Friday, May 30, 2008

Delusional


Delusional
Brad Reiches
May 30 2008 11:38AM



 Friday, May 30, 2008
GodThoughtsWired! 
 
"Delusional"
INTRODUCTION

"They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him..."
Titus 1:15

Among "professing Christians," it appears that the chasm between words and actions is at an all-time high. 

More and more surveys suggest little distinction between the divorce, alcoholism, drug and pornography rates of Christians and non-Christians.  Why?  Because, "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me" (Mark 7:7).  Why?  Because there is an ever-increasing number of preachers who are more concerned with  "tickling the ears" (see 2 Timothy 4:3) of their constituency, rather than preaching the truth that would make those same people free (see John 8:32). 

They preach what the Bible calls a "different gospel" (see Galatians 1:6).

Part 2 tomorrow.


Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Precious and Magnificent!

Precious and Magnificent!
Brad Reiches
May 28 2008 10:38AM



Wednesday, May 28, 2008
GodThoughtsWired! 
 
"Precious & Magnificent"*

"No good thing does He withhold
from those who walk uprightly."
Psalm 84:11

God ALWAYS gives His best...to those who leave the choice(s) up to Him.  What an astoundingly comprehensive promise - "No good thing." 

"Delight yourself in the Lord
and He will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4

Many are familiar with this classic promise from scripture, however, only a fraction of those who know it...live it.  Why?  Most pursue what they BELIEVE to be their heart's desire unaware that, "A man's way is not in himself; nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).  The fulfillment of the desires of our hearts are only realized by trusting in the Lord rather than our own understanding (see Psalm 3:5).

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord
and whose trust IS the Lord."
Jeremiah 17:7 (caps mine)

Indeed!

*Title taken from 2 Peter 1:3:  "He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises."


Monday, May 26, 2008

Good Medicine!


Good Medicine!
Brad Reiches
May 26 2008 02:13PM



Monday, May 26, 2008
GodThoughtsWired!

  "Good Medicine"

"A joyful heart is good medicine."
Proverbs 17:22

Generally, medicine is intended to relieve pain and discomfort.  In light of this - I've found "a joyful heart" to be one of the greatest forms of "medicine" in all the world.  I'm often amazed at how impactful to me, are the attitudes and countenances of others.  It's true:  "A soothing tongue is life to the body, but perversion in it crushes the spirit" (Proverbs 15:4).

In regard to this, there are just two kinds of people:

THOSE WHO HELP US OVERCOME,
AND THOSE WE HAVE TO...OVERCOME.

As a pastor with a heart for evangelism and reaching the lost, I purposefully involve myself in the lives of "sinners" wherever and whenever the Lord allows.  Living this way can be very rewarding, but it's not without cost.  I recently spent some time with a man who doesn't know the Lord.  As many men are these days, he is very insecure, and his insecurity manifested itself during our time together with a veritable barrage of "digs," "put-downs," and cutting remarks directed toward pastors (i.e....ME!  It certainly gave me a great chance though, to practice 1 Peter 2:23).

Overall, I considered the trip a fantastic success as far as outreach was concerned, but I have to be honest...

As soon as our time together was over, I looked to surround myself with a bunch of "joyful hearts."

And it was "Good Medicine."







Good Medicine!
Brad Reiches
May 26 2008 02:13PM





Monday, May 26, 2008
GodThoughtsWired!

  "Good Medicine"

"A joyful heart is good medicine."
Proverbs 17:22

Generally, medicine is intended to relieve pain and discomfort.  In light of this - I've found "a joyful heart" to be one of the greatest forms of "medicine" in all the world.  I'm often amazed at how impactful to me, are the attitudes and countenances of others.  It's true:  "A soothing tongue is life to the body, but perversion in it crushes the spirit" (Proverbs 15:4).

In regard to this, there are just two kinds of people:

THOSE WHO HELP US OVERCOME,
AND THOSE WE HAVE TO...OVERCOME.

As a pastor with a heart for evangelism and reaching the lost, I purposefully involve myself in the lives of "sinners" wherever and whenever the Lord allows.  Living this way can be very rewarding, but it's not without cost.  I recently spent some time with a man who doesn't know the Lord.  As many men are these days, he is very insecure, and his insecurity manifested itself during our time together with a veritable barrage of "digs," "put-downs," and cutting remarks directed toward pastors (i.e....ME!  It certainly gave me a great chance though, to practice 1 Peter 2:23).

Overall, I considered the trip a fantastic success as far as outreach was concerned, but I have to be honest...

As soon as our time together was over, I looked to surround myself with a bunch of "joyful hearts."

And it was "Good Medicine."









Thursday, May 22, 2008

The Overcomers Get All the Good Stuff! Part 5


The Overcomers Get All the Good Stuff! Part 5
Brad Reiches
May 22 2008 11:58PM





Friday, May 22, 2008
GodThoughtsWired!

  "The Overcomers Get All The Good Stuff!"
CONCLUSION:  OVERCOMING...DEMONIC FORCES

"To him who overcomes..."
Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21

The fifth (no particular order) of the five key areas in which we must {attain the knowledge, develop the skills, and cultivate the willto overcome is:

-Demonic Forces.

"Our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the powers,
against the world forces of darkness,
against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Ephesians 6:12

As far as we are concerned, the skill is simple.  "Don't give the devil an opportunity" (Ephesians 4:27).  However, this is only half the battle because, "The devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).  He is proactive!  So, when the devil (demons) come knocking on your door the key is to "resist him (them)" (see 1 Peter 5:9).  James 4:7 promises, "resist the devil and he will flee from you." (see Jesus in the wilderness for a perfect model of this, Matthew 4:4-10).

And how do we "resist" demonic forces?  By putting on the full armor of God.* 

"Take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist..."
Ephesians 6:13

*For an in-depth discussion on this topic, click on:  The Bible Says Series:  Armor of God





Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The Overcomers Get All the Good Stuff! Part 4


The Overcomers Get All the Good Stuff! Part 4
Brad Reiches
May 21 2008 11:48PM



Thursday, May 22, 2008         
GodThoughtsWired!

  "The Overcomers Get All The Good Stuff!"
PART 4:  OVERCOMING...OTHER PEOPLE

"To him who overcomes..."
Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21

The fourth (no particular order) of the five key areas in which we must {attain the knowledge, develop the skills, and cultivate the willto overcome is:

-Other People.

"'They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you,
for I am with you to deliver you', declares the Lord."
Jeremiah 1:19

Relative to the others, this is by far and away the greatest challenge (in my opinion).  The following is what I call "The Grand Test:"

Let the positives in others point
you toward God, Without allowing
the negatives to pull you away from Him.

I've been studying (and attempting to practice) this concept for a little more than ten years now and I've identified three components.  Three keys to becoming an overcomer in the area of other people.  "The Grand Test" requires three attributes:

Love.  This kind of love, found only in God, "Does not take into account a wrong suffered" (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

Humility.  "For this finds favor (with God), if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly..." (1 Peter 2:19-20).

Submission.  "While being reviled, He did not revile in return, but kept entrusting Himself to the One who judges justly" (2 Peter 2:23).

Yes, I call it "The Grand Test," and we are given this test virtually every day...sometimes many times a day.  Love, humility, submission.  The highest of the "high roads."

But "To him who overcomes..."