surrendered her once lofty concept of God and has substituted for it one so low, so ignoble, as to be utterly unworthy of thinking, worshipping men” – AW Tozer
I believe a fundamental stumbling block for many Christians is the LOW view of God that has either consciously or unconsciously been adopted. When we come to a right belief about God a thousand other temporal problems are relieved.
Paul’s wish is that we would come to have a greater understanding of God’s love. That understanding would lead to experiencing God’s love in ways that would fill our lives in ever increasing ways. Imagine, God’s love as vast as the ocean being poured out into our lives the size of a thimble.
Here is a great thought to think on today…God is infinite and capable of giving more and you are expandable and capable of receiving more.
Imagine the possibilities!!!
Blessings,
Darren
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. –NIV
“The church has surrendered her once lofty concept of God and has substituted for it one so low, so ignoble, as to be utterly unworthy of thinking, worshipping men” – AW Tozer
I believe a fundamental stumbling block for many Christians is the LOW view of God that has either consciously or unconsciously been adopted. When we come to a right belief about God a thousand other temporal problems are relieved.
Paul’s wish is that we would come to have a greater understanding of God’s love. That understanding would lead to experiencing God’s love in ways that would fill our lives in ever increasing ways. Imagine, God’s love as vast as the ocean being poured out into our lives the size of a thimble.
Here is a great thought to think on today…God is infinite and capable of giving more and you are expandable and capable of receiving more.
Imagine the possibilities!!!
Blessings,
Darren
Monday, December 6, 2010
by my Spirit
Zech 4:6
6 So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty. – NIV
Though this message was spoken to Zerubbabel, it applies to all believers (2 Tim 3:16). As a follower of Christ we are to resist trying to do things in our own strength and instead rely on and depend upon God’s Spirit through us. Keen intellect, political maneuvering, or human strength cannot accomplish God’s work; we can only do His work if we are enabled by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus entered his ministry in the power of the Spirit (Lk. 4:1, 18) and the church was empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:8). Only if the Spirit continues to govern and empower our lives will we accomplish God’s will for us; this is why Jesus baptizes his followers in the Holy Spirit
Luke 3:16-17
16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. – NIV
For most believers the greatest need is NOT to try harder, do more or plan better. These are human endeavors done with human power. The greater need is a FRESH outpouring and infilling of God’s Spirit in their lives.
Resist the temptation to pursue Spiritual matters by mere human effort. Instead, get away for seasons of prayer, renew yourself in God’s Word and wait for God’s presence fresh and new in your life.
Acts 3:19
19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, - NIV
Remember, God wants to do MORE in you than you can ask or imagine BUT it is through HIS POWER by HIS SPIRIT, not yours…
Eph 3:20-21
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, - NIV
Blessings,
Darren
6 So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty. – NIV
Though this message was spoken to Zerubbabel, it applies to all believers (2 Tim 3:16). As a follower of Christ we are to resist trying to do things in our own strength and instead rely on and depend upon God’s Spirit through us. Keen intellect, political maneuvering, or human strength cannot accomplish God’s work; we can only do His work if we are enabled by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus entered his ministry in the power of the Spirit (Lk. 4:1, 18) and the church was empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:8). Only if the Spirit continues to govern and empower our lives will we accomplish God’s will for us; this is why Jesus baptizes his followers in the Holy Spirit
Luke 3:16-17
16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. – NIV
For most believers the greatest need is NOT to try harder, do more or plan better. These are human endeavors done with human power. The greater need is a FRESH outpouring and infilling of God’s Spirit in their lives.
Resist the temptation to pursue Spiritual matters by mere human effort. Instead, get away for seasons of prayer, renew yourself in God’s Word and wait for God’s presence fresh and new in your life.
Acts 3:19
19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, - NIV
Remember, God wants to do MORE in you than you can ask or imagine BUT it is through HIS POWER by HIS SPIRIT, not yours…
Eph 3:20-21
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, - NIV
Blessings,
Darren
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
WHY NOT PRAY?
2 Chron 7:14-15
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. –NIV
As Christians why wouldn’t we pray? We all know that prayer should be as much a part of a follower of Christ as eating, drinking and sleeping. The question isn’t whether we should pray but how, when, where or what.
BUT the truth is we DO have to be encouraged to pray. It is not a modern day phenomena either. Paul constantly had to remind and encourage the early church to pray, church history gives further evidence of our neglect for prayer, and in pulpits across America today church leaders are forever having to remind their flocks to pray.
Why? Let’s be honest and list a few reasons Christians do not pray…
*Do we really believe in Prayer?
-intellectual acceptance and personal experience are worlds apart. We would all say we believe in prayer but if you’ve never experienced meeting God in prayer it is hard to believe it is necessary or beneficial
*Some avoid prayer because they are avoiding God
-it is absurd of course. We know we cannot hide from God. Yet guilt, fear or shame can keep us from coming to God in prayer.
*Avoid prayer out of laziness
-Prayer is a spiritual discipline and takes effort. In a world full of distractions it takes effort to pray.
*Some give up on prayer because they are angry with unmet expectations
-Believe in God, trust in Christ but give up on prayer because God did not respond in a particular way they felt He should
*Some people do not know how to pray
-many people avoid conversation with other people. Same goes with God. Initiating a conversation can be intimidating.
The truth is Satan does not want us to pray. As a Christ follower, Satan will use whatever distractions, discouragements or intimidation to keep you from prayer. WHY? Because as Christ followers PRAY IS OUR GREATEST WEAPON.
2 Cor 10:2-6
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. – NIV
I encourage you to revisit your prayer time. Reflect on God’s promises above and the potential hindrances to prayer. Why should we pray? A better question is: why wouldn’t we?
Blessings,
Darren
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. –NIV
As Christians why wouldn’t we pray? We all know that prayer should be as much a part of a follower of Christ as eating, drinking and sleeping. The question isn’t whether we should pray but how, when, where or what.
BUT the truth is we DO have to be encouraged to pray. It is not a modern day phenomena either. Paul constantly had to remind and encourage the early church to pray, church history gives further evidence of our neglect for prayer, and in pulpits across America today church leaders are forever having to remind their flocks to pray.
Why? Let’s be honest and list a few reasons Christians do not pray…
*Do we really believe in Prayer?
-intellectual acceptance and personal experience are worlds apart. We would all say we believe in prayer but if you’ve never experienced meeting God in prayer it is hard to believe it is necessary or beneficial
*Some avoid prayer because they are avoiding God
-it is absurd of course. We know we cannot hide from God. Yet guilt, fear or shame can keep us from coming to God in prayer.
*Avoid prayer out of laziness
-Prayer is a spiritual discipline and takes effort. In a world full of distractions it takes effort to pray.
*Some give up on prayer because they are angry with unmet expectations
-Believe in God, trust in Christ but give up on prayer because God did not respond in a particular way they felt He should
*Some people do not know how to pray
-many people avoid conversation with other people. Same goes with God. Initiating a conversation can be intimidating.
The truth is Satan does not want us to pray. As a Christ follower, Satan will use whatever distractions, discouragements or intimidation to keep you from prayer. WHY? Because as Christ followers PRAY IS OUR GREATEST WEAPON.
2 Cor 10:2-6
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. – NIV
I encourage you to revisit your prayer time. Reflect on God’s promises above and the potential hindrances to prayer. Why should we pray? A better question is: why wouldn’t we?
Blessings,
Darren
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