"Ready to Sanctify"
2 Chronicles 29:1-36
Romans 14:1-23
Psalm 24:1-10
Proverbs 20:12
"Who may stand before the Lord? Only those with pure hands and hearts..." Psalm 24:3-4
Chapter 29 of 2 Chronicles is the story of Hezekiah becoming king of Judah. His father Ahaz had boarded up the temple and refused to allow people to worship. Hezekiah opened up the temple, and ordered the priests to clean it up. Then they had a great worship service offering burnt offerings and sin offerings.
There was a great response from the people to the point of the priests being short handed. verse 34 says, "But there were too few priests to prepare the burnt offerings, so their brothers the Levites helped them until the work was finished - and until more priests had reported to work - for the Levites were much more ready to sanctify themselves than the priests were."
That last part of the verse caught my attention. I don't know enough about the Jewish law and custom to know the full detail of what it means to be "ready to sanctify" yourself, but to me it says alot. What does it mean to be ready to sanctify?
To me it means there is an anticipation of what God is going to do. There's a preparation of heart that happens so that when the time comes, we are in a position for God to do his work in us. Several weeks ago we talked about being prepared to come into the worship service on a Sunday. This is the same message.
Imagine the different approaches to the sunday morning service. You can come in as an observer, intent on watching everything, developing a critical overview of the people and happenings around, determined to stay disconnected from the work God may be trying to accomplish in you. You can approach the service religiously: this is a ritual. The next thing on the to-do list. Get the kids to nursery, get the donut in sunday school, say hi to friends, and get out the parking lot in good time. Or, you can come with a heart that is prepared to worship, with a focus on celebrating the Lord, and ready to allow God to move.
Which one is going to receive the most? Which one should we be?
Romans 14 is a great chapter on unity in relation to dealing with the standards we each have. "Give a warm welcome to any brother who wants to join you, even though his faith is weak. Don't criticize him for having different ideas from yours about what is right and wrong." (Rom. 14:1) The context is specifically about eating meat sacrificed to idols which was a point of contention in the early church. The chapter has a great discourse on how we need to prefer one another in this area, but it closes out with this verse: "But anyone who believes that something he wants to do is wrong shouldn't do it. He sins if he does, for he thinks it is wrong, and so for him it is wrong. Anything that is done apart from what he feels is right is sin." (Rom. 14:23)
Christians seem to be naturally ready and willing to "sanctify" others. We have hoops that we'd like to make each other jump through. That's not the point. We need to sanctify OURSELVES. God is working in each of us individually, and we need to respond individually with a readiness to give up that which he asks of us.
The Levites were ready to be sanctified. I want to be ready to hear from God today. To be used of God. When the body of Christ gets together for worship, take the time to prepare yourself for the move of God. He wont let you down!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
7.30.11 "Devoted to Unity"
"Devoted to Unity"
2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27
Romans 13:1-14
Psalm 23:1-6
Proverbs 20:11
Is it important to be connected to the body? We all need to understand that know we have the need for fellowship with one another in the SAME way we know we should obey God. These are inseparable truths.
In reading Romans 13 we can see the importance of this. In verse 9-10 Paul says, " If you love your neighbor as much as you love yourself you will not want to harm or cheat him, or kill him or steal from him. And you won't sin with his wife or want what is his, or do anything else the Ten Commandments say is wrong. All ten are wrapped up in this one, to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Love does no wrong to anyone. That's why it fully satisfies all of God's requirements. It is the only law you need."
Using a spiritual "Checklist" like DREAM is helpful in that we can take a daily inventory of the purposes God has for us. As good as that is, we have to be careful about a "checklist mentality". With a checklist mentality we can think, "well, at least i got my 'D', i don't have time for my 'R' today."
As we mature in Christ we must begin to realize how inseparable these elements are. How can you say you are living the "Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship", and not respect and obey the government? verse 2 says, "So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow."
Verse 3 says, "For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you." For the past few years, I've started to do a much better job of driving the speed limit. I'm not perfect in this area, but it's been amazing how much more relaxed I am when I see the squad car on the side of the road. There's much more peace in doing what the authorities have asked. I'm sure that's what Paul had in mind when he wrote this, right?
Paul must have been thinking of those who get a letter from the assessor when he wrote verse 6-7. "Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority."
The root of unity is Submission. We cannot be in unity without submitting to the needs of one another. This is a deep heart issue. We must train our hearts to love one another by consistently being aware of each other's needs, and responding with compassion, and appropriate submission to those needs. This is what love is all about.
How urgent is this? Is this really important??
verse 11 "...you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is far gone, the day of his return will soon be here. So quit the evil deeds of darkness and put on the armor of right living, as we who live in the daylight should! Be decent and true in everything you do so that all can approve your behavior."
There isn't much time left. Put this into practice today!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27
Romans 13:1-14
Psalm 23:1-6
Proverbs 20:11
Is it important to be connected to the body? We all need to understand that know we have the need for fellowship with one another in the SAME way we know we should obey God. These are inseparable truths.
In reading Romans 13 we can see the importance of this. In verse 9-10 Paul says, " If you love your neighbor as much as you love yourself you will not want to harm or cheat him, or kill him or steal from him. And you won't sin with his wife or want what is his, or do anything else the Ten Commandments say is wrong. All ten are wrapped up in this one, to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Love does no wrong to anyone. That's why it fully satisfies all of God's requirements. It is the only law you need."
Using a spiritual "Checklist" like DREAM is helpful in that we can take a daily inventory of the purposes God has for us. As good as that is, we have to be careful about a "checklist mentality". With a checklist mentality we can think, "well, at least i got my 'D', i don't have time for my 'R' today."
As we mature in Christ we must begin to realize how inseparable these elements are. How can you say you are living the "Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship", and not respect and obey the government? verse 2 says, "So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow."
Verse 3 says, "For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you." For the past few years, I've started to do a much better job of driving the speed limit. I'm not perfect in this area, but it's been amazing how much more relaxed I am when I see the squad car on the side of the road. There's much more peace in doing what the authorities have asked. I'm sure that's what Paul had in mind when he wrote this, right?
Paul must have been thinking of those who get a letter from the assessor when he wrote verse 6-7. "Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority."
The root of unity is Submission. We cannot be in unity without submitting to the needs of one another. This is a deep heart issue. We must train our hearts to love one another by consistently being aware of each other's needs, and responding with compassion, and appropriate submission to those needs. This is what love is all about.
How urgent is this? Is this really important??
verse 11 "...you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is far gone, the day of his return will soon be here. So quit the evil deeds of darkness and put on the armor of right living, as we who live in the daylight should! Be decent and true in everything you do so that all can approve your behavior."
There isn't much time left. Put this into practice today!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Friday, July 29, 2011
7.29.11 "When the Body Wakes Up"
"When the Body Wakes Up"
2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28
Romans 12:1-21
Psalm 22:19-31
Proverbs 20:8-10
Do you ever wonder where we are in the scope of the history of God's people? As we look in the word and go through the hundreds of years of the kings we see there are ages of blessing and ages of bondage. Where are we now? What is written in the books of heaven about this generation? Do they serve the Lord?
We are in the age where the Body is about to wake up. I think over the past hundred years, there has been a consistent pouring out of God's spirit in millions coming to Christ around the world. Hearts are being made right with God. When we add Romans 12 to the equation, the anticipation increases. There is something big about to happen.
Romans 12: 1 says "...I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy -- the kind he can accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?" We've heard that a hundred times, but meditate on it.
verse 2, " Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you." The behavior and customs of this world teach "it's all about me." Think the fresh thought of "It's NOT about me." Why? Because THEN from YOUR OWN experience you will learn how his ways will SATISFY you!
Romans 12:4,5 "Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others."
Big deal I've heard that a hundred times, too.
You're right. it's been heard a hundred times for hundreds of years. It's time to live it. You may have heard about the 80-20 rule. It's the principle that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. It's true in almost any organization. It's been true in the body of Christ.
How would you feel if your body only had 20% of it functioning? How do you think Christ feels? Most people don't have the mindset that we ARE the Body of Christ, and we need to be healthy and active. Many just come in, sit in a pew and leave having no idea "how his ways will really satisfy you."
Look at the rest of Romans 12. Verse 6-9 Instruct us that whatever it is, we do it WELL! Too often we do a good enough job to get by, or we just do enough to please our conscience. That's NOT what it's about! We will not experience true satisfaction unless we obey these commands.
Read the rest of the chapter. Read it with urgency. When the Body of Christ gets this, we are going to experience something like never before.
To live the DREAM, we must be urgent about each of these elements. Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is your relationship with the Lord. If you you're going to love the Lord with all your heart, you must follow through with R-E-A-M. It's not optional. It's the fulfillment of his plan for our lives. As I've said before, "Your world is desperate for you to be who God created you to be." You must be solidly connected to the Body of Christ in developing your "Relationships Devoted to Unity", You must be in the Word "Empowered through Biblical Training", You MUST get serious about living up to your potential in "Active Ministry Involvement", and it's not about you. It's about our "Mission to Reach our World for Christ."
One verse that I find particularly important for all of us: Romans 12:9 - "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them."
It's time for the Body of Christ to stop hitting the snooze alarm. It's time to wake up!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28
Romans 12:1-21
Psalm 22:19-31
Proverbs 20:8-10
Do you ever wonder where we are in the scope of the history of God's people? As we look in the word and go through the hundreds of years of the kings we see there are ages of blessing and ages of bondage. Where are we now? What is written in the books of heaven about this generation? Do they serve the Lord?
We are in the age where the Body is about to wake up. I think over the past hundred years, there has been a consistent pouring out of God's spirit in millions coming to Christ around the world. Hearts are being made right with God. When we add Romans 12 to the equation, the anticipation increases. There is something big about to happen.
Romans 12: 1 says "...I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy -- the kind he can accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?" We've heard that a hundred times, but meditate on it.
verse 2, " Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you." The behavior and customs of this world teach "it's all about me." Think the fresh thought of "It's NOT about me." Why? Because THEN from YOUR OWN experience you will learn how his ways will SATISFY you!
Romans 12:4,5 "Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others."
Big deal I've heard that a hundred times, too.
You're right. it's been heard a hundred times for hundreds of years. It's time to live it. You may have heard about the 80-20 rule. It's the principle that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. It's true in almost any organization. It's been true in the body of Christ.
How would you feel if your body only had 20% of it functioning? How do you think Christ feels? Most people don't have the mindset that we ARE the Body of Christ, and we need to be healthy and active. Many just come in, sit in a pew and leave having no idea "how his ways will really satisfy you."
Look at the rest of Romans 12. Verse 6-9 Instruct us that whatever it is, we do it WELL! Too often we do a good enough job to get by, or we just do enough to please our conscience. That's NOT what it's about! We will not experience true satisfaction unless we obey these commands.
Read the rest of the chapter. Read it with urgency. When the Body of Christ gets this, we are going to experience something like never before.
To live the DREAM, we must be urgent about each of these elements. Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is your relationship with the Lord. If you you're going to love the Lord with all your heart, you must follow through with R-E-A-M. It's not optional. It's the fulfillment of his plan for our lives. As I've said before, "Your world is desperate for you to be who God created you to be." You must be solidly connected to the Body of Christ in developing your "Relationships Devoted to Unity", You must be in the Word "Empowered through Biblical Training", You MUST get serious about living up to your potential in "Active Ministry Involvement", and it's not about you. It's about our "Mission to Reach our World for Christ."
One verse that I find particularly important for all of us: Romans 12:9 - "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them."
It's time for the Body of Christ to stop hitting the snooze alarm. It's time to wake up!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Thursday, July 28, 2011
7.28.11 "The Awesome Weight of Legacy"
"The Awesome Weight of Legacy"
2 Chronicles 21:1 - 23:21
Romans 11:13-36
Psalm 22:1-18
Proverbs 20:7
Proverbs 20:7 "It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father."
Like it or not, we have a self-centered nature. Many times we view our struggle through Christian maturity as something that is between us and God. God is working in each of us to develop our character into what He wants us to be, but we feel that is a private matter. We all too often forget the larger picture of the impact our character has on generations to come.
2 Chronicles 21:1 starts out, "When Jehoshaphat died..." The first thought in my head was. wow. that's it. All that Jehoshaphat gets is a few pages. A few good lessons of obedience, a few examples of compromise. Is that it? Not really. His allegiance w/ the "evil" King Ahab laid the groundwork for Jehoram, his son, the new king to marry Ahab's daughter, Athaliah. Let's just say she's not someone to name your daughter after. It says in 21:6 of Jehoram, "...and his whole life was one constant binge of doing evil." This pretty much continues for another generation as the lovely Queen Athaliah tries to kill all her grandchildren to protect her throne, and only Joash escapes.
Ugly mess. How does this happen? Character flaws in one generation magnified in the next.
We all know we are not perfect. In fact, there are comfort zone areas of our heart in which we really aren't interested in allowing the Holy Spirit in to do his work. We think we can get by. 2 Chronicles 21:11 says that Jehoram constructed idol shrines in the mountains and compelled the people to worship idols. It drives me nuts how much we read about God's people in the old testament and these shrines in the mountains. However, I'm coming to realize that these mountain shrines represent the corners of our heart and of our character that we try to hide from God. Guess what... It's these shrines that make a mess for future generations.
We may be able to be "whitened sepulchers", as Jesus called the Pharisees, enough to give the appearance of righteousness to those around us, but the pattern of scripture is too consistent and clear for us to think that it wont be revealed somehow.
As I look at my daughter, I wonder about today's Proverb. Will she have the wonderful heritage of an honest father? I consider myself honest, and I do my best, but when I think about her, it raises the bar. Knowing how my integrity affects her future, it causes me to all the more desire the holiness of a surrendered heart.
I can't do this on my own. Romans 11:16b, which is also a part of today's reading says, "For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be too." It is so vital that I am completely grafted to Christ. There is no holiness or purity I can create in myself. It doesn't make a difference what I look like to you or anyone else. It can only come as I am desperately dependent on the Vine of Christ.
It's not that we should be holy for the sake of our kids. We should be holy because He who called us is holy. But it may help to realize the fruit of compromise.
What's your legacy today? What will your children think as they read Proverbs 20:7? My dad will read this. I'm so grateful that I can look at this proverb and be able to relate to the "wonderful heritage" of an honest father. His legacy is known to all. My prayer is that my daughter will look at this verse and feel the same about me. I'm going to live today with that goal. It is an awesome weight, but a tremendous privilege. Lord, graft me to you!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 21:1 - 23:21
Romans 11:13-36
Psalm 22:1-18
Proverbs 20:7
Proverbs 20:7 "It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father."
Like it or not, we have a self-centered nature. Many times we view our struggle through Christian maturity as something that is between us and God. God is working in each of us to develop our character into what He wants us to be, but we feel that is a private matter. We all too often forget the larger picture of the impact our character has on generations to come.
2 Chronicles 21:1 starts out, "When Jehoshaphat died..." The first thought in my head was. wow. that's it. All that Jehoshaphat gets is a few pages. A few good lessons of obedience, a few examples of compromise. Is that it? Not really. His allegiance w/ the "evil" King Ahab laid the groundwork for Jehoram, his son, the new king to marry Ahab's daughter, Athaliah. Let's just say she's not someone to name your daughter after. It says in 21:6 of Jehoram, "...and his whole life was one constant binge of doing evil." This pretty much continues for another generation as the lovely Queen Athaliah tries to kill all her grandchildren to protect her throne, and only Joash escapes.
Ugly mess. How does this happen? Character flaws in one generation magnified in the next.
We all know we are not perfect. In fact, there are comfort zone areas of our heart in which we really aren't interested in allowing the Holy Spirit in to do his work. We think we can get by. 2 Chronicles 21:11 says that Jehoram constructed idol shrines in the mountains and compelled the people to worship idols. It drives me nuts how much we read about God's people in the old testament and these shrines in the mountains. However, I'm coming to realize that these mountain shrines represent the corners of our heart and of our character that we try to hide from God. Guess what... It's these shrines that make a mess for future generations.
We may be able to be "whitened sepulchers", as Jesus called the Pharisees, enough to give the appearance of righteousness to those around us, but the pattern of scripture is too consistent and clear for us to think that it wont be revealed somehow.
As I look at my daughter, I wonder about today's Proverb. Will she have the wonderful heritage of an honest father? I consider myself honest, and I do my best, but when I think about her, it raises the bar. Knowing how my integrity affects her future, it causes me to all the more desire the holiness of a surrendered heart.
I can't do this on my own. Romans 11:16b, which is also a part of today's reading says, "For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be too." It is so vital that I am completely grafted to Christ. There is no holiness or purity I can create in myself. It doesn't make a difference what I look like to you or anyone else. It can only come as I am desperately dependent on the Vine of Christ.
It's not that we should be holy for the sake of our kids. We should be holy because He who called us is holy. But it may help to realize the fruit of compromise.
What's your legacy today? What will your children think as they read Proverbs 20:7? My dad will read this. I'm so grateful that I can look at this proverb and be able to relate to the "wonderful heritage" of an honest father. His legacy is known to all. My prayer is that my daughter will look at this verse and feel the same about me. I'm going to live today with that goal. It is an awesome weight, but a tremendous privilege. Lord, graft me to you!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
7.27.11 "THIS is what Worship is All About"
"THIS is what Worship is All About"
2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37
Romans 10:13-11:12
Psalm 21:1-13
Proverbs 20:4-6
If you were to ask individuals to define worship, you'd get a wide variety of responses. You would probably get many responses that would have to do with music and songs. While these are elements of worship, they don't really 'define' worship.
Worship is our response to the revelation of God. We can respond in song, shouts of praise, clapping hands, etc. The "highest" form of worship is obedience, but all of it is our response to experiencing God.
One of the best illustrations of the pattern for a lifestyle of worship can be found in 2 Chronicles 20. Take the time to read this chapter. This is a story about King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. Jehoshaphat was a good king who had made a few poor decisions, but he tried to be faithful to God. In chapter 20, armies were gathering to attack Israel. 20:3 says, "Jehoshaphat was badly shaken by this news and determined to beg for help from the Lord." He then declared a fast for the people, and they waited to hear from God. They cried out to him and Jehoshaphat declared in verse 12 "We don't know what to do, but we are looking to you."
God then gave his answer to them. In verse 15, ""the Lord says,'Don't be afraid! Don't be paralyzed by this mighty army! For the battle is not yours, but God's!" His instruction said in 20:17, "But you will not need to fight! Take your places; stand quietly and see the incredible rescue operation God will perform for you..."
In verse 18-19 "Jehoshaphat fell to the ground with his face to the earth, and all the people did the same, worshiping the Lord. Then the Levites... stood to praise the Lord God of Israel with songs of praise that rang out strong and clear." They praised God for giving them instruction.
Then they went into battle in verse 21, "...he determined that there should be a choir leading the march... singing the song 'His Lovingkindness is Forever' as they walked along praising and thanking the Lord!"
In verse 22, "And at the moment they began to sing and to praise..." the enemy armies began to destroy one another. Verse 26 says "And how they praised the Lord!" (for those old enough to remember the Little Rascals... "And How!" :)
Then they went back to Jerusalem and REALLY had Church!
So how does that apply to you? What is the pattern for worship found here?
1. Troubles will come!
2. Determine in your heart to seek God first.
3. Acknowledge you are helpless, "I don't know what to do but my eyes are on you!"
4. Wait for an answer (EXPECTING an answer is key to this, as is WAITING till you get it!)
5. Praise God for the answer he gives you.
6. Walk in obedience with a heart of praise leading the way!
7. Rejoice in the victory he brings.
Imagine what church would be like Sunday morning if this was the pattern of God's people all the time! We probably wouldn't hear "I didn't get much out of worship today..." We'd be having a great stompin' on the devil party!
Try to apply these principles to your life and to the struggles that come. Then share your testimony! Verse 29 says, "And as had happened before, when the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God fell upon them." Your testimony will make a difference!
"Accept our praise, O Lord, for all your glorious power. We will write songs to celebrate your mighty acts!" Psalm 21:13
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37
Romans 10:13-11:12
Psalm 21:1-13
Proverbs 20:4-6
If you were to ask individuals to define worship, you'd get a wide variety of responses. You would probably get many responses that would have to do with music and songs. While these are elements of worship, they don't really 'define' worship.
Worship is our response to the revelation of God. We can respond in song, shouts of praise, clapping hands, etc. The "highest" form of worship is obedience, but all of it is our response to experiencing God.
One of the best illustrations of the pattern for a lifestyle of worship can be found in 2 Chronicles 20. Take the time to read this chapter. This is a story about King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. Jehoshaphat was a good king who had made a few poor decisions, but he tried to be faithful to God. In chapter 20, armies were gathering to attack Israel. 20:3 says, "Jehoshaphat was badly shaken by this news and determined to beg for help from the Lord." He then declared a fast for the people, and they waited to hear from God. They cried out to him and Jehoshaphat declared in verse 12 "We don't know what to do, but we are looking to you."
God then gave his answer to them. In verse 15, ""the Lord says,'Don't be afraid! Don't be paralyzed by this mighty army! For the battle is not yours, but God's!" His instruction said in 20:17, "But you will not need to fight! Take your places; stand quietly and see the incredible rescue operation God will perform for you..."
In verse 18-19 "Jehoshaphat fell to the ground with his face to the earth, and all the people did the same, worshiping the Lord. Then the Levites... stood to praise the Lord God of Israel with songs of praise that rang out strong and clear." They praised God for giving them instruction.
Then they went into battle in verse 21, "...he determined that there should be a choir leading the march... singing the song 'His Lovingkindness is Forever' as they walked along praising and thanking the Lord!"
In verse 22, "And at the moment they began to sing and to praise..." the enemy armies began to destroy one another. Verse 26 says "And how they praised the Lord!" (for those old enough to remember the Little Rascals... "And How!" :)
Then they went back to Jerusalem and REALLY had Church!
So how does that apply to you? What is the pattern for worship found here?
1. Troubles will come!
2. Determine in your heart to seek God first.
3. Acknowledge you are helpless, "I don't know what to do but my eyes are on you!"
4. Wait for an answer (EXPECTING an answer is key to this, as is WAITING till you get it!)
5. Praise God for the answer he gives you.
6. Walk in obedience with a heart of praise leading the way!
7. Rejoice in the victory he brings.
Imagine what church would be like Sunday morning if this was the pattern of God's people all the time! We probably wouldn't hear "I didn't get much out of worship today..." We'd be having a great stompin' on the devil party!
Try to apply these principles to your life and to the struggles that come. Then share your testimony! Verse 29 says, "And as had happened before, when the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God fell upon them." Your testimony will make a difference!
"Accept our praise, O Lord, for all your glorious power. We will write songs to celebrate your mighty acts!" Psalm 21:13
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
7.26.11 "The Good News is: You're not Good Enough!"
"The Good News is: You're not Good Enough!"
2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34
Romans 9:25 - 10:12
Psalm 20:1-9
Proverbs 20:2-3
In Romans 10:2-3 Paul is speaking of the Jewish people. "I know what enthusiasm they have for the honor of God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don't understand that Christ has died to make them right with God. Instead they are trying to make themselves good enough to gain God's favor by keeping the Jewish laws and customs, but that is not God's way of salvation."
In verses 8-10 he continues: "For salvation that comes from trusting Christ... is already within easy reach of each of us; in fact, it is as near as our own hearts and mouths. For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord, and believe in your own heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in his heart that a man becomes right with God..."
For many of us this is not a new revelation, but it is good that we keep this at the forefront of our thinking. We are not saved by trying to be good. It's only by faith.
Too often there are people who beat themselves up over the fact that they don't deserve God. That's kind of fruitless because the truth is none of us deserve God. There's not bondage in that thought, there's freedom!
There was one time I was working with a phenomenal piano player. As I was listening to him play the thought went through my head "I'll never be that good". At first it was a bad thought. I was giving myself a mental beating for my inadequacies. Then it became a freeing thought as the Lord spoke to me. "You're right. You're not that good, but you're the one I chose for this task!" Wow! I wasn't earning God's favor by my actions or by how good I was. My value in Christ was not based on my ability to his will. That was an incredibly freeing moment. My value has nothing to do with what I "do".
There's a humility that comes with acknowledging that we do not deserve salvation. We need to humble ourselves each day and thank the Lord for offering us this salvation that is so rich and free. This will help keep us aligned to him.
Sometimes we try to get rid of our sin on our own before coming to Christ. That's like getting cleaned up to take a bath. It doesn't make sense. We need to come humbly to him and allow him to complete his work in us. According to Romans 10:8 it's easy. "...it is as near as our own hearts and mouths."
There's an old chorus:
Thank you Lord for Saving my soul
Thank you Lord for making me whole
Thank you Lord for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34
Romans 9:25 - 10:12
Psalm 20:1-9
Proverbs 20:2-3
In Romans 10:2-3 Paul is speaking of the Jewish people. "I know what enthusiasm they have for the honor of God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don't understand that Christ has died to make them right with God. Instead they are trying to make themselves good enough to gain God's favor by keeping the Jewish laws and customs, but that is not God's way of salvation."
In verses 8-10 he continues: "For salvation that comes from trusting Christ... is already within easy reach of each of us; in fact, it is as near as our own hearts and mouths. For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord, and believe in your own heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in his heart that a man becomes right with God..."
For many of us this is not a new revelation, but it is good that we keep this at the forefront of our thinking. We are not saved by trying to be good. It's only by faith.
Too often there are people who beat themselves up over the fact that they don't deserve God. That's kind of fruitless because the truth is none of us deserve God. There's not bondage in that thought, there's freedom!
There was one time I was working with a phenomenal piano player. As I was listening to him play the thought went through my head "I'll never be that good". At first it was a bad thought. I was giving myself a mental beating for my inadequacies. Then it became a freeing thought as the Lord spoke to me. "You're right. You're not that good, but you're the one I chose for this task!" Wow! I wasn't earning God's favor by my actions or by how good I was. My value in Christ was not based on my ability to his will. That was an incredibly freeing moment. My value has nothing to do with what I "do".
There's a humility that comes with acknowledging that we do not deserve salvation. We need to humble ourselves each day and thank the Lord for offering us this salvation that is so rich and free. This will help keep us aligned to him.
Sometimes we try to get rid of our sin on our own before coming to Christ. That's like getting cleaned up to take a bath. It doesn't make sense. We need to come humbly to him and allow him to complete his work in us. According to Romans 10:8 it's easy. "...it is as near as our own hearts and mouths."
There's an old chorus:
Thank you Lord for Saving my soul
Thank you Lord for making me whole
Thank you Lord for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Monday, July 25, 2011
7.25.11 "The Power of being Powerless"
"The Power of being Powerless"
2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14
Romans 9:1-24
Psalm 19:1-14
Proverbs 20:1
2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the Lord search back and forth across the whole earth, looking for people whose hearts are perfect toward him, so that he can show his great power in helping them."
I just had a picture in my mind of the old "Welcome Back, Kotter" show. As the Lord is looking across the earth, I'd be Horshack waving my arms franticly "ooh, ooh, ooh" Pick me! Show your power in helping me!
So, what's the context of this scripture? King Asa of Judah is doing a great job. He's been real careful to live a life of obedience, and lead the country to do the same. In chapter 14 the Lord helps him defeat an army of 1 million Ethiopians. In Chapter 15 Azariah had a word from the Lord telling King Asa that the Lord would be with him as long as he stayed with the Lord. King Asa listened to this, and cleansed the country of idols, even to the point of ousting his mother because she built an idol.
So, Asa's doing good! Then comes chapter 16. Asa learns that Israel is preparing for battle against Judah. He responds with a plan of his own making. Syria has an alliance with Judah, so Asa takes the silver & Gold from the temple, and sends it to the King of Syria with a message. "Here is silver and gold to induce you to break your alliance with King Baasha of Israel, so that he will leave me alone."
It worked. Sort of. It got him out of the potential war with Israel, but God wasn't happy.
This is the message that came to him through the prophet in 2 Chron. 16:7-8. "Because you have put your trust in the king of Syria instead of in the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped from you. Don't you remember what happened to the Ethiopians and Libyans and their vast army, with all of their chariots and cavalrymen? But you relied then on the Lord, and he delivered them all into your hand." The end of verse 9 says, "What a fool you have been! From now on you shall have wars."
In 2 Chron. 16:12 says, "In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a serious foot disease. Yet even with the severity of his disease, he did not seek the Lord's help but turned only to his physicians."
Bring this home. It's easy to disconnect from the message of this story about the kings of long ago. How does it apply to us? The Lord desires to use our situations to deliver us and make his name great. How does that happen? It happens when we rely on him to give us direction in our problems and come through with answers that bring glory to his name.
When we fix things without consulting God, we rob ourselves of a victory that is greater than we could imagine. Sure, we may deflect the immediate battle, but as the word came to King Asa, the bigger plan was to defeat the Syrians, too.
We must discipline ourselves to seek God in EVERYTHING. You don't know what God wants to ultimately do through your struggle. You may be looking for a simple victory, but God is looking to do miraculous things.
Make your heart "perfect toward him" by walking in obedience. Walk in DEPENDENCE on him. When we lay our "power" down, and constantly rely on him, we will experience some incredible things.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14
Romans 9:1-24
Psalm 19:1-14
Proverbs 20:1
2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the Lord search back and forth across the whole earth, looking for people whose hearts are perfect toward him, so that he can show his great power in helping them."
I just had a picture in my mind of the old "Welcome Back, Kotter" show. As the Lord is looking across the earth, I'd be Horshack waving my arms franticly "ooh, ooh, ooh" Pick me! Show your power in helping me!
So, what's the context of this scripture? King Asa of Judah is doing a great job. He's been real careful to live a life of obedience, and lead the country to do the same. In chapter 14 the Lord helps him defeat an army of 1 million Ethiopians. In Chapter 15 Azariah had a word from the Lord telling King Asa that the Lord would be with him as long as he stayed with the Lord. King Asa listened to this, and cleansed the country of idols, even to the point of ousting his mother because she built an idol.
So, Asa's doing good! Then comes chapter 16. Asa learns that Israel is preparing for battle against Judah. He responds with a plan of his own making. Syria has an alliance with Judah, so Asa takes the silver & Gold from the temple, and sends it to the King of Syria with a message. "Here is silver and gold to induce you to break your alliance with King Baasha of Israel, so that he will leave me alone."
It worked. Sort of. It got him out of the potential war with Israel, but God wasn't happy.
This is the message that came to him through the prophet in 2 Chron. 16:7-8. "Because you have put your trust in the king of Syria instead of in the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped from you. Don't you remember what happened to the Ethiopians and Libyans and their vast army, with all of their chariots and cavalrymen? But you relied then on the Lord, and he delivered them all into your hand." The end of verse 9 says, "What a fool you have been! From now on you shall have wars."
In 2 Chron. 16:12 says, "In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a serious foot disease. Yet even with the severity of his disease, he did not seek the Lord's help but turned only to his physicians."
Bring this home. It's easy to disconnect from the message of this story about the kings of long ago. How does it apply to us? The Lord desires to use our situations to deliver us and make his name great. How does that happen? It happens when we rely on him to give us direction in our problems and come through with answers that bring glory to his name.
When we fix things without consulting God, we rob ourselves of a victory that is greater than we could imagine. Sure, we may deflect the immediate battle, but as the word came to King Asa, the bigger plan was to defeat the Syrians, too.
We must discipline ourselves to seek God in EVERYTHING. You don't know what God wants to ultimately do through your struggle. You may be looking for a simple victory, but God is looking to do miraculous things.
Make your heart "perfect toward him" by walking in obedience. Walk in DEPENDENCE on him. When we lay our "power" down, and constantly rely on him, we will experience some incredible things.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Sunday, July 24, 2011
7.24.11 "Trusting"
"Trusting"
2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22
Romans 8:24-39
Psalm 18:35-50
Proverbs 19:27-29
"Trust me." Has anyone ever said that to you? It's usually said when you've got a look on your face that displays you're not sure what you're getting into. One of my favorite parenting experiences was when my daughter learned to ride her bike. After taking off the training wheels, I would walk beside her holding her bike up. She'd yell, "Dad! Don't let go!" I kept telling her she could trust me. (I know you're thinking I did let go, but not until she was ready!)
Dictionary.com has these definitions of trust:
1. Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
2. Custody; care.
3. Something committed into the care of another; charge.
4. One in which confidence is placed.
5. Reliance on something in the future; hope.
6. Reliance on the intention and ability of a purchaser to pay in the future; credit
Romans 8:24-25 says, "We are saved by trusting. And trusting means looking forward to getting something we don't yet have - for a man who already has something doesn't need to hope and trust that he will get it. But if we must keep trusting God for something that hasn't happened yet, it teaches us to wait patiently and confidently."
When I was a teen in youth group we would play a game called "trust". a person would stand in the middle of a bunch of kids sitting in a tight circle with their feet together around the standing persons ankles. The person standing in the middle would then fall and those sitting would catch them and push them back up. If you've ever played this game before you know what i'm talking about. There's only a couple ways this thing works. 1. The people sitting must do their part to catch the person and push them up, or it ruins the "trust" of the falling person. 2. The falling person must fall completely stiff or it wont work, but to fall completely stiff, you must really TRUST that someone is going to catch you.
Looking at the outline of the dictionary definition of trust, here are some simple thoughts on trust for us today.
Do you Trust God?
1. Do you have a firm reliance on His integrity? His ability to accomplish what needs to be accomplished? Do you trust His character? Do you really believe he will do what he said he will do?
2. Are you in his "custody"? Are you keeping yourself in his care? Trusting God is like staying under his umbrella. Are you waiting patiently under his care, or are you running ahead trying to fix things your way?
3. Have you committed your ways to him? Have you placed your life in His charge? "Here I am Lord, You are in charge of me."
4. Is He your confidence? Your trust? Do you confide in him? Is there that bond of trust?
5. How sure are you of his promise? Do you have a firm reliance in the future? Do you have hope?
6. This will sound funny, but do you believe God will pay his bills? Do you believe he will come through the way he said he will? Is he able to "cover" his promises? He is in no way indebted to us, but he is committed to fulfill his word.
These definitions come from the dictionary, not the bible, but nonetheless they do define how we should be trusting God.
The game of trust is a lot of fun when you completely trust those who are catching you. they almost throw you back and forth and around the circle, but you don't get hurt because they don't let you fall.
Think of a life COMPLETELY trusting God. There's no flinching. There's no dropping. Wouldn't that be a blast? Living a Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is a thrill ride when we don't hesitate to walk in obedience because we TRUST the One giving the commands.
The words written almost 100 years ago:
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
There is discipline in trusting God. It is an action. Trust in Him today as you Live the DREAM!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22
Romans 8:24-39
Psalm 18:35-50
Proverbs 19:27-29
"Trust me." Has anyone ever said that to you? It's usually said when you've got a look on your face that displays you're not sure what you're getting into. One of my favorite parenting experiences was when my daughter learned to ride her bike. After taking off the training wheels, I would walk beside her holding her bike up. She'd yell, "Dad! Don't let go!" I kept telling her she could trust me. (I know you're thinking I did let go, but not until she was ready!)
Dictionary.com has these definitions of trust:
1. Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
2. Custody; care.
3. Something committed into the care of another; charge.
4. One in which confidence is placed.
5. Reliance on something in the future; hope.
6. Reliance on the intention and ability of a purchaser to pay in the future; credit
Romans 8:24-25 says, "We are saved by trusting. And trusting means looking forward to getting something we don't yet have - for a man who already has something doesn't need to hope and trust that he will get it. But if we must keep trusting God for something that hasn't happened yet, it teaches us to wait patiently and confidently."
When I was a teen in youth group we would play a game called "trust". a person would stand in the middle of a bunch of kids sitting in a tight circle with their feet together around the standing persons ankles. The person standing in the middle would then fall and those sitting would catch them and push them back up. If you've ever played this game before you know what i'm talking about. There's only a couple ways this thing works. 1. The people sitting must do their part to catch the person and push them up, or it ruins the "trust" of the falling person. 2. The falling person must fall completely stiff or it wont work, but to fall completely stiff, you must really TRUST that someone is going to catch you.
Looking at the outline of the dictionary definition of trust, here are some simple thoughts on trust for us today.
Do you Trust God?
1. Do you have a firm reliance on His integrity? His ability to accomplish what needs to be accomplished? Do you trust His character? Do you really believe he will do what he said he will do?
2. Are you in his "custody"? Are you keeping yourself in his care? Trusting God is like staying under his umbrella. Are you waiting patiently under his care, or are you running ahead trying to fix things your way?
3. Have you committed your ways to him? Have you placed your life in His charge? "Here I am Lord, You are in charge of me."
4. Is He your confidence? Your trust? Do you confide in him? Is there that bond of trust?
5. How sure are you of his promise? Do you have a firm reliance in the future? Do you have hope?
6. This will sound funny, but do you believe God will pay his bills? Do you believe he will come through the way he said he will? Is he able to "cover" his promises? He is in no way indebted to us, but he is committed to fulfill his word.
These definitions come from the dictionary, not the bible, but nonetheless they do define how we should be trusting God.
The game of trust is a lot of fun when you completely trust those who are catching you. they almost throw you back and forth and around the circle, but you don't get hurt because they don't let you fall.
Think of a life COMPLETELY trusting God. There's no flinching. There's no dropping. Wouldn't that be a blast? Living a Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is a thrill ride when we don't hesitate to walk in obedience because we TRUST the One giving the commands.
The words written almost 100 years ago:
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
There is discipline in trusting God. It is an action. Trust in Him today as you Live the DREAM!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Saturday, July 23, 2011
7.23.11 "The Seed that Always Grows"
"The Seed that Always Grows"
2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19
Romans 8:9-23
Psalm 18:16-34
Proverbs 19:26
In the One Year Bible reading today, we read through a couple chapters in 2 Chronicles. Through the course of this portion of scripture, we go through quite a contrast in Israel. Compare these two excerpts:
The Queen of Sheba is saying to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 9:5, "everything I heard about you in my own country is true! I didn't believe it until I got here and saw it with my own eyes. Your wisdom is far greater than I could ever have imagined. What a privilege for these men of yours to stand here and listen to you talk! Blessed be the Lord your God! How he must love Israel to give them a just king like you! He wants them to be a great, strong nation forever."
After Rehoboam succeeds Solomon, 2 Chronicles 10:19 "And Israel has refused to be ruled by a descendant of David to this day."
What happened?!
2 things: Pride & Compromise
We have to look into I Kings to get more of the story. Here's the scenario:
Solomon is successful. In 2 Chronicles 8:15, "Solomon did not deviate in any way from David's instructions." This was concerning the building of the temple. Great! but what about what we read in I Kings 11:1,4 "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women... his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been."
As a result of this, later in I Kings 11 we meet Jeroboam who Solomon puts in charge of much of the labor force. The prophet Ahijah prophecies that because of Solomon's compromise the Kingdom of Israel will be torn apart. the Lord promises Jeroboam will be a blessed leader, and have a dynasty as that of David if he follows after the Lord. Solomon tries to kill him, but he hides in Egypt until Solomon's death.
Then there's Rehoboam, Solomon's son. He has the chance to win the hearts of the people. In 2 Chronicles 10, because of his pride, he rejects the wisdom of Solomon's advisors, and the tribes of Israel turn their backs on him & refuse to follow the house of David anymore.
What a disaster! What a disgrace to the name of the Lord God of Israel. Where did all this start??
It started in Solomon's compromise.
How can we apply this to our lives??
Solomon was MOSTLY obedient. Sometimes we fall into the same trap. For example, we can really make things look good on the outside by doing work for the kingdom. Doing everything our leader asks us to do, Just as Solomon did what David commanded in regards to the temple. This may give us "enough" of a sense of accomplishment that we think the things that are hidden will go unnoticed.
But it's the seed that always grows. There will be a consequence to partial obedience. Maybe it's like the case of Rehoboam. The motivation is pride that causes us to go without heeding the spiritual advisors around us. We'll do it OUR way. There will always be a consequence to that as well.
It's important that we understand how urgent it is to make sure we are totally pure before God. We live in danger each moment we linger with hidden high places of pride and compromise.
Jeroboam blew it too. He caused the people to worship idols as well.
God has a great plan for us. It's full of promise like it was for each of these leaders. The terms of this promise are dependent on "if you obey all I command."
Our sinful nature drives us to compromise. "So, dear brothers, you have no obligations whatever to your old sinful nature to do what it begs you to do. For if you keep on following it you are lost and will perish, but if through the power of the Holy Spirit you crush it and its evil deeds, you shall live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:12-14)
Do that today. Be led by the Spirit. Live in full obedience of all God commands. If you find the seeds of pride and compromise, allow God to weed them out of your life, or they will grow!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19
Romans 8:9-23
Psalm 18:16-34
Proverbs 19:26
In the One Year Bible reading today, we read through a couple chapters in 2 Chronicles. Through the course of this portion of scripture, we go through quite a contrast in Israel. Compare these two excerpts:
The Queen of Sheba is saying to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 9:5, "everything I heard about you in my own country is true! I didn't believe it until I got here and saw it with my own eyes. Your wisdom is far greater than I could ever have imagined. What a privilege for these men of yours to stand here and listen to you talk! Blessed be the Lord your God! How he must love Israel to give them a just king like you! He wants them to be a great, strong nation forever."
After Rehoboam succeeds Solomon, 2 Chronicles 10:19 "And Israel has refused to be ruled by a descendant of David to this day."
What happened?!
2 things: Pride & Compromise
We have to look into I Kings to get more of the story. Here's the scenario:
Solomon is successful. In 2 Chronicles 8:15, "Solomon did not deviate in any way from David's instructions." This was concerning the building of the temple. Great! but what about what we read in I Kings 11:1,4 "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women... his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been."
As a result of this, later in I Kings 11 we meet Jeroboam who Solomon puts in charge of much of the labor force. The prophet Ahijah prophecies that because of Solomon's compromise the Kingdom of Israel will be torn apart. the Lord promises Jeroboam will be a blessed leader, and have a dynasty as that of David if he follows after the Lord. Solomon tries to kill him, but he hides in Egypt until Solomon's death.
Then there's Rehoboam, Solomon's son. He has the chance to win the hearts of the people. In 2 Chronicles 10, because of his pride, he rejects the wisdom of Solomon's advisors, and the tribes of Israel turn their backs on him & refuse to follow the house of David anymore.
What a disaster! What a disgrace to the name of the Lord God of Israel. Where did all this start??
It started in Solomon's compromise.
How can we apply this to our lives??
Solomon was MOSTLY obedient. Sometimes we fall into the same trap. For example, we can really make things look good on the outside by doing work for the kingdom. Doing everything our leader asks us to do, Just as Solomon did what David commanded in regards to the temple. This may give us "enough" of a sense of accomplishment that we think the things that are hidden will go unnoticed.
But it's the seed that always grows. There will be a consequence to partial obedience. Maybe it's like the case of Rehoboam. The motivation is pride that causes us to go without heeding the spiritual advisors around us. We'll do it OUR way. There will always be a consequence to that as well.
It's important that we understand how urgent it is to make sure we are totally pure before God. We live in danger each moment we linger with hidden high places of pride and compromise.
Jeroboam blew it too. He caused the people to worship idols as well.
God has a great plan for us. It's full of promise like it was for each of these leaders. The terms of this promise are dependent on "if you obey all I command."
Our sinful nature drives us to compromise. "So, dear brothers, you have no obligations whatever to your old sinful nature to do what it begs you to do. For if you keep on following it you are lost and will perish, but if through the power of the Holy Spirit you crush it and its evil deeds, you shall live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:12-14)
Do that today. Be led by the Spirit. Live in full obedience of all God commands. If you find the seeds of pride and compromise, allow God to weed them out of your life, or they will grow!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Friday, July 22, 2011
7.22.11 "You Can't, yet You Must!"
"You Can't, yet You Must!"
2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10
Romans 7:14-8:8
Psalm 18:1-15
Proverbs 19:24-25
Guess what? You can't keep from sinning. Period. There is nothing in your strength that can defeat sin's power over you. Yet you must.
Paul says it well in Romans 7:15 "I don't really understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can't."
Have you ever been there? are you there right now?
We need to keep a very important truth before us at ALL times: we NEED the power of the Holy Spirit!
As we mature in Christ there's a "by-product" of maturity we must guard against. It's an element of pride that sneaks in. We begin to think we can work in our own strength and our own understanding. We learn a spiritual principle, then walk away thinking, "OK, I got it." and we come back with a bloody nose. Why is that?
One of the main reasons is that we understand that knowing God's Commands is EXTREMELY important, but we many times forget that KNOWING isn't enough. We desperately need the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:3-4 says, "We aren't saved from sin's grasp by knowing the commandments of God, because we can't and don't keep them, but God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours - except that ours are sinful - and destroyed sin's control over us by giving himself as a sacrifice for our sins. So now we can obey God's laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit and no longer obey the old evil nature within us."
As humans mature, they become increasingly independent. Maturity in Christ IS our goal! We need to get the point that we are "no longer as infants tossed back and forth by every wind of doctrine." We need to get past the point of surviving only on spiritual milk. HOWEVER, we MUST realize that unlike our human maturity, Christian Maturity makes us MORE dependent on Christ.
Here's a good test for yourself. How well do you think you can do today without spending time with God? Your answer may be an indicator of your maturity. Will the mature answer be: I spent extra time with God yesterday... I know the word... I made it to church a couple days ago... Or will it be: I can't take another step without time with the Lord! Guess which one is a sign of maturity.
Now think about the sin that so easily entangles you. Are you wrestling with it in your own power, or have you given it to Christ? Sunday school answer is: I've given it to Christ. Well then why does it still entangle? The answer is: Because we walk in the flesh and not in the Spirit.
Try something today: Consciously walk in the power of the Spirit. When challenges or temptations come up, discipline yourself to not react in the flesh. Rest on the power of the Spirit, and see what happens.
"Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God. Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but following after the old nature leads to death." Romans 8:5-6
There's a chorus that says: "Lord fill me with your power, your all consuming fire. Take this clay, mold me I pray, so I'll be ready, Lord. Prepare me today."
Guess what? You're gonna be tempted to sin again. And guess what? In your own strength, you can't keep from sinning. But here's the best part! The power of the Holy Spirit that has been given to you can keep you from sinning! Walk in THAT power!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10
Romans 7:14-8:8
Psalm 18:1-15
Proverbs 19:24-25
Guess what? You can't keep from sinning. Period. There is nothing in your strength that can defeat sin's power over you. Yet you must.
Paul says it well in Romans 7:15 "I don't really understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can't."
Have you ever been there? are you there right now?
We need to keep a very important truth before us at ALL times: we NEED the power of the Holy Spirit!
As we mature in Christ there's a "by-product" of maturity we must guard against. It's an element of pride that sneaks in. We begin to think we can work in our own strength and our own understanding. We learn a spiritual principle, then walk away thinking, "OK, I got it." and we come back with a bloody nose. Why is that?
One of the main reasons is that we understand that knowing God's Commands is EXTREMELY important, but we many times forget that KNOWING isn't enough. We desperately need the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:3-4 says, "We aren't saved from sin's grasp by knowing the commandments of God, because we can't and don't keep them, but God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours - except that ours are sinful - and destroyed sin's control over us by giving himself as a sacrifice for our sins. So now we can obey God's laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit and no longer obey the old evil nature within us."
As humans mature, they become increasingly independent. Maturity in Christ IS our goal! We need to get the point that we are "no longer as infants tossed back and forth by every wind of doctrine." We need to get past the point of surviving only on spiritual milk. HOWEVER, we MUST realize that unlike our human maturity, Christian Maturity makes us MORE dependent on Christ.
Here's a good test for yourself. How well do you think you can do today without spending time with God? Your answer may be an indicator of your maturity. Will the mature answer be: I spent extra time with God yesterday... I know the word... I made it to church a couple days ago... Or will it be: I can't take another step without time with the Lord! Guess which one is a sign of maturity.
Now think about the sin that so easily entangles you. Are you wrestling with it in your own power, or have you given it to Christ? Sunday school answer is: I've given it to Christ. Well then why does it still entangle? The answer is: Because we walk in the flesh and not in the Spirit.
Try something today: Consciously walk in the power of the Spirit. When challenges or temptations come up, discipline yourself to not react in the flesh. Rest on the power of the Spirit, and see what happens.
"Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God. Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but following after the old nature leads to death." Romans 8:5-6
There's a chorus that says: "Lord fill me with your power, your all consuming fire. Take this clay, mold me I pray, so I'll be ready, Lord. Prepare me today."
Guess what? You're gonna be tempted to sin again. And guess what? In your own strength, you can't keep from sinning. But here's the best part! The power of the Holy Spirit that has been given to you can keep you from sinning! Walk in THAT power!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Thursday, July 21, 2011
7.21.11 "What is Worship?"
"What is Worship?"
2 Chronicles 4:1-6:13a
Romans 7:1-14
Psalm 17:1-15
Proverbs 19:22-23
What is worship? Is it music? What is it? Worship is our response to the revelation of God. HOW we respond is the "form" of worship, of which "obedience" honors God more than any other. This is also why we sing. We sing in response to his greatness. We clap, shout, etc. all in response to the revelation of our God.
Notice 2 Chronicles 5:10. "Nothing was in the Ark except the two stone tablets which Moses had put there at Mount Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel as they were leaving Egypt."
Think about this. The Ark has been a consistent representation of the Presence of God throughout the Old Testament. Both David and Solomon have referred to the Temple as a place for the Lord to dwell. How do they "move" God in? By bringing in the Ark. What's in the Ark? His commands.
Now, we all know "the Lord inhabits the praises of His people." What are "the praises of His people"? They are "our response to the revelation of God". How is God revealed? Through His Commands!
The dot that we must connect here is that you MUST be "Empowered through Biblical Training" to live a "Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship". Why? because worshiping without the revelation of God is just going through the motions. "having a form of godliness but denying its power." (2 Tim 3:5)
Again, we are speaking of Balance. One could take this to the extreme and say, well then the highest form of worship IS legalism. Not at all!! In today's reading in Romans 7:6 Paul says, "not in the old way, mechanically obeying a set of rules, but in the new way, with all of your hearts and minds." (TLB) As we look at God's word it's as Paul says in verse 7 "it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known the sin in my heart - the evil desires that are hidden there - if the law had not said, 'you must not have evil desires in your heart.'"
As God reveals himself through His Word, we respond in worship. There may be times we wanna shout for joy. Times to sing. Times to fall down in repentance. In all things, our worship needs to be in the form of obedience to what he has shown us. This isn't always an emotional thing. In fact, most of the time it's not. We must discipline ourselves to seek his face, to get into the word, and of course, to worship in spirit and in truth.
Remember King Josiah in 2 Kings 23? They had found the commands in the temple. They read them publicly. What followed? "The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord - to follow the Lord and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant." They responded to the revelation of God. Their worship took the form of cleansing the temple.
In 2 Chronicles 5:11-14, the priests present the first musical entitled "He is so good! His loving kindness lasts forever!" in response to the Ark coming into the temple.
What is your response to the revelation of God in your life?
In Psalm 17:15, David says, "But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing you and knowing all is well between us." (TLB) How great is that! What makes you content? If you search your heart you will know that the only contentment is found as we seek God, respond in obedience, and know that all is well between us.
Live Empowered through Biblical Training today so you can Live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 4:1-6:13a
Romans 7:1-14
Psalm 17:1-15
Proverbs 19:22-23
What is worship? Is it music? What is it? Worship is our response to the revelation of God. HOW we respond is the "form" of worship, of which "obedience" honors God more than any other. This is also why we sing. We sing in response to his greatness. We clap, shout, etc. all in response to the revelation of our God.
Notice 2 Chronicles 5:10. "Nothing was in the Ark except the two stone tablets which Moses had put there at Mount Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel as they were leaving Egypt."
Think about this. The Ark has been a consistent representation of the Presence of God throughout the Old Testament. Both David and Solomon have referred to the Temple as a place for the Lord to dwell. How do they "move" God in? By bringing in the Ark. What's in the Ark? His commands.
Now, we all know "the Lord inhabits the praises of His people." What are "the praises of His people"? They are "our response to the revelation of God". How is God revealed? Through His Commands!
The dot that we must connect here is that you MUST be "Empowered through Biblical Training" to live a "Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship". Why? because worshiping without the revelation of God is just going through the motions. "having a form of godliness but denying its power." (2 Tim 3:5)
Again, we are speaking of Balance. One could take this to the extreme and say, well then the highest form of worship IS legalism. Not at all!! In today's reading in Romans 7:6 Paul says, "not in the old way, mechanically obeying a set of rules, but in the new way, with all of your hearts and minds." (TLB) As we look at God's word it's as Paul says in verse 7 "it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known the sin in my heart - the evil desires that are hidden there - if the law had not said, 'you must not have evil desires in your heart.'"
As God reveals himself through His Word, we respond in worship. There may be times we wanna shout for joy. Times to sing. Times to fall down in repentance. In all things, our worship needs to be in the form of obedience to what he has shown us. This isn't always an emotional thing. In fact, most of the time it's not. We must discipline ourselves to seek his face, to get into the word, and of course, to worship in spirit and in truth.
Remember King Josiah in 2 Kings 23? They had found the commands in the temple. They read them publicly. What followed? "The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord - to follow the Lord and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant." They responded to the revelation of God. Their worship took the form of cleansing the temple.
In 2 Chronicles 5:11-14, the priests present the first musical entitled "He is so good! His loving kindness lasts forever!" in response to the Ark coming into the temple.
What is your response to the revelation of God in your life?
In Psalm 17:15, David says, "But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing you and knowing all is well between us." (TLB) How great is that! What makes you content? If you search your heart you will know that the only contentment is found as we seek God, respond in obedience, and know that all is well between us.
Live Empowered through Biblical Training today so you can Live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
7.20.11 "The Bondage of Freedom or Bound to Be Free"
"The Bondage of Freedom or Bound to Be Free"
2 Chronicles 1:1- 3:17
Romans 6:1-23
Psalm 16:1-11
Proverbs 19:20-21
Romans 6:2 "Should we keep sinning when we don't have to?"
The trip through Romans is very interesting. Paul writes with such a logical process to the Roman Christians. It reminds me of some of my early computer programing classes. Many of the calculations were "if-then" statements. (IF this is true, THEN this is true...) I had a Logical Philosophy class in college which Paul would have been a great teacher of, based on his teachings in Romans. I'm not as eloquent logically, so this DEVO may be hard to follow.
The concept of freedom is very paradoxical. For example, look at America. We are so proud of our freedom, but as individuals "do what's right in their own eyes", their freedom leads to bondage. In legal terms, Americans are "free" to drink alcohol, but how many are bound by alcoholism. When an alcoholic took his first drink and you asked him why, I'm sure there may have been a response something like, "Because I can! Nobody's telling ME what to do!" Yet if you ask him now it would probably be "Because I must!" Freedom? I don't think so.
Romans 6:16b says, "The one to whom you offer yourself - he will take you and be your master and you will be his slave."
Why is it that the "freedoms" of sin are so tempting? We love to please the flesh. We fool ourselves into thinking that our flesh is not really a master. Yet you know in your heart, that pleasing the flesh is exactly what satan hopes we do. As we please the flesh, we become a slave to it's desires.
So where is freedom found? Freedom is found in becoming a slave to God. Romans 6:16a says "Don't you realize that you can choose your own master? You can choose sin (with death) or else obedience (with acquittal)." verse 18 says, "and now you are free from your old master, sin; and you have become slaves to your new master, righteousness."
Where is the line drawn between legalism and slavery to righteousness? That's a really tough question. Were we to legislate the conduct and behavior of every individual, it would be yet another form of bondage. But at the same time, being a slave to righteousness will dictate our conduct and behavior.
Bob Dylan sang the song, "You Gotta Serve Somebody". The line was, "Well, it may be the devil, or it may be the Lord, but you gotta serve somebody!"
The fact is this: you ARE a slave. But, you have a choice to whom you will be a slave to. Look at the benefits package of both sin and righteousness. Make no mistake. If sin wasn't fun, no one would do it. It does please the flesh. So, why not sin? Because you become a slave to it. Period. There's no exception.
We must commit ourselves to be slaves to God. In doing that, it becomes like Romans 6:6 "Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin's control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin."
A friend of mine who was freed from an addiction wrote the following:
Sometimes my body aches, but my heart, spirit, mind, and conscience
rejoice. This makes the score 4 to 1 against the flesh, as I see it.
Yet the flesh is a heavy hitter. It will try to get me to trade scores:
"I can make you feel great!" When we're a slave to sin, this lie works
so well, and I often traded what I knew was right for what I knew was
wrong. After we're away from the flesh for awhile, though, the mind,
heart, spirit, and conscience not only recognize the lie (I recognized it
even when I was in the middle of sin, but still made the trade) but they
now begin to ask, "Is this worth it?" The spirit gains more and more
strength as time goes on and soon says, "It's not worth it today, this
week, this month, .... this year?!!??? " To me the key to no longer
being a slave to sin is to get away from it for awhile completely. Time
is the key to growing stronger, with the Lord's power, of course. The
devil will try to sift as wheat, but if we can make it through a sifting
or 2, suddenly we see a faint light, a spark at the end of the tunnel.
For me, when I saw the spark, I lit out for it, wanted the light. Now
the light shines, and the flesh is no longer the slave driver. Christ
bought me as His slave and offers me the papers of freedom. I don't want
them! Keep me as yours, Lord!
Psalm 16:8 says, "I am always thinking of the Lord; and because he is so near, I never need to stumble or to fall." Keeping our mind on Christ keeps us from sin.
Christians need to be reminded of this. Too often there is a flirting with the slavery of sin. There is willful bondage.
To truly be free, find freedom in Christ your master. On the outside, it may seem that your conduct is constrained, but your heart will be free, and there is nothing like that feeling! This is a daily choice. Romans 6:22,23 "But now you are free from the power of sin and are slaves of God, and his benefits to you include holiness and everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
I am free in Christ!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 1:1- 3:17
Romans 6:1-23
Psalm 16:1-11
Proverbs 19:20-21
Romans 6:2 "Should we keep sinning when we don't have to?"
The trip through Romans is very interesting. Paul writes with such a logical process to the Roman Christians. It reminds me of some of my early computer programing classes. Many of the calculations were "if-then" statements. (IF this is true, THEN this is true...) I had a Logical Philosophy class in college which Paul would have been a great teacher of, based on his teachings in Romans. I'm not as eloquent logically, so this DEVO may be hard to follow.
The concept of freedom is very paradoxical. For example, look at America. We are so proud of our freedom, but as individuals "do what's right in their own eyes", their freedom leads to bondage. In legal terms, Americans are "free" to drink alcohol, but how many are bound by alcoholism. When an alcoholic took his first drink and you asked him why, I'm sure there may have been a response something like, "Because I can! Nobody's telling ME what to do!" Yet if you ask him now it would probably be "Because I must!" Freedom? I don't think so.
Romans 6:16b says, "The one to whom you offer yourself - he will take you and be your master and you will be his slave."
Why is it that the "freedoms" of sin are so tempting? We love to please the flesh. We fool ourselves into thinking that our flesh is not really a master. Yet you know in your heart, that pleasing the flesh is exactly what satan hopes we do. As we please the flesh, we become a slave to it's desires.
So where is freedom found? Freedom is found in becoming a slave to God. Romans 6:16a says "Don't you realize that you can choose your own master? You can choose sin (with death) or else obedience (with acquittal)." verse 18 says, "and now you are free from your old master, sin; and you have become slaves to your new master, righteousness."
Where is the line drawn between legalism and slavery to righteousness? That's a really tough question. Were we to legislate the conduct and behavior of every individual, it would be yet another form of bondage. But at the same time, being a slave to righteousness will dictate our conduct and behavior.
Bob Dylan sang the song, "You Gotta Serve Somebody". The line was, "Well, it may be the devil, or it may be the Lord, but you gotta serve somebody!"
The fact is this: you ARE a slave. But, you have a choice to whom you will be a slave to. Look at the benefits package of both sin and righteousness. Make no mistake. If sin wasn't fun, no one would do it. It does please the flesh. So, why not sin? Because you become a slave to it. Period. There's no exception.
We must commit ourselves to be slaves to God. In doing that, it becomes like Romans 6:6 "Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin's control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin."
A friend of mine who was freed from an addiction wrote the following:
Sometimes my body aches, but my heart, spirit, mind, and conscience
rejoice. This makes the score 4 to 1 against the flesh, as I see it.
Yet the flesh is a heavy hitter. It will try to get me to trade scores:
"I can make you feel great!" When we're a slave to sin, this lie works
so well, and I often traded what I knew was right for what I knew was
wrong. After we're away from the flesh for awhile, though, the mind,
heart, spirit, and conscience not only recognize the lie (I recognized it
even when I was in the middle of sin, but still made the trade) but they
now begin to ask, "Is this worth it?" The spirit gains more and more
strength as time goes on and soon says, "It's not worth it today, this
week, this month, .... this year?!!??? " To me the key to no longer
being a slave to sin is to get away from it for awhile completely. Time
is the key to growing stronger, with the Lord's power, of course. The
devil will try to sift as wheat, but if we can make it through a sifting
or 2, suddenly we see a faint light, a spark at the end of the tunnel.
For me, when I saw the spark, I lit out for it, wanted the light. Now
the light shines, and the flesh is no longer the slave driver. Christ
bought me as His slave and offers me the papers of freedom. I don't want
them! Keep me as yours, Lord!
Psalm 16:8 says, "I am always thinking of the Lord; and because he is so near, I never need to stumble or to fall." Keeping our mind on Christ keeps us from sin.
Christians need to be reminded of this. Too often there is a flirting with the slavery of sin. There is willful bondage.
To truly be free, find freedom in Christ your master. On the outside, it may seem that your conduct is constrained, but your heart will be free, and there is nothing like that feeling! This is a daily choice. Romans 6:22,23 "But now you are free from the power of sin and are slaves of God, and his benefits to you include holiness and everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
I am free in Christ!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
7.19.11 "I am a Friend of God"
"I am a Friend of God"
I Chronicles 28:1-29:30
Romans 5:6-21
Psalm 15:1-5
Proverbs 19:18-19
Have you met anyone famous? Any "heroes" of yours that you've met? Due to the marvels of facebook, I can now say I'm "friends" with some of my heroes. I've even sustained some conversations with some people that I think to be GREAT people. Occasionally I'll name drop a couple... well, just for the sake of example... Gretchen Carlson on the FOX news morning show has MY autograph... yep... not the other way around... I scored the music for a pageant she was in in the 80's... she loved it & wanted my autograph... there... I name dropped.. now I'm important right?
Why do we name drop? It almost gives us a feeling of worth, or it makes us feel that "now people should respect me." Check out these verses in Romans:
"When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.... So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God." Romans 5:6-8,11
As believers we sometimes take the wrong approach to being a friend of God. We can get the sense of "NOW I'm somebody!" A subtle arrogance can develop. Almost as if we "deserve" to be a friend of God.
That couldn't be further from the truth. Christ died for us while we were sinners... we "deserved" none of it. Yet He did it.
Why is this important? If we walk in arrogance of knowing God, we are much like the Pharisees who were proud of their standing and looked in disdain at others who didn't measure up. To realize in humility that we walk in a gift that is undeserved, our outlook is much different. We begin to see those who need Christ through the eyes of hope. We see that They too have this wonderful gift being offered to them. This motivation moves our perspective from a seat of judgment to a kneeling position of washing feet and touching lives.
Oh, that others would know this friendship. Not so the list of "Friends of God" on Facebook can reach 1000, but so that each can know the value that Christ placed in every one of us.
How beautiful it is... I am a friend of God.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 28:1-29:30
Romans 5:6-21
Psalm 15:1-5
Proverbs 19:18-19
Have you met anyone famous? Any "heroes" of yours that you've met? Due to the marvels of facebook, I can now say I'm "friends" with some of my heroes. I've even sustained some conversations with some people that I think to be GREAT people. Occasionally I'll name drop a couple... well, just for the sake of example... Gretchen Carlson on the FOX news morning show has MY autograph... yep... not the other way around... I scored the music for a pageant she was in in the 80's... she loved it & wanted my autograph... there... I name dropped.. now I'm important right?
Why do we name drop? It almost gives us a feeling of worth, or it makes us feel that "now people should respect me." Check out these verses in Romans:
"When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.... So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God." Romans 5:6-8,11
As believers we sometimes take the wrong approach to being a friend of God. We can get the sense of "NOW I'm somebody!" A subtle arrogance can develop. Almost as if we "deserve" to be a friend of God.
That couldn't be further from the truth. Christ died for us while we were sinners... we "deserved" none of it. Yet He did it.
Why is this important? If we walk in arrogance of knowing God, we are much like the Pharisees who were proud of their standing and looked in disdain at others who didn't measure up. To realize in humility that we walk in a gift that is undeserved, our outlook is much different. We begin to see those who need Christ through the eyes of hope. We see that They too have this wonderful gift being offered to them. This motivation moves our perspective from a seat of judgment to a kneeling position of washing feet and touching lives.
Oh, that others would know this friendship. Not so the list of "Friends of God" on Facebook can reach 1000, but so that each can know the value that Christ placed in every one of us.
How beautiful it is... I am a friend of God.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Monday, July 18, 2011
7.18.11 "Be All that You Can Be"
"Be All that You Can Be"
I Chronicles 26:12-27:34
Romans 4:14 - 5:2
Psalms 14:1-7
Proverbs 19:17
One of the most frustrating things for me is not living up to full potential. I can't stand it when things hold me back that don't need to. I hate seeing it in others, too. So much potential never fully realized.
Time for a bit of self-evaluation today. We know God has a plan for our lives. We are all at various stages of understanding the plan or walking in it. I want you look at yourself in terms of living up to your full potential. If 100% is living up to your full potential, where are you at today? What's your percentage?
If it's not 100%, do you know what's holding you back ?
In the Living Bible, Romans 5:2 says "we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be."
Our Mission Statement at Oak Creek A/G is "Reaching Our World for Christ as We Lead Individuals to Discover and Become who God created them to Be."
As with any "slogan", it can become cliche if it loses it's meaning and becomes only a slogan. So, where are you at in the "Discover and Become" process? Paul says we can be confident and joyful in the fact that we can actually become all that God has in mind for us.
Of course, the maturing process never ends, so you can beat yourself up over the fact that you haven't "arrived" yet, but that's not the point.
You could actually live up to your potential today! "What? How can that be? I need to change jobs to live up to my potential! I need to lose 20 pounds to live up to my potential!"
Some of our perceptions as to what is holding us back from our potential are way off! There is not a "cookie cutter" goal that God has laid out for us. It's not that we all should be trying to end up like Paul, or Peter, or another hero of the faith. It's not about what God wants us to "do" as much as it is who he wants us to "BE".
Here's a checklist of 5 questions today:
1. Am I walking in obedience to what the Lord is directing me to do today?
2. Am I caring for those around me by meeting their needs through the principle of submission?
3. Am I disciplining myself to get into the Word and to be faithful to study with fellow believers?
4. Am I using the gifts and talents I have to serve others?
5. Am I living in awareness of those around me who need Christ and doing what I can to connect them to God?
Another way of asking the same questions is "am I living the DREAM?"
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship (walking in Obedience)
Relationships Devoted to Unity (Submitting to the needs of one another)
Empowered through Biblical training (Disciplined to study God's Word)
Active Ministry Involvement (Responsibly using gifts)
Mission to Reach Our World for Christ (Purpose for everything we do)
OK, you're thinking, "why the DREAM 101 class today?" It's because sometimes we become numbed by the familiar. We think that because we've heard it before we can file it away and not really think about it. That's not the case. We need to seriously look at "actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be."
Pastor Jon Brooks said, "Peace is not just an end of conflict, it's a state of everything being in order." In Romans 5:1 Paul says "we can have real peace with him because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us."
Because of this gift of salvation, we can have things in order. We can apply these scriptural principles to our life. By putting the principles of DREAM in place today, we position ourselves for God to use us for his glory. Remember the excuse of changing jobs, losing weight, etc? Well, that may all happen, but it will be a result of having yourself in order, not the other way around.
Don't let this be mere cliche 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
I Chronicles 26:12-27:34
Romans 4:14 - 5:2
Psalms 14:1-7
Proverbs 19:17
One of the most frustrating things for me is not living up to full potential. I can't stand it when things hold me back that don't need to. I hate seeing it in others, too. So much potential never fully realized.
Time for a bit of self-evaluation today. We know God has a plan for our lives. We are all at various stages of understanding the plan or walking in it. I want you look at yourself in terms of living up to your full potential. If 100% is living up to your full potential, where are you at today? What's your percentage?
If it's not 100%, do you know what's holding you back ?
In the Living Bible, Romans 5:2 says "we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be."
Our Mission Statement at Oak Creek A/G is "Reaching Our World for Christ as We Lead Individuals to Discover and Become who God created them to Be."
As with any "slogan", it can become cliche if it loses it's meaning and becomes only a slogan. So, where are you at in the "Discover and Become" process? Paul says we can be confident and joyful in the fact that we can actually become all that God has in mind for us.
Of course, the maturing process never ends, so you can beat yourself up over the fact that you haven't "arrived" yet, but that's not the point.
You could actually live up to your potential today! "What? How can that be? I need to change jobs to live up to my potential! I need to lose 20 pounds to live up to my potential!"
Some of our perceptions as to what is holding us back from our potential are way off! There is not a "cookie cutter" goal that God has laid out for us. It's not that we all should be trying to end up like Paul, or Peter, or another hero of the faith. It's not about what God wants us to "do" as much as it is who he wants us to "BE".
Here's a checklist of 5 questions today:
1. Am I walking in obedience to what the Lord is directing me to do today?
2. Am I caring for those around me by meeting their needs through the principle of submission?
3. Am I disciplining myself to get into the Word and to be faithful to study with fellow believers?
4. Am I using the gifts and talents I have to serve others?
5. Am I living in awareness of those around me who need Christ and doing what I can to connect them to God?
Another way of asking the same questions is "am I living the DREAM?"
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship (walking in Obedience)
Relationships Devoted to Unity (Submitting to the needs of one another)
Empowered through Biblical training (Disciplined to study God's Word)
Active Ministry Involvement (Responsibly using gifts)
Mission to Reach Our World for Christ (Purpose for everything we do)
OK, you're thinking, "why the DREAM 101 class today?" It's because sometimes we become numbed by the familiar. We think that because we've heard it before we can file it away and not really think about it. That's not the case. We need to seriously look at "actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be."
Pastor Jon Brooks said, "Peace is not just an end of conflict, it's a state of everything being in order." In Romans 5:1 Paul says "we can have real peace with him because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us."
Because of this gift of salvation, we can have things in order. We can apply these scriptural principles to our life. By putting the principles of DREAM in place today, we position ourselves for God to use us for his glory. Remember the excuse of changing jobs, losing weight, etc? Well, that may all happen, but it will be a result of having yourself in order, not the other way around.
Don't let this be mere cliche 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
Sunday, July 17, 2011
7.17.11 "Grateful for the Gift"
"Grateful for the Gift"
I Chronicles 24:1-26:11
Romans 4:1-13
Psalm 13:1-6
Proverbs 19:15-16
Anyone with kids knows that there's a fine line when it comes to gifts. You love them so much you want to give them gifts all the time, but you know how it is. It doesn't take but a couple gifts and kids start to think they deserve gifts on a regular basis.
We're never that way are we? Taking a gift for granted?
In Romans 4 Paul is talking about Abraham and this question of faith and good deeds. vs 1-2: "Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What were his experiences concerning this question of being saved by faith? Was it because of his good deeds that God accepted him? If so, then he would have something to boast about."
We know we are saved by faith, not of works, but it's easier than we realize to subconsciously slip into a "deserving the gift" mentality. "I deserve to be saved."
Have you ever received a gift that really humbled you? I remember a nationally known speaker telling the story of a gift he received. He's fairly well off, nice car, nice home, etc. After a service a lady, who he knew was dirt poor came and gave him a check for $5.00 to support his ministry. He shared how that gift really knocked him down to size. He realized how he did not deserve that $5.00 not to mention all the other blessings in his life.
Receiving a gift that you know you don't deserve does an incredible thing to your heart, if you acknowledge the fact of how undeserving you are.
Think of your salvation. Something you deserve? Sunday School answer is "No." But does your heart bear that sentiment? Take a moment to think of this gift of salvation. Think of the cost. Think of the giver. Think about yourself as the recipient.
In Romans 4:4-5 it says, "...being saved is a gift; if a person could earn it by being good, then it wouldn't be free-- but it is! It is given to those who do NOT work for it."
Psalm 13 starts out "How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever?" it continues to lament about the anguish of the heart. but in verse 5&6 "But I will always trust in you and in your mercy and shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because he has blessed me so richly."
No matter where you feel you are at, in a season of blessing or trial, you are not deserving of this gift of salvation. Yet, it has been given you. Rejoice in it this day!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 24:1-26:11
Romans 4:1-13
Psalm 13:1-6
Proverbs 19:15-16
Anyone with kids knows that there's a fine line when it comes to gifts. You love them so much you want to give them gifts all the time, but you know how it is. It doesn't take but a couple gifts and kids start to think they deserve gifts on a regular basis.
We're never that way are we? Taking a gift for granted?
In Romans 4 Paul is talking about Abraham and this question of faith and good deeds. vs 1-2: "Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What were his experiences concerning this question of being saved by faith? Was it because of his good deeds that God accepted him? If so, then he would have something to boast about."
We know we are saved by faith, not of works, but it's easier than we realize to subconsciously slip into a "deserving the gift" mentality. "I deserve to be saved."
Have you ever received a gift that really humbled you? I remember a nationally known speaker telling the story of a gift he received. He's fairly well off, nice car, nice home, etc. After a service a lady, who he knew was dirt poor came and gave him a check for $5.00 to support his ministry. He shared how that gift really knocked him down to size. He realized how he did not deserve that $5.00 not to mention all the other blessings in his life.
Receiving a gift that you know you don't deserve does an incredible thing to your heart, if you acknowledge the fact of how undeserving you are.
Think of your salvation. Something you deserve? Sunday School answer is "No." But does your heart bear that sentiment? Take a moment to think of this gift of salvation. Think of the cost. Think of the giver. Think about yourself as the recipient.
In Romans 4:4-5 it says, "...being saved is a gift; if a person could earn it by being good, then it wouldn't be free-- but it is! It is given to those who do NOT work for it."
Psalm 13 starts out "How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever?" it continues to lament about the anguish of the heart. but in verse 5&6 "But I will always trust in you and in your mercy and shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because he has blessed me so richly."
No matter where you feel you are at, in a season of blessing or trial, you are not deserving of this gift of salvation. Yet, it has been given you. Rejoice in it this day!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Saturday, July 16, 2011
7.16.11 "Who's better?"
"Who's better?"
I Chronicles 22:1-23:32
Romans 3:9-31
Psalm 12:1-8
Proverbs 19:13-14
Pilots seem so serious, I can really appreciate the humor in something a friend sent me a while ago. It was funny things that stewardesses & pilots would say during announcements. One of them fits with today's DEVO:
"In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend
from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your
face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask
before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with more than one small
child, pick your favorite."
Have you ever felt like you're not the favorite? Maybe this picture illustrates:
Our minds can get real hung up on the value of self.
First, Look at I Chron. 22. David decides where the temple is to be placed & begins gathering the materials. In verse 7-10 it says, "'I wanted to build it myself,' David said, 'but the Lord said not to do it..."but I will give you a son," he told me,..."He shall build my temple."'"
So Solomon was better than David, right? You say "no," but he got to build the temple didn't he? David must have been less valuable to God, because God didn't want him to build the temple. Isn't that what our flesh thinks?
Why is it that we attach personal value to position? I was thinking of it in the context of roles in the body of Christ. Even roles in a music department. Is a soloist more valuable than a person in the choir? Is a person in the choir more valuable than a person in the pew? OF COURSE NOT! yet, we allow those thought processes to enter our lives.
In I Chron 23 David assigns structure to the Levites. they handle many tasks in the temple from assisting priests to custodial work. Each one of these positions is important to God.
In Romans 3:9 Paul says, "Well, then, are we Jews better than others?"
There is this natural tendency in man to be comparative. We must guard against this. Think about that parent on the plane. If the parent were to pick the "favorite", who's the bad guy in the story? the "favorite" kid? No. the parent. So connect this dot: If we assign personal worth to position, who is the "bad guy"? We need to realize the answer: it's God. If we're not happy with how he's assigned things, we need to remember that we need to take it up with him, not with those whom he's assigned.
Therefore, our tendency to place people in a "value" order diminishes the greatness of God. He has no favorites. He gives gifts and talents as he sees fit. Romans 3:30 says, "God treats us all the same; all, whether Jews or Gentiles..." David was a man after God's own heart, Yet it was Solomon who was to build the temple. Who's better than who?
By seeing ourselves as less valuable, we often slack off in our duties however humble they may be. Psalm 12:1 says, "Where in all the world can dependable men be found?" Can you be found dependable in whatever station you are in?
Rise to the occasion this day. Realize your value in God. Guard against thoughts of comparison which are based on pride and insecurity.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 22:1-23:32
Romans 3:9-31
Psalm 12:1-8
Proverbs 19:13-14
Pilots seem so serious, I can really appreciate the humor in something a friend sent me a while ago. It was funny things that stewardesses & pilots would say during announcements. One of them fits with today's DEVO:
"In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend
from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your
face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask
before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with more than one small
child, pick your favorite."
Have you ever felt like you're not the favorite? Maybe this picture illustrates:
Our minds can get real hung up on the value of self.
First, Look at I Chron. 22. David decides where the temple is to be placed & begins gathering the materials. In verse 7-10 it says, "'I wanted to build it myself,' David said, 'but the Lord said not to do it..."but I will give you a son," he told me,..."He shall build my temple."'"
So Solomon was better than David, right? You say "no," but he got to build the temple didn't he? David must have been less valuable to God, because God didn't want him to build the temple. Isn't that what our flesh thinks?
Why is it that we attach personal value to position? I was thinking of it in the context of roles in the body of Christ. Even roles in a music department. Is a soloist more valuable than a person in the choir? Is a person in the choir more valuable than a person in the pew? OF COURSE NOT! yet, we allow those thought processes to enter our lives.
In I Chron 23 David assigns structure to the Levites. they handle many tasks in the temple from assisting priests to custodial work. Each one of these positions is important to God.
In Romans 3:9 Paul says, "Well, then, are we Jews better than others?"
There is this natural tendency in man to be comparative. We must guard against this. Think about that parent on the plane. If the parent were to pick the "favorite", who's the bad guy in the story? the "favorite" kid? No. the parent. So connect this dot: If we assign personal worth to position, who is the "bad guy"? We need to realize the answer: it's God. If we're not happy with how he's assigned things, we need to remember that we need to take it up with him, not with those whom he's assigned.
Therefore, our tendency to place people in a "value" order diminishes the greatness of God. He has no favorites. He gives gifts and talents as he sees fit. Romans 3:30 says, "God treats us all the same; all, whether Jews or Gentiles..." David was a man after God's own heart, Yet it was Solomon who was to build the temple. Who's better than who?
By seeing ourselves as less valuable, we often slack off in our duties however humble they may be. Psalm 12:1 says, "Where in all the world can dependable men be found?" Can you be found dependable in whatever station you are in?
Rise to the occasion this day. Realize your value in God. Guard against thoughts of comparison which are based on pride and insecurity.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Friday, July 15, 2011
7.15.11 "The Cost of the Offering"
"The Cost of the Offering"
I Chronicles 19:1-21:30
Romans 2:24-3:8
Psalm 11:1-7
Proverbs 19:10-12
What have you given God? What has it cost you? When we consider that, our mind can run a bunch of different directions. Some might be thinking about a check that's thrown in the offering, some might think of some time committed, or something donated or something like that.
In I Chronicles 21, David has made a mistake. He has sinned against the Lord. The results of his actions bring a plague on his people that causes 70,000 to die. In his mercy, God relents from destroying Jerusalem. David sees an angel with a sword drawn that points toward Jerusalem.
"Then the angel of the Lord told Gad to instruct David to build an altar to the Lord at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite." (I Chron. 21:18)
"David said to Ornan, 'Let me buy this threshing-floor from you at its full price; then I will build an altar to the Lord and the plague will stop.' 'Take it, my lord, and use it as you wish,' Ornan said.... 'I give it all to you.' 'No,' the king replied, 'I will buy it for the full price; I cannot take what is yours and give it to the Lord. I will not offer a burnt offering that has cost me nothing!'"
David offered the sacrifice and the angel put the sword away.
We've heard that phrase before "I will not offer that which cost me nothing." It is more profound than we realize. Following Christ demands our all. We live in an age of convenience Christianity. "I will serve Christ if it conveniences me," seems to be the mantra for many in our culture. "Heaven forbid there is a cost to following Christ."
Truly serving Christ costs us everything. If we want our life to be pleasing unto God, we need to offer him our all. Isaac Watts in the hymn, "When I survey the Wondrous Cross" wrote the phrase, "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."
What is the payment we must make? The specifics of each individual moment will vary for each of us. At some point it may be merely a sacrifice of convenience. It may be a sacrifice of comfort zone. At other times it may be offering that which is most precious.
But why?? Why does God want this? Does he really need my money? my time? Does he really need me to give him what is so important to me?
In our minds we look at what we're giving up. He's not looking at that at all. He's looking deeper. He's looking at our heart.
In Romans 2:29 Paul is talking to the Roman Jews about what it means to truly follow Christ. He says, "For God is not looking for those who cut their bodies in actual circumcision, but he is looking for those with changed hearts and minds. Whoever has that kind of change in his life will get his praise from God, even if not from you."
The cost of the offering is the changed heart.
God isn't asking you to lay down your life because he needs it. He's asking us to lay it down because it's ONLY in laying down our lives that we can find life. Your right, it makes no worldly sense. But when we plant our hopes, dreams, fears, affections, in the grave of sacrifice, incredible life breaks forth. That's the way God works.
With that perspective, we realize that any "cost" is really no cost at all. We're only giving up that which is keeping us from fulfillment, joy and peace.
We sing the song "Offering" in our services. Here are the lyrics:
"I bring an offering of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing
Jesus may you receive the honor that you're due.
Oh Lord, I bring an offering to you."
That last line is repeated a few times. It's easy to sing if you think the offering is only the song. The offering is not the song. It's the changed heart.
I will not offer Him that which cost me nothing. "Oh Lord, I bring an offering to you."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 19:1-21:30
Romans 2:24-3:8
Psalm 11:1-7
Proverbs 19:10-12
What have you given God? What has it cost you? When we consider that, our mind can run a bunch of different directions. Some might be thinking about a check that's thrown in the offering, some might think of some time committed, or something donated or something like that.
In I Chronicles 21, David has made a mistake. He has sinned against the Lord. The results of his actions bring a plague on his people that causes 70,000 to die. In his mercy, God relents from destroying Jerusalem. David sees an angel with a sword drawn that points toward Jerusalem.
"Then the angel of the Lord told Gad to instruct David to build an altar to the Lord at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite." (I Chron. 21:18)
"David said to Ornan, 'Let me buy this threshing-floor from you at its full price; then I will build an altar to the Lord and the plague will stop.' 'Take it, my lord, and use it as you wish,' Ornan said.... 'I give it all to you.' 'No,' the king replied, 'I will buy it for the full price; I cannot take what is yours and give it to the Lord. I will not offer a burnt offering that has cost me nothing!'"
David offered the sacrifice and the angel put the sword away.
We've heard that phrase before "I will not offer that which cost me nothing." It is more profound than we realize. Following Christ demands our all. We live in an age of convenience Christianity. "I will serve Christ if it conveniences me," seems to be the mantra for many in our culture. "Heaven forbid there is a cost to following Christ."
Truly serving Christ costs us everything. If we want our life to be pleasing unto God, we need to offer him our all. Isaac Watts in the hymn, "When I survey the Wondrous Cross" wrote the phrase, "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."
What is the payment we must make? The specifics of each individual moment will vary for each of us. At some point it may be merely a sacrifice of convenience. It may be a sacrifice of comfort zone. At other times it may be offering that which is most precious.
But why?? Why does God want this? Does he really need my money? my time? Does he really need me to give him what is so important to me?
In our minds we look at what we're giving up. He's not looking at that at all. He's looking deeper. He's looking at our heart.
In Romans 2:29 Paul is talking to the Roman Jews about what it means to truly follow Christ. He says, "For God is not looking for those who cut their bodies in actual circumcision, but he is looking for those with changed hearts and minds. Whoever has that kind of change in his life will get his praise from God, even if not from you."
The cost of the offering is the changed heart.
God isn't asking you to lay down your life because he needs it. He's asking us to lay it down because it's ONLY in laying down our lives that we can find life. Your right, it makes no worldly sense. But when we plant our hopes, dreams, fears, affections, in the grave of sacrifice, incredible life breaks forth. That's the way God works.
With that perspective, we realize that any "cost" is really no cost at all. We're only giving up that which is keeping us from fulfillment, joy and peace.
We sing the song "Offering" in our services. Here are the lyrics:
"I bring an offering of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing
Jesus may you receive the honor that you're due.
Oh Lord, I bring an offering to you."
That last line is repeated a few times. It's easy to sing if you think the offering is only the song. The offering is not the song. It's the changed heart.
I will not offer Him that which cost me nothing. "Oh Lord, I bring an offering to you."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Thursday, July 14, 2011
7.14.11 "Credit Card Holiness"
"Credit Card Holiness"
I Chronicles 16:37 - 18:17
Romans 2:1-23
Psalm 10:16-18
Proverbs 19:8-9
Sin is all around us. Watching the news we're bombarded with garbage. Think about the filth that is readily available to young people. Think of the detestable things that are now becoming common place. How does all that make you feel? It's pretty easy to get worked up.
We read Romans 1 and we realize we are living there. It speaks of God releasing men to their own perversion. People driven by lust. We know we live in that age right now. We are surrounded by evil.
Then we get to Romans 2:1.
"'Well,' you may be saying, 'what terrible people you have been talking about!' But wait a minute! You are just as bad."
Ok, Paul, tell us how you really feel...
What makes the Roman Jews "just as bad"? In verses 17-21, "You think all is well between yourselves and God because he gave his laws to you; you brag that you are his special friends. Yes, you know what he wants; you know right from wrong and favor the right because you have been taught his laws from earliest youth. You are so sure of the way to God that you could point it out to a blind man. You think of yourselves as beacon lights, directing men who are lost in darkness to God. You think that you can guide the simple and teach even children the affairs of God, for you really know his laws which are full of all knowledge and truth. Yes, you teach others -- then why don't you teach yourselves?"
How do these scriptures hit you? Make you wanna sing a happy song and skip around the room? Or do you wanna fall you your knees and cry out to God "make me more like you."?
Continuing in verse 21-23: "You tell others not to steal -- do YOU steal? You say it is wrong to commit adultery -- do YOU do it? You say, 'Don't pray to idols,' and then make money your god instead. You are so proud of knowing God's laws, BUT YOU DISHONOR GOD BY BREAKING THEM."
We can go down that list, and feel pretty good. "I don't steal, I don't commit adultery, i don't worship money" all is well! (Thank goodness I'm not like those who do!) But what is God speaking to YOUR heart about? What is YOUR issue?
Each of us have a unique background. My dad is a pastor. I've known God from an early age. I have been "taught his laws from earliest youth." I was talking with a friend whose background was as opposite as you can get. He was telling me about how he has baggage from his past. He made a comment about how being raised a Christian comes without that baggage.
Not in what I just read. There's a baggage of a different kind. It's easy to get arrogant about having the truth at the fingertips. The "sunday school" answers are quick. It's easy to rattle off scripture to correct someone else.
What a privilege we have to KNOW the truth. We are part of a Godly church teaching Biblical truth consistently. Praise the Lord for that! But it is no good to you to just KNOW it. In Romans 2:15 Paul talks of the punishment that will come for those who "know what is right and don't do it."
In yesterday's DEVO I made a statement: "Just because you are used to your sin doesn't mean God is." How cautious we must be to examine ourselves.
There is a callousness that develops if we do not respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit as it comes. In verse 5 Paul speaks of the "credit card effect" (my words not his!) "But no, you wont listen; and so you are saving up terrible punishment for yourselves because of your stubbornness in refusing to turn from sin."
Look inside today. Is there any "debt" built up? There are things that need to be taken care of. I'm challenged to "teach myself" before teaching others.
You know it's easy to get "defeatist" about all of this. "i'm never good enough", etc. That's not what this is about. When James talks of looking in the mirror, we need to realize that when we look into the mirror of the Word, we will discover new things. That's part of the process. But as it says in James 1:22, "It is a message to obey, not just listen to."
I really enjoy reading the Word each morning. It's been a good discipline for me to follow that up with posting a blog / sending emails out. I've really enjoyed sharing with you what the Lord has spoken to me. But it all means nothing if I do not obey what the Lord places on my heart.
What's God trying to clean up in us today? Let's not be like the Jews in Romans 2. Let's obey.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 16:37 - 18:17
Romans 2:1-23
Psalm 10:16-18
Proverbs 19:8-9
Sin is all around us. Watching the news we're bombarded with garbage. Think about the filth that is readily available to young people. Think of the detestable things that are now becoming common place. How does all that make you feel? It's pretty easy to get worked up.
We read Romans 1 and we realize we are living there. It speaks of God releasing men to their own perversion. People driven by lust. We know we live in that age right now. We are surrounded by evil.
Then we get to Romans 2:1.
"'Well,' you may be saying, 'what terrible people you have been talking about!' But wait a minute! You are just as bad."
Ok, Paul, tell us how you really feel...
What makes the Roman Jews "just as bad"? In verses 17-21, "You think all is well between yourselves and God because he gave his laws to you; you brag that you are his special friends. Yes, you know what he wants; you know right from wrong and favor the right because you have been taught his laws from earliest youth. You are so sure of the way to God that you could point it out to a blind man. You think of yourselves as beacon lights, directing men who are lost in darkness to God. You think that you can guide the simple and teach even children the affairs of God, for you really know his laws which are full of all knowledge and truth. Yes, you teach others -- then why don't you teach yourselves?"
How do these scriptures hit you? Make you wanna sing a happy song and skip around the room? Or do you wanna fall you your knees and cry out to God "make me more like you."?
Continuing in verse 21-23: "You tell others not to steal -- do YOU steal? You say it is wrong to commit adultery -- do YOU do it? You say, 'Don't pray to idols,' and then make money your god instead. You are so proud of knowing God's laws, BUT YOU DISHONOR GOD BY BREAKING THEM."
We can go down that list, and feel pretty good. "I don't steal, I don't commit adultery, i don't worship money" all is well! (Thank goodness I'm not like those who do!) But what is God speaking to YOUR heart about? What is YOUR issue?
Each of us have a unique background. My dad is a pastor. I've known God from an early age. I have been "taught his laws from earliest youth." I was talking with a friend whose background was as opposite as you can get. He was telling me about how he has baggage from his past. He made a comment about how being raised a Christian comes without that baggage.
Not in what I just read. There's a baggage of a different kind. It's easy to get arrogant about having the truth at the fingertips. The "sunday school" answers are quick. It's easy to rattle off scripture to correct someone else.
What a privilege we have to KNOW the truth. We are part of a Godly church teaching Biblical truth consistently. Praise the Lord for that! But it is no good to you to just KNOW it. In Romans 2:15 Paul talks of the punishment that will come for those who "know what is right and don't do it."
In yesterday's DEVO I made a statement: "Just because you are used to your sin doesn't mean God is." How cautious we must be to examine ourselves.
There is a callousness that develops if we do not respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit as it comes. In verse 5 Paul speaks of the "credit card effect" (my words not his!) "But no, you wont listen; and so you are saving up terrible punishment for yourselves because of your stubbornness in refusing to turn from sin."
Look inside today. Is there any "debt" built up? There are things that need to be taken care of. I'm challenged to "teach myself" before teaching others.
You know it's easy to get "defeatist" about all of this. "i'm never good enough", etc. That's not what this is about. When James talks of looking in the mirror, we need to realize that when we look into the mirror of the Word, we will discover new things. That's part of the process. But as it says in James 1:22, "It is a message to obey, not just listen to."
I really enjoy reading the Word each morning. It's been a good discipline for me to follow that up with posting a blog / sending emails out. I've really enjoyed sharing with you what the Lord has spoken to me. But it all means nothing if I do not obey what the Lord places on my heart.
What's God trying to clean up in us today? Let's not be like the Jews in Romans 2. Let's obey.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
7.13.11 "Preparing for His Presence"
"Preparing for His Presence"
I Chronicles 15:1-16:36
Romans 1:18-32
Psalm 10:1-15
Proverbs 19:6-7
Some thoughts today on your DLOW. (Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship)
I Chronicles 15 recounts the story of David bringing the Ark of God back to Jerusalem. David calls the high priests together, ordered the Levite leaders to organize the singers into an orchestra, and gathered the whole gang to go to the home of Obed-edom to get the Ark. Verse 28 says, "so the leaders of Israel took the Ark to Jerusalem with shouts of joy, the blowing of horns and trumpets, the crashing of cymbals, and loud playing on the harps and zithers." Sounds like quite an event.
But this isn't the first time David tried to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. In I Chronicles 13, David consults with all his army officers, and decides to invite all the people of israel to get the Ark of God and bring it home. They got it from the house of Abinadab. I Chron. 13:8 says, "then David and all the people danced before the Lord with great enthusiasm, accompanied by singing and by zithers, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets." Another great event. But this first time, something goes wrong. The oxen carrying the cart stumble. Uzza reaches out to steady the cart, and the anger of the Lord burned against him for touching the Ark, and he died.
I Chron. 13:11,12 "David was angry at the Lord for what he had done to Uzza...Now David was afraid of God and asked, 'How shall I ever get the Ark of God home?'"
The Ark of God is a representation of his presence and his power. This story stresses a major theme. The presence of God should not be approached casually. I can picture David & the gang the first time around thinking "Yes! it's all coming together! Let's go get the presence of God!" There was no ill intent, but at the same time, there was no consecration.
The second time, in I Chron. 15:12-15 David instructs the priests, "You are the leaders of the clans of the Levites," he told them. "Now sanctify yourselves with all your brothers so that you may bring the Ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. The Lord destroyed us before because we handled the matter improperly -- You were not carrying it." So the priests and the Levites underwent the ceremonies of sanctification in preparation for bringing home the Ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel. Then the Levites carried the Ark on their shoulders with its carrying poles, just as the Lord had instructed Moses."
What's the difference between the two occasions? It's that they were carrying the Ark "just as the Lord had instructed Moses", but also they were prepared.
How do you approach the worship service? Do you come prepared? Do you come casually? I am fully aware that we are under a new covenant. I know Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." But at the same time "we hold this treasure in earthen vessels" (2 Cor 4:7) We have an obligation to prepare our vessel for the presence of God.
We sing, "Come Just As You Are", and there is nothing wrong with that. The problem is when we keep on "coming as we are", and we leave as we were. We don't wait until we're changed. We "mosey in" to his presence, and we casually leave. We are in a relationship with the God of the Universe. He has not changed since the day Uzza touched the cart. The more we get to know Him and His awesome power, the more we need to be in awe of is greatness. Not to develop a fear that separates us from God, but to enter His presence in awesome wonder of who He is. What would the worship experience be like if we prepared for it? Instead of yelling at the family to get into the car because we're late, what if we really took the time to cleanse our hearts and minds of anything that would hinder us from experiencing God.
Just because we've become comfortable in our sin doesn't mean God has. It's his greatest desire to pour out his presence upon us. Many times the junk in our vessel prevents us from experiencing what he ultimately has for us.
Try it this week. Prepare for the worship experience. Prepare for the presence of God. Revisit the "lost art" of consecration. Set up an "environment of Worship" in your heart. See what happens.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 15:1-16:36
Romans 1:18-32
Psalm 10:1-15
Proverbs 19:6-7
Some thoughts today on your DLOW. (Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship)
I Chronicles 15 recounts the story of David bringing the Ark of God back to Jerusalem. David calls the high priests together, ordered the Levite leaders to organize the singers into an orchestra, and gathered the whole gang to go to the home of Obed-edom to get the Ark. Verse 28 says, "so the leaders of Israel took the Ark to Jerusalem with shouts of joy, the blowing of horns and trumpets, the crashing of cymbals, and loud playing on the harps and zithers." Sounds like quite an event.
But this isn't the first time David tried to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. In I Chronicles 13, David consults with all his army officers, and decides to invite all the people of israel to get the Ark of God and bring it home. They got it from the house of Abinadab. I Chron. 13:8 says, "then David and all the people danced before the Lord with great enthusiasm, accompanied by singing and by zithers, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets." Another great event. But this first time, something goes wrong. The oxen carrying the cart stumble. Uzza reaches out to steady the cart, and the anger of the Lord burned against him for touching the Ark, and he died.
I Chron. 13:11,12 "David was angry at the Lord for what he had done to Uzza...Now David was afraid of God and asked, 'How shall I ever get the Ark of God home?'"
The Ark of God is a representation of his presence and his power. This story stresses a major theme. The presence of God should not be approached casually. I can picture David & the gang the first time around thinking "Yes! it's all coming together! Let's go get the presence of God!" There was no ill intent, but at the same time, there was no consecration.
The second time, in I Chron. 15:12-15 David instructs the priests, "You are the leaders of the clans of the Levites," he told them. "Now sanctify yourselves with all your brothers so that you may bring the Ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. The Lord destroyed us before because we handled the matter improperly -- You were not carrying it." So the priests and the Levites underwent the ceremonies of sanctification in preparation for bringing home the Ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel. Then the Levites carried the Ark on their shoulders with its carrying poles, just as the Lord had instructed Moses."
What's the difference between the two occasions? It's that they were carrying the Ark "just as the Lord had instructed Moses", but also they were prepared.
How do you approach the worship service? Do you come prepared? Do you come casually? I am fully aware that we are under a new covenant. I know Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." But at the same time "we hold this treasure in earthen vessels" (2 Cor 4:7) We have an obligation to prepare our vessel for the presence of God.
We sing, "Come Just As You Are", and there is nothing wrong with that. The problem is when we keep on "coming as we are", and we leave as we were. We don't wait until we're changed. We "mosey in" to his presence, and we casually leave. We are in a relationship with the God of the Universe. He has not changed since the day Uzza touched the cart. The more we get to know Him and His awesome power, the more we need to be in awe of is greatness. Not to develop a fear that separates us from God, but to enter His presence in awesome wonder of who He is. What would the worship experience be like if we prepared for it? Instead of yelling at the family to get into the car because we're late, what if we really took the time to cleanse our hearts and minds of anything that would hinder us from experiencing God.
Just because we've become comfortable in our sin doesn't mean God has. It's his greatest desire to pour out his presence upon us. Many times the junk in our vessel prevents us from experiencing what he ultimately has for us.
Try it this week. Prepare for the worship experience. Prepare for the presence of God. Revisit the "lost art" of consecration. Set up an "environment of Worship" in your heart. See what happens.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
7.12.11 "Your Fight, or God's?"
"Your Fight, or God's?"
I Chronicles 12:19 - 14:17
Romans 1:1-17
Psalm 9:13-20
Proverbs 19:4-5
It isn't news to anyone that there are battles out there. What does tend to surprise many is that battles come even in the path of obedience. "Wait a minute! I'm doing what God wants me to do! Why is the enemy attacking?"
In 1 Chronicles 14 we're reading of David. He as now become king, and good things are happening. There is celebration, new palaces built, and verse 2 says, "David now realized why the Lord had made him king and why he had made his kingdom so great; it was for a special reason -- to give joy to God's people!" I like the way David understood it wasn't about him.
But in verse 8, the first challenge comes up. "When the Philistines heard that David was Israel's new king, they mobilized their forces to capture him..." David has an army of over 350,000 men who are completely devoted to him at this time. They had all gathered to bring David from Hebron to make David king. So David calls them together in reaction to the Philistines.
Then "David asked the Lord, 'If I go out and fight them, will you give me the victory?' and the Lord replied, 'Yes, I will.' So he attacked them..."
A small, seemingly unimportant portion of scripture, and yet in it is the key to life. Oh, it's not all rosy from there on out. Two verses later, "Later the Philistines raided the valley again..." The troubles/trials/tests show up again, "and again David asked God what to do."
This time, the Lord gives David a different approach to attacking the enemy. in verse 16, "So David did as the Lord commanded him; and he cut down the army of the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. David's fame spread everywhere, and the Lord caused all the nations to fear him."
One of my favorite studies is Bruce Wilkinson's Vision of the Leader. It's a study of Nehemiah and his pursuit of God's plan for rebuilding the wall. One section is about "traffic signals" to pursuing God's vision for our lives. It's a series of checks along the way to determine if the timing is right to do what God has placed on our heart.
One of the major signs as to whether we should move ahead or not is related to how dependent on God we are. Do we find ourselves devoted to prayer, or do we find ourselves moving ahead in our own strength? One thing Bruce said was, "you may not even notice it happening, but there's a small fork in the road and you veer slightly off course when you cease to depend on God for every step. Yes, you're still moving in the right direction, but now it's become your vision, and not God's."
The same can happen with our battles. We know that God won it before when we did "A, B & C", so we do "A,B & C" without inquiring of the Lord.
The principle behind the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is Obedience. To Live the DREAM, this pattern must be a regular and consistent part of our life.
1. Recognize trial/test/trouble
2. Inquire of the Lord
3. Receive instruction
4. Obey it.
Making this a LIFESTYLE is so important. What can happen so many times is that we do this for a couple situations, and God comes through. Then we think..."the last time this happened, I did this, so I'll do it again." We then skip over what David did in verse 14 when he AGAIN asks God what to do. Look at how well skipping that step works: Moses hit the rock the first time, but the second time was told to speak to it. He hit it... Samson said "I'll go out as before..."
It is so important that we develop a habit of checking in with God through every moment of every day. "What would you have me to do?" Man! that is so easy! The more you discipline yourself to walk in this lifestyle of worship, the more you recognize the voice of God, and some incredible victories become a way of life.
No, it's not always a quick "road to success", but when you realize it's not about you, life becomes a wonderful adventure.
Many people find it difficult to "get into" praise and worship. When you live a life of obedience, you can't help but rejoice in what God has done. There are those who view the Sunday worship service as a place to come so they can "get through the next week". When God's people are in the habit of seeking him & walking in obedience the worship service becomes a celebration of what God has done in the past week as His people have walked in obedience & experienced incredible victories.
Just a reminder today to Inquire of the Lord, and Obey His direction.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 12:19 - 14:17
Romans 1:1-17
Psalm 9:13-20
Proverbs 19:4-5
It isn't news to anyone that there are battles out there. What does tend to surprise many is that battles come even in the path of obedience. "Wait a minute! I'm doing what God wants me to do! Why is the enemy attacking?"
In 1 Chronicles 14 we're reading of David. He as now become king, and good things are happening. There is celebration, new palaces built, and verse 2 says, "David now realized why the Lord had made him king and why he had made his kingdom so great; it was for a special reason -- to give joy to God's people!" I like the way David understood it wasn't about him.
But in verse 8, the first challenge comes up. "When the Philistines heard that David was Israel's new king, they mobilized their forces to capture him..." David has an army of over 350,000 men who are completely devoted to him at this time. They had all gathered to bring David from Hebron to make David king. So David calls them together in reaction to the Philistines.
Then "David asked the Lord, 'If I go out and fight them, will you give me the victory?' and the Lord replied, 'Yes, I will.' So he attacked them..."
A small, seemingly unimportant portion of scripture, and yet in it is the key to life. Oh, it's not all rosy from there on out. Two verses later, "Later the Philistines raided the valley again..." The troubles/trials/tests show up again, "and again David asked God what to do."
This time, the Lord gives David a different approach to attacking the enemy. in verse 16, "So David did as the Lord commanded him; and he cut down the army of the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. David's fame spread everywhere, and the Lord caused all the nations to fear him."
One of my favorite studies is Bruce Wilkinson's Vision of the Leader. It's a study of Nehemiah and his pursuit of God's plan for rebuilding the wall. One section is about "traffic signals" to pursuing God's vision for our lives. It's a series of checks along the way to determine if the timing is right to do what God has placed on our heart.
One of the major signs as to whether we should move ahead or not is related to how dependent on God we are. Do we find ourselves devoted to prayer, or do we find ourselves moving ahead in our own strength? One thing Bruce said was, "you may not even notice it happening, but there's a small fork in the road and you veer slightly off course when you cease to depend on God for every step. Yes, you're still moving in the right direction, but now it's become your vision, and not God's."
The same can happen with our battles. We know that God won it before when we did "A, B & C", so we do "A,B & C" without inquiring of the Lord.
The principle behind the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is Obedience. To Live the DREAM, this pattern must be a regular and consistent part of our life.
1. Recognize trial/test/trouble
2. Inquire of the Lord
3. Receive instruction
4. Obey it.
Making this a LIFESTYLE is so important. What can happen so many times is that we do this for a couple situations, and God comes through. Then we think..."the last time this happened, I did this, so I'll do it again." We then skip over what David did in verse 14 when he AGAIN asks God what to do. Look at how well skipping that step works: Moses hit the rock the first time, but the second time was told to speak to it. He hit it... Samson said "I'll go out as before..."
It is so important that we develop a habit of checking in with God through every moment of every day. "What would you have me to do?" Man! that is so easy! The more you discipline yourself to walk in this lifestyle of worship, the more you recognize the voice of God, and some incredible victories become a way of life.
No, it's not always a quick "road to success", but when you realize it's not about you, life becomes a wonderful adventure.
Many people find it difficult to "get into" praise and worship. When you live a life of obedience, you can't help but rejoice in what God has done. There are those who view the Sunday worship service as a place to come so they can "get through the next week". When God's people are in the habit of seeking him & walking in obedience the worship service becomes a celebration of what God has done in the past week as His people have walked in obedience & experienced incredible victories.
Just a reminder today to Inquire of the Lord, and Obey His direction.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Monday, July 11, 2011
7.11.11 "What Do You Know About These Christians"
"What Do You Know About These Christians"
I Chronicles 11:1-12:18
Acts 28:1-31
Psalm 9:1-12
Proverbs 19:1-3
In Acts 28, Paul, after being shipwrecked on an island for several months finally arrives in Rome. He calls together the Jewish leaders to inform them of what he believes and let them know that is why he is in chains. Listen to the response of the Jewish leaders in Acts 8:22: "But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about these Christians is that they are denounced everywhere."
"The only thing we know about these Christians..." That would be an interesting door-to-door survey. What would your neighbor say to finish that sentence? What would mine? Our subdivision seems to be the melting pot of the world. We have many Pakistani, many Latinos, Hmong, as well as many others. There are 85 homes in our subdivision, and I'm sure if you asked most of them what their religion is, there would be a great number who would look at the list and say, "ummm, I'm Christian". We also have a population of Sikhs as well. Of these, who do you think is easiest to identify by their actions? It's probably the Sikhs because of the difference in their dress and lifestyle. The only thing I know about them is they are very strict, and when they grill it smells REALLY good!
I'm not saying we need to bun our hair and wear jean skirts every where just so people know who we are, but it has been said that we are living in a "post-Christian society". Why is that? Where is the influence of Godly men and women? The point here has nothing to do with making a "visible" statement by wearing obnoxious clothing, but should there be a difference in how we live?
Who holds the reputation of Christ in their hand?
You do.
How does that affect the way you walk each day? Does that effect the way you work? The way you join in the discussion complaining about your boss?
Knowing Christ should make us different. I'm not talking about freakish zealots. I'm not saying that we have to turn "religious" and get all pious and snobbish. I'm talking about being people of integrity. People who care for those around us. People who go the extra mile for a neighbor instead of suing them.
What would your neighbors say?
"The only thing I know about these Christians is that they look down on us." "The only thing I know about these Christians is that their dog keeps coming in our yard." "The only thing I know about these Christians is that when I was sick they came and brought us dinner." "The only thing I know about these Christians is that they are the friendliest people on the block." "The only thing I know about these Christians is that their barbecue doesn't smell quite as good, but at least they invite us over!"
Live today as if you hold the reputation of Christ in your hand, Because you do! Living the DREAM should change your world.
"The only thing I know about those Christians is that I want to be like them."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 11:1-12:18
Acts 28:1-31
Psalm 9:1-12
Proverbs 19:1-3
In Acts 28, Paul, after being shipwrecked on an island for several months finally arrives in Rome. He calls together the Jewish leaders to inform them of what he believes and let them know that is why he is in chains. Listen to the response of the Jewish leaders in Acts 8:22: "But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about these Christians is that they are denounced everywhere."
"The only thing we know about these Christians..." That would be an interesting door-to-door survey. What would your neighbor say to finish that sentence? What would mine? Our subdivision seems to be the melting pot of the world. We have many Pakistani, many Latinos, Hmong, as well as many others. There are 85 homes in our subdivision, and I'm sure if you asked most of them what their religion is, there would be a great number who would look at the list and say, "ummm, I'm Christian". We also have a population of Sikhs as well. Of these, who do you think is easiest to identify by their actions? It's probably the Sikhs because of the difference in their dress and lifestyle. The only thing I know about them is they are very strict, and when they grill it smells REALLY good!
I'm not saying we need to bun our hair and wear jean skirts every where just so people know who we are, but it has been said that we are living in a "post-Christian society". Why is that? Where is the influence of Godly men and women? The point here has nothing to do with making a "visible" statement by wearing obnoxious clothing, but should there be a difference in how we live?
Who holds the reputation of Christ in their hand?
You do.
How does that affect the way you walk each day? Does that effect the way you work? The way you join in the discussion complaining about your boss?
Knowing Christ should make us different. I'm not talking about freakish zealots. I'm not saying that we have to turn "religious" and get all pious and snobbish. I'm talking about being people of integrity. People who care for those around us. People who go the extra mile for a neighbor instead of suing them.
What would your neighbors say?
"The only thing I know about these Christians is that they look down on us." "The only thing I know about these Christians is that their dog keeps coming in our yard." "The only thing I know about these Christians is that when I was sick they came and brought us dinner." "The only thing I know about these Christians is that they are the friendliest people on the block." "The only thing I know about these Christians is that their barbecue doesn't smell quite as good, but at least they invite us over!"
Live today as if you hold the reputation of Christ in your hand, Because you do! Living the DREAM should change your world.
"The only thing I know about those Christians is that I want to be like them."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Sunday, July 10, 2011
7.10.11 "What you do is Important to God"
"What you do is Important to God"
I Chronicles 9:1-10:14
Acts 27:21-44
Psalm 8:1-9
Proverb 18:23-24
Psalm 8:3-6 says, " When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers - the moon and the stars you set in place - I cannot understand how you can bother with mere puny man, to pay any attention to him! And yet you have made him only a little lower than the angels, and placed a crown of glory and honor upon his head. You have put him in charge of everything you made; everything is put under his authority."
In 1 Chronicles 9 we are going through family trees, and families of priests and chiefs of sub-clans.
What caught my attention was some of the job descriptions being mentioned. In verse 17, there are the gatekeepers. "They are responsible for the eastern royal gate." There were the Korahites who "were in charge of the sacrifices and the protection of the sanctuary, just as their ancestors had supervised and guarded the Tabernacle." in verse 20, "Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, was the first director of this division in ancient times. And the Lord was with him."
In verse 21-22 there was Zechariah, who "had been responsible for the protection of the entrance to the Tabernacle. There were 212 doorkeepers in those days. They were chosen from their villages on the basis of their genealogies, and they were appointed by David and Samuel because of their reliability."
In verse 26, the four head gatekeepers... "were in an office of great trust, for they were responsible for the rooms and treasuries in the Tabernacle of God. Because of their important positions they lived near the Tabernacle, and they opened the gates each morning." Some were in charge of checking in and out the vessels used in worship, others responsible for the furniture, items in the sanctuary, and the supplies such as fine flour, etc.
So what's that about? What you do is important to God. The principle behind Active Ministry Involvement is Responsibility. This is not just a "get involved in church" concept. You can see through scriptural examples like this that God wants each of us to treat our duties in the body of Christ as well as in our workplace with great reverence, and understanding of responsibility.
We live in a "volunteer mentality" age. The volunteer mentality is that we "help out", often with good intentions, but deep down a shallow motivation of feeling good about ourselves. If the going gets a little rough, it's no big deal to drop out because there's no sense of responsibility. Some don't take responsibility for duties, tasks, ministries, etc because they think... "well, I'm just a volunteer... it's not really my 'JOB' to do do it..." That doesn't make sense when you read the Psalm, "You have put him in charge of everything you have made. Everything is put under his authority." When we read that commission, we should be in awe of the privilege we have to work for the Lord. We can think that we get involved in ministry just because it's a good thing to do. We do it because it's a necessary element of who God has created us to be. As we mature in Christ, we must be showing maturity in this area as well.
The men mentioned in this scripture were described as treating their positions with honor. They were appointed because of their reliability.
Sure, it benefits many people when you are reliable and responsible, but more importantly, God is watching your attitudes and behaviors in how you treat the assignments you've been given. Don't ever feel that you have an unimportant part. Some people mentioned in today's reading were in charge of furniture... It's still important to God.
There's something in each of us that has a desire to do great things for God. As you look at David, and Stephen, and so many other great men of God, what prepared them for greatness was their faithfulness in the daily tasks before them. Be faithful today. No matter how small your task may seem, You are making a difference!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 9:1-10:14
Acts 27:21-44
Psalm 8:1-9
Proverb 18:23-24
Psalm 8:3-6 says, " When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers - the moon and the stars you set in place - I cannot understand how you can bother with mere puny man, to pay any attention to him! And yet you have made him only a little lower than the angels, and placed a crown of glory and honor upon his head. You have put him in charge of everything you made; everything is put under his authority."
In 1 Chronicles 9 we are going through family trees, and families of priests and chiefs of sub-clans.
What caught my attention was some of the job descriptions being mentioned. In verse 17, there are the gatekeepers. "They are responsible for the eastern royal gate." There were the Korahites who "were in charge of the sacrifices and the protection of the sanctuary, just as their ancestors had supervised and guarded the Tabernacle." in verse 20, "Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, was the first director of this division in ancient times. And the Lord was with him."
In verse 21-22 there was Zechariah, who "had been responsible for the protection of the entrance to the Tabernacle. There were 212 doorkeepers in those days. They were chosen from their villages on the basis of their genealogies, and they were appointed by David and Samuel because of their reliability."
In verse 26, the four head gatekeepers... "were in an office of great trust, for they were responsible for the rooms and treasuries in the Tabernacle of God. Because of their important positions they lived near the Tabernacle, and they opened the gates each morning." Some were in charge of checking in and out the vessels used in worship, others responsible for the furniture, items in the sanctuary, and the supplies such as fine flour, etc.
So what's that about? What you do is important to God. The principle behind Active Ministry Involvement is Responsibility. This is not just a "get involved in church" concept. You can see through scriptural examples like this that God wants each of us to treat our duties in the body of Christ as well as in our workplace with great reverence, and understanding of responsibility.
We live in a "volunteer mentality" age. The volunteer mentality is that we "help out", often with good intentions, but deep down a shallow motivation of feeling good about ourselves. If the going gets a little rough, it's no big deal to drop out because there's no sense of responsibility. Some don't take responsibility for duties, tasks, ministries, etc because they think... "well, I'm just a volunteer... it's not really my 'JOB' to do do it..." That doesn't make sense when you read the Psalm, "You have put him in charge of everything you have made. Everything is put under his authority." When we read that commission, we should be in awe of the privilege we have to work for the Lord. We can think that we get involved in ministry just because it's a good thing to do. We do it because it's a necessary element of who God has created us to be. As we mature in Christ, we must be showing maturity in this area as well.
The men mentioned in this scripture were described as treating their positions with honor. They were appointed because of their reliability.
Sure, it benefits many people when you are reliable and responsible, but more importantly, God is watching your attitudes and behaviors in how you treat the assignments you've been given. Don't ever feel that you have an unimportant part. Some people mentioned in today's reading were in charge of furniture... It's still important to God.
There's something in each of us that has a desire to do great things for God. As you look at David, and Stephen, and so many other great men of God, what prepared them for greatness was their faithfulness in the daily tasks before them. Be faithful today. No matter how small your task may seem, You are making a difference!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Saturday, July 9, 2011
7.9.11 "What Do You Know About God?"
"What Do You Know About God?"
I Chronicles 7:1-8:40
Acts 27:1-20
Psalm 7:1-17
Proverbs 18:22
If someone were to ask you, "Hey, what do you know about God?" and you had no time to prepare, what's your first response? "Tell me about him. What's he like? What's important to him?"
As much as we have a personal relationship with the Lord, we still have a tendency to "create" him. We develop an image of what God is based on our presumptions, prejudice, and even opinion. Not that we do that intentionally, we're just wired to think from our own understanding.
I've heard it said that many times an individual's picture of God is greatly influenced by the picture they have of their earthy father. If your father was angry and heavy handed, you may think of God as a disciplinarian. If your father left your family, you may even have a misplaced resentment of God being distant. I have a great dad who's kind and merciful and always available to help and counsel, so my image of God naturally reflects some of those things. Even though those are great qualities, and do describe who God is, I have to be careful that I discover those attributes of God by knowing him, and not just "give" him those attributes.
Looking at how each of us can develop our own view, it can actually be somewhat disconcerting that we all could have differing opinions of what God is like. Don't you think that's dangerous? How do we reconcile this?
This brings up the urgency and importance that we are "Empowered Through Biblical Training". As we mature in Christ, we must increase in our intensity and devotion to the study of the Word. He reveals himself to us through scripture. Sometimes we can take little "snapshots". A verse here, a verse there, and build up a theology, or belief of what God is like, but as you look at scripture in it's entirety, God's nature REALLY shows up.
It's kind of like one of those pictures that's made up of a bunch of tiny pictures. If you look at one segment you can develop an understanding of what that little picture is of, but when you zoom out, it's like, "OH! I get it!" (if you haven't seen what i'm talking about... sorry for the confusion!)
For example, look at today's one year bible reading: I Chronicles 7-8 - Genealogies, populations and authority structures, Acts 27:1-20 - Paul's wild boat ride through many ports and storms, Psalm 7 - David having some issues with the bad guys, and Proverbs 18:22 - "the man who finds a wife finds a good thing..."
Those scriptures paint a great picture of who I see that God is. Here's a few thoughts:
1. He's into details - he knows how many people there are, he knows them by name, and who they're related to.
2. He's into authority structures - He established them, and he gives honor to those who honor them
3. He knows about the storms - he completes his will through them.
4. He has no patience for evil
5. He is Good
6. He's excited about the blessing of a wife.
There's so much more in here, but that last one is important to me as tomorrow Lisa & I celebrate 18 years of this wonderful marriage. I'm so glad that God's a part of it. He has put us together in such a cool way and has used us to help each other grow in our understanding of God. What a great thing! I'm telling you that it's amazing how I learn more about Lisa the longer I'm with her. How much more with God!
Make sure you are disciplined in getting into the Word. It helps you make sure that your picture of God is balanced, and not a man made image.
Be Empowered Through Biblical Training!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 7:1-8:40
Acts 27:1-20
Psalm 7:1-17
Proverbs 18:22
If someone were to ask you, "Hey, what do you know about God?" and you had no time to prepare, what's your first response? "Tell me about him. What's he like? What's important to him?"
As much as we have a personal relationship with the Lord, we still have a tendency to "create" him. We develop an image of what God is based on our presumptions, prejudice, and even opinion. Not that we do that intentionally, we're just wired to think from our own understanding.
I've heard it said that many times an individual's picture of God is greatly influenced by the picture they have of their earthy father. If your father was angry and heavy handed, you may think of God as a disciplinarian. If your father left your family, you may even have a misplaced resentment of God being distant. I have a great dad who's kind and merciful and always available to help and counsel, so my image of God naturally reflects some of those things. Even though those are great qualities, and do describe who God is, I have to be careful that I discover those attributes of God by knowing him, and not just "give" him those attributes.
Looking at how each of us can develop our own view, it can actually be somewhat disconcerting that we all could have differing opinions of what God is like. Don't you think that's dangerous? How do we reconcile this?
This brings up the urgency and importance that we are "Empowered Through Biblical Training". As we mature in Christ, we must increase in our intensity and devotion to the study of the Word. He reveals himself to us through scripture. Sometimes we can take little "snapshots". A verse here, a verse there, and build up a theology, or belief of what God is like, but as you look at scripture in it's entirety, God's nature REALLY shows up.
It's kind of like one of those pictures that's made up of a bunch of tiny pictures. If you look at one segment you can develop an understanding of what that little picture is of, but when you zoom out, it's like, "OH! I get it!" (if you haven't seen what i'm talking about... sorry for the confusion!)
For example, look at today's one year bible reading: I Chronicles 7-8 - Genealogies, populations and authority structures, Acts 27:1-20 - Paul's wild boat ride through many ports and storms, Psalm 7 - David having some issues with the bad guys, and Proverbs 18:22 - "the man who finds a wife finds a good thing..."
Those scriptures paint a great picture of who I see that God is. Here's a few thoughts:
1. He's into details - he knows how many people there are, he knows them by name, and who they're related to.
2. He's into authority structures - He established them, and he gives honor to those who honor them
3. He knows about the storms - he completes his will through them.
4. He has no patience for evil
5. He is Good
6. He's excited about the blessing of a wife.
There's so much more in here, but that last one is important to me as tomorrow Lisa & I celebrate 18 years of this wonderful marriage. I'm so glad that God's a part of it. He has put us together in such a cool way and has used us to help each other grow in our understanding of God. What a great thing! I'm telling you that it's amazing how I learn more about Lisa the longer I'm with her. How much more with God!
Make sure you are disciplined in getting into the Word. It helps you make sure that your picture of God is balanced, and not a man made image.
Be Empowered Through Biblical Training!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Friday, July 8, 2011
7.8.11 "You're Nuts!"
"You're Nuts!"
I Chronicles 5:18-6:81
Acts 26:1-32
Psalm 6:1-10
Proverbs 18:20-21
In Acts 26 Paul is in front of King Agrippa, his lovely wife Bernice, and Governor Festus. The charges have been brought forth by the Jews. Agrippa says to Paul, "Go ahead. Tell us your story." (Acts 26:1)
Paul then lays out what is to me a tremendous path of understanding where he's at. He speaks in terms they can understand. Common ground. He begins talking of his being a Pharisee, and how he only desires what all Jews want. He then recounts his history of torturing Christians and chasing them to distant cities in foreign lands.
Then comes the Damascus road. He tells them the story of this light and how it changed his life forever. He tells of his commission to "tell the world about this experience." to go to the Gentiles "to open their eyes to their true condition so that they may repent and live in the light of God." (Acts 26:15-18)
He talks of his obedience to that call, and God's protection and provision as he's been obedient.
He closes by connecting the dots from Moses to the Messiah.
Wow - What a great job, Paul! If I were there as a believer, I would have wanted to jump to my feet clapping and yelling "attaboy, Paul!!!" But before I could do that, Festus interrupts shouting, "PAUL, YOU ARE INSANE!! YOUR LONG STUDYING HAS BROKEN YOUR MIND!" (Acts 26:24)
In verse 30, "Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others stood and left."
Well, what do you get out of that little tale?
First, I think we need to understand our testimony the way Paul did.
1. Remember where you came from. You were no different than those you are speaking to.
2. Remember what changed your life. Be able to communicate your salvation experience.
3. Remember what God has called you to do. Understand that you are to "tell the world about this experience."
4. Remember what God has done since to sustain you. Tell of his greatness & provision.
I think Paul laid out a great road map for sharing Christ with your world.
The next thing we must realize is that to the world, we are insane! I've always kind of felt that was a bad thing. It's not. I'm not saying we should be out of balance loonies. We need to be people of good works so that we bring glory to the name of the Lord. But it's normal that the world doesn't get it. I catch myself being so afraid of sounding "weird", that I render myself ineffective for the Kingdom. I know I'm sounding like I contradict what I said the other day about being a light that men are drawn too, but in living the DREAM, both are true. Your world will be drawn to you as a Balanced Christian, and at the same time, they will think you're insane. Do you know why?
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." I Cor. 1:18.
As you have opportunity to share your story with unbelievers, don't feel like a failure if their response is like that of Festus. Stick it out. Don't let it knock you off course. You can't Live the DREAM without your "Mission to reach our world for Christ." God has commissioned you to go to them to "open their eyes to their true condition..."
Be confident in your testimony. Not arrogant, or obnoxious, just confident in what God has done in you. If we get this, I believe that through the Power of the Spirit, we can change the world!
"Go ahead. Tell us your story."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 5:18-6:81
Acts 26:1-32
Psalm 6:1-10
Proverbs 18:20-21
In Acts 26 Paul is in front of King Agrippa, his lovely wife Bernice, and Governor Festus. The charges have been brought forth by the Jews. Agrippa says to Paul, "Go ahead. Tell us your story." (Acts 26:1)
Paul then lays out what is to me a tremendous path of understanding where he's at. He speaks in terms they can understand. Common ground. He begins talking of his being a Pharisee, and how he only desires what all Jews want. He then recounts his history of torturing Christians and chasing them to distant cities in foreign lands.
Then comes the Damascus road. He tells them the story of this light and how it changed his life forever. He tells of his commission to "tell the world about this experience." to go to the Gentiles "to open their eyes to their true condition so that they may repent and live in the light of God." (Acts 26:15-18)
He talks of his obedience to that call, and God's protection and provision as he's been obedient.
He closes by connecting the dots from Moses to the Messiah.
Wow - What a great job, Paul! If I were there as a believer, I would have wanted to jump to my feet clapping and yelling "attaboy, Paul!!!" But before I could do that, Festus interrupts shouting, "PAUL, YOU ARE INSANE!! YOUR LONG STUDYING HAS BROKEN YOUR MIND!" (Acts 26:24)
In verse 30, "Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others stood and left."
Well, what do you get out of that little tale?
First, I think we need to understand our testimony the way Paul did.
1. Remember where you came from. You were no different than those you are speaking to.
2. Remember what changed your life. Be able to communicate your salvation experience.
3. Remember what God has called you to do. Understand that you are to "tell the world about this experience."
4. Remember what God has done since to sustain you. Tell of his greatness & provision.
I think Paul laid out a great road map for sharing Christ with your world.
The next thing we must realize is that to the world, we are insane! I've always kind of felt that was a bad thing. It's not. I'm not saying we should be out of balance loonies. We need to be people of good works so that we bring glory to the name of the Lord. But it's normal that the world doesn't get it. I catch myself being so afraid of sounding "weird", that I render myself ineffective for the Kingdom. I know I'm sounding like I contradict what I said the other day about being a light that men are drawn too, but in living the DREAM, both are true. Your world will be drawn to you as a Balanced Christian, and at the same time, they will think you're insane. Do you know why?
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." I Cor. 1:18.
As you have opportunity to share your story with unbelievers, don't feel like a failure if their response is like that of Festus. Stick it out. Don't let it knock you off course. You can't Live the DREAM without your "Mission to reach our world for Christ." God has commissioned you to go to them to "open their eyes to their true condition..."
Be confident in your testimony. Not arrogant, or obnoxious, just confident in what God has done in you. If we get this, I believe that through the Power of the Spirit, we can change the world!
"Go ahead. Tell us your story."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Thursday, July 7, 2011
7.7.11 "The Prayer of... you"
"The Prayer of... you"
I Chronicles 4:5-5:17
Acts 25:1-27
Psalm 5:1-12
Proverbs 18:19
I Chronicles 4:10 is the Prayer of Jabez. This has become a very well known scripture over the past number of years. Bruce Wilkinson wrote a book on it, there have been songs, etc.
In the middle of a long genealogy, there's a pause. It's for a man named Jabez. "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request."
Much of what I've heard regarding this prayer has to do with the content of the prayer, but the meditation today is, in the genealogies of heaven, what happens when it gets to your name? What is your prayer? What is your passion? What is your heart's desire?
It can easily be that our prayer is reactionary to the needs around us, "Lord, bless this food..." "Help me deal w/ my mother in law...." "Help me find a new job..." "Deliver me from this pimple the devil gave me..." Is that the extent of the prayer of you?
I'm challenged today to pray the prayer that marks my life. "Lord, this is my greatest desire... this is what consumes me.... Have your way..."
For each of us it will be different. It's not like there's a formula. It's about diving in with all our heart. It's about crying out. It's about getting to know God and let him have complete control. It's living in radical surrender.
As you cry out today, may it be like it was for Jabez, "And God granted his request."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 4:5-5:17
Acts 25:1-27
Psalm 5:1-12
Proverbs 18:19
I Chronicles 4:10 is the Prayer of Jabez. This has become a very well known scripture over the past number of years. Bruce Wilkinson wrote a book on it, there have been songs, etc.
In the middle of a long genealogy, there's a pause. It's for a man named Jabez. "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request."
Much of what I've heard regarding this prayer has to do with the content of the prayer, but the meditation today is, in the genealogies of heaven, what happens when it gets to your name? What is your prayer? What is your passion? What is your heart's desire?
It can easily be that our prayer is reactionary to the needs around us, "Lord, bless this food..." "Help me deal w/ my mother in law...." "Help me find a new job..." "Deliver me from this pimple the devil gave me..." Is that the extent of the prayer of you?
I'm challenged today to pray the prayer that marks my life. "Lord, this is my greatest desire... this is what consumes me.... Have your way..."
For each of us it will be different. It's not like there's a formula. It's about diving in with all our heart. It's about crying out. It's about getting to know God and let him have complete control. It's living in radical surrender.
As you cry out today, may it be like it was for Jabez, "And God granted his request."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
7.6.11 "The Light Men are Drawn To"
"The Light Men are Drawn To"
I Chronicles 2:18-4:4
Acts 24:1-27
Psalm 4:1-8
Proverbs 18:16-18
We have a Mission to Reach our World for Christ. In Acts 24 Paul is now in Caesarea, in the custody of Governor Felix. The Jewish leaders & their lawyer Tertullus (anyone looking for a baby name?) lay out their case before Felix.
Paul calmly refutes their charges, and does his best to straighten things out. In 24:14 he says: "but one thing I do confess, that I believe in the way of salvation..." He then laid out a path of agreement with Jewish law and tradition, establishing common ground.
Did this tactic get him out of prison? No. But here's what it did do. 24:24-25 "A few days later Felix came with Drusilla, his legal wife, a Jewess. sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified."
Matthew 5:14 says, "You are the light of the world." It's important that we be the light God has created us to be. Think about lights. What do you do if someone shines a spotlight in your face? You close your eyes, turn and hide. What about a campfire? You find your self drawn to it, watching it. When in a dark place, curiosity causes you to search where the light is coming from.
As believers, we should be a light men are drawn to. Sometimes in zeal we use the light to hunt sin, going to everyone around shining the light on their sin. This only causes them to shy away. Hide their eyes. Turn from the light. What Jesus says in Matt 5:16 clarifies, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
As you Live the DREAM, there is a Godly countenance that is the fruit of living the Balanced Christian Life. Men want to see what makes you tick. How can you remain light in such a dark place?
Felix was drawn to Paul. While his motives were not entirely pure, (the bible says he was looking for a bribe), but there was a curiosity that brought him and his wife to Paul. Verse 26 &27 say that he would send for him from time to time for TWO YEARS!
Scripture does not list a conversion of Felix. That doesn't change the fact that our purpose is to BE THE LIGHT!
Regardless of the response of those around us, we should be as Paul & use every opportunity to represent integrity & Godliness. soon the opportunity will present itself, and we should confess "that I believe in the way of salvation..." and let God take care of the rest.
Be a light today as you Live the DREAM!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 2:18-4:4
Acts 24:1-27
Psalm 4:1-8
Proverbs 18:16-18
We have a Mission to Reach our World for Christ. In Acts 24 Paul is now in Caesarea, in the custody of Governor Felix. The Jewish leaders & their lawyer Tertullus (anyone looking for a baby name?) lay out their case before Felix.
Paul calmly refutes their charges, and does his best to straighten things out. In 24:14 he says: "but one thing I do confess, that I believe in the way of salvation..." He then laid out a path of agreement with Jewish law and tradition, establishing common ground.
Did this tactic get him out of prison? No. But here's what it did do. 24:24-25 "A few days later Felix came with Drusilla, his legal wife, a Jewess. sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified."
Matthew 5:14 says, "You are the light of the world." It's important that we be the light God has created us to be. Think about lights. What do you do if someone shines a spotlight in your face? You close your eyes, turn and hide. What about a campfire? You find your self drawn to it, watching it. When in a dark place, curiosity causes you to search where the light is coming from.
As believers, we should be a light men are drawn to. Sometimes in zeal we use the light to hunt sin, going to everyone around shining the light on their sin. This only causes them to shy away. Hide their eyes. Turn from the light. What Jesus says in Matt 5:16 clarifies, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
As you Live the DREAM, there is a Godly countenance that is the fruit of living the Balanced Christian Life. Men want to see what makes you tick. How can you remain light in such a dark place?
Felix was drawn to Paul. While his motives were not entirely pure, (the bible says he was looking for a bribe), but there was a curiosity that brought him and his wife to Paul. Verse 26 &27 say that he would send for him from time to time for TWO YEARS!
Scripture does not list a conversion of Felix. That doesn't change the fact that our purpose is to BE THE LIGHT!
Regardless of the response of those around us, we should be as Paul & use every opportunity to represent integrity & Godliness. soon the opportunity will present itself, and we should confess "that I believe in the way of salvation..." and let God take care of the rest.
Be a light today as you Live the DREAM!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor 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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