Perry's Scope: Christian sermons, lessons, and resources for teachers » General Info http://perrysscope.com/blog Lesson and Resources for Teachers Thu, 17 May 2012 15:40:30 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Hearing Above the Noise http://perrysscope.com/blog/2012/05/10/hearing-above-the-noise/ http://perrysscope.com/blog/2012/05/10/hearing-above-the-noise/#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 13:42:23 +0000 Perry http://perrysscope.com/blog/?p=717 I am sure you have been there. You are at a party, in a restaurant, or at a sports event. You try to have a conversation with the person next to you but the noise level is too high. Maybe your hearing has been damaged. Maybe it’s just loud. In any event, you can’t hear what your friend is saying, or even what YOU are saying.

 

The Bible repeatedly reminds us to HEAR. Jesus often stated, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” The greatest commandment begins with the word “Hear” (see Deuteronomy 6.4 and Mark 12.28ff).

 

In the bible, “hearing” not only includes the reception of the sound waves in our ears, but comprehension of what is stated followed by action. Biblical hearing is actually obeying what is spoken. So, when God says to hear that we are to love him with all of our hearts, souls, and might, he means we are to put it into action.

 

It is no accident that we live in a world full of diversions. How many things each day divert you from the mission of loving God whole-heartedly? Think of the numerous distractions that come from television, just to name one avenue. There are shows we just “can’t miss” each week. Often we spend hours mindlessly viewing – what? Mostly nothing. Our lives are not really enriched by it; we have merely been sidetracked from a higher calling.

 

Today hear his voice (see Hebrews 3; Psalm 95). Comprehend God by listening to his word (taking the time to read it). Then put it into action in real life. That’s “hearing God.”

 

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

]]> http://perrysscope.com/blog/2012/05/10/hearing-above-the-noise/feed/ 0 Stay Close in the Storm http://perrysscope.com/blog/2011/05/28/stay-close-in-the-storm/ http://perrysscope.com/blog/2011/05/28/stay-close-in-the-storm/#comments Sun, 29 May 2011 01:11:54 +0000 Perry http://perrysscope.com/blog/?p=443 The recent wave of severe storms that swept through our communities caused great loss – more for some than others. We saw the events in Alabama, Missouri, and now here at home in Oklahoma. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who suffered injury, loss of life and loss of property.
 
For all of us, the storms brought the more than subtle reminder of how very little we can control. Who can harness the storm? Who can direct the tornado? We are reminded of our total dependence on God every day of our lives. One day the weather is calm, the next it is stormy, the next it may be deadly.
 
A man once asked his teacher when he should repent. The teacher told him that he should repent on the day before the last day of his life. The man correctly asked, “But how will I know when the last day of my life will be?” the teacher responded, “You cannot, so repent every day.”
 
There are few things we have much control over. We can control our part of our relationship with God. The Bible reminds us of his nearness: “‘in him we live and move and have our being’;” (Acts 17.28). Stay close to God no matter what may come!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

]]> http://perrysscope.com/blog/2011/05/28/stay-close-in-the-storm/feed/ 0 The Harmony Connection http://perrysscope.com/blog/2007/04/01/the-harmony-connection/ http://perrysscope.com/blog/2007/04/01/the-harmony-connection/#comments Sun, 01 Apr 2007 21:34:59 +0000 Perry http://perrysscope.com/blog/?p=47 A. W. Tozer, in The Pursuit of God, made a significant point. If 100 pianos are all tuned to the same tuning fork, they are automatically tuned to one another. They are tuned — not to each other — but to another standard to which each one must individually bow.

The same is true of 100 worshipers. When each worshiper is in tune with Jesus the group is closer to one another than they would be if they took their eyes off of Jesus and looked for ways to develop unity through fellowship. Taking our eyes off of Jesus is never a beneficial thing.

Each Christian has a place in the body. Each Christian has been given spiritual gifts to unite and build up the body. All of this comes through Jesus. When we keep our focus on him we function as a harmonious body.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

]]> http://perrysscope.com/blog/2007/04/01/the-harmony-connection/feed/ 0 The God Connection http://perrysscope.com/blog/2007/03/25/the-god-connection/ http://perrysscope.com/blog/2007/03/25/the-god-connection/#comments Sun, 25 Mar 2007 18:59:31 +0000 Perry http://perrysscope.com/blog/?p=44 I love stories about Sam Walton.I appreciate his humility in the sight of his enormous wealth. In the mid-90′s he was named one of the richest men in America. However, you would never have realized that he was wealthy unless you knew who he was. He drove an old pickup truck — just like “real people.”

Once someone asked him why he did not drive a Rolls Royce. He replied, “Wherewould I put my dogs?” His success came in part because he connected to the common man.

Think about Jesus coming to the world. Unless people knew him, they would not have been able to tell who he was just by looking. However, his goal was to connect with the common man.

This is why the Lord of the Universe came as a baby in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. This is why the King of Kings lived a no frills life as a carpenter and a rabbi.

He did not do it for fame. He did not do it for money. He did it to regain what was lost – a wonder-filled relationship with us.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

]]> http://perrysscope.com/blog/2007/03/25/the-god-connection/feed/ 0 Motivations for Service http://perrysscope.com/blog/2007/02/26/motivations-for-service/ http://perrysscope.com/blog/2007/02/26/motivations-for-service/#comments Mon, 26 Feb 2007 20:25:53 +0000 Perry http://perrysscope.com/blog/?p=38 Here is an interesting observation about volunteers.

People serve:

1.Because they were asked;

2.Becauseit fits with their sense of mission;

3. Because they like a challenge;

4. Because it helps them feel connected to God’s work;

5.NOT because of material rewards;

6. NOT to meet people!

The above list was compiled by Marilyn Nelson, Baptist Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA.

Isn’t it interesting that people serve out of high aspirations? It is also interesting that many people wait to be asked before volunteering their time. Maybe, when we are struggling to find volunteers for our ministries, it is a simple as what James said — “You have not because you ask not.” That applies to prayer AND finding servants for ministry.

Perry Greene

]]> http://perrysscope.com/blog/2007/02/26/motivations-for-service/feed/ 0 Conformed, Reformed, Or Transformed? (2) http://perrysscope.com/blog/2007/02/06/conformed-reformed-or-transformed-2/ http://perrysscope.com/blog/2007/02/06/conformed-reformed-or-transformed-2/#comments Tue, 06 Feb 2007 17:15:51 +0000 Perry http://perrysscope.com/blog/?p=33 Our life journey diverges into three streams. We are either CONFORMED-REFORMED-OR-TRANSFORMED. From time to time we live in the Conform level.This is status quo. This is “don’t rock the boat.”

We can move up a notch into the REFORM level and experience changes. Israel lived through new direction during the exodus from Egypt. It was no longer status quo, the nation was experiencing change from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the wilderness and eventually the land of promise.

They became a people of new identity. They were no longer slaves but free by the power of Yahweh! They became a people with new ambition. Their lives were to honor the God of heaven and draw all nations of the world to him. In his name they were to conquer the sinful inhabitants of Canaan.

We have a similar experience in Christ. We leave the level of conformity to the world and march into a new world in Christ. We are no longer enslaved to sin and its destructive power.We are free by his power!

The commands, “Repent and be baptized,” are reminders of our new direction. We have new things in mind. We are no longer satisfied with status quo we move to bigger and better.

Our new direction also involves conquest. We engage in a spiritual warfare with eternal consequences. WE can make a difference in the lives of people in this world. All nations can know God because of a committed group of his followers. Imagine what can be!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

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