Here is an official statement that may help you now and in the future regarding social and political issues.
We feel it is important for you to respond as individual citizens rather than for us to respond in the name of Faith Chapel. I know many people wonder about why we don’t become more involved in issues and may disagree with our stance. Perhaps clarification will help. If we respond as individuals this allows us to do something as the church, we are the church. We encourage you to be involved in those issues that are important to you.
However, when people hear the name ‘Faith Chapel’- we want them to associate that with one thing: “Everyone is welcome there – I know I can go there and hear about God in a loving gracious environment.” If we become issues oriented, no matter what the issue, political or social, we always narrow who is likely to be inclined to walk in the front door and hear about Jesus.
Go for it! Get involved and do something about any issue you feel important. That is your duty as a citizen.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Why would God allow his children to suffer?
Friends,
I was asked recently, “If God loves us like we love our children, why would he allow his children to suffer? For example, why would he let people be eaten alive by lions in the Coliseum in Rome during the first century?”
On the surface that makes God cruel, heartless, detached and uncaring toward his children. What kind of God would allow his children to face suffering, pain, and persecution? How can he be a God of love if he allows such horrible things to happen to his children? He must not love us like we love our children.
I would submit to you that God has the big picture in mind and calls us to view things from the larger perspective, not just an individual situation.
For example, how could God let Joseph go through what he went through? Joseph was given a promise that one day he would rule over his family. He was given the hope that one day he would be a significant leader – one who had great influence. The next thing you know he is sold into slavery by his own brothers. Later he was thrown in prison for doing the right thing; saying no to sexual temptation. What injustice! How could God allow this to happen?
God had the big picture in mind – Joseph would become the Prime Minister of Egypt. God knew, all the while, what needed to happen in order for Joseph to become the Prime Minister. Joseph could only see what was happening at any given time. He had a limited perspective – while God saw from the beginning to the end.
God also knew that some character issues were being shaped in Joseph’s life that could only come through adversity. Simply stated – there were things that needed to happen in Joseph’s life in order that he might be shaped into the man of God he would ultimately become.
“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” James 1:2-4 (The Message)
Why would God allow his children to suffer at the hands of evil Rome; burned alive, devoured by lions?
Let’s step back and look at this from our perspective rather than God’s perspective. Would I, as a follower of Christ, give my life to suffer, be persecuted, so that a higher purpose, the spread of Christianity to the world could be accomplished? The right answer is, “Yes.” In other words, my life is not about me and my comfort. It is about God’s purpose being fulfilled in others. In others words, I am called upon to have an eternal perspective rather than a temporal perspective.
That is the position followers of Christ took while suffering persecution and death at the hands of first century Rome. In the face of persecution they gave their lives, heroically, knowing that others would see their faith and say, “If they believe in something so much that they would give their life for it, there must be something to Christianity.” In other words, their suffering propelled the Christian faith from a few, to a cause that has impacted the world for centuries. Was it worth it? Yes! Because they did what they did multiplied millions of people are on their way to eternal life. They gave their temporal life for the eternal life of others.
Look at Jesus, God’s Son, who went through unimaginable humiliation, suffering, and death. Why? He realized that what he was doing was making possible the eternal life of humankind. Was what he went through worth it? Yes!
Why would God allow his children to suffer? He has a higher purpose than our comfort – the salvation of humankind. So, as his children, we desire to take on the higher purpose. Any embarrassment, humiliation, or suffering that we are asked to endure would not be at the hand of a merciless God but at the hand of a God who has one thing in mind – the salvation of as many as possible. Is it worth it? Yes! We should gladly face embarrassment, humiliation, even give our life, so that as many people as possible could become God’s children.
I would gladly give my temporal life, for my children and grandchildren, so that they may have eternal life.” Would I give my life now, so that they may live forever? Gladly!
Read Romans 8:17-18; 28-39
We must see God’s love is real – in spite of what we face in any situation.
So glad to serve him – with you!
Stan
I was asked recently, “If God loves us like we love our children, why would he allow his children to suffer? For example, why would he let people be eaten alive by lions in the Coliseum in Rome during the first century?”
On the surface that makes God cruel, heartless, detached and uncaring toward his children. What kind of God would allow his children to face suffering, pain, and persecution? How can he be a God of love if he allows such horrible things to happen to his children? He must not love us like we love our children.
I would submit to you that God has the big picture in mind and calls us to view things from the larger perspective, not just an individual situation.
For example, how could God let Joseph go through what he went through? Joseph was given a promise that one day he would rule over his family. He was given the hope that one day he would be a significant leader – one who had great influence. The next thing you know he is sold into slavery by his own brothers. Later he was thrown in prison for doing the right thing; saying no to sexual temptation. What injustice! How could God allow this to happen?
God had the big picture in mind – Joseph would become the Prime Minister of Egypt. God knew, all the while, what needed to happen in order for Joseph to become the Prime Minister. Joseph could only see what was happening at any given time. He had a limited perspective – while God saw from the beginning to the end.
God also knew that some character issues were being shaped in Joseph’s life that could only come through adversity. Simply stated – there were things that needed to happen in Joseph’s life in order that he might be shaped into the man of God he would ultimately become.
“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” James 1:2-4 (The Message)
Why would God allow his children to suffer at the hands of evil Rome; burned alive, devoured by lions?
Let’s step back and look at this from our perspective rather than God’s perspective. Would I, as a follower of Christ, give my life to suffer, be persecuted, so that a higher purpose, the spread of Christianity to the world could be accomplished? The right answer is, “Yes.” In other words, my life is not about me and my comfort. It is about God’s purpose being fulfilled in others. In others words, I am called upon to have an eternal perspective rather than a temporal perspective.
That is the position followers of Christ took while suffering persecution and death at the hands of first century Rome. In the face of persecution they gave their lives, heroically, knowing that others would see their faith and say, “If they believe in something so much that they would give their life for it, there must be something to Christianity.” In other words, their suffering propelled the Christian faith from a few, to a cause that has impacted the world for centuries. Was it worth it? Yes! Because they did what they did multiplied millions of people are on their way to eternal life. They gave their temporal life for the eternal life of others.
Look at Jesus, God’s Son, who went through unimaginable humiliation, suffering, and death. Why? He realized that what he was doing was making possible the eternal life of humankind. Was what he went through worth it? Yes!
Why would God allow his children to suffer? He has a higher purpose than our comfort – the salvation of humankind. So, as his children, we desire to take on the higher purpose. Any embarrassment, humiliation, or suffering that we are asked to endure would not be at the hand of a merciless God but at the hand of a God who has one thing in mind – the salvation of as many as possible. Is it worth it? Yes! We should gladly face embarrassment, humiliation, even give our life, so that as many people as possible could become God’s children.
I would gladly give my temporal life, for my children and grandchildren, so that they may have eternal life.” Would I give my life now, so that they may live forever? Gladly!
Read Romans 8:17-18; 28-39
We must see God’s love is real – in spite of what we face in any situation.
So glad to serve him – with you!
Stan
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Growth is good
When facing challenging times, we have the greatest opportunity for personal growth and development but we are often tempted to become disheartened and give up. James gives us some very helpful tips to keep us on track.
"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." The Message James 1:2-4
QUESTIONS TO ASK DURING DIFFICULTY:
1. AM I SMILING?
2. WHAT AM I LEARNING RIGHT NOW?
3. IS MY GUARD UP - AGAINST SATAN?
4. DO I BELIEVE GOD IS GOOD AND CAN BE TRUSTED?
5. DO I BELIEVE GOD IS TAKING ME TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
6. WHAT CHARACTER QUALITY IS BEING SHAPED?
7. WHAT IS HE MOVING ME TOWARD?
“When God wants to do something impossible He takes an impossible person and crushes him.” Redpath (from a Charles Swindoll talk to pastors)
"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." The Message James 1:2-4
QUESTIONS TO ASK DURING DIFFICULTY:
1. AM I SMILING?
2. WHAT AM I LEARNING RIGHT NOW?
3. IS MY GUARD UP - AGAINST SATAN?
4. DO I BELIEVE GOD IS GOOD AND CAN BE TRUSTED?
5. DO I BELIEVE GOD IS TAKING ME TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
6. WHAT CHARACTER QUALITY IS BEING SHAPED?
7. WHAT IS HE MOVING ME TOWARD?
“When God wants to do something impossible He takes an impossible person and crushes him.” Redpath (from a Charles Swindoll talk to pastors)
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
What does it mean to wait?
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14
Waiting for the Lord is not simply waiting for a period of time to pass - but is more about what you do while you wait: wait on Him - look to Him - depend on Him - trust Him.
What are you waiting for? Are you waiting on the Lord while you wait?
Waiting for the Lord is not simply waiting for a period of time to pass - but is more about what you do while you wait: wait on Him - look to Him - depend on Him - trust Him.
What are you waiting for? Are you waiting on the Lord while you wait?
Proper perspective on the day
It's not about me! Please join me in saying it 5 times. Each time you say it - think about a person, a conversation, a decision, a meeting, or a setting you will be involved in today.
Share the results with someone.
Share the results with someone.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Why do I exist?
I feel it is my responsibility as a leader to ask that question often. It keeps my life in focus - and if I respond the that question appropriately - helps me accomplish my God given assignment.
I am beginning to ask it - every morning when I do my devotions.
I am beginning to ask it - before we begin our highest level meetings.
We exist to be - and help others be - evangelizing disciples.
How does what I do today facilitate that?
Wow!
Why do you exist?
I am beginning to ask it - every morning when I do my devotions.
I am beginning to ask it - before we begin our highest level meetings.
We exist to be - and help others be - evangelizing disciples.
How does what I do today facilitate that?
Wow!
Why do you exist?
Monday, April 19, 2010
I need to be reminded every day.
My friend Ken Johnson said recently, "It's not about me; I had to say it five times every morning for 2 years."
As a result, I put that statement on my daily devotion page - that I look at every morning. For the last week, every morning, I have said five times, "It's not about me." Each time I say it a different situation in life comes to mind and I repeat again, "It's not about me."
Wow! What a paradigm shift happens each time. I'm not sure I will get to stop saying it after two years. Ego centricity and selfishness - so dominate my life; how about yours?
Try it! Put it in your Bible or someplace where you will be reminded to say it every day; "It's not about me." "It's not about me." "It's not about me." "It's not about me." "It's not about me." OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!
As a result, I put that statement on my daily devotion page - that I look at every morning. For the last week, every morning, I have said five times, "It's not about me." Each time I say it a different situation in life comes to mind and I repeat again, "It's not about me."
Wow! What a paradigm shift happens each time. I'm not sure I will get to stop saying it after two years. Ego centricity and selfishness - so dominate my life; how about yours?
Try it! Put it in your Bible or someplace where you will be reminded to say it every day; "It's not about me." "It's not about me." "It's not about me." "It's not about me." "It's not about me." OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!
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