El Poder De Lo Imposible: ¿Se ha encontrado alguna vez en una situación imposible?  Mi esposa recientemente me rec... http://bit.ly/cNAgzw
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Power For The Impossible

Have you ever found yourself in an impossible situation? My wife recently reminded me of a great and encouraging Old Testament story about the power of God that overcomes impossibilities. It’s the story of Daniel in the lion’s den.

The prophet Daniel was thrown into a den of lions because he refused to pray to a heathen king. Daniel continued to worship and pray to the only true God, although he knew that he would suffer the king’s wrath and punishment.

When Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den, he was placed in an impossible situation. From a natural perspective, people don’t share space with lions and come out alive. But Daniel did!

In an amazing miracle, Daniel was untouched by the aggressive animals. He exited without a scratch. God miraculously delivered him from the mouths of these ferocious carnivores. What was impossible became possible because of the supernatural power of God.

The king that sentenced Daniel to this fate was changed by what he saw. Take a look at his words after Daniel escaped:

“Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: ‘ … I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.’”. — Daniel 6:25-27

Are you facing an impossible situation? Remember the story of Daniel. The same God who helped him stands ready to help you!

Pastor Dale

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How Attractive Are You?

Every year billions of dollars are spent on beauty products and treatments. The cosmetic industry is one of the largest and most lucrative business enterprises in the world.  Advertisers seek to sell practically everything,  from cars to toothpaste to clothing, by appealing to people’s desire to look good.  People want to be attractive.  We want to attract positive attention and approval from others.

God has a lot to say about attraction.  In the Bible He describes an attitude that is very attractive to Him.  It is a heart quality that draws His positive attention.  It also brings His power to us in very real and practical ways.

Take a look at the quality that is most attractive to God:

“The high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in that high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts.”  –  Isaiah 57:15 (NLT)

” … Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”  –  James 4:6 (NIV)

The quality that attracts God’s attention and prompts Him to pour out His favor on us is humility.  God draws near to people who develop a humble spirit.  It is one of the most attractive qualities a person can possess.  It brings blessings, grace and the pleasure of God to us.

God is teaching us that real beauty — real attractiveness — is not external, it is internal.  It is not a matter of cosmetics, it is a matter of character.

What is humility?  How do we grow it and show it?

Here are a few characteristics of a humble person:

  • Humble people are aware of their deep need for God.  Their confidence is not in their own abilities, gifts or skills, but in God’s power at work in and through them.
  • Humble people are quick to confess and repent of their sins, failures and weaknesses to God and to others.  They do not spend time and energy in self-justification, finger-pointing and personal defensiveness.  They are ready to own up to their mistakes and inadequacies.
  • Humble people are eager to seek reconciliation when relationships are stressed or damaged.  They do not become entrenched in their opinions, judgments and “rightness,” waiting for the other person to make the first move to mend the differences.  They take the initiative in making things right.  The readily apologize, without demands on the other party.
  • Humble people honor others.  They are free with their praise of other people.  They understand, value and appreciate the positive contributions of others to their lives and communicate their honor and appreciation generously.
  • Humble people are teachable.  They are always looking for the things they need to learn about themselves, God and others.  Their focus is on changing themselves rather than on changing others.  They cultivate a tender conscience.  They consciously strive to be sensitive to God’s voice of conviction, correction and adjustment in their attitudes, words and actions.  They reverently seek to conform their lives to God’s Word.

A humble spirit is the spirit of Jesus!

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,  but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!”  –  Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)

Do you want to be attractive?  Start on the inside.  According to God, beauty begins with humility.

Pastor Dale

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A Great Weekend!

Don’t miss this weekend at Church of the Redeemer! We will continue our teaching series about God’s grace called “How Sweet The Sound.” We will be looking at how the grace of God helps us to break through limits and limitations in life.

This weekend I will also be sharing some exciting information about our plans for Easter week and weekend.  We are looking forward to a great 10 days, March 27 – April 4, of serving our communities through Servolution 2010, and a great celebration of Jesus’ resurrection at our special Easter services,“The One!”

For campus information, service times and directions visit www.church-redeemer.org.

I am looking forward to seeing you!

Pastor Dale

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When We’re Afraid

Recently we were out for a meal with our children and grandchildren. We were at a restaurant that has a store mascot dressed in an animal costume that walks around greeting kids. Most of the children think it’s great. In their imaginations they are getting the incredible opportunity to see a cartoon-like character come to life.

When this character appeared near our table during our recent visit, I noticed that my two year old grand-daughter was not very happy about it. Something about this costumed creature frightened her. In short order, she was in my lap clingly tightly to my neck. She wanted to be close to someone who would protect her, and I was more than glad to oblige. She was comforted by my presence and perfectly content to view the mascot from a safe distance. My reassurance assuaged her fears and calmed her spirit.

As I reflected on Jadyn’s timid reaction to a person in a silly animal costume, I couldn’t help but think about us and our relationship with God.

How many times do we see, what appears to us to be intimidating things, show up in our lives. At these times, rational and reasonable thinking deserts us. All we are left with is fear and a deep desire to be comforted and protected.

When we are intimidated by life, it is great to know that God stands ready for us to run to Him, cast ourselves into His arms and tightly cling to Him. When we do this, He doesn’t upbraid us. He doesn’t ridicule our fears. He simply welcomes us with a warm embrace and provides us the sense of security we need.

The psalmist understood this truth, and practiced it. Take a look at how he handled his fears:

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” — Psalm 56:3

His antidote for fear was trust in God!

Is something frightening you? Run to your Heavenly Father and cling to Him. You’re safe and secure in His arms!

Pastor Dale

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Keeping A Tender Heart

What is the condition of your heart?

Life brings with it all kinds of experiences.  How we handle the ups and downs of life affects the condition of our heart.  Heart damage often happens in difficult times.  If we are not careful, hard circumstances can produce hardness on the inside of us.

When our hearts are hardened, bad things happen to us.  We shut ourselves off from God and others.  We become emotionally numb and cold.  Our attitudes are critical, skeptical and cynical.  Our perspective of people and life is jaded.  We lose sensitivity to God, to our  own conscience and to other people.  We stop giving.  We stop caring.  We also stop growing.  Hard-hearted people are sour and unpleasant.

One of the most important things we can do in life is to keep a tender heart.  God tells us to make this a priority:

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”  –  Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

” … ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.’”  –  Hebrews 4:7

” … be kind to each other, tenderhearted … ”  –  Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)

How do we keep our heart tender?  Here are a few suggestions:

  • Value a tender heart.

What we value is what we pursue.  We keep our hearts tender by placing a high value on a tender heart.  It is important to God.  It should be important to us.  Good things come to people who chose to keep their hearts from becoming cold and calloused.

  • Keep a fresh relationship with God.

One of the most common ways our hearts harden is by drifting from God.  When we ignore our relationship with God, negative consequences set in.  We begin to lose our sensitivity to Him, to His Word and Spirit, and to people around us.  Spending regular time with God in prayer, study, confession and worship keeps our hearts tender and pliable.

  • Process and release your personal pain.

Internalized, unprocessed and unreleased pain makes people hard.  When we hold on to hurt emotionally, our hearts calcify.  We can easily retreat into our emotional pain and allow it to control how we think, live and relate to others.

  • Keep an attitude of gratitude.

Hard people are ungrateful people.  They have lost sight of the blessings of  life.  To keep a tender heart we must not allow this to happen to us.  We must continually challenge ourselves to focus on the good gifts God has given us rather than on the problems, pains, disappointments and difficulties of life.

  • Forgive quickly and completely.

The quickest way to a hard heart is through unforgiveness, bitterness and revenge.  When we hold on to the hurts others inflict on us, or the pain we perceive they have caused us, we open the door to the devil.  (See Ephesians 4:26, 27.)  And when the devil gets a foothold in us, hardness is always the result.  The malice we nurse toward others becomes the monster that ravages us.

A tender heart is a great asset in life.  It makes us responsive to God.  It also positions us to be used by Him.

What is the condition of your heart — hard or tender?

Pastor Dale

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