"Come into the Light"
Daniel 7:1-28
I John 1:1-10
Psalm 119156-176
Proverbs 28:23-24
"This is the message God has given us to pass on to you: that God is Light and in him is no darkness at all. So if we say we are his friends, but go on living in spiritual darkness and sin, we are lying. but if we are living the light of God's presence, just as Christ does, then we have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from every sin."
Christian growth is a process. There isn't a moment that we can stop and say, "there, I've arrived.... I don't need to grow any more." Unfortunately, we have forces working against us that would like to stunt our growth. There are things that creep into our life that essentially stop the maturing process.
What makes these "growth stoppers" so dangerous is that they come from within. Growing in Christ is dying to the flesh, and believe it or not, or flesh does not want to die! So, it rages against us.
Think of your relationship with the Lord as a path. The path leads toward greater intimacy with Christ. Where are you on the path right now? The goal is that we walk joyfully onward. Do you feel in your spirit that your running toward him, walking grudgingly onward, or have you stopped along the way? The challenge arises in that the flesh is not really looking forward to this journey. It sees that this progression with Christ becomes increasingly brighter. Flesh knows that as we come into the light, flaws may be revealed. We may become aware of sin, and that will have to be dealt with.
Flesh says, "You're doing a great job compared to them! Look how far you've come. You're much farther down the path than some others. Why don't you stop here. Rest. Sure, there are things that the Light will reveal, but that may get uncomfortable. You deserve your comfort."
So we may say, "you know what, I am tired. I have been working too hard. I know God is drawing me to deal with this, but I'm not going to go there right now." We stop.
So what changes? The surprising thing is that no one really notices we've stopped. In fact we don't notice much change at all. We can still see the light. No big deal, right? In fact, this comfort is kind of a great feeling. What we don't see is that the darkness has crept in. It's very subtle, but none the less, standing out of the "Light of God's presence" is standing in the darkness.
If it seems really hard to get back "on track", it can be because we've become comfortable in the darkness. But the scripture is clear. "if we say we are his friends, but go on living in spiritual darkness and sin, we are lying."
There is such promise in walking in the Light. "But if we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Christ does, then we have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from every sin." That's where I want to be. I want my relationship with the Lord to be exciting, open to his leading, and vulnerable to his Spirit. That will change everything, even my relationship to those around me.
This is what puts the "Dynamic" in the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship. Walk in the Light today!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Saturday, November 29, 2008
11.29.8 "The Godly Life"
"The Godly Life"
Daniel 6:1-28
2 Peter 3:1-18
Psalm 119:132-155
Proverbs 28:21-22
Reading through the Bible is such a powerful process of getting to know who God is. The pages of scriptures each reveal a different element of his character; a different angle of what he desires; a picture of his heart. I'm finding as I read through some of the bible stories that I can remember hearing from being a little boy, there are such tremendous nuggets of truth that are new for today.
Today's reading is the story of Daniel in the lions' den. I'm sure we could all tell the story. In reading the Word, we could also very easily skip over it as if it were a "re-run" on TV Land. "Oh, I've seen this one... there's nothing new here..."
Take a look at the Godly life of Daniel. Daniel is working for his 3rd king, King Darius. I find it interesting that Daniel remains in a position of honor for 3 administrations. I don't know about the politics of Babylon, but to me that says something about his character. King Darius made him one of 3 presidents who were in charge of 120 governors.
"Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other presidents and governors, for he had great ability, and the king began to think of placing him over the entire empire as his administrative officer." Dan. 6:3
This should be our goal. No, not to rule over the empire, but that we do our job to the absolute best of our ability. Not that we are "better" than other people, but we should be working hard to live up to our full potential and to be people of integrity and honor. This brings such incredible honor to God. This path isn't easy however.
"This made the other presidents and governors very jealous, and they began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling his affairs so that they could complain to the king about him. But they couldn't find anything to criticize! He was faithful and honest, and made no mistakes." Dan. 6:4
What an incredible testimony. What if everyone at your workplace decided they were going to watch your life looking for a chance to complain about you? What kind of ammunition does your life give them? Are they able to complain about the way you talk about your superiors, the way you take too long of a lunch break, or how you waste time?
A Godly life brings glory to God. Wouldn't it be great if those around us would have to say, "Our only chance is his religion!" (Dan. 6:5) Oh that my greatest fault was my love for God.
We know the story, the other leaders plot against Daniel, make a law about praying, he prays, and he's in the lions den. Listen to what King Darius says of Daniel's "Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship" when he is thrown into the den: "The king said to him, 'May your God, whom you worship continually, deliver you.'" (Dan. 6:16) The next day King Darius rushes to the den and says, "O Daniel, servant of the Living God, was your God, whom you worship continually, able to deliver you from the lions?" (Dan. 6:20) That should be our trademark. We should be known as people who "Worship Continually". It's not enough for them to say, "hey, don't you go to that church?"
We need to live lives of complete devotion and worship of God. This points others to God in an incredible way. King Darius' decree to his entire empire at the end of the chapter is: "Greetings! I decree that everyone shall tremble and fear before the God of Daniel in every part of my kingdom. For his God is the living, unchanging God whose kingdom shall never be destroyed and whose power shall never end. He delivers his people, preserving them from harm; he does great miracles in heaven and earth; it is he who delivered Daniel from the power of the lions."
In 2 Peter 3, Peter is talking about the coming of the Lord. He says in verse 11, "And so since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives we should be living!" Verse 14 &15 say, "Dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen and for him to come, try hard to live without sinning, and be at peace with everyone so that he will be pleased with you when he returns. And remember why he is waiting. He is giving us time to get his message of salvation out to others."
It is so important that our lives point to God. The integrity of our lifestyle preaches far more than words. We don't work hard to make it "look like" we love God, we Love God! The fruit of that is our integrity and hard work. This is the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Daniel 6:1-28
2 Peter 3:1-18
Psalm 119:132-155
Proverbs 28:21-22
Reading through the Bible is such a powerful process of getting to know who God is. The pages of scriptures each reveal a different element of his character; a different angle of what he desires; a picture of his heart. I'm finding as I read through some of the bible stories that I can remember hearing from being a little boy, there are such tremendous nuggets of truth that are new for today.
Today's reading is the story of Daniel in the lions' den. I'm sure we could all tell the story. In reading the Word, we could also very easily skip over it as if it were a "re-run" on TV Land. "Oh, I've seen this one... there's nothing new here..."
Take a look at the Godly life of Daniel. Daniel is working for his 3rd king, King Darius. I find it interesting that Daniel remains in a position of honor for 3 administrations. I don't know about the politics of Babylon, but to me that says something about his character. King Darius made him one of 3 presidents who were in charge of 120 governors.
"Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other presidents and governors, for he had great ability, and the king began to think of placing him over the entire empire as his administrative officer." Dan. 6:3
This should be our goal. No, not to rule over the empire, but that we do our job to the absolute best of our ability. Not that we are "better" than other people, but we should be working hard to live up to our full potential and to be people of integrity and honor. This brings such incredible honor to God. This path isn't easy however.
"This made the other presidents and governors very jealous, and they began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling his affairs so that they could complain to the king about him. But they couldn't find anything to criticize! He was faithful and honest, and made no mistakes." Dan. 6:4
What an incredible testimony. What if everyone at your workplace decided they were going to watch your life looking for a chance to complain about you? What kind of ammunition does your life give them? Are they able to complain about the way you talk about your superiors, the way you take too long of a lunch break, or how you waste time?
A Godly life brings glory to God. Wouldn't it be great if those around us would have to say, "Our only chance is his religion!" (Dan. 6:5) Oh that my greatest fault was my love for God.
We know the story, the other leaders plot against Daniel, make a law about praying, he prays, and he's in the lions den. Listen to what King Darius says of Daniel's "Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship" when he is thrown into the den: "The king said to him, 'May your God, whom you worship continually, deliver you.'" (Dan. 6:16) The next day King Darius rushes to the den and says, "O Daniel, servant of the Living God, was your God, whom you worship continually, able to deliver you from the lions?" (Dan. 6:20) That should be our trademark. We should be known as people who "Worship Continually". It's not enough for them to say, "hey, don't you go to that church?"
We need to live lives of complete devotion and worship of God. This points others to God in an incredible way. King Darius' decree to his entire empire at the end of the chapter is: "Greetings! I decree that everyone shall tremble and fear before the God of Daniel in every part of my kingdom. For his God is the living, unchanging God whose kingdom shall never be destroyed and whose power shall never end. He delivers his people, preserving them from harm; he does great miracles in heaven and earth; it is he who delivered Daniel from the power of the lions."
In 2 Peter 3, Peter is talking about the coming of the Lord. He says in verse 11, "And so since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives we should be living!" Verse 14 &15 say, "Dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen and for him to come, try hard to live without sinning, and be at peace with everyone so that he will be pleased with you when he returns. And remember why he is waiting. He is giving us time to get his message of salvation out to others."
It is so important that our lives point to God. The integrity of our lifestyle preaches far more than words. We don't work hard to make it "look like" we love God, we Love God! The fruit of that is our integrity and hard work. This is the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Thursday, November 27, 2008
11.28.8 "Prison Break"
"Prison Break"
Daniel 5:1-31
2 Peter 2:1-22
Psalm 119:113-131
Proverbs 28:19-20
How do you feel about being a Christian? Do you feel free or confined? I'm not talking about the Sunday School answer. That answer says, "I'm free!" We sing about it. It may surprise some and not others that there are Christians who find the Christian walk "confining". It's a walk of "don't do this, don't do this, don't do this..." I can see how that doesn't feel very "free". I picture a fence keeping on from falling down a dangerous cliff. I see some leaning against the fence saying, "Boy, this is confining!" But we need to look at this in a different light.
This chapter of 2 Peter is dealing with false teachers. Verses 1-2 say "...there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly tell their lies about God, turning against even their Master who bought them; but theirs will be a swift and terrible end. Many will follow their evil teaching that there is nothing wrong with sexual sin. And because of them Christ and his way will be scoffed at."
I'm thankful that I've never heard any teaching like this, and you probably aren't under the leadership of anyone who would teach like this. But even though there may not be blatant teaching about this type of thing, we are continually exposed to similar philosophy, and these beliefs are on the rise.
Verse 19 says, "'You aren't saved by being good,' they say, 'so you might as well be bad. Do what you like, be free.'"
The world around us touts "freedom". Casting off all restraints. "Do what feels good." "You deserve it."
But the truth is found in the last half of verse 19. "But these very teachers who offer this 'freedom' from the law are themselves slaves to sin and destruction. For a man is a slave to whatever controls him."
Yeah, we know this stuff, but sometimes we grow numb to it. There is a draw to sin and worldliness. Talking about the evil teachers verse 18 says, "They proudly boast about their sins and conquests, and, using lust as their bait, they lure back into sin those who have just escaped from such wicked living."
Many of you are at work reading this. Where you work it may be a monday morning ritual for everyone to talk about the "conquests" of their weekend. How much they drank, etc. Unfortunately, there are believers who get lured back into their old life of "freedom". The truth is that is not free. It's bondage.
It's like a prisoner being released. They're handed their new clothes, then the big gate opens and they walk out. There is a world of freedom out there, but after taking a few steps, they begin to look back and walk along the fence line. The thoughts are, "boy I had some good friends in there...", "Look how much fun they're having playing basketball..." Can you picture someone knocking on the front gate. "excuse me! hello? Can you let me back in?? I want to be free to do the stuff I did in there!"
Sounds ludicrous right? Well... Duh! that's what the reality of the sinful life is. I don't care how much you may have loved your lunch on metal trays, it's still prison.
A good friend did a practicum in a halfway house. He said, "Guys would enter the halfway house, wait until they were a day from being
released, then they'd run in the middle of the night and end up right back in jail. Or you'd hear about them not showing up at their new
job the day after they got out, then getting arrested a day later. They were so used to life in prison that they freaked out or
completely froze when confronted with the reality of freedom again. I encountered one guy who cried because he wanted to just stay in the
halfway house."
God has given us a great "jail break" in Christ. Why in the world would we want to go back. It takes a discipline of the mind to not be tempted in those areas. Peter gets a little more picturesque in his description in verse 22: "There is an old saying that 'A dog comes back to what he has vomited, and a pig is washed only to come back and wallow in the mud again.' That is the way it is with those who turn again to their sin."
The sad part is that those in prison don't really know they're there. Those who do know they're there don't know that there is a way out.
Much of my training in "witnessing" growing up was really blown up into a big deal. Not that witnessing isn't a big deal, but we had the questions, the steps, the prayer and all that. I did lead a few to the Lord that way, but that method was always so foreign to who I was. I'm not a "door-to-door Salvation Salesman" like some may be. I've found that method for me as served to separate me from those who need the message more than it has built a bridge.
Jesus led people into a relationship with God by building a relationship. I need to do the same. With my neighbors, I need to ask them what they believe. People love to talk about themselves. As I ask them about their lives, it will open doors for them to hear about Christ. Building relationships is showing the path to freedom. These prisoners need to be set free. This is our mission: To reach our world for Christ.
Don't get caught in the trap of looking back with longing at the "old life". Make sure you stay in Christ. That's where true freedom REALLY is.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Daniel 5:1-31
2 Peter 2:1-22
Psalm 119:113-131
Proverbs 28:19-20
How do you feel about being a Christian? Do you feel free or confined? I'm not talking about the Sunday School answer. That answer says, "I'm free!" We sing about it. It may surprise some and not others that there are Christians who find the Christian walk "confining". It's a walk of "don't do this, don't do this, don't do this..." I can see how that doesn't feel very "free". I picture a fence keeping on from falling down a dangerous cliff. I see some leaning against the fence saying, "Boy, this is confining!" But we need to look at this in a different light.
This chapter of 2 Peter is dealing with false teachers. Verses 1-2 say "...there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly tell their lies about God, turning against even their Master who bought them; but theirs will be a swift and terrible end. Many will follow their evil teaching that there is nothing wrong with sexual sin. And because of them Christ and his way will be scoffed at."
I'm thankful that I've never heard any teaching like this, and you probably aren't under the leadership of anyone who would teach like this. But even though there may not be blatant teaching about this type of thing, we are continually exposed to similar philosophy, and these beliefs are on the rise.
Verse 19 says, "'You aren't saved by being good,' they say, 'so you might as well be bad. Do what you like, be free.'"
The world around us touts "freedom". Casting off all restraints. "Do what feels good." "You deserve it."
But the truth is found in the last half of verse 19. "But these very teachers who offer this 'freedom' from the law are themselves slaves to sin and destruction. For a man is a slave to whatever controls him."
Yeah, we know this stuff, but sometimes we grow numb to it. There is a draw to sin and worldliness. Talking about the evil teachers verse 18 says, "They proudly boast about their sins and conquests, and, using lust as their bait, they lure back into sin those who have just escaped from such wicked living."
Many of you are at work reading this. Where you work it may be a monday morning ritual for everyone to talk about the "conquests" of their weekend. How much they drank, etc. Unfortunately, there are believers who get lured back into their old life of "freedom". The truth is that is not free. It's bondage.
It's like a prisoner being released. They're handed their new clothes, then the big gate opens and they walk out. There is a world of freedom out there, but after taking a few steps, they begin to look back and walk along the fence line. The thoughts are, "boy I had some good friends in there...", "Look how much fun they're having playing basketball..." Can you picture someone knocking on the front gate. "excuse me! hello? Can you let me back in?? I want to be free to do the stuff I did in there!"
Sounds ludicrous right? Well... Duh! that's what the reality of the sinful life is. I don't care how much you may have loved your lunch on metal trays, it's still prison.
A good friend did a practicum in a halfway house. He said, "Guys would enter the halfway house, wait until they were a day from being
released, then they'd run in the middle of the night and end up right back in jail. Or you'd hear about them not showing up at their new
job the day after they got out, then getting arrested a day later. They were so used to life in prison that they freaked out or
completely froze when confronted with the reality of freedom again. I encountered one guy who cried because he wanted to just stay in the
halfway house."
God has given us a great "jail break" in Christ. Why in the world would we want to go back. It takes a discipline of the mind to not be tempted in those areas. Peter gets a little more picturesque in his description in verse 22: "There is an old saying that 'A dog comes back to what he has vomited, and a pig is washed only to come back and wallow in the mud again.' That is the way it is with those who turn again to their sin."
The sad part is that those in prison don't really know they're there. Those who do know they're there don't know that there is a way out.
Much of my training in "witnessing" growing up was really blown up into a big deal. Not that witnessing isn't a big deal, but we had the questions, the steps, the prayer and all that. I did lead a few to the Lord that way, but that method was always so foreign to who I was. I'm not a "door-to-door Salvation Salesman" like some may be. I've found that method for me as served to separate me from those who need the message more than it has built a bridge.
Jesus led people into a relationship with God by building a relationship. I need to do the same. With my neighbors, I need to ask them what they believe. People love to talk about themselves. As I ask them about their lives, it will open doors for them to hear about Christ. Building relationships is showing the path to freedom. These prisoners need to be set free. This is our mission: To reach our world for Christ.
Don't get caught in the trap of looking back with longing at the "old life". Make sure you stay in Christ. That's where true freedom REALLY is.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
11.27.8 "All We Need"
"All We Need"
Daniel 4:1-37
2 Peter 1:1-21
Psalm 119:96-112
Proverbs 28:17-18
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are having a great day celebrating the Great things God has done!
"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires." (2 Peter 1:3-4)
Imagine that! God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life! When we realize what he's given us, it compels us to respond. Peter gives us a strategy:
"In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone." (2 Peter 1:5-6)
"The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins." (2 Peter 1:8-9)
On this day of giving thanks, lets remember that we have been cleansed from our sins, and respond not only by giving thanks, but in growing in Christ and growing in love for one another.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Daniel 4:1-37
2 Peter 1:1-21
Psalm 119:96-112
Proverbs 28:17-18
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are having a great day celebrating the Great things God has done!
"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires." (2 Peter 1:3-4)
Imagine that! God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life! When we realize what he's given us, it compels us to respond. Peter gives us a strategy:
"In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone." (2 Peter 1:5-6)
"The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins." (2 Peter 1:8-9)
On this day of giving thanks, lets remember that we have been cleansed from our sins, and respond not only by giving thanks, but in growing in Christ and growing in love for one another.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
11.26.8 "But if he doesn't..."
"But if he doesn't..."
Daniel 2:24 - 3:30
I Peter 4:7-5:14
Psalm 119:81-95
Proverbs 28:15-16
The first few chapters in Daniel bring back the memories of childhood stories. They have all the makings of a great story. Daniel 1 has the story of the Hebrew diet and how it turned out better than that of the king. It's a great story, but as a kid I didn't like how adults would use that story to promote vegetables! The 2nd chapter talked of Nebuchadnezzar's dream and how Daniel was used of God to interpret the dream, and save the lives of the kings advisors.
Today's reading contains the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, (Rack, Shack & Benny for all you VeggieTales fans!) and how they refused to bow to another god. The king had made a statue of himself and all the people were ordered to worship it. "When the band strikes up, you are to fall flat on the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar's gold statue; anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a flaming furnace." Dan. 3:5
Obviously, this law was in direct conflict with the commandment of the Lord. These men could not bow. You know the story: The king became angry, had the furnace heated to 7 times normal. It was so hot the guards who threw them in died, and there was a fourth person in the flames, one who appeared as a "son of God". The king ordered them out and they didn't even smell like smoke!
There were a few things that really stood out. The first is not obvious, and I didn't really notice it until reading these past chapters: Daniel and Rack, Shack & Benny, all responded to authority with respect at all times, even when the authority was doing wrong. In Dan. 1:8, Daniel ASKED his superior about the diet. He didn't demand, start a revolt or petition, or anything like that. He responded with proper respect to God's appointed authority structure. The same was true in the interpretation of the dream.
Well now things get a bit more "heated". (irresistible pun) This is life or death. These men are ordered to bow or die. Their response is not, "you can't throw us into the fire! We have rights!" Their response is, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not worried about what will happen to us. If we are thrown into the flaming furnace, our God is able to deliver us; and he will deliver us out of your hand, Your Majesty. But if he doesn't, please understand, sir, that even then we will never under any circumstance serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have erected." Dan. 3:16-18
They are willing to pay whatever price they must for their love for God, all the while still reverencing the authority of the king.
The other thing that really stands out as a challenge to me is to live life "not worried about what will happen to us." Living life with the confidence that "our God is able to deliver us... But if he doesn't..." My natural tendencies are "I'll stand strong ... as long as God delivers me!" This is not how it should be. God is completely capable and able to deliver me from ANY situation. I need to live with that faith. I also need to live with the determination to stand strong "Even if he doesn't"!
There will be times he "doesn't", at least he doesn't as soon as we like or the way we like. God's work is again "not about you", so part of what he is doing may include some suffering. "Dear friends, don't be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you. Instead, be really glad - because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterwards you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory in that coming day when it will be displayed." I Peter 5:12-13
It's tough to be "really glad" about suffering, but it's something we should be working toward. It's faith building. Now, we need to make sure that we're suffering because of obedience and not disobedience. "Don't let me hear of your suffering for murdering or stealing or making trouble or being a busybody and prying into other people's affairs." I Peter 3:15
We shouldn't be out looking for trouble. We need to honor those in authority over us, even when they are wrong. We need to comply with instructions as far as scripture allows (enter the importance of knowing the Word!). We must also be willing to pay the price of obedience.
"So if you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you." I Peter 3:19
What can we learn from Rack, Shack & Benny? Honoring God is honoring his Authority structure (Relationships Devoted to Unity), and walking in obedience is the highest form of worship (Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship). What do you think the mood around was the day after they got out of the furnace? What kind of faith do you think they had the next day? This kind of obedience is what makes this lifestyle so dynamic!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Daniel 2:24 - 3:30
I Peter 4:7-5:14
Psalm 119:81-95
Proverbs 28:15-16
The first few chapters in Daniel bring back the memories of childhood stories. They have all the makings of a great story. Daniel 1 has the story of the Hebrew diet and how it turned out better than that of the king. It's a great story, but as a kid I didn't like how adults would use that story to promote vegetables! The 2nd chapter talked of Nebuchadnezzar's dream and how Daniel was used of God to interpret the dream, and save the lives of the kings advisors.
Today's reading contains the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, (Rack, Shack & Benny for all you VeggieTales fans!) and how they refused to bow to another god. The king had made a statue of himself and all the people were ordered to worship it. "When the band strikes up, you are to fall flat on the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar's gold statue; anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a flaming furnace." Dan. 3:5
Obviously, this law was in direct conflict with the commandment of the Lord. These men could not bow. You know the story: The king became angry, had the furnace heated to 7 times normal. It was so hot the guards who threw them in died, and there was a fourth person in the flames, one who appeared as a "son of God". The king ordered them out and they didn't even smell like smoke!
There were a few things that really stood out. The first is not obvious, and I didn't really notice it until reading these past chapters: Daniel and Rack, Shack & Benny, all responded to authority with respect at all times, even when the authority was doing wrong. In Dan. 1:8, Daniel ASKED his superior about the diet. He didn't demand, start a revolt or petition, or anything like that. He responded with proper respect to God's appointed authority structure. The same was true in the interpretation of the dream.
Well now things get a bit more "heated". (irresistible pun) This is life or death. These men are ordered to bow or die. Their response is not, "you can't throw us into the fire! We have rights!" Their response is, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not worried about what will happen to us. If we are thrown into the flaming furnace, our God is able to deliver us; and he will deliver us out of your hand, Your Majesty. But if he doesn't, please understand, sir, that even then we will never under any circumstance serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have erected." Dan. 3:16-18
They are willing to pay whatever price they must for their love for God, all the while still reverencing the authority of the king.
The other thing that really stands out as a challenge to me is to live life "not worried about what will happen to us." Living life with the confidence that "our God is able to deliver us... But if he doesn't..." My natural tendencies are "I'll stand strong ... as long as God delivers me!" This is not how it should be. God is completely capable and able to deliver me from ANY situation. I need to live with that faith. I also need to live with the determination to stand strong "Even if he doesn't"!
There will be times he "doesn't", at least he doesn't as soon as we like or the way we like. God's work is again "not about you", so part of what he is doing may include some suffering. "Dear friends, don't be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you. Instead, be really glad - because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterwards you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory in that coming day when it will be displayed." I Peter 5:12-13
It's tough to be "really glad" about suffering, but it's something we should be working toward. It's faith building. Now, we need to make sure that we're suffering because of obedience and not disobedience. "Don't let me hear of your suffering for murdering or stealing or making trouble or being a busybody and prying into other people's affairs." I Peter 3:15
We shouldn't be out looking for trouble. We need to honor those in authority over us, even when they are wrong. We need to comply with instructions as far as scripture allows (enter the importance of knowing the Word!). We must also be willing to pay the price of obedience.
"So if you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you." I Peter 3:19
What can we learn from Rack, Shack & Benny? Honoring God is honoring his Authority structure (Relationships Devoted to Unity), and walking in obedience is the highest form of worship (Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship). What do you think the mood around was the day after they got out of the furnace? What kind of faith do you think they had the next day? This kind of obedience is what makes this lifestyle so dynamic!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
11.25.8 "Run after it!"
"Run after it!"
Daniel 1:1-2:23
I Peter 3:10-4:6
Psalm 119:71-80
Proverbs 28:14
"Turn away from evil and do good. Try to live in peace even if you must run after it to catch and hold it!"
There are certain things in life that don't just "happen" to you. You don't just "happen" to get a pay check. You don't just "happen" to get in shape. There's work involved.
My wife's high school teacher used to always quote: "Nothing of value is ever obtained in an atmosphere of comfort." His point was that anything we value is going to come at a some level of cost.
What about peace?
Wouldn't it be great if living in peace with one another just "happened" to you? Don't you wish that we all knew each other well enough that there would be no trial or misunderstanding, or miscommunication?
It doesn't really work that way. To live in unity, we must "run after it to catch and hold it!" There are times we must lay down our rights and opinions for the sake of unity. It's hard, especially when we know our idea is "better", or we have a "better" way of doing things.
It's hard sometimes with family. When world's collide because of different value systems, it can be stressful and peace may seem hard to find, but run after it and catch it.
Relationships Devoted to Unity should be evident in the balanced Christian Life. It will sometimes take work... or I should say it will MOST times take work. But that's where peace is found.
Most often peace comes through dying to self. That of course, is not an easy thing to do. It doesn't just 'happen'. But, as it becomes a habit of dying to self, the Lordship of Christ wins out. Peace is within reach.
Peace can be found in the most horrible of external circumstances. Many times we feel that we'd be at peace "if they'd just..." or "if she didn't say..." That's not the solution to peace. It's found by running after it, not in running away.
Live at peace with one another. Run after it!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Daniel 1:1-2:23
I Peter 3:10-4:6
Psalm 119:71-80
Proverbs 28:14
"Turn away from evil and do good. Try to live in peace even if you must run after it to catch and hold it!"
There are certain things in life that don't just "happen" to you. You don't just "happen" to get a pay check. You don't just "happen" to get in shape. There's work involved.
My wife's high school teacher used to always quote: "Nothing of value is ever obtained in an atmosphere of comfort." His point was that anything we value is going to come at a some level of cost.
What about peace?
Wouldn't it be great if living in peace with one another just "happened" to you? Don't you wish that we all knew each other well enough that there would be no trial or misunderstanding, or miscommunication?
It doesn't really work that way. To live in unity, we must "run after it to catch and hold it!" There are times we must lay down our rights and opinions for the sake of unity. It's hard, especially when we know our idea is "better", or we have a "better" way of doing things.
It's hard sometimes with family. When world's collide because of different value systems, it can be stressful and peace may seem hard to find, but run after it and catch it.
Relationships Devoted to Unity should be evident in the balanced Christian Life. It will sometimes take work... or I should say it will MOST times take work. But that's where peace is found.
Most often peace comes through dying to self. That of course, is not an easy thing to do. It doesn't just 'happen'. But, as it becomes a habit of dying to self, the Lordship of Christ wins out. Peace is within reach.
Peace can be found in the most horrible of external circumstances. Many times we feel that we'd be at peace "if they'd just..." or "if she didn't say..." That's not the solution to peace. It's found by running after it, not in running away.
Live at peace with one another. Run after it!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Monday, November 24, 2008
11.24.8 "Thanks"
"Thanks"
Ezekiel 47:1-48:35
1 Peter 2:11-3:9
Psalm 119:53-70
Proverbs 28:12-13
As we head into this week celebrating Thanksgiving, let's make sure we don't only view the events that are to come in terms of "days off", or feasting, or even getting together with family. Let's really truly, from our hearts make this a week of giving thanks.
What is it about "Thank You"? Why do we say it? Because it's polite? It's more than that. The words "thank you" when spoken from the heart do an incredible work in us.
A "Thank You" puts us in a place of humility. When you give me something and I say "thank you", what I'm really saying is, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the one being "thanked" in a "higher place" or place of honor. It takes humility for one to truly be thankful.
The Friday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. Everyone's rushing to "get" stuff to "give". With that on the radar, it can be so easy to rush over the day of Thanksgiving. We should not forget in the busyness to remember to celebrate the Christmas season with a heart of Thanksgiving. Does that really mean? It means, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the One being thanked in a Higher place. A place of honor.
"He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly. He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross, so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on. For his wounds have healed ours!" I Peter 2:22-24
The words of the song "Once Again":
Jesus Christ, I look upon your sacrifice
You became nothing poured out to death
Many times I've wondered at Your gift of life
And I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again.
Once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
Thank you for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the Cross, my friend
Dear Lord Jesus, We pause to day in the midst of the lives that can be so busy & distracting, just to say, "Thank You!"
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 47:1-48:35
1 Peter 2:11-3:9
Psalm 119:53-70
Proverbs 28:12-13
As we head into this week celebrating Thanksgiving, let's make sure we don't only view the events that are to come in terms of "days off", or feasting, or even getting together with family. Let's really truly, from our hearts make this a week of giving thanks.
What is it about "Thank You"? Why do we say it? Because it's polite? It's more than that. The words "thank you" when spoken from the heart do an incredible work in us.
A "Thank You" puts us in a place of humility. When you give me something and I say "thank you", what I'm really saying is, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the one being "thanked" in a "higher place" or place of honor. It takes humility for one to truly be thankful.
The Friday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. Everyone's rushing to "get" stuff to "give". With that on the radar, it can be so easy to rush over the day of Thanksgiving. We should not forget in the busyness to remember to celebrate the Christmas season with a heart of Thanksgiving. Does that really mean? It means, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the One being thanked in a Higher place. A place of honor.
"He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly. He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross, so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on. For his wounds have healed ours!" I Peter 2:22-24
The words of the song "Once Again":
Jesus Christ, I look upon your sacrifice
You became nothing poured out to death
Many times I've wondered at Your gift of life
And I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again.
Once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
Thank you for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the Cross, my friend
Dear Lord Jesus, We pause to day in the midst of the lives that can be so busy & distracting, just to say, "Thank You!"
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
11.24.8 "Thanks"
"Thanks"
Ezekiel 47:1-48:35
1 Peter 2:11-3:9
Psalm 119:53-70
Proverbs 28:12-13
As we head into this week celebrating Thanksgiving, let's make sure we don't only view the events that are to come in terms of "days off", or feasting, or even getting together with family. Let's really truly, from our hearts make this a week of giving thanks.
What is it about "Thank You"? Why do we say it? Because it's polite? It's more than that. The words "thank you" when spoken from the heart do an incredible work in us.
A "Thank You" puts us in a place of humility. When you give me something and I say "thank you", what I'm really saying is, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the one being "thanked" in a "higher place" or place of honor. It takes humility for one to truly be thankful.
The Friday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. Everyone's rushing to "get" stuff to "give". With that on the radar, it can be so easy to rush over the day of Thanksgiving. We should not forget in the busyness to remember to celebrate the Christmas season with a heart of Thanksgiving. Does that really mean? It means, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the One being thanked in a Higher place. A place of honor.
"He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly. He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross, so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on. For his wounds have healed ours!" I Peter 2:22-24
The words of the song "Once Again":
Jesus Christ, I look upon your sacrifice
You became nothing poured out to death
Many times I've wondered at Your gift of life
And I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again.
Once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
Thank you for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the Cross, my friend
Dear Lord Jesus, We pause to day in the midst of the lives that can be so busy & distracting, just to say, "Thank You!"
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 47:1-48:35
1 Peter 2:11-3:9
Psalm 119:53-70
Proverbs 28:12-13
As we head into this week celebrating Thanksgiving, let's make sure we don't only view the events that are to come in terms of "days off", or feasting, or even getting together with family. Let's really truly, from our hearts make this a week of giving thanks.
What is it about "Thank You"? Why do we say it? Because it's polite? It's more than that. The words "thank you" when spoken from the heart do an incredible work in us.
A "Thank You" puts us in a place of humility. When you give me something and I say "thank you", what I'm really saying is, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the one being "thanked" in a "higher place" or place of honor. It takes humility for one to truly be thankful.
The Friday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. Everyone's rushing to "get" stuff to "give". With that on the radar, it can be so easy to rush over the day of Thanksgiving. We should not forget in the busyness to remember to celebrate the Christmas season with a heart of Thanksgiving. Does that really mean? It means, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the One being thanked in a Higher place. A place of honor.
"He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly. He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross, so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on. For his wounds have healed ours!" I Peter 2:22-24
The words of the song "Once Again":
Jesus Christ, I look upon your sacrifice
You became nothing poured out to death
Many times I've wondered at Your gift of life
And I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again.
Once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
Thank you for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the Cross, my friend
Dear Lord Jesus, We pause to day in the midst of the lives that can be so busy & distracting, just to say, "Thank You!"
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Saturday, November 22, 2008
11.23.8 "Grow Up"
"Grow Up"
Ezekiel 45:13-46:24
I Peter 1:14-2:10
Psalm 119:36-52
Proverbs 28:11
"Long to grow up into the fullness of your salvation; cry for this as a baby cries for his milk." I Pet. 2:3
I have been a Christian for 35 years. I accepted Christ as a child after an elderly woman filled in for a children's church worker who didn't show up. She brought in a picture of people going up in the rapture. I wanted that to be me. I was 4 years old. I still remember that picture. After I went home from church that day, I talked to my dad about it, and he led me to Christ.
35 years is a long time isn't it? You know what though? It doesn't mean anything when it comes to Christian maturity. Physical maturity "happens" to you. As time goes by, we physically grow old. Spiritual maturity doesn't work that way. As time goes by we should "grow up", but we might not.
I'm just discovering the need to commit oneself to the maturing process. Faithful church attendance doesn't automatically lead to Christian maturity. Sometimes we presume too much in ourselves (and others) that if we've been saved for a while, maturity has happened. It SHOULD have happened, but it might not have.
I Peter hits on some of the elements of maturity. There are three elements we'll pull from these scriptures: Fearing God, Living Holy, and Loving Others.
Fearing God is not a real popular teaching or thought process for us. We are "friends of God", so we don't really want to get into the "fear" thing. The last part of verse 17 into 18 reads, "so act in reverent fear of him from now on until you get to heaven . God paid a ransom to save you from the impossible road to heaven which your fathers tried to take, and the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver, as you very well know. But he paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God."
Understanding the tremendous price that was paid should create in us a reverent fear of God. A respect. A gratefulness that goes beyond a "Hey, thanks, God!" Taking the time to meditate, remember and comprehend the precious blood of the Lamb should be a regular part of our Christian walk. This births humility and gratitude. This also helps us to constrain ourselves to Living Holy.
I Peter 1:14-16 says, "Obey God because you are his children; don't slip back into your old ways - doing evil because you knew no better. But be holy now in everything you do, just as the Lord is holy, who invited you to be his child. He himself has said, 'You must be holy, for I am holy.'"
Understanding the price that God paid to ransom us and the value he has placed on us should constrain us to do the right thing. When you first got your driver's license, how did you feel when you got to drive the "good" car? There's something about the "value" that caused you to drive more carefully. Understanding the value God has placed on me should cause me to live more carefully.
Most of the rest of the reading deals with a major part of growing up in Christ: Loving Others.
"Now you can have real love for everyone because your souls have been cleansed from selfishness and hatred when you trusted Christ to save you; so see to it that you really do love each other warmly with all your hearts. For you have a new life." I Peter 1:22-23a
Committing ourself to the maturing process should directly effect the way we treat others. Not just in our conduct, but in our heart. I Peter 2:1-2 says, "So get rid of your feelings of hatred. Don't just pretend to be good! Be done with dishonesty and jealousy and talking about others behind their backs. Now that you realize how kind the Lord has been to you, put away all evil, deception, envy, and fraud."
Growing up in Christ should really change my heart, and it should be reflected on the outside. You would think that after 35 years of this I would have taken care of that at least within the first 5 years! I should have been a fully mature 9 year old! It's not that way. I must crave to grow in Christ, and allow his spirit to work in me to make me into who he has created me to be.
We can tend to be hypocritical. Do you ever notice that many times our frustration with other people is because they haven't "matured" as we thought they should? The irony is that if we were as mature as we should be their lack of maturity wouldn't bother us so much. Ouch. That one hits me pretty hard. I really need to grow up.
I Peter 2:14 says, "Once you were less than nothing; now you are God's own. Once you knew very little of God's kindness; now your very lives have been changed by it."
Let's allow our very lives to be changed by God's loving kindness.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 45:13-46:24
I Peter 1:14-2:10
Psalm 119:36-52
Proverbs 28:11
"Long to grow up into the fullness of your salvation; cry for this as a baby cries for his milk." I Pet. 2:3
I have been a Christian for 35 years. I accepted Christ as a child after an elderly woman filled in for a children's church worker who didn't show up. She brought in a picture of people going up in the rapture. I wanted that to be me. I was 4 years old. I still remember that picture. After I went home from church that day, I talked to my dad about it, and he led me to Christ.
35 years is a long time isn't it? You know what though? It doesn't mean anything when it comes to Christian maturity. Physical maturity "happens" to you. As time goes by, we physically grow old. Spiritual maturity doesn't work that way. As time goes by we should "grow up", but we might not.
I'm just discovering the need to commit oneself to the maturing process. Faithful church attendance doesn't automatically lead to Christian maturity. Sometimes we presume too much in ourselves (and others) that if we've been saved for a while, maturity has happened. It SHOULD have happened, but it might not have.
I Peter hits on some of the elements of maturity. There are three elements we'll pull from these scriptures: Fearing God, Living Holy, and Loving Others.
Fearing God is not a real popular teaching or thought process for us. We are "friends of God", so we don't really want to get into the "fear" thing. The last part of verse 17 into 18 reads, "so act in reverent fear of him from now on until you get to heaven . God paid a ransom to save you from the impossible road to heaven which your fathers tried to take, and the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver, as you very well know. But he paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God."
Understanding the tremendous price that was paid should create in us a reverent fear of God. A respect. A gratefulness that goes beyond a "Hey, thanks, God!" Taking the time to meditate, remember and comprehend the precious blood of the Lamb should be a regular part of our Christian walk. This births humility and gratitude. This also helps us to constrain ourselves to Living Holy.
I Peter 1:14-16 says, "Obey God because you are his children; don't slip back into your old ways - doing evil because you knew no better. But be holy now in everything you do, just as the Lord is holy, who invited you to be his child. He himself has said, 'You must be holy, for I am holy.'"
Understanding the price that God paid to ransom us and the value he has placed on us should constrain us to do the right thing. When you first got your driver's license, how did you feel when you got to drive the "good" car? There's something about the "value" that caused you to drive more carefully. Understanding the value God has placed on me should cause me to live more carefully.
Most of the rest of the reading deals with a major part of growing up in Christ: Loving Others.
"Now you can have real love for everyone because your souls have been cleansed from selfishness and hatred when you trusted Christ to save you; so see to it that you really do love each other warmly with all your hearts. For you have a new life." I Peter 1:22-23a
Committing ourself to the maturing process should directly effect the way we treat others. Not just in our conduct, but in our heart. I Peter 2:1-2 says, "So get rid of your feelings of hatred. Don't just pretend to be good! Be done with dishonesty and jealousy and talking about others behind their backs. Now that you realize how kind the Lord has been to you, put away all evil, deception, envy, and fraud."
Growing up in Christ should really change my heart, and it should be reflected on the outside. You would think that after 35 years of this I would have taken care of that at least within the first 5 years! I should have been a fully mature 9 year old! It's not that way. I must crave to grow in Christ, and allow his spirit to work in me to make me into who he has created me to be.
We can tend to be hypocritical. Do you ever notice that many times our frustration with other people is because they haven't "matured" as we thought they should? The irony is that if we were as mature as we should be their lack of maturity wouldn't bother us so much. Ouch. That one hits me pretty hard. I really need to grow up.
I Peter 2:14 says, "Once you were less than nothing; now you are God's own. Once you knew very little of God's kindness; now your very lives have been changed by it."
Let's allow our very lives to be changed by God's loving kindness.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Friday, November 21, 2008
11.22.8 "I'm Lost!!"
"I'm Lost!!"
Ezekiel 44:1-45:12
I Peter 1:1-13
Psalm 119:17-35
Proverbs 28:8-10
When you were a kid do you remember watching ants? When they would find food, they would somehow communicate with one another and soon there would be a line of them bringing food back home. In the animated movie, "A Bug's Life" one of the first scenes of the movie was depicting this. The ants were walking one behind the other bringing food back to the nest. Tragedy strikes when a leaf lands in the middle of the line, blocking the way for those following. The ant next to the leaf yells in complete despair, "I'm lost!" Yes, it loses some (or all) of it's humor in the translation, but what makes it so funny is that it's just a leaf, and all he needs to do is walk around it. At least, that's our perspective.
Psalm 119:19 says, "I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map - and your commands are my chart and guide." The ant in the movie was lost as soon as the path was blocked. How many times do we or someone we we know of are completely lost when an obstacle comes up. What's the right thing to do? How should I respond? Where am I going?
The answer is found in knowing God's Word. verse 20 says, "I long for your instructions more than I can tell." We don't even realize how much we need to be empowered through the Word. If we don't have the word, we are starving ourselves. We are dangerously walking in uncharted paths.
The word gives us counsel "Your laws are both my light and my counselors." vs. 24. So many people want to "talk through" their trials when the "leaf" blocks their path instead of getting into the Word. Sometimes they don't even want to know what the Word says because it's not what they want to hear. We must allow the Word to guide us.
Verse 25 says, "I am completely discouraged - I lie in the dust. Revive me by your Word." When discouragement comes for some reason, the Word is the last place people look for strength, but it is the only source of lasting strength.
Grieving? verse 28 says, "I weep with grief; my heart is heavy with sorrow; encourage and cheer me with your words."
I "lovingly" refer to discipleship as the "ministry of damage control". Often Jesus taught others by redirecting those who've strayed off the path. Many times people have come with problems and trials that are a direct result of straying away from the path God has laid out. Think of the trouble that could be averted by staying in the path of the Word.
"Keep me far from every wrong. Help me, undeserving as I am, to obey your laws, for I have chosen to do right. I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can. Lord, don't let me make a mess of things. If you will only help me to want your will, then I will follow your laws even more closely. Just tell me what to do and i will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey. Make me walk along the right paths for I know how delightful they really are." Ps 119:29-35
Why do we forget that Biblical Training REALLY Empowers us? Why are we so surprised when we are weak from not being in the Word. We laugh (I may be laughing alone) at the ant who is in such despair over a leaf because we can see the big picture. We see that it's not really that big of deal. I'm sure at times God would want to laugh (or at least get frustrated) at his people who drop everything and cry in despair over a leaf that blows in the path. We forget HE has the perspective to know it's just a leaf. The path is marked in his word. He wants to equip and empower us. Get into the Word today!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 44:1-45:12
I Peter 1:1-13
Psalm 119:17-35
Proverbs 28:8-10
When you were a kid do you remember watching ants? When they would find food, they would somehow communicate with one another and soon there would be a line of them bringing food back home. In the animated movie, "A Bug's Life" one of the first scenes of the movie was depicting this. The ants were walking one behind the other bringing food back to the nest. Tragedy strikes when a leaf lands in the middle of the line, blocking the way for those following. The ant next to the leaf yells in complete despair, "I'm lost!" Yes, it loses some (or all) of it's humor in the translation, but what makes it so funny is that it's just a leaf, and all he needs to do is walk around it. At least, that's our perspective.
Psalm 119:19 says, "I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map - and your commands are my chart and guide." The ant in the movie was lost as soon as the path was blocked. How many times do we or someone we we know of are completely lost when an obstacle comes up. What's the right thing to do? How should I respond? Where am I going?
The answer is found in knowing God's Word. verse 20 says, "I long for your instructions more than I can tell." We don't even realize how much we need to be empowered through the Word. If we don't have the word, we are starving ourselves. We are dangerously walking in uncharted paths.
The word gives us counsel "Your laws are both my light and my counselors." vs. 24. So many people want to "talk through" their trials when the "leaf" blocks their path instead of getting into the Word. Sometimes they don't even want to know what the Word says because it's not what they want to hear. We must allow the Word to guide us.
Verse 25 says, "I am completely discouraged - I lie in the dust. Revive me by your Word." When discouragement comes for some reason, the Word is the last place people look for strength, but it is the only source of lasting strength.
Grieving? verse 28 says, "I weep with grief; my heart is heavy with sorrow; encourage and cheer me with your words."
I "lovingly" refer to discipleship as the "ministry of damage control". Often Jesus taught others by redirecting those who've strayed off the path. Many times people have come with problems and trials that are a direct result of straying away from the path God has laid out. Think of the trouble that could be averted by staying in the path of the Word.
"Keep me far from every wrong. Help me, undeserving as I am, to obey your laws, for I have chosen to do right. I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can. Lord, don't let me make a mess of things. If you will only help me to want your will, then I will follow your laws even more closely. Just tell me what to do and i will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey. Make me walk along the right paths for I know how delightful they really are." Ps 119:29-35
Why do we forget that Biblical Training REALLY Empowers us? Why are we so surprised when we are weak from not being in the Word. We laugh (I may be laughing alone) at the ant who is in such despair over a leaf because we can see the big picture. We see that it's not really that big of deal. I'm sure at times God would want to laugh (or at least get frustrated) at his people who drop everything and cry in despair over a leaf that blows in the path. We forget HE has the perspective to know it's just a leaf. The path is marked in his word. He wants to equip and empower us. Get into the Word today!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
11.21.8 "The Plan"
"The Plan"
Ezekiel 42:1-43:27
James 5:1-20
Psalms 119:1-16
Proverbs 28:6-7
For the past few days of reading, God has been bringing Ezekiel through the temple. There are around 100 verses over the course of 3+ chapters talking about hallway dimensions, ceiling heights, walkways, and doorways. Reading these types of details we are inclined to ask God, "What are you showing me about you through these scriptures?" His response to is, "I have a plan."
Do you know that God is omniscient? (that means he knows everything) Our Sunday School answers cause us to nod our head. But do we live like we know that? There REALLY is a Blueprint! He is aware of every detail of our lives! He created us with purpose, and for a plan!
"Son of dust, describe the Temple I have shown you to the people of Israel. Tell them its appearance and its plan so they will be ashamed of all their sins. And if they are truly ashamed of what they have done, then explain to them the details of its construction - its doors and entrances - and everything about it. Write out all the directions and the rules for them to keep. And this is the basic law of the Temple: holiness! The entire top of the hill where the Temple is built is holy. Yes, this is the primary law concerning it." Ez. 43:10-12
After spending all this time describing the dimensions of the temple, He tells Ezekiel to describe it to the people. It's very interesting what the result is to be. "Tell them its appearance and its plan so they will be ashamed of all their sins." Imagine having a blueprint described to you and it causing you to be ashamed of your sin! sounds weird doesn't it? What is the principle here? The principle is that when we see God's plan, we can see where we fall short of his holiness.
In the same way God had a blueprint for the Temple in Jerusalem, he has a blueprint for our lives. I Cor. 3:16 says, "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" There are measurements that are a necessary part of the make up of who we are. There is a plan for us to discover and become who God has created us to be.
This sounds somewhat elementary, but we too often lose sight of this. We especially forget this when trouble comes. When things happen outside of our comfort zone or we experience hurt and sickness, we forget that this may line up with the blue print of what God is trying to accomplish in us. He may be working patience in us, which only comes through suffering.
"For examples of patience in suffering, look at the Lord's prophets. We know how happy they are now because they stayed true to him then, even though they suffered greatly for it. Job is an example of a man who continued to trust the Lord in sorrow; from his experiences we can see how the Lord's plan finally ended in good, for he is full of tenderness and mercy." James 5:10-11
From suffering, "the Lord's plan finally ended in good." Too many times when I go through suffering, I cry and feel sorry for myself, and try to get others to feel sorry for me. During those times my posture should be "Lord, complete your PLAN for me through these difficult times." It shouldn't be "God has let me down, so I turn my back on him & figure things out on my own."
My mother-in-law has been living with us for the past 3 months, and for the past 9 days she's been in the hospital. Arnie Jacobson has written a book called "The Favor Factor". He said being in God's favor doesn't mean you wont end up in a hospital bed, it just means that your in a hospital bed for the purpose of reaching someone for him. In fact, that's how his mother came to Christ. As we've gone up the to hospital a few times each day, it could be easy to bemoan the difficulty the trip creates, or we could look at this as a great little "add-on" to God's blueprint.
We need to be consistent about looking into God's blueprint. As we look into His word, He instructs us, and we need to respond. I love Ps 119. "Happy are all who search for God, and always do his will, rejecting compromise with evil, and walking only in his paths. You have given us your laws to obey - oh, how I want to follow them consistently." vs 2-3.
By seeing God's plan we can become aligned to the blueprint. It corrects us. "After you have corrected me I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey! Oh, don't forsake me and let me slip back into sin again." Ps. 119:7-8
I've been involved in several building projects. We've built 2 homes, I've drawn up & built 2 finished basements (I talk big, but my father in law has done most of the labor!). I've also been a part of the building project at the church. There's one thing I've learned that's REALLY important. You can't just look at the plan once, and go to work. You need to keep checking and re-checking to make sure what you're doing is aligned with the plan. It's amazing how many times a subcontractor will do something that doesn't line up with the plan, and it has to be done over.
We can't just read the word during the service on a sunday morning and then go live the Balanced Christian Life. We need to make it a lifestyle. Each day we need to check the blueprint and live accordingly. Being Empowered through Biblical Training equips us to live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship - walking in obedience. It encourages us to commit to Relationships Devoted to Unity - submitting to the needs of one another. It reminds us to use our gifts and resources responsibly through Active Ministry Involvement, and it keeps before us our Mission to Reach our World for Christ.
We need to first acknowledge that God has a plan for us, then seek his plan through his word and time in prayer, and then repent for things in our life that don't align with the plan. We then thank Him and honor Him by living obedient lives!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 42:1-43:27
James 5:1-20
Psalms 119:1-16
Proverbs 28:6-7
For the past few days of reading, God has been bringing Ezekiel through the temple. There are around 100 verses over the course of 3+ chapters talking about hallway dimensions, ceiling heights, walkways, and doorways. Reading these types of details we are inclined to ask God, "What are you showing me about you through these scriptures?" His response to is, "I have a plan."
Do you know that God is omniscient? (that means he knows everything) Our Sunday School answers cause us to nod our head. But do we live like we know that? There REALLY is a Blueprint! He is aware of every detail of our lives! He created us with purpose, and for a plan!
"Son of dust, describe the Temple I have shown you to the people of Israel. Tell them its appearance and its plan so they will be ashamed of all their sins. And if they are truly ashamed of what they have done, then explain to them the details of its construction - its doors and entrances - and everything about it. Write out all the directions and the rules for them to keep. And this is the basic law of the Temple: holiness! The entire top of the hill where the Temple is built is holy. Yes, this is the primary law concerning it." Ez. 43:10-12
After spending all this time describing the dimensions of the temple, He tells Ezekiel to describe it to the people. It's very interesting what the result is to be. "Tell them its appearance and its plan so they will be ashamed of all their sins." Imagine having a blueprint described to you and it causing you to be ashamed of your sin! sounds weird doesn't it? What is the principle here? The principle is that when we see God's plan, we can see where we fall short of his holiness.
In the same way God had a blueprint for the Temple in Jerusalem, he has a blueprint for our lives. I Cor. 3:16 says, "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" There are measurements that are a necessary part of the make up of who we are. There is a plan for us to discover and become who God has created us to be.
This sounds somewhat elementary, but we too often lose sight of this. We especially forget this when trouble comes. When things happen outside of our comfort zone or we experience hurt and sickness, we forget that this may line up with the blue print of what God is trying to accomplish in us. He may be working patience in us, which only comes through suffering.
"For examples of patience in suffering, look at the Lord's prophets. We know how happy they are now because they stayed true to him then, even though they suffered greatly for it. Job is an example of a man who continued to trust the Lord in sorrow; from his experiences we can see how the Lord's plan finally ended in good, for he is full of tenderness and mercy." James 5:10-11
From suffering, "the Lord's plan finally ended in good." Too many times when I go through suffering, I cry and feel sorry for myself, and try to get others to feel sorry for me. During those times my posture should be "Lord, complete your PLAN for me through these difficult times." It shouldn't be "God has let me down, so I turn my back on him & figure things out on my own."
My mother-in-law has been living with us for the past 3 months, and for the past 9 days she's been in the hospital. Arnie Jacobson has written a book called "The Favor Factor". He said being in God's favor doesn't mean you wont end up in a hospital bed, it just means that your in a hospital bed for the purpose of reaching someone for him. In fact, that's how his mother came to Christ. As we've gone up the to hospital a few times each day, it could be easy to bemoan the difficulty the trip creates, or we could look at this as a great little "add-on" to God's blueprint.
We need to be consistent about looking into God's blueprint. As we look into His word, He instructs us, and we need to respond. I love Ps 119. "Happy are all who search for God, and always do his will, rejecting compromise with evil, and walking only in his paths. You have given us your laws to obey - oh, how I want to follow them consistently." vs 2-3.
By seeing God's plan we can become aligned to the blueprint. It corrects us. "After you have corrected me I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey! Oh, don't forsake me and let me slip back into sin again." Ps. 119:7-8
I've been involved in several building projects. We've built 2 homes, I've drawn up & built 2 finished basements (I talk big, but my father in law has done most of the labor!). I've also been a part of the building project at the church. There's one thing I've learned that's REALLY important. You can't just look at the plan once, and go to work. You need to keep checking and re-checking to make sure what you're doing is aligned with the plan. It's amazing how many times a subcontractor will do something that doesn't line up with the plan, and it has to be done over.
We can't just read the word during the service on a sunday morning and then go live the Balanced Christian Life. We need to make it a lifestyle. Each day we need to check the blueprint and live accordingly. Being Empowered through Biblical Training equips us to live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship - walking in obedience. It encourages us to commit to Relationships Devoted to Unity - submitting to the needs of one another. It reminds us to use our gifts and resources responsibly through Active Ministry Involvement, and it keeps before us our Mission to Reach our World for Christ.
We need to first acknowledge that God has a plan for us, then seek his plan through his word and time in prayer, and then repent for things in our life that don't align with the plan. We then thank Him and honor Him by living obedient lives!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Thursday, November 20, 2008
11.20.8 "The Peace of Proper Perspective"
"The Peace of Proper Perspective"
Ezekiel 40:28-41:26
James 4:1-17
Psalm 118:19-29
Proverbs 28:3-5
It's human nature to celebrate individuals who have vision. We love to hear the success stories of people who have forged their own way. Those who have been driven to create a new invention or discover new territory. Everyone is different. Some people are very driven and goal oriented. Others are frustrated because they feel like they have no goals.
It's important to have dreams. God places desires in our heart for a purpose. But it's extremely important to realize that those dreams are subject to God's direction at all times. Sometimes it's easy to get so goal focused and caught up in figuring things out on our own that we leave God out of the picture.
"Look here, you people who say, 'Today or tomorrow we are going to such and such a town, stay there a year, and open up a profitable business.' How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog - now you see it; soon it is gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we shall live and do this or that.' Otherwise you will be bragging about your own plans, and such self-confidence never pleases God." James 4:13-16
There's a part of us that wants to get everything figured out. We want to know the plan. We want to force it through at times. Sometimes we wrestle through difficult decisions, and in all of this we forget about the will and direction of the Lord.
There's a discipline of thought that needs to happen in the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship. In 2 Chronicles Jehoshaphat approaches a difficult situation with the phrase, "we don't know what to do, but our eyes are on you." The Lord would desire that to be our position in all circumstances. Complete dependence on Him. This does not mean that we are an indecisive people, but we are constantly subjecting our plans to his will. "If the Lord allows, we're doing this."
Why is it so important to take this posture? It's because is brings about humility. We truly subject ourselves to the Lord's leading. Too often what happens is I make a decision on my own, and you know what, things seem to work out. Then the next time I have more confidence in myself, then I make another decision... it doesn't take long before inquiring of the Lord is not even a part of the equation.
People don't necessarily "plan" on growing farther from the Lord, but it can easily happen because of this problem. Reliance on self. "...and such self-confidence never pleases God."
It's stressful trying to pave your own way. But think of the peace that comes with complete reliance on the Lord. There's a calm assurance in all things that He is in control. He will work things out. This perspective is the way we should live as we mature in Christ.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 40:28-41:26
James 4:1-17
Psalm 118:19-29
Proverbs 28:3-5
It's human nature to celebrate individuals who have vision. We love to hear the success stories of people who have forged their own way. Those who have been driven to create a new invention or discover new territory. Everyone is different. Some people are very driven and goal oriented. Others are frustrated because they feel like they have no goals.
It's important to have dreams. God places desires in our heart for a purpose. But it's extremely important to realize that those dreams are subject to God's direction at all times. Sometimes it's easy to get so goal focused and caught up in figuring things out on our own that we leave God out of the picture.
"Look here, you people who say, 'Today or tomorrow we are going to such and such a town, stay there a year, and open up a profitable business.' How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog - now you see it; soon it is gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we shall live and do this or that.' Otherwise you will be bragging about your own plans, and such self-confidence never pleases God." James 4:13-16
There's a part of us that wants to get everything figured out. We want to know the plan. We want to force it through at times. Sometimes we wrestle through difficult decisions, and in all of this we forget about the will and direction of the Lord.
There's a discipline of thought that needs to happen in the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship. In 2 Chronicles Jehoshaphat approaches a difficult situation with the phrase, "we don't know what to do, but our eyes are on you." The Lord would desire that to be our position in all circumstances. Complete dependence on Him. This does not mean that we are an indecisive people, but we are constantly subjecting our plans to his will. "If the Lord allows, we're doing this."
Why is it so important to take this posture? It's because is brings about humility. We truly subject ourselves to the Lord's leading. Too often what happens is I make a decision on my own, and you know what, things seem to work out. Then the next time I have more confidence in myself, then I make another decision... it doesn't take long before inquiring of the Lord is not even a part of the equation.
People don't necessarily "plan" on growing farther from the Lord, but it can easily happen because of this problem. Reliance on self. "...and such self-confidence never pleases God."
It's stressful trying to pave your own way. But think of the peace that comes with complete reliance on the Lord. There's a calm assurance in all things that He is in control. He will work things out. This perspective is the way we should live as we mature in Christ.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
11.19.8. "Taming the Beast"
"Taming the Beast"
Ezekiel 39:1-40:27
James 2:18-3:18
Psalm 118:1-18
Proverbs 28:2
Have your words ever got you in trouble?
"If anyone can control his tongue, it proves that he has perfect control over himself in every other way." James 3:2
Growing in Christ is such a matter of discipline. (I guess that's where disciple and discipleship come from!) I think there are times when we get frustrated with ourselves over the fact that God isn't changing us as fast as we'd like. We know and quote, "If any man be in Christ he is a new creature..." But still there are some issues that just haven't "disappeared" as fast as we'd like.
That's when we go buy the bumper sticker that says, "Please Be Patient, God isn't Finished with me yet." I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that statement, but where we get into trouble is in the fact that sometimes we're waiting for God to do some miraculous change in our lives without applying personal discipline. So, we give ourselves all kinds of grace over the fact that "oops, I slipped up again..."
The sad part is that there are times we don't offer that same grace to others. We're quick to point out their mistakes. "...and they call themselves a Christian..." James 3 warns Verse 1 warns about this: "Dear brothers, don't be too eager to tell others their faults, for we all make many mistakes; and when we teachers of religion, who should know better, do wrong, our punishment will be greater that it would be for others."
Often we like to deflect what the Lord is trying to do in our own lives onto others. If the Lord's telling me I shouldn't do a certain thing, it's in my nature to judge you, and let you know that you shouldn't be doing it either.
Our growth needs to be from the inside out. James 3:13 says, "If you are wise, live a life of steady goodness, so that only good deeds will pour forth." The way to tame our tongue is to discipline our heart. It's to allow God to cleanse us entirely of the ungodliness that lurks within.
"And by all means don't brag about being wise and good if you are bitter and jealous and selfish; that is the worst sort of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, inspired by the devil. For wherever there is jealousy or selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every other kind of evil." James 3:14-16
It's amazing how practical God's Word is. We focus so much on the outside, but the only way to see true transformation on the outside is to be transformed on the inside. It's in disciplining our thoughts and emotions, and allowing the peace-loving nature of Christ fill us.
Listen to God's plan for us:
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness." James 3:17-18
The only way our tongue can be tamed is as we grow steadily in the character-transforming discipline found in God's Word and allow his Spirit to fill our lives.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 39:1-40:27
James 2:18-3:18
Psalm 118:1-18
Proverbs 28:2
Have your words ever got you in trouble?
"If anyone can control his tongue, it proves that he has perfect control over himself in every other way." James 3:2
Growing in Christ is such a matter of discipline. (I guess that's where disciple and discipleship come from!) I think there are times when we get frustrated with ourselves over the fact that God isn't changing us as fast as we'd like. We know and quote, "If any man be in Christ he is a new creature..." But still there are some issues that just haven't "disappeared" as fast as we'd like.
That's when we go buy the bumper sticker that says, "Please Be Patient, God isn't Finished with me yet." I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that statement, but where we get into trouble is in the fact that sometimes we're waiting for God to do some miraculous change in our lives without applying personal discipline. So, we give ourselves all kinds of grace over the fact that "oops, I slipped up again..."
The sad part is that there are times we don't offer that same grace to others. We're quick to point out their mistakes. "...and they call themselves a Christian..." James 3 warns Verse 1 warns about this: "Dear brothers, don't be too eager to tell others their faults, for we all make many mistakes; and when we teachers of religion, who should know better, do wrong, our punishment will be greater that it would be for others."
Often we like to deflect what the Lord is trying to do in our own lives onto others. If the Lord's telling me I shouldn't do a certain thing, it's in my nature to judge you, and let you know that you shouldn't be doing it either.
Our growth needs to be from the inside out. James 3:13 says, "If you are wise, live a life of steady goodness, so that only good deeds will pour forth." The way to tame our tongue is to discipline our heart. It's to allow God to cleanse us entirely of the ungodliness that lurks within.
"And by all means don't brag about being wise and good if you are bitter and jealous and selfish; that is the worst sort of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, inspired by the devil. For wherever there is jealousy or selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every other kind of evil." James 3:14-16
It's amazing how practical God's Word is. We focus so much on the outside, but the only way to see true transformation on the outside is to be transformed on the inside. It's in disciplining our thoughts and emotions, and allowing the peace-loving nature of Christ fill us.
Listen to God's plan for us:
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness." James 3:17-18
The only way our tongue can be tamed is as we grow steadily in the character-transforming discipline found in God's Word and allow his Spirit to fill our lives.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Monday, November 17, 2008
11.18.8 "Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall"
"Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall"
Ezekiel 37:1-38:23
James 1:19-2:17
Psalm 117:1-2
Proverbs 28:1
Have you ever gone out of the house first thing in the morning without looking in the mirror at some point? There's probably a good number that can answer, "that's never happened to me." I can't imagine many, if any that it happens to often.
Isn't it interesting that you can kind of tell who the individuals are who have spent longer times in front of the mirror than others. How can you tell? They're well groomed.
Do you know what the Word of God is? It's a mirror. It shows us who we are by showing us who God is. It is the only way we can see ourself.
James 1:22-25: "And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. So don't fool yourselves. For if a person just listens and doesn't obey, he is like a man looking at his face in a mirror; as soon as he walks away, he can't see himself anymore or remember what he looks like. But if anyone keeps looking steadily into God's law for free men, he will not only remember it but he will do what it says, and God will greatly bless him in everything he does."
Reading or hearing the word of God and not doing anything to modify our lives is the same thing as looking at the mirror and seeing a dirty face and walking away without washing it. It's like seeing that you have "bed head" with your hair sticking out all crazy, and not doing anything to fix it. Silly isn't it?
Well, if that sounds so silly, why in the world do we walk out of the house without looking at the true spiritual mirror? Looking into the Word needs to be a part of our daily routine. How else can we wipe the dirt off our face? How do we make sure our hair is neat?
There are times we hate what we see in the mirror. (both real & figurative). Avoiding looking at it doesn't change the fact of what we look like. We still need to put the principles of the Word into our heart by "looking steadily into God's law". We must then apply what we see.
The world is more than willing to tell us what we look like and what we should do. Friends at work can have quite an influence on us if we are not looking into the Word. We don't realize that they give us a "fun house" mirror, and not the mirror of the truth of God's word. Their image is distorted, and actually keeps changing, so nothing is really accomplished by looking there. We can even get lead astray by Christians who are glad to tell us what they think we look like, but do not base their advice and perspective on scriptural principles. They base it on their opinion.
Think of how many times you look in the mirror in a 24 hour period. How often do you read and apply scripture in that same period of time?
James 1:21 says, "So get rid of all that is wrong in your life, both inside and outside, and humbly be glad for the wonderful message we have received, for it is able to save our souls as it takes hold of our hearts."
Isn't it interesting that you can kind of tell who the individuals are who have spent longer times in the mirror of the Word? How can you tell? They're well groomed!
The principle of Empowered through Biblical Training is Discipline. Be disciplined to look into the mirror. The principle of the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is Obedience. Do what the mirror says.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 37:1-38:23
James 1:19-2:17
Psalm 117:1-2
Proverbs 28:1
Have you ever gone out of the house first thing in the morning without looking in the mirror at some point? There's probably a good number that can answer, "that's never happened to me." I can't imagine many, if any that it happens to often.
Isn't it interesting that you can kind of tell who the individuals are who have spent longer times in front of the mirror than others. How can you tell? They're well groomed.
Do you know what the Word of God is? It's a mirror. It shows us who we are by showing us who God is. It is the only way we can see ourself.
James 1:22-25: "And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. So don't fool yourselves. For if a person just listens and doesn't obey, he is like a man looking at his face in a mirror; as soon as he walks away, he can't see himself anymore or remember what he looks like. But if anyone keeps looking steadily into God's law for free men, he will not only remember it but he will do what it says, and God will greatly bless him in everything he does."
Reading or hearing the word of God and not doing anything to modify our lives is the same thing as looking at the mirror and seeing a dirty face and walking away without washing it. It's like seeing that you have "bed head" with your hair sticking out all crazy, and not doing anything to fix it. Silly isn't it?
Well, if that sounds so silly, why in the world do we walk out of the house without looking at the true spiritual mirror? Looking into the Word needs to be a part of our daily routine. How else can we wipe the dirt off our face? How do we make sure our hair is neat?
There are times we hate what we see in the mirror. (both real & figurative). Avoiding looking at it doesn't change the fact of what we look like. We still need to put the principles of the Word into our heart by "looking steadily into God's law". We must then apply what we see.
The world is more than willing to tell us what we look like and what we should do. Friends at work can have quite an influence on us if we are not looking into the Word. We don't realize that they give us a "fun house" mirror, and not the mirror of the truth of God's word. Their image is distorted, and actually keeps changing, so nothing is really accomplished by looking there. We can even get lead astray by Christians who are glad to tell us what they think we look like, but do not base their advice and perspective on scriptural principles. They base it on their opinion.
Think of how many times you look in the mirror in a 24 hour period. How often do you read and apply scripture in that same period of time?
James 1:21 says, "So get rid of all that is wrong in your life, both inside and outside, and humbly be glad for the wonderful message we have received, for it is able to save our souls as it takes hold of our hearts."
Isn't it interesting that you can kind of tell who the individuals are who have spent longer times in the mirror of the Word? How can you tell? They're well groomed!
The principle of Empowered through Biblical Training is Discipline. Be disciplined to look into the mirror. The principle of the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is Obedience. Do what the mirror says.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
11.17.8 "The Preciousness of Frustration"
"The Preciousness of Frustration"
Ezekiel 35:10-36:38
James 1:1-18
Psalm 116:1-19
Proverbs 27:23-27
Do you want to become who God has created you to be? It's a process. Do you know those struggles you face, those giants? They are not an obstacle to the victorious Christian life, they mark the path and give you the opportunity to live the victorious Christian life.
I've attached a chart that many of you may have seen before, but it relates to a teaching on the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship. I'm really hoping the attachment works ok, but you never know.
James 1 has one of the most important scriptures we need to understand. "Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. so let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete."
You know what I want? I want my patience to be in full bloom. I want to be ready for anything. I want to be strong in character. I want to be full and complete.
You know what I don't want? Trials. But, guess what? I can't get what I want (and what God wants for me) without going through things I don't "want" to go through.
In the NIV verse 2 says, "Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds." That is so much easier said than done, but the more you do it, the more it becomes a habit and a part of the "lifestyle". It becomes part of who you are, and it transforms you.
Like the chart shows, when you face a trial, frustration, test, stress, hurt or whatever may set you off, you have options. You can avoid it (hope the giant goes away), blame someone else for it, talk to others about it, react in the flesh, or you can worship. Hmmm... I wonder which one is right....
Notice the path that each one of these take. With the exception of the response of worship, they all lead back to repeating the test. They also cause you to lose your motivation to worship.
But notice what happens when you worship. You hear God's voice. You receive direction. Now, if you disobey God's voice, you're back on the path of repeating the test. But, if you listen to his voice and obey, he WILL complete his work in you. You experience victory. Your faith increases. Yes, more "giants" will come, but you are more equipped to handle it in the right way. Responding to these situations from a lifestyle of worship and obedience.
James 1:5-8 says, "If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way, and then that. If you don't ask with faith, don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer."
How many believers do you know that are unsettled as a wave? how many that are tossed by the wind? Maybe you're looking at your life in that light. Wherever you're at, the pattern is clear. When difficulty comes, treat it as an opportunity to worship God. Treat it as an opportunity to hear his voice in a new situation.
He will then begin to renew your mind (Romans 12:2) and he will begin work on your character. It's not easy at times, but the more we get into this discipline, the more our faith grows and we are more able to do it the next time.
Psalm 116:10-11 says, "In my discouragement I thought, 'They are lying when they way I will recover.' But now what can I offer Jehovah for all he has done for me?" verse 17 says, "I will worship you and offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving."
It doesn't make a difference where you are at. Worship God! He is Lord of ALL! He will bring you out!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 35:10-36:38
James 1:1-18
Psalm 116:1-19
Proverbs 27:23-27
Do you want to become who God has created you to be? It's a process. Do you know those struggles you face, those giants? They are not an obstacle to the victorious Christian life, they mark the path and give you the opportunity to live the victorious Christian life.
I've attached a chart that many of you may have seen before, but it relates to a teaching on the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship. I'm really hoping the attachment works ok, but you never know.
James 1 has one of the most important scriptures we need to understand. "Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. so let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete."
You know what I want? I want my patience to be in full bloom. I want to be ready for anything. I want to be strong in character. I want to be full and complete.
You know what I don't want? Trials. But, guess what? I can't get what I want (and what God wants for me) without going through things I don't "want" to go through.
In the NIV verse 2 says, "Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds." That is so much easier said than done, but the more you do it, the more it becomes a habit and a part of the "lifestyle". It becomes part of who you are, and it transforms you.
Like the chart shows, when you face a trial, frustration, test, stress, hurt or whatever may set you off, you have options. You can avoid it (hope the giant goes away), blame someone else for it, talk to others about it, react in the flesh, or you can worship. Hmmm... I wonder which one is right....
Notice the path that each one of these take. With the exception of the response of worship, they all lead back to repeating the test. They also cause you to lose your motivation to worship.
But notice what happens when you worship. You hear God's voice. You receive direction. Now, if you disobey God's voice, you're back on the path of repeating the test. But, if you listen to his voice and obey, he WILL complete his work in you. You experience victory. Your faith increases. Yes, more "giants" will come, but you are more equipped to handle it in the right way. Responding to these situations from a lifestyle of worship and obedience.
James 1:5-8 says, "If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way, and then that. If you don't ask with faith, don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer."
How many believers do you know that are unsettled as a wave? how many that are tossed by the wind? Maybe you're looking at your life in that light. Wherever you're at, the pattern is clear. When difficulty comes, treat it as an opportunity to worship God. Treat it as an opportunity to hear his voice in a new situation.
He will then begin to renew your mind (Romans 12:2) and he will begin work on your character. It's not easy at times, but the more we get into this discipline, the more our faith grows and we are more able to do it the next time.
Psalm 116:10-11 says, "In my discouragement I thought, 'They are lying when they way I will recover.' But now what can I offer Jehovah for all he has done for me?" verse 17 says, "I will worship you and offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving."
It doesn't make a difference where you are at. Worship God! He is Lord of ALL! He will bring you out!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Sunday, November 16, 2008
11.16.8 "Someone's Thinking About You"
"Someone's Thinking About You"
Ezekiel 33:1-34:31
Hebrews 13:1-25
Psalm 115:1-18
Proverbs 27:21-22
I heard a great line once. "You wouldn't worry so much about what people think of you if realized how rarely they do!" Deep down, we're often motivated or directed by what people think of us. But, the truth is, everyone else is so worried about who's thinking about them, no one has time to think about anyone else. So there no sense in worrying about it.
But there is someone who is thing about you. Constantly.
"Jehovah is constantly thinking about us..." Ps. 115:12
As I read the Word I am in such awe of God's love for us. Today the separate passages from the one year bible share a theme.
"For the Lord God says: I will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places they were scattered in that dark and cloudy day.... I myself will be the Shepherd of my sheep, and cause them to lie down in peace, the Lord God says. I will seek my lost ones, those who strayed away, and bring them safely home again. I will put splints and bandages upon their broken limbs and heal the sick." Ez. 34:11-16
It's God's desire to draw us to him. He wants us to be close to him. Without Him, we are sheep without a shepherd, lost and in danger.
Ez. 34: 31 says, "you are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my men and I am your God, so says the Lord."
Hebrews 13:20-21 says, "And now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he who became the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting agreement between God and you, signed with his blood, produce in you through the power of Christ all that is pleasing to him. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen."
God has been thinking about us so much that he sent his son as the great Shepherd. This deal is sealed with an everlasting covenant signed in the precious blood of Christ.
All because someone is thinking about us...
You know, it's not a good idea to live life worried about what people are thinking all the time. It's a very "self"-conscious lifestyle. But, it is good to live life knowing who IS thinking about you constantly.
What does God think of right now when he thinks of you? Do you have some broken limbs that need splinting? Do you need healing? That's what he's there for! He longs to be our shepherd. Let's follow Him!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 33:1-34:31
Hebrews 13:1-25
Psalm 115:1-18
Proverbs 27:21-22
I heard a great line once. "You wouldn't worry so much about what people think of you if realized how rarely they do!" Deep down, we're often motivated or directed by what people think of us. But, the truth is, everyone else is so worried about who's thinking about them, no one has time to think about anyone else. So there no sense in worrying about it.
But there is someone who is thing about you. Constantly.
"Jehovah is constantly thinking about us..." Ps. 115:12
As I read the Word I am in such awe of God's love for us. Today the separate passages from the one year bible share a theme.
"For the Lord God says: I will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places they were scattered in that dark and cloudy day.... I myself will be the Shepherd of my sheep, and cause them to lie down in peace, the Lord God says. I will seek my lost ones, those who strayed away, and bring them safely home again. I will put splints and bandages upon their broken limbs and heal the sick." Ez. 34:11-16
It's God's desire to draw us to him. He wants us to be close to him. Without Him, we are sheep without a shepherd, lost and in danger.
Ez. 34: 31 says, "you are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my men and I am your God, so says the Lord."
Hebrews 13:20-21 says, "And now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he who became the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting agreement between God and you, signed with his blood, produce in you through the power of Christ all that is pleasing to him. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen."
God has been thinking about us so much that he sent his son as the great Shepherd. This deal is sealed with an everlasting covenant signed in the precious blood of Christ.
All because someone is thinking about us...
You know, it's not a good idea to live life worried about what people are thinking all the time. It's a very "self"-conscious lifestyle. But, it is good to live life knowing who IS thinking about you constantly.
What does God think of right now when he thinks of you? Do you have some broken limbs that need splinting? Do you need healing? That's what he's there for! He longs to be our shepherd. Let's follow Him!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Saturday, November 15, 2008
11.15.8 "Look Out!"
"Look out!"
Ezekiel 31:1-32:32
Hebrews 12:14-29
Psalm 113:1-114:8
Proverbs 27:18-20
If you've ever been to Niagara Falls, you know it is truly an amazing sight. The volume of water that goes over the falls is incredible. It almost makes you dizzy to watch it. When we were there in the summer of '07, we walked through tunnels behind the falls, and the roar of the water was incredible. I had slippery shoes on, and there were a couple of times i hit a slick spot on the tunnel floor, and wiped out. For how many tourists are there I'm surprised it isn't more guarded with safety rails. It would be very easy for a child or a crazy teenager to walk out on a ledge, and fall over the cliff or into the falls.
As I read the scriptures this morning, I was imagining seeing someone walk out there with slippery shoes. What would I do if I saw that? Would I say anything? Would I do anything to prevent?
When discussing confrontation a friend said, "It's hardest to confront those closest to you. We're great friends, but when it comes to spiritual things..."
Hebrews 12:15 shows us the priority: "Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives."
This is what it is all about. In pastoral ministries there are some sad stories. I'll sit in my office as the person across my desk has a broken life in their hand. Often it's something that has gone on for years. What makes it so sad, is that many times individuals in this state have "close" relationships with Christian friends. But, for some reason or another, the struggle never came up. There may have been comments on the side about a marriage frustration, or even a snide comment about another believer, but for one reason another, it was never discussed. Never confronted.
Enter the bitter root. An individual misses church for a few weeks, and no one "notices". Sure, there's a call from a pastor, or church leader, but what about my friends? The bitterness grows to the point that when a call is made, it seems "too late". The bitter root takes hold, and it causes deep trouble. Not only for the individual, but "hurting many in their spiritual lives."
It's uncomfortable many times to say, "hey man, I notice you're not getting along with your wife very well." Or, "I haven't seen you in bible study for a while. Is everything ok?" We don't want to risk offending the individual. But SO OFTEN, the one who's hurting inside is BEGGING for someone to notice. Someone to ask.
It's like seeing the child on the ledge. "I'd say something, but I don't want the parent to think I'm judging them." "I haven't met them yet. Who am I to say something?"
In a scenario like that the only way you would keep silent is either you don't value the life, or you don't recognize the danger.
Look again at the purpose for this. "Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings." If you see me heading down a path that could cause me to miss God's best blessings, why wouldn't you talk to me about it? Why wouldn't you say, "Look out!" Don't you care enough?
The difficulty is that too often people are "judged" instead of talked to. Benny misses two bible studies & he must be in sin. We build a case against him in our mind, build it up to be a huge deal, and we actually become insecure in how to deal with the issue, and afraid to do anything. So, we shake our head, and wonder what went wrong rather than finding out that Benny is discouraged because of a job situation, and could really use a call. We don't value Benny's life enough to pick up the phone.
Relationships Devoted to Unity are "discipling" relationships. It's caring enough to help one another keep conversation and conduct aligned with the word. Look at the people in your world differently. View yourself as God's agent to bring another closer to Christ. Not just unbelievers, but those in your family & the family of God.
There's a pretty good chance that someone reading this email is the one who "needs someone to notice". The enemy wants to keep you isolated and alone. He wants to separate you from the Body so he can destroy you. Don't use the lie that "no one cares" feed into the ploy to drive you to despair. Get connected! Pursue relationships with godly people. EVERY ONE of us have this responsibility!
One thing that I'm discovering more and more is that as the Lord is purifying his Church for his soon return, there are some interesting things happening. In the lives of so many individuals there are things that are coming to the surface. For example, people who have been Christians for a long time are "all of the sudden" struggling with issues and it's being revealed.
As the Lord purifies us, things come to the surface so we can allow God to take them away. What tends to happen, though is that we want to cover them up. We feel we should be perfect because it's time to be mature. But the bible says that we should "confess our sins one to another so that we may be healed." We need to be vulnerable one to another. We need to offer grace one to another. We need to show one another the way out.
We need to Look Out! for one another! If we don't we either don't value the life, or recognize the danger.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 31:1-32:32
Hebrews 12:14-29
Psalm 113:1-114:8
Proverbs 27:18-20
If you've ever been to Niagara Falls, you know it is truly an amazing sight. The volume of water that goes over the falls is incredible. It almost makes you dizzy to watch it. When we were there in the summer of '07, we walked through tunnels behind the falls, and the roar of the water was incredible. I had slippery shoes on, and there were a couple of times i hit a slick spot on the tunnel floor, and wiped out. For how many tourists are there I'm surprised it isn't more guarded with safety rails. It would be very easy for a child or a crazy teenager to walk out on a ledge, and fall over the cliff or into the falls.
As I read the scriptures this morning, I was imagining seeing someone walk out there with slippery shoes. What would I do if I saw that? Would I say anything? Would I do anything to prevent?
When discussing confrontation a friend said, "It's hardest to confront those closest to you. We're great friends, but when it comes to spiritual things..."
Hebrews 12:15 shows us the priority: "Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives."
This is what it is all about. In pastoral ministries there are some sad stories. I'll sit in my office as the person across my desk has a broken life in their hand. Often it's something that has gone on for years. What makes it so sad, is that many times individuals in this state have "close" relationships with Christian friends. But, for some reason or another, the struggle never came up. There may have been comments on the side about a marriage frustration, or even a snide comment about another believer, but for one reason another, it was never discussed. Never confronted.
Enter the bitter root. An individual misses church for a few weeks, and no one "notices". Sure, there's a call from a pastor, or church leader, but what about my friends? The bitterness grows to the point that when a call is made, it seems "too late". The bitter root takes hold, and it causes deep trouble. Not only for the individual, but "hurting many in their spiritual lives."
It's uncomfortable many times to say, "hey man, I notice you're not getting along with your wife very well." Or, "I haven't seen you in bible study for a while. Is everything ok?" We don't want to risk offending the individual. But SO OFTEN, the one who's hurting inside is BEGGING for someone to notice. Someone to ask.
It's like seeing the child on the ledge. "I'd say something, but I don't want the parent to think I'm judging them." "I haven't met them yet. Who am I to say something?"
In a scenario like that the only way you would keep silent is either you don't value the life, or you don't recognize the danger.
Look again at the purpose for this. "Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings." If you see me heading down a path that could cause me to miss God's best blessings, why wouldn't you talk to me about it? Why wouldn't you say, "Look out!" Don't you care enough?
The difficulty is that too often people are "judged" instead of talked to. Benny misses two bible studies & he must be in sin. We build a case against him in our mind, build it up to be a huge deal, and we actually become insecure in how to deal with the issue, and afraid to do anything. So, we shake our head, and wonder what went wrong rather than finding out that Benny is discouraged because of a job situation, and could really use a call. We don't value Benny's life enough to pick up the phone.
Relationships Devoted to Unity are "discipling" relationships. It's caring enough to help one another keep conversation and conduct aligned with the word. Look at the people in your world differently. View yourself as God's agent to bring another closer to Christ. Not just unbelievers, but those in your family & the family of God.
There's a pretty good chance that someone reading this email is the one who "needs someone to notice". The enemy wants to keep you isolated and alone. He wants to separate you from the Body so he can destroy you. Don't use the lie that "no one cares" feed into the ploy to drive you to despair. Get connected! Pursue relationships with godly people. EVERY ONE of us have this responsibility!
One thing that I'm discovering more and more is that as the Lord is purifying his Church for his soon return, there are some interesting things happening. In the lives of so many individuals there are things that are coming to the surface. For example, people who have been Christians for a long time are "all of the sudden" struggling with issues and it's being revealed.
As the Lord purifies us, things come to the surface so we can allow God to take them away. What tends to happen, though is that we want to cover them up. We feel we should be perfect because it's time to be mature. But the bible says that we should "confess our sins one to another so that we may be healed." We need to be vulnerable one to another. We need to offer grace one to another. We need to show one another the way out.
We need to Look Out! for one another! If we don't we either don't value the life, or recognize the danger.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Friday, November 14, 2008
11.14.8 "I Gotta do this for Me!"
"I Gotta do this for Me!"
Ezekiel 29:1-30:26
Hebrews 11:32-12:13
Psalm 112:1-10
Proverbs 27:17
Have you heard that phrase before? Have you said it? You'll even hear people "encourage" each other with this. "You know what, you've been working hard. It's about time you did something for yourself."
No one really understands that those are some of the most dangerous words spoken by man. These words lead to death. Do you know what the main foundational principle of the satanic bible is? It's wrapped up in this: You deserve it!
It's very sad to see the destruction this subtle killer has caused. Why do people do drugs? Why do marriages fall apart? Why do lusts have such power? "Because I gotta do this for me!"
Life has struggles. There are times of hardship. If our focus is out of adjustment, the circumstances of life can begin to wear on our body, soul and spirit. A difficult situation can cause hurt. The hurt can lead one to be defensive, guarded, soon isolated, then it turns into "I gotta do this for me."
Even extended seasons of well-doing can open the door to this enemy. So many times the enemy loves to attack after a long Sunday of ministry, or after weeks of working on a musical. "Go ahead, feed the flesh... you deserve it!"
Our flesh wants so much to hear those words, that rarely do we guard enough against it. It is so important that we heed the words of Hebrews chapter 12.
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards; and now he sits in the place of honor by the throne of God. If you want to keep from becoming fainthearted and weary, think about his patience as sinful men did such terrible things to him. After all, you have never yet struggled against sin and temptation until you sweat great drops of blood." Heb 12:2-4
We too easily dismiss his struggles as "well, he was God". We forget that he was man. He was focused on the big picture... the goal... the prize. We need to do the same! We must press on!
"So take a new grip with your tired hands, stand firm on your shaky legs, and mark out a straight, smooth path for you feet so that those who follow you, though weak and lame, will not fall and hurt themselves, but become strong." Heb. 12:12
We also forget, that no matter who we are, what our position is, marital status, or anything, we are paving the way for someone else. We have a great church. I've been a part of it for 14 years. We've seen great growth in those years. It is the prayers and labors of individuals who've gone long before who made this possible. We must now ask the question "who am I paving the way for?"
If my lifestyle says, "I gotta do this for me", I'm not only leading myself down a dangerous trail, I'm also leading those who follow to dangerous places.
No matter the hurt, the struggle, the frustration, the loneliness, the unfair circumstances of life, it is worth it to stay on course.
"Praise the Lord! For all who fear God and trust in him are blessed beyond expression. Yes, happy is the man who delights in doing his commands. His children shall be honored everywhere, for good men's sons have a special heritage. He himself shall be wealthy, and his good deeds will never be forgotten. When darkness overtakes him, light will come bursting in. He is kind and merciful - and all goes well for the generous man who conducts his business fairly.
"Such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God's constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. That is why he is not afraid, but can calmly face his foes. He gives generously to those in need. His deeds will never be forgotten. He shall have influence and honor." Ps 112:1-9
As we live lives of Obedience and Discipline, it "will make a deep impression on all who see it." When we live for ourself, it definitely makes the wrong impression!
Wouldn't it be great to live without fearing the worst? It's possible! by fixing our eyes on Jesus!
Keep your eyes on him. Stand against the fleshly thought of "living for me".
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 29:1-30:26
Hebrews 11:32-12:13
Psalm 112:1-10
Proverbs 27:17
Have you heard that phrase before? Have you said it? You'll even hear people "encourage" each other with this. "You know what, you've been working hard. It's about time you did something for yourself."
No one really understands that those are some of the most dangerous words spoken by man. These words lead to death. Do you know what the main foundational principle of the satanic bible is? It's wrapped up in this: You deserve it!
It's very sad to see the destruction this subtle killer has caused. Why do people do drugs? Why do marriages fall apart? Why do lusts have such power? "Because I gotta do this for me!"
Life has struggles. There are times of hardship. If our focus is out of adjustment, the circumstances of life can begin to wear on our body, soul and spirit. A difficult situation can cause hurt. The hurt can lead one to be defensive, guarded, soon isolated, then it turns into "I gotta do this for me."
Even extended seasons of well-doing can open the door to this enemy. So many times the enemy loves to attack after a long Sunday of ministry, or after weeks of working on a musical. "Go ahead, feed the flesh... you deserve it!"
Our flesh wants so much to hear those words, that rarely do we guard enough against it. It is so important that we heed the words of Hebrews chapter 12.
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards; and now he sits in the place of honor by the throne of God. If you want to keep from becoming fainthearted and weary, think about his patience as sinful men did such terrible things to him. After all, you have never yet struggled against sin and temptation until you sweat great drops of blood." Heb 12:2-4
We too easily dismiss his struggles as "well, he was God". We forget that he was man. He was focused on the big picture... the goal... the prize. We need to do the same! We must press on!
"So take a new grip with your tired hands, stand firm on your shaky legs, and mark out a straight, smooth path for you feet so that those who follow you, though weak and lame, will not fall and hurt themselves, but become strong." Heb. 12:12
We also forget, that no matter who we are, what our position is, marital status, or anything, we are paving the way for someone else. We have a great church. I've been a part of it for 14 years. We've seen great growth in those years. It is the prayers and labors of individuals who've gone long before who made this possible. We must now ask the question "who am I paving the way for?"
If my lifestyle says, "I gotta do this for me", I'm not only leading myself down a dangerous trail, I'm also leading those who follow to dangerous places.
No matter the hurt, the struggle, the frustration, the loneliness, the unfair circumstances of life, it is worth it to stay on course.
"Praise the Lord! For all who fear God and trust in him are blessed beyond expression. Yes, happy is the man who delights in doing his commands. His children shall be honored everywhere, for good men's sons have a special heritage. He himself shall be wealthy, and his good deeds will never be forgotten. When darkness overtakes him, light will come bursting in. He is kind and merciful - and all goes well for the generous man who conducts his business fairly.
"Such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God's constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. That is why he is not afraid, but can calmly face his foes. He gives generously to those in need. His deeds will never be forgotten. He shall have influence and honor." Ps 112:1-9
As we live lives of Obedience and Discipline, it "will make a deep impression on all who see it." When we live for ourself, it definitely makes the wrong impression!
Wouldn't it be great to live without fearing the worst? It's possible! by fixing our eyes on Jesus!
Keep your eyes on him. Stand against the fleshly thought of "living for me".
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Thursday, November 13, 2008
11.13.8 "Your Dream must Die to Live"
"Your Dream must Die to Live"
Ezekiel 27:1-28:26
Hebrews 11:17-31
Psalm 111:1-10
Proverbs 27:15,16
"A constant dripping on a rainy day and a cranky woman are much alike!" Prov. 27:15 - Not the devotional thought for today, but it's in the reading... I just threw it in to boost the ratings! :)
Hebrews 11:17-19 says, "While God was testing him, Abraham still trusted in God and his promises, and so he offered up his son Isaac, and was ready to slay him on the altar of sacrifice; yes, to slay even Isaac, through whom God had promised to give Abraham a whole nation of descendants!"
What strikes me as a theme throughout God's Word is how when there is a great dream given by God, the individual must lay it down to see it come to life. Abraham is one of the most specific examples. He was promised to be the father of nations. It wasn't happening. Things seemed hopeless. Then finally, the son of promise came. Then God told him to sacrifice him.
Why do you think that is? Is it because God is mean? Is it some sort of morbid manipulation? Or do you think it's because of what it does inside the heart of the dreamer? God didn't need Isaac dead. We know that now, but I'm sure Abraham was wondering what God was thinking. What Abraham didn't realize was the need for Isaac to be dead in him.
So often we have a Big Dream. (not to be confused with DREAM - the Balanced Christian Life) We have this picture of something God has placed in our heart. It can be as huge as being president of the company, or as seemingly unpretentious as a fulfilling marriage. What happens when this dream is birthed in our heart is that we become attached to it. It soon becomes "about me". "This is what I want". "This is MY dream."
If we feed that too much we start to figure that we need to take our own steps to make it happen. Not that it's bad that we are motivated to accomplish great things, but if things aren't happening in our time-frame, we start to take short-cuts. Like Abraham & Sarah, we have an Ishmael. Like Moses, we murder an Egyptian. All done out of God's plan and God's timing. This dream that has been birthed by God can actually become a tumor that kills us if we are not careful. So what has to happen?
We have to lay it down. We have to give the dream back to the Dream Giver. We have to say, "It's not mine. It's Yours." This requires trust in a God who loves us. Our flesh (being fed lies from the enemy) begins to think that God just wants to punish us. We think he just wants to take our dreams for the purpose of making life miserable.
The truth is that he needs to test us. He needs to prove we can be trusted with the Big Dream. If we become too attached to the Dream, it becomes our god. And God loves us too much to allow that to happen. So he asks us to lay it down.
This is not an isolated biblical example. It happens again and again and again. So often the path to the fulfillment of the dream is the OPPOSITE direction our flesh thinks we should go.
What's your dream? Is it the fulfilling marriage that you can't see happening unless you get out of it? Is it the promotion at work you seek so you want to backstab the competition? Have you been running from job to job trying to find fulfillment of your goals? What you need to do is lay it down. Offer it back to God. I think many times we believe that we've done that. We lay it on the altar, but really we pick it up again and take it with us. To really lay it down, we must grieve it's loss. THEN there's something inside us that realizes it was never ours to begin with. Then we realize who God really is. Our faith is increased, and we receive the power to step out as never before. And suddenly, and even unexpectedly, the dream has become a reality.
Do you want to know the ultimate example?
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever should believe on him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
The Dream must die to live.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 27:1-28:26
Hebrews 11:17-31
Psalm 111:1-10
Proverbs 27:15,16
"A constant dripping on a rainy day and a cranky woman are much alike!" Prov. 27:15 - Not the devotional thought for today, but it's in the reading... I just threw it in to boost the ratings! :)
Hebrews 11:17-19 says, "While God was testing him, Abraham still trusted in God and his promises, and so he offered up his son Isaac, and was ready to slay him on the altar of sacrifice; yes, to slay even Isaac, through whom God had promised to give Abraham a whole nation of descendants!"
What strikes me as a theme throughout God's Word is how when there is a great dream given by God, the individual must lay it down to see it come to life. Abraham is one of the most specific examples. He was promised to be the father of nations. It wasn't happening. Things seemed hopeless. Then finally, the son of promise came. Then God told him to sacrifice him.
Why do you think that is? Is it because God is mean? Is it some sort of morbid manipulation? Or do you think it's because of what it does inside the heart of the dreamer? God didn't need Isaac dead. We know that now, but I'm sure Abraham was wondering what God was thinking. What Abraham didn't realize was the need for Isaac to be dead in him.
So often we have a Big Dream. (not to be confused with DREAM - the Balanced Christian Life) We have this picture of something God has placed in our heart. It can be as huge as being president of the company, or as seemingly unpretentious as a fulfilling marriage. What happens when this dream is birthed in our heart is that we become attached to it. It soon becomes "about me". "This is what I want". "This is MY dream."
If we feed that too much we start to figure that we need to take our own steps to make it happen. Not that it's bad that we are motivated to accomplish great things, but if things aren't happening in our time-frame, we start to take short-cuts. Like Abraham & Sarah, we have an Ishmael. Like Moses, we murder an Egyptian. All done out of God's plan and God's timing. This dream that has been birthed by God can actually become a tumor that kills us if we are not careful. So what has to happen?
We have to lay it down. We have to give the dream back to the Dream Giver. We have to say, "It's not mine. It's Yours." This requires trust in a God who loves us. Our flesh (being fed lies from the enemy) begins to think that God just wants to punish us. We think he just wants to take our dreams for the purpose of making life miserable.
The truth is that he needs to test us. He needs to prove we can be trusted with the Big Dream. If we become too attached to the Dream, it becomes our god. And God loves us too much to allow that to happen. So he asks us to lay it down.
This is not an isolated biblical example. It happens again and again and again. So often the path to the fulfillment of the dream is the OPPOSITE direction our flesh thinks we should go.
What's your dream? Is it the fulfilling marriage that you can't see happening unless you get out of it? Is it the promotion at work you seek so you want to backstab the competition? Have you been running from job to job trying to find fulfillment of your goals? What you need to do is lay it down. Offer it back to God. I think many times we believe that we've done that. We lay it on the altar, but really we pick it up again and take it with us. To really lay it down, we must grieve it's loss. THEN there's something inside us that realizes it was never ours to begin with. Then we realize who God really is. Our faith is increased, and we receive the power to step out as never before. And suddenly, and even unexpectedly, the dream has become a reality.
Do you want to know the ultimate example?
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever should believe on him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
The Dream must die to live.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
11.12.8 "What makes God Proud"
"What makes God Proud"
Ezekiel 24:1-26:21
Hebrews 11:1-16
Psalm 110:1-7
Proverbs 27:14
Hebrews 11:16 "And now God is not ashamed to be called their God..." What a verse!! Can you imagine that verse written about you? What would precede a verse like that?
11:4 - "By faith Abel..." 11:5 - "By faith Enoch..." 11:7 - "By faith Noah..."
Hebrews 11 is called the "faith chapter". This chapter speaks of great men and women throughout the old testament who trusted God. I don't mean trusted God in small ways. They built an ark, walked with God, moved to new countries and many more huge things. How could this happen? They KNEW God.
When you get to know someone, it takes a little bit of time. There are times when we get to know a little bit of something about someone and we base the relationship on that. We get in trouble because that can be a shallow understanding of who that person is, and we miss getting to REALLY know them.
The same is true with the Lord. Too often He will teach us something, and we'll think "that's cool" and go on as if we've now got him figured out. That's exactly how our relationship gets cold and stale. Our relationship with the Lord needs to be on the edge of discovery at all times. How do we cultivate that? Living the wild life of faith!
Verse 6 says, "You can never please God without faith, without depending on him."
Faith is such an intimidating thing. In verse 1 it says, "What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead."
It can be difficult to live in the realm of that "confident assurance". Because it isn't easy, we can just think, "I'm not wired as a person of faith... I don't have what it takes to be an Abraham, Moses, etc..." and we then excuse ourselves from this list of great believers.
We need to realize that those great men & women of faith had the same temptations we do. Look at verse 15: "If they had wanted to, they could have gone back to the good things of this world."
Too often it's easy to think that great men and women of faith don't have the temptation to quit. Sometimes we don't give up, but we feel SO guilty that we're tempted to give up, that we paralyze ourselves from doing anything. We see the "good" things of the world and it seems to much more comfortable... so much easier.
What makes the difference? verse 16 says, "But they didn't want to. They were living for heaven." Living for heaven. That takes discipline of thought. It's a different priority system. It's a faith that it's worth standing strong. It's a belief that it's worth it to step out in obedience even when the circumstances seem impossible. It's a mindset that consumes every part of life. It constrains us from compromise and shallow living.
I don't want God to be ashamed to be called my God. I want to be living for heaven every moment of every day. I want to experience the moving of his hand. For that to happen, I must step out in obedience in every area of my life.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 24:1-26:21
Hebrews 11:1-16
Psalm 110:1-7
Proverbs 27:14
Hebrews 11:16 "And now God is not ashamed to be called their God..." What a verse!! Can you imagine that verse written about you? What would precede a verse like that?
11:4 - "By faith Abel..." 11:5 - "By faith Enoch..." 11:7 - "By faith Noah..."
Hebrews 11 is called the "faith chapter". This chapter speaks of great men and women throughout the old testament who trusted God. I don't mean trusted God in small ways. They built an ark, walked with God, moved to new countries and many more huge things. How could this happen? They KNEW God.
When you get to know someone, it takes a little bit of time. There are times when we get to know a little bit of something about someone and we base the relationship on that. We get in trouble because that can be a shallow understanding of who that person is, and we miss getting to REALLY know them.
The same is true with the Lord. Too often He will teach us something, and we'll think "that's cool" and go on as if we've now got him figured out. That's exactly how our relationship gets cold and stale. Our relationship with the Lord needs to be on the edge of discovery at all times. How do we cultivate that? Living the wild life of faith!
Verse 6 says, "You can never please God without faith, without depending on him."
Faith is such an intimidating thing. In verse 1 it says, "What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead."
It can be difficult to live in the realm of that "confident assurance". Because it isn't easy, we can just think, "I'm not wired as a person of faith... I don't have what it takes to be an Abraham, Moses, etc..." and we then excuse ourselves from this list of great believers.
We need to realize that those great men & women of faith had the same temptations we do. Look at verse 15: "If they had wanted to, they could have gone back to the good things of this world."
Too often it's easy to think that great men and women of faith don't have the temptation to quit. Sometimes we don't give up, but we feel SO guilty that we're tempted to give up, that we paralyze ourselves from doing anything. We see the "good" things of the world and it seems to much more comfortable... so much easier.
What makes the difference? verse 16 says, "But they didn't want to. They were living for heaven." Living for heaven. That takes discipline of thought. It's a different priority system. It's a faith that it's worth standing strong. It's a belief that it's worth it to step out in obedience even when the circumstances seem impossible. It's a mindset that consumes every part of life. It constrains us from compromise and shallow living.
I don't want God to be ashamed to be called my God. I want to be living for heaven every moment of every day. I want to experience the moving of his hand. For that to happen, I must step out in obedience in every area of my life.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Monday, November 10, 2008
11.11.8 "What is the Bible About?"
"What's the Bible About?"
Ezekiel 23:1-49
Hebrews 10:18-39
Psalm 109:1-31
Proverbs 27:13
In the movie "City Slickers", the weathered cowboy, Curly is saying to a searching man in mid-life crisis. "Life is all about one thing." Billy Crystal's character asks him, "what's that one thing?" He replies, "That's what you have to figure out."
If someone were to ask you, "What's the Bible about?" What would you answer? Guess what? Just like Curly's philosophy, the Bible is about "one thing."
This is nothing profound or anything to make a slogan out of or anything, but I was thinking that The Bible is an epic story of the contrast between a holy God and depraved man and of a love so intense that the Creator will stop at nothing to reconcile the relationship. In simpler term"s, the one thing is, "God wants to be in relationship with you.
The 23rd chapter of Ezekiel describes two daughters, Jerusalem & Samaria, and how thy prostitute themselves to Egypt. How in spite of being delivered from bondage, their heart for "prostitution" never left (Ez. 23:8). Can you imagine if this was the life of your daughters? How bad would that hurt? God's description only scratches the surface of how he must feel when the people he created out of love choose to worship other Gods.
Then the ultimate price for our sins is paid in the death of Christ on the cross.
Hebrews 10 sums it up. "Now, when sins have once been forever forgiven and forgotten, there is no need to offer more sacrifices to get rid of them. And so, dear brothers, now we may walk right into the very Holy of Holies where God is, because of the blood of Jesus. This is the fresh, new, life-giving way which Christ has opened up for us by tearing the curtain - his human body - to let us into the holy presence of God." Heb. 10:18-20
verse 23 :"Now we can look forward to the salvation God has promised us. There is no longer any room for doubt,..." Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship - our relationship with him is right! "...and we can tell others that salvation is ours, for there is no question that he will do what he says." We have a Mission to Reach our world for Christ with this good news!
Verse 24 commands us to serve one another (Active Ministry Involvement) and be committed to each other (Relationships Devoted to Unity). "In response to all he has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good."
Verse 25 directs us to be Empowered through Biblical Training. "Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near."
What an incredible love God has for us. If we REALLY understand the price he paid, and REALLY could fathom the reward for those who accept his love, there's no way we would falter in our walk with him.
What's the bible about? God is Good and I'm bad, but he loved me enough to make me right with him. He died for me, so I can live for him!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 23:1-49
Hebrews 10:18-39
Psalm 109:1-31
Proverbs 27:13
In the movie "City Slickers", the weathered cowboy, Curly is saying to a searching man in mid-life crisis. "Life is all about one thing." Billy Crystal's character asks him, "what's that one thing?" He replies, "That's what you have to figure out."
If someone were to ask you, "What's the Bible about?" What would you answer? Guess what? Just like Curly's philosophy, the Bible is about "one thing."
This is nothing profound or anything to make a slogan out of or anything, but I was thinking that The Bible is an epic story of the contrast between a holy God and depraved man and of a love so intense that the Creator will stop at nothing to reconcile the relationship. In simpler term"s, the one thing is, "God wants to be in relationship with you.
The 23rd chapter of Ezekiel describes two daughters, Jerusalem & Samaria, and how thy prostitute themselves to Egypt. How in spite of being delivered from bondage, their heart for "prostitution" never left (Ez. 23:8). Can you imagine if this was the life of your daughters? How bad would that hurt? God's description only scratches the surface of how he must feel when the people he created out of love choose to worship other Gods.
Then the ultimate price for our sins is paid in the death of Christ on the cross.
Hebrews 10 sums it up. "Now, when sins have once been forever forgiven and forgotten, there is no need to offer more sacrifices to get rid of them. And so, dear brothers, now we may walk right into the very Holy of Holies where God is, because of the blood of Jesus. This is the fresh, new, life-giving way which Christ has opened up for us by tearing the curtain - his human body - to let us into the holy presence of God." Heb. 10:18-20
verse 23 :"Now we can look forward to the salvation God has promised us. There is no longer any room for doubt,..." Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship - our relationship with him is right! "...and we can tell others that salvation is ours, for there is no question that he will do what he says." We have a Mission to Reach our world for Christ with this good news!
Verse 24 commands us to serve one another (Active Ministry Involvement) and be committed to each other (Relationships Devoted to Unity). "In response to all he has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good."
Verse 25 directs us to be Empowered through Biblical Training. "Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near."
What an incredible love God has for us. If we REALLY understand the price he paid, and REALLY could fathom the reward for those who accept his love, there's no way we would falter in our walk with him.
What's the bible about? God is Good and I'm bad, but he loved me enough to make me right with him. He died for me, so I can live for him!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
11.10.8 "'Paint' the DREAM??"
"'Paint' the DREAM??"
Ezekiel 21:1- 22:31
Hebrews 10:1-17
Psalm 108:1-13
Proverbs 27:12
The Proverb for today says, "A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks, and suffers the consequences."
Are you Sensible or a Simpleton? I would love to put myself in the category of the sensible, but I got several things working against that. I'm a procrastinator. I don't like to do things until they NEED to be done. This creates some problems. It usually ends up getting done some time AFTER it needed to be done. "Oh yeah, I should have..."
There's something in our human nature that has really messed up the process of Christian maturity as well. We know the discipline necessary to grow in Christ: obedience, commitment to the word, discipline of character, faithful to church and ministry, witnessing, etc. But what we tend to mess up is that are more concerned about making it LOOK like we are disciplined as we are in actually being disciplined. We tend to be satisfied if people THINK we're growing in Christ, even when we aren't.
In Ezekiel 22, God is speaking to Jerusalem about a judgment that is coming. verse 30 says, "I looked in vain for anyone who would build again the wall of righteousness that guards the land, who could stand in the gap and defend you from my just attacks, but I found not one." The wall of righteousness has broken down. It needs to be rebuilt.
In our lives, the disciplines of the Christian walk are equivalent to building the wall of righteousness. The sensible man knows why this is necessary. Assaults are coming. The enemy will attack. To wait until the enemy comes to build the wall is foolish. But often the labors it takes to build the wall are frustrating and no one sees how hard it is, or unfair the circumstances. And no one notices if we cut a few corners, right?
Earlier in the chapter in Ezekiel, there are false prophets claiming they have heard from God when they haven't. Verse 28 ends with "Thus they repair the wall with whitewash!"
Imagine a broken down wall, and someone trying to "repair" it by painting it. Sounds foolish doesn't it?
Apply that to our lives. So often our goal is to cover up and hide our vulnerabilities. As long as our friends or church family think we have it all together, we're fine. Our goal is too often to look like we're building the wall instead of actually building the wall. "I'm ok if you think i'm doing my devotions."
What makes this such a huge danger is the fact that trouble IS coming. Preparation is necessary. There are no shortcuts. If we are walking in obedience, and doing what God directs us to do on a daily basis, we will be so much more prepared for what is to come. The walls will be stable, and we wont be tossed around.
Unfortunately, we often put so much effort into painting our wall that we don't pay attention to those we love. We don't notice vulnerabilities in one another because we're so focussed on ourself. Heaven forbid we ask a question that would bring attention to our weak spot. So we slap on more paint, and before we know it, a loved one has fallen.
If our defenses have only been built up with a bucket of paint, you may not notice it right away, but when the attack comes, the results are devastating.
"Live the DREAM" could be a bucket of paint. It's a catchy little slogan. We can live our lives looking like all the elements of DREAM are in place, but if there's no true Spirit-led heart change, the lack of balance will be revealed when the trials come and things can fall apart.
Commit this day to Live the DREAM. Not just "paint the DREAM", but live it. Apply Godly principles in all areas of your day. You're created with a purpose. Live like it. Live the Sensible life, not the life of a Simpleton.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 21:1- 22:31
Hebrews 10:1-17
Psalm 108:1-13
Proverbs 27:12
The Proverb for today says, "A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks, and suffers the consequences."
Are you Sensible or a Simpleton? I would love to put myself in the category of the sensible, but I got several things working against that. I'm a procrastinator. I don't like to do things until they NEED to be done. This creates some problems. It usually ends up getting done some time AFTER it needed to be done. "Oh yeah, I should have..."
There's something in our human nature that has really messed up the process of Christian maturity as well. We know the discipline necessary to grow in Christ: obedience, commitment to the word, discipline of character, faithful to church and ministry, witnessing, etc. But what we tend to mess up is that are more concerned about making it LOOK like we are disciplined as we are in actually being disciplined. We tend to be satisfied if people THINK we're growing in Christ, even when we aren't.
In Ezekiel 22, God is speaking to Jerusalem about a judgment that is coming. verse 30 says, "I looked in vain for anyone who would build again the wall of righteousness that guards the land, who could stand in the gap and defend you from my just attacks, but I found not one." The wall of righteousness has broken down. It needs to be rebuilt.
In our lives, the disciplines of the Christian walk are equivalent to building the wall of righteousness. The sensible man knows why this is necessary. Assaults are coming. The enemy will attack. To wait until the enemy comes to build the wall is foolish. But often the labors it takes to build the wall are frustrating and no one sees how hard it is, or unfair the circumstances. And no one notices if we cut a few corners, right?
Earlier in the chapter in Ezekiel, there are false prophets claiming they have heard from God when they haven't. Verse 28 ends with "Thus they repair the wall with whitewash!"
Imagine a broken down wall, and someone trying to "repair" it by painting it. Sounds foolish doesn't it?
Apply that to our lives. So often our goal is to cover up and hide our vulnerabilities. As long as our friends or church family think we have it all together, we're fine. Our goal is too often to look like we're building the wall instead of actually building the wall. "I'm ok if you think i'm doing my devotions."
What makes this such a huge danger is the fact that trouble IS coming. Preparation is necessary. There are no shortcuts. If we are walking in obedience, and doing what God directs us to do on a daily basis, we will be so much more prepared for what is to come. The walls will be stable, and we wont be tossed around.
Unfortunately, we often put so much effort into painting our wall that we don't pay attention to those we love. We don't notice vulnerabilities in one another because we're so focussed on ourself. Heaven forbid we ask a question that would bring attention to our weak spot. So we slap on more paint, and before we know it, a loved one has fallen.
If our defenses have only been built up with a bucket of paint, you may not notice it right away, but when the attack comes, the results are devastating.
"Live the DREAM" could be a bucket of paint. It's a catchy little slogan. We can live our lives looking like all the elements of DREAM are in place, but if there's no true Spirit-led heart change, the lack of balance will be revealed when the trials come and things can fall apart.
Commit this day to Live the DREAM. Not just "paint the DREAM", but live it. Apply Godly principles in all areas of your day. You're created with a purpose. Live like it. Live the Sensible life, not the life of a Simpleton.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Sunday, November 9, 2008
11.9.8. "Speak Out!"
"Speak Out!"
Ezekiel 20:1-49
Hebrew 9:13-28
Psalm 107:1-43
Proverbs 27:11
The study of the word is such an incredible way to get to know God. As we look at the full expanse of scripture we learn so much about his character. Too often we grab a "verse-for-the-day" to ease our conscience instead of taking the time to get into the word and get to know him! The only way you can get to know anyone is to spend time with them. What can be greater than spending time with God? Psalm 107 is a great chapter of encouragement to praise the Lord.
"Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies." vs 2
"He brought the exiles back from the farthest corners of the earth. They were wandering homeless in the desert, hungry and thirsty and faint. "Lord, help!" they cried, and he did! He led them straight to safety and a place to live. Oh, that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness, and for all of his wonderful deeds! For he satisfies the thirsty soul and fills the hungry soul with good." vs. 3-9
Have you been there? Thirsty of soul? Has God heard you?
"Who are these who sit in darkness, in the shadow of death, crushed by misery and slavery?... Then they cried to the Lord in their troubles, and he rescued them!... Oh, that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness and for all his wonderful deeds! For he broke down their prison gates of brass and cut apart their iron bars." v.10,13-16
Have you been in the prison of bondage? Are you free?
"Others, the fools, were ill because of their sinful ways... then they cried to the Lord in their troubles, and he helped them and delivered them. He spoke, and they were healed - snatched from the door of death. Oh that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness and for all of his wonderful deeds! Let them tell him "Thank you" as their sacrifice, and sing about his glorious deeds." vs. 17-22
Have you been in trouble because of your sin?
"And there were the sailors sailing the seven seas, plying the trade routes of the world. They, too, observe the power of God in action. He calls to the storm winds; the waves rise high. Their ships are tossed to the heavens and sink again to the depths; the sailors cringe in terror. They reel and stagger like drunkards and are at their wit's end. then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, and he saves them. He calms the storm and stills the waves. What a blessing is that stillness, as he brings them safely into harbor! Oh that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness and for all of his wonderful deeds! Let them praise him publicly before the congregation, and before the leaders of the nation." vs. 23-32
What's your story? What has God done for you? Anything? If so, Speak out! Have you ever heard a testimony that just made you wanna shout? Have you ever thought the fact that there's someone in your world who needs to hear your testimony? Your words could build their faith.
I was thinking that too often we think the "normal" thing is an easy-going life. Things should be all ok. Therefore, we don't rejoice in times of blessing. Trouble comes and we cry out to God, but the fact that we subconsciously think we deserve the blessing, or the freedom, or whatever, we don't rejoice the way we should. The truth is that in a life without God, TRIALS are normal! Stormy seas and bondage are a way of life.
If we would only open our mouth and declare how God has delivered us, others could turn to him! One of the Resources of our life is our testimony. What are we doing with that resource? Think of your blessings today. Your home. Your family. Your children. Your job. Which one of those things did not have a crisis at some point? Did God come through? What did you do with that testimony? Did you bury it in the ground? If you put it to work by praising the Lord and telling of his greatness, it WILL come back with a return. God will use your testimony for his Glory. "Good men everywhere will see it and be glad, while evil men are stricken silent." vs.42
Think of the heathen of this world. Our silence gives them ammunition. It gives them voice. It drives me crazy every time I hear one of those "billions of years ago..." type of statements on TV. Were anybody to speak up to refute it, they seem weird. Why? Because it's not normal to hear of the greatness of God.
"Say 'Thank you' to the Lord for being so good, for always being so loving and kind. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 20:1-49
Hebrew 9:13-28
Psalm 107:1-43
Proverbs 27:11
The study of the word is such an incredible way to get to know God. As we look at the full expanse of scripture we learn so much about his character. Too often we grab a "verse-for-the-day" to ease our conscience instead of taking the time to get into the word and get to know him! The only way you can get to know anyone is to spend time with them. What can be greater than spending time with God? Psalm 107 is a great chapter of encouragement to praise the Lord.
"Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies." vs 2
"He brought the exiles back from the farthest corners of the earth. They were wandering homeless in the desert, hungry and thirsty and faint. "Lord, help!" they cried, and he did! He led them straight to safety and a place to live. Oh, that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness, and for all of his wonderful deeds! For he satisfies the thirsty soul and fills the hungry soul with good." vs. 3-9
Have you been there? Thirsty of soul? Has God heard you?
"Who are these who sit in darkness, in the shadow of death, crushed by misery and slavery?... Then they cried to the Lord in their troubles, and he rescued them!... Oh, that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness and for all his wonderful deeds! For he broke down their prison gates of brass and cut apart their iron bars." v.10,13-16
Have you been in the prison of bondage? Are you free?
"Others, the fools, were ill because of their sinful ways... then they cried to the Lord in their troubles, and he helped them and delivered them. He spoke, and they were healed - snatched from the door of death. Oh that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness and for all of his wonderful deeds! Let them tell him "Thank you" as their sacrifice, and sing about his glorious deeds." vs. 17-22
Have you been in trouble because of your sin?
"And there were the sailors sailing the seven seas, plying the trade routes of the world. They, too, observe the power of God in action. He calls to the storm winds; the waves rise high. Their ships are tossed to the heavens and sink again to the depths; the sailors cringe in terror. They reel and stagger like drunkards and are at their wit's end. then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, and he saves them. He calms the storm and stills the waves. What a blessing is that stillness, as he brings them safely into harbor! Oh that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness and for all of his wonderful deeds! Let them praise him publicly before the congregation, and before the leaders of the nation." vs. 23-32
What's your story? What has God done for you? Anything? If so, Speak out! Have you ever heard a testimony that just made you wanna shout? Have you ever thought the fact that there's someone in your world who needs to hear your testimony? Your words could build their faith.
I was thinking that too often we think the "normal" thing is an easy-going life. Things should be all ok. Therefore, we don't rejoice in times of blessing. Trouble comes and we cry out to God, but the fact that we subconsciously think we deserve the blessing, or the freedom, or whatever, we don't rejoice the way we should. The truth is that in a life without God, TRIALS are normal! Stormy seas and bondage are a way of life.
If we would only open our mouth and declare how God has delivered us, others could turn to him! One of the Resources of our life is our testimony. What are we doing with that resource? Think of your blessings today. Your home. Your family. Your children. Your job. Which one of those things did not have a crisis at some point? Did God come through? What did you do with that testimony? Did you bury it in the ground? If you put it to work by praising the Lord and telling of his greatness, it WILL come back with a return. God will use your testimony for his Glory. "Good men everywhere will see it and be glad, while evil men are stricken silent." vs.42
Think of the heathen of this world. Our silence gives them ammunition. It gives them voice. It drives me crazy every time I hear one of those "billions of years ago..." type of statements on TV. Were anybody to speak up to refute it, they seem weird. Why? Because it's not normal to hear of the greatness of God.
"Say 'Thank you' to the Lord for being so good, for always being so loving and kind. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Saturday, November 8, 2008
11.8.8 "Don't Eat the Jell-o!"
"Don't Eat the Jell-o!"
Ezekiel 18:1-19:14
Hebrews 9:1-12
Psalm 106:32-48
Proverbs 27:10
A Readers' Digest article told about the "Black Widow". This was a woman who had poisoned two husbands by putting antifreeze in green Jell-o. It was kind of a subtle death. They'd get sick, and ultimately die. Pretty nasty, huh?
The pull toward the compromised Christian life is constant. The enemy loves to do whatever it takes to subtly taint the purity of the Godly life and turn it toward sin.
Today's Psalm says, "Again and again he delivered them from their slavery, but they continued to rebel against him, and were finally destroyed by their sin."
Sin is a subtle killer. We know the "biggies": committing adultery, etc. THAT sin is BAD! But, rarely is that the kind of sin that sears our conscience. When we sin "bad", we can't live with ourselves. We repent, and turn. But when it comes to those "little things" they don't shock us so bad. THESE are the killers.
Israel continued to rebel against God. Last week we talked about how the root of rebellion is the lack of trust. They stopped trusting God till the point that this sin destroyed them.
Make a quick list of sins that will destroy you.... Let me save you some time. All sin destroys. It's not a matter of "if", it's a matter of "when". It's 'green Jell-o' that kills.
I'm so grateful that God in his mercy did not give me what I deserved in my sin. His Spirit drew me to him to surrender all.
In John 10 Jesus speaks of himself as being the gate to the sheep pen, and ANYTHING coming over the wall is a thief or a robber. In our lives, some of these thieves and robbers don't look so bad. They can be fun. Attractive. They seem harmless. But no matter how we view them, they are thieves and robbers nonetheless.
The more we get to know Christ, the more we need to align everything in our lives to him. If it doesn't please him, we need to throw it out. It will destroy us.
This game is for keeps. Unfortunately I've seen too many that have compromised so long, they can't be convinced to return. There's no desire to hear the voice of God. I'm not talking about unbelievers, I'm talking about those who've been on fire, but then turned away. They've given themselves to the "Green Jell-o" of lust, bitterness, or some other subtle killer.
The Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is so much more than "put on a happy face". It's about living right with God. It's not worrying about the poison in the food! It's living in a confident relationship with the creator. Stay away from the Green Jell-o of sin!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 18:1-19:14
Hebrews 9:1-12
Psalm 106:32-48
Proverbs 27:10
A Readers' Digest article told about the "Black Widow". This was a woman who had poisoned two husbands by putting antifreeze in green Jell-o. It was kind of a subtle death. They'd get sick, and ultimately die. Pretty nasty, huh?
The pull toward the compromised Christian life is constant. The enemy loves to do whatever it takes to subtly taint the purity of the Godly life and turn it toward sin.
Today's Psalm says, "Again and again he delivered them from their slavery, but they continued to rebel against him, and were finally destroyed by their sin."
Sin is a subtle killer. We know the "biggies": committing adultery, etc. THAT sin is BAD! But, rarely is that the kind of sin that sears our conscience. When we sin "bad", we can't live with ourselves. We repent, and turn. But when it comes to those "little things" they don't shock us so bad. THESE are the killers.
Israel continued to rebel against God. Last week we talked about how the root of rebellion is the lack of trust. They stopped trusting God till the point that this sin destroyed them.
Make a quick list of sins that will destroy you.... Let me save you some time. All sin destroys. It's not a matter of "if", it's a matter of "when". It's 'green Jell-o' that kills.
I'm so grateful that God in his mercy did not give me what I deserved in my sin. His Spirit drew me to him to surrender all.
In John 10 Jesus speaks of himself as being the gate to the sheep pen, and ANYTHING coming over the wall is a thief or a robber. In our lives, some of these thieves and robbers don't look so bad. They can be fun. Attractive. They seem harmless. But no matter how we view them, they are thieves and robbers nonetheless.
The more we get to know Christ, the more we need to align everything in our lives to him. If it doesn't please him, we need to throw it out. It will destroy us.
This game is for keeps. Unfortunately I've seen too many that have compromised so long, they can't be convinced to return. There's no desire to hear the voice of God. I'm not talking about unbelievers, I'm talking about those who've been on fire, but then turned away. They've given themselves to the "Green Jell-o" of lust, bitterness, or some other subtle killer.
The Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is so much more than "put on a happy face". It's about living right with God. It's not worrying about the poison in the food! It's living in a confident relationship with the creator. Stay away from the Green Jell-o of sin!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Friday, November 7, 2008
11.7.8 "DREAM Checkup"
"DREAM Checkup"
Ezekiel 16:43-17:24
Hebrews 8:1-13
Psalm 106:13-31
Proverbs 27.7-9
"But this is the new agreement I will make with the people of Israel, says the Lord: I will write my laws in their minds so that they will know what I want them to do without my even telling them, and these laws will be in their hearts so that they will want to obey them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people." (Heb. 8:10)
Reading this verse is a great reminder of how important it is for us to know who God is. As we spend time with him, we know his character. Through the study of his word, we begin to find principles that guide us in any circumstance. We don't have to stumble around in the lost wondering what God would have us do.
God created each of us uniquely and has a special plan for each one of us. But as different as we are, He never changes. There are principles that he has laid out that are true for everyone of us. Knowing these principles helps us to grow in maturity and live a life of balance.
I think there are times that God's people ask "What should I do??" when the answer is really a "no-brainer". The answer is found in aligning to the principles God has laid out.
The DREAM is an outline of 5 biblical principles that are vital to the life of the mature believer. The acrostic of D.R.E.A.M. is merely a quick checklist for us to see how we're lining up to these principles. I've been sending out "DEVO DREAM"s for 3 and a half years, but many have joined the list recently. It's good for all of us to just take the time today to take a DREAM Checkup. Am I living the DREAM?
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship - How is my relationship with the Lord? Am I in a good place right now? Worship is my fellowship and communion with him. Is there anything that is "clogging" the communication lines? The "D" represents the principle of obedience. Obedience is the highest form of worship. Has God directed me to do something that I've not followed through on? Is there any thing in my life where I know I'm being disobedient? Is there sin in my life that I need to repent of?
Relationships Devoted to Unity - How are my relationships with others? Am I building others up instead of tearing them down? Am I living as a part of the Body of Christ, or am I off doing things on my own? The "R" represents the principle of Submission. Submission is defined as "setting aside pride, will and opinion to meet the need of another." Do I model biblical submission to those around me? Do I take the time to meet the needs of others? Are my relationships healthy?
Empowered Through Biblical Training - Is biblical training a regular part of my life? Do I consistently get into the word and let it strengthen me, or do I just "dabble" in it? Am I consistent to the corporate teaching of the word in church services, sunday school, bible studies, or do I just go through the motions of convenient church attendance? The "E" represents the principle of Discipline. Discipline means "to bring to alignment." Am I placing myself in alignment with God's word. Am I disciplined to study it?
Active Ministry Involvement - Am I being a good steward of the resources God has given me? This is not just a question of being involved in a ministry, it's putting what God has given me into his hands to serve others. The "A" represents the principle of Responsibility. Am I being responsible with my time, talent, finances and resources in a way that brings honor to God?
Mission to Reach our World for Christ - Do I understand that every part of my life is for this purpose? Am I living a life that points to Christ, or do I turn the "switch off" when I don't feel like acting Christ-like? The "M" represents the principle of Purpose. Am I living with this purpose in mind? Am I using every opportunity to draw others to Christ?
How did you do in this checklist? If we're honest, I think we all can find areas where we need work. Now obviously, knowing the DREAM does not mean you know God. But using this tool to bring everyday application to Godly principles can really equip us to live a godly life. Situations will come up today, and you will automatically know the right thing to do, because you know whether or not it lines up with Godly principles. If a situation would lead you to walk in disobedience, you know the answer is no. If it's not devoted to unity... etc.
It ain't "rocket surgery"! ;)
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 16:43-17:24
Hebrews 8:1-13
Psalm 106:13-31
Proverbs 27.7-9
"But this is the new agreement I will make with the people of Israel, says the Lord: I will write my laws in their minds so that they will know what I want them to do without my even telling them, and these laws will be in their hearts so that they will want to obey them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people." (Heb. 8:10)
Reading this verse is a great reminder of how important it is for us to know who God is. As we spend time with him, we know his character. Through the study of his word, we begin to find principles that guide us in any circumstance. We don't have to stumble around in the lost wondering what God would have us do.
God created each of us uniquely and has a special plan for each one of us. But as different as we are, He never changes. There are principles that he has laid out that are true for everyone of us. Knowing these principles helps us to grow in maturity and live a life of balance.
I think there are times that God's people ask "What should I do??" when the answer is really a "no-brainer". The answer is found in aligning to the principles God has laid out.
The DREAM is an outline of 5 biblical principles that are vital to the life of the mature believer. The acrostic of D.R.E.A.M. is merely a quick checklist for us to see how we're lining up to these principles. I've been sending out "DEVO DREAM"s for 3 and a half years, but many have joined the list recently. It's good for all of us to just take the time today to take a DREAM Checkup. Am I living the DREAM?
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship - How is my relationship with the Lord? Am I in a good place right now? Worship is my fellowship and communion with him. Is there anything that is "clogging" the communication lines? The "D" represents the principle of obedience. Obedience is the highest form of worship. Has God directed me to do something that I've not followed through on? Is there any thing in my life where I know I'm being disobedient? Is there sin in my life that I need to repent of?
Relationships Devoted to Unity - How are my relationships with others? Am I building others up instead of tearing them down? Am I living as a part of the Body of Christ, or am I off doing things on my own? The "R" represents the principle of Submission. Submission is defined as "setting aside pride, will and opinion to meet the need of another." Do I model biblical submission to those around me? Do I take the time to meet the needs of others? Are my relationships healthy?
Empowered Through Biblical Training - Is biblical training a regular part of my life? Do I consistently get into the word and let it strengthen me, or do I just "dabble" in it? Am I consistent to the corporate teaching of the word in church services, sunday school, bible studies, or do I just go through the motions of convenient church attendance? The "E" represents the principle of Discipline. Discipline means "to bring to alignment." Am I placing myself in alignment with God's word. Am I disciplined to study it?
Active Ministry Involvement - Am I being a good steward of the resources God has given me? This is not just a question of being involved in a ministry, it's putting what God has given me into his hands to serve others. The "A" represents the principle of Responsibility. Am I being responsible with my time, talent, finances and resources in a way that brings honor to God?
Mission to Reach our World for Christ - Do I understand that every part of my life is for this purpose? Am I living a life that points to Christ, or do I turn the "switch off" when I don't feel like acting Christ-like? The "M" represents the principle of Purpose. Am I living with this purpose in mind? Am I using every opportunity to draw others to Christ?
How did you do in this checklist? If we're honest, I think we all can find areas where we need work. Now obviously, knowing the DREAM does not mean you know God. But using this tool to bring everyday application to Godly principles can really equip us to live a godly life. Situations will come up today, and you will automatically know the right thing to do, because you know whether or not it lines up with Godly principles. If a situation would lead you to walk in disobedience, you know the answer is no. If it's not devoted to unity... etc.
It ain't "rocket surgery"! ;)
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
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