When is enough enough?

     I was asked recently, “when is enough enough?” In context, the question was basically “when do we stop helping someone in need, especially when they have bad habits that could add to the problem?” The answer is simple if we are willing to look at Scripture on the issue. In this case, we cannot do too much to love people to Christ!

     In Acts chapter 2:42-47 Luke writes, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

     I agree that every situation is different so we need to pray about being good stewards of God’s resources, but I do not see God putting a limit on how much we , the Church, should help. Some people who are coming to Christ have so much baggage that they need help unpacking. The Apostle Paul said, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

     No matter where you land on this topic, there is a level of compassion and patience that, as believers, we are expected to extend to people who are searching out their faith. I think we would all agree that Christ has handled us patiently and compassionately. Never did he say to us enough is enough! Instead, when we were in the worst possible condition, Jesus sacrificed everything, giving his very life for us (Romans 5:8).

 

So when is enough really enough?

                                                                                                      

Greg Edens

Read and Remember!

     We are more than half way through this year of “surrender” at the Valley. At the beginning of the year we made our own commitments to pray, read, sacrifice, serve, and belong. Many of us made the commitment to read through the entire Bible this year. How is that commitment going for you? Have you continued in the commitment you made to the Lord? I hope so.

     I am sticking to my commitment to not only read through the Bible this year, but I have also memorized more Scripture this year than ever before. In fact, I have memorized Psalm 1:1-6, Psalm 27:13-14, Isaiah 53:1-12, Philippians 4:8-9 and now I have memorized Philippians 2:1-11. This is a text that we are supposed to be memorizing together. Have you memorized Philippians 2:1-11? If not, why not?

     Memorizing Scripture serves several purposes. First, it allows us to meditate on God’s Word throughout the day. Second, while we are praying we can pray Scripture. Third, it is much easier to call Scripture to mind when talking with someone who could benefit from it. I cannot tell you how many times God has used specific Scriptures I have memorized to speak into someone’s life. Finally, it gives us a hunger to know more of God’s word.

     If you have not memorized Philippians 2:1-11 yet, I challenge you read it, meditate on it, memorize it, pray it, and share it with someone else. You will be blessed.

Be biblical. Be faithful,

Greg Edens

PUT IT ON!

Hello friends,

     This past Sunday we talked about putting on the full armor of God which Paul spoke of in Ephesians 6:10-18. In fact, Paul says, “Put on the full armor of God” twice in just a few verses (11, 13). When it’s repeated it’s important. Paul wants to get our attention as soldiers of Christ in order that we be prepared for spiritual battle.

     The phrase “put on the full armor of God” in the original Greek language is written in a way that means to put it on immediately and leave it on permanently. How do we put on the full armor of God? We pray it on!

     We need to tell God that we want to put on the “belt of truth.” Much like the belt holds our clothing together, God’s truth holds together our faith and trust in Him. The “breastplate of righteous-ness” protects our heart from being misled by the “devils schemes,” just as it protects the vital organs of a soldier in combat. “Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Roman soldiers wore shoes to protect their feet especially when running. The “gospel of peace will protect us as we are pre-pared to take the gospel to others. We need to “run” with the gospel because the message is urgent and lifesaving. We also need to “take up the shield of faith” to protect us from Satan’s attacks and he will attack! Finally, we need to “take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The soldier’s helmet protected his head and his sword was the primary weapon for battle. Likewise, we need to “put on the helmet” to protect our minds from the evil one and we need to fight with our primary weapon, the Word of God.

Are you ready for battle?  

Be biblical. Stay faithful,

Greg Edens

So What?

     Hello church. We just finished our sermon series Walk The Line which challenged all of us to be more surrendered to Jesus in the pivotal areas of life. We said that we want to “walk the line” of moral decency according to the Word of God with our values, our minds, our bodies, our relationships, our attitudes and our speech.

     Now I have to ask the question, So What? What I mean is, so what impact has it had on you? I am asking all of you to post a testimony or story, on the blog page, telling how God has changed you in this series. Are there some things you are doing differently? Did the Holy Spirit convict you in a certain area or situation that brought you to an attitude of repentance? Please give me your response.

     I shared a few stories about me and how God challenged my thinking and behavior during the series. God convicted me of some of the television programming I watched. The things we allow in our minds affect our behaviors. God also convicted me of the way I respond sometimes in conversations. It raised the question, “How do I respond to Amey and the kids when I am busy or frustrated?” I need to be aware. Remember we need to think biblically so that we live biblically. I look forward to hearing from you.

Be biblical. Stay faithful.

Greg Edens

God is moving in this place!

What an incredible Easter celebration we had at the Valley. Nearly 90 people attended the two services and Jesus was exalted at the Valley. That’s not all! Dessalena Graw and Antonia Pope both made a decision to be baptized this Sunday, April 30^th right after the service. What a powerful morning at the Valley. God is moving in this place!

 

Be biblical. Stay faithful,

 

Greg Edens

 

Replacing Behaviors

    

Yesterday, in our sermon series Walk the Line, we talked about replacing behaviors that take our minds where they need not go. In fact, we said that biblical thinking leads to biblical living. Do you and I want to  walk the line when it comes to our minds? Do we long to honor God with the things we allow in our minds?

    Philippians 4:7-8 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

     As I told you, the message had a great impact on me as I was writing the sermon last week and has already caused me to make changes in the television programs I watch. This week, I am considering what other behaviors I need to replace in order to surrender my thinking to the Lordship of Jesus even more in 2011. What about you? What are some of the behaviors you need to replace? Is it movies, music, people, places, video games, etc.? Simply put, trash in, trash out!

Be biblical. Stay faithful,

Greg Edens

Comfortable Christianity?

Friends,

     I just watched the controversial video by Pastor Rob Bell that promotes his book Love Wins. In this video he discounts the fact that God will judge all of mankind. Bell also discounts the fact that there really is a Hell, a place where people, by their own choice, are eternally separated from God. In fact Bell poses the question, “Do we know this for sure?” To answer your question Rob, YES!

     This topic came up in our Bible study this morning and it is amazing how God works. I came to the church, The Valley, to do my personal devotion time with the Lord and opened the Bible where I left off yesterday and there it was, Matthew 13! If only Rob Bell would have read the words of Jesus before he wrote this book maybe he would have found the answer to his question without misleading others too.

     Matthew 13 is all about God’s judgment. Several times, in this chapter, Jesus speaks in parables and he is speaking about judgment day. In fact, in Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus tells the parable of the weeds, but then he defines the meaning of that parable in Matthew 13:36-43.
     Later, Jesus tells the Parable of the Net. In this Parable, Jesus says, “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied.  He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old” (Matthew 13:47-52 NIV).

     By-the-way, Jesus also preached in his Sermon on the Mount, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).  We have to be willing to preach both sides of God’s message. God is love and God is judge. We have a choice to make. Choose God or not! Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33).

     Bell's book is a reminder to me that we would rather be comfortable with God rather than confronted by Him! Rob Bell is right in one sense, love does win! Jesus paid it all when no one else could (John 14:6). The question is, whose side are you on?

Be Biblical. Stay faithful,

Greg Edens