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I got to thinking the other day about themes that really describe my life. Last year I would have to say “Stuck in Anticipation” was my theme, but this year I am praying it will be “I’m Lovin’ It.” Sure … Continue reading
I am a little behind on posting this, but due to the arctic weather here lately I havn’ t had much of an opportunity to do so; so here goes. We had a New Years Eve party at the house for all of our Refuge Students, and we ate pizza, watched Facing the Giants, played some Wii, and discussed New Years Resolutions. The two that were most mentioned were Lose Weight and Get Better Grades. Then I prioritized them based on importance, and came up with the Top 10 Refuge New Years Resolution for 2010.
1. Have a closer relationship with God
2. Pray more
3. Read my Bible more
4. Get along better with my parents by showing them respect
5. Get Better Grades
6. Be Nicer
7. Focus less on boys/girls
8. Lose Weight – Get in Shape
9. Get to work/school on time
10. Take better care of our pets / Help around the house more.
I just wanted to take a minute and wish all of my blog readers, friends, and family a Happy New Year!!
May God bless you in 2010, and may you come to a complete dependance upon His everlasting love.
Tonight Is my last lesson of 2008, and I am going to be challenging my students to search out their talents/gifts and apply them to ministry for the 2009 year. We will be looking at the testimony of a young DJ named Noel who was once caught up in the partying club scene where he found himself in a mindless trance of hard, rave, techno triphopping (music). He was drinking and getting wasted with no hopes of a future or purpose. The club where Noel worked eventually got shut down, and he felt like he had no where to go. Lord willing Noel eventually found himself in church where God changed his life. Noel never thought his love for DJ-ing and the music scene could ever be used in church. He now uses his talent to draw other young people to Christ by DJ-ing in praise and worship concerts with Young Life Student Ministries.
1 Timothy 4:12-16 (NKJV) states:
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
Just as Paul states that Timothy was given a gift; so have you and I. God has blessed everyone with a gift that will further His kingdom. (1 Cor. 12:1-11) Many times it comes in the form of a talent, and sometimes we have to search it out. Paul states in verse 13 that our priority should be in giving attention to reading, exhortation, and doctrine. If we fail to do that, many times we become ignorant to the spiritual gift that God has bestowed upon us. Take note that the word attention means to devote and absorb, exhortation is the encouragement and application of the Word, and doctrine means to teach. So not only are we suppose to read it, we are to absorb it, apply it, and teach it. Only then will our spiritual gift be fully manifested to us. Verse 14 goes on to mention that we are not to neglect our gift. The word gift is the Greek word “charisma” which is translated “a gracious gift from God.”
In verses 15-16 we see the goal and purpose for Scripture and gifts. Purpose, isn’t that what everyone truly is searching for. Well here is the greatest purpose you and I can have; “that our progress may be evident to all.” Why? So that others might come unto the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
What talents or gifts do you posses? Are you using them to glorify God and reach others for Christ?
Colossians 3:23-25 (NKJV) states:
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.”
If you use your gift wisely, you will receive a reward, however if you misuse it you will be repaid. Repaid with what you might ask; let’s not find out. Merely, you will be responsible for the way you live your life.
This New Year live life to the fullest, and live it for Christ in every way.
If you have no clue what DJ-ing is check out this cool video of a pretty talented guy.
I have been on staff here at Bethel Baptist Church for 4 months now, and I have heard many excellent messages from my pastor Brandon Cox www.brandonacox.com since I’ve been here. However yesterday he preached two of the greatest messages I have ever heard. Sunday morning he preached on living a life with no regrets from 2 Timothy, and then Sunday evening he preached on 4 ways to grow for the New Years from one verse Luke 2:52. I’m sure he will blog on it so be sure to check out his blog above, but if for some reason he doesn’t here is the rundown of it.
“And Jesus increased (grew) in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” – Luke 2:52
Brother Brandon said that instead of making New Year’s resolutions we should set goals, and determine areas that we need to grow. In this passage Brandon found four areas that he wanted to grow, and I think that these are areas that we all need to grow in. I also feel that our churches, ministries, and leadership would greatly benefit from growth in these areas:
When I consider areas I want to grow many of them definitely fall into these categories. Some of the main things I hope to achieve in 2009 is to:
When we set New Years Resolution’s the moment we break them; many times we are quick to dismiss them all together, however when you set goals it is a continual process. What area or areas of life do you need to grow in? Write them down and establish what it is going to take to achieve them.
As stated above I want memorize more scripture; what verse or verses would you recommend me to memorize?
By the way keep on preaching Brandon. God truly is using you to further His Kingdom. Thanks for the inspiring message.
I finally decided to break away from family events to set behind the ol’ PC, and do a little blogging and surfing. I had to get away. All the social interacting was getting to me. When I got on here I discovered that for the first time I felt alone on the net. It didn’t seem like anyone was out there. There were a couple people twittering, but other than that there were no new incoming blogs, no new emails, and no new newsletters. It was kind of peaceful, and to my amazement refreshing; knowing that people were off their computers for a change spending time with people. Many people will waste their lives away sitting behind a monitor. Christmas is a day where people can step back into reality and the way life is suppose to be. We should spend more time with family, give to those in need, and provide services to those less fortunate. My hope and New Years resolution is to carry over this mind frame into the New Year. Won’t you join me on this life changing challenge? Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May the Lord be with you.
