Faith Life Group Message Board

Saturday Golf

nichols56 — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:36:07 GMT

Due to tournaments being played Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Westminster and some other problems with scheduling we will be rescheduling
golf to next Sat.(10/17/09). I hope to be able to play at Westminster but if not then I will try to get Coral Oaks in Cape Coral.

Sorry for the change,
John Vaughn

Forum: Announcments

Stewardship (2)

boblucas — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:41:41 GMT

"The lord of those servants...settled accounts." Matthew 25:19 NKJV

In His famous parable of the talents, Jesus points out two things about our stewardship to God:

1. "He gave...to each according to his own ability" (Mt 25:15 NKJV). God knows what you can handle and He won't give you more, so don't ask Him to. He knows what He's called you to do. The master didn't burden the one-talent guy with a five-talent responsibility, or vice versa. Now we're not saying that those who have lots of stuff are the best stewards, or that those who have less must be poor stewards. But God knows each of us intimately, and He deals with us according to that knowledge. So you won't have to answer for what God didn't give you, or gave someone else. You're only responsible for yourself. Whatever God's entrusted to you to manage, He's done so knowing you're capable of handling it.

2. "After a long time the lord of those stewards came and settled accounts with them." It may seem like "a long time," but Jesus is coming again! He hasn't changed His mind or His plan. The first time He came to save, the next time He comes to reign - and reward His stewards. "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household...Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes" (Lk 12:42-43 NKJV).

Don't get weary or sidetracked. Keep your eyes on the prize. Imagine the Master saying to you, "Well done!" That's what you want to hear, isn't it?

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Forum: Devotional

Stewardship

boblucas — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:52:58 GMT

"Give an account of your stewardship." Luke 16:2 NKJV

The issue of "ownership" is a key point in understanding biblical stewardship. A steward doesn't own the property he manages, so he needs to handle things with an eye to pleasing his boss, the owner. Today that rubs us the wrong way. We think, "My time is my own. My abilities are mine to use in the advancement of my career because I'm the one who worked hard to develop them. This is my stuff, bought and paid for." The Bible says, "What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" (1 Cor. 4:7 NKJV). Every good thing you have is a gift from God - try to keep that in mind!

Like a wise investor, a good steward does three things:

1. He looks to the future. He refuses to be influenced or sidetracked by those who are 'blowing' everything they have on immediate pleasures, living just for the moment.

2. He is disciplined and patient. He remains steady through the highs and lows of life, understanding that "in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Gal. 6:9 NKJV).

3. He takes risks for the benefit of his boss. Not foolish risks, but prayed-over and carefully thought-out risks. No investor can be totally sure his financial future won't come crashing down if something drastic happens. But here's the difference: When we follow God's plan for our lives, even if we lose some of it on earth, we can still gain much more in heaven.

News, Sports, Entertainment and More with a Christian Worldview: http://www.BigNewsSWF.com

Forum: Devotional

Mean what you say.

boblucas — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:45:14 GMT

"Let your 'Yes' be yes and your 'No,' no." James 5:12

Saying what you mean is just the beginning. Meaning what you say is the next step. When you say it, stick with it. If you don't intend to, don't say it. We train others how to handle us, by how we handle them. By lying down, we train them to walk on us. If we promise to discipline our kids but don't, we're training them to ignore our instructions. If our anger outbursts intimidate others, we're training them to be defensive around us or to avoid us. To break those negative patterns with others, begin doing these four things:

1. Figure out what they do to you that you don't like. Be as clear as possible. "You treat me unfairly," isn't concrete enough. "You leave two thirds of the workload to me to do," is observable, measurable, and suggests possible solutions.

2. Figure out what you do, that invites them to do what they do to you. Complaining to them, or to the boss, is unlikely to produce positive change. Altering your contribution to the situation is what invites and motivates others to change.

3. Figure out how and when to say "no," then act on it. Instead of doing two thirds of the workload and resenting it, when you've done your share, stop! Others won't do what they should, if you're doing it for them.

4. Remember, retraining others takes persistence. Having changed your part of the old pattern, keep doing your new part until others make the desired adjustment.

Mean what you say!

News and More with a Christian Worldview: http://www.BigNewsSWF.com

Forum: Devotional

TRY TO AVOID STRIFE

boblucas — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:55:56 GMT

"Let there be no strife between you and me." Gen 13:8 NKJV

When the grazing land they shared became too small for their flocks, Abraham said to his nephew Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me...for we are brethren." We learn two important lessons from this story:

1. Don't wait, take the initiative. Abraham didn't say, "I'm not getting involved in this." No, he realized that left unchecked it had the potential to drive a wedge between them, so he nipped it in the bud. Hindsight may be 20/20, but foresight is what's needed to build lasting relationships. God had just told Abraham, "I will bless you and make your name great" (Gen 12:2 NKJV). But growth and blessing call for wisdom. If God's plan for Abraham was to be fulfilled, this situation had to be dealt with. Nobody enjoys confrontation, but your future peace and prosperity require handling things wisely, before they get out of hand.

2. Don't worry about getting short-changed, God will make it up to you. Lot, the younger of the two men, chose the fertile, well-watered plains of Jordan, leaving Abraham with what looked like the short end of the stick. As senior partner, Abraham had the right to pull rank and demand the best land for himself, but he didn't. That's because he realized two things: (a) That he'd outgrown his relationship with Lot, now it was time to exit with grace, not contention. (b) That his goals and values were incompatible with Lot's.

What Lot chose went up in smoke; what Abraham chose blessed all mankind.

So be a peacemaker, and walk in God's blessing.

News and More - With a Christian Worldview: http://www.BigNewsSWF.com

Forum: Devotional

LIVING BY THE FAITH RULE

boblucas — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:09:06 GMT

"These all died in faith." Heb 11:13 NKJV

The Bible says, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them." People of faith anticipate what God promised, whether they ever experience its fulfillment or not. "How can I believe in a promise I don't see fulfilled?" you ask. People like Abraham didn't live to see the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise in their lives, yet they died believing it. Trusting God means banking on His Word, even when there's nothing visible to demonstrate that what He says is going to come true. Even when you're on your deathbed and it still hasn't happened, you still trust Him. That's living by faith.

The words "in faith" in this Scripture are different from the words used in all the verses that read "by faith." The words "in faith" actually mean "according to faith." These people lived by "the faith rule." Faith was the ruling principle in their lives! So even if they went to their graves without seeing God's promises fulfilled, they exited saying, "God still told the truth." They knew that the fulfillment was coming, and they lived in anticipation of it. That's what God is asking of you today.

He wants you to live before Him in such a way that you anticipate His promises, even when every circumstance seems opposite to what those promises say. It also means you don't manipulate the circumstance to "help God out" as Sarah did when she produced Ishmael. It means trusting God to do it His way, in His time, and for His glory.

News & More with a Christian Worldview: http://www.BigNewsSWF.com

Forum: Devotional

Too Perfect for Their Own Good (2)

boblucas — Thur, 17 Sep 2009 13:49:19 GMT

"Train up a child in the way he should go." Prov. 22:6

TOO PERFECT FOR THEIR OWN GOOD (2)

The words "the way he should go" mean: "The way best suited to your child's unique make-up, abilities, and God-given personality." Perfectionism violates these characteristics, encouraging your child to be something they weren't intended to be in order to gain approval. To help your child overcome this:

1. Convince them that they're valuable to God and you because of who they are, not because of what they can accomplish.

2. Help them to understand that it's impossible to complete every assignment without errors. Train them to think about mistakes as opportunities to experiment, clarify personal values, learn and improve their skills, thinking and decision-making.

3. Share with them your mistakes and poor decisions. Discuss your flaws and how you've grown through them.

4. Explain that perfectionists get "tunnel vision," locking themselves into limited and limiting options for problem-solving. Explain that there's more than one way to solve a problem, organize a project and get things done. Discuss some of these other ways as a means of expanding their perceptions and introducing greater flexibility into their life.

5. Celebrate the effort - not just the result. Praise things unrelated to achievement, such as generosity, honesty and kindness.

6. Reduce their pressure. Do they really need all those advanced courses, or to participate in every extracurricular activity?

Perfectionism is "too much of a good thing." It starts early and they don't grow out of it naturally. Helping reduce it systematically will improve your child's quality of life.

News with a Christian Worldview: http://www.BigNewsSWF.com.

Forum: Devotional

Too Perfect for Their Own Good (1)

boblucas — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:46:19 GMT

"Train up a child in the way he should go." Prov. 22:6

Too Perfect for Their Own Good (1)

Do you have a child who has to do everything perfectly? They're only happy in school when they get an "A." Getting a "B" depresses them. Driven by their own impossible standards, they never feel "good enough." Parent, here are ten traits to help you identify and deal with the perfectionist child:

1. They may over-function in pursuit of perfect results, becoming mislabeled as a young workaholic.
2. They may under-function to avoid the pain of anticipated failure, getting mislabeled as lazy.
3. They may avoid social contact to keep others from discovering their imperfections.
4. When they "ace" an assignment, they can't enjoy their success for worrying about failing their next one.
5. Fearing failure, they hesitate to try new things.
6. They over-focus on their mistakes.
7. They procrastinate, underachieve, leave work unfinished or quit before completion to evade failing.
8. To prevent criticism from others they'll do almost anything including lie, rationalize excuse themselves and blame others.
9. They're often anxious and worried, anticipating the worst.
10. They may be subject to physical complaints like frequent headaches stomach upsets, fatigue, eating problems, etc.

Children don't automatically know how to behave. Without your help their perfectionism can intensify, dominating them and diminishing the quality of their life. Parent, you are called upon and empowered by God to: "Train up your child in the way should go and when they are older," it'll stick with them. God promises, "If any (parent) lacks wisdom, ask God...and it will be given" (Jas 1:5 NIV). Talk to God - He knows about parenting!

News Media with a Christian Worldview: http://www.BigNewsSWF.com

Forum: Devotional

Keep Preparing Yourself

boblucas — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:56:59 GMT

"I have seen son of Jesse...who is skillful." 1 Sam 16:18 NKJV

KEEP PREPARING YOURSELF

David didn't suddenly become an expert marksman with a slingshot when Goliath showed up, or a master harpist when King Saul invited him to the palace. He took the long, slow, disciplined route. David had no idea what his future held, he simply found joy and fulfillment in discovering and developing his gifts.

Your greatest obstacle to personal growth isn't ignorance, it's the illusion of knowledge, it's in believing you've "arrived." When that happens you're done growing, which means - you're done! Which zone do you live it?

The Challenge Zone: "I attempt to do what I haven't done before."

The Comfort Zone: "I only do what I already know I can do."

The Coasting Zone: "I don't even do what I've done before."

Phillips Brooks said, "Sad is the day for any man when he becomes absolutely satisfied with the life he is living, the thoughts he is thinking, and the things he is doing; when there ceases to be forever beating at the doors of his soul a desire to do something larger which he seeks and knows he was meant and intended to do."

David's brothers knew his skills, yet none of them told King Saul about him. Be encouraged: you'll get there without them! "Then one of Saul's servants...said, 'Look, I have seen son of Jesse...who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor."

David didn't compete with his brothers or complain about his status as a sheepherder. He just kept developing his relationship with God and sharpening his skills, and when the time was right, God promoted him. So keep preparing yourself.

News with a Christian Worldview: http://www.bignewsswf.com

Forum: Devotional

Six Principles to Live By

boblucas — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:43:15 GMT

"Get understanding." Prov. 4:7 NKJV

Incorporate these six principles into your life:

1. Don't worry when you're doing your best. God accepts no less, but He demands no more. "Trust the Lord and do good...and He shall give you the desires of your heart!" (Ps 37:3-4 NKJV)

2. Don't hurry when success depends on accuracy. "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty" (Pr 21:5 NLT).

3. Don't form conclusions until you have all the facts. Everyone you meet has unmet needs, unhealed wounds and unfulfilled hopes. If you want people to evaluate you by your best qualities rather than your worst, "Do to others as you would have them do to you" (Lk 6:31 NLT).

4. Don't believe a thing is impossible without trying it. When you are in God's will, doing things God's way, sensitive to His timing and willing to persevere, your problems are just a platform for Him to work on your behalf (See Ro 8:28).

5. Don't waste your time on trivial matters. In order to put first things first, you must ask yourself, "What is it that only I can do, or do best?" Only when you've answered that question will you know what you should do.

6. Don't think that good intentions are an acceptable excuse for doing nothing. Examine your life; are you a "talker" or a "doer?" Get specific about your diet and your devotions, your finances and your family, etc.

Write these words on a card and read them regularly: "If it is to be, it's up to me." James writes, "Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (Jas 2:17 NKJV).

News with a Christian Worldview: http://www.BigNewsSWF.com

Forum: Devotional

"I never regretted it."

boblucas — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:12:31 GMT

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." Php 1:3 NKJV

"I NEVER REGRETTED IT"

Paul knew that he couldn't do the job alone, so he didn't even bother to try. In his writings he acknowledged those who worked alongside him: "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you...for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now."

Andrew Carnegie said, "It marks a big step in your development when you realize that other people can help you do a better job than you can do by yourself."

A key player in the Billy Graham Association was his childhood friend, Grady Wilson. In 1948 Billy asked Grady to come and work with him. At first Grady said no, but Billy persisted: "God has told me you're to come and work with me. I need an evangelist; somebody who knows me and my ministry, somebody I can trust." Wilson later recalled, "I didn't want to come. I already had a successful ministry of my own, holding citywide crusades." But after praying, he made the decision to follow Billy Graham (and God). He set aside his own dreams to be part of another man's. That decision made a huge difference not only in his own life, but in the lives of multitudes they reached and won for Christ until Grady Wilson's death.

Sometimes God will ask you to give up your dream to be part of another person's dream. It takes courage and humility to do that. But look at the results. Heaven alone knows the impact Grady Wilson and Billy Graham had together. And what was Wilson's take on it? "I never regretted it."

Forum: Devotional

Eleventh Hour Grace

boblucas — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:45:03 GMT

Jesus told the story of a farmer who hired day laborers: Some at 6 a.m., some at 9 a.m., some at noon, some at 3 p.m., and some at 5 p.m., one hour before quitting time. Amazingly, he paid them all the same wage. When the complaints started flying, the farmer said, "I wish to give to this last man the same as to you." You say, "Nobody pays a day's wage to one-hour workers." God does. Deathbed converts and lifelong saints enter heaven by the same gate. They don't enjoy the same reward, but they're saved by the same grace.

A last-minute confessor receives the same grace as a lifetime servant? It doesn't seem fair. The workers in Jesus' story complained too. So the farmer explained the prerogative of ownership: "Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?" (Mt 20:15 RSV)

The thief on the cross proves that when you request grace with your dying breath, God answers your prayer. The Prodigal Son 'wasted his possessions' (Lk 15:13 NKJV). The Greek word for 'wasted' pictures a farmer throwing handfuls of seed into the ground. Imagine the Prodigal Son spurning his father's kindness, going out and 'throwing it all away.' But he returned. And when he did "his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him" (Lk 15:20 NKJV).

The father was saving his son's place. And the Father is saving your place too! Eleventh hour grace means that if you're able to read these words and respond, it's not too late.

Forum: Devotional

Sending package to Craig Fochtman

rodperkins — Sat, 02 May 2009 21:57:17 GMT

Dear class members...

We have another "care" package ready to send to Craig Fochtman in Iraq, but we could use a couple of "guy" magazines. You know, things like: motorcycles, hunting, sports, NASCAR, etc, etc. Craig loves to read and it would be nice to send him a couple of magazines just to keep him in touch with things here.

If you have one or two of these kinds on magazines, or something similar, please bring them to Sunday School class and give them to either myself, or Jill, and we will send them off to Craig along with some other "goodies" from our class.

Thanks for your help with this. I know it will be a blessing to Craig!

Rod Perkins

Forum: Announcments

Hello everyone

paulcoultas — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:32:46 GMT

In my previous post I mentioned that I would have surgery on Friday. All went rather well and I was home by 3:30pm. The surgeon felt that the surgery was a success. Now we have to wait on the healing process. In 4 weeks I will have an x-ray done to see if things are getting better then again at 6 weeks.

I feel confident that this surgery will be successful. Then in 2-3 months I will have the second surgery (the right side). I is a little disconcerting for me to have to be so inactive being on crutches. I have never had anything that put me out this long. Fortunately, I am here with my sister who is taking really great care of me. She is a nurse to boot.

With love to my brothers and sisters in Christ,

Paul Coultas

Forum: Announcments

recent events

paulcoultas — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 02:43:17 GMT

As many of you know I recently moved to St. Louis, Missouri for a job with Barnes Jewish Hospital. I have managed to finish my 90 day probation and have been well accepted at work. I am a third shift security officer.

Recently with the help of my insurance I was able to see a Doctor for the problems I was having with my left hip thinking that my problem was nerve related. After an x-ray and an MRI the specialist for that I have a condition call AVN or Avascular Necrosis which in short means the bones in my hips are not getting oxygen and therefore are dying. On Friday the 17th I will have the first hip surgery which is called decompression. This is the process of drilling a hole in the bone to allow it to obtain oxygen again and hopefuly it will begin to rejuvinate on its own.

I will be on crutches for about a 4-6 week period for the sutures to heal and only be able to apply 50% of my weight to that leg at that time. The Doctor expects this to solve the problem, but, if it doesn't, I will have to have a partial hip replacement. During this period of time off I have only acquired one week of vacation time and the rest will be unpaid. At least, I have insurance to cover the surgery.

After the healing period the plan is to ge back to work for a month or two then take another month off for the second hip. Of course this is my idea and the Doctor may have another reccomendation as to timing.

I do feel very fortunate that the Lord led me here to be with my sister and to this particular position because I had no insurance prior to this position for more than 10 years and really would have had no means to take care of this situation.

I certainly have missed everyone in SS and was planning to visit before all this came up but now I will likely have to wait until next year. I apologize for leaving without saying good bye to everyone and want you all to know that I brag about the class a lot.

Sincerely,

Paul Coultas

Forum: Announcments