from Senior Pastor Timothy Satryan
A few years ago, in an article in World magazine, Marvin Olasky noted that the emphasis on material gifts at Christmas may make us think of Christianity as just one more “exchange religion” – meaning, you do something for a god, who will then do something for you. The pagan citizens of Rome some 2,000 years ago readily recognized what “liberalitas” were – giving to please the receiver of the gift, who will then at some point want to please you. The common mind set of ancient Rome was that it was better to give than to receive, because by clever giving to wealthy friends, you could receive more in return back from them. Unfortunately, they applied the same concept theologically, offering sacrifices as investments.
Those early believers in Christ did something far different than the pagans. They practiced “caritas,” providing help to the economically poor, without any expectation of receiving something in return. They did that to imitate Christ, who was unjustly abandoned, tortured and killed for the sake of all who believe in Him. They praised God’s willingness to pour his grace over those who had done nothing to earn it.
Christmas is about God’s caritas. While today we display artistic scenes of the baby Jesus lying in a manger as a way to decorate for Christmas, we need to take time to recognize that the incarnation for God was the most humiliating action that could ever happen. For God to become flesh, to leave heaven and become a part of His own creation, is far worse than if you or I had born as a dog.
And yet, Christ showed caritas right to the last, by telling one of the thieves dying alongside Him that they would be together in paradise.
Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 5.48. Live for God, on purpose, demonstrating the true spirit of Christmas giving – giving even as Christ gave of Himself.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Keep Shining
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keep Shining
The Four Candles burned slowly. Their Ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak...
The first candle said, “I Am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit.” Then Peace’s flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.
The second candle says, “I Am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable.” Then Faith’s flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.
Sadly the third candle spoke, “I Am Love and I haven’t the strength to stay lit any longer.” “People put me aside and don’t understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.” And waiting no longer, Love goes out completely.
Suddenly... a child enters the room and sees the three candles no longer burning. The child begins to cry, “Why are you not burning? You are supposed to stay lit until the end.”
Then the Fourth Candle spoke gently to the little boy, “Don’t be afraid, for I Am Hope, and while I still burn, we can re-light the other candles.”
With Shining eyes the child took the Candle of Hope and lit the other three candles. Never let the Flame of Hope go out of your life. With Hope, no matter how bad things look and are... Peace, Faith and Love can Shine Brightly in our lives.
Keep Shining
The Four Candles burned slowly. Their Ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak...
The first candle said, “I Am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit.” Then Peace’s flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.
The second candle says, “I Am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable.” Then Faith’s flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.
Sadly the third candle spoke, “I Am Love and I haven’t the strength to stay lit any longer.” “People put me aside and don’t understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.” And waiting no longer, Love goes out completely.
Suddenly... a child enters the room and sees the three candles no longer burning. The child begins to cry, “Why are you not burning? You are supposed to stay lit until the end.”
Then the Fourth Candle spoke gently to the little boy, “Don’t be afraid, for I Am Hope, and while I still burn, we can re-light the other candles.”
With Shining eyes the child took the Candle of Hope and lit the other three candles. Never let the Flame of Hope go out of your life. With Hope, no matter how bad things look and are... Peace, Faith and Love can Shine Brightly in our lives.
What Do You Do When You Feel....?
What Do You Do When You Feel...?
Anger
• Ephesians 4:26 – In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
• Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Anxiety
• Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• Psalm 94:19 – When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Brokenhearted
• Psalm 34:18 – The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Confused
• 1 Corinthians 14:33 – For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the congregations of the saints.
• 1 Corinthians 2:16 – But we have the mind of Christ.
Depressed
• Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
• Psalm 34:17, 19 – The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles... A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
Discouraged
• John 14:1 – Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.
• Hebrews 10:35 – So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
Fearful
• 2 Timothy 1:7 – For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (fear), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
• 1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
• Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
Guilt
• 1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
• Romans 8:1 – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Helpless
• Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
• Psalm 33:20 – We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.
Insecure
• Romans 8:31 – What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
• Psalm 71:5 – For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.
Lonely
• Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
• Psalm 68:6 – God sets the lonely in families, He leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
Lustful
• 2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
• Galatians 5:16 – So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Persecuted
• John 15:20 – Remember the words I spoke to you: “No servant is greater than his master.” If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also.
• Romans 12:14 – Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
• Matthew 5:10 – Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Sad
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
• Isaiah 61:1-3 – The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor.
Tempted
• 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 – So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Unforgiveness
• Matthew 6:14-15 – For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
• Mark 11:25 – And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Unloved
• Jeremiah 31:3 – The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”
• 1 John 4:7, 11 – Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. . . Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Weak
• Romans 8:26 – In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Weary
• Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
• Matthew 11:28 – Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Worried
• Matthew 6:31, 33, 34 – So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?”... But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
• Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.
• Psalm 55:22 – Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.
Anger
• Ephesians 4:26 – In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
• Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Anxiety
• Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• Psalm 94:19 – When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Brokenhearted
• Psalm 34:18 – The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Confused
• 1 Corinthians 14:33 – For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the congregations of the saints.
• 1 Corinthians 2:16 – But we have the mind of Christ.
Depressed
• Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
• Psalm 34:17, 19 – The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles... A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
Discouraged
• John 14:1 – Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.
• Hebrews 10:35 – So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
Fearful
• 2 Timothy 1:7 – For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (fear), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
• 1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
• Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
Guilt
• 1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
• Romans 8:1 – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Helpless
• Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
• Psalm 33:20 – We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.
Insecure
• Romans 8:31 – What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
• Psalm 71:5 – For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.
Lonely
• Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
• Psalm 68:6 – God sets the lonely in families, He leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
Lustful
• 2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
• Galatians 5:16 – So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Persecuted
• John 15:20 – Remember the words I spoke to you: “No servant is greater than his master.” If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also.
• Romans 12:14 – Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
• Matthew 5:10 – Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Sad
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
• Isaiah 61:1-3 – The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor.
Tempted
• 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 – So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Unforgiveness
• Matthew 6:14-15 – For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
• Mark 11:25 – And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Unloved
• Jeremiah 31:3 – The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”
• 1 John 4:7, 11 – Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. . . Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Weak
• Romans 8:26 – In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Weary
• Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
• Matthew 11:28 – Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Worried
• Matthew 6:31, 33, 34 – So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?”... But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
• Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.
• Psalm 55:22 – Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)