One of the great things about real Christianity is that it calls us to
sincerely engage our minds and always check out the facts. Unlike those who say
that “faith is something that is to be embraced in spite of the truthfulness of
the particulars,” the Bible tells us we’d be better off without it if its
message is nothing more than inspiriting stories or fables to live by. In
referring to the historic basis for New Testament theology 1 Corinthians 15
emphatically asserts that if the accounts of Jesus are not factual then
“preaching is useless,” “faith is futile,” the apostles are “liars” and we are
a pathetic bunch of deceived people that the rest of the world should “pity”
(vv.14-19). If we are going to base our lives and daily decisions on the
ministry and teaching of Jesus Christ, then we’d better accept the challenge to
be “thinking Christians” who understand that “faith” feels much more like a
well-reasoned confidence than an emotional wishful thinking.
For more devotionals sermons and resources go to http://www.focalpointministries.org/
Weekly devotionals from Pastor Mike Fabarez Senior Pastor at Compass Bible Church in Aliso Viejo, CA and host of daily Focal Point Radio broadcast.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Thankful Always?
First
Thessalonians 5:18 requires that Christians “give thanks in all circumstances.”
While to some this may seem crazy or at least a strange kind of spiritual
masochism, the Bible has good reason for directing us to be grateful even when
life hurts. For starters, Christians affirm that God is sovereign has good
intentions when he enlists trials and pain in the lives of the children he
deeply loves. As we parents interact with our young children (assuming we are
humble enough to accept that we are God’s “kids”) we should quickly
recognize that pain is often a strategic path to healing, maturity and
prosperity in this world. If only our kids could see through their immaturity
that the bad tasting medicine, the hassle of homework, or sting of discipline
will eventually yield great benefit, then perhaps they, like us, could learn to
complain less and even find the strength to be grateful in the face of
circumstances that are less than fun.
May God give us the maturity to “give thanks” in good times and bad.
For more devotionals sermons and resources go to http://www.focalpointministries.org/
For more devotionals sermons and resources go to http://www.focalpointministries.org/
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Family and Warfare
The
familial terms like “Father,” “brother” and “sister” which are used in the
Bible to describe the Christian experience remind us of the importance of love,
devotion and connectedness that ought characterize our congregation. But it is
important that we are not led to believe that all our Christian expectations
should settle on feelings of cozy, docile family room gatherings. Remember that
the Scriptures also utilize balancing analogies for the Christian life which
employ terms like “Captain,” “fellow soldiers,” “Master,” “servants” and
“athletes.” These images transport our minds and expectations from the family
room to the battlefield, the harvest fields and fields of strenuous exertion. Add
to that our understanding of the prophetic schedule which promises a future
age of rest and reward preceded by the current age of kingdom
advancement and struggle with the flesh and the devil. While we all long for
the days of relaxing together at the ultimate family reunion, for now we are
brothers and sisters fighting to do what is right as we strategically assault
the gates of hell with expansion of our Lord’s Church.
For more devotionals sermons and resources go to http://www.focalpointministries.org/
For more devotionals sermons and resources go to http://www.focalpointministries.org/
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Three Kinds of Prayer
There
are three primary settings for biblical prayer which should have priority in
our lives. The first is a focused type of scheduled prayer (Mt.6:6). This is
the kind where, like Daniel’s three times a day or Jesus’ predawn appointments,
we plan to meet with God for a significant session of “pouring out our hearts
before the Lord” (Ps.62:8). The second setting for prayer is a team effort.
This is when we meet with other Christians in groups to help one another direct
our thoughts, intercessions and thanksgivings to God (Ac.12:11). Praying with
others allows us to share one another’s burdens (Gal.6:2) and prompts us to
express requests and concerns to God that would have never otherwise crossed
our minds. A third setting for prayer can take place in your life right now. It
is the kind Paul called “praying continually” (1Th.5:17). These are the
comments and request that should punctuate our lives as we reach out to our
omnipresent God amid all the events and activities of our day (cf. Neh.2:4-5).
Let’s make all three a priority as we seek to deepen our relationship and
communication with the living God.
For more devotionals sermons and resources go to http://www.focalpointministries.org/
For more devotionals sermons and resources go to http://www.focalpointministries.org/
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