Archive for February, 2010
Last night in our home group we had a round table discussion of Proverbs 17:24. ” A discerning man (woman) keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. “. Some great conversation ! Basically- as believers, we have the choice to choose the cultivation of wisdom and discernment freely given to us by the Holy Spirit through HIS written word. OR – we can choose to waller (an old south red neck word 
) –waller around aimlessly in self gratification, materialism, etc… Solomon was such a Man of wisdom and God prospered him in every way. He was respected all over the world. So friends- today, you can make the choice either follow Jesus close to His heart, or join the band of circus followers and never live THE ABUNDANT LIFE God has waiting for you -personally today. Let’s keep the “View” of Proverbs 17 in full sight ! What a great W0W weekend !!!!!! Thanks to those who came Saturday and Sunday and brought a guest with you! Atleast 2 accepted Christ and others were significantly influenced back to Christ!
Was in Proverbs 10 this morning –going along with the 10th day of the month. Vs. 4-5 caught my eye this morning: ” Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a disgraceful son. ” Friends – the 2 fold application for you and me is first a warning against laziness – being slothful in our daily responsibilities. We are each given various tasks to accomplish from taking out the garbage and washing dishes to the day’s ‘making a living’. The attitude and diligence of our completing our own individual tasks is important in God’s economy no doubt. He does not bless a ’sluggard life’. And in the mix of all we do is the expectation we are given to be about HIS kingdom business mixed among the many day by day tasks and jobs on our plates. We are expected to do everything for the glory of God–whether we eat, drink or whatsoever we do. We are not expected to conquer the world –He has already done that–but we are expected day by day to live with “diligent hands” -vs. 4, planting seeds and harvesting for the kingdom as we make our journey through this life. Today – be diligent. –and he will provide opportunities to ‘make a difference’ for HIS kingdom and glory. BE PRAYING FOR SUNDAYS SERVICE –it will be one of the best of the year ! THEME: ” A HEART FOR GRACEVIEW”. James 1: 27. Hope to see you all tonight at ” LIFE LINES.
Well—what about those Saints ? Just 4 years ago New Orleans and all hope for the team was under water, but the Saints came marching in the stadium last night and aggressively took the victory coming back after a 10 pt. deficit early on in the game. What an exciting game to watch! Two words come to mind: First word: Aggressive-They were no doubt aggressive and wanted to win. Second: Forward- They went forward and did not dwell on the past. And—they had never played in a Super Bowl before! They had a goal and worked to get there. If Paul were alive today-I have no doubt he would have been cheering the loudest last night. But Christ Followers—there will be a day not too distant in the future when Saints from all over the world will be marching into Heaven. First- caught up together in the clouds with our Lord at the “catching away” of His Bride, and then- our entrance into our eternal dwelling where all Saints who have been washed and cleansed will be forever with the winning side! J Until then-you and I have the opportunity to “make a difference” in this life –our own personal communities—being Aggressive and Forward in our actions and attitudes on the field God gives us to play. Many times throughout her history, the sound of the Hymn, “When The Saints go Marching In”, could be and still can be heard at funerals and celebrations there in New Orleans. New Orleans is celebrating today over last night’s victory, but we pray for a greater awareness among her people of the real call and availability of eternal sainthood not through any declaration of any church, but only through Jesus Christ. Perhaps God will give us an opportunity to share this hope about Saints with others today when we discuss the super bowl. J
See you guys Wednesday Night for LIFE LINES. Missed –not been there yet ? This could be the Life Line for you this week. Make your plans to attend and bring someone with you.
Friends & Family of GraceView-- I received this heart stirring prayer this week. Wow! Talking about getting out of our own comfort zones and thinking of other’s. We tend to be so selfish in so many ways. It may be God will be giving us an opportunity to share His love with someone today. Let’s don’t let self and ridiculous pre-conceptions cloud the vision of “others”.
“Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children. Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can’t make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester. Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (“who really ought to get a job”) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares. Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together. Heavenly Father, remind us each day that of all the gifts you give us Lord, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love. Working for God on earth doesn’t pay much……but His retirement plan is out of this world.
LIFE LINES TOMORROW NIGHT! IT’S GONNA BE GOOD!!!!
