Showing posts with label bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bible. Show all posts

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Philippians 2

Just thinking about these verses tonight... 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death
        even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.
                    -Philippians 2:3-15 NIV



Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Beware of where you get your directions...

Thanks Gizmodo for the picture...
There is a sermon illustration here I think. 

"An elderly British couple is recovering today after a faulty GPS system led them to crash into a 19th-century German church, causing $37,00 worth of damage. The couple, who cannot be named under German data protection laws, were traveling Friday from Austria to France guided by their GPS system. The 76-year-old husband, who was driving, followed instructions to "turn right" but ended up hitting the chapel near Freundpolz, Bavaria."

But I read THIS today and it cracked me up.  Partially because many people get their information from unreliable sources and rather than question it, they take it without consideration.  A lot of folks in our world live this way... they watch the news or read the paper and accept it without a thought... they listen to their friends share about something they heard... they read it on the Internet...  someone emails it to them in a forward (gosh, I hate those...)... or something of the sort. 

Where do we as Christians find direction? 
God's Word (of course...)

Have you had some time in His Word today??

Jim

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Bible reading plan for the new year!

One of my resolutions every year is to read through God's Word in a year.  There is nothing magical about reading through in a year... there is certainly nothing Scripturally mandated about doing it... I just plan to do it every year. 

The past couple of years, I've been using YouVersion (both online and the iPhone/iPod app) to complete this goal.

Last year, I read through Chronologically (meaning the historical timeline of when books were written).  This year, I wasn't sure what to do... but I finally settled on YouVersion's OWN plan.  OWN stands for Old Testament, Wisdom, New testament.

Here is what YouVersion says about this plan:
"The OWNit365.com plan takes you through the entire Bible in one year, with two readings per day, six days per week. The acronym "OWN" represents one daily reading from the Old Testament, along with one from the Wisdom Books or New Testament. Each day's reading is designed to balance both the amount you read as well as provide a section which is easier to understand and apply to your life."

If you aren't doing a regular Bible reading plan, YouVersion has over 50 plans ranging from all year plans to week-long plans, month-long plans or you can always customize your plan to suit your timeframe. 

If you don't have a plan to read God's Word everyday, you need to get one!!! Fast!!! You don't have to read through the Bible in a certain period of time, but you need to be reading God's Word. 

YouVersion makes it easy to jump in!

Jim





Sunday, December 26, 2010

Bible reading tools


This morning at North Terrace, I preached about the importance of having a regular Bible reading habit. 

It's amazing that in the midst of technological world in which the Bible is so readily available that we as Christians spend so little time reading God's Word. 

For centuries, Christians longed to have their own copy of the Holy Scriptures.  But they couldn't have them.  One, because they weren't available but also because the church leadership didn't think they could handle them.

We live in a different world. 
You can readily get a copy of the Scriptures. 
You can find multiple tools to help you. 

That's where this blog post is coming from. 
Of all the tools for Bible reading, there are two that I would recommend... from the same source.

YouVersion is the place to go. 
First, their online tool is amazing!  (YouVersion online) They have a ton of translations... including the popular ones like the New International Version and New Living Translation.  They have a ton of reading plans... plans for beginners... plans for experts... plans that read chronologically... plans that read straight through.  Plenty to choose from.





The second tool follows along with this, YouVersion has a mobile app that is top-notch.  It's free to download for a variety of different platforms... including iPods/Touch/Phone.  (Check it out HERE in the iTunes store)  This syncs up with the online tool to help you keep up with your reading plan.  Plus, they are adding new features all the time.

If you are looking for a couple of tools to help keep you on track for Bible reading in the new year, this is a great place to start!!!

Jim


Saturday, May 22, 2010

NTCoC Outline Online

The last couple of weeks I've been experimenting with something at North Terrace.

The popular YouVersion Bible software for mobile phones... iPhones, iPod touches, Blackberry's, etc (found HERE on iTunes)... has a live event page. You can set it up with the sermon notes, Scripture verses, polls, etc.

So the last couple of weeks I've been putting up the notes and messing with it. If you're at North Terrace this weekend and have one these devices, feel free to follow along and provide some feedback.

You can find a link to it HERE. But, if you are using YouVersion, it should show up automatically under the "live" tab at the bottom of your app.

Enjoy!

Jim


Friday, January 01, 2010

Help with daily Bible reading...

One of the resolutions that Christians always this time of the year is to read the Bible more regularly.

So I was thrilled when I saw that YouVersion and LifeChurch.tv came out with some new Bible reading plans that are totally awesome!!! If you are looking for some help with Bible reading in 2010, they've got some great help for you.

There are 20 some new plans ranging in difficulty to match your skill level. Some easy readings of a couple of verses or chapters a day. Some serious readings like through the Bible in 90 days. There's something for everyone!!!

I'm working on two right now. The first is through the Bible in 365 days in a chronological fashion. The other is through Psalms (2x in a year) and Proverbs (12x in a year).

So, if you are looking for a do-able Bible reading plan, no need to spend money. These are free. And for you iPhone/iPod Touch, Android Blackberry users... You can download the free apps for their programs and read along and check off your readings on your mobile device!!!

SWEET!!!

Check it out HERE. You won't be sorry... and 2010 will be an incredible year because you spent time regularly in God's Word.

Jim

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Final Bell Week 3 Resources

As I said this morning in the sermon, if you didn't get to hear it, click HERE, but I want to put resources in your hands or tools in your toolbelt. This morning I threw out a lot of different ideas. Here are links to those that I mentioned, plus others that I may not have had time to this morning.

Since we are part of the community, if you have a resource that has help you amp up your Bible reading, why not post it in the comments at the bottom? If you do, I'll add it to the list and maybe that thing that you do that seems like nothing, might be something ground breaking for someone else...

Here are links to the ideas under their outline point.

Tips for Finishing Strong

1. START

Free online Bible - Bible Gateway

Free online Bible - YouVersion (same people who put together the free iPhone/iPod Touch Bible)


2. START SMALL

One Year Bible

One Minute Bible for Students - 366 Daily 1 Minute reading geared for High School or Middle School Students

3 Month Read through the New Testament plan - the one that I handed out this morning


3. Get a USEABLE BIBLE

New International Version Study Bible

English Stardard Version Bible

New Living Translation

All three of these Bibles are referenced as the "study" version. Study Bibles are good because they give you notes and introductions that you often don't get in a regular version. Life Application Bibles are good choices and come in both New International Version and New Living Translations.


4. Use TECHNOLOGY.

Free Bible for Smartphones (iPhones, Blackberry, etc) - iTunes link

Logos Bible Software

One Year Bible Audio Podcast


5. Take advantage of RESOURCES.

Best Commentaries

New International Commentary Series

The Bible Speaks Commentary Series

Heartland Community Church - Rockford - Mike Breaux (pronounced Bro) preacher

Southeast Louisville Christian Church - Louisville, KY - Dave Stone and Kyle Idleman preachers

Willow Creek Community Church - South Barrington - Bill Hybels senior pastor

Family Christian Stores - locally in Batavia, Elgin and Naperville

Bible on CD options at Family Christian Stores

Strong's Bible Concordance


6. Get SUPPORT.

FVCC Small Groups - Jerry Williams


7. Use FREE STUFF.

Saddleback Community Church Drive Time Devotions - they work through a book of the Bible at a time

Verse of the Day on Twitter


8. Invest in MEMORIZATION.


As I think of others or as others suggest some, I will update the list. So, check back Tuesday or Wednesday and there should be some new resources up.

Jim

Saturday, August 08, 2009

Preaching in the morning...


I always get nervous before I preach in adult service. Even after nearly 10 years of ministry, countless messages to students and quite a few to adults, I still get nervous when I teach in the main service.

I feel like I'm ready... but I still get nervous.

Here's what I'm preaching on tomorrow morning (as I start a 3 week series)...
Philippians 3:12-14
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Psalm 119:1-3
Hebrews 4:12

So... I guess I should hit the sack so that I can get up to the church early in the morning.

Jim