There’s Always a Way Out
By Jason | March 3, 2010
Something that we all must understand: every one of us faces temptations. Now depending on how you look at that fact it can be a very scary thing or it can be not that big of a deal. The Bible, especially the Old Testament, is full of crazy stories, you know the kind of stories that we only think happen in soap operas and movies. The only difference is that the stories in the Bible always end in truth and God prevailing. One such story is the story of Joseph. Particularly a part of Joseph’s life where he was sold into slavery by his brothers and went to work for a man named Potiphar. Through God, Joseph became well respected by Potiphar and was put in charge of great responsibility. This didn’t go unnoticed and Joseph was even noticed by Potiphar wife who attempted to seduce him. Joseph being a man of honor and integrity refused her, which led to an angry and probably embarrassed, wife of Potiphar who then made up lies against Joseph. These lies put Joseph in prison. While in prison God blessed Joseph and gave him great success. It’s a true story, read it in Genesis 39:1-23.Looking at this story we can see how Joseph was tempted, yet stood up to that temptation. It would have been very simple for him to slip and fall to the temptation, but he trusted God and knew what the right choice was. God blessed him for this choice. Each of us faces temptations daily. Those temptations might not be as great as Joseph’s or they might be worse. But the truth is God provided a way out for Joseph and he chose it. We have a choice also; we can give in to sin or we can flee from it.Paul tells us in I Corinthians 10:13 that, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” Isn’t it great to know that we don’t have to choose sin? We don’t have to give in to temptation. God gives us a way out; sometimes that means we must turn and run from the situation we are in. But God is with us, and like Joseph, choosing Him means we will be greatly blessed.
Topics: Food for thought, Ministry | No Comments »
Simple Marketing Economics
By Jason | February 24, 2010
Lately I feel like I have been bombarded by campaign ads on local Christian radio stations for the upcoming elections. It seems like after every song there is a commercial break to advertise for another candidate running for some position of office in our government. Yesterday, it reached a point at which I finally commented on how many commercials there were on my FACEBOOK. I received many comments about my posting. One person commented, “You market to your widest audience; simple marketing economics.” While I find it still a little annoying that I have to listen to all the campaign ads, he had a point. So whether we like it or not those candidates are getting the message across to a large number of people about who they are and why they should be the next senator, congressman, judge, etc.How are you getting the message of Jesus out to people? What are you doing to reach the audience that surrounds you? This audience includes your friends, family, co-workers, and the people you come in contact with while you are out in public. You might be thinking I can’t, and probably shouldn’t, make large public announcements campaigning for Jesus. You don’t have to. You can be very effective through one time proven method of telling others about Jesus: living your life as Jesus would. This means serving others, treating everyone with love, and letting your actions show God’s power in all that you do. Sometimes this means putting yourself last. Sometimes it means doing things that seem a little different from what those around you are used to. And sometimes it means making choices about what you say, what you wear, and how you react in situations.Simple marketing economics by Jesus’ standards: being the person you are trying to tell others about.
Topics: Food for thought, Ministry | No Comments »
The Weight of Snow Adds Up
By Jason | February 17, 2010
Last week’s record snowfall brought a lot of joy to our area. There were snowmen being built, families playing the snow together, no school, snowball fights, snow ice cream, and more! But there was also the not so fun part that many didn’t anticipate. Did you know that the weight of snow can add up and do a lot of damage? I never really thought about this until this past week huge live oak trees were snapping under the weight of the snow. If you drive around anywhere in our area it’s not unlikely to see broken branches, whole trees cut down, and piles of limbs where people have been cleaning up their yards. The tree’s, while evergreen and sturdy, weren’t prepared for the weight of the snow. This weight caused a lot of damage. I did notice something strange; none of the trees in my front yard had broken limbs. No, it’s not because I am the perfect gardener and have super strong trees. To the contrary, on the evening that it had been snowing so much, my oldest daughter and I made a snowwoman (it was her idea). I noticed that some of the tree limbs were dangling just a few feet from the ground. In order to make our snowwoman more visible, I grabbed my tree saw with the long extension and began shaking the upper branches of the trees to knock off some of the snow and raise the branches up. I basically took off a good portion of the weight they were holding. I didn’t really think anything of it until the next morning I went outside and started noticing how many of my neighbor’s trees had snapped and broken limbs. At that point I was thankful I had shaken the tree limbs because we love our trees and they were still in great shape.We as humans weren’t created to carry all the weight that our broken world puts on our shoulders. Oh, but we try! We struggle, wrestle, and we hide it and we try to shove it away pretending it’s not there. But it’s still there; weighing us down, slowing us down, and keeping us from fulfilling our purpose. And the worst part about that weight, those burdens, and that sins that holds us down is only Jesus can take it off of us. We can’t do it alone. We have to let Him. And that’s not an easy thing to do, because again part of that weight tells us: “You don’t need anyone else. You need these things you are carrying because they are who you are. Don’t you dare let go.” Jesus has the answer for that, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30The relief for that weight is simple. You can’t do it alone. Let Jesus remove that weight, those burdens, and let Him lighten the load you carry.
Topics: Family, Food for thought, Ministry | No Comments »
A Story to Share
By Jason | February 10, 2010
In Tuesday’s Daily Bible reading we read how Jesus healed a Demon-possessed man. If you haven’t already, pause for a minute and read Mark 5. There are so many things we can learn about Jesus from this story. And there are many things we can learn about ourselves. It’s a wild story!
Basically, the story goes like this: Jesus gets out of a boat and is greeted by a demon possessed man. The demons recognize Jesus and beg him not to destroy them. Jesus commands the demons out of the man healing him and sending the demons into a heard of pigs. These pigs then run off a cliff and drown in a lake. Those tending the pigs ran off and told the people of the surrounding area. The people got scared and angry and asked Jesus to leave. Jesus begins to leave…
“As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.” Mark 5:18-20
Here’s the deal: Jesus has done so much for us and He doesn’t want it to stop there. He wants the world to know about Him and what He has done for each of us. Just like He told the man to “go home and tell how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you,” He wants us to tell others.
Can you imagine the story that man had to tell? Each of us has a story. Take some time and share it with those you know and meet.
Topics: Food for thought, Ministry | No Comments »
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