Friday 30 November 2012

Navigating Mid-Life...

Nov 26 - 30: Navigating Mid-Life

 Next Step Devotional Thought

 This week during our New Day Cafe morning show we were "Navigating Mid-Life." Mid-life can creep up on you, slipping in new emotions, family changes, financial struggles, and even spiritual re-assessment that you never before anticipated. Many may not ever think about "mid-life" until they have arrived. That very thing happened to our morning co-host, Martin Houston, who during our planning meeting suddenly exclaimed, "I just realized! I'm in mid-life!"

 So take a seat and strap on your seat belt as we navigate of few of the "mid-life" mile markers covered during our morning show this week: 
1. What about Retirement? 

 Retirement is often a word conjuring up hope filled day dreams of lazing mornings, resting in the sun on some tropical island far, very far, away from the stresses and strains found in the day-to-day grind you currently face. But is this ideal Biblical? What does God have to say about retirement? Retirement in itself is certainly not a bad thing, as the Lord includes many things about the importance of rest from our labor (Mark 6:31, Ecc. 5:12) However, storing up riches in our barns and packing up our life to fulfill our own idealized sense of ease is certainly not in line with God's Word (Luke 12:16-21)

 Have you ever thought about retirement as a new opportunity to serve Christ? Have you thought about all that you could do to invest in the Kingdom of God with eight additional free hours each day? This week Don Hawkins of Southeastern Bible College spoke with a gentlemen who took this approach to retirement, seeking out opportunities to serve Christ and landing as a full-time servant with the Marketplace Chaplains USA Ministry. 

 When dreaming of retirement, let God's Word be your guide when Jesus taught, "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

 2. The Empty Nest Syndrome

 You've spent the last 20 years of your life with nearly every thought, decision, and dollar focused on your children. They've grow up and are "leaving the nest." Now what? So many mothers and fathers face this very question, encountering a bundle of emotions ranging from excitement about the possibilities of a new future to feelings of grief for the life and purpose thought to be lost. 

 The "empty nest" can also erupt an entire new host of family dynamics. How do you relate to your spouse now that the children are gone? How do you relate to you now adult child? What happens when they get married? Will you still be needed? What purpose will guide your life? 

 Karen Worley spoke this week with Susan Yates, co-author of  Barbara and Susan's Guide to the Empty Nest. Susan offered some wise guidance when it comes to facing the empty nest:

 - Remember the "Season Principle" - This period of transition is just another season of your life through which you will travel. Nothing is new under the sun! (Ecc. 1:9) 

 - Make your Marriage the Priority - Make new decisions about how you will spend your evenings and weekends - include fun and adventure! Treat your marriage as if you are dating again, rediscovering each others interests and passions. 

 - Adult-Child Balance Act - Find a healthy balance in your relationship with your adult child. You will be tempted to be either a "helicopter" parent who texts or calls your child nearly every day, or you will be a hands-off parent, going weeks without calling. 

 - Reassess and Reevaluate - Encourage each other within your marriage to pursue interests that you haven't had time to consider. Spend time in God's Word to discover the callings he has for all of us as believers. 

 3. Caring for Aging Parents

 Perhaps the task of caring for aging parents can be the most difficult of all during mid-life. The simultaneous juggling of providing for financially dependent children and running parents to doctors appointments can seen nearly impossible. Melissa Rogers spoke this week with Julie-Allyson Ieron, author of An Overwhelmed Woman's Guide to Caring for Aging Parents about many practical issues encountered when caring for parents. We would like to provide you with more encouragement and guidance, so we share with you Julie's Caregiving blog at http://womencareforagingparents.blogspot.com/.

 A few notes to keep in mind when it comes to care taking for aging parents include the call to honor and respect our parents, God's principle of valuing life, and the call to support and encourage one another in the body of Christ. One of the most overwhelming aspects of caring for parents is that many people feel utterly alone. We must remember to support one another in the body of Christ, lifting each other up through prayer, scripture, and tangible assistance (providing meals, providing respite, etc.) (1 Thess. 5:11) 
If you are journeying the highway of "mid-life," we pray this week was of great encouragement to you! Remember that through every year of your life, God is right there with you! His Word provides all the guidance we need to navigate our lives in a way that glorifies Him. 
Interview Recaps


Key Scriptures

Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore, encourage one another, and build one another up, just as in fact you are doing." 

Exodus 9:16 - For this very purpose have I let you live, that I might show you my power, and that My name may be declared throughout all the earth.

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for good and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future.

Hebrews 10:36 - You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, in just a little while he who is coming will come and will not delay.

Matthew 11:28 - Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.


Rest in God's Word today!

Blessings,
Melissa Rogers
Moody Radio South




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Friday 16 November 2012

What Happened to Heaven and Hell?

Nov 12-16 - What Happened to Heaven and Hell? 
Next Step Devotion
Heaven and Hell. From cartoons, to fiction novels, artistic masterpieces to the Sunday pulpit, these two ideologies are ingrained in the fabric of society. Not everyone living in this modern day considers heaven or hell a reality. Nevertheless, nearly every human being holds some sort of belief system regarding heaven, hell, or both. Our entire existence inches daily towards the inescapable reality of death. Whether they admit it or not, heaven and hell has crossed every person's mind!  

 So what happened to heaven and hell? In generations past it seemed the message of salvation could not be preached without the poignant illustrations of the lake of fire reserved for those who refuse Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. However, today this truth is often watered down, preaching with vitality the message of grace and love (as we should) while simultaneously ignoring the painful reality that love cannot express itself through grace if a soul chooses to reject and rebel against the Lordship of Christ. 

 Everyone loves the idea of heaven. A land of radiant lights spiraling the color spectrum through the sky, voices from every nation singing together in unity, absolutely zero physical or emotional pain, and death is a concept forever erased. Yes, heaven is our great hope as believers of Jesus Christ! But we cannot sacrifice the reality of hell for the sake of adding numbers to our church membership list or campus ministries. Unfortunately, many misconceptions about heaven and hell, even within the church, have added to this dilution of the gospel. 


I hope you caught our interview with Dr. Rebecca Janney this week on New Day Cafe. We discussed how the cultural perspective of heaven and hell has radically shifted over the past 50 years. One particular shift emerged with the death of Princess Diana in the 1990's. Although there is no record that Princess Diana professed Jesus Christ, it is certainly difficult to imagine that someone so highly admired across the globe could spend eternity in hell. Other adored celebrities such as Michael Jackson or Steve Jobs have only added to this sentiment that surely all "good" people go to heaven. 

 Further misconceptions about heaven emerge as myths about guardian angels, spirits, and our relatives "looking down on us," take root. Our conversation with Dr. Ron Rhodes (Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries) While the thought of personal guardian angels and family spirits may be comforting in a time of pain, there is no biblical basis for these beliefs. Yes, there are angels who are sent to protect God's people (read about Michael in Dan 12), but Satan would love to twist the truth about angels and divert our attention from the Creator to the created. If you are looking for a guardian angel, you will not be looking for God. If you trust scripture's beautiful representation of heaven as a place filled with the eternal worship of the one Holy God (Rev 4), how could you simultaneously believe that our past family members are primarily concerned with our well-being on earth? 

 Growing up in the "Bible Belt," it is difficult to imagine an entire generation growing up without a proper concept of heaven and hell. The reality is, however, that there are thousands upon thousands of college students and young adults who have been white-washed of the truths found in scripture, believing that all it takes are "good deeds" to "make it to heaven." Others believe that God's grace and mercy will ultimately exceed His wrath, opening wide the doors to heaven for all. Cultural icons such as Oprah, and even some modern pastors preach this message. As a result our urgency in sharing the gospel has been diluted. 

 Spend some time in prayer today. Ask the Lord to reveal to you more fully the weightiness of heaven and hell. This is eternal life and death for our friends, family, and even church members that we are talking about. Next, pray for the boldness needed to proclaim God's full message of salvation. His grace is sufficient for all, and his immense love is not limited by His justice. It is because of his wrath that the depths of his love, displayed through the grace of salvation, is shown all the more glorious. 

 Interview Recaps
  • Dr. Rebecca Janney - The Cultural History of Heaven and Hell
  • Martha Craig - The Kingdom of God
  • Paul Roberts - Are Heaven and Hell Real? 
  • Dr. Rob Rhodes - The Truth about Angels and Demons
  • Dr. Tony Cooper - Jimmy Hale Mission
Key Scriptures

 Matthew 7:13 - "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many that choose that way."

 Luke 12:5 - "But I'll tell you who to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he's the one to fear." 

 Romans 8:38 - "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God. Neither life nor death, angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries for tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love." 

 Acts 1:11 - “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

 Revelation 21:4 - "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

 My Next Step
My closing thoughts are drawn from our New Day Cafe interview with Paul Roberts, Librarian of Southeastern Bible College. In speaking with Don Hawkins, Paul drew the entire discussion back to one foundational statement: "Do we believe that all of scripture is God's inherent word? 

 If you do, then you must believe in the reality of both heaven and hell." 
God's word calls us to action. How will you respond to the truth of heaven and hell? Whose life is waiting in the gallows? Who will you meet in heaven that will thank you for sharing the gospel with them? I ask myself these questions now, and I encourage you to do the same.

 Blessings,

Melissa Rogers
Moody Radio South


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Friday 9 November 2012

Debunking the Myths

November 5-9 - Debunking some Myths about the Church...

 Our culture has transformed dramatically over the past few decades....our recent election is evidence of that itself (but we won't go that route today!). Unfortunately the the Body of Christ, the church, along with its values and institutions, has picked up a few of our culture's ideals along the way. I'm drawn to the book of Isaiah where God spoke through the prophet:

 "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." Isaiah 5:20 

 Next Step Devotional Thought

 Are there any ideas about the church, what the church believes, who the church is, and what God called the church to do that have been, let's say, twisted from the truth? Absolutely! Let's look at a few "myths" that you might have heard while waiting in the grocery aisle, watching the nightly news media, or even during the Sunday sermon! 
  • The Church is not relevant to society anymore.
  • All Christians are hypocrites. They have no ability to teach me what is "good."
  • The Church is intolerant.
  • The Church is judgemental and hateful towards those who have done things believed to be sin.
  • The Church is stuck in the past and unwilling to grow with culture.
  • The Church just wants my money.
  • Tithing is not for today...it was just for the Old Testament.
  • The Church is the same as the world (ex. divorce rate just as high)
How many of these have you heard? Better yet, how many of these myths have YOU believed? How do these thoughts shape your attitudes and understanding of how to participate in the glorious gift that is the Body of Christ? 

There is no way I could journey the depths of each of these myths individually (check out the interview recaps below and go to www.moodyradiosouth.fm to re-hear the audio!), so let's take a moment to discuss one particular myth I think we have ALL heard complained against the Church on countless occasions..."The Church if full of a bunch of hypocrites!"

Now what is a hypocrite exactly? Merriam-Webster defines a hypocrite as someone who "puts on a false appearance of virtue or religiosity" or as "a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs." Some dictionaries even use the term "Pharisee" as a synonym for hypocrite. Sound familiar? 

Now step back a second... it would be impossible for a hypocrite to exist without a standard of virtue to practice hypocrisy against. As the body of Christ, our standard is that of Jesus Christ. So, in a sense, it is impossible for us to NOT be hypocrites because none us us can fully live in such a way that we do not contradict any of God's commands. None of us can fulfill the law as Jesus did....only He was perfect. 

So how do we escape the accusation that we are all hypocrites? The truth is, we don't. However, what we can do is point back to the life-giving truth of Jesus Christ that through Him and Him alone we are washed clean and freed from the penalty of our sin. We can live in such a way that our humility and love for one another exhibits that we are all sinners saved by grace, seeking to live in accordance to God's will the best we possibly can through the power of the Holy Spirit within us! We are all hypocrites when it comes to living up to the standard of God's perfection. But what a privilege to know and serve a God who loves us so much that He accepts us despite our flaws and rebellion. 

We should strive to live in such a way that God is honored, but we must love others in the same way that He loved us. Yes, the church is full of a bunch of hypocrites, and there must always be room for one more!

Interview Recap

Key Scriptures

Luke 11:42 - What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

Colossians 1:16 - For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

Colossians 3:14 - And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Isaiah 1:16-17 - Wash yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 - Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

My Next Step

My closing thoughts: "LOVE"

John 13:35 - "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 

Blessings,
Melissa Rogers
Moody Radio South 





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Friday 2 November 2012

If My People Pray...

"If MY people, who are called by MY name, will humble THEMSELVES and pray and seek my FACE and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will FORGIVE their sin and will HEAL their LAND. - 2 Chronicles 7:14

 Next Step Devotion

 The above verse is perhaps one of the most quoted, most preached, and most prayed scriptures throughout the entire Bible. It has permeated the Christian community throughout this election season for sure, and rightly so! But how often do we read/quote scripture repetitively, or dare I say, ignorantly, without really understanding what we are praying. God never calls us to something in His word without requiring ACTION from us. With this is mind I would say the above scripture is one of the most dangerous prayers to pray? Dangerous you say! Let me explain...

 When you pray, God wants to work within YOU, change YOU, and reveal more of His character to YOU. When you pray for your heart to be aligned with God's heart, there is absolutely no possible result other than for you to stand up rocked to your core by the holiness and majesty of our Father. If you are missing out on this, perhaps you need to step back and take a good look at you prayer life (I'm preaching to myself here!). 

 God is God!  There is nothing we can do, no argument convincing enough, no sacrifice great enough to sway our God. BUT when you pray, God does begin to align your life with His in such a way that we can become an agent for God's Kingdom on Earth as it is in heaven. It opens up the pipeline from heaven, giving God free reign to move mountains, calm seas, heal the multitudes. 

 So back to 2 Chronicles 7:14. I say this is a dangerous prayer because it is impossible to pray in accordance with it without God speaking a direct challenge to your spirit, calling YOU to humble yourself, to pray, to seek, to repent... You can't fully engage your life in accordance with God's heart as expressed here without accepting the call yourself. We are so quick to say, "Yes! Our nation is so wicked! Lord turn our nation back to you!" yet we are unwilling, or perhaps blinded to the fact that repentance starts with ME. 

 I upper-cased certain words in the above verse because I wanted to take a moment and highlight a few things about this scripture. 

 MY - God is speaking to HIS people here. That means Christians, His children. It means ME! Not to unbelievers who are running from God's truth. We are His children washed white by the blood, yes. But that does not exempt us from the call to HUMBLE ourselves...

 THEMSELVES - No one else can humble you. No one else can make the decision for you to lay down your life so that you might partake in the sacrifice and suffering of Christ. This is something you have to hash out, one on one with the Father. Ask Him to show you the areas that you have not fully humbled yourself before God and others...

 FACE - There is a difference between seeking God's heart and seeking God's FACE. In seeking His face we are crying out for the Lord to reveal His glory. For eyes to be opened to his presence as opposed to just understanding His character (think Moses desiring to see God...). We are crying for a direct, visible, substantial move of God!

 FORGIVE - God cannot operate within our lives if there is sin left without repentance. Forgiveness is mentioned 66 times in the New Testament is is required for our sacrifice to have weight before God (Matt 5:23) 

 HEAL - For the word "heal" to be used, it implies that something is sick. The Israelite nation was sick, and our world is sick. BUT God came for the sick! (Mark 2:17) and His desire is to bring healing to us personally, to our nation, to our souls... 

 So today, pray DANGEROUSLY. Go before the Father in heaven. Take responsibility for your sin and repent, receive forgiveness, intercede on behalf of our nation, and align your heart with the Father. Pray for his face to shine among us and His Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. More than anything, be ready to hear God's call straight to your heart, and be ready to obey. Seeing a movement of God on earth begins with you!

 Interview Recap
Key Scriptures

Ephesians 6:18 - "And Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."

Jeremiah 29:12-13 - "Then you will cal to me and come to pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Matthew 26:41 - "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing by the flesh is weak." 

James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for one another that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." 

My Next Step

I often feel like the disciples when Jesus was praying in the garden.... Jesus cries out to me, "Can't you just pray one hour with me!" However, just as Matthew 26:41 reveals, my flesh is so very weak. I know that the answer to all things is just one moment away when I engage God in prayer, yet I continually turn to other options before God. As the phrase goes, "When it's all said and done, there's more said than done!." I am so guilty of talking about needing to pray over something in my life, yet not setting aside the intentional time to actually pray!

If my desire is truly to be in God's presence...if that is what I am living for (to prepare for heaven!), then why am I not approaching the throne of grace every moment? But praise our great Father in heaven who does not shut the door to our prayers! His ear is forever turned towards His people (Psalm 116:2), His throne is always accessible to His children (Heb 4:16), and His desire is to bestow upon us His wisdom (James 1:5). 

If the enemy is condemning you with guilt over a lack of discipline in your prayer life, be encouraged! Our great God is always awaiting our voice, and He is always awaiting the opportunity to speak back. Today, begin anew a fresh passion to remain in conversation with your Daddy in heaven. 

Psalm 116:2 - "Because he turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live!"

Blessings,
Melissa Rogers
Moody Radio South
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