Common English Bible Giveaway - Ends Saturday, May 5

As a member of the Common English Bible "Change Your Heart and Life" blog tour, I have the opportunity to offer my readers the chance to win their own softcover copy of the CEB! Congratulations to Vincent, who was last week's winner! If you did not win last week, don't worry! Another giveaway for a softcover edition of this Bible begins today! Here are the ways in which you can enter this giveaway:

• Leave a comment on this post telling your favorite book of the Bible and why it is your favorite.
• Tweet the following and leave a comment stating you have done so: "Enter to #win a copy of the @CommonEngBible @letthemcome1014 http://letthemcome1014.blogspot.com #CEBtour #giveaway"
• Read one of the Psalms (your choice) and then leave a comment stating which one you read.
• Join this site (see link at the bottom of the page) and leave a comment stating you have done so.

Each task you complete counts as one entry. You must leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to count. This giveaway is only open to U.S. addresses. All comments must be posted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, May 5, 2012. Check back the following Monday for a reply on this post to see if you are the winner!

"Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 CEB

Common English Bible Blog Tour: 24-Hour Giveaway

Over the past couple months, I have been participating in the Common English Bible "Change Your Heart and Life" blog tour. The Common English Bible is a new translation that seeks to use language that is understandable to the 21st-century reader. The translation work was completed by 120 individuals representing 24 denominations.

To discover more about this translation, visit the following: 

• Website: http://CommonEnglishBible.com
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/CommonEngBible
• Facebook Group Page: http://facebook.com/groups/CommonEnglishBible
• Facebook Bible Like Page: http://facebook.com/LiveTheBible
• Video: http://vimeo.com/CommonEnglishBible

As a member of the blog tour, I received a free leather-like thinline edition of the Common English Bible. Today, you have the opportunity to enter to win your own softcover copy of the CEB! Here are the ways in which you can enter this giveaway:

• Leave a comment on this post stating your favorite Bible verse.
• Tweet the following and leave a comment stating you have done so: "Enter to #win a copy of the @CommonEngBible @letthemcome1014 http://letthemcome1014.blogspot.com #CEBtour"
• Read one of the Psalms (your choice) and then leave a comment stating which one you read.

Each task you complete counts as one entry. You must leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to count. This giveaway is only open to U.S. addresses. All comments must be posted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, April 28, 2012. I plan to announce the winner on this blog on Monday, so be sure to check back to see if you are the winner!

"Your word is a lamp before my feet and a light for my journey." - Psalm 119:105 CEB

#OC12 has begun!

Around 5,000 ministry leaders from all over the world have gathered in Atlanta this week for the Orange Conference. Although I could not join them in person, I enjoyed watching the opening session live online Wednesday night. I felt like I was worshipping and learning right along with my fellow brothers and sisters!

Here’s some insights I gained from watching the opening session:

Reggie Joiner spoke about the "messiness" of the gospel. God has called us to go into the world with His truth and love. That doesn’t mean it is always easy. Jesus experienced ridicule, opposition, pain, and sorrow. But He endured. He went to the cross, but He rose again to life. He sent His disciples out into a messy world to share the story and teach the good news. We are called to go and make disciples too. As we invest in people in our ministries, we can be sure that it will get messy sometimes. But it’s OK. Jesus knows messy, and He has promised to be with us. As leaders of the next generation, we are helping to prepare children and students for the messy world, helping them to trust a God who is bigger than our imaginations.

The opening session also touched on the growing diversity of our world and our neighborhoods. We have been called to love God and love our neighbors. The love that the Father has poured out on us inspires us to lavish that same love on our neighbors. The world needs a true incarnation of the love of God. Reggie Joiner pointed out that our love is the one thing that sets us apart from the world. Jesus Himself said,

“This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.” – John 13:35 CEB

I fear that too often we allow our differences to hinder us from living in that true love, both outside and inside the church, including differences of worship style, doctrine, or ministry practices. Beyond our church and denomination, we as followers of Jesus can be united in the simple truths of the gospel and in God’s love.

The Orange Conference does a great job of bringing together leaders from all over the world, from different denominations, and from all the ministries of the church – children’s workers, youth leaders, family ministers, senior pastors. Each member of the Body of Christ has an important role to play. This includes all Christians, not just those in full-time ministry. When we work together, doing our unique part, we can live as the Church God intended us to be. Living united in His love allows the Church to be a shining light in the world, sharing this love with our neighbors.

May your heart be filled with the uncontainable love of our Heavenly Father in a way that inspires and enables you to truly and radically love your neighbors – all of them!

Looking forward to more Orange this week!

Psalm of the Week

Psalm 16

A miktam^[a] of David.

¹ Protect me, God, because I take refuge in you.
² I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord. Apart from you, I have nothing good.”
³ Now as for the “holy ones” in the land, the “magnificent ones” that I was so happy about;
⁴ let their suffering increase because they hurried after a different god.^[b] I won’t participate in their blood offerings; I won’t let their names cross my lips.
⁵ You, Lord, are my portion, my cup; you control my destiny.
⁶ The property lines have fallen beautifully for me; yes, I have a lovely home.

⁷ I will bless the Lord who advises me; even at night I am instructed in the depths of my mind.
⁸ I always put the Lord in front of me; I will not stumble because he is on my right side.
⁹ That’s why my heart celebrates and my mood is joyous; yes, my whole body will rest in safety
¹⁰ because you won’t abandon my life^[c] to the grave;^[d] you won’t let your faithful follower see the pit.

¹¹ You teach me the way of life. In your presence is total celebration. Beautiful things are always in your right hand.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 16:1 Perhaps inscription
2. Psalm 16:4 Heb uncertain in 16:3-4; Heb lacks because and god in 16:4.
3. Psalm 16:10 Or my soul
4. Psalm 16:10 Heb Sheol
   

Common English Bible
Compare other translations at BibleGateway.com

Motive Check

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His listeners not to perform their righteous acts in order to be seen and applauded by other people. He goes on to specifically mention the acts of giving to the poor, praying and fasting. These things are to be done in secret. The quiet acts are clearly seen by our unseen Father, who will reward them.

"Be careful that you don’t practice your religion in front of people to draw their attention. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 6:1 CEB

Time for a motive check. Why do we do what we do? With what attitude do we do it? Do we serve just so other people will applaud us? Do we put on a show when we pray? Do we give to the needy so that others will affirm our goodness? Do we seek to let everyone know that we are acting righteously? These attitudes can creep in stealthily, corrupting our pure motives.

It is true that we are to let our light shine in front of people, but the motive for this is to bring glory to God, not ourselves. This comes from a lifestyle of living faithfully and honestly for the Lord, not simply doing acts of righteousness for a human audience.

"In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 CEB

If we continue to live for the approval of other people, to please them, we cannot truly serve Christ as we ought to (Galatians 1:10). Yet, when we live to please God alone, the rewards are wonderful.

Lord, may we faithfully serve You, to give You the glory You rightfully deserve. We are Your servants, Your children, here to do Your will. Help us to do just that. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Psalm of the Week

Psalm 9

¹ I will thank you, LORD, with all my heart; I will talk about all your wonderful acts.
² I will celebrate and rejoice in you; I will sing praises to your name, Most High.
³ When my enemies turn and retreat, they fall down and die right in front of you
⁴ because you have established justice for me and my claim, because you rule from the throne, establishing justice rightly.
⁵ You’ve denounced the nations, destroyed the wicked. You’ve erased their names for all time.
⁶ Every enemy is wiped out, like something ruined forever. You’ve torn down their cities—even the memory of them is dead.
⁷ But the LORD rules forever! He assumes his throne for the sake of justice.
⁸ He will establish justice in the world rightly; he will judge all people fairly.
⁹ The LORD is a safe place for the oppressed—a safe place in difficult times.
¹⁰ Those who know your name trust you because you have not abandoned any who seek you, LORD.
¹¹ Sing praises to the LORD, who lives in Zion! Proclaim his mighty acts among all people!
¹² Because the one who avenges bloodshed remembers those who suffer; the LORD hasn’t forgotten their cries for help.
¹³ Have mercy on me, LORD! Just look how I suffer because of those who hate me. But you are the one who brings me back from the very gates of death
¹⁴ so I can declare all your praises, so I can rejoice in your salvation in the gates of Daughter Zion.
¹⁵ The nations have fallen into the hole they themselves made! Their feet are caught in the very net they themselves hid!
¹⁶ The LORD is famous for the justice he has done; it’s his own doing that the wicked are trapped. Higgayon. Selah
¹⁷ Let the wicked go straight to the grave, the same for every nation that forgets God.
¹⁸ Because the poor won’t be forgotten forever, the hope of those who suffer won’t be lost for all time.
¹⁹ Get up, LORD! Don’t let people prevail! Let the nations be judged before you.
²⁰ Strike them with fear, LORD. Let the nations know they are only human. Selah

Common English Bible

Compare other translations at BibleGateway.com

From One Generation to Another

Senior adults may not have the ability to serve on the frontlines of children's ministry like they once did, but they still have the desire to make a positive impact on the next generation. Tapping into the wisdom, love and gifts of these older members of your congregation will be beneficial for all ages. There are many ways senior adults can be involved in children's ministry. Here are a few ideas:

Prayer Warriors: Senior adults are some of the greatest prayer warriors! Give them a list of names of kids and volunteers in your ministry and encourage them to pray for those individuals and their families.

Birthday Patrol: Senior adults can lead a card ministry. Give them a list of the birthdays of children in your ministry and let them send out a birthday card to each child for his or her special day!

Preparation Time: Senior adults may be able to help with some of the preparation duties in your ministry, from folding newsletters to preparing craft supplies.

Tasty Treats: Utilize the cooking and baking talents of senior adults. Ask them to make a batch of cookies for snack time or prepare a meal for children at your mid-week program.

Nursery Duty: Many older women especially love cradling newborn babies. Encourage them to serve in the nursery or at least stop by and give some love and attention to these little ones.

A Friendly Greeting: Have senior adults serve as greeters to welcome children as they arrive or depart from services, VBS, or other programs and events. Children will appreciate the smiles and hugs from these grandparent figures. 


Listen to Their Stories: From their years of experience, senior adults have some pretty interesting stories. Perhaps there is a story they can share with your children during an upcoming lesson - maybe from a past missionary journey they took part in, or of an interesting happening from their own childhood. Older children could even interview these adults. Keep a copy of the interviews in your church library as a treasure for the years to come.



Serve Them: These adults have been a blessing to many individuals throughout the years. Let your children's ministry be a blessing to them as well. Get your children actively involved in serving senior adults in your congregation and community. Take a visit to a nursing home and sing to the residents or have children hand out crafts or cards they have made. Older children could take part in service activities such as raking leaves for an elderly person.



Note: Wheelchair races are not recommended.



"You’ve taught me since my youth, God, and I’m still proclaiming your wondrous deeds! So, even in my old age with gray hair, don’t abandon me, God! Not until I tell generations about your mighty arm, tell all who are yet to come about your strength, and about your ultimate righteousness, God, because you’ve done awesome things! Who can compare to you, God?" -Psalm 71:17-19 CEB 

In what ways are senior adults involved in your church's ministry to children and families?

The Resurrection and The Life

Praise the Lord for a new day! It's March. Springtime is coming. Out of the deadness of winter, new life.

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?'" - John 11:25 CEB

Jesus spoke these words to Martha, following the death of her brother Lazarus. Jesus was reassuring her with the hope of life in the midst of the shadow of death. Although these words were spoken so many years ago, the question Jesus raised is still directed to us today: Do you believe this? Take some time to reflect on Jesus' question. Consider your response, as if your life depended on it. It does.

Digging into the Bible

Reading, studying and meditating on the Word of God is one of the most important disciplines for us as followers of Jesus. His Word gives us sustenance we need as we continue in our life's journey with Him.

Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread, but by every word spoken by God.” Matthew 4:4 CEB

I encourage you to dig into the ancient words of the Bible and discover their relevance for us today as we experience the life and love God has graciously given us through the Lord Jesus. His truth stands throughout all ages. His Word can help equip you, whatever your role, to do that which He has called you to do.

Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 CEB

I pray that God's Word will be a delight to you as you discover the great gift He has given us. It can, at times, be a struggle to make Bible reading a priority. The enemy would rather keep us away from God's Word. But I hope that we will take the time to read and think on God's Word. The time invested will be well worth it. I pray that God's Spirit will give each of us understanding as we read His Word and help us to live it out each day and shine His light in this world as we trust in Jesus.

Developing a habit of digging into the Scriptures is wonderful. If you are interested in a 90-day reading plan of the New Testament, please click here. However, please do not feel bound to reading it in 90 days. A meaningful study is more important.

Will you make the commitment to regular Bible study?

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the first day of the season of Lent. This season leading up to Easter is a time of fasting and prayer, as we are reminded of Jesus' own time of fasting and temptation in the wilderness. Matthew 4:1-11

In the Bible, we read many accounts in which people put on sackcloth and ashes. See, for example, the story from Jonah 3 of the people of Nineveh who repented when they heard the prophet Jonah's message:

"When word of it reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, stripped himself of his robe, covered himself with mourning clothes, and sat in ashes." Jonah 3:6 CEB

These outward actions involving sackcloth and ashes were signs of the people's repentance of sins. During this season, we again remember our own need for repentance and faith in Jesus, the sinless One. We are reminded to turn our focus to Jesus and heavenly things rather than focusing on earthly, temporal things. Colossians 3:1-2

May the acts of repentance and fasting never become simply ritualistic events. God desires us to live daily as His redeemed people, bringing His message of hope and love to the world. Isaiah 58