9.29.9 "Moved, yet Unchanged"

"Moved, yet Unchanged"

Isaiah 57:15-59:21
Philipians 1:1-26
Psalm 71:1-24
Proverbs 24:9-10

Incredible things happen when we are faithful in reading the Word. The more we read, the more we hear God's voice, and the more the scriptures come alive. Today's reading in Isaiah is great! Isaiah chapter 58 speaks of each element of the DREAM.

Is 58:2 "[My people] act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and are so delighted to hear the reading of my laws - just as though they would obey them - just as though they don't despise the commandments of their God! How anxious they are to worship correctly; oh, how they love the Temple services!"

Too often rather than a Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship, we live FOR a Dynamic Event! We'll slap down 30 bucks for concert tickets and feel like that's our act of worship. So anxious to worship correctly... and yet...

verse 3 says, "'We have fasted before you,' they say, 'Why aren't you impressed? Why don't you see our sacrifices? Why don't you hear our prayers? We have done much penance, and you don't even notice it!' I'll tell you why! Because you are living in evil pleasure even while you are fasting,"

It's easy to slip into the mistake of trying to impress God with our worship. Not good. Too often even the worship is "about me" rather than responding to His greatness!

Here's a question: Why are you saved? just because it's the right thing to do? Just because you need the additional strength to live life the way you are? We need to be experiencing changed lives! Too often we are moved and yet unchanged. Our relationship with God should make itself manifest in EVERY area of our lives. Our Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship should bring us to a position of change.

verse 4: "Look, what good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me." Relationships Devoted to Unity are important to God. He wants to see our "impressive" worship in action. Look at verse 6: "No, the kind of fast I want is that you stop oppressing those who work for you and treat them fairly and give them what they earn." This is important to God.

Active Ministry Involvement is the process of using our resources which include time, talent, and money to serve others. This is a fruit of true worship as well. verse 7: "I want you to share your food with the hungry and bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor and destitute. Clothe those who are cold and don't hide from relatives who need your help." We MUST use the resources God has given us as he leads.

Empowered Through Biblical training shows up in verse 8. (I know E should be before A, but this is the way it's outlined in this scripture!) The principle of "E" is Discipline. Verse 8 says, "if you do these things, God will shed his own glorious light upon you. He will heal you; your godliness will lead you forward, and goodness will be a shield before you, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind." If we Discipline ourselves to be faithful to his commands, and to godliness, the Light of his Word will shine on us. As we read about in Ephesians 6 yesterday, the armor of God will surround us.

All of this is for the purpose of our Mission to Reach our World for Christ. verse 10 says, "Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you shall be as bright as day." We are the light of the world. We need to put our faith in action. That's when our purpose is fulfilled.

So, why are you saved? It should be so that God can change your life. If you're living life the same way you did years ago, something could be out of whack. In Philippians 1:6 today, Paul says, "And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns." Through His power we are equipped to mature and grow in him.

I don't want the church service to "move" me. I don't want to just be "blessed" by an encouraging word. I need to be changed by the power of God! This should have an effect on me today. This should change me as I grow in him.

Lord, Change Me! Don't allow me to stop at a state of emotional recognition of you, but help me to open up and give you the freedom to complete your work in me and through 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