The Grass Is Greener. . .

On the other side?

I heard on the radio today that someone once said, "If the grass is greener on the other side, it means that you are not watering your side enough." What a great quote!

As children of God, the greatness of our lives should only be measured by how pleasing we are to the Father. How much are you watering and feeding your relationship with him?

Jesus came to give us life to the full. Will you do all you can to take hold of the life to which you have been called?

Press On!

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path...

We are now just about two weeks into the new year, and this is the time where people begin to waver on their commitments to their new year's resolutions. But hopefully this is not so with our commitment to read the Bible through in a year.

One Bible reading plan I saw was for the Bible to be read in three years. The reasoning was that reading about three chapters a day is unrealistic and going through the Bible a chapter or so a day was much more realistic.

On average, I take about 15 minutes to read through my daily assignment. 15 minutes! Isn't it a sad time when people aren't expected to devote even 15 minutes a day to reading God's word? I speak for myself as well, as I know that reading through the Bible in a year is not easy.

Interestingly enough, the other day I actually read farther than I was supposed to because I was getting into the story of Jacob in Genesis!

If you are experiencing difficulty keeping up with the daily readings, hang on! God's word is not just for show, but he uttered them with a specific purpose.

Isaiah 55:10-11

10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Why Do You Praise God?

When you praise God, why do you do it? If you are not sure why you are praising when you say, "Praise God" then your praise is meaningless.

Argentinian Pastor Juan Carlos Ortiz makes the parallel this way: it is like giving God a present that is wrapped up very nicely, with a nice bow on it. But when he opens it, the box is empty.

When you praise God, make sure you know why you are doing so. It will mean much more to God and to you as well.

Happy New Year!

Ok, so it's day two of the "Read the Bible in a Year" campaign and I hope you haven't fallen behind already!

Hope everyone out there has a great '09, with God's fingerprints all over it!

Read the Bible in a Year

One of my goals for the upcoming year is to start reading the Bible through every year. Ambitious, I know, but is there a better way to familiarize myself with the Word of God than reading it consistently? Of course, I'll just take it one year at a time, but that's my plan, anyway!

In seminary I met a man who had read the Bible through some 80 times or something ridiculous like that. Is it any wonder that he would possess a first-rate knowledge of the Bible?

I have a plan that combines both OT and NT reading at the same time, with assignments on M-Sat. only, with Sundays being a day of rest or for catch-up. If you would like a copy of it, please email me at gregg.morita@tccbc.net and I'll send one out to you.

May God's Word bless you this year!

Where Is Your Treasure?

In these tough economic times, managing money can be tough. However, the Bible has much to say on that subject. The CrossRoads Couples' Fellowship is beginning a six week study on managing finances from a Biblical perspective.

The fellowship meets every Tuesday evening, starting with January 6th. All are welcome, you don't need to be married or engaged to join them.

Please plan to be there for a time of worship, snacks, fellowship, and what it means to be putting your money where your beliefs are as Christ-followers!

When God Says, "No"...

It is easy to see how some people think that God is some sort of cosmic spoilsport, trying to keep everyone from having a good time. It seems like everything that's fun or comes naturally to us as humans are off limits.

But Joshua Harris gives a different perspective. He said that when God says "no" to something, it's really because he's saying "yes" to something better!

What a great perspective! It's great not only because it is a positive way of thinking about God and his ways, but also because IT'S TRUE! God wants to bless us with much more than we can even think of desiring for ourselves.

How often do you settle for scraps and crumbs when God has a sumptuous feast waiting for you? Don't settle for any less than God's best for you - you won't regret it.