Tuesday, Jan 27, 2009

TWG - January 27, 2009 - reputation and reality

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To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com

Well, it was off to the rental for me. All day long I slaved working on the rental. And really that’s about all. After that I stopped at Kyle work to stretch and walk to loosen up my back and sore muscles, and then it was home. I worked on Bible Study, took a short hot bath in Epson salt. I hate baths! I’m a shower lover. I made a few phone calls and went to bed! That’s all folks, really! Oh yeah… except for one thing. A renter called with a clogged drain! Uh oh. I put a picture of another of the Awana boys I pick up on the blog at http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com. Check it out.

Today is January 27, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. This is your invitation to take one step forward every day in your relationship with Christ. We invite you to do something unbelievably radical. We invite you to deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Jesus

Today's Scripture reading is Joshua 9; Psalm 132; Colossians 2

Today’s thought comes from Acts 6:2-4 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Uncle Sam is looking for “a few good men,” and so are we. In fact we aren’t just looking, we are searching, seeking, observing, inspecting and praying for a few good men to stand in the gap. We are calling for men and women to step up to the task of godliness and be committed to Jesus Christ and his church. Three qualities on our wish list for the perfect guy or gal are these: A good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of wisdom. We’re not asking for much are we? Reputation is important. Reputation is what others think of you. They don’t see the whole picture, just snapshots and movie shorts. It is those observations that form reputation. It’s a perception thing. It may not be the real you, but it is what it is. A good reputation takes time. It begins the moment we meet and develops with every conversation, every act, kind or unkind and every comment or opinion other people express about you. A reputation is a precious thing. It is more than just image; it is what people think you are made of. They want to know where your heart is. For the Christian a good reputation should include a perception that you are “full of the Holy Spirit.” Some of us are full of ourselves or full of baloney, or some other idiosyncrasy. That can be bad… but the goal is that others would sense that our heart is with God’s heart. A person full of the Holy Spirit will be spiritually inclined. They love the Word. You can sense that they are seeking God in prayer. They believe in it and it rubs off. They’re not perfect, but they are sensitive to Spiritual realities. It is their desire and passion. People want to know that about you. It’s attractive! Another thing we want to know is whether or not you have common sense. Common sense is uncommon! Everyone has an opinion, but a godly man has wisdom. He doesn’t really care about his own opinion. He cares about Truth. God’s Truth. That’s why he has wisdom. Opinions are what we call “lower form thinking,” and God’s principles are what we call “higher form thinking.” If you want to graduate from lower form thinking to higher form thinking, you have to begin thinking less of your own thoughts and opinions and begin thinking more of God’s thoughts and truths. That’s where wisdom begins. Biblical thinking. That separates the men from the boys. That’s the kind of man we want.

Dear Holy Spirit, I want to be filled with your fullness. Fill me, mold me, use me! I want to think less of my own opinions and more of your truth. Please guide me and let me sense your presence. Help me portray to a needy world the example of a godly reputation. Not just image, but the heart of God.

To God be the glory, great things he has done

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 9:54 AM |   

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