Gilbert Thurston

Random Thoughts About Life, Ministry and Whatever Else Happens to be on my Mind

James Chapter 2

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Note: This post is part of the James challenge where I encouraged everyone to read through the book of James (chapter per day) and to summarize each chapter in their own words and then give themselves a personal application step for the day. To follow is what I put. Please feel free to comment with your own summary and application point as well.

7/7/09    James Chapter 2

1.  So many times we judge people by their outward appearance…do they have money, are they good looking, dress nice, etc.  What is even worse is when we give people special treatment just because of one of the above.  God doesn’t operate that way and wants us to love all people equally.  James also tells us to “walk our talk”.  It’s not enough simply to believe soemthing or say we believe soemthing, we prove we truly believe by our actions.

2.  Today as I meet with people and go throughout our community I will consciously see all people as people whom Jesus loves and died for…nothing more and nothing less.  Then if presented with an opportunity I will share that with them.

James Chapter 1

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Note: This post is part of the James challenge where I encouraged everyone to read through the book of James (chapter per day) and to summarize each chapter in their own words and then give themselves a personal application step for the day. To follow is what I put. Please feel free to comment with your own summary and application point as well.

7-6-09   James chapter 1:

1.  We shouldn’t complain about trials and temptations, but rather accept them as something God is allowing in our lives so that we can grow to become more like Him.  Also James says that it’s not enough just to hear the truth, we must act upon it as well…in other words, if you don’t apply God’s Word to your life, then your religion is worthless.

2.  James says that we must be quick to listen and slow to speak.  Today as I’m in meetings I will attempt to listen much more than I speak.

What If You Stopped Believing In God?

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Imagine that today or tomorrow you just suddenly decided that you no longer believe in God.  It would come as a shock to those around you and maybe even possibly yourself.  However, here’s the key question to seriously wrestle with…

“How much different would my life look if I stopped believing in God”?

Seriously take a few minutes and wrestle with that question.  Unfortunately I think for most of us the answer would be “not much”.  What that indicates is lives being lived in our own power instead of “by faith”.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God“.   -Hebrews 11:6

What Does the Enemy Look Like?

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Yesterday as I got back into the swing of things after two weeks of vacation, one of my break time activities was to catch up on some of my favorite bloggers whom I usually read on a daily basis.  Imagine then my shock and surprise when one of the guys announced he was stepping down as Senior Pastor because he had had an affair with his secretary.

Man this hit hard.  I first got to know this guy back in the early part of the decade through an online forum that Purpose Driven had at the time and then when I went on staff with them I got to talk with him a few times and was impressed by his passion and vision.  His church in the past few years grew to almost two thousand and from all appearances everything was great.

This morning as I was doing my devotions I was reading the story of Adam and Eve being deceived by the serpant.  The problem was the enemy was right before them and they didn’t recognize him.  If he came to us today in that form we’d recognize him and crush him…but he’s smart and wily and knows better.  Paul at one point in scripture says, “He roams around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour”.  Again though if he came in the form of a lion we’d be prepared.

So as I was praying I asked God, “Well then what does the enemy look like”?  His repsonse was quite clear…”He looks like the thing you want most that I’ve told you you can’t have”.  For my pastor friend, satan came to him in the form of a woman.  Now realize not literally, but he desired her and despite God I’m sure many times warning him not to sleep with her or lust after her, he did it anyway.

For him satan looked like the thing he wanted most but God told him he couldn’t have.  So what does the enemy look like for you?  What thing or person are you seeking to have/get/acquire that you know God doesn’t want you to have?  For you that’s satan…Don’t be deceived!

Vacationing at the Speed of Jesus

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Atlantic City 2009

Often times I live life at 120mph.  There are people to see, things to do and places to go.  It’s constantly run, run, run.  The problem with that kind of pace is that it will wear you out and quite frankly may not be all that biblical.

We’ve all heard that Christianity is simply a “Walk with Jesus”.  Oops…last I checked the average person walks about 3mph.  So is it possible that when you and I keep up an often times frantic and hectic pace that we are actually running ahead of Jesus and are thus out of His will?

I’ve got to be honest, living at a slower pace is easier said than done.  However, this is the 3rd year in a row that Lisa and I have decided to “Vacation at the speed of Jesus”.  We intentionally slow down our pace both literally and figuratively.  Last night walking on the boardwalk of Atlantic City we had to a number of times remind ourselves to slow down…even eating at The Rainforest Cafe, I had to remind myself it wasn’t a race to see who could be done their meal first. 

The result of vacationing this way is that it’s very relaxing.  This year I’ve also decided not to check any work e-mail and I’m only answering my cell for close family and friends.  I debated whether posting this was too much, but hopefully it will be a good reminder to me when I get back that even life should be lived “At the speed of Jesus”.