insecurity

Insecurity is a monster.
I’m insecure if I’m under prepared.
I’m insecure if I’m over prepared.
I’m insecure if no one shows up.
I’m insecure if a bunch of people show up.
If people don’t have fun I’m insecure.
If people have too much fun then I probably didn’t speak enough hard truth.
Insecurity replicates in my brain like an out of control virus.

Insecurity starts when my confidence comes from “I” instead of “He”.

He has a plan.
He has given my the privilege of being part of His plan.
He decides who shows.
He gives us a living Word that cuts to our heart.
He lives in me. I will not be ashamed.
He died for me and rose again.
What can man do to me?
He not me.

John 3:30.

uh…this is a great post

http://www.stevenfurtick.com/uncategorized/minister-of-gcd/

Jesus as discipler?

How did Jesus disciple? What do you see as the ultimate paradigm of disciple making?

Getting versus giving.

Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

There is nothing we can do to earn the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. We can serve for it, give to it, pray for it, sing toward it: we can’t earn it. It’s a gift.

When we receive that gift a transformation takes place. We become a new creation in Christ. We are form or shaped by God for a purpose.

Giving of tithes and offerings is a perfect illustration of this verse. I’m thankful that I didn’t have to make payments for my salvation. It was a gift. Now that Christ is in me, I have everything. I have been prepared for the purpose of giving. I give, not because I have to, but because I have been created to give. It is in my nature now to give.

Son of God = God

Is Jesus God or is He the Son of God? Great question!

It is accurate to say that Jesus is God and also to say that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. That means that He is God. Allow C.S. Lewis to explain:

“We don’t use the words begetting or begotten much in modern English, but everyone still knows what they mean. To beget is to become the father of: to create is to make. And the difference is this. When you beget, you beget something of the same kind as yourself. A man begets human babies, a beaver begets little beavers and a bird begets eggs which turn into little birds. But when you make, you make something of a different kind from yourself. A bird makes a nest, a beaver builds a dam, a man makes a wireless set – or he may make something more like himself than a wireless set: say, a statue. If he is clever enough carver he may make a statue which is very like man indeed. But, of course, it is not a real man; it only looks like one. It cannot breathe or think. It is not alive.

Now that is the first thing to get clear. What God begets is God; just as what man begets is man. What God creates is not God; just as what man makes is not man. That is why men are not Son’s of God in the sense that Christ is. They may be like God in certain ways, but they are not things of the same kind. They are more like statues or pictures of God.”

Check out John 10:30-39. Notice here that Jesus calls himself “God’s Son” and the Jews understand that he is claiming to be God. To say that “Jesus is God” and “Jesus is God’s Son” are synonymous is an over-simplification but nonetheless, true.

Have you ever thought through this question? What was your conclusion based on scripture?

Begets

Why are there so many “begets” in the bible? I get so bored of all the genealogies in the bible that I just skip those parts.
Great Question! Below are a couple of reasons I think those “begets” are in the bible.

1. From Adam to Jesus, son of God to Son of God, there is a record of God’s work in His people. It is a record of redemption. The genealogical record attests to the historical veracity of the bible. Those were real people who kept good records.
2. To show the supremacy of Christ and to highlight the nature of our birth. The genealogies are records of natural births that point towards the spiritual nature of our birth. Notice that there are no genealogies after Jesus. We are children of God…born not of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God (John 1:12-13 and 3:3). There are no branches on the tree; those who claim Christ are all his children! He is supreme.
3. To remind us that we are now in the same chosen family and should be thankful. We have been engrafted into Israel through our spiritual birth. Galatians 3:29 says, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” All those promises God made to Abraham and his descendants are now “yes” in Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 1:20)

Do you have any further insight as to why those “begets” are in there?

what lasts forever?

Lately, I’ve been thinking a good bit about how I spend my time. Let me just say that there is nothing wrong with rest and relaxation. I’m a big fan and I think God is too (that whole sabbath thing). Sometimes, though, I expect a big return on very little investment. A friend reminded me of Proverbs 13:4, “The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” Jerry White, president of Navigators, said this, “According to the Bible, the only things that will last eternally are God, the Word of God, and the souls of men. To the extent that you are involved in these three things, you are involved in eternity.” So how are we doin’? Are we spending our time on something that matters?

Pets in heaven?

Sure, there will be animals in heaven. But pets? Let’s hear your argument.

new believer’s class coming

NewSpringers listen up! Are you a new believer in Christ? Do you have a friend or family member who has recently accepted Jesus? The journey has just started. We want to help you know what to do next! Our next New Believer’s Class begins Thursday, July 23rd at the Greenville Campus offices. We’re going to be talking about the basics of the faith in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Check out the details below.

What: 3 Week New Believers Class
Where: Greenville Campus Offices (81 Rocky Slope Rd. Greenville 29607)
When: Thursdays 6:30 – 8pm (Beginning July 23)
Sign Up: www.newspring.cc or at Guest Services on Sunday
Questions: tom.haren@newspring.cc

Am I being punished for my past?

Got this question just recently.
“Does God punish us for sins of the past?”

The answer is “no”. God does not punish us for sins of the past if we are in Christ. The punishment we deserve, death, was given to Christ. He died once for all. So now, there is no condemnation for those in Christ (Romans 8.1). If you feel condemned for past sins you can be sure that this is not coming from God. When Jesus spoke to the adulterous woman in John 8 he said, “Neither do I condemn you, now go and leave your life of sin.” If there has been a pattern of sin in your life or one “big” sin, if you are in Christ, Jesus has paid for that sin. You are now called to leave it or that lifestyle behind. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” We are no longer bound by that sin. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”

For those not in Christ, God’s wrath still rests on them. Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.” Fortunately, John 1:12 says, “to all who receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” So, God’s wrath that we deserved was poured out on Jesus so that we wouldn’t have to live eternally separated from God.

Assuming that you are in Christ, you could be feeling one of three things.
1) Guilt. That’s not from God. Satan is an accuser and will use whatever he can to hinder you.
2) Consequences. Many times the consequences of our actions continue to remind us of our mistakes. For example, you shoot your wife because you are angry at her for burning the toast. Consequently, you are not going to have any more toast made by your wife. Our actions carry consequences.
3) Discipline – God will bring trials and tests into our life to purify or refine us. That discipline could feel a little like punishment because at the time it stings. Read Hebrews 12:11. But it is intended for our ultimate good. God chastens those he loves. He isn’t bringing tough things into your life because he is angry at you. God is taking you through a season of refining because he wants the best for you.

Be encouraged that the bible says that God who began a good work in you is able to complete it (Philippians 1:6). He casts away our sin as far as the east is from the west never to be remembered (Psalm 103). God never remembers. He gives us the ability to remember past mistakes so that we won’t make them over and over. So, remember that you screwed up, stop kickin’ yourself in the tail and get on with your purpose for being on the planet.

Here are some bible verses that might help in your study.

John 19:30
Hebrews 9:28
Hebrews 10:17-18
Romans 8:1
Hebrews 12:1-13