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CHRISTELW's Recent Blog Entries
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Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Word for Today
www.rhema.co.nz/
'A spiritual gift is given to each of us...' 1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT
One of the great benefits of finding and fulfilling your life's calling is that it settles the question of what constitutes true success. Many of us have a faulty definition. We've bought into the idea that success is measured by how well we do compared to how well others do. That's a recipe for frustration! No matter what you do, someone else will always do it better.
But when you define success in terms of God's purpose for your life, the standard changes completely. True success is not what you've done compared to what others have done, but what you've done compared to what God assigned you to do: 'A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church' (1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT). Jesus said He was successful because He accomplished the work His Father had sent Him to do (John 17:4). Paul could say at the end of his life, '...I have finished my course...' (2 Timothy 4:7 KJV). By this standard, success may mean leaving a lucrative job to follow God's call. It may mean using your talents for His glory, instead of chasing fame and fortune. Whatever it is, once you know you're in your calling you can stop comparing yourself to others or wishing you were someone else.
The Bible says we are each given gifts '...for the common good' (1 Corinthians 12:7 NAS). Only when you're using your gifts to bless others will you experience true satisfaction. Pay cheques and promotions are good, but they can't take the place of divine purpose. Only in your calling will you experience lasting joy.
Read the Bible in a year.
www.biblica.com/bibles/daily-reading
/
Today’s readings are:
Old Testament Reading
Ezekiel 33:21-33; Ezekiel 34; Ezekiel 35
www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?vers
e=Ezekiel+33%3A21-33%3B+Ezekiel+34%3B+
Ezekiel+35&version=niv
New Testament Reading
James 2
www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?vers
e=James+2&version=niv
Psalms Reading
Psalm 128:1-6
www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?vers
e=Psalm+128%3A1-6&version=niv
For your convenience, here is the whole Bible on one page:
www.jrsbible.info/bible.htm
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Word for Today
www.rhema.co.nz/
'Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.' 1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
To help you remember the four parts of prayer, think of the acrostic P-R-A-Y:
P - Praise the Lord! Not sure how? Think you'll run out of words? Not if you use the Scriptures. David gives us a beautiful example in 1 Chronicles 29:11-13. It's one you can use: 'Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendour...Yours, O Lord, is the Kingdom...In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name.'
R - Repent of your sins! Just as heat forces impurities to the surface so the metal refiner can remove them, your prayer time will reveal attitudes that must be changed, habits that must be broken, and barriers to blessing that must be removed. It's not enough to tell God about your sins. He already knows them. You must ask Him to help you turn away from them. This is true repentance.
A - Ask for yourself and others! Your prayers invite God into the situation, and your faith activates His power to change it. There's no distance in prayer, no culture or language barrier it can't overcome. It's like throwing on a power switch; things begin to move when we pray. Jesus said, 'I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven...whatever doors you open on earth shall be open in Heaven' (Matt 16:19 TLB).
Y - Yield yourself to God's will! Declaring the Lordship of Jesus Christ in your life is like signing your name to your autobiography, and inviting Him to write your life's story.
Read the Bible in a year.
www.biblica.com/bibles/daily-reading
/
Today’s readings are:
Old Testament Reading:
Ezekiel 32; Ezekiel 33:1-32
www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?vers
e=Ezekiel+32%3B+Ezekiel+33%3A1-32&vers
ion=niv
New Testament Reading:
James 1
www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?vers
e=James+1&version=niv
Psalms Reading:
Psalm 127:1-5
www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?vers
e=Psalm+127%3A1-5&version=niv
For your convenience, here is the whole Bible on one page:
www.jrsbible.info/bible.htm
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Word for Today
www.rhema.co.nz/
'...he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.' Proverbs11:13 NKJV
We all need a shoulder to cry on. When we're battling habits and hang-ups we need a safe place to go, confident we'll be loved, understood, supported and prayed for.
If those who are hurting can't find these qualities in church, where are they supposed to go? The betrayal of a confidence is a terrible sin. 'But what I said was true,' you object. So what? 'A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter' (Proverbs 11:13 NKJV). Note the words 'reveals' and 'conceals.' The Hippocratic Oath says: 'Whatsoever I shall see or hear in the course of my profession, I will never divulge, holding such things to be holy secrets.' That oath is taken by physicians and other professionals in positions of trust. But it ought to be binding on every one of us! How would you feel if your doctor, counselor, minister or a trusted friend violated your confidence and broadcast your holy secrets? Hurt? Betrayed? The longer we live the more we realize there's a severe shortage of people who can be trusted to keep their mouths shut, and the more we value them.
If you were asked to define a person of integrity, wouldn't the ability to keep a confidence be close to the top of your list? So here are some ground rules to live by: (a) Instead of talking, pray about it; (b) Instead of criticizing, look for something good; (c) Instead of showing anger, show grace. How you handle others determines how God will handle you!
Read the Bible in a year.
www.biblica.com/bibles/daily-reading
/
Today’s readings are:
Old Testament Reading:
Ezekiel 30; Ezekiel 31
www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?vers
e=Ezekiel+30%3B+Ezekiel+31&version=niv
New Testament Reading:
Hebrews 13
www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?vers
e=Hebrews+13&version=niv
Psalms Reading:
Proverbs 27:23-27; Proverbs 28:1-6
www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?vers
e=Proverbs+27%3A23-27%3B+Proverbs+28%3
A1-6&version=niv
For your convenience, here is the whole Bible on one page:
www.jrsbible.info/bible.htm
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The Word for Today
www.rhema.co.nz/
'...wisdom is better than strength...' Ecclesiastes 9:16 NKJV
If you're serious about changing your child, work on changing yourself! Trying to change others usually doesn't work anyway. Adolescents perceive such efforts as saying, 'You're not acceptable to me.' That's a perfect way to turn them into freedom fighters whose cause becomes resisting your efforts to change them.
The best way to change someone is to change how you handle them. When you change your steps, the entire dance routine changes because you've changed what they're responding to. If what you're doing isn't working, stop it and do something that will! You don't have to come up with the perfect solution at first. Just stopping the tired, frustrating dance of conflict will improve your environment, decrease stress and opposition, and help make way for a more effective strategy. Nagging only makes your kids ask, 'Why are you always on my back?', diverting them from the real issues. Decreasing tension, while affirming your child's value to you, increases your likelihood of success. The adolescent mind is wired differently. They're not crazy, they're just dealing with rapidly changing chemistry. There was a time when we thought that by five years of age the brain was finished changing. Were we ever wrong! We know now its most sophisticated development happens throughout adolescence.
In the emerging teen, brain neurons fire off spontaneously, without warning or conscious reasons, leaving your child overwhelmed by feelings they don't understand and haven't yet learned to control. So they behave irrationally, inconsistently, unpredictably, irritatingly. Your job is to try to understand this and become a calming influence. The 'craziness' will pass. In the meantime, pray: '...wisdom is better than strength...' (Ecclesiastes 9:16 NKJV).
Read the Bible in a year.
www.biblica.com/bibles/daily-reading
/
Today’s readings are:
Old Testament Reading:
Ezekiel 28; Ezekiel 29
www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?vers
e=Ezekiel+28%3B+Ezekiel+29&version=niv
New Testament Reading:
Hebrews 12:14-29
www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?vers
e=Hebrews+12%3A14-29&version=niv
Psalms Reading:
Psalm 126:1-6
www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?vers
e=Psalm+126%3A1-6&version=niv
For your convenience, here is the whole Bible on one page:
www.jrsbible.info/bible.htm
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The Word for Today
www.rhema.co.nz/
'...wisdom is better than strength...' Ecclesiastes 9:16 NKJV
Parent, you influence your child more than anyone else! You say, 'But they seem to pay little or no attention to me, and lots to their friends!' Peers are very influential, and if you're dismissive or judgmental with them you'll just increase your child's negative peer pressure. Your teenager's resistance isn't necessarily saying they disagree with your opinions or think you're wrong, they're just experiencing two powerful, life-shaping, natural tendencies.
First, for healthy social growth they need peer relations. Appearing 'cool' to friends promotes those relations, so they'll seem to downplay your influence. Don't take it personally; it's about them and their growing needs, not about you. Second, normal development is pushing them towards becoming more independent. When they push back it's usually more about this than about rebellion or even substantial disagreement with you. These God-designed inclinations prepare them to 'leave father and mother and become one flesh' with someone else for life (Genesis 2:24). In fishing, 'you let out the line or risk breaking the rod and losing the catch.' Discover the natural flow of teenage development and work with, not against it! Try to redirect your teen by helping them find constructive ways to express their new autonomy and you'll help them harness it the right way.
What you think or believe isn't the problem, how you handle it with them is. Remaining rational, loving, affirming, prayerful and patient invites cooperation rather than confrontation. In God's timing they'll embrace your values, beliefs and attitudes. '...when he [or she] is old, he will not depart from it' (Proverbs 22:6 NKJV).
Read the Bible in a year.
www.biblica.com/bibles/daily-reading
/
Today’s readings are:
Old Testament Reading:
Ezekiel 26:; Ezekiel 27
www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?vers
e=Ezekiel+26%3A%3B+Ezekiel+27&version=niv
New Testament Reading:
Hebrews 12:1-13
www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?vers
e=Hebrews+12%3A1-13&version=niv
Psalms Reading:
Psalm 125:1-5
www.biblica.com/bibles/chapter/?vers
e=Psalm+125%3A1-5&version=niv
For your convenience, here is the whole Bible on one page:
www.jrsbible.info/bible.htm
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