Tis the Season to NOT Grow Weary

Photos: The Fellowship Carolers work tirelessly during the Christmas season ministering at several Tampa Bay area hospitals and cancer centers. A beautiful bear is given to every patient. This year over 500 bears were distributed. This is a great testimony of the selfless love of Jesus.

Thought for the Day

Galatians 6:9-10

(9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

(10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Does doing good ever wear you out? I know that in my life there are times when I feel so depleted that I just want to hide from people. Of course this is just an indication that my spiritual battery is running low and is in desperate need of a recharge. This is what the Apostle Paul is conveying to us in this passage. The Christian life is not a wind sprint; it is a marathon! The answer to fatigue is not to quit running the race, but to live with balance and regular times of drinking deeply from the well of God's Word that His grace may sustain us. Serving others is a basic tenet of our Christian Faith. It is not optional for a believer; it is the essence of being a believer! As my old pastor used to say, "I don't want to retire, I want to re-fire." Let's re-fire for Jesus this Christmas season!

Application

Be sure to take time today to come apart for some personal reflection with the Lord. The time spent in doing this will multiply the rest of your time today. God will be no man's debtor. Give to Him His due and He will repay you in abundance!

If you are uncertain of your relationship with God check out the link "How You Can Know God" at www.fbc301.org.

A Dwelling Place for God

Photo: Cheryl and C.J. on the back property at the church.

Thought for the Day

Ephesians 2:19-22

(19) Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

(20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

(21) In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord:

(22) In whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Its amazing to me how the Lord has assembled together so many different types of materials in order to build His church. As I look at our local church I see the diversity of age, styles, preferences, economic status, culture, and on and on, yet we are built together by God in order to be an appropriate dwelling place for Him. There is truly a bond in Christ that defies human wisdom. It is a shame that many churches do not reflect the unity of spirit that is perhaps the greatest witness of who Christ truly is. Our God delights in the unity of His people because it is a reflection of His essential character.

Application

Are you living in unity with those that you call your church family? Do all in your power today to resolve any conflict you may possess with others. Life is short, don't waste it! There is really no excuse for a divided church; this is a great tragedy because it portrays a distorted image of our God.

If you are uncertain of your relationship with God check out the link "How to Know God" at www.fbc301.org.

He Came For Me and You!

Photo: C.J. playing for teen girls worship special at Fellowship.

Thought for the Day

Luke 2:11

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

So many times I hear people downplay the human side of the salvation experience. Of course we understand that ultimately all that God does is for His own glory, but if we are not careful we frame God as an austere impersonal God who has no emotional attachment to His will or the people he came to save. Jesus' coming was for us! It is "unto you" or "for you" that a Savior was born. God delights in doing things for us, not simply in a theological sense that tries to reconcile His sovereign glory with our human necessity, but in a very real, caring, and feeling way. Jesus came for us: Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Application

Has your view of God left Him distant and remote from your innermost needs and feelings. The Bible tells us otherwise. Come to Him today in childlike faith and humility and experience afresh the wonders of His love for you! If you are uncertain of your relationship with God check out the link "How to Know God" at www.fbc301.org.

Abba Father!

Photo: Cheryl and I with baby Levi Kidwell. He is out of PICU and was in church worship service Sunday with a happy mom and dad.

Thought for the Day

Galatians 4:4-6

(4) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

(5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

(6) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Christmas becomes so personal to me when I meditate on the truth that it was the coming of Jesus into this world in "the fullness of time" or at just the right moment that allows me to enjoy the Father- son relationship that I have with God. He is not a God that is far off or impersonal, but He is "Abba" or literally "Daddy". What a blessed privilege to know this great being in such a comfortable and personal way!

Application

Cry out to "Abba" today with boldness and confidence that He desires to hear from you. If you are uncertain of your relationship with God check out the link "How to Know God" at www.fbc301.org.

Thankful Enough to Give

Photos: Cheryl, her mom, and the girls at Julianna's Chorus Christmas Concert at Seffner Christian.

Thought for the Day

2 Chronicles 29:31

Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.

It seems fitting that the Christmas season follows right on the heels of Thanksgiving. When we get our focus right and begin to see the blessings in all that God has done for us and our heart is filled with gratitude, it generates a spirit of generosity. "For God so loved the world that He gave...." As thanksgiving is the season of praise and gratitude, Christmas is the season of generosity and giving.

The heart that has been freed through thankfulness will naturally give generously!

Application

Are you free to offer generously? Look for an opportunity today and throughout this Christmas season to give generously to a specific need.

The Privilege of Parenting

Photos: Sent to me by the Stowell Family of the dedication day of Joshua!

Thought for the Day

Psalms 127:3-5

(3) Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

(4) As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

(5) Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Children get an awful bad rap in our society today. They are viewed as a burden and something that can be easily disposed of if the timing is just not right for us to be parents yet. We find all kinds of excuses to justify our selfishness, but the truth is that God views our children as gifts. He views them as His own heritage and something that we should highly value and treasure.

I am so blessed by the 15 babies that have been born to families in our church body over the past 12 months and there is one more on the way in March. What a privilege to be honored by God with such treasure. Along with the joys of parenthood also comes the challenges and burdens as well, but all for His glory and their good!

Application

Ask the Lord to give you the right perspective of the children in your life and see your opportunity to influence them as a sacred obligation to the Lord Himself. After all, they are His heritage!

Thanking Our Way To Peace Of Mind

Photos: Decorating the tree with the kids (CJ never got to put the angel on before, so this was his chance.)

Thought for the Day

Psalms 119:62

At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

We often hear of people staying up late because of worry or fear of uncertainties on the horizon of life, but for someone to get up simply to "give thanks" to the Lord is highly unusual. This is not something we commonly associate with late night activity. What would be the motive behind this?

There are several assumptions we could make, but to me what is clear is that giving thanks to God is simply good medicine. Perhaps it was the worries and fears that brought the initial wakefulness, but the care filled moment was turned into an opportunity for praise. "Giving Thanks" will settle the anxieties of our hearts by putting the Lord back into the center of our universe where He belongs!

Application

If there are worries or stresses in your life today, turn them over to the Lord by giving Him thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

My "Thankfulness List"- Making a written list of 100 things for which I am thankful has been used greatly of God in my heart this month. I can truly say He has given me an "attitude of gratitude!"

Thought for the Day

Psalms 100:1-5

A Psalm of praise

(1) Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

(2) Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

(3) Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

(4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

(5) For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

As I sit here on Thanksgiving morning, I am filled with gratitude for my life. I am fully aware though that the blessings I enjoy are only because of my Lord Jesus Christ. He has enabled me to know God and serve Him. I am convinced that there are two things about God that I must be aware of and rest in if I can fully experience His presence and blessing.

These two things are that 1.God is Great, and 2. God is Good! If God were not great, He would be incapable of bringing His good will for me to pass. If God were not good, His immense power could not be trusted to do that which is best for me. Power without goodness is corrupting, and goodness without power is incapable of fully expressing itself. I am grateful that my Lord is both Great and Good as the earliest childhood prayer that I was taught reminded me each night. Praise Him this Thanksgiving for He alone is worthy!

Application

"God is great, God is good let us thank Him for this food, amen!"

Magnify God Through Thankfulness

ThanksLiving. Sunday morning sermon series for the month of November. Thankfulness is the key to contentment!

Thought for the Day

Psalms 69:30-31

(30) I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

(31) This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

Once again we see the importance of thankfulness to our relationship with God. David describes thanksgiving here as "magnifying" the Lord and "pleasing" Him more than many sacrifices. We can not overestimate the importance of gratitude to as successful Christian life. I believe if we would focus on this one grace and determine to grow in this area through concentration and focus that we would experience a great burst of enthusiasm in our walk with Christ. Thanksgiving magnifies Him; it makes Him big to everyone around us, and this is exactly what He deserves. He is worthy!

Application

Magnify the Lord today through thanksgiving. Let everyone know that you appreciate all the good that He has allowed to come your way today.

The Debt of Gratitude

Photo: I am thankful for health and strength to enjoy the things that are important in life. Julianna's volleyball photo.

Thought for the Day

Psalms 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

We tend to want to offer God our money, or time, or songs, or whatever; but what He is truly desirous of is our heart. The "vows" God wants "paid" from us is simply that we would offer Him thanks from the heart. I will continue to "pay my vows" to the Lord this month as I compile my list of 100 things for which I am thankful. I am surrounded by two things each day: things that can cause me to grumble, and things that can cause me to give thanks. The amazing thing that I am discovering is that they are both the same things; it is simply my perspective that determines their worth.

Application

As you thank the Lord for the things in your life today, remember that you are paying to Him a great debt of gratitude!