Thursday, July 27, 2006

Learning from the Legends: Abraham


Learning from the Legends: Abraham
Brad Reiches
Jul 27 2006 11:00PM

Please visit our website at www.godthoughts.org, or www.willowspringchurch.org  to download today's audio version of GodThoughts Wired!, music, sermons, sermonettes, the Bible Says Series, and The Lifestyle of the Disciple Series...ALL FOR FREE.  You may also go to the Apple iTunes  Music Store on the web and search the podcast directory for Willow Spring Church and/or GodThoughts. Subscribe there for automatic updates and download the daily GodThoughts podcast directly to your i-pod...ALL FOR FREE! 


Friday, July 28, 2006
A GodThoughts Classic!

"Learning From the Legends"
The Principle of  Abraham

Now the Lord said to Abram, go forth...So Abram went forth.
Genesis 12: 1, 4

All great men and women of God have great faith.  Indeed, without faith it isn't possible to please God(see Hebrews 11: 6).  Peter exemplified significant faith when he stepped out of the boat and onto the water to follow Jesus(see Matthew 14: 24-33).  Following Jesus will consistently require stepping out of the boat. 

Abram could not enter the promised land until he left the comfort zone of his former dwelling.  The Israelites could not enter the promised land until they left the comfort zone of Egypt.  Jesus proclaimed that our lives can not be saved until they have first been lost(see Luke 9: 23-25).

By faith Abraham, by faith Isaac, by faith Jacob.  God declares, "My righteous ones shall live by faith"(see Hebrews 10: 38).  The apostle Paul said, "We walk by faith, not by sight"(2 Corinthians 5: 7).  It's noteworthy to me that Paul did not say that we should walk by faith, or could, or might.  He said that WE DO!  All true followers of Jesus walk by faith.

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen"(Hebrews 11: 1).  How do we walk by faith?  I think it starts by learning to,"trust in the Lord with all your heart and not lean on your own understanding"(see Proverbs 3: 5).  Why  do we walk by faith?  Because it pleases God.  Indeed, the principle of Abraham is the foundational principle of every disciple of Christ.

Then the Lord said to Moses,
'Why are you crying out to Me?
Tell the sons of Israel to GO FORWARD.
Exodus 14: 15

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

30 Seconds of Advice


30 Seconds of Advice
Brad Reiches
Jul 26 2006 11:00PM

Please visit our website at www.godthoughts.org, or www.willowspringchurch.org  to download today's audio version of GodThoughts Wired!, music, sermons, sermonettes, the Bible Says Series, and The Lifestyle of the Disciple Series...ALL FOR FREE.  You may also go to the Apple iTunes  Music Store on the web and search the podcast directory for Willow Spring Church and/or GodThoughts. Subscribe there for automatic updates and download the daily GodThoughts podcast directly to your i-pod...ALL FOR FREE! 


I am currently on vacation until July 27th and therefore unavailable for e-correnspondence.


Thursday, July 27, 2006
A GodThoughts Classic!

"30 Seconds of Advise"


I was recently asked a provocative question:  "If you only had 30 seconds, what advice would you give your children?"  The thoughts that came to me were as follows,

It is not in a man to know his own way,
nor is it in a man who walks to direct his own steps...
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established...
Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?  What shall we drink?
Or, with what shall we clothe ourselves?'...
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness;
and all these things shall be added to you...
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.
Plans for welfare and not for calamity; to give you a future and a hope...
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart...
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding...
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart...
Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him.
-see Jer. 10: 23; Prov. 16: 3; Mt. 6: 31-33; Jer. 29: 11-13; Prov. 3: 5; Ps. 37: 4; I Cor. 2: 9

Actually, that's more like 45 seconds,but those were my thoughts.  I'm curious...what advise would you give?

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

God's Will: The Better Option, Pt. 2


God's Will: The Better Option, Pt. 2
Brad Reiches
Jul 25 2006 11:00PM

Please visit our website at www.godthoughts.org, or www.willowspringchurch.org  to download today's audio version of GodThoughts Wired!, music, sermons, sermonettes, the Bible Says Series, and The Lifestyle of the Disciple Series...ALL FOR FREE.  You may also go to the Apple iTunes  Music Store on the web and search the podcast directory for Willow Spring Church and/or GodThoughts. Subscribe there for automatic updates and download the daily GodThoughts podcast directly to your i-pod...ALL FOR FREE! 


I am currently on vacation until July 27th and therefore unavailable for e-correnspondence.


Wednesday, July 26, 2006
A GodThoughts Classic!

"God's Will:  The Better Option"
Part 2


"And my God will cause ALL THINGS
to work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8: 28

I live in a country, The United States of America, where millions of people are distraught because of the fall of the stock market.  It seems that times have changed, and the "certainties" that used to be relied upon are no longer certain.  As a result, many people are scared.

I live in a state, California, where the primary power source, Pacific, Gas, and Electric(P,G,&E), has just filed for bankruptcy.  It's the 3rd largest utilities bankruptcy in the history of the world.  As a result, many people are frightened.

I live in the suburbs of what is known as the "Silicon Valley," the computer capital of the world.  Real Estate prices have gone up a staggering 60% in the past 25 months!  Many have benefited greatly from such appreciation.  But many still live in fear.  "What if we enter into a depression?"  "What value is it to own a home if we have no power to light and heat it?"  "What will you do when the prices go back down?"

Sadly, we live in a society plagued by fear.  It touches virtually every walk of life.  But God says,

Do not fear for I am with you.
Do not look anxiously about you for I am your God.
I will help you.  Surely I will strengthen you.
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41: 10

I'm NEVER FEARFUL because the God in this verse...IS MY GOD!  He never changes!  He never makes a mistake!  He never suffers a, "rolling blackout."  He tells me that He will, "supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus"(see Philippians 4: 19), regardless of the stock and real estate markets.  With my God, there are no power shortages...EVER!

I believe that if we are putting our trust in anything other than God, we have great reason to fear, for these are fearful times.  But if we are putting our trust in God, we have no reason to fear. Never have, never will

It's another reason why I think God's will is the better option.

Heaven and earth will pass away,
but My word will never pass away.
Mark 13: 31

Monday, July 24, 2006

God's Will: The Better Option


God's Will: The Better Option
Brad Reiches
Jul 24 2006 11:00PM

Please visit our website at www.godthoughts.org, or www.willowspringchurch.org  to download today's audio version of GodThoughts Wired!, music, sermons, sermonettes, the Bible Says Series, and The Lifestyle of the Disciple Series...ALL FOR FREE.  You may also go to the Apple iTunes  Music Store on the web and search the podcast directory for Willow Spring Church and/or GodThoughts. Subscribe there for automatic updates and download the daily GodThoughts podcast directly to your i-pod...ALL FOR FREE! 


I am currently on vacation until July 27th and therefore unavailable for e-correnspondence.


Tuesday, July 25, 2006
A GodThoughts Classic!

"God's Will:  The Better Option"


I believe that the greatest decision we will ever make in  life, is the choice between living God's will or our own.  Perhaps one of the greatest gifts we've been given is the freedom to choose, and, of course, we ALWAYS reap the fruit of our own choices(see Galatians 6: 7).  Having tried both, and having reaped the consequences of both, I've determined that God's will is the better option.  Here's a  reasons why.

One of my favorite reasons for choosing God's will over my own...is the JOY.  I love the joy!

These things I have spoken to you,
that My JOY may be in you,
and that your JOY may be made full.
John 15: 11

Did you see that?  God's JOY in you!  What is joy?  Well, for me it's "general enthusiasm for life."  A life filled with optimism and hope.  An overall sense of "well-being" that isn't dependent on the up n' down circumstances of life.  Joy is the thrill of knowing that God is going before me blazing the trail.  Joy is the knowledge that His leadership in my life overcomes ALL obstacles!  Joy is the certainty that everything is going to work out for my good(see Genesis 50: 20 & Romans 8: 28).

Joy is not happiness.  Things may make you happy.  People may make you happy.  The stock market might make you happy...someday!  But joy comes from God!  It is a result of a life lived in pursuit of the kingdom of God! 

For the KINGDOM OF GOD is not eating and drinking,
but righteousness  and peace and JOY in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14: 17

Did you see that?  The kingdom of God is JOY!  I love it!!! 

Is the JOY of God in you?  I'm not asking if you go to church or read your bible, I know a lot of miserable  bible readin'  church goers.

Is the JOY of God in you?  I didn't ask if you were a pastor.  Sadly, some of  the most discouraged men I've ever known  have been  pastors.

No, I'm not asking you about your status, reputation or the amount of money you make.  I'm asking you about JOY.  Joy is the fruit  of following God and seeking His kingdom ahead of our own(see Matthew 6: 33).  Joy is the result of placing God's will ahead of ours.  It's one of the biggest reasons that I believe God's will is the better option.

Do not be grieved, for the JOY of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8: 10