Monday, July 19, 2010
Movie Monday - God Gave Me You
This one is for my wife. I love U. Thank You Jesus for giving me such a beautiful gift.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Talk Tuesday- Does Discouragement Direct Your Faith?
Does Discouragement Direct Your Faith? Do your circumstances change the way you see God? Let's chat, we want to hear from you! I have had cause to reflect on these questions over the last month. I'd like to share a story...
Income tax time rolled around this year, but not as usual for us. Normally, it would mean a nice refund. As many of you know, I have experienced certain health issues which have affected many areas of our lives, including our income tax return. Needless to say, the assessment came in the mail, demanding that for the first time ever, we pay what I call a 'hefty' sum back to the government. Now this amount was a reassessment of the 2009 return we submitted, which included a higher amount. "Ok," I said to myself, "God is good, He is our provider, so I will not fret." We prayed and trusted. Within a few weeks another of those brown envelopes came to our home from Revenue Canada. As we read it, it seemed to indicate that a reduced $$$ amount was due to be paid! It was substantially less than our first 2009 reassessment and I began to shout, "See, God is good! He is our Provider! Look at how faithful He is!" I told this to anyone who would listen.
The next day, I went to pay the 'reduced' amount through tele-banking. I was excited and on top of things. Then, I heard the banking agent ask me to confirm the tax year I was making the payment for. As my eyes trailed to the top of the letter, I realized it said 2008! Uhm, yes, not only were we reassessed for 2009 but also for 2008 and that 'reduced' amount I was singing about the day before was actually an additional charge for the 2008 reassessment! I quickly hung up the phone and called my husband away from mowing the lawn, to hear the news.
He said, "Tash, we have to trust in the goodness of GOD. The same GOD whose praises you were singing yesterday is the same GOD today. We have to worship Him and trust Him just as we did when we thought we had to pay less." Then while driving home another day, he said, "We have to trust in God's nature. We cannot let our situation determine what we think of God. Whatever GOD puts you through, He has the best plan for your life."
We recently attended a church service where the Pastor (Sam) said, "Faith is trusting that GOD is who He says He is, and that He will do what He says He will do."
I began to reflect on these truths, our situation, my behaviour and GOD's faithfulness. Brothers and sisters, we must not let our circumstances direct our faith but let faith direct our circumstances. We can trust in GOD's faithfulness, trust in His nature and allow Him to be the centre of our lives, including every situation that comes our way. Here are some truths about GOD to meditate on:
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Income tax time rolled around this year, but not as usual for us. Normally, it would mean a nice refund. As many of you know, I have experienced certain health issues which have affected many areas of our lives, including our income tax return. Needless to say, the assessment came in the mail, demanding that for the first time ever, we pay what I call a 'hefty' sum back to the government. Now this amount was a reassessment of the 2009 return we submitted, which included a higher amount. "Ok," I said to myself, "God is good, He is our provider, so I will not fret." We prayed and trusted. Within a few weeks another of those brown envelopes came to our home from Revenue Canada. As we read it, it seemed to indicate that a reduced $$$ amount was due to be paid! It was substantially less than our first 2009 reassessment and I began to shout, "See, God is good! He is our Provider! Look at how faithful He is!" I told this to anyone who would listen.
The next day, I went to pay the 'reduced' amount through tele-banking. I was excited and on top of things. Then, I heard the banking agent ask me to confirm the tax year I was making the payment for. As my eyes trailed to the top of the letter, I realized it said 2008! Uhm, yes, not only were we reassessed for 2009 but also for 2008 and that 'reduced' amount I was singing about the day before was actually an additional charge for the 2008 reassessment! I quickly hung up the phone and called my husband away from mowing the lawn, to hear the news.
He said, "Tash, we have to trust in the goodness of GOD. The same GOD whose praises you were singing yesterday is the same GOD today. We have to worship Him and trust Him just as we did when we thought we had to pay less." Then while driving home another day, he said, "We have to trust in God's nature. We cannot let our situation determine what we think of God. Whatever GOD puts you through, He has the best plan for your life."
We recently attended a church service where the Pastor (Sam) said, "Faith is trusting that GOD is who He says He is, and that He will do what He says He will do."
I began to reflect on these truths, our situation, my behaviour and GOD's faithfulness. Brothers and sisters, we must not let our circumstances direct our faith but let faith direct our circumstances. We can trust in GOD's faithfulness, trust in His nature and allow Him to be the centre of our lives, including every situation that comes our way. Here are some truths about GOD to meditate on:
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Monday, July 5, 2010
Talk Tuesday - Share the Good News - FREE New Testament Bibles
Want to share the Gospel but you don't have the tools? Our friends at the Canadian Bible Society are teaming up with us to help you spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Canadian Bible Society is giving away 100 New Testaments to our BGO friends. All you have to do is email us and tell us how many NT Bibles you need. Maximum 5 per person. Sorry, this is only for our Canadian BGO friends.
Email us at joinus@biblegrouponline.com. Please include your email address, full name, address, postal code and number of NT Bibles.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Talk Tuesday-In the Belly of The Whale
Much has been said of the story of Jonah in the belly of the whale. Yet, isn't the real story about God's compassion, mercy, grace and love? The word of the Lord came to Jonah. “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” Jonah 1:2
Jonah attempted to flee to Tarshish in disobedience. He boarded a ship in Joppa, then a violent storm began to rage, endangering the life of the crew. Jonah, knowing it was the Lord, advised the men to throw him overboard and Jonah began to drown. God prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. He remained in the belly of the whale for three days, where he acknowledged God's merciful, saving hand at work in his life. Transformed, Jonah goes to Nineveh in obedience. Jonah warns the Ninevites that in forty days their city will be overthrown due to their wickedness. The king and people believe, repent and are spared God's wrath.
Jonah became very angry and railed at God. Jonah wanted to die instead of witnessing the salvation of the wicked Ninevites. God reasons with Jonah, and questions his right to be angry. Jonah went and sat outside the city, making himself a shelter. “And the LORD God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was grateful for the plant. But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered.” Jonah 4:6-7. Jonah became angry that the beautiful, shading plant died overnight.
“Then God said to Jonah, 'Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?' And he said, 'It is right for me to be angry, even to death!' But the LORD said, 'You have had pity on the plant for which you have not laboured, nor made it grow, which came up in a night an perished in a night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left-and much livestock?” Jonah 4:9-11
The Holy Spirit, in His infinite mercy, spoke to my heart about God's love. We are to love our neighbours with the love exemplified by our LORD Jesus Christ. Have you ever witnessed people not serving the LORD, seeming to flourish in their rebellion, while ridiculing you for your faith in Christ? And have you ever secretly thought, “Ha, you'll see!?” Has the Lord sent you to preach the good news to them and, you resisted? The amazing message about Jonah is the evidence of God's mercy, compassion and love. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Brothers and sisters, the message is this: Go out and preach the good news to all who the LORD sends you! And let us not faint, become selfish, judgmental or bitter but let us walk in obedience, understanding that the LORD cares for those who do not yet believe as much as He cares for us.
Jonah attempted to flee to Tarshish in disobedience. He boarded a ship in Joppa, then a violent storm began to rage, endangering the life of the crew. Jonah, knowing it was the Lord, advised the men to throw him overboard and Jonah began to drown. God prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. He remained in the belly of the whale for three days, where he acknowledged God's merciful, saving hand at work in his life. Transformed, Jonah goes to Nineveh in obedience. Jonah warns the Ninevites that in forty days their city will be overthrown due to their wickedness. The king and people believe, repent and are spared God's wrath.
Jonah became very angry and railed at God. Jonah wanted to die instead of witnessing the salvation of the wicked Ninevites. God reasons with Jonah, and questions his right to be angry. Jonah went and sat outside the city, making himself a shelter. “And the LORD God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was grateful for the plant. But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered.” Jonah 4:6-7. Jonah became angry that the beautiful, shading plant died overnight.
“Then God said to Jonah, 'Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?' And he said, 'It is right for me to be angry, even to death!' But the LORD said, 'You have had pity on the plant for which you have not laboured, nor made it grow, which came up in a night an perished in a night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left-and much livestock?” Jonah 4:9-11
The Holy Spirit, in His infinite mercy, spoke to my heart about God's love. We are to love our neighbours with the love exemplified by our LORD Jesus Christ. Have you ever witnessed people not serving the LORD, seeming to flourish in their rebellion, while ridiculing you for your faith in Christ? And have you ever secretly thought, “Ha, you'll see!?” Has the Lord sent you to preach the good news to them and, you resisted? The amazing message about Jonah is the evidence of God's mercy, compassion and love. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Brothers and sisters, the message is this: Go out and preach the good news to all who the LORD sends you! And let us not faint, become selfish, judgmental or bitter but let us walk in obedience, understanding that the LORD cares for those who do not yet believe as much as He cares for us.
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