Monthly Archives: November 2013

2013 Day 334 – Francis Chan: Rethinking Church

30 Saturday Nov 2013

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For today’s reflection, I thought I would share a video by Francis Chan describing how he has changed the way he views church. While I don’t necessarily agree with his entire approach to church gatherings, I do think he brings up some interesting thoughts about the true purpose of church and why we should gather in the first place. At a minimum I hope it challenges you to think about the purpose of your church community and your mission.

 

If you ever come across anything you’d like me to post on this blog, please feel free to contact me at dino.evangelista@gmail.com.

2013 Day 333 – Sir Nicholas Winston

29 Friday Nov 2013

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John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. The following video is about Sir Nicholas Winton, who organised the rescue and passage to Britain of about 669 mostly Jewish Czechoslovakian children in an operation known as the “Czech Kindertransport”. Winton also found homes for these children. The children who were rescued were destined for the Nazi death camps before World War II. Sir Winton never talked about his humanitarian acts to anyone after the war. His acts of sacrifice and kindness were discovered by his wife when she found a detailed scrapbook in his attic in 1988. The video below is a clip of a BBC Program “That’s Life” which aired in 1988.

 

If you ever come across anything you’d like me to post on this blog, please feel free to contact me at dino.evangelista@gmail.com.

2013 Day 332 – Micah 6-7, Isaiah 41

28 Thursday Nov 2013

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As we finish up the book of Micah, verse 18 struck me as a great reminder of God’s grace, 18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. God delights to show mercy! He is glad when we repent and offers forgiveness freely to anyone who comes to Him and asks. When we put away our pride and ask God for forgiveness, He delights in us and shows us grace and mercy of our sins.

As part of this Thanksgiving day, let us be thankful for all God has given to us.

2013 Day 331 – Micah 4-5, Isaiah 40

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

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Even the strongest of us get tired sometimes, but God’s power and strength is always there to give us the energy to persevere. Isaiah 40:29-31 says, 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. When your strength is failing you, remember God is always there to renew and refresh our strength.

2013 Day 330 – Micah 1-3, Psalm 150

26 Tuesday Nov 2013

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Since today is our last day reading through the book of Psalm this year, I though it was appropriate to share the entire Psalm. Psalm 150 is all about the importance of praising God and it is a great reminder to us.

1 Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.

2013 Day 329 – Joel 1-3, Psalm 149

25 Monday Nov 2013

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The Bible invites us to praise God, but sometimes we don’t know how to do it. Psalm 149:3-5 gives us several suggestions, 3 Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. 4 For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. 5 Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds. God enjoys having relationship with us. It is less important how we praise Him and more important that we take the time to do it.

2013 Day 328 – 1 Thessalonians 3-5, Psalm 148

24 Sunday Nov 2013

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The Christian life is one of action. It is not one of sitting idly by and waiting for God to do all the work. It is also a life of responsibility and taking care of others when they need it and helping others help themselves. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 it says, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. God does not desire us to live in a world where we live a frenetic lifestyle. He wants us to live a life where we do not shy away from action, but also one where we are not looking for a fight. We must always look to God for His guidance and his desires for our lives where we serve Him and serve others.

2013 Day 327 – 1 Thessalonians 1-2, Psalm 147

23 Saturday Nov 2013

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Today we being reading the first half of the short book of 1 Thessalonians, which was written by Paul as a letter to the church in Thessalonica (Thessaloniki). This was one of Paul’s first letters and it was written to encourage believers through their persecution. It was also written to clarify questions about Christ’s second coming. Some believed Christ was coming soon, which created confusion and despair among the early Christian church as believers watched loved ones die before the second coming. This was a letter of reassurance and encouragement which we can take as encouragement for ourselves. God’s timing is perfect. We are to continue in our obedience of God in all we do. He will come in His timing.

2013 Day 326 – Daniel 10-12, Psalm 146

22 Friday Nov 2013

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God is the only one we can truly put our trust in. When we put our faith in other people, they will eventually disappoint us. Psalm 146:3 says, Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. Even the people closest to us; our spouses, parents, and close friends cannot be fully trusted to fulfill our happiness. Only God can truly be trusted with our hearts. When we trust in Him, He protects us from others potentially hurting us and gives us the joy we need.

2013 Day 325 – Francis Chan: Pancake Illustration (God is Crazy Big)

21 Thursday Nov 2013

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Such a great illustration to show just how big God really is. Our perspective isn’t even close to reality. I hope you enjoy this short video.

 

If you ever come across anything you’d like me to post on this blog, please feel free to contact me at dino.evangelista@gmail.com.