My Daily Pause

Category: Uncategorized

  • Encouragement for Troubled Christians

    This morning on Facebook, I read a general comment from one of my friends about the inconsistency of the American Christian (used here as a follower of Christ, regardless of denomination.) He made some observations that I believe were right on the mark.

    Where has the troubled Christian in America failed?
    Where has the troubled Christian in America failed?
    • There is a lot of talk about violation of rights and even “persecution” of Christians in an attempt to make followers of the false religions feel better.
    • There is a lot of confusion as to what the Lord’s kingdom is all about.
    • They have forgotten that being persecuted for Jesus’ sake is a blessing. (Matthew 5:11-12)

    If I had to pull one reason out of the air as to why this has come about, it would be because the American Christian’s Bible is left in the corner untouched. If the American Christian were as familiar with their Bible as were the people that came to this “new world”, the events of today would unfold far differently.

    • They would have better responses to a non-believer’s challenges.
    • They would not have allowed non-believers and false teachers convince them the Bible says things that aren’t in there.
    • They would be energized and motivated by the attacks of the lost.
    • They would be able to defend it with confidence.

    Jesus, Peter, Paul and James said that Christians can expect to be reviled in any number of ways and can expect blessing and reward from it. (Matthew 5:10-12, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4) The book of Revelation is all about encouragement of the Christians facing some tough times. Knowing this, the American Christian has a choice to make:

    • He can capitulate or ignore the problem and be lost with the rest
    • He can be invigorated by the trials as the passages above suggest and work harder to get the word out.

    A fully developed and fed faith gives us the hope to continue. It helps us understand what being a member of the Lord’s spiritual kingdom entails. It enables us to keep planting the seeds.

    We weren’t promised an easy path to our reward, but it is a path we need to be proud to follow.

    Daily Bible reading for September 2

    Psalm 31
    1 Samuel 20
    Daniel 3
    Luke 2:1-21

  • Credit Where There is Credit Due

    David dedicates a number of his works to praising God. In Psalm 29 he reminds us that God is the creator of all has credit due of our acknowledgement of His glory and power. There is a sense of great power, like a thunderstorm, that ends with peace and safety.

    Modern idolatry detracts from God’s place by diminishing him in favor of money, ungodly pursuits, or other people. While we may not erect shrines to pagan gods these days, we often enslave ourselves material things without thinking about it.

    Remember to recognize God’s creation in every corner of your life. Prioritize him above all else and the rest will take care of itself.

    Daily Bible reading for August 29

    Psalm 27
    1 Samuel 16
    Habakkuk 1:12-2:20
    2 Peter 3

  • Secrets and Stories

    Secrets and Stories

    The honest person will live in safety,
    but the dishonest will be caught. – Proverbs 10:9

    Lying to God is a waste of time and the account of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10) is a clear example. If you have been keeping a secret, telling a half-truth, omitting the full story, even out-and-out lying, ask yourself the same thing Peter asked them …

    Why?

  • Coming of Age

    Coming of Age

    A lot of attention is given to age in our society. At thirty four, one is considered to be getting too old to play professional sports (or at least the athlete is considered extraordinary if he is hanging in there) and too young to be president.

    When Paul told Timothy not to let people trick him out of his authoritative position because of his age, (1 Timothy 4:12) he gave us a signal that there are no age limits in either direction for being a teacher or a Christian example. Our young men that have obeyed the gospel should be given every opportunity to serve the church. We often refer to them as tomorrow’s church, but we should offer them the opportunity to take mature roles as soon as they are scripturally ready, not based on just some arbitrary age.

    Our attention is to be given to the doctrine. The word, the manner, the love, the faith – these are the aspects that we all should be giving our attention. Physical health and ability is important, but it is godliness that important now and in the future. (1 Timothy 4:8)

     Daily Bible reading for May 28

    Psalm 147
    Numbers 33:1-49
    Joel 2:1-17
    1 Timothy 4

  • Are You Dressed For Jesus to Stop By?

    With the weather consistently warm now (at least in my area,) it is once again time to think about how to dress modestly.

    There is a woman in a popular TV show that has a tattoo covering her entire chest. When she has that thing exposed, she looks like a trashy woman. When she wears a T-shirt with a crew neck, she looks pretty and natural. What would the Lord prefer?

    In 1 Timothy 2:9-10, Paul directs a woman to dress in a way that enhances her inner beauty and her good works. (Modesty, self-control, etc.) Peter said she should depend on her gentle and quiet spirit to show off her beauty.(1 Peter 3:3-4)

    Is it any less sinful for men to walk around uncovered? Of course not. One example is when Jesus returned to visit the disciples, Peter was out of his outer garment and working. When he realized Jesus was close, he put the outer garment back on and swam to him. Notice how the Bible describes him as naked! (John 21:7)

    As followers of Jesus, our first duty is to bring good credit to his name. Peter’s example might just be the benchmark for modesty we’re looking for – Would you run up to meet Jesus in what you have on?

    Bonus

    For a great blog on modesty aimed at young ladies, Check out Marvelously Modest.

    Daily Bible reading for May 26

    Psalm 145
    Numbers 31
    Obadiah 15-21
    1 Timothy 2

  • New Site

    I am traveling right now so will not get the usual article posted until later.

    But please take a look at a new project I am involved with in the meantime:

    Dallas Area Churches of Christ

    It’s in the very beginning stages but please bookmark it for great stuff to come!

    Daily Bible reading for May 9

    Psalm 129
    Numbers 9:15-10:10
    Isaiah 46-47
    Colossians 1:21-2:5