Dare to Trust

Dare to Trust
Brad Reiches
Aug 17 2007 11:02AM

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Friday, August 17, 2007

GodThoughtsWired!

  "Dare to Trust"

The Biblical Perspective on Worry

"Do not be anxious for your life...

And why are you anxious...O men of little faith...

Do not be anxious then...do not be anxious."

Matthew 6:25-34

I've heard a lot of sermons in my day, but the other day I heard one that was perhaps the best, most practical message I've EVER listened to.  The preacher gave three reasons not to worry:

1.  Worry does not add anything to your life.  In fact, the preacher called worry a "parasite," something that only takes away.  Additionally, I would liken worry to a "leach."  Something, that if left unchecked, will "suck the life" out of the one it has attached itself to.  Worry has NO positive value.  It can only take away, hurt, steal and destroy.

2.  Worry is an indictment of our faith.  In other words, worry is an expression of our lack of trust in God.  We worry because we don't believe that God is in control of whatever it is we're worried about.

3.  Worry is rebellion.  Jesus never suggested that worry wasn't a good idea.  He never offered the option to "not worry" as a choice.  HE ALWAYS SPOKE IT AS A COMMAND!  "Do not be anxious."  As far as I can tell, Biblically, there is only one legitimate thing to be anxious about.  It is found in Philippians 4:6 which says,

"Be anxious for...NOTHING!"

Have you ever had the feeling that God was speaking directly to you?

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Life's Greatest Question! 4

Life's Greatest Question! 4
Brad Reiches
Aug 16 2007 12:27PM

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Thursday, August 16, 2007

GodThoughtsWired!

"Life's Greatest Question"

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ABOUT THE BIBLE?  Conclusion:  Part B 

A Final Note:

DON'T ADD TO IT OR TAKE AWAY FROM IT!

-Pastor Brad's paraphrase of Deuteronomy 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19

   

And just the other day I read the following, 

"When Walt Disney passed out of this life,

he passed into the presence of his God...

He was a deeply religious man who never went to church.

He drank and smoked and swore, but was also a man of faith and prayer...

He became a non-practicing believer."

-Pat Williams, How To Be Like Walt

Now, I have no idea whether or not Walt Disney is in Heaven or in Hell (those are the only two options according to the Bible), he died when I was four years old and I never knew him.  However, I do know one thing:  According to the Bible, there is no such thing as a "non-practicing believer" (see James 2:14-26; Matthew 7:21-23).

I certainly hope Walt Disney is in Heaven.  I adore taking my children to Disneyland.  I have read and studied many books about Walt Disney and I understand that he was a faithful husband, a good father, a relatively moral man, extremely generous, creative, curious, knowledgeable, and a visionary beyond his years.  Nevertheless, none of those things (as admirable as they may be) are included in God's definition of salvation:

"And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee,

the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou has sent."

John 17:3

And tragically, there is one other thing that I know:  There have been, and will continue to be myriads of deluded people who sincerely believe that they are going to Heaven when they die, but according to the Bible...they ARE NOT (see Matthew 7:21-23).

Judgmental?  No...Biblical.  "Have I therefore become your enemy by telling you the truth?" (Galatians 4:16).

*For more study on this subject, please click on  Forgiveness & Repentance.

**For more study on this subject, please click on  Hell.

God Cares Deeply!

God Cares Deeply!
Brad Reiches
Jul 6 2006 07:00PM

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 Friday, July 7, 2006

GodThoughts Wired!

  "God Cares Deeply"

"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning."

Jeremiah 3:22-23

"They are new every morning."  My goodness!  BRAND NEW EVERY DAY!  The love of God never wanes or wanders or diminishes. 

"Let us therefore draw near with confidence

to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy

and find grace to help in time of need."

Hebrews 4:16

Have you stopped by yet, today?  The "throne of grace," I mean.

What a way to start the day!  Reflecting on God's word.  Meditating on His magnificent promises.  Reviewing the STRONG SUPPORT of the Lord.  "His lovingkindnesses NEVER cease."  God's love and care never take the day off!  His mercy and loyalty and unconditional love for you are AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW!  "His compassions never fail." 

God has TREMENDOUS COMPASSION FOR YOU!  Even when your wounds are self inflicted, GOD CARES DEEPLY!

The 'Sidekick' Shop

The 'Sidekick' Shop

Brad Reiches

Jun 19 2007 12:10AM

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

GodThoughtsWired!

"The 'Sidekick Shop'"

"I know, O Lord, that a man's way is not in himself,

nor is it in a m an who walks to direct his steps."

Jeremiah 10:23

My daughter Jennifer (10) and I were having a deep discussion the other day about how God guides and directs His children.  We were talking about how neat it is that "God knows the plans He has concerning us" (see Jeremiah 29:11), and that those plans will "fulfill the desires of our heart" (see Psalm 37:4), and that the Bible says, "Who is the man who fears the Lord?  He will instruct him in the way he should choose...I will teach you and instruct you in the way you should go, I will counsel you with My good hand upon you" (Psalm 25:12; 32:8).

It makes perfect sense to Jen that, "since God created us, He knows best what we need."  She also said,

"It's sad to think about all those people who go to the 'sidekick shops'

to try and figure out what decisions they should make."

I responded, "It sure is sad.  Why would you want to go to anyone else but God and His Bible to figure out how to live the life that He, Himself, has given us."  "By the way," I continued.  "What's a 'sidekick shop?'"

She explained, "You know - those places that people go to, to have their palms read and they tell them their future."

"There is a way which seems right to a man,

but its end is the way of death."

Proverbs 16:25

"OH...NOW I know what you're talking about," I said.  "You mean 'Psychic."

"YEAH!!!, she said.  "That's it!"

My Greatest Frustration!

My Greatest Frustration!
Brad Reiches
Jun 18 2007 01:48PM

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Monday, June 18, 2007

GodThoughtsWired!

"My Greatest FRUSTRATION!"

What's my greatest frustration?  First the preface,

"Consider the work of God, for who can straighten what the Lord has bent?"

Ecclesiastes 7: 13

My greatest frustration has always been, "trying to straighten what God has bent!"  I've also been guilty of trying to "bend" what God has straightened!  Yes, I've found that when God opens a door...nothing and nobody's gonna' shut it, praise the Lord.  But I've also found that when God closes a door...it's not likely gonna’ open NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY!

You know, there are a lot of things worse than God saying "no," or "wait."  Here's one:

"He granted their request...but sent leanness into their souls."

Psalm 106:15 (King James Version)

On the other hand, I experience my greatest peace and rest WHEN I REMEMBER to apply Psalm 37: 3 which says,

"Trust in the Lord and do good. 

Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness."

Ahhh....What a great place to be.  When you don't know what else to do...Just put your trust in the Lord, do what you know is right, be content with where you are, and cultivate your faithfulness to God. 

Yeah, it's a great place to be.  But sometimes I forget and have to be reminded.  How often?  Well...let's see..."What time is it?"

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