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According to Jim … Prayer

July 25, 2011 in According to Jim, Bible Study with Comments Off

I have enjoyed our journey through the book of James this summer.  James, the half-brother of Jesus, brings a message to life that gets in your grill.  He brings the hammer on things like double-mindedness, worry, lack of faith, caring for people, praying, generosity and more.  When Jesus began His public ministry- his family did not believe.  But, after the resurrection James comes full circle on who is older brother really is- The Son of God and Savior of the world!  He becomes a huge leader in the early church in Jerusalem.  When he writes the Book of James he gives us a perspective that few experience.  He speaks of the fruit of faith… life change and works!  We talked about that in the 1st message- Where there is Fire there is Smoke!  The whole series can be seen on this channel (click here to view).  People often (mistakenly) assume James and Paul contradict- nope!  Paul is usually talking about root of faith (how we begin) and James is discussing the fruit of faith (how we live once we trust Christ).

This past weekend we followed James and he took us down the road to patience.  That seems to be one area I have to go to school on regularly.  It seems too often I learn the lesson, take the test and then re-enroll for another lesson in patience.

This weekend we will conclude with a message on Prayer.  James talks about when to pray, who can pray and how to pray.  Ever wonder why your prayers feel like they are bouncing off the ceiling? Or never answered?  Make sure to attend this week and bring a friend!

Lord’s Supper Celebration This Sunday

June 28, 2011 in According to Jim, spiritual growth, Uncategorized with Comments Off

We celebrate the Lord’s Supper this weekend and continue our series: According to Jim! I want to encourage you to make this a time of spiritual evaluation.  After reading this passage- talk to the Father and come prepared to worship Sunday.

1 Corinthians 11

23 For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread  24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”  25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. 27 So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. 29 For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ,* you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died. 31 But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way.

Dads Matter to God! and Their Kids!

June 14, 2011 in According to Jim with Comments Off

Father’s Day is this Sunday!  All over America we will be honoring Fathers. If you are a Dad, we honor you and encourage you to keep setting the direction toward God for your children’s lives.  Dads have a unique opportunity to prepare their children to one day trust their heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ as savior.  Go for it Dads!

I also know for some of us Father’s Day can be difficult.  Maybe:

  • You never knew your father
  • Your Dad has died (my Dad died 11 years ago)
  • Your Father was abusive
  • You have wanted to be a Father and yet you remain childless
  • You have experienced the heartbreak of the death of a child

Whatever your hurt or wound- God wants to provide healing.  Seek the Heavenly Father now and experience His presence.

Church at the Bay will honor our Dads this Sunday!  Plan to attend and bring your Dad we have a special gift for him.

Here is a great verse for Dad’s:

  • Ephesians 6:4- Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Temptation- part deux

June 8, 2011 in According to Jim, Temptation with 1 Comment

I want to take a moment and unpack our memory verse this week.  As I have been meditating on it in my Quiet Time,  I have been reminded of the Grace of God in the midst of temptation.  Here is our verse:

1 Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.  And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.

So let’s take it a piece at a time.

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.”

  • Often when we are tempted we think, “I am so ashamed” or “No one else gets this temptation but me”.  When we think that way we pull away from community because we fear rejection or misunderstanding.  Don’t pull away- there is strength found in Christian community.

“And God is faithful.”

  • As I read this again today I realized again, “that’s enough”.  If nothing else is said, the reminder that God is faithful and we can count on Him is enough for us to go forward.  We are not in this alone.

He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.

  • Although our temptations are not from God, He does filter them.  That is comforting to know in two ways.  God knows about every temptation we face and is not caught off guard and He will not allow the temptation to be “more than you can stand”.

“When you are tempted,”

  • Temptation is not if or maybe- it is normal and regular.  It is not a sin to be tempted- Jesus was tempted and yet He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). So be alert- temptation is coming.

“He will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

  • The secret to escaping the temptation is not found in our strength or skill- it is found as we look to Him.  Too often when we are tempted we take our gaze of the Father and focus on the temptation.  As a Christ-Follower, our gaze (focus) is to be on Christ and my glance is at the temptation.  When we get it backwards we are doomed to failure.  Do not focus on the temptation and glance at the Father for help.  Reverse that- make Him your constant focus and “stuff” your glance.  This weekend will rock- make sure you come and bring a friend.
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