Your Real Resume

Posted on 2016/01/18 by Shawn Thomas

“Do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” (II Corinthians 3:1b-3)

Many of us in Christian ministry have been asked for, or have sent, resumes and letters of recommendation. It is a pretty common aspect of ministry: we present our ministry experience, credentials, and accomplishments — or commend those things in others. But the words of the Apostle Paul in this passage might lead us to re-think the process some — or at least cause us to re-evaluate what we consider our “accomplishments” in ministry in light of them. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Our Ministry Attitude

Posted on 2016/01/14 by Shawn Thomas

What attitude should we demonstrate towards those with whom we serve in God’s Kingdom work? Paul gives us a brief outline of his perspective in II Corinthians 1:24: “Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.” Paul’s outlook towards others in ministry is summarized here with one positive and one negative: Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Binding Up The Brokenhearted”?

Posted on 2016/01/13 by Shawn Thomas

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me … He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted …”.  (Isaiah 61:1)

The Lord Jesus quotes Isaiah 61:1 in Luke 4:18 regarding His own ministry. He fulfilled its prophecy Himself when He came.  But what does this phrase “bind up the brokenhearted” really mean?   Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

One of Satan’s Biggest Schemes

Posted on 2016/01/12 by Shawn Thomas

“… so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” (II Corinthians 2:11)

Although many are reluctant to talk about “the devil” in our “modern” days, The Bible tells us that we are to be on the alert for the schemes of our spiritual enemy. Ephesians 6:11 commands us to “put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”  And II Corinthians 2:11 tells us that “we are not ignorant of his schemes.” Our ancient enemy is working against us, and we are to stand against what he is attempting. But Paul also indicates in this verse that we are not “left in the dark” about what he is trying to do. And in fact, the larger passage around this verse tells us what one of his biggest schemes against us involves: Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Disciple’s Character: God’s Goal For Your Life in 2016” (Matthew 5:3-12 sermon)

Posted on 2016/01/11 by Shawn Thomas

Francis Chan wrote in his book, Crazy Love: “Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.”

That quote is worth pondering as we begin this new year. Many of us have undoubtedly set goals for ourselves this year, consisting of various things like: how many miles we want to run, or how many pounds we want to lose, or like my son David, how many books he wants to read this year. And those things can be good; do not get me wrong.

But did you know that GOD has a goal for your life? And He has one goal for you this year that is more important than any other. In fact, it is your life goal. Continue reading →

Posted in "The Disciple's Character" series (Beatitudes Mt. 5:3-12), Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Who Is Adequate For These Things?”

Posted on 2016/01/11 by Shawn Thomas

“and who is adequate for these things?” (II Corinthians 2:16)

Anyone who has ever taken their Christian ministry seriously can identify with the words of the Apostle Paul in this verse.  Here Paul just exclaims about the gravity of the ministry he is involved in. He has just written that he and his fellow workers are “an aroma from death to death” and “life to life” among the people to whom they ministered. He knew that eternity was on the line with each conversation, each contact with people he encountered.

He did not take this lightly. So here he sighs: “Who is adequate for these things?” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The “Scent” You Leave Behind

Posted on 2016/01/07 by Shawn Thomas

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” (II Corinthians 2:14)

Scientists tells us that just as each person has an individual fingerprint, we also each have a particular scent.  Some people cover or enhance that scent by using a fair amount of cologne or perfume, and sometimes you can “follow the scent” that a person leaves behind after they have been around.

Paul wrote here that the “scent” that he and his associates left behind was “the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him” (Christ). Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

“First” (2016 New Years message)

Posted on 2016/01/04 by Shawn Thomas

A friend of mine in Louisiana who is a runner sent me a hilarious video some time ago. It was about a guy whose life was all about running. It just dominated his day. He would get up early in the morning and go for a long run, then he would go to work and tell everyone he saw all about it. Then he’d go home and eat healthy, and before he went to bed, he would lay out his clothes for running the next day, when he would get up — and do it all over again. Running was not this guy’s hobby, it was his whole LIFE!

Now some of you may know that I run – not that much – but I run 2-3 miles, 3-times a week for exercise. Running has a little place in my life, but my life does not revolve around it. The thing is, after I saw that video, I thought: this is a picture of how the Christian life is supposed to be for the follower of Jesus. Our whole lives are supposed to revolve around Jesus, just like that guy’s whole life revolved around running. The problem many of us have is that we give Jesus a place like running has in my life: a little place, but not first place, in our lives.

As we begin a new year today I want us to think about putting the Lord “First.” Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 that we are to “seek FIRST the kingdom of God.” The single greatest problem facing many of us as Christians is that we are not really giving God the place He should have in our lives. We give Him “a” place, but not FIRST place. So as we begin this new year together let’s look at some things that God’s word tells us about giving Him “FIRST” place this year: Continue reading →

Posted in Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What You’re Really Thirsty For

Posted on 2016/01/04 by Shawn Thomas

Isaiah 55 describes the spiritual thirst that characterizes every person, and points us to what we are really looking for:

:1 “Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters …”  In this verse, God is calling out to all who are thirsty, and “looking for something”.

Although we all have a “thirst” for something, most people try to satisfy that thirst in the wrong way.   Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

God Of Eternity — and 2016!

Posted on 2016/01/01 by Shawn Thomas

“For thus says the high and exalted One, who lives forever, whose name is Holy …” (Isaiah 57:15)

This is one of a number of verses in Isaiah in which God reveals something of His glory to His people Israel — and through His word, to us as His people today.  And what He reveals of Himself here should give us confidence in Him as we move forward into a “new year.” Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Doctrine/Theology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment