Last night I listened to one of C.J. Mahaney’s messages titled, “Don’t Waste Your Humor.” It benefited me greatly! You can listen to it Here.
The Main Passage of Scripture was, Proverbs 15:13-15:
“A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.”
Here are some notes I jotted down:
-The gift of laughter God has kindly given to us.
-When ones heart is cheerful, life becomes a feast. It is a continual celebration regardless of adverse circumstances.
-Laughter is a celebration of the goodness of God.
-If you look beneath the cheerful heart, you will find a discerning heart, a heart of humility.
-Humor protects our hearts from being weighed down with sorrow.
Point one-Humor generates joy:
Nehemiah 8:10-“Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
-Humor is a means of transferring joy from a sorrowful heart into a glad heart.
Point Two- Humor cultivates humility:
-Laughter is a divine gift to the person that is humble. It helps us realize that we are not the center of attention.
-How often do we laugh each day?
-When we don’t find humor in someone making fun of us, we have a high view of ourselves. Humor and humility are an invaluable help during those moments.
-God uses friends to reveal pride in our lives through humor.
-Humiliations hit with little warning! We need to prepare our hearts for those moments.
Point three- Humor serves others:
-Humor is not to impress others or exult ourselves.
Ephesians 4:29- Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
-The divine use of humor is to edify others. It is ultimately to extend grace to others.
-If we’re going to draw attention to ones deficiencies we need to notice our own.
Point four- Gospel centered humor and laughter:
Psalm 126:2-3- “Then our mouth was filled with laughter; and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘the Lord has done great things for them.’ he has done great things for us; we are glad”
-Candace
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Weep No More
The Lord laid this scripture on my heart during worship this past Sunday. I would like to share it, in hopes that it may encourage you as it did me. Now I would ask you to read these verse slowly and ask the Lord for a vivid picture of what is being discribed in these verses.
Revelation 4
Revelation 4
1After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.
Revelation 5
1Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" 3And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."
6And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song, saying,
6And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song, saying,
"Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth."
11Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" 13And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" 14And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.
The first verses in Chapter 4 give us a wonderful glimpse of the glory of heaven, all centered around the one who is seated on the throne. In Chapter 5 we get to partake in a puzzling yet magnificent interaction. First we witness the realization that Scrolls, which are the counsels and decree of God, the Will of God, ultimate fellowship with God, are lock up. The Apostle cannot access that which he desires most, for the his heart would be that of the psalmist: "Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long." Inaccessible are the riches of heaven, and he cries out "Who can change this?, Who can break this curse? He can do nothing, helpless, overcome with despair he weeps.
Maybe you feel like this, aware of the graces' but feel like they are sealed up, inaccessible to you, aware of the glory all around you but joyless because of the pain and suffering that surrounds you. Well may you hear louder then the weeping the sweet sweet words of the elder. "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals." Behold your Savior, standing before the throne, the Mediator, interceding on your behalf. The Conquering Loin standing as a Lamb who was slain. Remember this picture, a bruised and broken lamb standing alone as Worthy. We can have fellowship with the Father because the our sin has been conquered, and we will partake in all the glory of heaven, where not a tear will fall, and no pain will ever be felt as we worship the one on the throne.
-Ryan-
Monday, June 23, 2008
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
As Seth encouraged us to do on Sunday, I have spent most of my day looking up the words to the song, “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” and searching for scripture that goes along with this hymn. Doing so has been very beneficial to me. I’m so thankful to God for song writers like Edward Mote who have used their giftings in the area of songwriting to proclaim God’s truth.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteous;
No merit of my own I claim
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils his lovely face,I
ret on his unchanging grace;
In every high and story gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, his covenant, his blood
Sustain me in the raging flood;
When all supports are washed away,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in him be found,
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
Redeemed to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
God is our rock:
Psalm 18:1-2-“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 40:2-“He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.”
God is our hope:
Psalm 42:11-“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Romans 5:3-5-“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 8:24-25- “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 12:12-“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
We’ve been redeemed:
Lamentations 3:58- “You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life.”
By God's Grace:
2 Corinthians 12:9- “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Ephesians 1: 7- “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”
Ephesians 2:4-5-“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”
Titus 2:11-12-“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”
-Candace
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteous;
No merit of my own I claim
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils his lovely face,I
ret on his unchanging grace;
In every high and story gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, his covenant, his blood
Sustain me in the raging flood;
When all supports are washed away,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in him be found,
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
Redeemed to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
God is our rock:
Psalm 18:1-2-“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 40:2-“He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.”
God is our hope:
Psalm 42:11-“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Romans 5:3-5-“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 8:24-25- “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 12:12-“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
We’ve been redeemed:
Lamentations 3:58- “You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life.”
By God's Grace:
2 Corinthians 12:9- “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Ephesians 1: 7- “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”
Ephesians 2:4-5-“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”
Titus 2:11-12-“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”
-Candace
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Do as you Promised
This is one of the gems given at Na08, this quote that C.J. used in his message on God's Word and Our Feelings is filled with truth about the loving nature of Christ. So I would encourage you to read it and embrace the wonderful truth it proclaims....
“God’s promises were never meant to be thrown aside as waste paper. He intended that theyshould be used. Nothing pleases our Lord better than to see His promises put in circulation.He loves to see His children bring them up to Him, and say, ‘Lord, do as you promised.’ Weglorify God when we please His promises. Do you think that God will be any the poorer forgiving you the riches He has promised? Do you dream that He will be any less holy forgiving holiness to you? Do you imagine He will be any less pure for washing you from yoursins? He has said, ‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins arered as crimson they shall be like wool.’ Faith embraces the promise of pardon. It doesn’tdelay, saying, ‘This is a precious promise, I wonder if it is true?’ but goes straight to thethrone with it, and pleads, ‘Lord, here is the promise. Do as you promised.’ Our Lord replies,‘Be it to you even as you will.’ When a Christian grasps a promise but doesn’t take it to God,then God is dishonored; but when one hastens to the throne of grace, and cries, ‘Lord, I havenothing to recommend me but this, You have said it;’ then the desire shall be granted. Ourheavenly banker delights to cash His own notes. Never let the promise rust. Draw the word ofpromise out of its scabbard, and use it with holy violence. Don’t think that God will betroubled by your importunately reminding Him of His promises. He loves to hear the loudoutcries of needy souls. It is His delight to give favors. He is more ready to hear than you areto ask. It is God’s nature to keep His promises. Therefore, go at once to the throne with, ‘Do as You promised..’” Charles Spurgeon
- ryan
“God’s promises were never meant to be thrown aside as waste paper. He intended that theyshould be used. Nothing pleases our Lord better than to see His promises put in circulation.He loves to see His children bring them up to Him, and say, ‘Lord, do as you promised.’ Weglorify God when we please His promises. Do you think that God will be any the poorer forgiving you the riches He has promised? Do you dream that He will be any less holy forgiving holiness to you? Do you imagine He will be any less pure for washing you from yoursins? He has said, ‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins arered as crimson they shall be like wool.’ Faith embraces the promise of pardon. It doesn’tdelay, saying, ‘This is a precious promise, I wonder if it is true?’ but goes straight to thethrone with it, and pleads, ‘Lord, here is the promise. Do as you promised.’ Our Lord replies,‘Be it to you even as you will.’ When a Christian grasps a promise but doesn’t take it to God,then God is dishonored; but when one hastens to the throne of grace, and cries, ‘Lord, I havenothing to recommend me but this, You have said it;’ then the desire shall be granted. Ourheavenly banker delights to cash His own notes. Never let the promise rust. Draw the word ofpromise out of its scabbard, and use it with holy violence. Don’t think that God will betroubled by your importunately reminding Him of His promises. He loves to hear the loudoutcries of needy souls. It is His delight to give favors. He is more ready to hear than you areto ask. It is God’s nature to keep His promises. Therefore, go at once to the throne with, ‘Do as You promised..’” Charles Spurgeon
- ryan
Saturday, June 7, 2008
His Name(s)
Recently, as I was doing some reading I came across this passage in 1 Chronicles: "Glory in his holy name." It got me to thinking... what does that mean? How do I glory in God's name? What steps must I take to accomplish this? Clearly I was over thinking the issue, but sometimes God makes the day cloudy so when the sun comes back the sky is that much more beautiful. Before I tackled this issue of what constitutes "glorying in his name", I first felt it necessary to examine some of his names and see what they mean. And that is what I would like to share :)Now, before we go over some of these definitions, I want to make it extremely clear that would should not limit God to the definition of one of his many names. There is a reason that God has many names and it is primarily due to the fact that he is ALL things and therefore must not be placed in a box of literary definition. Here are some of the more common ones:
1. Yahweh - Actually spelled YHWY, it means Jehovah. It is the promised name of God.
2. Jehovah - Lord.
3. Alpha and Omega - The beginning and the End
4. Immanuel - God with Us
5. I AM - God uses this name to demonstrate that He is. He was not created, he was not formed or influenced in any way. He is and he will always be.
6. Hosanna - "Save Now" or "Please Save." It is used to describe Christ as the Messiah.
7. Messiah - The Anointed One.
8. Adonai - This is the Hebrew word for "Lord". One interesting fact about this name is that it is in plural form. Adoni would be singular but it is always found in the Bible as Adonai meaning "My Lords".
As I said before, God references himself in over 300 different ways throughout scripture, but I found it extremely helpful to remind myself of the meanings of just these few here. It assisted me in thinking of God in much bigger context and in a more all-encompassing manner. Hopefully you find it as beneficial as I did.
-Kyle-
Friday, June 6, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Awesome...
When I was younger my family would always make fun of me for how fast I ate. My dad would tell me to just strap a bag to my face and eat like a horse next time... Needless to say, I was the unfortunate brunt of many jokes as a small child but now comes my oh so sweet redemption. Apparently this is now becoming popular:
-Kyle-
Monday, June 2, 2008
Election 2008
After last nights primary's in Puerto Rico, it is becoming increasingly clear that Barack Obama will face John Mccain in the general election. Though Hillary Clinton continues to pile up victories as of late, it makes little difference. Because of the way that delegates are apportioned in the Democratic primaries, Obama continues to edge close to his magic delegate number, solidifying his nomination. I very strongly believe that this election will be a turning point for our country. Though I have cautions for both candidates, it is becoming increasingly clear to me that Sen. Obama could indeed be a dangerous choice. From abortion rights to socialism, it is apparent that a President Obama could bring devastation to our country. However, I cannot fall into the trap of forgetting who is over all of this. God. It might very well be the Lord's will for Sen. Obama to win the election and that must be something that I am at peace about. Though I pray earnestly for the victory of John Mccain, I trust that God will be faithful and never forsake his people regardless of the political state of this nation. -Kyle-
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Greetings From Louisville!
The conference is over and we are all very tired! God has done many great things in all our lives and we can’t wait to share them when we return to Jacksonville!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
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