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Rut Riders, Backsliders, or Joy Gliders: How we can learn to thank God, Part 2.

5/23/2013

4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:4-8

And in other news today, a group of people called backsliders have been identified in God’s word, Psalm 107, as those who were following Him, but then backed away. These individuals have forgotten what Jesus has done for them, and they have voluntarily put themselves back into the chains of bondage that the Lord had released them from.

Rut Riders, Backsliders, or Joy Gliders: How we can learn to thank God, Part 1.

5/19/2013

4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

Psalm 107:4-7

After studying Psalm 107, we discover three types of people who are in a relationship with God: rut riders, back sliders, and joy gliders. Rut riders are always going in circles; back sliders have a serious relationship problem with God; joy gliders enjoy life so much that if they are not careful, they are not prepared for the storms that may come. Let’s consider how each type of person can be thankful to God and deepen their friendship with Jesus.

Start with a Daily Commitment to follow God first

5/18/2013

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 6:34

What happened to our spiritual life and the life of our Christian friends? It seems we were on fire for the Lord, serving Him, and willing to die for Him! Some who were deeply committed, however, seem to act like they have turned away from the Lord. Or perhaps you have realized you have walked away from following after Him. Do you know why this has occurred?

What Happens When We Fail? Part 2

5/15/2013

"15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." John 21:15-17

What happens when we fail the Lord? Simple answer: he starts off where we have failed and shows us mercy.

Peter had previously denied knowing Jesus and back pedaled on his promise to die for Him. When Jesus asked him, Peter do you love me – in the Greek, He asked Peter twice, “Peter, do you love me enough to die for me?” But instead of recommitting himself to loving Jesus to die for him, both times Peter responded, “yes, you know I love you like a brother.” Finally, Jesus asked, “Do you love me like a brother” to which Peter “grieved” and reaffirmed his brotherly affection for Christ. Perhaps Peter was sorrowful, having remembered his previous failures. Perhaps, Peter was hesitant to make promises to the Lord again having learned from his failures the first time. Or maybe he was simply remorseful to relive his mistake in his mind over and over again. No matter what, Jesus was not done with Peter and He is never done with us! Hallelujah!

What Happens When We Fail? Part 1

5/12/2013

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. John 21:17

This week’s blogosphere will focus on answering a common question in the Christian life; what happens if we fail the Lord? In today’s Bible reading, the Lord had asked Simon Peter questions about the fervency of his love for Him; this came about as a result of Peter’s sin of denying the Lord. Even though Peter had made promises to Jesus not to forsake Him and even die for Him (Mark 14:31), when the Roman guards captured Jesus – Peter abandoned Jesus and told a group of inquiring women that he did not even know who Jesus was. (John 18)

Taste that the Lord is Good

5/5/2013

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 1 Peter 2:3

In some marathons, some runners choose to race carrying a full back pack; while that may not stop someone from finishing the race, it could slow them down from obtaining the goal. While there is something to be said of endurance training , in the Christian life – we need to be sure we are not running the race with our backpack of sin. Otherwise, it could slow us down or even stop us all together.

A Love that Reaches Out to Those Who Cannot or Will Not Love

5/2/2013

"3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints"
Colossians 1:3-4

Can you rejoice at the love that God has placed in your heart for all your neighbors? Love is not something we can properly do unless God is in our life.

Faith Like a Chair

5/1/2013

"12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" Colossians 1:12-14

Why is there only one way of salvation through faith, and one way to receive the forgiveness of sins? How is it like sitting in a chair? Read on.

Our text today says that Christians have received the forgiveness of sin. Why doesn’t the Lord allow those who have done good works to get into heaven? Very often, we know people are still relying on their works if someone asks them why God should let them into heaven, and they say, “I’ve been good; I’ve never done bad things like Hitler or Stalin. I’ve never told big lies or stolen anything of importance, so God has to let me in. Right?”

Rut Riders, Backsliders, or Joy Gliders: How we can learn to thank God, Part 2.

Rut Riders, Backsliders, or Joy Gliders: How we can learn to thank God, Part 1.

Start with a Daily Commitment to follow God first

What Happens When We Fail? Part 2

What Happens When We Fail? Part 1

Taste that the Lord is Good

A Love that Reaches Out to Those Who Cannot or Will Not Love

Faith Like a Chair

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