
January 31, 2023 – What’s Your Hurry?
Many times we shoot up a prayer to God in haste or at meals, neglecting to spend the time alone with the Lord that we need.
Many times we shoot up a prayer to God in haste or at meals, neglecting to spend the time alone with the Lord that we need.
In archery, shots go all over the place when our anchor point is inconsistent so our aim is off. As believers, Jesus is our anchor point, if we get away from our anchor point, we flounder and miss the mark. We may be “aiming” at the wrong things. Sometimes the worries of this life and the lure of power, prestige, fame, and fortune can get us off track. Whatever the reason, our anchor point is off. To correct the problem, we must return to Jesus and remain in Him.
When I was a kid, Bible memory was a common spiritual discipline at Sunday school, summer camp, and youth group. One of the verses that I committed to memory back then was Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
That morning when we observed the Lord’s Supper, I looked around and saw that Christ not only died for me, but for these — my brothers and sisters there gathered with me. At the Lord’s Table we are all on a level plane. We all come humbly before Him in need of His grace and love that He extends freely toward us. The Lord’s Supper brings us together like nothing else.
Let’s not wander through this life confused, discouraged, and lost. Let’s stop and listen and depend on the teaching and guidance of the Holy Spirit to show us the way. Often, God’s ways are not what we would choose, but they’re always what’s best for us!
What does it mean to be “in Christ”? In John 15, Jesus described our relationship with Him as “organic.” Jesus likened our relationship with Him as branches on a vine.
For the past few weeks, we’ve been talking about prayer. Much about prayer is often misunderstood and one of those issues has to do with faith and doubting.
If you’ve ever wondered if you’re praying “right,” let me just state I don’t believe there is a “right” way to pray. Prayer is simply communication, between you and God. Still, Jesus has much to tell us about prayer.
Five or six people shared that morning. They didn’t share anything monumental from the standpoint of the miraculous. But what they did share demonstrated the intimate, loving, trusting relationships that they enjoyed with their heavenly Father.
How we view life is called our perspective. It shapes our outlook, our decisions, and our actions. Whether we’re on the job, shopping, working in the yard, leading a Bible study, or watching a football game, our perspective interprets what we see and experience. Like a pair of glasses, our perspective can either distort or finely tune reality.
The Creator of the universe who made all things has also left His signs for us to follow. The Apostle Paul pointed out that the evidences of God’s presence are so numerous and obvious that everyone knows something about Him. In His creation we see His majesty, His unfathomable wisdom, His power to give life, and His amazing creativity.
I thoroughly enjoyed all my fishing and hunting adventures with my good friend, Jeff Klippenes. Born and raised in the backwoods of Northern Minnesota, he has a wealth of outdoor experience that adds to the excitement of every outing. One of my favorite memories of Jeff begins with his decision to purchase a consignment boat from me.
We purchased eight Barbados Black Belly sheep that eventually grew to adult size. I learned a lot about life — and God — from the upkeep of these critters. You would think, in view of all the energy expended on their behalf, that these sheep would be grateful. Not so.
Whether you are new in the faith or have known the Lord for some time, being in the Word is crucial to the health and growth of your relationship with Jesus Christ. But many men are at a loss as to how to read and study the Bible.
As I get older I realize more and more how quickly our days on this earth pass and how important it is that we pause and pray for a heart of wisdom — that we might live each day in a way that brings glory to God.
That day when evening came, He said to His disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat. There were also other boats with Him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, don’t You care if we drown?”
There’s something about strolling along a quiet beach that brings calm — an escape from the struggles and challenges of life. With a passion for excellence in any career comes the need to keep balanced as well. Christ regularly took time for solitude with His Heavenly Father. Throughout Scripture we see how God meets man in the “quiet places” of His creation.
August 24, 2019 – Listen to this week’s ManUp! Radio show with host, Jim Grassi.