Sunday, February 26, 2006

The Word

For the word of God is full of living power.
Hebrews 4:12a

The Bible is God’s Word. Because it’s God’s Word it is full of truth and power. When we listen to, read, meditate, speak, and obey the Word our lives are transformed by the power of God. Being immersed in the Word makes us prosperous and successful. Like it says in Joshua 1:8, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Spending time in God’s Word everyday will change your life! We need to spend quality quiet time in God’s Word everyday. This week take time to pray God’s Word. Because it’s His Word it is true and it will come to pass, so take the time to allow God’s Word to shape your thoughts and prayers.

Here are some examples for you to begin with, then dive into the Bible to find some passages of your own.

Psalm 46:1… God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Timothy 1:7… For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Philippians 4:19… And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Exodus 15:26… I am the LORD, who heals you.

James 1:5… If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Saturday, February 18, 2006

devoted

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42

The New Testament church was birthed and sustained by God’s divine power. What was early church’s secret? How did they tap into that power to survive the harshest persecution, to flourish in immoral surroundings, and to share the good news throughout their ever expanding world? How could we as the church of today have this same power that turned the first century Roman world upside down? We serve the same God. He hasn’t changed. His amazing power is still available today. So how do we tap into that thriving power?

God designed His church to be His Body to the world until He comes again. His church, His Body, was designed to operate with specific principles. We discover these principles of the early church primarily in the Book of Acts. Our verse this week shares some of the important practices of the New Testament church. They were devoted to learning the Word. They enjoyed spending time together; including time spent sharing a meal. And probably the most important ingredient to their power, they prayed together.
Today at Christian Life Church we strive to be a powerful New Testament church in the world in which we live. We seek to see God’s Kingdom built at home and around the world. We long to see God’s power at work in peoples’ hearts and lives. I believe in order to see our desires come to pass we must once again devote ourselves to the practices that made the early church strong.