tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-200115722024-03-06T23:45:25.402-08:00i-muse...thoughts in prep for my weekend talksChris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.comBlogger370125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-9116969796773705022009-10-23T08:23:00.001-07:002009-10-23T08:23:38.758-07:00Ask for the nationsGod wants us to share our faith with those we come in contact with in our daily lives. But he also wants us to have a global perspective for advancing his kingdom. From the beginning, God's plan has been to redeem the nations. He told Abraham when he choose him... "all <br />peoples on earth will be blessed through you." (Gen. 12:3). And when <br />Jesus gave his marching orders to the church he said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..." (Matt. 28:19).<br /><br />Spend 20 or 30 minutes today praying for a the Gospel to spread to every "tribe, people, language and nation." (Rev. 14:6) Ask God to give you a heart for the nations. Pray that God would use your church to have a global impact. Pray for any missionaries that you or your church are connected with... pray for them personally and pray for their effectiveness in spreading the gospel.Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-10565620462584286042009-10-21T09:16:00.000-07:002009-10-21T09:17:01.264-07:00Wisdom & CourageRead Joshua 1 & James 1 - then spend at least 20 minutes praying for wisdom and courage. I ask God to give this to my sons almost everyday.Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-59616518770363932152009-10-20T09:21:00.000-07:002009-10-20T09:25:36.755-07:00Seek & SaveThink of people you know who need Christ. Spend 10 minutes praying for them to be saved. Spend some of the time asking God for a heart for the lost. Ask him to open the door for you to share your faith with them. Look for an opportunity this week to speak to someone about Jesus. This will be the goal for the week.<br /><br />I Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-53233461799206387632009-10-16T11:27:00.000-07:002009-10-16T11:29:17.157-07:00Lord's PrayerPray through the Lords Prayer, using it as a model for praise, surrender, provision, forgiveness,and protection.<br /><br />Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.<br />May your Kingdom come soon.<br />May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.<br />Give us today the food we need,<br />and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.<br />And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.<br />"If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.<br />But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-85225391366858445262009-10-15T08:33:00.000-07:002009-10-15T08:34:42.131-07:00ContemplateSpend 20 minutes today in silence and solitude. Contemplate only God’s character(faithful, kind, patient, holy, love, etc.). Redirect your mind at any moment it drifts away from this. Worship him for who He is. Let your mind be filled with all the fullness of God.<br /><br /><em> For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.</em> Eph. 3:18-19Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-58570085332527519092009-10-14T08:13:00.000-07:002009-10-14T08:14:35.222-07:00Pray for your churchPaul asked for prayer often…Today you pray for your church and its leaders. Pray for the leaders by name (Pastors, Elders, teachers, worship leaders, etc.) use verse below as an idea for ways to pray for them. Spend 15 minutes in focused specific prayer.<br /><br /> Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Rom. 15:30-33Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-46919591176737481262009-10-13T08:02:00.000-07:002009-10-13T08:03:25.565-07:00"Gratitude & Family"Spend 10 minutes thanking God for anything and everything he has done in your life. Don't ask him for anything during this time.<br /><br />Then spend the next 10 minutes praying for your spouse and kids.Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-54065702786566184102009-10-12T08:16:00.000-07:002009-10-12T08:32:23.297-07:00FervorFervor: James 5:16-18<br />The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.<br /><br />The fervor is about developing power in prayer. Spend ten minutes today in what James referred to as "fervent" prayer. Make sure there is passion and intensity. Pray about whatever you want but be<br />fervent for ten solid minutes. Let me know how it goes.Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-87308634754596630492009-10-06T15:55:00.000-07:002009-10-06T15:57:52.764-07:00Being a good friend"For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus" Phil. 1:8<br /><br />I want everything in my relationships with my friends to reflect what Paul says in this verse. When I'm thinking about others, I don't want to be critical, judge them, and tear them down in my thoughts. I want to think of them and long for them with the love of Jesus. When I pray for them, I want to pray with the affection of Christ. When I spend time with them, I want to show Christ's affection for them. <br /><br />When you read Paul’s letters, you can see the priority that he placed on his relationships. He valued them greatly and he built them over years and through the ups and downs. He longed for his friends when he was separated by miles or circumstances. I wonder if in today’s culture, Paul would be distracted by all of the current “entertainment allure” and devalue his relationships. Would he be able to keep his friendship focus? I confess that in the midst of daily pressures and temptations, my desire to love others with Christ's affection often wanes. I have often allowed my affections to be turned toward selfish interests instead of really loving like Jesus did.<br /><br />In the future, I see myself choosing a better attitude. I want to take the initiative to stay in touch, even when others sometimes fail to do so with me. I want to ask friends what issues they are struggling with, and listen carefully as they respond. I’ll share my struggles with them and tell them how God is at work in the midst of them. I want to take off my own masks and be transparent and encourage others to do the same. If possible, I would like to feel as strongly about them as Christ does. I also want to pray for my friends more. To me this is the attitude of a good friend. It seems like the attitude that Jesus had as I read about his life in the Bible. <br /><br />Have you thought much lately about how good a friend you are? Are you giving your best effort in your relationships? Are you allowing Jesus more influence in your heart? Can people sense more of Him coming through as you interact with them? Sit with God for a few moments even now and ask him to give you an incredible heart for your friends. May your heart come alive for your friends today.<br /><br />ChrisChris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-85275776135381981242009-09-08T15:46:00.000-07:002009-09-11T11:51:01.252-07:00Inspiring Friends<em>Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near. </em>Heb. 10:24-25<br /><br />What would life be like if you had at least two maybe three people thinking about how to encourage you? What if you had others cheering you on in living a life of love and doing good to others? Would your life be different if you could get together regularly and simply be encouraged by a group of friends? If that could really happen, what changes could be possible for you? No friendship is as satisfying as one in which Christ is mentioned often. I don’t know about you, but I need some people to help me grow, to inspire me to really live out this amazing life in Christ.<br /><br />Having fun is what inspiring friends do as well. They seek to enjoy one another and create situations where laughter is common and gentle teasing can take place. Real joy is only found in the context of relationship. God created us to give and receive enjoyment from one another and our joy is made full as we lighten up, laugh a bit, and allow our God-given senses of humor to develop with our friends. I think this is far too undervalued in Christianity today. We need to laugh more-until our faces hurt and tears come to ours eyes kind of laughter. We need this far more than we know!<br /><br />At our New Community Church we have environments designed to encourage this. Our groups are forming over the next few weeks and will be meeting until Christmas Break. If you attend our community, let me strongly encourage you to join one. Groups meet weekly, discuss life issues, pray, and build faith in each other’s lives. If you do not attend our church, I hope you can find an atmosphere that offers these things. People who commit themselves to groups like these find the support, encouragement and inspiration to face life and overcome obstacles. I don’t know, maybe you don’t need friends like these, but I do. May God give you some great friends. May your life be lifted and new wind be at your back. And may you know the joy found in one of God’s special gifts-inspiring friends!<br />Click below and to see a list of groups-click the "all groups" tab after...<br /><a href="http://www.ncclv.com/contentpages.aspx?parentnavigationid=6802&viewcontentpageguid=4c7f1285-4cf7-4067-8aaf-b0a698a859d6">http://www.ncclv.com/contentpages.aspx?parentnavigationid=6802&viewcontentpageguid=4c7f1285-4cf7-4067-8aaf-b0a698a859d6</a><br /><br />ChrisChris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-38202132375966073342009-08-19T10:34:00.000-07:002009-08-19T10:57:45.410-07:00The nowNext Monday I will have that unique experience of walking my son Sam two blocks to his first day of kinder garden. I have heard this moment described by many but never experienced it for myself. I can just imagine what that will be like and the emotions that will be attached to it. But life is filled with moments that are often missed. We simply are sometimes just not present where we are at. Last night my son came home from a meeting at church and wanted to get in the pool. It was a little late and I could have easily said "not tonight" but instead I followed him as he made a trail of clothes ripping them off on his way to dive straight into the pool. I followed suit and quickly dove in myself. We played and played until we both ran out of gas (well one of us did). Then it happened. The moment. Sam looked at me like a little man, his heart filled with joy and satisfaction, he said, "Dad I really love you". The way he did it was so mature that it almost overwhelmed me. My eyes filled with tears and then I choked them back and told him how much I would always love him. It was a great moment that I am glad I didn't miss because I was watching TV or something else. I look forward to next Monday but I don't want to miss the now because I will never be here again.Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-89213736937098326352009-07-21T13:41:00.000-07:002009-07-21T13:56:10.986-07:00I could have never beenSome may not know, but my parents (biological) decided to let me live. That's right. They had the choice to abort me or give me up for adoption. They could not keep me so they chose life. Life for me that is. I was adopted by two parents who loved me. Just think about it, I would not know any of you had they ended my life. No marriage to Michelle. No New Community Church. No Sam. No Jon Jon. Most of you who attend NCC would have never met. A lot of you not met the Lord. Not met your spouse. Not had your kids. Whew! That's too much for me to fathom. Scripiture says God has all our days planned even before we are formed in the womb. Let's leave God's plans in place. There are no unplanned pregnancies with God. Choose Life. I am glad to be alive.<br /><br /><em>“You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”</em> Psalm 139:15-16 (NLT)Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-10482849647339624562009-07-16T05:46:00.000-07:002009-07-16T05:46:00.807-07:00Atom bomb-God's way?<a href="http://www.upa.pdx.edu/IMS/currentprojects/TAHv3/PNGs/nagasaki_bomb.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 438px; height: 599px;" src="http://www.upa.pdx.edu/IMS/currentprojects/TAHv3/PNGs/nagasaki_bomb.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />After dropping the Atomic bomb on Nagasaki on Jan. 9, 1945, President Harry Truman said, <em>"Having found the Atomic bomb, we have used it. We shall continue to use it. ...It is an aweful responsability which has come to us. We thank God that it (the bomb) has come to us intead of our enemies and we pray that He may guide us to use it in His ways and for His purposes."</em><br /><br />What is your reaction to this?Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-34133152685210241762009-07-15T09:18:00.001-07:002009-07-15T10:02:52.695-07:00The Murderer in MeThis week my reflections are on the 6th Commandment: "You shall not murder". Recently I recieved a call about an abusive husband who had a long history that I was aware of involving betrayal, verbal abuse, and now was becoming physical. Over time, my opinion of this person has degenerated and then the latest news came of a particularly dispicable act toward the woman and then out of my mouth it came, "That man is an idiot". I wanted to call him a fool but I know what Jesus says about that.<br />Matthew 5:21-22 (NIV) <br /><em>21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' <br />22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. </em><br />I'm no axe murderer, but niether are the guys Jesus is talking about above. Apparently Jesus magnifies the 6th Command to include the way we regard others in our heart and mind. According to Him viewing others as worthless (Raca) or thinking someone is an idiot or moron (Fool)is a murderous proposition that endangers us for serious judgement. <br />I am thinking about this today as I don't want to be a murderer at heart.Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-14174372721844385522009-07-11T14:43:00.001-07:002009-07-11T14:45:01.548-07:001 outta 7<object width="415" height="311"><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/flash/player.swf" /><br /> <param name="flashvars" value="image=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/media/images/main/s/mm/tvp/mm/1outta7.jpg&file=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/media/previews/s/mm/tvp/mm/1outta7.flv&controlbar=over&repeat=none&logo=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/images/videowatermark.png" /><br /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><br /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><br /><param name="loop" value="false" /><br /><param name="quality" value="high" /><br /><br /> <embed src="http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/flash/player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="image=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/media/images/main/s/mm/tvp/mm/1outta7.jpg&file=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/media/previews/s/mm/tvp/mm/1outta7.flv&controlbar=over&repeat=none&logo=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/images/videowatermark.png" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" loop="false" quality="high" width="415" height="311"></embed><br /></object>Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-86160641574134473282009-07-10T08:05:00.000-07:002009-07-10T08:14:03.724-07:00Love being these guys Dad!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdlY_rOwH6UEewZyczjB71VYaI_WWyOYMS6u5uz-20Ygej-0PegRts-R0ge8ENcKQUyz3YGCggbfK29FBvavNqBW1Uj440PIluXH1V9nom0W40jAx7QYRM4uBupPTmXHeegHD/s1600-h/DSC04180.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356848145148619826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdlY_rOwH6UEewZyczjB71VYaI_WWyOYMS6u5uz-20Ygej-0PegRts-R0ge8ENcKQUyz3YGCggbfK29FBvavNqBW1Uj440PIluXH1V9nom0W40jAx7QYRM4uBupPTmXHeegHD/s320/DSC04180.JPG" border="0" /></a> This pic was taken at Loews Lake Las Vegas after a long day at the beach. I honestly did not know just how much I would enjoy Fatherhood. Even right now I have a bouncing (and tooting) baby boy in my arms and I love it! Being a dad of two sons is the best thing ever!<br /><br /><div></div>Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-45366942166303669032009-07-09T06:51:00.000-07:002009-07-09T06:51:00.801-07:00What principles can you draw from this?I have never really thought deeply about this passage...<br />Isaiah 58:13-14 <br /><em>"Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don't pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">LORD's</span> holy day. Honor the LORD in everything you do, and don't follow your own desires or talk idly. If you do this, the LORD will be your delight. I will give you great honor and give you your full share of the inheritance I promised to Jacob, your ancestor. I, the LORD, have spoken!" </em><br /><p>Tell me what you think...is this for Christians today? How do we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">practically</span> apply it?</p><em><br /></em>Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-2807528162901190452009-07-08T08:43:00.000-07:002009-07-11T09:09:03.471-07:00Agriculture and the Sabbath-a test of faithDid a little research on various internet sites and thought I would share it with any study heads out there that like this stuff...<br /><br /><br />Leviticus 25:1-5 (NIV) <em>1 The LORD said to Moses on Mount Sinai, 2 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a sabbath to the LORD. 3 For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. 4 But in the seventh year the land is to have a sabbath of rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. 5 Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest.</em><br /><br /><strong>Sabbaths are a Test Commandment</strong><br /><br />The Sabbaths are a test commandment to "<em>prove the people whether they would walk in God's law or not"</em> (Ex. 16:4-30).<br /><br />As part of the fourth commandment, the Sabbath and Jubilee years are a test of faith for God's people to obey and trust Him to bless them and provide their needs even during long periods of commanded rest (Lev 25:20-22; 26:2-12; Neh 5)."<em>And if you say, 'What shall we eat in the seventh year, since we shall not sow nor gather in our produce?'" Then I will command My blessing on you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth produce enough for three years"</em> (Lev 25:20-21).<br /><br />The Sabbath and Jubilee years were given to provide a "sabbatical rest" for the land and for man, requiring farmers to take a break from their regular pursuit for profit and wealth, learning to trust God to provide.<br /><br /><em>Throughout history, man has exploited the land, which caused erosion and depletion of soil fertility and productivity and resulted in the downfall of many civilizations of the past (see </em><a href="http://www.cgca.net/serf-publishing/conqland.htm" target="top"><em>"Conquest of the Land Through 7,000 Years,"</em></a><em> Agricultural Information Bulletin No. 99, U.S.D.A and </em><a href="http://www.cgca.net/serf-publishing/illfaredtheland.htm" target="top"><em>"Ill Fared the Land"</em></a><em>). </em><br /><br /><em>The principles of the land rest are principles of soil conservation for maintaining and improving soil fertility, rediscovered by the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service, which was established because of the "dust bowl" of the 1930's in the U.S. For more understanding of soils and sustainable soil management principles see </em><a href="http://www.cgca.net/serf-publishing/Understandingsoiltesting.htm" target="top"><em>"Keys to Understanding Soil's & Soil Testing for Sustainable Soil Management"</em></a><em> and </em><a href="http://www.cgca.net/serf-publishing/biotechnologyifoam86.htm" target="top"><em>"Soil Biotechnology for Profitable & Sustainable Agricultural Systems"</em></a><em>.</em><br /><br />God knows the the land needs to rest and He commands us to let it rest. May we obey for our own prosperity's sake. By the way, what am I made out of? Psalms 103:14 (NIV) 14 <em>for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.</em> I need my rest every seven days too or I become less productive.Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-38494582978146624932009-07-08T07:28:00.000-07:002009-07-08T08:43:54.476-07:00More bricks less strawThe command to take a Sabbath day every week and rest cannot be properly understood apart from these words, "I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of slavery". Coming out of Egypt into the promised land required a change in how they viewed productivity and freedom. Egypt was the epicenter of modern culture and technology. The biggest city. The best homes. The pyramids. All this built on the backs of ever harder working slaves. The Jews were given quotas of how many bricks they were to produce in a day. If they did not make quota or complained Pharoe would beat then and increase the quota. Seven days a week they worked to produce more and more and more.<br /><br />Exodus 5:10-14 (NIV) 10 <em>Then the slave drivers and the foremen went out and said to the people, "This is what Pharaoh says: 'I will not give you any more straw. 11 Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced at all.'" 12 So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw. 13 The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, "Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw." 14 The Israelite foremen appointed by Pharaoh's slave drivers were beaten and were asked, "Why didn't you meet your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?" </em><br /><br />For us, coming out of Egypt and into a new place of freedom means rejecting the voice of the worlds fastest and most demanding economy that tells us "more bricks less straw". Productivity at all cost often means doing more with less. <br /><br />But can we do more with less rest? Or do we actually become less productive if we do not get regular times of rest? "But if I can just get the overtime we can get that bigger, nicer condo down on the nile". Really? What does it matter to have "better" things when you are too tired and stressed to really enjoy them? In the long run we are not more productive with out a Sabbath anyway. Without proper rest we break down physically, emotionally, and spiritually and begin to lose our abilty to be fruitful in all areas of our lives. You can even see this is agriculture. Of course, God already knew this. I will discuss this tomorrow.Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-42074101881509450922009-07-07T07:32:00.000-07:002009-07-07T07:56:19.065-07:00Question: "Does God require Sabbath-keeping of Christians?"In <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Colossians</span> 2:16-17, Paul instructs, “<em>Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” </em><br />Romans 14:5 states, “<em>One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.</em>”<br /><br />These Scriptures imply that, for the N.T. Christian, Sabbath-keeping is a matter of spiritual freedom. Sabbath-keeping is an issue on which God’s Word commands us not to judge each other. Sabbath-keeping is a matter about which each Christian needs to be fully convinced in his/her own mind about if, why and how they will observe it.<br /><br />I keep a Sabbath Day reserved (Monday) for my family as a life principle. It is an act of obedience to God for my own good and the good of those I love. On that day we unplug from phones, computers, and anything else that might lure us into work. We rest. <br /><br />We do not feel the "law requirement" as much as we feel the "love requirement". We hear the voice of a loving Father saying, "Get your proper rest my child". Once again, we see this is a loving command and it positions us to be more loving by being refreshed and revived one day each week. Tired, worn-out, cranky people find it difficult to love God or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">their</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">neighbor</span>.Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-42962929186040946012009-07-05T19:00:00.000-07:002009-07-05T19:19:59.900-07:00Sabbath thoughtsHave not blogged in a week...As I get back to my studies in the 10 commandments I turn to the 4th command: <br /><br />Exodus 20:8-11 (NIV) <br />8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. <br />9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, <br />10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. <br />11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. <br /><br />It takes maturity to apply this command to our lives and benefit from it. My son throws a fit when I say it is time to rest. He NEVER wants to rest. He gets tired alright, but that is when he fights harder. He gets cranky. He gets upset. He should gladly just "give in" because rest is the only thing that will right the ship but no-he cannot-he will not give in. Finally, I make him lay down and he drops off into his much needed time of recovery.<br /><br />Rest. Do you do it? Do you fight it? Or do you just press on like so many cranky, fussy Americans chasing productivity and seeking to get ahead.<br /><br />God says that He made this day called Sabbath for you. It is your day to rest. Do you have a day that you totally stop? Unplug? Enjoy God? Enjoy family? Friends? If you don't take your weekly break you are disobeying God. He gives us this day for our own good. Maybe we should take another look at it and trust God to bless us as we obey. Recovery. Renewal. Recreation. God's Idea!Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-30295638385744789922009-06-24T08:29:00.000-07:002009-06-24T08:33:00.981-07:00Reader bewareToday I read a tough piece on the third commandment and how we often "Break" it. I don't totally agree with all of it but God's Spirit used this to open my eyes today. Reader beware...<br /><br /><strong>Taking the Name of God in Vain<br />By. Dr. C. Matthew McMahon</strong> <br /><br />The third commandment is often the most memorable because we often hear people using the name of God in vain. We are reminded of the third commandment especially if we work in a secular environment, or we have relatives who show forth their rebellious nature without qualms in the language they use. But in looking closely at the third commandment we will find more than we bargained for. We as Christians break the third commandment more often than any pagan who may be screaming "God D_____t" or "Jesus Christ!"<br /><br />What does the third commandment say? "Thou shalt not use the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who uses His name in vain." What does this commandment principally teach? The third commandment forbids all profaning and abusing of anything whereby God makes Himself known. (Malachi 1:6-8; Lev. 20:3; 19:12; Matthew 5:34-37; Isa. 52:5.) It is not simply a matter of cursing or using the name God or Jesus vainly in that way. It is true that God's name is not to be used in that manner. We are not to say "God bless you" frivolously when someone sneezes, or say "Oh my God" when we are excited or ecstatic. Truly, we use His name in vain when we say those kinds of things. But the use of God's name is hardly restricted just to language. The commandment shows us how to worship God aright, as God designs the first four commandments in this way. The third commandment is rightly divided into two parts. The first part is the explicit command that we should not take His name in vain. That is obvious. The second part of the command is not so obvious. It is the practical implications of the right use of His name, namely, that we should honor and revere His name every time we use it.<br /><br />What is this commandment primarily directed against? The commandment is primarily directed against the heart and the tongue. The heart is where a man's actions come forth from. If our heart is irreverent towards God, then we will use His name in vain, or in an ignoble fashion. Remember, the heart controls the tongue. This commandment is a bridle for our tongues. It is the bit where God turns us onto His right path. The commandment is setting up a right attitude for the heart, and then consequently a right use for the tongue. So be warned, we are forbidden to use God's name in any other way but in the right way.<br /><br />What does it mean to use God's name in vain? Simply, this means to misuse God's name in any fashion. It is not just directed against cursing, though that is one way in which His name is dishonored by people and is used in vain. What are some ways people take God's name in vain? There are many, but let us look at just a few.<br /><br />The first way is when we profess God's name but do not live answerably to it. It means we live hypocritically. Thomas Watson said, "pretended holiness is merely double wickedness." Whenever we do not live up to the call of the Christian life, we take God's name in vain. We are mirrors that should reflect the perfection of God. If the mirror claims to be Christ's and reflects tendencies of hell, then we use the name of Christ in vain, and people see that.<br /><br />Secondly, when we use God's name in idle discourse we are vainly using His name; like telling a joke with God or Jesus in it. God is to be revered by us, not spoken of in a light and jesting manner. When we speak lightly of God we use His name in vain because God is not to be taken lightly by anyone.<br /><br />Thirdly, when we worship with our lips and not our hearts we take His name in vain. We say we follow Him, and then worship Him in the secret place of our heart as the hypocrite. How many Sunday mornings have you come to church, worshipped, and then left the same as you entered? In doing this you take His name lightly, and use it in vain. God is a God of promises. When you are not changed by the hearing of the Word, or the worship given with the saints, you mock God and all His promises to the church. You take His name in vain.<br /><br />Fourthly, when we pray to Him but do not believe Him we use His name in vain. How many prayers have you prayed in doubt? God promises to make good on all those prayers prayed in His will. Do you doubt His will? Do you doubt His promises? Do you doubt when you pray? If you do, you use His name in vain. This is not positive confession or the power of positive thinking. Rather, when you pray and doubt, God says you are like a double-minded man unstable in all his ways. You are like one who forgets his face after looking in a mirror just a second before. What God is saying is that when you pray and doubt, you are forgetting the God you are praying to, and thus, you take His name in vain.<br /><br />Fifthly, when we, in any way, profane or abuse His Word, we are using God's name in vain. Every theological error, misquoted Scripture, every jot and tittle not remembered in the right way is using God's name in vain. God's name is tightly bound to His Word. When we have bad theology we use His name in vain. When we misquote the Bible when a friend asks us to cite a verse or two, we use His name in vain. Imagine how many times we are theologically incorrect! Imagine how many times we have misquoted His perfect and precious Word! Imagine how many times, in this way alone, we have used His name in vain!<br /><br />Sixthly, when we swear by God's name falsely, we use it in vain. Whenever we make a promise and do not keep it, we are lying as a Christian and making a mockery of God's name. When we make an oath to God and do not keep it we use His name in vain. When we make an oath to covenant with the body of believers, and then leave the church over some non-essential doctrine or ill-feeling, we are taking the Lord's name in vain. Jesus even warned us in Matthew 5:33ff not to make false oaths in God's name. The Pharisees tried to swear by other names-heaven, the earth, the city of Jerusalem, or by their own heads- so they would not directly swear by God's name. They thought that by substituting one of these other "important" phrases that it would allow them to make oaths, and have a way of escape just in case they did not keep the oath because they did not formally swear by God's name. Jesus sets them straight; heaven is God's throne, the earth is God's footstool, the city of Jerusalem is the city of the great King, and your own head is God's. So there is no substitution. It all belongs to God and subsequently should not be used in a false oath. Making a promise and not keeping it can bring dire consequences when dealing with God. He commands that we do everything that comes out of our mouths when we make an oath. So when we make an oath to each other or to God and do not live up to it, we are using God's name in vain because we are Christians who are to be honest always.<br /><br />Seventhly, when we set God's name next to any wicked action we use His name in vain. An example of this would be when we baptize a wicked person, or baptize someone in the wrong way. The wicked and heathen have no right to be baptized, only the saved are to be. And Matthew 28:19ff tells us we are to baptize people in the name of the "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." We use their names in vain when we baptize those who ought not to be sealed with their name.<br /><br />Eighthly, when we use our tongues in a way that dishonors God’s name we use His name in vain. This is when we curse and swear. It is when we say "O my God" or any such time when the Lord's name is used in an irreverent way. Even when we are in prayer or praise to God and we continually repeat the name "Jesus" or "Father" irreverently through vain repetition, we use God's name in vain. It is a sacred name and should be held in high esteem no matter when we invoke it. For invoking the name of God is a weighty matter and should not be taken lightly.<br /><br />Ninthly, when we make rash vows we use God's name in vain; like Jephthah's vow in Judges 11:31. Jephthah rashly vowed to the Lord that if he came back victorious from the battle, he would sacrifice the first thing which came running out of his house; pig, cow, horse, whatever. When he returned from the battle victorious, his daughter ran out of the house to greet him, and he had to sacrifice her to keep his vow and so he did. Such a terrible evil twice over! Let us not make rash vows to God.<br /><br />Tenthly, when we speak evil of God in a circumstance He is bringing us through we use His name in vain. How often do you grumble and complain against God? Do you find His ways hard? Is the path that He is leading you down weary to your feet? Do you want to hop over the fence into the plush meadow to comfort your aching bones? Do you gripe at the perfect, concise, eternal, unchangeable plan of God? If you do or if you have, then you have used God's name in vain. God has the perfect plan laid out for you. When adverse circumstances come by you should praise Him as Job did, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21b) Do not grumble or gripe like Job's wife who said "Curse God and die," but be humble before Him knowing that everything He does for you is for your good. When we grumble against God in hard circumstances we give a bad witness and consequently use His name in vain.<br /><br />Lastly, when we falsify a promise as if we were to do a thing if God does something for us, then we use His name in vain. When we barter with God to get something we act irreverently before Him and use His name in a way that does not glorify him. We say, "Oh God, if you would just take this or that away then I will never do such and such again." But this is using His name in vain. We are not to barter with Him but accept His will as it stands.<br /><br />This is a very short list of ways which we may use His name in vain. We are to be lights in the world bringing forth His name in purity and truth. We must not grumble, but be content. We must not vow rashly, but let our "yes be yes and our no be no." We must reverently invoke God's name in worship and prayer with an attitude of fear and trembling for it is a privilege to even have His name marked upon us. We are to take heed in our beliefs, so that we do not misrepresent Him and His name in our theology. There is much involved in keeping the third commandment and in keeping His name holy. For God says "I will not hold him guiltless who takes My name in vain." How guilty are we?<br /><br />Think about how many times in the past week you broke the third commandment? Christians do not go a day without breaking it in some fashion. This causes us to mourn our sinful condition. All our sin is not yet mortified. This causes us sorrow and rushes us to the the cross since we sin this way against our Lord and Christ. But we thank God for Christ. Thanks be to Christ who lived a perfect life! Thanks be to Christ who fulfilled the Law perfectly for His people and imputed to His people His righteous deeds which they did not deserve. Without His sacrifice we would be doomed to hell for just the sin of breaking the third commandment over and over.<br /><br />Ponder upon the holiness and purity of Christ. He kept ALL the commandments perfectly. Every time He worshipped, He did it with His heart. Every promise He made He kept. Every time He invoked God's name He used it with reverence and dignity. Never once did he break the third commandment. So let our eyes be open to see what the third commandment requires of us, and pray that the Lord would aid us to keep His name holy every day, and never use it in vain again.Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-56045293239801349922009-06-17T07:42:00.000-07:002009-06-17T07:54:59.417-07:00Help me write my message."You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments. <br /><br />Help me prepare for my weekends message by telling me your thoughts on this passage.Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-26981032341427660802009-06-12T06:39:00.000-07:002009-06-12T06:39:00.601-07:00Top 10 reasons for keeping the 10 commandments<a href="http://authenticstonetablets.net/customer_files/wysiwyg_images/67082/StoneTablets_in_Universe.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 654px; height: 1000px;" src="http://authenticstonetablets.net/customer_files/wysiwyg_images/67082/StoneTablets_in_Universe.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><strong>1. Because God wrote them.</strong><br />These were not opinions of Moses, these commandments were written on stone tablets by the very finger of God.<br /><br /><strong>2. Because the God who wrote them, has proven his love for us.</strong><br />God had just proven his existence and his love for the people of Israel by bringing them out of the Land of Egypt. God has proven his love for you at the Cross of Calvery. There is our freedom and hope.<br /><br /><strong>3. Because we do not want to live our lives in bondage.</strong><br />If we fail to observe God’s commandments, sin will once again enslave us all.<br /><br /><strong>4. Because we need the blessings of God upon our lives. </strong><br />God said that he would "shew mercy" to all of those who love him and keep his commandments. If our prayer is, "God bless America," we need to heed his commandments.<br /><br /><strong>5. Because there is wisdom and righteousness in all that God has asked us to do.</strong><br />Many people who want to reject the ten commandments as to be outdated, have never even read them. The heart of God is expressed in the ten commandments. The commandments are reasonable and right!<br /><br /><strong>6. Because God only wants what is best for us.</strong><br />God had our interest in mind. Each commandment was given to bring betterment to mankind.<br /><br /><strong>7. Because we are to love our children.</strong><br />It is our children who were bear the reproach of our sin unto the "third and forth generation." Violating the commandments of God is the most unloving thing that we can do to our children, grand children, and great grand children.<br /><br /><strong>8. Because holiness is happiness.</strong><br />The God who created us, created us to live holy lives. Holiness is happiness.<br /><br /><strong>9. Because it is the one thing that I can do to show the Lord that I love him.</strong><br />We have a God who can be "pleased." Here are ten things that we can do that will "please" our creator God. The verse says, "If you love me, keep my commandments." <br /><br /><strong>10. Because God will judge us if we do not keep his commandments.</strong><br />Even if the Supreme Court decides to remove the commandments of God, the God of the ten commandments has said, "I will not hold them guiltless" on the day of judgment. The Books are going ot be opened, anc the ten commandments will be there. God will has not, and will not remove his "ten commandments" from his court room!<br /><br />Conclusion: Jesus observed and kept every jot and tittle of the law. He is my righteousness. I am not saved by keeping the ten commandments. I am saved by grace. Jesus Christ is my Savior. But the Christ who saved me by his grace, saved me for the purpose of allowing his righteousness to reign in my heart. His ten commandments are forever etched on the walls of my heart!Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20011572.post-48106508744562923312009-06-11T08:17:00.000-07:002009-06-11T08:28:28.375-07:00Obey before the painToday I spent time contemplating Psalm 119. David wrote this Psalm later in life after he felt the pain and destruction of his disobedience to commandments #6 (kill), #7 (Adultery). He turned his heart to fully obey the Lord's commandments. It is striking just how focused and clear he became on the issue of obedience-it was his whole-hearted desire to follow God's law. He viewed as a means of protection, fulfillment and joy. It was not a heavy wieght around his neck holding him down. Instead obeying God's command was a way to lift his spirit and lighten his burdens.<br /><br />Unfortunately, it was not until he felt to acute pain of his disobedience that he had his moment of clarity. I want to obey before the pain. How about you?Chris Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09516129845217457060noreply@blogger.com0