1 Pet. 5:6-7
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
God is ready and able to be a blessing to anyone. In the long run, there is no worry or care that can stop God from blessing us. All that is necessary is a desire to be blessed. Do you want God in your life?
Come to Jesus.
Pray for God to renew your relationship together, or begin it.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
sides
1 Pet. 3:12
"The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.”
Whose side is God on? Those who are always looking in his direction. Those who look to him for life. Those who follow him and repent when they stray.
Who does God oppose? Those who do evil. So, Whose side do you want to be on?
Pray for common sense when it comes to God.
"The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.”
Whose side is God on? Those who are always looking in his direction. Those who look to him for life. Those who follow him and repent when they stray.
Who does God oppose? Those who do evil. So, Whose side do you want to be on?
Pray for common sense when it comes to God.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
partner
Heb. 13:6
So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
When it comes to following Jesus or following people always choose Jesus. There is nothing someone else can do for you or to you that is greater than what Jesus can do. This works in all areas of life. Jesus is the best partner you can possibly have.
Pray for progress in the confidence you have in Jesus.
So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
When it comes to following Jesus or following people always choose Jesus. There is nothing someone else can do for you or to you that is greater than what Jesus can do. This works in all areas of life. Jesus is the best partner you can possibly have.
Pray for progress in the confidence you have in Jesus.
Monday, November 05, 2007
bridge
Heb. 7:25
Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
Without Jesus, we are the enemy of God. We are not capable of living right lives on our own, not to the extent of being right with God, and if we worship or follow any other “god” it is living a lie.
Jesus is our bridge. He wants all people to come to God through him and he has already made it possible.
Pray for those who are following other “gods” to keep seeking.
Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
Without Jesus, we are the enemy of God. We are not capable of living right lives on our own, not to the extent of being right with God, and if we worship or follow any other “god” it is living a lie.
Jesus is our bridge. He wants all people to come to God through him and he has already made it possible.
Pray for those who are following other “gods” to keep seeking.
Friday, November 02, 2007
preaching at Oasis
Friends- I will be preaching at the 6 p.m. service at Oasis Christian Center, in Hollywood (the Godchicks church!) this Sunday, November 4th. Worship is at Oasis Theatre, located at 5100 Wilshire Blvd, in between La Brea & Highland. I am giving the message, seven reasons why people say they aren't Christian. Here is a sample essay that will be handed out.
Christians are way too exclusive
You must be kidding. When Carl Sagan, the most well known scientist of my generation, gave the keynote address at the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal organization’s annual meeting, he said this.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion. (Carl Sagan, 1987 CSICOP keynote address)
I’ll leave politics out of it, but there are a few little events that have occurred to change the way people think about religion, like say, Christianity out of Judaism, the whole Protestant Reformation, or more recently, the rise of Mormonism out of Christianity. Whatever you think of the merits of these outcomes, Carl, change does happen, even in religion.
So why would someone as brilliant as Carl Sagan be so naive concerning religion? I am most familiar with my own faith, of course, so I’ll ask the question this way. What’s your problem with Christianity? Actually, people have a lot of problems with Christianity. One strong criticism of Christianity is it is so exclusive.
“Christians think they are right and everyone else is wrong.” “Christians think they have the inside track to the truth.” “Christians are intolerant toward others.” What is really going on with these and similar statements?
Actually, everyone is exclusive. Everyone thinks they are right about their viewpoint. It’s just that Christians are honest enough to be open about their exclusivity. Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life.”
I mean, really, who doesn’t think they are right about the way they think? Christians aren’t saying there is no truth anywhere else, because we think whatever is good and right and honorable comes from God, anyway. We just think Jesus is the ultimate truth. If you want to see potentially unhelpful exclusivity, for example, stay tuned for the current presidential election. Do you think the candidates think they are right about their viewpoints? How about what the other candidate thinks? Perhaps it goes something like this.
“My opponent has some great ideas; actually quite similar to my own. In fact, I wish I could adopt a couple of his positions because they really might work well, but I can’t, because they are ideas he supports. Instead, I need to try to convince you that he is Satan incarnate.”
Everyone thinks they have to be right. Everyone believes they have the exclusive truth. Even people who say there is no truth think they are right. That is the latest theory. A very white, European idea floating around for the past couple of hundred years. Relativism.
Relativism asks the question, “Whose to say your truth is anymore real than my truth? It is just your opinion based on your cultural bias. Truth is simply a contextual thing.”
Well to say, “There is no ultimate truth” is, in and of itself, an ultimate truth statement. Everyone thinks they have the truth. Christians are just honest enough to admit it.
I like what author, Anne Lamott said, at a National Pastor’s Retreat a few years back. She was commenting on the phrase, “Well, that’s just your opinion.”
Yes, that’s just my opinion but I think I am right. If I didn’t think I was right I would have another opinion.
Yet, if everyone is exclusive in his/ her viewpoint, isn’t that being intolerant? I don’t know how this could be intolerant because the very definition of tolerance includes thinking you are right.
Tolerance says, “I respect you as a human being and I respect your right to have an opinion and I think your opinion is wrong.” You can’t be tolerant with people you agree with. You would be, “agreeable.” You can only show tolerance with people you disagree with.
To be intolerant would be to not respect people as human whom you disagree with, and/or not respect their right to have a worldview, and actually try to force that opinion to never be uttered. If you actually know anything about Christianity you would know that is the furthest thing from the model or message of Jesus. Here is what he said about people who disagree with Christians.
‘If people vehemently disagree with you, tell them you think they are wrong, leave them alone, and find some other people who might be more open to your viewpoint' (Luke 10:10-11).
Wow, how exclusivist and intolerant can you get? “Leave them alone.” You can see how this whole issue is a matter of full disclosure and honesty. If you are going to criticize Christians for being exclusive, you must criticize every human who ever lived, including of course, yourself. Everyone thinks they are right. Everyone is exclusive.
(Dana Hanson 2007 www.christcast.net )
Christians are way too exclusive
You must be kidding. When Carl Sagan, the most well known scientist of my generation, gave the keynote address at the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal organization’s annual meeting, he said this.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion. (Carl Sagan, 1987 CSICOP keynote address)
I’ll leave politics out of it, but there are a few little events that have occurred to change the way people think about religion, like say, Christianity out of Judaism, the whole Protestant Reformation, or more recently, the rise of Mormonism out of Christianity. Whatever you think of the merits of these outcomes, Carl, change does happen, even in religion.
So why would someone as brilliant as Carl Sagan be so naive concerning religion? I am most familiar with my own faith, of course, so I’ll ask the question this way. What’s your problem with Christianity? Actually, people have a lot of problems with Christianity. One strong criticism of Christianity is it is so exclusive.
“Christians think they are right and everyone else is wrong.” “Christians think they have the inside track to the truth.” “Christians are intolerant toward others.” What is really going on with these and similar statements?
Actually, everyone is exclusive. Everyone thinks they are right about their viewpoint. It’s just that Christians are honest enough to be open about their exclusivity. Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life.”
I mean, really, who doesn’t think they are right about the way they think? Christians aren’t saying there is no truth anywhere else, because we think whatever is good and right and honorable comes from God, anyway. We just think Jesus is the ultimate truth. If you want to see potentially unhelpful exclusivity, for example, stay tuned for the current presidential election. Do you think the candidates think they are right about their viewpoints? How about what the other candidate thinks? Perhaps it goes something like this.
“My opponent has some great ideas; actually quite similar to my own. In fact, I wish I could adopt a couple of his positions because they really might work well, but I can’t, because they are ideas he supports. Instead, I need to try to convince you that he is Satan incarnate.”
Everyone thinks they have to be right. Everyone believes they have the exclusive truth. Even people who say there is no truth think they are right. That is the latest theory. A very white, European idea floating around for the past couple of hundred years. Relativism.
Relativism asks the question, “Whose to say your truth is anymore real than my truth? It is just your opinion based on your cultural bias. Truth is simply a contextual thing.”
Well to say, “There is no ultimate truth” is, in and of itself, an ultimate truth statement. Everyone thinks they have the truth. Christians are just honest enough to admit it.
I like what author, Anne Lamott said, at a National Pastor’s Retreat a few years back. She was commenting on the phrase, “Well, that’s just your opinion.”
Yes, that’s just my opinion but I think I am right. If I didn’t think I was right I would have another opinion.
Yet, if everyone is exclusive in his/ her viewpoint, isn’t that being intolerant? I don’t know how this could be intolerant because the very definition of tolerance includes thinking you are right.
Tolerance says, “I respect you as a human being and I respect your right to have an opinion and I think your opinion is wrong.” You can’t be tolerant with people you agree with. You would be, “agreeable.” You can only show tolerance with people you disagree with.
To be intolerant would be to not respect people as human whom you disagree with, and/or not respect their right to have a worldview, and actually try to force that opinion to never be uttered. If you actually know anything about Christianity you would know that is the furthest thing from the model or message of Jesus. Here is what he said about people who disagree with Christians.
‘If people vehemently disagree with you, tell them you think they are wrong, leave them alone, and find some other people who might be more open to your viewpoint' (Luke 10:10-11).
Wow, how exclusivist and intolerant can you get? “Leave them alone.” You can see how this whole issue is a matter of full disclosure and honesty. If you are going to criticize Christians for being exclusive, you must criticize every human who ever lived, including of course, yourself. Everyone thinks they are right. Everyone is exclusive.
(Dana Hanson 2007 www.christcast.net )
source
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
God’s word is the source of life. Jesus is the Word. His word brings life in abundance. His word drives us to repentance and new life if we but hear it and respond. In a world filled with so many words constantly immersing us with verbiage, God speaks softly and we strain to hear. Yet, these are the words we must here. Out of honesty and truth, they are for us and for our healing.
Pray for the desire to be faithful in hearing God’s word.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
God’s word is the source of life. Jesus is the Word. His word brings life in abundance. His word drives us to repentance and new life if we but hear it and respond. In a world filled with so many words constantly immersing us with verbiage, God speaks softly and we strain to hear. Yet, these are the words we must here. Out of honesty and truth, they are for us and for our healing.
Pray for the desire to be faithful in hearing God’s word.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Bible study on John 1:10-34
Word become flesh and John the Baptizer
with insights from the work of Pastor Mark Driscoll
with insights from the work of Pastor Mark Driscoll
watch
Hebrews 1:14
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Angels are not people who have died and are with God directly now. Angels were created by God before the beginning of the universe. They are messengers for God, protect God’s people, and have a special role of protecting children. There are greater things going on than we can see. Thank God for these servants.
Pray for the children in your life and the protection of their holy angels.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
power
1 Thessalonians 1:5
because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.
Unless we see God’s power at work, all the words in the world are not going to sway us to trust in Jesus. Unless the Holy Spirit fills us, we will not see God’s power at work enough to drive us to trust. Unless we are intentionally open to the possibility of the Holy Spirit, the whole process can’t begin. Faith begins with an invitation to a way of life.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you more vision of what God is doing in your life.
because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.
Unless we see God’s power at work, all the words in the world are not going to sway us to trust in Jesus. Unless the Holy Spirit fills us, we will not see God’s power at work enough to drive us to trust. Unless we are intentionally open to the possibility of the Holy Spirit, the whole process can’t begin. Faith begins with an invitation to a way of life.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you more vision of what God is doing in your life.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
hidden
Colossians 3:3
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
When we give our lives to Jesus, we die to using human instinct and human desires as the source of our actions. The last thing I want to do is to go by my gut instinct or look within myself to get direction to how I am to live my life. I trust Jesus and his ways so much more then I trust me. I will rest in him.
Pray for confidence knowing Jesus holds you safe.
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
When we give our lives to Jesus, we die to using human instinct and human desires as the source of our actions. The last thing I want to do is to go by my gut instinct or look within myself to get direction to how I am to live my life. I trust Jesus and his ways so much more then I trust me. I will rest in him.
Pray for confidence knowing Jesus holds you safe.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
impossible
Eph. 3:20
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
This goes along with the similar themes for this week. When God works through us, we become someone we can’t fathom. “Infinite” is beyond measure. It is wise to ask God to give us the vision to see the impossible as the area’s of life most worthy of living in.
What impossible thing might God have in store for you today? Pray about it.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
This goes along with the similar themes for this week. When God works through us, we become someone we can’t fathom. “Infinite” is beyond measure. It is wise to ask God to give us the vision to see the impossible as the area’s of life most worthy of living in.
What impossible thing might God have in store for you today? Pray about it.
unlimited
Eph. 3:16
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
When we worry about how we can be a blessing to the world, a better spouse, parent, friend, a more effective disciple, then we are really wasting our time. We can have concern, but why would we worry? There are unlimited resources for us to do God’s work.
When we worry over things that God is not blessing or does not want blessed, then worry is a good thing because we ought not be doing those things in the first place. Worry might actually force us to get back on God’s track.
Pray for the areas of you life where you need God to show up the most.
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
When we worry about how we can be a blessing to the world, a better spouse, parent, friend, a more effective disciple, then we are really wasting our time. We can have concern, but why would we worry? There are unlimited resources for us to do God’s work.
When we worry over things that God is not blessing or does not want blessed, then worry is a good thing because we ought not be doing those things in the first place. Worry might actually force us to get back on God’s track.
Pray for the areas of you life where you need God to show up the most.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
good news
Eph. 3:7
By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
When we serve God the way he intends us to serve, we are privileged to be doing what we are doing. It is only when we are serving in arenas we aren’t gifted in, don’t have passion for, or aren’t areas God is calling us to address, that we might be dragged down. Ministries that have something to do with “spreading the Good News” are a strong indicator of possible strength.
Pray for God to give you appreciation for what he is doing.
By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
When we serve God the way he intends us to serve, we are privileged to be doing what we are doing. It is only when we are serving in arenas we aren’t gifted in, don’t have passion for, or aren’t areas God is calling us to address, that we might be dragged down. Ministries that have something to do with “spreading the Good News” are a strong indicator of possible strength.
Pray for God to give you appreciation for what he is doing.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
promises
Eph. 1:18
18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
Light reveals God’s love and God’s promises. Light also reveals the sin we hide in our hearts. We have confidence because we know God’s Kingdom is sure, and God is in charge. The revelation of our
sin means we don’t have to try to save ourselves but rely on God’s mercy and faith. We can change because it is up to him, not us.
Pray that God would give you a stronger sense of his promises.
Monday, October 22, 2007
2 Cor. 12:9
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Why would God’s power work best in weakness? Think of it this way. If there is anything you can do on pure human power then you don’t need God to show up. When he doesn’t, don’t be shocked. It is only when you stretch enough to have to have God show up, or else, it will be a disaster, then he shows up in power. So, God’s power is seen when our weakness is exposed.
Pray for God to stretch you today.
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Why would God’s power work best in weakness? Think of it this way. If there is anything you can do on pure human power then you don’t need God to show up. When he doesn’t, don’t be shocked. It is only when you stretch enough to have to have God show up, or else, it will be a disaster, then he shows up in power. So, God’s power is seen when our weakness is exposed.
Pray for God to stretch you today.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
no worry and truth
2 Cor 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
When God is the source of what we are doing we really don’t need to worry about a thing. Another way of saying this is when God is not behind what we are doing, all we will do is worry because it isn’t going to work out in the end. So, to end worry, discover what God is doing in your world today and join him.
Pray for God’s guidance on what you ought to be thinking about today.
2 Cor 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
I can learn from someone who doesn’t trust in Jesus, but not in anything that has eternal significance. I can share what I have in common with someone who is not a disciple, but I can’t agree on the ultimate. Jesus, alone, is the truth. I don’t know the whole truth but I know who does. That makes all the difference.
Pray for clear teaching of the truth of Jesus.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
When God is the source of what we are doing we really don’t need to worry about a thing. Another way of saying this is when God is not behind what we are doing, all we will do is worry because it isn’t going to work out in the end. So, to end worry, discover what God is doing in your world today and join him.
Pray for God’s guidance on what you ought to be thinking about today.
2 Cor 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
I can learn from someone who doesn’t trust in Jesus, but not in anything that has eternal significance. I can share what I have in common with someone who is not a disciple, but I can’t agree on the ultimate. Jesus, alone, is the truth. I don’t know the whole truth but I know who does. That makes all the difference.
Pray for clear teaching of the truth of Jesus.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
satisfy
1 Cor 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
Paul worked hard for the Lord. What did he do? He gave his whole life. Does this mean we are to do the same thing? Yes, give our whole lives, assuredly. Work constantly? Not in the way you probably think.
In whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord. If God is specifically guiding you, you will know it because you will be energized and alive. 5 hours will seem like 5 minutes. We aren’t trying to be martyrs or exhaust ourselves under the strain. God satisfies.
Pray for a sense of what God is calling you to do.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
Paul worked hard for the Lord. What did he do? He gave his whole life. Does this mean we are to do the same thing? Yes, give our whole lives, assuredly. Work constantly? Not in the way you probably think.
In whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord. If God is specifically guiding you, you will know it because you will be energized and alive. 5 hours will seem like 5 minutes. We aren’t trying to be martyrs or exhaust ourselves under the strain. God satisfies.
Pray for a sense of what God is calling you to do.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
tools
1 Cor 12:11
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
We aren’t called to be multi-talented, on fire, everything-I-do-is-a-raving-success Christians. We are called to use the strengths the Spirit has given us and focus our time and energy where we have the greatest influence in arenas where we have the most passion. God uses our gifts, interests and personalities as tools to work through. We all have the same general calling. To be an influence to draw people closer to Jesus who don’t know him and/or building up the trust and confidence of people who do.
Pray for God to use one of your gifts and passions to do something this day.
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About Me
- Dana
- Pastor from LIFEhouse Church in Northridge CA, focusing on the theme, "How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk."
