Over the years, my wife and I have agreed to celebrate the Valentines Day a few days after the 14th. This way, you can avoid the crowd, find cheep bargains, and find more opportunities.
There is nothing that says we MUST celebrate Valentines Day on the 14th.
On Valentines Day, I hope that we can reflect on God's love more than anything else. Let's remember that God is love. He is the author of love. He knows about the "true" love.
Here's my suggestion in good times and in bad ...
Save a lot... Give a lot... Live frugally.
May God give us wisdom to do it well...
As followers of Christ, we want to better understand the word of God. But how do we do that? The following are are some tips that can help us to achieve that goal.
1. Begin with prayer - it is the Holy Spirit who will unlock God's truth.
2. Be humble and teachable - attitude will play a significant role in understanding God's word.
3. Read it in context: First the surrounding verses; then the book in which it is found; and finally the whole Bible.
4. Ask questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How
5. Seek the full counsel of the Word of God. The Bible will not contradict itself.
6. Interpret Scripture literally unless text dictates it otherwise.
7. Let Scripture interpret scripture. Don't base your convictions on an obscure or vague passage of Scripture.
When people hear the word "grace," different ideas float into their minds. But, what is "grace?" Many define the word with an acronym offered by the word itself - God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Often, it is said to be the "unmerited favor of God."
If "grace" means a "license" to do what we want, it is the wrong understanding of God's grace.
If "grace" means a "reason" for not doing anything (a get out of jail free card), this is inaccurate.
If "grace" means an "excuse" when we fall short, this too misses the mark.
God's grace is given to every believer and is the reason why every follower of Christ can obey God. God's grace makes this possible. As a child of God, we should never say, "no, we can't." Why is that? It's because if we are in Christ, then the Holy Spirit has been given to us. If the Holy Spirit indwells the hearts of every believer, then the believer has the power to obey. And thus becomes accountable to God.
You see... the amazing grace of God enables followers of Christ to walk in obedience to Him. That's why God can confidently say, "If you love me, you will obey my commands." We are given God's grace to do so. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Now, growth is a process that requires progress. After all we still have to deal with Satan's temptations and our own sinful nature. However, if we are genuinely a child of God, we should be able to grow in walking in obedience to God becoming more and more like Christ as time passes on.
May God help us to realize God's wonderful grace to walk with Him in obedience as we live by faith in Christ Jesus.
Jesus once asked a very profound question. He asked those who were calling Him "Lord"... "Why do you call me Lord and do not do what I say?" (Lk 6:46) You see... calling Jesus Lord and not doing what He says is an oxymoron. Either we call Jesus "Lord" and obey what He says... or Jesus is not our Lord and we do what we want. There is no other options. As we think about this past year, let's seriously evaluate whether or not Jesus is our "Lord."
Harvard University
In 1636, Clergyman John Harvard contributed his personal library and property for the founding of the first college in America, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Within 16 years of the landing of the Pilgrims, American had a college "to train a literate clergy." Rules and precepts for the school's charter were formulated on Sept. 26, 1642. Here is an excerpt [original spelling retained]:
"Let every student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternall life, John 17. -3 and therefore to lay Christ in the bottome, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisedome, Let everyone seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seeke it of Him."
William and Mary College
William and Mary was founded in 1693 in Williamsburg, Virginia, through the vision of Reverend James Blair. The seminary-college became the home of education for many of the Founding Fathers of America. Men such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, George Wythe, John Tyler, John Marshall, and sixteen members of the Continental Congress studied there. The school's charter, drawn up in 1693, stated the goals and purposes of the college:
"William and Mary, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King and Queen, Defenders of the faith, to all whom these our present Letters shall come, greeting.
'Forasmuch as our well-beloved and trusty subjects, constituting the General Assembly of our Colony of Virginia, have had it in their minds, and have proposed to themselves, to the end that the Church of Virginia may be .furnished with a Seminary of ministers of the Gospel, and that the youth may be piously educated in Good Letters and Manners, and that the Christian Faith may be propagated amongst the Western Indians, to the glory of God'"
Yale University
In 1701 a Collegiate School at Saybrook, Connecticut, was started by ten Congregational ministers. The school was later moved to New Haven, Connecticut, and renamed Yale in honor of Mr. Elihu Yale, an American-born English merchant and governor of the East India Company. Mr. Yale donated books and materials from his fortune, totaling $2,800-a considerable sum for those days. He was instrumental in shaping the college bylaws, which stated the chief aim of education:
"Every student shall consider the main end of his study, to know God in Jesus Christ and answerably to lead a Godly, sober life."
Princeton University
Princeton was originally called "The College of New Jersey" and was located in Princeton, New Jersey. Over the years the name was simplified to Princeton. Like all of America's early colleges, the school was established to train young men in "God's Holy Word and to become a useful ordainment to society." The sentiment of America's educators is seen in this quote by Princeton's first president, Rev. Jonathan Dickinson.
"Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross Of Christ."
(from http://www2.whidbey.com/jmboyes/warn1.htm)
Somone once asked me, "How do you know if someone is spiritually mature in faith or just a babe in Christ?
My answer: Only God knows for certain but there are some clues. Allow me to suggest at least 4...
1. How does he/she obey what he/she already knows to be true (in the Bible)? Though it is true that a growing knowledge of the word is vital to spiritual maturity, Bible knowledge (of in itself) does not mean someone is spiritually mature (i.e. Pharisees). The real question is whether or not he/she is willing to obey God (in a love relationship). It is easy to obey the easy things of the Bible (especially the things we want to), but what about the difficult commands of God? Is he/she willing to obey God in faith and in surrender to His will? (see Jn 14:15)
2. How much does he/she spend time in word and prayer? Not as a duty but in a love relationship with God. It's not a responsibility to check off on a "to-do" list but an intimate communion the LORD (see Jn 15).
3. How much does he/she reflect the character of Jesus? (Life of sacrifice, integrity, humility, service, loving others, etc.) When we mature, we become more and more like Christ Jesus. We begin to bear fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives which are love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Eph 5:1).
4. How does he/she spend their resources (time, treasure, and talent)? Check your checkbook, day planner, and your involvements. Are you using your finances to glorify God? Are you utilizing your time to the glory of God? Are you serving God with your spiritual gifts?
The above things must be observed over a long period of time to be effective. Are you mature in Christ? Know that God wants His children to mature in faith. God has already given us everything we need in Christ. We have the Holy Spirit who will empower us to grow. Praise God for His amazing grace.
Have you ever asked why (after being saved) it is so hard to walk in a manner worthy of God? Why it is so hard to live a holy life?
There are at least 2 hinderences:
One is ourselves. Our sinful nature gets in the way of walking faithfully with God. That is why we need to learn to discipline ourselves best we can in Christ Jesus. Paul sought to live a disciplined life. He made his body his slave so that he could devote himself to God. Freedom in Christ (to him) was not liberty to do whatever he wanted but his subjection to Christ.
1 Cor 9:27
27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. NASU
Two is Satan. Our greatest adversary wants to keep us from focusing on God's interests. That's why we need to draw near to God. One of the biggest mistakes we can make is to ignore or underestimate our enemy.
1 Peter 5:8-9
8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. NASU
James 4:7-8
7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. NASU
May we all experience victory in Christ Jesus.
Every Fall, we have many who are looking for a church to join. What should be considered in making this important decision? I want to mention at least 5 variables to evaluate:
1. Leadership: Are the pastors and leaders accessible, godly, and loving?
2. The Word: Do they esteem the Word of God and seek to teach it with humility?
3. Community: Is there a community of believers that I can be a part of?
4. Evangelism: Does the church care about the lost?
5. Growth: Does the church provide opportunities to grow and serve?
People have made Christianity too complex. They have made the church too confusing. Some have introduced many distractions to God's purpose and plans. I believe that we must simultaneously focus on these three primary things:
1. We must seek to know and understand God (being men and women of the Word).
2. We must love our brothers and sisters in Christ and share the gospel with those who are lost.
3. We must follow Christ in obedience striving to please Him in every way.
Bottom line is... in light of God's love and grace, we must resolve to live in a way where we are making progress in loving God, loving one another, and following Jesus in obedience.
Another way to put it is to keep the 3 Greats.
Great Commandment is to love God by knowing Him and obeying Him.
Great Community is to love our brothers and sisters in Christ sharing our joys and struggles together.
Great Commission is to join God in saving the lost (the work of redemption).
Everything we do as a Christian and as a church must be filtered by (at least) these three things. May God help us to keep Christianity and church simple.
