It is usually not difficult to love close friends and family members. And it's usually not tough to show a bit of compassion to desperate, pitiable people in crisis. But what about mean people or heartless enemies? What about loving the very people who have hurt and wronged you?
That's the unexpected power of the gospel of Christ. When Jesus invades our lives, he replaces (if we allow Him) our natural tendencies toward bitterness and revenge with the unnatural (supernatural) ability to treat others with mercy and grace. This is how Jesus lived. So when He lives within us, it is how we can and should live.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
When we share out faith, we are in a win/win situation. If people accept
what we say, we win. If we plant the seed of God's Word, we win; and
even if we are rejected, we win. This is because the Bible says that
when that happens, the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon us. When we
contend for the faith and are rejected, we are to rejoice and leap for
joy, for great is our reward in heaven (Luke 6:22,23). It is a winning
situation every single time that you share your faith!
Mark Cahill
Mark Cahill
Thursday, April 19, 2012
James 1:19 Let us always be quick to hear and slow to speak. I am guilty of this more often then I would like to admit. I am the type of person that needs a little time to consider my words and my choices. When possible it is always best to wait on God. Psalm 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, you can not overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against God. Acts 5: 38-39
We must listen for God's still small voice. 1 Kings 19: 12, and let God be God!
And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, you can not overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against God. Acts 5: 38-39
We must listen for God's still small voice. 1 Kings 19: 12, and let God be God!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Fliterary: Trailer Talk Tuesday -- Dave Moore
Fliterary: Trailer Talk Tuesday -- Dave Moore: Howdy, friends! Our blog post auto function isn't working, so please forgive this late installment of Book Trailer Talk Tuesday The...
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
The Parable of the Fishless Fisherman
Fellowship. They were surrounded by streams and lakes full of hungry fish. They met regularly to discuss the call to fish, the abundance of fish, and the thrill of catching fish.They got excited about fishing.
Someone suggested that they needed a philosophy of fishing, so they carefully defined and redefined fishing, and the purpose of fishing. They developed fishing strategies and tactics. Then they realized that they had been going at it backwards. They had approached fishing from the point of view of the fisherman, and not from the point of view of the fish. How do fish view the world? How does the fisherman appear to the fish? What do fish eat, and when? These are all good things to know. So they began research studies, and attended conferences on fishing. Some traveled to faraway places to study different kinds of fish with different habits. Some got doctorates in fishology. But no one had yet gone fishing.
So a committee was formed to send out fishermen. As prospective fishing places outnumbered fishermen, the committee needed to determine priorities. A priority list of fishing places was posted on bulletin boards in all of the fellowship halls. But still, no one was fishing. A survey was launched to find out why. Most did not answer the survey, but from those who did, it was discovered that some felt called to study fish, a few to furnish fishing equipment, and several to go around encouraging the fishermen. What with meetings, conferences, and seminars, they just simply didn't have time to fish.
Now, Jake was a newcomer to the Fisherman's Fellowship. After one stirring meeting of the Fellowship, he went fishing and caught a large fish. At the next meeting, he told his story and was honored for his catch. He was told that he had a special "gift of fishing." He was then scheduled to speak at all the Fellowship chapters and tell how he did it.
With all the speaking invitations and his election to the board of directors of the Fisherman's Fellowship, Jake no longer had time to go fishing. But soon he began to feel restless and empty. He longed to feel the tug on the line once again. So he cut the speaking, he resigned from the board, and he said to a friend, "Let's go fishing." They did, just the two of them, and they caught fish. The members of the Fisherman's Fellowship were many, the fish were plentiful, but the fishers were few.
Anonymous
Anonymous
From the Evidence Bible
Monday, April 16, 2012
A vast multitude of faces encircles the exalted Christ. The white robed crowd is composed of representatives from every nation, tribe, people, and language on earth. They're shouting praises at the top of their lungs. At the same time, mighty angels and other mysterious onlookers are falling on their faces in worship.
If these are the worship practices of those with the clearest view of Christ, how should we alter the way we give praise to the Lord here and now?
Revelation 7:9
If these are the worship practices of those with the clearest view of Christ, how should we alter the way we give praise to the Lord here and now?
Revelation 7:9
Saturday, April 14, 2012
All the nations will be gathered in His Presence, and He will separate
them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the
sheep at His right hand and the goats at His left. Then the King will
say to those on the right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father,
inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
Matthew 25: 32-34
He will send forth His angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they will gather together His chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
Matthew 24:31
Matthew 25: 32-34
He will send forth His angels with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast, and they will gather together His chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
Matthew 24:31
Eternal life doesn't just mean living forever-it means living forever in
a relationship with God. It doesn't start when you die; it starts when
you come to know Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Thats why Jesus is
referred to as eternal life. Paul tells us to hold tightly to eternal
life that God has given, so hang on to Jesus with all your heart.
1John 5:20
1John 5:20
Friday, April 13, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Since God is full of mercy and love and forgiveness, the common assumption is that there are many paths or doorways to God. Surely He accepts all who are "sincere."
This sounds so noble-until you hear the words of Jesus on the subject. He was short and to the point: "The door to heaven is narrow." He went on to declare that a lot of people who think they have a ticket for eternal life will be surprised when they get turned away at heaven's gates. On another occasion Jesus called himself the door (or "gate" see John 10:7-9), meaning we find God only through Him.
Instead of complaining about there being only "one way," we should rejoice that there is a way!
Luke 13:22-30
This sounds so noble-until you hear the words of Jesus on the subject. He was short and to the point: "The door to heaven is narrow." He went on to declare that a lot of people who think they have a ticket for eternal life will be surprised when they get turned away at heaven's gates. On another occasion Jesus called himself the door (or "gate" see John 10:7-9), meaning we find God only through Him.
Instead of complaining about there being only "one way," we should rejoice that there is a way!
Luke 13:22-30
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Our faith isn't intellectual; it is experiential. We don't know about God, we know Him. At the University of Chicago Divinity School, each year they have what is called "Baptist Day." It is a day when the school invites all the Baptists in the area to the school because they want the Baptist dollars to keep coming in. On this day each one is to bring a lunch to be eaten outdoors in a grassy picnic area. Every "Baptist Day" the school would invite one of the greatest minds to lecture in the theological education center. One year they invited Dr. Paul Tillich. Dr. Tillich spoke for two and a half hours proving that the resurrection of Jesus was false. He quoted scholar after scholar and book after book. He concluded that since there was no such thing as the historical resurrection, the religious tradition of the Church was groundless, emotional mumbo-jumbo, because it was based on a relationship with a risen Jesus, who, in fact, never rose from the dead in any literal sense. He then asked if there were any questions. After about thirty seconds, an old preacher with a head of short-cropped, woolly white hair stood up in the back of the audience. "Docta Tillich, I got one question," he said as all eyes turned toward him. He reached into his lunch sack and pulled out an apple and began eating it. "Docta Tillich (crunch, munch), Now, I ain't never read them books you read (crunch, munch), and I can't recite the Scriptures in the original Greek (crunch, munch). I don't know nothin' about Niebuhr and Heidegger (crunch, munch)." He finished the apple. "All I wanna know is: This apple I just ate-was it bitter or sweet?" Dr. Tillich paused for a moment and answered in exemplary scholarly fashion: "I cannot possibly answer that question, for I haven't tasted your apple." The white-haired preacher dropped the apple core into his crumpled paper bag, looked up at Dr. Tillich and said calmly, "Neither have you tasted my Jesus." The 1,000-plus in attendance could not contain themselves. The auditorium erupted with applause and cheers. Dr. Tillich thanked his audience and promptly left the platform. "Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him" (Psalm 34:8). It has been well said, "The man with an experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument."
From The Evidence Bible
From The Evidence Bible
Living Joyfully Free Radio: Living Joyfully Free with guest, Dave Moore
Living Joyfully Free Radio: Living Joyfully Free with guest, Dave Moore: Please click on the photo template or the audio button below to listen to my guest, Dave Moore ! A missing son, a desperate ...
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Interview with David Moore
There
are two seasons throughout the course of our calender year when
Christians are particularly mindful of the sacrifice offered to earth
for redemption; Christmas and Easter. Is it possible to attend a
religious service on those two Sundays and not be reminded of our
heavenly Father's great love? Author David Moore can relate to the palpable feelings involved in losing a son for the spiritual gain of others better than most.
On a Friday night in 2002, his son slipped through his fingers and what follows is the nightmare every parent prays to avoid. His sincere narrative involves blood, sweat and tears, and the power of radical change that only prayer can offer. This is more than a bad story with a good ending, and to this day, it still resurrects the painful gut wrenching loss Moore perceived to be his new reality.
Connecting with Moore through our recent interview was a connection to our heavenly Father and the greater purposes he intends to be birthed through pain. The story is painful, the message clear. God loves us more than we could ever imagine and in that love, is everything we could ever need.
MN-Ten years ago, your wife finds a note written by your son stating he had left because he couldn't bear the burden of his perceived failure or what it might do to you. When you realized that he had runaway and why he had run away, what did that do to you as a father?
DM-It made me really take a look at myself. I took custody of my son David when he was one and a half years old and raised him by myself until I married my wife Dorinda five years later. Everyone told me what a great father I was to raise my son by myself for five years and I bought into that. I felt like I had always been a good father, tried to always give to and do as much as I could for him. What I realized after he disappeared was that I had been more of a ruler then a father. I was loud, ruled with anger and fear, with a my way or the highway attitude. This was the same way I was raised and I always hated my dad for it.
MN-You immediately hit the streets doing everything you could to find him. What was that experience like?
DM-It was the most terrifying thing that had ever happened tome. I have lost both of my parents and it is a very hard thing to cope with. It still does not compare to the panic, pain and fear that I felt for those five days.
MN-You interacted with several homeless shelters and street people. What did this experience teach you about homeless Americans?
DM-I have mixed emotions because the homeless people I met in Dayton were wonderful,compassionate, and wanted nothing more then to help me, they would not even accept any money that I tried to give them. The homeless people that I encountered in Atlanta were the opposite. They only wanted to take my money, try to take advantage of me, and I would find out later that they had also robbed my son while he was there. I still have a heart to help the needy and have worked in our food ministry for 9 years but I am also careful with them.
MN-Your prayer of submission to God changes everything. Your son was found moments later, but the instant transformation in you was incredible. In your opinion, what is the greater of the two miracles?
DM-I truly feel like it is not two but both are part of the same miracle. God is always searching for his children to come home just like I was searching for my son. He used this one situation to accomplish one great miracle of salvation for my son David, my wife Dorinda, and I.
MN-Your faith was tested shortly after this event. By this time, you, your wife Dorinda and David have dedicated your lives to God. David was injured in a football game and it was documented through x-rays that he had a torn esophagus and broken neck. You immediately called out to God and minutes later it is confirmed the hole had closed and the neck was no longer broken.What role does prayer play in your family now?
DM-Prayer is a part of our everyday life now as much as eating and breathing. Prayer is how we communicate with God and nourish our relationship with Him. We have seen many other miracles of answered prayer for ourselves and for others through our prayer lives. I have always said that when you need God get down on your face and show Him.
MN-I've seen you write "To God be all the glory"in a few places. Tell me what that means to you.
DM-It is so easy in our flesh to take the credit for things that go right in our lives. Sometimes I have prayed and seen a miracle answer to prayer and then completely forget to recognize and thank God for what He had obviously done. We are very quick to blame God at times. I want to live and talk in a way that always gives God the credit for everything good. Truly every good thing comes from Him.
MN-How is David doing now?
DM-David is doing great. He has been working as a leader in Mission Florida through Abundant Life Church of God in Lakeland Florida. This discipleship group raises up leaders and sends them out into the world to make a difference in the Kingdom of God. David has completed the first step in receiving his minister’s credentials and will be graduating from Lee University this spring with a Bachelors Degree in Church Leadership. I am so very proud of him.
MN-What significance does Easter have for you as it relates to and parallels your relationship with David?
DM-Easter is the most holy and special day of the year for me.God allowed His Son to be humiliated, tortured, and murdered horribly to save us. There is not a one of us that would even consider doing that with our child. I know I wouldn’t. Yet the bible says in Isaiah 53:10 that it pleased God to bruise Him. Both the Father and the Son volunteered to suffer for our salvation. I love my son so very much, yet how much more God loves us.
MN-In writing the book, was it difficult reliving those painful memories?
DM-It really was. I am crying even as I write this now. Every time I rewrote it I was reliving it. It brings back such emotions of pain yet tears of joy.
MN-Do you have a favorite Bible verse that sums up your spiritual journey thus far?
DM-Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will rejoice over thee with singing.
On a Friday night in 2002, his son slipped through his fingers and what follows is the nightmare every parent prays to avoid. His sincere narrative involves blood, sweat and tears, and the power of radical change that only prayer can offer. This is more than a bad story with a good ending, and to this day, it still resurrects the painful gut wrenching loss Moore perceived to be his new reality.
Connecting with Moore through our recent interview was a connection to our heavenly Father and the greater purposes he intends to be birthed through pain. The story is painful, the message clear. God loves us more than we could ever imagine and in that love, is everything we could ever need.
MN-Ten years ago, your wife finds a note written by your son stating he had left because he couldn't bear the burden of his perceived failure or what it might do to you. When you realized that he had runaway and why he had run away, what did that do to you as a father?
DM-It made me really take a look at myself. I took custody of my son David when he was one and a half years old and raised him by myself until I married my wife Dorinda five years later. Everyone told me what a great father I was to raise my son by myself for five years and I bought into that. I felt like I had always been a good father, tried to always give to and do as much as I could for him. What I realized after he disappeared was that I had been more of a ruler then a father. I was loud, ruled with anger and fear, with a my way or the highway attitude. This was the same way I was raised and I always hated my dad for it.
MN-You immediately hit the streets doing everything you could to find him. What was that experience like?
DM-It was the most terrifying thing that had ever happened tome. I have lost both of my parents and it is a very hard thing to cope with. It still does not compare to the panic, pain and fear that I felt for those five days.
MN-You interacted with several homeless shelters and street people. What did this experience teach you about homeless Americans?
DM-I have mixed emotions because the homeless people I met in Dayton were wonderful,compassionate, and wanted nothing more then to help me, they would not even accept any money that I tried to give them. The homeless people that I encountered in Atlanta were the opposite. They only wanted to take my money, try to take advantage of me, and I would find out later that they had also robbed my son while he was there. I still have a heart to help the needy and have worked in our food ministry for 9 years but I am also careful with them.
MN-Your prayer of submission to God changes everything. Your son was found moments later, but the instant transformation in you was incredible. In your opinion, what is the greater of the two miracles?
DM-I truly feel like it is not two but both are part of the same miracle. God is always searching for his children to come home just like I was searching for my son. He used this one situation to accomplish one great miracle of salvation for my son David, my wife Dorinda, and I.
MN-Your faith was tested shortly after this event. By this time, you, your wife Dorinda and David have dedicated your lives to God. David was injured in a football game and it was documented through x-rays that he had a torn esophagus and broken neck. You immediately called out to God and minutes later it is confirmed the hole had closed and the neck was no longer broken.What role does prayer play in your family now?
DM-Prayer is a part of our everyday life now as much as eating and breathing. Prayer is how we communicate with God and nourish our relationship with Him. We have seen many other miracles of answered prayer for ourselves and for others through our prayer lives. I have always said that when you need God get down on your face and show Him.
MN-I've seen you write "To God be all the glory"in a few places. Tell me what that means to you.
DM-It is so easy in our flesh to take the credit for things that go right in our lives. Sometimes I have prayed and seen a miracle answer to prayer and then completely forget to recognize and thank God for what He had obviously done. We are very quick to blame God at times. I want to live and talk in a way that always gives God the credit for everything good. Truly every good thing comes from Him.
MN-How is David doing now?
DM-David is doing great. He has been working as a leader in Mission Florida through Abundant Life Church of God in Lakeland Florida. This discipleship group raises up leaders and sends them out into the world to make a difference in the Kingdom of God. David has completed the first step in receiving his minister’s credentials and will be graduating from Lee University this spring with a Bachelors Degree in Church Leadership. I am so very proud of him.
MN-What significance does Easter have for you as it relates to and parallels your relationship with David?
DM-Easter is the most holy and special day of the year for me.God allowed His Son to be humiliated, tortured, and murdered horribly to save us. There is not a one of us that would even consider doing that with our child. I know I wouldn’t. Yet the bible says in Isaiah 53:10 that it pleased God to bruise Him. Both the Father and the Son volunteered to suffer for our salvation. I love my son so very much, yet how much more God loves us.
MN-In writing the book, was it difficult reliving those painful memories?
DM-It really was. I am crying even as I write this now. Every time I rewrote it I was reliving it. It brings back such emotions of pain yet tears of joy.
MN-Do you have a favorite Bible verse that sums up your spiritual journey thus far?
DM-Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will rejoice over thee with singing.
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