Friday, May 30, 2008

TWG - May 30, 2008

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TWG - May 30, 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Exodus 13; Psalm 24; Matthew 24:1-25

Today is May 30, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. TWG is a complete turn of events, it is a 180 degree turn around. God is changing us and turning us around as a community. This is not business as usual, this is transforming, this is spiritual, this is essential.

Life comes with interruptions and speed bumps. Yesterday one of those interruptions happened. I was working like a dog to catch up and making great progress when the phone rang! Who should be on the other end but Doris. Don Z is in the hospital with what appears to be a heart attack. Precious people! I dropped what I was doing and headed for the ER. I spoke with Doris for a while and met her daughter Dietrice. Then she and I went in to see Don. He looks pretty good for the shape he’s in. She told him she loved him and he shed a tear even though he is sedated. I prayed with them, and went on my way. Pray for the family! I did get the graduation Power Point finished. But I still have much work to do on Discovery Class and Sunday’s message for Graduates. I did post a new radio podcast to the internet. After work we did music practice and had a productive growing time. Then I ran and played Tennis with Phil and Shaphen and Craig. It was a long tough game. But fun. Then it was home to bed. Dave blocked the camera successfully once, but I got him on the second try! So Dave… I know you’ll have a hissy fit, but sometimes the camera guy has got to do what he’s got to do! I put you on the blog at timewithgod.mypodcast.com. check it out.

This week’s theme verse is John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

If you believe, then you shall receive eternal life! That’s the promise. “Faith” is the key that opens heavens door. There are a number of things people mistake for saving faith. Some people think that if they love God, that will be enough. Love is a good start, but it won’t take you all the way. I love money! (for the sake of this illustration) But I don’t have much of it! If love = faith, I would be a millionaire! I also love ___________ (put in the name of your favorite movie star!) But I don’t know them, and I couldn’t even get a date on mere love… maybe a restraining order for stalking, but not much chance of a long term relationship here! Love does not equal saving faith. Love is a good beginning, but more is needed. Some people think that since they pray to God that will be enough. But most prayers stop short of saving faith. If prayer is like communication, such as requests, then think of it like this: I ask God for a lot of stuff… please make me healthy, wealthy (or at least solvent) and wise. What if a neighbor kid walked into your house and said, “hey daddyo, hey big mamma, I need 20 bucks for gas to go the prom. Can I have my allowance a week early?” You might say, “sonny, you forgot to knock, this is not your house, I am not your sugar daddy and if you want your allowance go home and talk to your own parents!” Do you get the idea. Requests only work if we are already related! Prayer is a good start! But asking for stuff or even talking to God is not the same thing as being related to Him! I know… next you are going to tell me, “but I believe in God!” Now we are getting somewhere! I believe in God too! And I believe in YOU! And I love you. And I even have a few requests to ask of you. But does that mean that I know you? Does the fact that I believe in you mean that I am your child or even a shirt tail relative? Not really. I may not even know you! What often passes for faith is the mistaken idea that if I believe there is a God and I tell Him that I believe He is there somewhere, listening to my prayers, that’s good enough. Read the fine print. This verse tells us that we have to believe in HIS SON JESUS! “He gave his only SON that whoever believes in HIM… has eternal life.” The SON is the way to the FATHER. Here is what saving faith is all about: “Dear Jesus I believe YOU are the Almighty savior! I believe you died to pay the price for my sins! Please save me and make me your child!” Now we are talking saving faith. A faith that brings us into a loving relationship with God and gives eternal life! That’s the only prayer that counts.

Dear Father: I do believe in your son Jesus. I believe He is God almighty come in the flesh. I do believe in His Name: Jesus – The Savior! I know He died for my sins. I admit that I am a sinner. I do need a savior. I ask Jesus to give me eternal life! Thank you Lord for being willing to adopt me into your family. I am so very blessed! Thank God for Jesus!

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