Those who have believed in God…apply themselves to good deeds, these are excellent and profitable to men.
Titus 3:8b
How long has it been since you deliberately set out to do something nice for someone?
I’m not talking about writing a check to your favorite charity or participating in some church or group activity such as Habitat for Humanity or a mission trip to Mexico to build church buildings. I’m talking about being aware of someone who has some need and going out of your way to meet it.
There maybe an elderly neighbor that could use your help? Perhaps there is someone who has suffered a loss needing companionship, or a child needing someone to help them learn to read. I know all the reasons we don’t do these things (Unfortunately, I’ve used a few of them myself), but the meaning of Christian love doesn’t bow before our reasons.
Christian love is still defined as putting the needs of others before our own comfort and desires. Those who have believed in God…apply themselves to good deeds, these are excellent and profitable to men.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
"Let no one
look down on you" Titus 2:15b
Most of the problems we see in families, friendships, at work and even in the church are because someone feels under appreciated.
No one likes to be taken for granted and no one likes to feel that their contributions have been ignored. In fact, psychologists tell us that one of the basic desires of all people is the desire to feel appreciated.
This being the case, as Christians we need to be sure that we take the time to appreciate both the big and small things that people do for us or for the church (doing unto others as we would have them do unto us).
But we must also be aware that if we aren’t careful we can create a climate where we will be ignored and unappreciated. Certainly, we’ve all done or said things we’ve regretted, that is called experience.
The important thing is that as we grow in grace and wisdom that we learn how to not only give appreciation but also to be worthy of it.
Robert Hidde
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Tues, May 29, 2007
The end of the matter; (after) all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for that is the whole duty of everyone.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Many years ago, I read a story about a famous theologian who served as a professor at a prestigious university. According to the story, his lectures were deep, his assignments challenging and his expectations of his students were very high. Finally, the last day of class before the final exam arrived and the professor asked if there were any questions. Many questions were fired at him regarding theological questions and theories by students eager to gain a better understanding of the material they had been taught.
Finally, one young man raised his hand and said, “Professor, you’ve taught us so much that is complicated and intellectually challenging. But I was wondering, if you could boil down what you’ve been teaching in a simple sentence?”
The professor thought for a moment then said, “Yes, I can” and began singing “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so…”
Our verse for today reminds us that even if we can’t always figure out all the nuances we find in the Bible that it all boils down to trusting God and following his ways.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Many years ago, I read a story about a famous theologian who served as a professor at a prestigious university. According to the story, his lectures were deep, his assignments challenging and his expectations of his students were very high. Finally, the last day of class before the final exam arrived and the professor asked if there were any questions. Many questions were fired at him regarding theological questions and theories by students eager to gain a better understanding of the material they had been taught.
Finally, one young man raised his hand and said, “Professor, you’ve taught us so much that is complicated and intellectually challenging. But I was wondering, if you could boil down what you’ve been teaching in a simple sentence?”
The professor thought for a moment then said, “Yes, I can” and began singing “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so…”
Our verse for today reminds us that even if we can’t always figure out all the nuances we find in the Bible that it all boils down to trusting God and following his ways.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day, May 28, 2007
Before we get to today’s Daily Power Point, let me remind you that this is Memorial Day. A day when we should remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives to win our freedoms and even now fight to keep us free. It is also a day to remember our friends and family who have gone before us.
As we remember, let us also reflect on the mantle of responsibility they have passed to us and renew our commitment to their memories, and the future to uphold the standards they stood for, fought for and died for.
For it is God who executes judgment (meaning God ultimately puts things in order), putting down one and lifting up another. Psalm 75:7
A few years back, I was talking with a business acquaintance whose business had fallen on difficult times. I listened patiently to his litany of complaints about the market, business climate and foreign competition. Not knowing much about his business, I sympathized, made a few suggestions and wished him well.
The next day, I had lunch with another business acquaintance whose business was also hitting hard times. In an attempt to offer him more support than I’d been able to give my friend the day before, I began discussing the market, business climate and foreign competition (echoing the sentiments expressed during my previous conversation).
About half way through my attempt to sound knowledgeable my companion held up his hand and said, “I know all about those things that I can’t control but I’m more concerned about the things that I can control, and more important I trust the one who controls it all.” Then he quoted the words of today’s text, "For it is God who executes judgment (meaning God ultimately puts things in order), putting down one and lifting up another."
As we remember, let us also reflect on the mantle of responsibility they have passed to us and renew our commitment to their memories, and the future to uphold the standards they stood for, fought for and died for.
For it is God who executes judgment (meaning God ultimately puts things in order), putting down one and lifting up another. Psalm 75:7
A few years back, I was talking with a business acquaintance whose business had fallen on difficult times. I listened patiently to his litany of complaints about the market, business climate and foreign competition. Not knowing much about his business, I sympathized, made a few suggestions and wished him well.
The next day, I had lunch with another business acquaintance whose business was also hitting hard times. In an attempt to offer him more support than I’d been able to give my friend the day before, I began discussing the market, business climate and foreign competition (echoing the sentiments expressed during my previous conversation).
About half way through my attempt to sound knowledgeable my companion held up his hand and said, “I know all about those things that I can’t control but I’m more concerned about the things that I can control, and more important I trust the one who controls it all.” Then he quoted the words of today’s text, "For it is God who executes judgment (meaning God ultimately puts things in order), putting down one and lifting up another."
Robert Hidde
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
The sayings of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings which are given by one Shepherd. Of anything beyond these, beware. Of making many books there is no end and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Ecclesiastes 12:11,12 (NRSV)
When I was growing up one of my Sunday School teachers cited this verse constantly as a means of cautioning her students against some of the things being taught in the public schools. While there is validity to her point, she carried it to the extreme by saying that we couldn’t trust doctors because much of their research and training was based on the theory of evolution!
I recently heard similar sentiments expressed on so-called Christian radio. But is this really what the writer is getting at in this verse? Is he really saying that we shouldn’t at least have a nodding acquaintance with current theories and trends?
I think what the writer is saying is that we need to realize that while the world around us is changing, we must never lose sight of the fact that certain values and standards are universal and must be accepted on faith.
That’s why he says “beware”, which means to move cautiously when we are dealing with things that seem to move beyond the values and standards contained in this volume. We must always be sure that we never lose sight of the things that serve as the foundation for peace of mind and fulfillment by moving cautiously when we are confronted by ideas and theories that seem to contradict them.
--Robert D. Hidde
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