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Daily Reading – Wednesday, March 10 March 10, 2010

Daily Reading – Tuesday, March 9 March 9, 2010

Daily Reading – March 8 March 9, 2010

Monday, March 8 – Read Matthew 7:1-6 — These words come from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is dealing with our human tendency to judge each other. It is easy for us to find fault in others while our own character flaws seem invisible. Jesus challenges us to look inside first before we begin to judge and place labels on others. These words of Jesus are especially difficult, “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged, for with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” In what ways do we tend to judge others? What are the differences between judgments and opinions; actions and thoughts?

March InTouch Article March 5, 2010

Excerpt from the March 2010 InTouch Newsletter. To view the whole article, CLICK HERE.

The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything you may share abundantly in every good work. (II Corinthians 8:6-8)

The call of the gospel is for us to sacrifice our lives for one another. In this passage, Paul reminds the church at Corinth that what seems like a sacrifice one day will be a blessing the next. Therefore, we should be responding to one another joyously, knowing our lives will be enriched by what we offer to each other. Sadly, our world has become a “me first” culture. When asked to serve or give, our first question is often, “How will this affect me?” Instead, God calls us to consider others first, so all may benefit. God calls us to the least, lost and hurting no matter what the cost. The promise, according to Paul, is that we will “reap what we sow.” In other words, there is a blessing in every sacrifice.

This season of Lent (the 40 days before Easter), we are asking everyone at Trietsch to “give something up” for Lent. We are asking everyone to make a sacrifice and to use that sacrifice in a way that will make a difference — to be a blessing. Pray on this, and join me in “giving something up” for Lent that will make a positive impact on someone — a blessing. You never know, it may come back to be an even greater blessing for you.

To view the rest of this article, CLICK HERE.

Imagine what our world would be if we all took the time to care for one another. Imagine what our world would look like if we all were willing to make sacrifices in order to be a blessing. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything you may share abundantly in every good work.

Daily Reading – Friday, March 5 March 5, 2010

On Sunday mornings a Study Guide is in the bulletin that includes Daily Reading suggestions. I will now start posting those reading suggestions on this blog along with other articles.

Friday, March 5 – Read Galatians 4 — Now Paul affirms we are children of God. We have become the rightful heirs to God’s Kingdom by our faith in Jesus Christ. How do you believe God treats His children? What kind of parent do you believe God is to you? What does it mean to inherit God’s Kingdom?

How much is enough? November 1, 2009

D. James Kennedy tells a story of a man who came to Peter Marshall, (former chaplain of the Unites States Senate) with a concern about tithing (tithing is giving 10% of ones income to the church). He said: “I have a problem. I have been tithing for some time. It wasn’t too bad when I was making $20,000 a year. I could afford to give the $2,000. But you see; now I am making $500,000, and there is just no way I can afford to give away $50,000 a year.”

Dr. Marshall reflected on this wealthy man’s dilemma but gave no advice. He simply said: “Yes, sir. I see that you do have a problem. I think we ought to pray about it. Is that alright?”

The man agreed, so Dr. Marshall bowed his head and prayed with boldness and authority. “Dear Lord, this man has a problem, and I pray that you will help him. Lord, reduce his salary back to the place where he can afford to tithe.”

Dr. Marshall knew that the real problem facing this man was the complexity that comes with a nice income. We have the luxury to afford not only a nice house and car, but the financial ability to fill our lives with activities and commitments. We become consumed with filling our lives with the activities and luxuries that financial success affords us. Finally, there is no place for God.

Most of us will probably never see an income of this magnitude. But all of us face the same temptation – to put ourselves at the center. We want more. Or, even worse, when our income drops or our consumption outgrows our income, we cut God out of the picture. The temptation affects not only our finances, but the way we use our time and talents. I think Peter Marshall would remind us that God is the last place we should cut. Or maybe we should cut our income or our activities to put God back in the picture.

How much is enough? Are we really happy when we when we place ourselves at the center of God’s blessings? Or has God blessed us for another reason – to bless others?

Is God blessing you with some financial gift or ability?  Take an inventory of you life this month and see what God is calling you to do.  I am sure that God wants to bless your life.  But we must make ourselves available to God as the windows of heaven are opened to us. 

In II Corinthians 9: 6-7, the apostle Paul uses the harvest image to speak to the spiritual law of multiplication.  He writes, “The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  

            As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are blessed in order to be a blessing.  God gives us the financial gifts, abilities and talents to build God’s Kingdom.  These gifts are to be used for God’s glory, not put on a shelf and not just for our own self interest. They can consume us and destroy us – without meaning and without purpose.

When we use our gifts for God’s glory, these gifts multiply and grow.  The opposite can also be said – if we don’t use them, we lose them.

Running to Win the Race of Life October 22, 2009

Its football season again. Every year, I hear a sports analyst describe some undefeated college team this way: “They have a tendency to play at their level of their opponents. They seem to do only as much as is necessary to win, and nothing more.” Typically they will add, “Their mediocrity will catch up them; they won’t be serious contenders for the national championship this year.” Most of the time these analysis are right. Mediocrity or just playing hard enough to stay ahead catches up with us.

Mediocrity is a curse, convincing us that a partial effort — 80% if necessary, 50% when we can get away with it — is always good enough. Mediocrity does what it can to avoid a bad showing, but rarely concerns itself with an excellent showing.

We see this all too often in our faith lives. Following Christ can be a challenge.  Faithful worship, active in prayer, studying the Bible, and serving as a member of the body of Christ all take time in a time pressure culture.  “How much is enough?” some might ask.  I do not think it is possible to be a growing and serving disciple of Jesus Christ without weekly worship, weekly participating in a small group, and a daily prayer life.  Anything less will compromise our connection to our Lord and eventually cost us dearly.

We also see it in our approach to ministry and service, from the depth of our service to the level of our financial sharing. Again, one can ask the question, “How much is enough?”  Only when our sharing frees us from the hold that selfish ambition and greed have on us can we say – “It’s enough!”  For most, the biblical call to give 10% is a worthy goal – for some it may not be enough.  Service to our Lord is measured in using our gifts in God’s service – to whom much is given, much is required.

In talking about his approach to ministry, Paul said, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one get the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24)

He’s talking about pursuing excellence in everything: in the way we strive for holiness, in the way we reach out to others, in the way we live for Jesus. His words echo the words of Solomon: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

Every now and then we need to take a mediocrity check: Is there an area of our faith lives that we are approaching only half-heartedly? Is there something we could be doing better? Am I giving my all?

Howard Hendricks said, “I have never met a Christian who sat down and planned to live a mediocre life. But if you keep going in the direction in which you are moving, you may land there.”

Let’s do our best to move in the direction of excellence, running to win the race of life.

October 5, 2009

       In the Gospel of Mark 10: 35-45, there is a discussion between Jesus, James and John over positions of authority.  James and John want to be on the right and left hand of Jesus when he comes into Jesus glory. James and John do not understand that when it comes to positions of authority in God’s kingdom it always involves sacrifice and service.

       They are still thinking the “way of the world” where the strongest and fiercest survive. James and John are having trouble with Jesus’ radical call to servant leadership. As followers of Christ, we believe that love is the greatest world changer there is. Not power, not force, not even influence – love.

Here is what Jesus taught his followers in the sermon on the mount in something we call “The Beatitudes” (Matthew 5:3-10) -

3Blessed are the poor in spirit,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 ⁴Blessed are those who mourn,
      for they will be comforted.
 ⁵Blessed are the meek,
      for they will inherit the earth.
 ⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
      for they will be filled.
 ⁷Blessed are the merciful,
      for they will be shown mercy.
 ⁸Blessed are the pure in heart,
      for they will see God.
 ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,
      for they will be called sons of God.
 ¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

            J. B. Phillips turns around what Jesus says by illustrating the selfish, power hungry desires of our culture. We know this attitude is contrary to the gospel of Christ. Here is how Phillips “worldly” version reads: 

            Happy are the “pushers”: for they get on in the world.

            Happy are the hard-boiled: for they never let life hurt them.

            Happy are they who complain: for they get their own way in the end.

            Happy are the blasé: for they never worry over their sins.

            Happy are the slave drivers: for they get results.

            Happy are the knowledgeable men of the world: for they know their way around.

            Happy are the troublemakers: for they make people take notice of them.

            But we know better.  As Christians, we know that the way to real living comes only through the sacrificial living and loving of Christ.

What is God doing in you? August 21, 2009

            As school is getting underway, its time to look and see what new things God is doing. Often we are surprised by what God is doing. God is always doing the unpredictable and unexpected. Sometimes we are tempted to laugh. But laughter can be a good thing. The Bible has lots of laughter – especially when it has to do with the incredible things God wants to do with us.

            On his eightieth birthday, Bob Hope said, “I don’t feel eighty.  In fact I don’t feel anything until about noon.  And then it’s time for my nap.”

            Laughter is good.  Good Christian living is marked by a healthy sense of humor.  I wish I could have been with Jesus and his disciples as they shared around an evening meal.  I am sure there was plenty of healthy laughter.

            The Old Testament is full of irony and humor.  God calls Abraham at seventy-five years of age.  Moses receives his call to go back to Egypt at eighty.  Do you see the irony in these stories?  Both men are enjoying retirement.  The question begs to be asked, “What does God think God is doing?”

            Abraham and Sarah are told that they will become parents in their old age.  Abraham is one hundred years old and Sarah is ninety.  Abraham responds by laughing so hard he falls down.  Sarah also laughs and responds, “No Way!”  (loosely translated)

            We are part of a tradition in which laughter, irony, and humor are important.  Why?  Because God is always doing the unexpected, implausible work of changing lives and hearts no matter how impossible.  When I see God’s hand working, I can only smile and sometimes laugh out loud.  It feels good.

So what is God trying to do in your life?

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.  Then our mouth was filled laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations. “The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.”  Psalm 126: 1-3

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