Posts
timewithgod.blog-city.com — June 2010
Romans 15 -- Living Not Just For Myself, But For My Neighbor
"We who are strong in faith should ... not please only ourselves. Let each of us please our neighbors for their good, to help them be stronger in faith. Even Christ did not live to please Himself ... Patience and encouragement come f
"We who are strong in faith should ... not please only ourselves. Let each of us please our neighbors for their good, to help them be stronger in faith. Even Christ did not live to please Himself ... Patience and encouragement come from God. And I pray that God will help you all agree with each other the way Christ Jesus wants. Then you will all be joined together, and you will give glory to God.... Christ accepted you, so you should accept each other..."
The past two weeks the Sunday School class I teach has been involved in summer missions work, allowing me to sit and absorb the teachings of others. One thing I've found very interesting is seeing some of the other "students" like myself in a class, hearing them interact with whoever has been teaching and with others in the class. Some I had never gotten to know in such a small group setting before, and hearing what they've had to say about the lessons very much deepened my appreciation for them.
I felt like a fish out of water, not teaching each Sunday, because I really love to do it. But God blessed me during this break by helping me to see Him at work in many of my neighbors' lives. There have been several times that I've wanted to hop in on a conversation about a point in the lesson, but I've felt the Holy Spirit saying, "Just listen ..." I think these verses tell me why. God doesn't have me in there to teach. He has me in there to applaud the growth I'm witnessing in those He's at work in, and He's helping me to change my perceptions of them.
Father, thank You for the chance to see You at work in adult lives. I dearly love our youth, and because I do, I may be guilty of neglecting those who are older. Thank You for opening my eyes.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
The past two weeks the Sunday School class I teach has been involved in summer missions work, allowing me to sit and absorb the teachings of others. One thing I've found very interesting is seeing some of the other "students" like myself in a class, hearing them interact with whoever has been teaching and with others in the class. Some I had never gotten to know in such a small group setting before, and hearing what they've had to say about the lessons very much deepened my appreciation for them.
I felt like a fish out of water, not teaching each Sunday, because I really love to do it. But God blessed me during this break by helping me to see Him at work in many of my neighbors' lives. There have been several times that I've wanted to hop in on a conversation about a point in the lesson, but I've felt the Holy Spirit saying, "Just listen ..." I think these verses tell me why. God doesn't have me in there to teach. He has me in there to applaud the growth I'm witnessing in those He's at work in, and He's helping me to change my perceptions of them.
Father, thank You for the chance to see You at work in adult lives. I dearly love our youth, and because I do, I may be guilty of neglecting those who are older. Thank You for opening my eyes.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Romans 16 -- One Thing Paul Warns Christian Leaders About
Paul finishes with a warning to all Christians, but particularly to leaders: "Look out for those who cause people to be against each other and who upset other people's faith. They are against the true teaching you learned, so sta
Paul finishes with a warning to all Christians, but particularly to leaders: "Look out for those who cause people to be against each other and who upset other people's faith. They are against the true teaching you learned, so stay away from them. Such people are not serving our Lord Christ but are only doing what pleases themselves."
By that last sentence, we can determine that Paul is talking about someone in the church who believes they are serving the Lord. This person could be a teacher, a deacon, or even a pastor. What specifically were they doing wrong? Even though they might be the most engaging teacher in the church, or the most concerned and helpful deacon, they had one thing that was overshadowing and in fact negating what they were doing: They were causing people to be against each other. By their words, they were sewing strife and fueling up argumentative natures. Paul goes so far as to say that they are against the teaching we all learn - the Gospel. That's a pretty serious charge!
The problem is that once a person's defenses are raised -- once a person is drawn in to an argument - others may question whether they actually walk the walk or not. Paul calls us to "be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil." Someone who purposefully argues is doing it on purpose, and so he could not be innocent of evil.
Father, thank You for reminding me of the importance of unity in the community of faith. Please help me never to enjoy starting or fueling arguments, particularly at church. Thank You for letting me see it for what it actually is - not a sign of intellectual maturity, but a tool available to Satan to distract others from You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
By that last sentence, we can determine that Paul is talking about someone in the church who believes they are serving the Lord. This person could be a teacher, a deacon, or even a pastor. What specifically were they doing wrong? Even though they might be the most engaging teacher in the church, or the most concerned and helpful deacon, they had one thing that was overshadowing and in fact negating what they were doing: They were causing people to be against each other. By their words, they were sewing strife and fueling up argumentative natures. Paul goes so far as to say that they are against the teaching we all learn - the Gospel. That's a pretty serious charge!
The problem is that once a person's defenses are raised -- once a person is drawn in to an argument - others may question whether they actually walk the walk or not. Paul calls us to "be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil." Someone who purposefully argues is doing it on purpose, and so he could not be innocent of evil.
Father, thank You for reminding me of the importance of unity in the community of faith. Please help me never to enjoy starting or fueling arguments, particularly at church. Thank You for letting me see it for what it actually is - not a sign of intellectual maturity, but a tool available to Satan to distract others from You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Kings 1 -- Parent Or King?
David was now 70 years old, and his body was beginning to fail him: "Adonijah was apparently David's oldest surviving son and thus considered himself next in line for the throne," my commentary added. Knowing that his father
David was now 70 years old, and his body was beginning to fail him: "Adonijah was apparently David's oldest surviving son and thus considered himself next in line for the throne," my commentary added. Knowing that his father would not support his bid for kingship, he called together all but the most loyal followers and advisers of King David and began the traditional large sacrifice that would precede his coronation.
But God had led David to promise that Solomon would be the next king, so under the guidance and prodding of Bathsheba and Nathan the prophet, David officially gave up the kingship by having Solomon anointed in public, establishing him as the de facto king of Israel.
David had served well as king, but he often failed as a parent, and this failure would come back to haunt him in the coming years (as it already had), for his boys seemed to always be stuck on themselves and willing to battle each other for material possessions, prestige, and power.
Father, the main job I want to succeed at is parenting my two boys. You have given me such a treasure in them, and I know we can trust the plans You have for them and for me. Father, guard my heart. Keep me on Your path, and guide me as I teach them about You, about others, and about how to truly live. I'm far from perfect, but You placed us together as a family. Keep my heart and mind on You and help me to help them ask the same of You. I love them and I love You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
But God had led David to promise that Solomon would be the next king, so under the guidance and prodding of Bathsheba and Nathan the prophet, David officially gave up the kingship by having Solomon anointed in public, establishing him as the de facto king of Israel.
David had served well as king, but he often failed as a parent, and this failure would come back to haunt him in the coming years (as it already had), for his boys seemed to always be stuck on themselves and willing to battle each other for material possessions, prestige, and power.
Father, the main job I want to succeed at is parenting my two boys. You have given me such a treasure in them, and I know we can trust the plans You have for them and for me. Father, guard my heart. Keep me on Your path, and guide me as I teach them about You, about others, and about how to truly live. I'm far from perfect, but You placed us together as a family. Keep my heart and mind on You and help me to help them ask the same of You. I love them and I love You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
1 Kings 2 -- What Should A Father's Last Words Contain?
David was about to die, and I wanted to gauge how he did with this question. He said to Solomon: "Be a good and strong leader. Obey the Lord your God. Follow him by obeying His demands, His commands, His laws, and His rules that
David was about to die, and I wanted to gauge how he did with this question. He said to Solomon:
"Be a good and strong leader.
Obey the Lord your God.
Follow him by obeying His demands, His commands, His laws, and His rules that are written in the teachings of Moses.
If you do these things, you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go.
And if you obey the Lord, He will keep the promise He made to me. He said, "If your descendants live as I tell them and have complete faith in Me, a man from your family will always be king over the people of Israel."
I thought David covered it pretty well. I would have probably added:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Teach your kids that, too. And one other thing - I love you!"
Father, bless us as we journey to renew ties with new families. Help us to let them know these sacred truths as well. Let us plant seeds that will sprout and grow additional members to our heavenly family.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
"Be a good and strong leader.
Obey the Lord your God.
Follow him by obeying His demands, His commands, His laws, and His rules that are written in the teachings of Moses.
If you do these things, you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go.
And if you obey the Lord, He will keep the promise He made to me. He said, "If your descendants live as I tell them and have complete faith in Me, a man from your family will always be king over the people of Israel."
I thought David covered it pretty well. I would have probably added:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Teach your kids that, too. And one other thing - I love you!"
Father, bless us as we journey to renew ties with new families. Help us to let them know these sacred truths as well. Let us plant seeds that will sprout and grow additional members to our heavenly family.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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