TRUE TEAMWORK-1 CORINTHIANS 9:19-27***
SPORTS BRINGS OUT THE BEST AND THE WORST IN PEOPLE. THE NEWS MEDIA OFTEN FOCUS ON THE WORST. THOSE WHO COMFORT PLAYERS WITH "IT'S NOT WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE THAT COUNTS; IT'S HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME" SELDOM MAKE WORLD NEWS. BUT ONCE IN A WHILE THEY DO.
AFTER A BASEBALL TEAM FROM GEORGIA DEFEATED A TEAM FROM JAPAN IN THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES, ONE REPORTER WROTE; "THE BOYS FROM WARNER ROBINS LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION OF THEIR INNER CHARACTER FOR THE WORLD TO SEE. THEY PROVED AGAIN, IT'S NOT WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE THAT COUNTS. IT IS, HOW YOU PAY THE GAME."
WHEN THE LOSING PLAYERS BROKE DOWN IN TEARS, THE WINNING TEAM MEMBERS STOPPED THEIR VICTORY CELEBRATION TO CONSOLE THEM. "I JUST HATED TO SEE THEM CRY." SAID PITCHER KENDALL SCOTT, "AND I JUST WANTED TO LET THEM KNOW THAT I CARE." SOME REFERRED TO THE MOMENT AS "SPORTSMANSHIP AT ITS BEST."
IT WAS INDEED HEARTWARMING, BUT IT POINTS OUT THAT SPORT-EVEN AT ITS BEST-IS AN IMPERFECT METAPHOR FOR CHRISTIANITY. IN SPORTS, SOMEONE ALWAYS LOSES. BUT WHEN SOMEONE IS WON TO CHRIST, THE ONLY LOSER IS SATAN.
FOR CHRISTIANS, TRUE TEAMWORK IS NOT ABOUT DEFEATING OPPONENTS; IT'S ABOUT RECRUITING THEM TO JOIN OUR TEAM.
LORD, TOO OFTEN I VIEW AS MY ENEMIES THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW YOU.
HELP ME LOVE THEM AS YOU LOVE THEM.
HELP ME GENTLY SHARE YOUR TRUTH WITH THEM.
HELP ME SEE THEM AS PART OF YOUR GREAT MISSION FIELD.
TACT IS THE KNACK OF WINNING A POINT WITHOUT MAKING AN ENEMY. I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY***************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRIES-BIMS
Friday, August 15, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
MARGIES BIMS
THE GREATEST RACE -1 CORINTHIANS 13*****
AS THE OLYMPIC GAMES OPEN TO BEIJING, THOUGHTS GO BACK TO ERIC LIDDELL. A FORMER CHAMPION IMMORTALIZED FOR HIS SURPRISING GOLD MEDAL VICTORY IN THE 400 METERS DURING THE 1924 GAMES IN PARIS.
A YEAR AFTER HIS TRIUMPH, LIDDELL WENT TO CHINA, WHERE HE SPENT THE LAST 20 YEARS OF HIS LIFE AS A MISSIONARY TEACHER AND RURAL PASTOR. THERE HE RAN THE GREATEST RACE OF HIS LIFE AGAINST OPPONENTS WE ALL KNOW-DIFFICULT CIRICUMSTANCES, WAR, UNCERTAINTY, AND DISEASE.
CROWDED INTO A JAPANESE INTERNMENT CAMP WITH 1,500 OTHER PEOPLE, ERIC LIVED OUT THE WORDS HE HAD PARAPHRASED FROM 1 CORINTHIANS 13:6-8- "LOVE IS NEVER GLAD WHEN OTHERS GO WRONG.
"LOVE FINDS NO PLEASURE IN INJUSTICE, BUT REJOICES IN THE TRUTH. LOVE IS ALWAYS SLOW TO EXPOSE, IT KNOWS HOW TO BE SILENT. LOVE IS ALWAYS EAGER TO BELIEVE THE BEST ABOUT A PERSON. LOVE IS FULL OF HOPE, FULL OF PATIENT ENDURANCE; LOVE NEVER FAILS."
ERIC SERVED THE OTHERS IN CAMP, WHETHER CARRYING WATER FOR THE ELDERLY OR REFEREEING GAMES FOR THE TEENS. WHEN HE DIED OF A BRAIN TUMOR IN FEBRUARY 1945, ONE INTERNEE DESCRIBED HIM AS A MAN "WHO LIVED BETTER THAN HE PREACHED." IN LIFE'S MOST DIFFICULT RACE, ERIC LIDDELL CROSSED THE FINISH LINE VICTORIOUS THROUGH LOVE.
O FOR A LOVE THAT KNOWS NO END,
A LOVE THAT IS STRONG AND PURE,
REACHING AFAR TO BOTH FOE AND FRIEND,
SO DEEP IT WLL ALWAYS ENDURE.
LOVE ENABLES US TO WALK FEARLESSLY, TO RUN CONFIDENTLY, AND TO LIVE VICTORIOUSLY. I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TME.
HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY****************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRIES-BIMS
AS THE OLYMPIC GAMES OPEN TO BEIJING, THOUGHTS GO BACK TO ERIC LIDDELL. A FORMER CHAMPION IMMORTALIZED FOR HIS SURPRISING GOLD MEDAL VICTORY IN THE 400 METERS DURING THE 1924 GAMES IN PARIS.
A YEAR AFTER HIS TRIUMPH, LIDDELL WENT TO CHINA, WHERE HE SPENT THE LAST 20 YEARS OF HIS LIFE AS A MISSIONARY TEACHER AND RURAL PASTOR. THERE HE RAN THE GREATEST RACE OF HIS LIFE AGAINST OPPONENTS WE ALL KNOW-DIFFICULT CIRICUMSTANCES, WAR, UNCERTAINTY, AND DISEASE.
CROWDED INTO A JAPANESE INTERNMENT CAMP WITH 1,500 OTHER PEOPLE, ERIC LIVED OUT THE WORDS HE HAD PARAPHRASED FROM 1 CORINTHIANS 13:6-8- "LOVE IS NEVER GLAD WHEN OTHERS GO WRONG.
"LOVE FINDS NO PLEASURE IN INJUSTICE, BUT REJOICES IN THE TRUTH. LOVE IS ALWAYS SLOW TO EXPOSE, IT KNOWS HOW TO BE SILENT. LOVE IS ALWAYS EAGER TO BELIEVE THE BEST ABOUT A PERSON. LOVE IS FULL OF HOPE, FULL OF PATIENT ENDURANCE; LOVE NEVER FAILS."
ERIC SERVED THE OTHERS IN CAMP, WHETHER CARRYING WATER FOR THE ELDERLY OR REFEREEING GAMES FOR THE TEENS. WHEN HE DIED OF A BRAIN TUMOR IN FEBRUARY 1945, ONE INTERNEE DESCRIBED HIM AS A MAN "WHO LIVED BETTER THAN HE PREACHED." IN LIFE'S MOST DIFFICULT RACE, ERIC LIDDELL CROSSED THE FINISH LINE VICTORIOUS THROUGH LOVE.
O FOR A LOVE THAT KNOWS NO END,
A LOVE THAT IS STRONG AND PURE,
REACHING AFAR TO BOTH FOE AND FRIEND,
SO DEEP IT WLL ALWAYS ENDURE.
LOVE ENABLES US TO WALK FEARLESSLY, TO RUN CONFIDENTLY, AND TO LIVE VICTORIOUSLY. I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TME.
HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY****************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRIES-BIMS
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Ozomatli Update
If you are watching the Olympics this month keep an eye out for our cousin Bully (Raul Pacheco) and Ozomatli. They will be appearing in this commercial which will be airing this month during the Olympics. Thanks to cousin Lisa Velasquez for sharing this with us.
Friday, August 08, 2008
MARGIES BIMS
DESPERATE FOR ANSWERS-DEUT. 18:9-14***
A POPULAR AFTERNOON TELEVISION PROGRAM A FEW YEARS AGO WAS HOSTED BY A SELF-PROCLAIMED MEDIUM. HE SUPPOSEDLY RECEIVED MESSAGES FROM SPIRITS OF THE DEAD TO GIVE TO THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS IN HIS STUDIO AUDIENCE. HIS READINGS PROMPTED MANY PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN THIS OCCULTIC PRACTICE.
WE LIVE IN A CULTURE WHERE PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE TO KNOW THEIR FUTURE, AND THEY'LL TURN TO PSYCHICS AND MEDIUMS FOR ANSWERS-A PRACTICE EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN IN THE SCRIPTURES.
THE ANCIENT ISRAELITES WERE DESPERATE TO KNOW THEIR FUTURE, AND GOD KNEW THAT THEY WOULD BE TEMPTED TO CONSULT UNGODLY SOURCES FOR ANSWERS. SO HE WARNED THEM TO STAY AWAY FROM MEDIUMS AND THOSE WHO CONTACT THE DEAD. (DEUT. 18:9-14)
GOD KNEW THAT THESE PRACTICES WOULD PREVENT ANCIENT ISRAEL FROM BEING A HOLY, SET APART PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE A BLESSING TO ALL NATIONS. THE FUTURE FOR ISRAEL WAS DETERMINED BY THEIR FAITHFULNESS TO GOD'S COVENANT, NOT THE WORDS OF SOOTHSAYERS AND PSYCHICS.
RELIANCE ON THESE EVIL PRACTICES INDICATED A FAILURE TO TRUST THE LORD WITH THEIR LIVES. WHEN YOU ARE DESPERATE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR FUTURE, TURN TO THE SOVEREIGN GOD OF HEAVEN. HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO HOLDS THE ANSWERS YOU SEEK.
SHALL NOT HE WHO LED ME SAFELY
THROUGH THE FOOTSTEPS OF THIS DAY
LEAD WITH EQUAL UNDERSTANDING
ALL ALONG MY FUTURE WAY?
THE WHAT OF OUR FUTURE IS DETERMINED BY THE WHO OF ETERNITY. SO LET'S DEPEND ON GOD ONLY FOR OUR ANSWERS. GOD BLESS YOU AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY***************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRIES -BIMS
A POPULAR AFTERNOON TELEVISION PROGRAM A FEW YEARS AGO WAS HOSTED BY A SELF-PROCLAIMED MEDIUM. HE SUPPOSEDLY RECEIVED MESSAGES FROM SPIRITS OF THE DEAD TO GIVE TO THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS IN HIS STUDIO AUDIENCE. HIS READINGS PROMPTED MANY PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN THIS OCCULTIC PRACTICE.
WE LIVE IN A CULTURE WHERE PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE TO KNOW THEIR FUTURE, AND THEY'LL TURN TO PSYCHICS AND MEDIUMS FOR ANSWERS-A PRACTICE EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN IN THE SCRIPTURES.
THE ANCIENT ISRAELITES WERE DESPERATE TO KNOW THEIR FUTURE, AND GOD KNEW THAT THEY WOULD BE TEMPTED TO CONSULT UNGODLY SOURCES FOR ANSWERS. SO HE WARNED THEM TO STAY AWAY FROM MEDIUMS AND THOSE WHO CONTACT THE DEAD. (DEUT. 18:9-14)
GOD KNEW THAT THESE PRACTICES WOULD PREVENT ANCIENT ISRAEL FROM BEING A HOLY, SET APART PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE A BLESSING TO ALL NATIONS. THE FUTURE FOR ISRAEL WAS DETERMINED BY THEIR FAITHFULNESS TO GOD'S COVENANT, NOT THE WORDS OF SOOTHSAYERS AND PSYCHICS.
RELIANCE ON THESE EVIL PRACTICES INDICATED A FAILURE TO TRUST THE LORD WITH THEIR LIVES. WHEN YOU ARE DESPERATE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR FUTURE, TURN TO THE SOVEREIGN GOD OF HEAVEN. HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO HOLDS THE ANSWERS YOU SEEK.
SHALL NOT HE WHO LED ME SAFELY
THROUGH THE FOOTSTEPS OF THIS DAY
LEAD WITH EQUAL UNDERSTANDING
ALL ALONG MY FUTURE WAY?
THE WHAT OF OUR FUTURE IS DETERMINED BY THE WHO OF ETERNITY. SO LET'S DEPEND ON GOD ONLY FOR OUR ANSWERS. GOD BLESS YOU AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY***************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRIES -BIMS
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
MARGIES BIMS
TODAY'S BIBLE READING-JOHN 3:1-8*********
THERE WAS A MAN OF THE PHARISEES NAMED NICODEMUS, A RULER OF THE JEWS. THIS MAN CAME TO JESUS BY NIGHT AND SAID TO HIM, "RABBI, WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE A TEACHER COME FROM GOD; FOR NO ONE CAN DO THESE SIGNS THAT YOU DO UNLESS GOD IS WITH HIM."
JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID TO HIM, "MOST ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, UNLESS ONE IS BORN AGAIN, HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD."
NICODEMUS SAID TO HIM, "HOW CAN A MAN BE BORN WHEN HE IS OLD? CAN HE ENTER A SECOND TIME INTO HIS MOTHER'S WOMB AND BE BORN?"
JESUS ANSWERED, MOST ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, UNLESS ONE IS BORN OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD. THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE FLESH IS FLESH, AND THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT.
DO NOT MARVEL THAT I SAID TO YOU, 'YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.' THE WIND BLOWS WHERE IT WISHES, AND YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF IT, BUT CANNOT TELL WHERE IT COMES FROM AND WHERE IT GOES. SO IS EVERYONE WHO IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT."
TODAY'S BIBLE READING IS ONE OF SEVERAL PERSONAL ENCOUNTERS THAT INDIVIDUALS HAD WITH JESUS IN JOHN'S GOSPEL RECORD. NICODEMUS WAS ONE OF THE PRIMARY TEACHERS OF ISRAEL AND CAME TO JESUS BY NIGHT, MANY BELIEVE, OUT OF FEAR OF BEING SEEN WITH THE MASTER. IN THE END, HOWEVEER, NICODEMUS PUBLICLY IDENTIFIED WITH CHRIST BY PARTICIPATING IN HIS BURIAL.
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN IS VERY INTERESTING. I HOPE YOU READ IT. I WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY**************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRES -BIMS
THERE WAS A MAN OF THE PHARISEES NAMED NICODEMUS, A RULER OF THE JEWS. THIS MAN CAME TO JESUS BY NIGHT AND SAID TO HIM, "RABBI, WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE A TEACHER COME FROM GOD; FOR NO ONE CAN DO THESE SIGNS THAT YOU DO UNLESS GOD IS WITH HIM."
JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID TO HIM, "MOST ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, UNLESS ONE IS BORN AGAIN, HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD."
NICODEMUS SAID TO HIM, "HOW CAN A MAN BE BORN WHEN HE IS OLD? CAN HE ENTER A SECOND TIME INTO HIS MOTHER'S WOMB AND BE BORN?"
JESUS ANSWERED, MOST ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, UNLESS ONE IS BORN OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD. THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE FLESH IS FLESH, AND THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT.
DO NOT MARVEL THAT I SAID TO YOU, 'YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.' THE WIND BLOWS WHERE IT WISHES, AND YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF IT, BUT CANNOT TELL WHERE IT COMES FROM AND WHERE IT GOES. SO IS EVERYONE WHO IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT."
TODAY'S BIBLE READING IS ONE OF SEVERAL PERSONAL ENCOUNTERS THAT INDIVIDUALS HAD WITH JESUS IN JOHN'S GOSPEL RECORD. NICODEMUS WAS ONE OF THE PRIMARY TEACHERS OF ISRAEL AND CAME TO JESUS BY NIGHT, MANY BELIEVE, OUT OF FEAR OF BEING SEEN WITH THE MASTER. IN THE END, HOWEVEER, NICODEMUS PUBLICLY IDENTIFIED WITH CHRIST BY PARTICIPATING IN HIS BURIAL.
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN IS VERY INTERESTING. I HOPE YOU READ IT. I WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY**************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRES -BIMS
Friday, August 01, 2008
MARGIES BIMS
THE UNPAYABLE DEBT WE OWE.
GALATIANS 5:1-14****************************
OUR GRATITUDE IS DEEPENED WHEN WE REMEMBER THE PRICE OTHERS PAID TO HELP OBTAIN FREEDOM. IN THE UNITED STATES, ONE SUCH PERSON WAS RICHARD STOCKTON.
STOCKTON WAS ONE OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. HE WAS A PROMINENT LAWYER AND A WEALTHY LANDOWNER. BECAUSE HE SUPPORTED THE WAR EFFORTS, HE AND HIS FAMILY WERE DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOME.
THAT HOME WAS SACKED AND BURNED. STOCKTON WAS IMPRISIONED FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND SUBJECTED TO HARSH TREATMENT THAT BROKE HIS HEALTH. HE DIED A PAUPER AT THE AGE OF 51. YET FEW AMERICANS REMEMBER THIS HERO WHO PAID SUCH A HIGH PRICE FOR THE CAUSE OF LIBERTY. HIS SACRIFICE LARGELY FORGOTTEN.
EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, HAVE WE BECOME SO FAMILIAR WTH THE GOSPEL THAT WE FAIL TO APPRECIATE WHAT OUR SALVATION COST THE SAVIOR? WE REJOICE IN THE SPIRITUAL FREEDOM WE ENJOY BY FAITH IN THE SIN-CANCELING DEATH OF JESUS, BUT DO WE REALIZE AT LEAST TO SOME SMALL DEGREE THE PRICE HE PAID.?
ARE WE TRULY GRATEFUL TO JESUS FOR ALL HE SACRIFICED TO SET US FREE SPIRITUALLY? IF SO, WE ARE TO "STAND FAST...IN THE LIBERTY BY WHICH CHRIST HAS MADE US FREE. NO MATTER WHAT ELSE MAY BE DEMANDING OUR ATTENTION. LE'TS TAKE TIME TO REMEMBER THE UNPAYABLE DEBT WE OWE HIM.
BUT DROPS OF GRIEF CAN NE'ER REPAY
THE DEBT OF LOVE I OWE;
HERE, LORD, I GIVE MYSELF AWAY-
TIS ALL THAT I CAN DO.
SALVATION IS INDINETELY COSTLY BUT ABSOLUTELY FREE. SO LET' BECOME MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE GOSPEL AND OUR SALVATION. I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY**************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRIES-BIMS
GALATIANS 5:1-14****************************
OUR GRATITUDE IS DEEPENED WHEN WE REMEMBER THE PRICE OTHERS PAID TO HELP OBTAIN FREEDOM. IN THE UNITED STATES, ONE SUCH PERSON WAS RICHARD STOCKTON.
STOCKTON WAS ONE OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. HE WAS A PROMINENT LAWYER AND A WEALTHY LANDOWNER. BECAUSE HE SUPPORTED THE WAR EFFORTS, HE AND HIS FAMILY WERE DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOME.
THAT HOME WAS SACKED AND BURNED. STOCKTON WAS IMPRISIONED FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND SUBJECTED TO HARSH TREATMENT THAT BROKE HIS HEALTH. HE DIED A PAUPER AT THE AGE OF 51. YET FEW AMERICANS REMEMBER THIS HERO WHO PAID SUCH A HIGH PRICE FOR THE CAUSE OF LIBERTY. HIS SACRIFICE LARGELY FORGOTTEN.
EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, HAVE WE BECOME SO FAMILIAR WTH THE GOSPEL THAT WE FAIL TO APPRECIATE WHAT OUR SALVATION COST THE SAVIOR? WE REJOICE IN THE SPIRITUAL FREEDOM WE ENJOY BY FAITH IN THE SIN-CANCELING DEATH OF JESUS, BUT DO WE REALIZE AT LEAST TO SOME SMALL DEGREE THE PRICE HE PAID.?
ARE WE TRULY GRATEFUL TO JESUS FOR ALL HE SACRIFICED TO SET US FREE SPIRITUALLY? IF SO, WE ARE TO "STAND FAST...IN THE LIBERTY BY WHICH CHRIST HAS MADE US FREE. NO MATTER WHAT ELSE MAY BE DEMANDING OUR ATTENTION. LE'TS TAKE TIME TO REMEMBER THE UNPAYABLE DEBT WE OWE HIM.
BUT DROPS OF GRIEF CAN NE'ER REPAY
THE DEBT OF LOVE I OWE;
HERE, LORD, I GIVE MYSELF AWAY-
TIS ALL THAT I CAN DO.
SALVATION IS INDINETELY COSTLY BUT ABSOLUTELY FREE. SO LET' BECOME MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE GOSPEL AND OUR SALVATION. I HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
HAVE A HAPPY, BLESSED DAY**************
BIBLICAL INFORMATION MINISTRIES-BIMS
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