Continuing our theme of "the power of love"...
We must act as love acts.
This means...
1. Love is alive when it has patience, dying when it is hurried, dead when it cannot wait.
1 Cor. 13:4, "Love is patient..."
2. Love is alive when it cares, dying when it forgets, dead when it is ignored.
"love is kind..." 1 Cor. 13:4
Kindness is the ability to care for each other in the practical details of life.
Until next time...
Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan
Monday, January 24, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
What Love Is
Let's pick up from the last post and begin to put some flesh on what true, biblical love is.
Love is a matter of choice.
"And over all other virtues, put on love, which binds them all together." (Colossians 3:14)
Love is not something we are a victim of, it's something we choose. To truly love someone you must make a conscious decision each day that you are going to do it, regardless of emotions.
Love is a matter of conduct.
"Let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and truth." (1 John 3:18)
Love is more than what we say, it's a behavior. John was telling us to back up our words with concrete actions that demonstrate our love for one another.
Let me issue a challenge to you this week. Write down three tangible ways you can demonstrate your love for someone this week. And do them! You might be surprised at how much your relationship will improve.
Expecting Great Things,
Bryan
Love is a matter of choice.
"And over all other virtues, put on love, which binds them all together." (Colossians 3:14)
Love is not something we are a victim of, it's something we choose. To truly love someone you must make a conscious decision each day that you are going to do it, regardless of emotions.
Love is a matter of conduct.
"Let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and truth." (1 John 3:18)
Love is more than what we say, it's a behavior. John was telling us to back up our words with concrete actions that demonstrate our love for one another.
Let me issue a challenge to you this week. Write down three tangible ways you can demonstrate your love for someone this week. And do them! You might be surprised at how much your relationship will improve.
Expecting Great Things,
Bryan
Monday, January 17, 2011
True Love
It is only a few weeks until Valentine's Day. So guys, please make sure to get that special lady in your life some flowers and a nice gift. I preached on "The Power of Love" last night. I know that is a Huey Lewis and the News hit song from the 80's, but there is truth in that statement. There is power in love-Biblical love that is.
We have devalued love in our culture. We say, "I love chocolate cake." Or, "I love Carolina, Clemson, Georgia..."-fill in the blank with whatever team you want. The point is, we have watered down love to the point where it doesn't hold significance anymore.
Over the next few days, I want to unpack what true, biblical love is. I want us to really know what the Bible says on this topic. Hopefully, at the end of our discussion we can all love the people in our lives in a way that will honor them and God.
Oh, by the way, my favorite Huey Lewis and the News song? "It's Hip to Be Square." Just so you know.
Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan
We have devalued love in our culture. We say, "I love chocolate cake." Or, "I love Carolina, Clemson, Georgia..."-fill in the blank with whatever team you want. The point is, we have watered down love to the point where it doesn't hold significance anymore.
Over the next few days, I want to unpack what true, biblical love is. I want us to really know what the Bible says on this topic. Hopefully, at the end of our discussion we can all love the people in our lives in a way that will honor them and God.
Oh, by the way, my favorite Huey Lewis and the News song? "It's Hip to Be Square." Just so you know.
Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Laboring in the Harvest
In my devotional reading today, I was in Matthew 9:18-38. I encourage you to go and read that section of scripture because it is very encouraging and also convicting. Jesus is basically going on a healing circuit.
He begins in v.18 by going with a religious leader to heal his daughter when a woman who had suffered from bleeding for 12 years comes up behind him to touch the tassels of His robe to be healed. He goes to the religious leader's home and heals his daughter.
In v.27, two blind men come up to him and beg him to heal them. He does and asks them not tell anyone. They cannot help but proclaim thier healing. A demon possessed man in v.32 is brought to Him and Jesus casts the demon out.
Then in v.35 it says, "Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in thier synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness."
Sounds like a full day doesn't it?
In v. 36 Jesus sees the crowd and "has compassion for them because they were weary and worn out like sheep without a shepherd."
This is where it gets interesting. Instead of burning Himself out, (remember that Jesus is as much human as divine), He makes an interesting statement to His disciples.
Verses 37-38 says, "The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."
Notice a couple of things here with me. The problem is not with the harvest. Jesus plainly states it "is abundant." That means there are people everywhere who are just like the crowd Jesus saw-weary and worn out, looking for meaning in life. The issue lies in the fact there are so few people willing to go out among the harvest and reap souls for God's kingdom.
What would happen in churches all across the country if people were willing to go out into the harvest? Sanctuaries would be full and communites would be transformed. I believe the most important prayer church leaders and lay leaders across the country could pray is the challenge Jesus issued: "pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."
If we cured that problem, all the other problems in the church would be solved as well. Make that your prayer today.
Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan
He begins in v.18 by going with a religious leader to heal his daughter when a woman who had suffered from bleeding for 12 years comes up behind him to touch the tassels of His robe to be healed. He goes to the religious leader's home and heals his daughter.
In v.27, two blind men come up to him and beg him to heal them. He does and asks them not tell anyone. They cannot help but proclaim thier healing. A demon possessed man in v.32 is brought to Him and Jesus casts the demon out.
Then in v.35 it says, "Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in thier synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness."
Sounds like a full day doesn't it?
In v. 36 Jesus sees the crowd and "has compassion for them because they were weary and worn out like sheep without a shepherd."
This is where it gets interesting. Instead of burning Himself out, (remember that Jesus is as much human as divine), He makes an interesting statement to His disciples.
Verses 37-38 says, "The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."
Notice a couple of things here with me. The problem is not with the harvest. Jesus plainly states it "is abundant." That means there are people everywhere who are just like the crowd Jesus saw-weary and worn out, looking for meaning in life. The issue lies in the fact there are so few people willing to go out among the harvest and reap souls for God's kingdom.
What would happen in churches all across the country if people were willing to go out into the harvest? Sanctuaries would be full and communites would be transformed. I believe the most important prayer church leaders and lay leaders across the country could pray is the challenge Jesus issued: "pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."
If we cured that problem, all the other problems in the church would be solved as well. Make that your prayer today.
Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Snow Storm 2011
I despise cold weather. Did I mention I despise cold weather? So, it's safe to say that if I dislike cold weather, I will really dislike a snow storm. Yes, I know. It's beautiful when it is falling, but it's miserable trying to deal with it afterwards.
A snow storm is a great deal like sin in our lives. When we are caught up in our sin it seems like a beautiful thing-like snow falling. However, when we have to deal with the aftermath of sin in our lives, it is like the day after a snow storm. You feel trapped, desperate to get out, and trying hard not to get stranded on the side of the road.
So, what's the answer. Move to Miami, Fl or Arizona. Just kidding-although that sounds pretty good right at the moment. The answer is to keep our eyes on Christ, stay in His Word, and keep our connection to Him through prayer. So while you're stranded inside your house, turn off the TV, quit watching the Weather Channel, and open up your Bible. Ask God to speak to you. Then, talk to Him about the things going on in your life. Who knows? I might even enjoy this weather a little bit. Nah, who am I kidding?
Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan
A snow storm is a great deal like sin in our lives. When we are caught up in our sin it seems like a beautiful thing-like snow falling. However, when we have to deal with the aftermath of sin in our lives, it is like the day after a snow storm. You feel trapped, desperate to get out, and trying hard not to get stranded on the side of the road.
So, what's the answer. Move to Miami, Fl or Arizona. Just kidding-although that sounds pretty good right at the moment. The answer is to keep our eyes on Christ, stay in His Word, and keep our connection to Him through prayer. So while you're stranded inside your house, turn off the TV, quit watching the Weather Channel, and open up your Bible. Ask God to speak to you. Then, talk to Him about the things going on in your life. Who knows? I might even enjoy this weather a little bit. Nah, who am I kidding?
Expecting Great Things,
Pastor Bryan
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