Are you wearing Blinders? By Gene McGuire (Friday, June 29, 2007)

“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, . . .but with the precious blood of Christ. . .” (1 Peter 1:18,19)

COMMENT: Just recently the point was driven home to me that some people in the world have a much distorted concept of Christianity. The other day I was talking about the world situation with a cashier while paying for my groceries. He told me that things were going poorly in the world because “God is mad at us because we killed His Holy Son.” My mouth dropped open when I heard this foolishness. I immediately went to my car and brought him a Christian tract that fully explained God’s plan for salvation. Isaiah 53:10 declares: “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him (Jesus); He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin…” So we know that God was not surprised or dismayed when Jesus was crucified on that Cross. It was foreordained before the foundation of the world. (1 Peter 1:20) My cashier friend would have been correct to say that the anger of God is “. . . against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men…” (Romans 1:18) God’s anger against the sinner is appeased by the death of Christ Jesus; theologically this is known as propitiation. Have you escaped the wreath of God? If not, go to Romans 10:9 & 10 and follow directions.

SCRIPTURE STUDY: Matthew 26:28, Romans 3:24-26 and 5:8-10

WISE SAYING: That’s why we bow down and worship the King; because He gave His everything.

Maytag Ministry by Gene McGuire (Thursday, June 28, 2007)

‘However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. . .” (John 16:13)

COMMENT: Two weeks ago, I went to the Laundromat and nothing outstanding happened at my “Maytag Ministry”. (That’s the name my friend JP Forest gave to the many spiritual happenings I’ve encountered there.) However, that afternoon something special did happen. I returned my rental truck and was given a ride home. The driver’s name was Joshua, so I asked him if he knew about the Book of Joshua. His eyes became as big as saucers as he told me that he had just begun to read it. Later on in our conversation, I asked if he had read “The Purpose Driven Life”? After he put his eyeballs back into his head, he told me that someone had recently given him that book and had urged him to read it. Now how many of you believe that these were just coincidences? No, I call them “God-incidents”. The Holy Spirit is the Great Coordinator! By the way, Josh is now subscribing to these daily messages. Have a blessed day Josh!

WISE SONG LYRICS: HOLY SPIRIT YOU ARE WELCOMED IN THIS PLACE. OMNIPOTENT FATHER OF MERCY AND GRACE, YOU ARE WELCOMED IN THIS PLACE.

They know God in the NFL By Gene McGuire (Wednesday, June 27, 2007)

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

COMMENT: One Fall we once again had a “big stink” in Washington DC. No, I’m not talking about corrupt politicians, I am talking about The Titan Arum, more commonly known as the CORPSE FLOWER. This “flower” is a native to Sumatra and can grow to nearly 9 feet tall!! When it is in full bloom the foul odor is often compared to rotting fish, garbage and road kill. (I hope you’ve already had your breakfast!) Now I am not getting personal, but how do you smell?. . . .spiritually speaking, that is! One of the ways we Christians can spread the fragrance of Christ is through our behavior. Let me give you a “for instance”. While viewing National Football League games, I have always marveled at the way Tony Dungy, the head coach of the Indiana Colts, carries himself with calm dignity. I had suspicions that he might be a Christian. The other day when I was at my favorite Christian bookstore my hunch was confirmed. I saw his picture on the cover of Sports Spectrum, a Christian sports magazine. The article about him was titled “Quiet Fire”. In part, Dungy says: “God has expectations of you in this business. You’re a lamp and how you carry yourself is very important in the midst of the spiritual challenges.” What challenge? “Remaining humble when you do well, and keeping a decent attitude when you’re losing.” I’d say that this brother would be a great role model to emulate. What do you think?

NEWS BRIEF: Joe Gibbs, another Christian head coach, had something to say after his Washington Redskins clinched a playoff position with their 5th straight victory Sunday. “I feel humbled and really thankful the Lord’s blessed us with a great bunch of guys.” (Washington Times, Monday, January 2, 2006) And this is what Jansen, one of Gibb’s players, had to say about him: “He’s the same way after a four-game winning streak and a possible trip to the playoffs as he was after a three-game losing streak and being on the brink of elimination. And that’s what you need from a head coach.” (The Washington Times, Friday, Dec. 30, 2005)

SCRIPTURE STUDY: Matthew 5:13-16 and Col. 4:5,6

WISE SAYING: IN EVERYTHING YOU SAY AND DO, LET OTHERS SEE THE JESUS IN YOU.(gene mcguire)

Priorities by Gene McGuire (Tuesday, June 26, 2007)

FIRST THINGS FIRST

 

 

Steve Covey wrote a book with the above title. In this book he tells an interesting story about an incident that happened in a Time Management Seminar. The instructor displayed a glass jar and several fist-size rocks. He filled the jar with the rocks and then asked the audience if the jar were full. The unanimous answer was YES!!! The instructor then reached under the counter and pulled out a container of gravel which he promptly poured into the jar. The gravel fitted neatly in between the big rocks. He then asked the group, “is the jar full?” By now they were on to him and answered a resounding NO!!! The leader then produced a container filled with sand which had no problem joining the rocks and the gravel. Once again he asked the same question and the group responded NO. they were right because he immediately displayed a pitcher of water and filled the jar to the brim. You have probably guessed the reason for this demonstration; if you don’t put the big rocks in first, you won’t be able to get them in later. If you don’t get the big rocks in first and you fill your life with the sand and gravel of unimportant things, then there’s no room left for the big rocks. We’d be surprised as to how much of the other things we’d be able to fit in if we put the big rocks in first. When you put FIRST THINGS FIRST, God enables you to get all of the other somewhat urgent things done. I suspect that we can all agree that a couple of “big rocks” we Christians should put in first are prayer and bible reading.

USA Today Poll Results: Only 11%,” of Americans read the Bible every day. More than half read it less than once a month or never at all. 18% of born-again Christians read their Bibles once a day, while 23% who professed to be Christians said they never read their bibles at all. In which statistical grouping do you find yourself? Are you satisfied being there? If you’re not, today would be a great time to change your status.

JESUS IS MY BOSS By Gene McGuire (Monday, June 25, 2007)

“For you are great and work wonders! You alone are God.” (Psalm 86:10)

 

COMMENT: Recently I used this same Lead Scripture in another message. Well, I am using it again because what I am about to relate to you is indeed extraordinary.  Don’t you get excited when God uses you in a special and unexpected way? Sometimes we are totally unaware of how God will put us in the path of others so that they may be blessed. I have a hooded sweater that has the following emblazoned across the front: “JESUS IS MY BOSS  ‘My Lord and My God’, John 20:28”. The weather was right, so I decided to wear it. After several stops I went to the supermarket. When I had competed making my purchases, I returned to my car in the parking lot. Before I was able to pull away, I was stopped by a young lady. She told me that she had in her possession a sweater exactly like mine, but she didn’t know what had become of it. (At first, I thought that she was implying that I had her sweater!) She said that her presence at the supermarket at the same time I was there, wearing that sweater, was a sign from God. That sister in the Lord told me that she was on a lunch break from her job, but before going back to work she was going to sit in her car, read John 20:28 and meditate on it. Keep on praying for God to put people in your path to whom you can minister. You might be surprised as to how He brings it about.

 

SCRIPTURE STUDY: 1 Chronicles 16:12  &  Job 37:14

 

WISE SAYING: DO ALL THE GOOD YOU CAN, BY ALL MEANS, IN ALL PLACES, IN ALL WAYS, AT ALL TIMES, TO AS MANY AS POSSIBLE AND FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. (John Wesley)

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