Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40
Different churches have different approaches when it comes to exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit . Some churches have the “let all things” part down cold, but aren’t to keen on the “decent and orderly” part, while other congregations have the “decent and orderly” component correct, but aren’t practicing ‘all’ the gifts.
The Apostle Paul adds these verses to help clarify matters.Let all things be done for edification.
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:27, 33
Edification is just a fancy word for strengthening, or building up another person, or in this case the entire church. In the previous chapter we learned that God is love, but here we discover He is the author of peace. Where there is no peace there is likely no body-building going on; and where there’s no strengthening of the body there is probably no order or decency.
The Formula:
A+D+O = S+P+CAll things + Decency + Order = a Strong Peaceable Church.
Are you looking for a place to exercise your gifts, or an area to share the blessings of the Lord that He has freely given? Then I would suggest to you that perhaps it is no accident that you have stumbled upon this post today.
COMPASSION dave and the Jesus + Compassion Group (*where sponsors hang out)
Monday, March 10, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Warning: Your Personal Savings Account
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:31
I recently heard a story about a man who, while hiking in the wilderness had become caught in a blizzard. He walked for hours in the blinding snow and was soaked through, frost bitten, and exhausted. The compulsion to collapse in the snow and sleep unto death was overwhelming and so to his knees he fell.
In a second’s time, he tipped forward from his knees to his elbows, hoping to go fetal, but instead he felt a mass beneath the snow. He had literally stumbled upon another person; a person who he would discover was unconscious, but alive.
He lifted the man across his shoulders and began walking. In less than an hours time he came upon a cabin. This home was occupied, there was a fire burning, and both men were saved.
This man was saved in the saving of another.
This is not a story about finding salvation; if you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are saved. This is story of finding your purpose in order that you might live more abundantly in your salvation. Frankly, there are too many Christians dying in their faith; dying in their idleness.
The Lord would say to you and I, “Look around my child, there are bodies all around. Pick one up and begin walking.” We have a choice. In our salvation we can curl up and wait to die, or we can live abundantly now in the service we give to others and most importantly, in His precious name. The Bible verse at the top of the page is not about ’getting’ before you die, but ’giving’ so others might live.
Prayerfully Consider Sponsoring a COMPASSION child
Jesus + Compassion Group (*where sponsors hang out)
I recently heard a story about a man who, while hiking in the wilderness had become caught in a blizzard. He walked for hours in the blinding snow and was soaked through, frost bitten, and exhausted. The compulsion to collapse in the snow and sleep unto death was overwhelming and so to his knees he fell.
In a second’s time, he tipped forward from his knees to his elbows, hoping to go fetal, but instead he felt a mass beneath the snow. He had literally stumbled upon another person; a person who he would discover was unconscious, but alive.
He lifted the man across his shoulders and began walking. In less than an hours time he came upon a cabin. This home was occupied, there was a fire burning, and both men were saved.
This man was saved in the saving of another.
This is not a story about finding salvation; if you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are saved. This is story of finding your purpose in order that you might live more abundantly in your salvation. Frankly, there are too many Christians dying in their faith; dying in their idleness.
The Lord would say to you and I, “Look around my child, there are bodies all around. Pick one up and begin walking.” We have a choice. In our salvation we can curl up and wait to die, or we can live abundantly now in the service we give to others and most importantly, in His precious name. The Bible verse at the top of the page is not about ’getting’ before you die, but ’giving’ so others might live.
Prayerfully Consider Sponsoring a COMPASSION child
Jesus + Compassion Group (*where sponsors hang out)
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
10/W/40 Love
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1
Love is that fruit of the Spirit that allows God’s power to flow through us by way of the gifts that He has provided. Removing love from this blueprint would be akin to removing the oil from your engine’s crankcase. A car without oil will run for a while, make a whole lot of noise, and then stop entirely.
A Better Illustration From God
And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates on the hem of the robe all around between the pomegranates: a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, all around the hem of the robe to minister in, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
Notice how the bells might be symbolic of the Lord’s gifts and also how the pomegranates represent love; a fruit of the Spirit. Bell-fruit-bell-fruit-etc-etc. Without this buffer of love between each gift, we would be left with a cacophony of metal clanging against metal, but with love in-between, each bell’s clear tone can be distinguished one from another.
Don’t Ever Forget the Love
COMPASSION dave and the Jesus + Compassion Group
While on the topic of love…(*sponsor a child)
Love is that fruit of the Spirit that allows God’s power to flow through us by way of the gifts that He has provided. Removing love from this blueprint would be akin to removing the oil from your engine’s crankcase. A car without oil will run for a while, make a whole lot of noise, and then stop entirely.
A Better Illustration From God
And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates on the hem of the robe all around between the pomegranates: a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, all around the hem of the robe to minister in, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
Exodus 39:25-26
Notice how the bells might be symbolic of the Lord’s gifts and also how the pomegranates represent love; a fruit of the Spirit. Bell-fruit-bell-fruit-etc-etc. Without this buffer of love between each gift, we would be left with a cacophony of metal clanging against metal, but with love in-between, each bell’s clear tone can be distinguished one from another.
Don’t Ever Forget the Love
COMPASSION dave and the Jesus + Compassion Group
While on the topic of love…(*sponsor a child)
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
One Million Candles
Jeffry is four years old and he lives with his grandparents in Nicaragua. Jeffry lives in the kind of poverty you and I cannot really comprehend. Jeffry is also the one-millionth registered child through the children Compassion International.We Celebrate!
First and foremost we celebrate our Creator, for it is He who has willed the Compassion ministry ~and~ all the other ministries founded on the Rock that is His Son, Jesus Christ. All praise, honor, and glory to God the Father, the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
We celebrate the church; that is, the Body of Christ—His hands and feet that continually yield to the will of the Father here on earth. We also celebrate in anticipation that others will be provoked to jealousy; to becoming active, yielding contributors to this same body.
We celebrate Jeffry and all the children that came before him and Lord willing, the countless millions that will follow him. For it is in these children we see the power of our living God displayed; one million candles burning brightly for God’s glory in one million corners of the globe.
How can you not celebrate?
The celebration continues. I ask you, should we not be as exuberant for that nameless kid who represents the one-millionth-and-one registered child, for that child has been registered as well. I submit to you that the best way to celebrate is to have more children at the party. Onward Christians—onward towards saving His second-million children and in Jesus’ name.
Sponsor a Child Today (there must be a link somewhere on this page)
Monday, March 3, 2008
Trailer Trash ?
Don't Question Authority
I heard about the movie Expelled and figured I would likely go see it when it comes out, despite the fact that it featured Ben Stein. Don't get me wrong. I like Ben Stein. It's just that I thought any movie with him in it would likely be a sophomoric attempt at coarse humor, the likes of which a 'good Christian' should not partake.
Then I saw the movie's trailer Wow.
I was moved and I am anxiously awaiting for this movies release. It appears that the Lord might just use the movie "Expelled" in a powerful way.Watch the trailer.
Now if only Ben would come to know Jesus as Christ.
I heard about the movie Expelled and figured I would likely go see it when it comes out, despite the fact that it featured Ben Stein. Don't get me wrong. I like Ben Stein. It's just that I thought any movie with him in it would likely be a sophomoric attempt at coarse humor, the likes of which a 'good Christian' should not partake.
Then I saw the movie's trailer Wow.
I was moved and I am anxiously awaiting for this movies release. It appears that the Lord might just use the movie "Expelled" in a powerful way.Watch the trailer.
Now if only Ben would come to know Jesus as Christ.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Your Compassion Date in 2008
An Overwhelming Need
Every three seconds a child under age 5 dies from poverty-related causes that Compassion's ministry is skilled at preventing. But it takes only one voice — yours — to fight poverty.
By hosting a Compassion Sunday event, you can expand your personal ministry and help transform the lives of hundreds or even thousands of impoverished children and families worldwide. And you can be a part of it without spending a single cent.
Reversing the Tide
It all starts by being willing to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves" and "defend the rights of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 31:8-9) and by hosting a Compassion Sunday event at your church. Compassion Sunday is an annual national campaign that links impoverished children with loving sponsors. Last year's campaign resulted in nearly 21,000 new child sponsorships. With your help, we hope to surpass this number again this year. It's the perfect way to answer God's call to help the poor and needy children.
The official Compassion Sunday 2008 date is April 13, but you can host an event any day of the year that works best for your church. We provide, free of charge, everything you need and will walk you through the simple process from start to finish. Hosting a Compassion Sunday event is easier than ever. Want to get started? Follow this simple three-step process:
Order your Planning Folder
Plan your Compassion Sunday
Order your Compassion Sunday event materials
Open your heart and help find sponsors for children in need. Discover the deep fulfillment and sense of purpose that comes from making a genuine difference in children's lives by hosting a Compassion Sunday event.
Don’t Want to do it Alone?
There are almost 2000 advocate volunteers like myself in the USA who are willing to come to YOUR church and share the Compassion ministry with your congregation. Again, there are no fees involved whatsoever; we just simply want to save the lives of children and in the name of Jesus.
COMPASSION dave and the Jesus + Compassion Group
Every three seconds a child under age 5 dies from poverty-related causes that Compassion's ministry is skilled at preventing. But it takes only one voice — yours — to fight poverty.
By hosting a Compassion Sunday event, you can expand your personal ministry and help transform the lives of hundreds or even thousands of impoverished children and families worldwide. And you can be a part of it without spending a single cent.
Reversing the Tide
It all starts by being willing to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves" and "defend the rights of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 31:8-9) and by hosting a Compassion Sunday event at your church. Compassion Sunday is an annual national campaign that links impoverished children with loving sponsors. Last year's campaign resulted in nearly 21,000 new child sponsorships. With your help, we hope to surpass this number again this year. It's the perfect way to answer God's call to help the poor and needy children.
The official Compassion Sunday 2008 date is April 13, but you can host an event any day of the year that works best for your church. We provide, free of charge, everything you need and will walk you through the simple process from start to finish. Hosting a Compassion Sunday event is easier than ever. Want to get started? Follow this simple three-step process:
Order your Planning Folder
Plan your Compassion Sunday
Order your Compassion Sunday event materials
Open your heart and help find sponsors for children in need. Discover the deep fulfillment and sense of purpose that comes from making a genuine difference in children's lives by hosting a Compassion Sunday event.
Don’t Want to do it Alone?
There are almost 2000 advocate volunteers like myself in the USA who are willing to come to YOUR church and share the Compassion ministry with your congregation. Again, there are no fees involved whatsoever; we just simply want to save the lives of children and in the name of Jesus.
COMPASSION dave and the Jesus + Compassion Group
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Compassion Magazine ~and~ Compassion Radio
Did you know you can read Compassion's inspirational publication, Compassion Magazine, on our Web site? In each issue you will hear from the heart of our president, view a captivating photo essay, and be inspired by stories of Compassion's work around the world. The magazine is sure to be a powerful source of motivation as you advocate for children in poverty. Read Compassion Magazine right from your computer or download and print it to share with your friends.
We're on the radio too!
"Speak Up With Compassion" hosted by Compassion's President, Wess Stafford: "Kenya: Pray For the Children" is our new 25-minute radio special that takes you behind the scenes as the violence unfolds. Hear firsthand accounts of how Compassion's work in Kenya has been affected and what actions are being taken to reach out to children. And hear from church leaders who tell us what our role should be in this crisis.
We're on the radio too!
"Speak Up With Compassion" hosted by Compassion's President, Wess Stafford: "Kenya: Pray For the Children" is our new 25-minute radio special that takes you behind the scenes as the violence unfolds. Hear firsthand accounts of how Compassion's work in Kenya has been affected and what actions are being taken to reach out to children. And hear from church leaders who tell us what our role should be in this crisis.
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