John's Jots

John’s Jots,

     Well the presents are all unwrapped, the mess cleaned up and the dinner devoured! What more could we ask? Yet, is it time to just get on with life?

     By the way, Happy New Year! Yeah, it all seems to be anti-climactic, doesn’t it?

     We seem to spend so much time getting ready for Christmas that when the time comes we can’t wait for it to be over! Don’t get me wrong, I was so glad to see the family as I am sure each of you was. But, when it was all said and done, it would have been complete emptiness had not it been for Christ’s birth!

     So do we just move on? I don’t hardly think so. Even though the “gifts” didn’t seem to fulfill or have a lasting impression, “THE GIFT” should change everything!

     I would like to share a story I read recently: Contrast, by Bill Brant.

     She approached cautiously and her eyes never left it. When her hands touched it, it was a caress, not a grab. Then she bowed, not to me but to the book. I was just the holder; she knew the importance of the gift itself. And I watched as she gently took the Bible in her native language of Swahili and cuddled it against her chest. Then as she sat, she began to read because she wanted to know what was written there. A young woman in Mbeya, Tanzania, not having a Bible before, hungered to know for herself what God says.

     We have access to numerous Bibles, different versions, different styles. At times it seems that we more often read books about the Book, consult blogs offering opinions as to what the Bible is implying, listen to people with initials after their names as if only they understand the depth contained within the covers.

     The contrast is striking, a young woman who had only heard what scripture says wants to read and understand it for herself. We who have those same words readily available seemingly would rather rely on someone other than God to tell us His thoughts. Do we really want the message of God homogenized and filtered by someone else?

     The Apostle Paul reminded Timothy that: From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Tim. 3:15-17).

     To make a difference, we must open and use “THE GIFT”! To know what God says we must, like the young woman in Tanzania, read the Bible. We must become people of the Book, again.

     Let’s make 2012 the year of renewal and become children of the Book! What a great gift we have been presented in Christ the Lord! But, if we just put Him on the shelf and only get Him out when we think we need Him, He can’t possibly change our lives. Let’s read the Word daily and apply it to our lives so not only we, but the entire world will be changed for the glory of God!

Happy New Year!

                                John

John’s Jots:

     Did you realize that we are only a few days away from Christmas?! Remember last year when you decided that this year you would start earlier, plan better and be prepared completely for one of the greatest days in our society?

     Well, how did you do? Have you made your list of people you need to recognize with a gift? Or have you made a list of those you need to send a card to? How about those that deserves a personal phone call?

     What about planning ahead so that when January does get here, you won’t be buried in bills? That would imply that you have been saving in a separate fund for the gifts you desire to give!

     Let’s see now, what have I forgotten? I made the list, I checked it twice, I am pretty sure I know who was naughty or nice! I guess I didn’t forget anything.

     Wait a minute, just what are we celebrating for? Oh yeah, it’s Christ’s birthday (well at least when we celebrate it)!

     Christmas this year falls on Sunday. I wonder just how many people will not be in His house on the 25^th? Yeah, I know we have family to entertain, meals to cook, exchanges to make! How can anyone expect us to be in a worship service “this” particular day???

     Regrettably I heard of actual churches that dismiss services on Christmas when it falls on Sunday so that their members will not have to make that choice. So they won’t have to choose between family and Christ! And then we wonder why the church is failing today! I can remember Jesus saying in Luke 14:26 If any man cometh unto me, and hateth not his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple

     At least Christmas falling on Sunday only happens about every 7 years. But, what about our everyday priorities? We can come up with many reasons (excuses) why we just can’t make it to church on any given Sunday.

     Ray Stevens sang a song in the 80’s entitled “Excuses.” Regrettably many people to day continue to use them to suit their own purposes! “Little Johnny had a cold: the whole family had to stay home, just to blow that poor kid’s nose!”

     My how disappointed God must be with us. If we only forgot to remember Him one day a year, i.e. Christmas that would be bad enough. But I am afraid that we set our priorities with Jesus and the church being a very good alternative!

     Yes, “God so loved the world . . .” but have we recognized just what a great gift He sent? Have we made Him first place on our priority list? Or are we “the church” to busy being the church to be Christ in the world? Let’s start now to make Him first place, not only on the 25^th but everyday!

     Hope to C U N church this “Sonday”!

Merry Christmas to all from

The Coneys

John’s Jots

     As November is the nomal time for us to consider giving thanks to our Creator, I ponder the best way to do that. I would like to share an article by Rick Brown entitled: “Leaving the Classroom and Living the Life”

     “The professional student. I remember seeing him around campus in college. I'll call him James. James was an old guy. Probably around thirty-two at the time. At first I thought he must be a little slow in his learning process.

     But then I discovered he already had a degree. Actually, he had several. And he was working on another one when I showed up to campus.

     You'd see him walking slowly along with his backpack full of books. I'm not sure he had any friends. There weren't too many old guys like him on campus. So he pretty much hung to himself, went to class, and then went home.

     Now, the point of this story is not that we should have befriended him. Maybe we should have. But the point is we thought it was very curious that James would keep going to school. We liked school, but the goal of the university for the ones I hung out with was to find someone to marry ... I mean ... get a degree and then get a job and get to work.

     You see, we think someone who gets an education but does not apply it to some constructive work is unusual. But every week churches fill up with professional students. Students of Jesus who study his words and even memorize episodes of his life but walk out and never put into practice what they have been "learning."

     The big "elephant in the room" in our churches is discipleship. Unlike the professional student, disciples know the word of God and it shapes how they love and serve people.

     For instance, Jesus spent much of his time sharing meals with people. In his day this was a form of inclusion. And the religious people of the day had certain people they would eat with and there was a list of those who were black-balled. Jesus had a way of breaking the rules.

     When we love people like Jesus loves people, then folks are going to ask questions. And notice what Jesus says to answer their question about him associating with those they considered undesirable:

     On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:12-13 NIV).

     God desires mercy, not sacrifice (Matthew 9:13). We can offer a sacrifice all day every day and not have a heart that is shaped like his. His target is sinners. The fact is, we are all sinners. What Jesus means is that if you don't see yourself as a sinner in need of a savior, then you won't need him. And you won't want to have him in your house for dinner. He's likely to bring you on a mission to serve the "least of these," not just those who can return the favor.

     Have you -- like most folks who consider themselves Christians -- been stuck in school, long on information and short on transformation? Maybe it's time to put the books down, find the nearest exit, and let your learning lead your life.”

     [Jesus said,] "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (John 13:17 NIV).

     Instead of thanking Him prayerfully why not show Him from now on?

C U this “Sonday”.

                                    John

John's Jots

It seems that politics consumes the airwaves all the time, whether it is an election year or not. The whole thing is about power. Who has it and who wants it.

Boyd Bailey writes:

“But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. 2 Chronicles 26:16.                                                 Lust for power is as insidious as it sounds. It is a dysfunctional drive that demands blind loyalty with nothing in return. Power hungry leaders are insensitive and short sighted as they take whatever means are necessary to accomplish their egocentric ends. They become entangled in their own web of wanting more control and find themselves trapped in a malaise of manipulation.
     Power has built-in arrogance that needs to be confronted with honesty, humility and truth. Moreover, it is unnatural for the spiritually minded to need power. They give it away to avoid greedily getting more. The devil used the promise of power to tempt Christ, however Jesus knew that Satan’s temptation was a ploy that appealed to His pride. 
     “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only’’” (Matthew 4:8-10).
     Indeed, the lust for power does not exclude any industry or organization: politics, religion, business and ministry all have to deal with the stewardship of power and responsibility. So, how do you manage power or does it manage you? Only when you give it away are you free from its control. The more influence and authority you have the more wisdom and accountability you need from the Lord and trusted advisors.
     You cannot keep power in its proper place without the principles of God’s Word prescribing your behavior. This is why it is extremely easy to work for a boss with character. You trust them and you believe they have yours and the company's best interests in mind. This is why in marriage a woman can trust and follow a man of conviction, because she believes in him and trusts him to be accountable to God.
     Furthermore, if you apply humility to your heart, power will not go to your head. Just as pride comes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18), humility comes before promotion by God. Therefore, use power as an excuse for persistent prayer and honest feedback. Give it away—for then it loses its prideful control and you avoid an embarrassing downfall. 
     “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).”

     Let’s all take a look at ourselves and see if we might need to make an adjustment in our own lives. So many times we try to control others without even noticing it.

     If I am always right when I disagree with others, I probably have a problem.

     We need to consider how Jesus would handle the situation and the best way to do that is be in His house each Lord’s day.

C U this Sonday!

                                                John