Lessons for Living (Audio)

You know, all kinds of people like to quote the Bible’s promises as though they applied to them, even though they want nothing to do with Jesus. It’s almost like God’s obligated to help them because well, He’s God, and He’s “all-loving or something like that”. As Pastor Mark is teaching, the promises God makes are subject to His conditions and qualifications. If we aren’t willing to play the game on His terms, we should not expect to be able to access His benefits. Scripture says that wisdom begins with the reverential fear of God; if we want to receive His benefits, that is where we must begin.

You know, all kinds of people like to quote the Bible’s promises as though they applied to them, even though they want nothing to do with Jesus. It’s almost like God’s obligated to help them because well, He’s God, and He’s “all-loving or something like that”. As Pastor Mark is teaching, the promises God makes are subject to His conditions and qualifications. If we aren’t willing to play the game on His terms, we should not expect to be able to access His benefits. Scripture says that wisdom begins with the reverential fear of God; if we want to receive His benefits, that is where we must begin.

People often use the term “joy”; many equate it with the word “happy”. The Bible uses the term “blessed” which is often translated in English as happy. Scripture uses “joy” rather than happy because God wants to convey something different. As Pastor Mark is teaching, happiness is based on circumstances; joy is based on the character and reliability of God. That’s why in places like James 1 we’re encouraged to count all things joy – it involves God’s faithfulness and ability to care for us despite our circumstances. This is comforting and something we do well to remember.

People often use the term “joy”; many equate it with the word “happy”. The Bible uses the term “blessed” which is often translated in English as happy. Scripture uses “joy” rather than happy because God wants to convey something different. As Pastor Mark is teaching, happiness is based on circumstances; joy is based on the character and reliability of God. That’s why in places like James 1 we’re encouraged to count all things joy – it involves God’s faithfulness and ability to care for us despite our circumstances. This is comforting and something we do well to remember.

Our lives, all of us, have ups and downs. We get a promotion at work; we get laid off from work. The Bible makes it clear that everyone will have highs and lows in life. There should be a difference between the world and the Christ follower in how these things are viewed and handled. Unfortunately too often we Christians don’t deal with life much differently than the unbelieving world. Pastor Mark is teaching about the resources we have as Christ followers. God has made His power and wisdom available to those who are in His kingdom. We just need to make use of it.

Our lives, all of us, have ups and downs. We get a promotion at work; we get laid off from work. The Bible makes it clear that everyone will have highs and lows in life. There should be a difference between the world and the Christ follower in how these things are viewed and handled. Unfortunately too often we Christians don’t deal with life much differently than the unbelieving world. Pastor Mark is teaching about the resources we have as Christ followers. God has made His power and wisdom available to those who are in His kingdom. We just need to make use of it.

We like to think that we’re pretty good people, don’t we? We don’t break any major laws – don’t ask about speeding, though. We aren’t doing things worthy of being thrown in jail so we’re good, right? Well, Pastor Mark will teach us through the writings of the apostle Paul that God’s standard is a little bit higher than ours. Jesus, in fact, taught that our thoughts – not only our outward actions – were enough to condemn us in God’s eyes. We’ll learn that God’s redemption through Christ is the only way to wipe our slate clean. Paul was praying that the people in Philippi would embrace this concept.

We like to think that we’re pretty good people, don’t we? We don’t break any major laws – don’t ask about speeding, though. We aren’t doing things worthy of being thrown in jail so we’re good, right? Well, Pastor Mark will teach us through the writings of the apostle Paul that God’s standard is a little bit higher than ours. Jesus, in fact, taught that our thoughts – not only our outward actions – were enough to condemn us in God’s eyes. We’ll learn that God’s redemption through Christ is the only way to wipe our slate clean. Paul was praying that the people in Philippi would embrace this concept.

The apostle Paul cared about the recipients of his letters very much. He made his affections clear in all of his writings. He spoke often about the time he spent praying for them. Pastor Mark, teaching from the epistle to the Philippians, will recount Paul’s prayer to them and teach how we should be having the qualities Paul prayed for evident in our lives as well. The church at Philippi was facing challenges we may not ever face. We do, however, have our own challenges and we need God’s help to overcome those. Paul’s prayers can be used as examples of how we should pray for our brothers and sisters, too.

The apostle Paul cared about the recipients of his letters very much. He made his affections clear in all of his writings. He spoke often about the time he spent praying for them. Pastor Mark, teaching from the epistle to the Philippians, will recount Paul’s prayer to them and teach how we should be having the qualities Paul prayed for evident in our lives as well. The church at Philippi was facing challenges we may not ever face. We do, however, have our own challenges and we need God’s help to overcome those. Paul’s prayers can be used as examples of how we should pray for our brothers and sisters, too.