Tim's Blessing Blog

During this season we are often encouraged to find things for which to be thankful. As Christians we should have no problem in this. How can we count our many blessings? Think of it! We were forgiven our sins and given new lives.

His righteousness was imputed to us. His nature was imparted to us. Yes. Let us be thankful!

We have access to God and His favor. Nothing can separate us from God’s love.  We have a blood covenant with God Almighty! Is it hard to be thankful?

We are part of a family that spans the continents and the ages…this earth and heaven. It is not hard to be thankful!

We are blessed in this life. And we are blessed with eternal life. Could we be thankful? Just for a day? How about “ever thankful”? Should it be difficult for us to do as 1 Th. 5:18 says to always give thanks?

Above are listed some of our spiritual blessings but there are more…much more, for which we should be thankful every day. Some are so much a part of us we take them for granted. Our senses are a daily blessing. Perhaps we are smelling the aroma of a freshly baked turkey or listening to beautiful vocals. So much we are blessed with that we take for granted! Let us be thankful.

Our society encourages us not to be thankful but always grasping for more. So much of this is driven by marketing. If we do not have the newest, greatest, most modern this or that…how can we be thankful?

But we Christians are of a new nation, a new ethnic group are to model a different culture, a culture of Thanksgiving. Be thankful this holiday season, but continue being thankful throughout the coming year. If you have problems in this area, pray. God has given me a spirit of thanksgiving. That in itself is a blessing.

You are blessed! Be thankful! And have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

This post is not a Bible lesson but a short reminder about words. Remember the little saying we used as children? “Sticks and stones may break my bones but word will never hurt me.” Those of us who have been verbally abused know this is untrue. Words have power. They can help and they can hurt. How many times an encouraging word has helped get a person through tough times! How many times have word of hate and hopelessness sent persons on a downward emotional spiral!

But there are other WORDS…anointed WORDS…God’s words and they have incredible life changing power. As Christians we have access to  words that help and anointed WORDS. Remember even the most lowly Christian can affect other lives positively…can even revolutionize them. Consider your words. You have more ability than you may know.

Study what the Bible says about words. For instance John 1;1, and more.

Some say words are not important, but how can this be when John 1:1 says that Jesus was the Word of God.  Think of this. Words are powerful and the WORD is the Almighty.

 Grace and Peace to you in the coming week.

We serve a great and powerful God. Awed by His greatness some say that we can’t know Him. How can we know a God as Revelations 1:9 says, who is The Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Almighty? God wants us to know Him as much as is possible considering our limitations. We know His presence but he wants us to cognitively know Him too.  He did not give you a brain and then encourage you not to use it in regards to Him. He has revealed Himself in scripture by what and who He says He is.

We should not view this as an overwhelming list, but each as a door into which we can look to know Him better.

He is…

Savior Is. 53:5, Judge Is. 11:3, Lawgiver Is. 42:4, Sin Bearer Is. 53:6, Prince of Peace Is. 9:6, The Soul Winner John 4, the Bread of Life John 6, The Great Physician John 5, The True Vine John 15, The Good Shepherd John 10, The King John 12, The Servant John 13, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah Rev. 5:5, The Lamb Rev. 17:14….and so much more in scripture.

There are the covenant names of God. There are more of the I Am sayings of Christ. In Isaiah there are more names describing Him. Look at these as facets of a many faceted One. As you look into each one prayerfully you will get to know our  Great and Almighty God more and more. And as you get to know Him you will be transformed.

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