Winning The Beauty Contest
By jmarch | September 23, 2008
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthian 5:17, NASB)
Do you like the make-over shows? We love to see these huge transformations from “ugly duckling to beauty” accomplished at warp speed . 
a book called Psycho-cybernetics written Maxwell Maltz over 30 years ago described what happened to people who had plastic surgery done to improve their appearance. The change on the outside did not manifest itself on the inside. Those with psychological problems before their surgery, had the same problems after.
So, change on the outside may help you win a beauty contest but not necessarily the battles of life.
We love winners. But, some winners in life are losers in eternity.
The way to win is to win “in Christ.” Behold, every day we become His new creation.
“You win because He won.” This doesn’t refer to what our worldly minds think of when we think of winning and losing.
Those outside of Christ, may look winners and be beautiful on the outside but inside they are “ugly ducklings” who are in desperate need of a Savior.
To the world this is foolishness. The Christians’ most important title is Fool for Christ–bearing witness to those around us who are trying to win the beauty contest, be somebody, get ahead and never feel like winners– because they are running on empty, trying to get satisfied with what the world has to offer and never succeeding.
When people SEE the Jesus in you–just watch, they’ll take note, might even ask you what makes you they way they are.
You may here: “I wish I were more like you.” You’ll say: ”you don’t want to be like me at all–I am who I am because Jesus lives in and through me…”
My hunch is that, that will lead to some very grand conversation, Praise God.
My prayer is that I will keep my job title uppermost in my mind throughout the day and I pray that for everyone who calls themselves “Christian”
Topics: Fools for Christ, Renewing the mind | No Comments »
God is Love
By jmarch | August 8, 2008
A powerful video from God Tube-Pass it on
Topics: God's Love | 1 Comment »
Prayer for Today
By jmarch | June 24, 2008
Father God, all praise and glory to you. Our prayer is for your will to be done in every life of every man, woman and child on this earth:
We pray today Lord, especially for children. For Children are special in your eyes–we cry out to you in behalf of children who are abused. for children who have no food or water. for children who have no family. Father, we pray for children who are sick; for those who are seriously ill with cancer and other disease which can end their lives. Have mercy Lord. Have mercy on each and every child. Protect each one from all harm. Where they are neglected and unloved, let them know that you love them. Send those who truly love children to care for them and to love them.
In Jesus name we pray.
Topics: Prayer, Uncategorized | No Comments »
How Important are We?
By jmarch | June 23, 2008
“He must become more important while I become less important.” (John 3:30, NET bible, Bibe.org)
Imagine that a good, wise, wealthy and great king has come into the room. Photographers from the press take pictures. Reporters rush to get his thoughts on the most important matters in the world. He will dine with pundits and presidents. We wish we could be there. We’d be so honored. we’d love to have access to get his take on things that we could apply to our own lives.
We have that opportunity everyday with the King, that is above every other king. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Yet, we waste this precious resource. Jesus told us that He would leave us Himself–His Holy Spirit–to guide us, comfort us, help us and lead us.
Are we rushing to Him to ask Him to be Our Leader? Or, have we claimed that position?
If we are to live the Christian life to the full, then we must become less and He must become more.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
“Which Way is The Right WAY?”
By jmarch | May 28, 2008
“Good and upright is the Lord;Therefore, He instructs sinners in the way.” (Psalm 25: 8 NASB)
Years back, a dear friend and fellow minister related a strategy he gave to inmates he counseled. He’d tell them, “to stop sinning pretend God is a huge Cop with a heavy baton in one hand and a gun in the other.”
We all struggle with sin. That’s why we have and need a Savior. But Is Jesus, The Lord one who plays the Good Cop, Bad Cop game? When we fall, he’ll hit us with his baton; when we are “GOOD” he’ll reward us.
Being GOOD gets me what I want?
Are you familiar with the story of Job? He was a GOOD man! He had it all–but then, it was suddenly taken away from him!
The Bible tells us: “The LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.’” (Job Chapter 1 Verse 8, NET Bible, Bible.Org) Yet, The Lord allowed Satan to test Job. (see Job Chapter 1:1-2:13 click here)
So, let’s take a look at this verse more closely.
- What is our definition of GOOD?
- What is the opposite of upright?
- What is The power in the word “THEREFORE?”
- What is The Way?
What is our definition of GOOD?
God is good. Jesus quoting from the Old testament said: “”Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone…” (Mark 10:18, NASB) We live in a fallen world. How many times has the non-believer affirmed their own goodness: “I am a good person, I give to the poor, I am kind, I admire Jesus as a prophet–but I don’t need him because I am following my own path” God considers our own goodness as “filthy rags.” Why? because apart from Christ there is no good that I am capable of producing that warrants God’s eternal reward. None. If Mother Theresa operated apart from Christ, all the good she did would not be righteous enough.
Our “Goodness” can only come through Christ and in Christ. (Hard for unbelievers to accept and a concept that only the Holy Spirit of God can move men and women to understand) The goodness that matters to God is that which is IN CHRIST.
What is the opposite of upright?
We either accept God’s grace and live and through this Grace have the power to live more upright lives or we reject grace and become stooped over by our sin load. Is God the one beating us down?
God sent Jesus who paid with His Life to raise us up from death to life. (John 3:16) Without Jesus, you are among the walking dead–stooped over, without joy, struggling and often hating your very earthly life. You have no hope.
What is The power in the word “THEREFORE?”
When we see this word it should stop us–to pay attention to what’s coming. A conclusion follows that is both spiritual and logical: Because we are a mess, we need instruction. Some look to the wrong instructors.
God is prepared to teach us THE WAY–His Way, not our way
What is The Way?
Remember the TV Commercial for Burger King? Their jingle went “Have it YOUR way…” (you burger) Well, from what I can see, most of us what EVERYTHING OUR WAY! We don’t want to go out of our way. We want to do it “My Way” (Remember that song?)
Doing things OUR WAY–apart from God and not HIS WAY–is usually the wrong way. Our selfish, self-willed, self-centered way usually gets us on a one way street to hell.
The only WAY is God’s Way which includes all of HIS COMMANDS, instruction to us as to how we must live HIS WAY! This is hard for secular society to swallow who want to continue down the their rocky road.
I pray that this message blesses and that you will choose to Follow Jesus, the way, the truth and the life.
Topics: God's Attributes, God's Love, God's Way, Uncategorized | No Comments »
What I Want God to Forget
By jmarch | May 13, 2008
“Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; According to Your lovingkindness remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.” (NASB © biblegateway Psa 25:7)
Can you remember the good things you’ve done in your life? Holding a door open for an elderly person; giving money to a poor person; helping a friend through a tough time. Let me venture a guess and say that most of us don’t dwell very much on the good works we do.
Most of us remember with great clarity the sins we’ve committed. Some of these memories can be horrific. Some of them remain with us throughout our lives.
I can recall meeting the nicest young man: he was a member of a church. He played a instrument in the worship band every Sunday. As I spoke with this man I asked him why he had gotten himself in trouble and what caused him to come to prison. This young man, hung his head and told me he had murdered someone. His sentence was 30 years to life.
Questions:
- Will God forgive a murderer?
- Will the sinner ever forget his sin?
- Will the murderer ever forget his sin?
- Will the sinner ever forgive himself
- Will the sinner accept God’s forgiveness?
- Are there consequences for our sins?
Will God forgive a murderer?
You will recall that Jesus was unjustly sentenced to death. He said, Father forgiven them for they know not what they do.
I am convinced that sin can be categorized as mental disorder. (I am not saying that sin is a medical problem and blaming something else other than our on unwise choice to sin) What I am saying is the sinner is out of his or her right mind. a “right” mind, a righteous mind is the one which is aligned with the pure wisdom in the mind of Christ.
The young man I spoke of above committed a sin of passion. He was out of control and shot someone to death. David the King of Israel was a man after God’s own heart. He was wise and successful. But, he was a murderer.
The Bible says: In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In the letter he wrote: “Station Uriah in the thick of the battle and then withdraw from him so he will be cut down and killed.”(2Samuel Chapter 11: 14-15, Net Bible)
Yes, God will forgive the repentant sinner, even a murderer–even you and I.
The Bible says: “Then David exclaimed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord!” Nathan replied to David, “Yes, and the Lord has forgiven your sin.” ( 2 Samuel, Chapter 12:13)
Will the sinner ever forget his sin?
No, I don’t think so. The sins we commit are in our memory bank. We have regrets. The young man who killed someone finds it hard to forget his crime of passion. He has a lifetime to relive the event and rethink his decision. He has time to reflect and only wish he’d made a different decision. King David had to live with his decision, constantly reminded by events in his life which God allowed because of his crime.
Will the sinner ever forgive himself?
No. We cannot forgive ourselves. Only God can forgive us. Those who are harmed by our sin will also find it difficult to forgive us. They may constantly throw up our sin to us. all of this makes it difficult for us to forgive ourselves. But, there is a solution. And that is to repent. Turn away from our sinful way toward God. Admit our transgressions toward Him and our neighbor and ask Him to forgive us of all of our sins.
God the Father sent the son to pay the price for our sins. The Christian is in line to receive the benefits of the Cross and the shed blood of Christ. To reject God’s forgiveness is to reject the work of the Cross. We have a wrong idea that we must forever walk about in “sackcloth and ashes.” It takes time for memories to heal. But, the Christian must accept wholeheartedly, this forgiveness. If he doesn’t, he cannot be of any use to God.
In Psalm 51:12 we read, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit”
Allow yourself to be restored! Because then the bible tells us that we’ll be able to teach transgressors Gods ways and as a result sinners will turn to back to God (Psalm 51:13, Net Bible). The young man i mention above who committed a murder was one of the pillars in the jail church and an active evangelist within the prison walls. You can cage a Christian but you cannot shut in Christ.
Guilt and regret keeps Christians on the sidelines. You cannot change the past. You can either move on stay stuck in the mud. You can either be useless or used of God.
–And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.” (2 Samuel 12:13b) –
Are there consequences to sin?
Yes. But he also forgive us. Helps us to deal with the consequences and works all things together for good, even when we mess up. God can and will bring restoration to the soul who s is repentant and seeks His forgiveness.
”According to Your lovingkindness remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.”
Topics: Forgiveness, God's Love, Sin & Restoration, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Remind God, Remind Yourself
By jmarch | May 6, 2008
“Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses, For they have been from of old.” (Psalm 25:6 NASB)
Words defined
Compassion: “to love,” “pity,” “be merciful”
Lovingkindness: “The Divine Love condescending to His creatures, more especially to sinners, in unmerited kindness. (Bible.Org, Naves Dictionary)
Is God Forgetful?
Throughout scripture, there are so many cases of the ancient asking God to remember. Is God the God of forget?
“O Lord God, do not reject your chosen ones! Remember the faithful promises you made to your servant David!” (2Ch 6:42)
Reminding God of His Compassion
“Remember your compassionate and faithful deeds, O Lord, for you have always acted in this manner. “ (Psa 25:6)
Reminding Ourselves of His Faithfulness
When you are in the thick of trouble, ask God to remember His compassion and His amazing faithfulness.
“I will remember the works of the Lord. Yes, I will remember the amazing things you did long ago!” (Psa 77:11)
I think of all of the times God has saved my bacon. When I had just gotten my Pilot’s license, I went out for a long flight on a bright and sunny summer day. On my way back, the weather turn and we had showers and thunderstorms. I got lost. I was low on fuel. I’d done everything wrong, including not filing a flight plan. I was scared. I could not see in front of me and flew as low as I could in the hopes of finding a small airport. I prayed and prayed and was calmed by my prayers, believeing that God would come to my rescue. The God of compassion had me going in the right direction–I flew over an airstrip, turned around and landed safely.
I can tell you–I landed on fumes and a prayer. Something I will never forget.
What can separate us from The Love of God?
Nothing. ( Romans 8:35 ) Compassion and lovingkindness for His creation is in His nature.
What’s our role?
- To receive from God in Christ, who in His compassion and lovingkindness, sent Jesus to save us from ourselves and our sins; our trials, and our troubles and who rewards those who believe in Him with eternal life.
- To Obey His commands: “I remember your name during the night, O Lord, and I will keep 1 your law.” (Psa 119:55)
Remember we must be not only hearers or His Word, but also doers. ( James Chapter God demands obedience. ALthough those who believe are not under the law, but under grace it doesn’t mean we are not to obey all of God’s commands. Jesus said, “He didn’t come to abolish The Law but to fulfill it.: (
Then, fully obeying God, we are to turn GOD’s Compassion and Lovingkindness Around: By all these things, I have shown you that by working in this way we must help the weak, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
(Act 20:35)
Hearing And Doing God’s Lovingkindness & Compassion
“1:19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! 21 Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. 1:20 For human 22 anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. 23 1:21 So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly 24 welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. 1:22 But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. 1:23 For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone 25 who gazes at his own face 26 in a mirror. 1:24 For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets 27 what sort of person he was. 1:25 But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, 28 and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out – he 29 will be blessed in what he does. 30 1:26 If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before 31 God the Father 32 is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (The Letter of James, NET Bible, Bible.org)
Topics: Obedience, Psalm 25, Reminding God, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Jesus Can Saves us, From US
By jmarch | May 4, 2008
“Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.” (Psalm 25, Verse 5, NASB)
Leadable
One has to be “leadable”, first, totally relying on The Lord, God for leadership. This is the way to truth–the truth about me, others, the world, the flesh, the devil, sin, death and life in Him.
So often, I am dragged down a dusty, dirty, sinful road, The Mud and slim are stuck to me: my won selfishness, fleshy desires, needs and wants. I desire other things more than God.each
Teachable
To learn something new from God, I have to be teachable. I must pray that God will change my heart, so that I can open it to receive what He wants to teach me.
Learning
My way has always been the wrong way. It is ever so true: “Apart from ME YOU can DO nothing…” These are the words of Jesus. My has has NEVER proven to be the best way. This has proven itself in every single area of my life–
God Saves
God in his mercy can save us from ourselves. He is Redeemer. Healer, Restorer, and Savior. BUT–He doesn’t force Himself on us. Ask God in Christ to Save you. Rescue you from all that you need to be saved from: He can and will do it…according to His will and here is the hard truth” In His timing.
Waiting
Jesus waits on us to ask and receive what He offers. The hard part for us is faith. Believing in Him, taking Him at His Word and WAITING. I have often asked God to change me NOW! Nothing happens. Change my circumstances NOW! Nothing happens. Want to accelerate the waiting period?
Obedience
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son to be sacrificed on a cross for our sins. Jesus could have reversed Himself and not obeyed The Father. Jesus-God could have crushed His enemies and called down armies of angels–but He chose and Obeyed. The result of His obeying Is that we now can be saved from eternal death. We can be saved from ourselves. God will not honor us if we continue in SIN. God will not honor our rebellion. It just won’t happen.
Jesus said: “He who loves ME will obey my commands.” He includes all of his commands. We can’t pick and choose.
Topics: Jesus Saves, Lord Change Me, Obedience, Waiting on God | No Comments »
Be A Willing Learner
By jmarch | April 19, 2008
“Make me know your ways O Lord;teach me your paths…” (Psalm 25 Verse 4, NASB)
Humility.
How many of us want to be taught? In our human and fallen condition, pride tells us we know it all. We’re on the right path. I spent about 9 years in prison ministry as a volunteer chaplain. I can attest, that our jails are filled with people who have learned to do wrong and fail to learn what is right. Satan, thought He knew it all and was above God. This beautiful fallen angel wanted to be god. This he still does today. He wants to be god to a generation that thinks they know it all.
The sinner who knows he is one must be a willing learner. I must open to God’s teaching me. I must open my ears–there is so much that God’s word has to say about “hearing”
“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God…” (Romans 10:17)
“He who has an ear to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15)
Too many–even in our churches–fail to hear. They aren’t reading God’s word and acting on it. They may listen to preaching and think: “it doesn’t apply to me.”
Instruction, based upon God’s word applies to each one of us. All of it.
“Today if you hear his voice harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15)
Be a willing listener. Open yourself to the Holy Spirit, as he shows you and teaches you what you need to pay attention to
Ask yourself: what do I need to learn? what is God showing me about myself? What action is He telling me to take?
Knowing His Ways
His Way is the Best Way! It takes effort–listening with our whole, heart, mind and soul–to come to know His ways. His ways are far superior to our way.
Prayer
Lord, today I make the effort to know your ways and await what you want to teach me. I believe that you will teach your paths and direct me in the way I should go. I accept what you give to me, even if it is for the discipline of my soul. I pray this in the name that is above every other name, Christ, Jesus. Amen
Topics: Discipleship, God's Way, Hearing God, Psalm 25 | No Comments »
No Shame Waiting on God
By jmarch | April 15, 2008
“Indeed, none of those who wait for you will be ashamed; those who deal treacherously without cause will be put to shame.” (Psalm 25:3, NASB)
You pray and you wait
Or, you don’t pray and you” just do”–apart from the Holy Spirit– as your mind directs. That’s me. I’m usually way ahead of God–and like the American Express Card, ” I left home with it”–in this case, God’s best.
There are so many things we need. God knows what we need. There are so many things we may want. Good things for our lives and our family. God knows what you and I want.
Stop and think
Stop and pray and ask Him: “Lord what do I do next?” ” Lord is what I want good for you…will it glorify you? Is this what you want for me, now? What do you want for me now” Sometimes the answer is no answer–that usually means to wait. Wait and see how His spirit leads.
I get into trouble when I am moving fast and am way ahead of Him. Prayer gives you time to really sift through your thoughts and let God sift you.
Are your motives pure? Is whatever you want going to gloify God? Or, is this all about you?
Part-time God
Waiting is a part of our spiritual responsibility. When we act apart from God, we are telling Him what we are allowing Him to share in, how much, when and how often.
God wants to be apart of ALL of our life–FULL-TIME. Love the Lord with ALL of your heart, mind, soul, strength.
Continual prayer connects us
The apostle Paul exhorts us to “Pray without ceasing”. Praying gives us that opportunity to connect with the Living God. What a privilege! The Living God wants to be right alongside of us. We’re in the battle and He wants to give us the victory.
In the Old testament in the book of Kings, we can read about the successes of David and many of his successors who failed when they took matters entirely into their own hands. God shamed them.
God will not shame you if you wait on Him for His best
We can plan, scheme, act on our own strength and maybe have a modicum of success. It is usually short-lived. Don’t deal “treacherously” with God. Like the evil Kings of old, God will strip away our fiefdoms and tear down our idols–Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV)
God will not shame us. In Christ we have the opportunity and the obligation to live life in Him to the full and “bear much fruit.”
Those who deal treacherously without cause don’t have this guarantee from God. Be faithful to Him. He is faithful to you. Pledge allegiance to Him for this is what is expected of you. I ask the Lord’s forgiveness for all the times that I have failed to live up to His commands.
Topics: Prayer, Psalm 25, Staying Connected to God, Waiting on God, trust in the Lord | No Comments »
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