Tim's Blessing Blog

On my other blog (timspositiveplace.wordpress.com) I just posted something I encourage you to read. In that post I revisited my memory of “It’s a Wonderful Life” film starring Jimmy Stewart. The post and the film make the point that a well-lived life effects far more than we know.

Our godly deeds have everlasting consequences. Our good deeds affect people who affect people, who affect communities, who affect the world. Even the acts of the ungodly have ripple effects. So much more do ours. If we are walking in the Spirit obeying what God would have us do, the effects will be valuable in this life and beyond.

How can spiritual goodness not have a greater effect than regular activities? This is just a short reminder that you matter. You make history, even Church history. We all contribute positively or negatively to the lives of others…and to our world, even heaven. As Christians there are no insignificant persons. We all make history and as Christians we all affect this world and eternity. What you do may seem insignificant but it isn’t. Actions cause ripples in our world and beyond.

Please read the other blog and watch the film. Think on these things. It will bless you.

Big Blessing in a Person

George Belobaba

Pastor Belobaba was a pastor out in Washington state. He had a pastor’s heart and a gift for teaching. He could give you more spiritual meat in a half hour that many couldn’t give in a loud and long sermon. He accepted the Jesus People in the church when many did not. Some of his great insights were posted for him by some of his parishioners. It’s good stuff. You can find it at http://www.scripturenuggets.wordpress.com

PART OF SOMETHING BIG

I went to church in a small community. Often as a Christian I would feel so isolated, part of a small group of outsiders. Though the feelings were real, I was part of something far greater than I thought. As a Christian I was aware of spiritual realities others did not. As a Christian I was part of a group much bigger than just our church. All over the world I had brothers and sisters living and loving and serving the Lord. Not only that the new life that was given me in salvation was nothing less than the life of God in me. Further I was a part of a family not only on earth but in heaven.

We are a part of something BIG. And BIGGEST of all…is our Lord…

Revelations 1:9

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God. “Who is and Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty.”

No matter how you feel, if you are a Christian you are part of something BIG.

 

 

 

 

 

Due to lack of resources as well as a personal computer, there will be a 3-4 week lack of blog posts. Sorry to let you down,

This scripture tells us to think on whatever is true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Teachers, including myself encourage people to think on these things for their own good, And that is appropriate.

But the is an added benefit when we think on these things. Because we are more positive, more aware of God’s goodness, we are more prepared to encourage our brothers and sisters. We don’t have to work to be a positive influence. We are naturally a positive influence,

This note is to remind us all that though scriptures are for our personal good, they are for transforming us so we can more easily do good for others. We are part of a Community of Love and Grace.

Note: As I allude to scriptures in this post you will notice no reference information. Find these verses as an exercise in Bible study. Every declarative statement about God and Scripture can be found in the Bible often more than once.

A Book

Scripture is clear that the Word of God is more than ink on pages.  But usually the approach to scripture by theologians and seminaries is strong on the reasoning side and weak on the revelation side of things. In the Beginning the Word was with God and the Word was God…as written scripture is more than just a book about God things. Scripture makes clear that the Holy Spirit is to be our teacher of things regarding the Word. So we have words on paper, given by God, superintended by the Spirit.

What we can’t get by approaching the Bible as mere ink on paper we can receive from Jesus Christ, the Living Word and the Spirit who leads us into all truth.

Life in the Bible

Reading the Bible is not only a way to learn but a way to fellowship with God.

In your next time of study approach the Bible as more than just another book. Approach it knowing God id watching over it and that His life can flow through it.

 

Grace and Peace to you.

Tim

The first half of James 4:8 says “Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you.” Who is this that will draw near to you, become intimate in your life?

Do you want to be close to God? Isaiah identifies Him as Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Do you want this One to draw near to you?

John identifies Him as The Bread of Life, the Great Physician, the Intercessor, the Restorer. Do you want this one to be close to you?

Many more descriptions of our Savior fill scripture. The is the Lion and the Lamb, the Good Shepherd, the Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End, the Almighty. Do you want Him close to you?

If you do, draw near to Him and He and all that He is will draw near to you.

 

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK CLOSE TO HIM.

 

There are so many beautiful locations in this world! As Christians we often seek our happiness or fulfillment by looking to be in the right place. The right place can be very important. We want to be at the right job, attend the right church, live in the right town or city.

But if we look for our happiness or fulfillment because of a place we will also blame our sadness or frustrations on a place. Though there may be some cause and effect but it should not be our main focus,

.Seeking first the Kingdom of God gets us calibrated spiritually to make right decisions about those other places. Sometimes in the past when I’ve felt I was in the wrong place, I was. Other times I was not. And when I drew near to the Lord in obedience His peace would show me how unimportant those other concerns were and that I was fine where I was.

Have a good vibrant relationship with the Lord. Love and seek out His presence in worship, church, fellowship, and His Word and lovingly do what He says and you will be in the best location. And from there He will lead you on to life abundant.

God bless and keep you.   Tim Elliott

These two well known scriptures should give us a real insight to the heart of God. John 3:16-17

16: For God so loved the world he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

17: For God did not send his son to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

We often read through scriptures we know without seeing some thing of value that are there.

The Depth of God’s love: God so loved that He gave, He sacrificed. What an understatement! God’s love is a love, a real love cannot stay inactive.

The offer and God’s commitment to human freedom: Whosoever believes indicates human volition is involved and the gift of eternal life is not forced on the unwilling. It is our enemy who forces, binds and coerces, not God.

Saving us from perishing: The purpose is to save us from something that is already happening, perishing because of sin. God did not do this because He wanted to prove himself “big man on campus,”‘ He did it because He cared and because we needed it.

Not to condemn: God gets a bad rap as the condemner. That is not His heart. That is not His desire. His desire is to save us from our spiritual death and reconcile us with Him. His purpose is not to condemn but remove us from our sin and its condemnation.

These are things we should already know but it is good to be reminded of them.

Have a great week!

Things I wish I had said

• The worst moment for the atheist is when he really is thankful and has nobody to thank. Dante Gabriel Rossetti
• O Lord that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness. William Shakespeare

Thanksgiving Proclamation

We have been a most favored people.

We ought to be a most grateful people.

We have been a most blessed people.

We ought to be a most thankful people.

Calvin Coolidge

I like this prayer by George Herbert.

Thou who hast given so much to me, give one thing more-a grateful heart.

 

One day when I was homeless, living out of my car I was feeling sorry for myself, thinking of all that I didn’t have. The more I considered them the more depressed I got. I cried out to the Lord and I heard in my heart “Don’t you have anything you can be thankful for?” It brought me up short. OK what did I have? I had the car, I wasn’t sleeping in a cardboard box. I had gas so if the temperature got too uncomfortable I could turn on the engine and fix that, I had snack food. I had my health… and as I started to think about those blessings more came to mind. A spirit of thankfulness came on me and my emotions became more and more positive.

Sometimes in hard times it is easy to forget the good times. When we suffer lack it is easy to forget our blessings. But the good times happened and the blessings exist. Remember, “God is good” is not a catch phrase. It is reality.

 

BE THANKFUL

YOU’RE BLESSED

 

Sometimes we find ourselves too busy too fellowship as we should. We Christians are a family and we need to interact with one another.

Many times after church I see my brothers and sisters and we fellowship’ We fellowship music, works sports teams…..just about anything you can imagine. It’s good to fellowship these things.

We need to take time to interject The Lord into our fellowship. Just something as simple as God provided that for me this week or I felt His love when I was going through a hard time.

Fellowship is fellowship. Christian fellowship should include the Christ.

I do not mean be a hyper religious knot head but some one who finds it important to share God’s goodness in the context of everyday live.

 

Remember, praising God should not only be done on Sunday. His praise should be shared with people during our week…not preachy, just thankful.