Got God?

It is Funny how a $100 "looks" so big when you take it to church,
but so small when you take it to the mall.

Funny how long it takes to serve God for an hour,
but how quickly a team plays 60 minutes of basketball.

Funny how long a couple of hours spent at church are,
but how short they are when watching a movie.

Funny how we can't think of anything to say when we pray,
but don't have difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend.

Funny how we get thrilled when a baseball game goes into extra innings,
but we complain when a sermon is longer than the regular time.

Funny how hard it is to read a chapter in the Bible,
but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a best selling novel.

Funny how people want to get a front seat at any game or concert,
but scramble to get a back seat at church services.

Funny how we need advance notice to fit a church event into our schedule,
but can adjust our schedule for other events at the last moment.

Funny how hard it is for people to learn a simple gospel well enough to tell others,
but how simple it is for the same people to understand and repeat gossip.

Funny how we believe what the newspaper says,
but question what the Bible says.

Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe,
or think, or say, or do anything.

Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail
and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages
regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

FUNNY, ISN'T IT ? Are you laughing? Are you thinking?
Spread the Word and give thanks to the Lord for He is good!

Funny isn't it when you go to forward this message how many
on your email list are not receiving it because you're not sure they
believe in anything?

Where is the hope?
I meet millions of Americans who tell me that they feel demoralized by the decay around us.
Where is the hope?
The hope that each of us has is not in who governs us or what laws are passed or what great things we do as a nation.
Our hope is in the power of God working in the hearts of people.
And that's where our hope is in this country; that's where our hope is in life.

That's something for all of us to remember.

The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians,
who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle.
THAT is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.

Are YOU one of these Christians? Do you live life how YOU want to or how God wants you to?

Here in the USA, we enjoy a great freedom. But are you really free? In John 8:36, Jesus says "If the son has set you free, you will be free indeed." A song by Steven Curtis Chapman echoes these words in a dramatic, meaningful way. Listen to it if you can (Signs of Life album). But, what do Jesus' words mean for us? Jesus said we are all slaves to sin. We're born that way. The good news is that if we put our faith in Him, we are set free from that slavery. No longer slaves to sin, we are free to worship Him with a guiltless heart. I don't know about you, but it makes me feel pretty good to know that I don't have to carry that guilt with me! (To read Jesus' words on this topic, pick up a Bible and read John 8:31-47.)

I've always been part of a church (since childhood). I've seen many denominations of the church treat each other like rivals. I've even seen churches split in two over petty doctrinal differences. I have a take on this that rings with many other believers. We all worship in our own distinct ways with our different doctrinal standards and customs for worship. BUT, we are all still worshipping the same God. A Promise Keepers speaker (Ed Cole) said it best when he asked 72,000 men to shout simultaneously what denomination they were from. There was no recognizable name in the group. Everybody had something different to say. Then he asked that everyone shout the name of the one who died to save us from our sins. A resounding "Jesus!" echoed through the Pontiac Silverdome. It was amazing. We are all serving the same God, yet we fight to maintain our doctrinal differences. So, the next time someone tells you what denomination they are, don't think of them as different from you. Be excited that the work of the Lord is being done, not just in your church, but in the other churches in the area that may be different than your own. Uniting the church once again to sense the power of God, and to bring glory to His kingdom - what a unique idea. When Jesus comes again on the clouds of glory, he won't be saying "Those of you in denomination x and y, come with me!" Instead, he will bring into his kingdom all those who truly love him and worship Him in spirit and in truth. Finally, I'd just like to restate the words of Jesus that apply to us all: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." I think we all need that reminder from time to time.

Any opinions on these thoughts are welcome.

We've all seen the guy at the football game with the big JOHN 3:16 poster. We see people going to church, often all dressed up in their "Sunday best". We hear the church bells ring and we see the church parking lot full on Sunday morning. Is Christianity about posters? Going to church? Dressing up? Ringing bells? No! First of all, let me address the John 3:16 posters. Do you know what John 3:16 says? It says "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." What does that mean? It means that God sent Jesus, his son, into the world to die for us so that we can go to live with Him in heaven someday. Someone at the game just wants to make sure you know that.

See, God sent Jesus to die for us since we are all sinners and we are incapable of earning our way to heaven. We are saved by Jesus' death and by the grace of God. It doesn't matter who you are or what you've done - you're forgiven by God if you are truly sorry for what you've done. God says it straight out in the Bible - believe and be saved. That's all there is to it.

As for the church, it serves as a place where Christians can gather to serve this great God, and a place where your faith can be re-enforced and strengthened. The church is NOT about how you are dressed or what your socio-economic status is like. God isn't worried about you wearing blue jeans in church. He's glad to see you worshipping Him with an honest, repentent heart. That's the important thing.

So, the next time the local church bells are ringing, think about stepping in to see what it's all about. It may end up being the best and most important decision you ever make. If you don't feel comfortable going to church yet, at least do yourself the favor of reading one of the gospel books of the Bible: Matthew, Luke, Mark, or John.

We (Beth and Joel) would like to personally purchase and send to you a New International Version Study Bible absolutely free if you do not yet know Christ but have a yearning to find out more about Him and what he did for the entire world. Simply e-mail us with your postal address requesting a Bible and we will send you one. No strings attached. No follow up calls, letters, or anything like that. We just feel everyone should have a chance to read God's Word!

If you listen, you will hear it. It is impossible to get away from it - the saying "Oh My God". It permeats TV, movies, and radio, not to mention millions of personal daily conversations. I ask though - if you are a Christian, are you not taking the Lord's name in vain by saying that? The world has become so corrupt that it is common practice for people to say it without realizing it. In fact, it's so common that many Christians don't even realize what they are saying! It's not just "a saying" if you really, truly worship God and honor Him. If you have that habit, kick it now, because it's not pleasing God, and quite honestly, it's grating on our ears when we hear you (or anyone else) say it! This is actually worse than just vulgar language, but people get upset by vulgar language 10 times quicker. What a warped world we've become. Praise God, and don't use His name flippantly when you're surprised or angry. Think about it!

So, you are a Christian. You are sure that you are a going to heaven someday. That is the best promise anyone on earth can claim. So, are you sharing that promise or keeping it all to yourself? Do your co-workers know that you are a Christian? Does your lifestyle show others that you are different? After all, actions speak louder than words, so we as Christians need to watch our actions and words closely. Others surely will be watching us!

Part of my challenge to you is to live your life as if Christ was sitting right next to you everyday. If Christ is the true center of your life, it should be evident to others that you are truly different. Remember, according to the book of James, a faith without works is dead. Are you a "dead faith Christian"?

The second part of my challenge to you is this: tell someone else about Jesus Christ this week. I know that personally, I struggled with this for a while. I was afraid of what others would think. They might think I'm strange or different. Then I realized something. I AM DIFFERENT. I'm not like everyone else, and people notice it either way. Praying for other people to be brought to Christ is a good step, but think about it. How will they come to know Him if you sit at home waiting for it to happen? YOU have to make the difference. Stand and be counted among the Redeemed, and grab someone who doesn't know God to stand next to you.