"Friend of God"
Exodus 12:14-13:16
Matthew 20:29-21:22
Psalm 25:16-22
Proverbs 6:12-15
It's a privilege to be considered a friend of God. Because of what Christ has done for us, we can boldly approach his throne. We can talk to him any time we want. We can bring to him any need.
But what kind of friend am I? I was thinking this morning about how my friends know what I like to do. They know what I enjoy. They know what's appropriate in my house and what's not. My friends don't "use" me.
What kind of friend would I be if I showed up at a friend's house opened his fridge, tracked mud on the carpet, said a couple of things, borrowed some tools and left? (come to think of it, I realize there are a couple of friends I might have done this to!) What if I always did what I wanted to do with that friend, and never considered his desires, or what he enjoyed doing?
What's missing from that kind of friendship? Respect. Something is quite out of whack for me to live treating a friend like that. For me to act like that shows that I'm way too self-centered.
"Where is the man who fears the Lord? God will teach him how to choose the best. He shall live within God's circle of blessing, and his children shall inherit the earth. Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises." Ps 25:12-14
The fear of the Lord is not a popular teaching. We want friendship with God, but FEAR? What do fear and friendship have to do with each other. When you think in terms of value, it makes it easier to understand. When we have an item of value, we protect it. We don't leave it lying around where it can be damaged, or destroyed. We take care of it. We fear that something may happen that could harm it.
When we love God intensely, we fear that something will damage our relationship. This is a healthy fear. We protect our relationship with the Lord. We wouldn't think of doing anything that could break the lines of communication. We know what pleases the Lord, and we do it out of love. We know selfishness will hinder the relationship, so we die to self.
I believe with all my heart that the Lord is preparing the church to meet with him. He's about to invite his friends home. He will be calling those who are prepared to meet with him. Those with clean clothes. Those who aren't just looking to raid his fridge and track mud on his carpet.
I need to step up my reverence for the Lord. Not just in "church" moments, but in every area of my life. Every thought, every word, every action needs to be put through the filter of reverence for Christ.
He's my friend. Why would I do any less.
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, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
1.30.12 "Stop for Directions"
"Stop for Directions"
Exodus 10:1-12:13
Matthew 20:1-28
Psalm 25:1-15
Proverbs 6:6-11
It's a timeless tale: Man and woman driving in a car and they're lost. Of course, the woman says, "let's stop for directions." The man looks at her like he'd rather die. The man does the most logical thing: he turns the radio down and tells her to be quiet as he looks at street signs. He knows the reason he's lost. It's the noise. He gives his wife another look... It's really a pride thing. You have to forge you're own way. The man is the Hero! Heaven forbid you surrender your plans to another.
So many live their life that way as well. "I must blaze a trail!" "I need to figure this out for myself!"
"None of those who have faith in God will ever be disgraced for trusting him... Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in you." Ps. 25:3-4
Life is full of roads. Some look easy, some look difficult, but each one is unique, and all are laid out before us. Which one is the right one? When we see the skyline of where we want to go in the distance, sometimes we turn on a road that seems to be going that direction only to find that there are detours, troubles and even curves that lead to where we were never meant to be.
I love flying. My goal is to even do skydiving sometime in the future. I love the view from the sky. I had the opportunity to go on a refueling mission with the local National Guard refueling team. En route to where we were meeting the jet that was getting refueled, I was allowed to lay in the "boom bay", which is in the very rear of the plane. The guy who controls the fueling boom lays on his stomach to guide the hookup between the two planes. As I was laying in the bay, there's nothing between me and the ground but a window. I love the view of all the highways and fields, and cities. From that perspective, semi-trucks look so small. Not nearly like the agents of death my wife thinks they are when I'm driving next to them on the freeway.
From the "sky" view, you can see where the roads go. From the ground view, the entrance ramp to so many roads look the same. It is easy for us in life to also get caught in the trap of "I wonder where this goes..." and start to wander down a trail that was never intended for us.
God has a plan for our life. He longs that we have an intimate relationship so that he can reveal to us the secrets of his heart. He wants to give us the directions.
"The Lord is good and glad to teach the proper path to all who go astray; he will teach the ways that are right and best to those who humbly turn to him." Ps. 25:8-9
There's no sense in traveling without direction from the Lord. The road you're on may seem full of potholes and scenery that you were never hoping for, but God has you on this road so that you can become who he's created you to be. Along this road is someone who desperately needs you to be who God has created you to be. There comes a time when we need to quit complaining about the journey and allow God to give us his direction.
It's vital that we are Empowered through Biblical Training. We need to be in his word to hear his voice. If we're not, we're traveling blind. If we are in the word, we can hear his voice and obey it.
"And when we obey him, every path he guides us on is fragrant with his lovingkindness and his truth." Ps. 25:10
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
Exodus 10:1-12:13
Matthew 20:1-28
Psalm 25:1-15
Proverbs 6:6-11
It's a timeless tale: Man and woman driving in a car and they're lost. Of course, the woman says, "let's stop for directions." The man looks at her like he'd rather die. The man does the most logical thing: he turns the radio down and tells her to be quiet as he looks at street signs. He knows the reason he's lost. It's the noise. He gives his wife another look... It's really a pride thing. You have to forge you're own way. The man is the Hero! Heaven forbid you surrender your plans to another.
So many live their life that way as well. "I must blaze a trail!" "I need to figure this out for myself!"
"None of those who have faith in God will ever be disgraced for trusting him... Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in you." Ps. 25:3-4
Life is full of roads. Some look easy, some look difficult, but each one is unique, and all are laid out before us. Which one is the right one? When we see the skyline of where we want to go in the distance, sometimes we turn on a road that seems to be going that direction only to find that there are detours, troubles and even curves that lead to where we were never meant to be.
I love flying. My goal is to even do skydiving sometime in the future. I love the view from the sky. I had the opportunity to go on a refueling mission with the local National Guard refueling team. En route to where we were meeting the jet that was getting refueled, I was allowed to lay in the "boom bay", which is in the very rear of the plane. The guy who controls the fueling boom lays on his stomach to guide the hookup between the two planes. As I was laying in the bay, there's nothing between me and the ground but a window. I love the view of all the highways and fields, and cities. From that perspective, semi-trucks look so small. Not nearly like the agents of death my wife thinks they are when I'm driving next to them on the freeway.
From the "sky" view, you can see where the roads go. From the ground view, the entrance ramp to so many roads look the same. It is easy for us in life to also get caught in the trap of "I wonder where this goes..." and start to wander down a trail that was never intended for us.
God has a plan for our life. He longs that we have an intimate relationship so that he can reveal to us the secrets of his heart. He wants to give us the directions.
"The Lord is good and glad to teach the proper path to all who go astray; he will teach the ways that are right and best to those who humbly turn to him." Ps. 25:8-9
There's no sense in traveling without direction from the Lord. The road you're on may seem full of potholes and scenery that you were never hoping for, but God has you on this road so that you can become who he's created you to be. Along this road is someone who desperately needs you to be who God has created you to be. There comes a time when we need to quit complaining about the journey and allow God to give us his direction.
It's vital that we are Empowered through Biblical Training. We need to be in his word to hear his voice. If we're not, we're traveling blind. If we are in the word, we can hear his voice and obey it.
"And when we obey him, every path he guides us on is fragrant with his lovingkindness and his truth." Ps. 25:10
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, January 29, 2012
1.29.12 "When Do You Want to Be Free?"
"When Do You Want to Be Free?"
Exodus 8:1-9:35
Matthew 19:13-30
Psalm 24:1-10
Proverbs 6:1-5
The fear of the unknown can be paralyzing. I've read that individuals will choose to remain in a miserable state rather than risk the unknown of change. This happens with believers as well. Often God's people are in bondage because they don't realize they don't have to be. Jesus has paid the price, and we can BE FREE!
I've always been perplexed by the hardness of Pharoah's heart. Plague after plague, he would refuse to follow through on a promise to let God's people go. There is one particular instance doesn't make any sense at all.
It's the plague of frogs. Frogs are EVERYWHERE, in the kitchen in the beds, in the food... (on a side note, a friend of mine commented about the magicians who also brought frogs out of the river: "What were they thinking by adding more frogs!?) :)
"Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and begged, 'Plead with God to take the frogs away, and I will let the people go and sacrifice to him.'" Ex. 8:8
It's the next part that I find interesting. Moses asks him when he wants the frogs to go. Pharoah's answer: "Do it tomorrow."
To me that sounds just stupid. Why in the world would he want another minute of this pestilence? Why not say, "right now!!"
Sometimes this is like it is with someone who delays getting right with God. The Spirit draws us to him, and shines his light on sin, and we know we need to lay it down. So often, though, we delay the surrender. More often than not, the problem is we like the sin too much. There can be a false sense of comfort in the bondage of sins grip. When do you want to be free? Tomorrow? Why not today?
Jesus brought me out of Egypt. Now it's my job to get Egypt out of me. I need to be free today. Anything that could hold me back from his presence must be immediately surrendered to him. My passion and fear of the Lord must be of the intensity to allow no delay. We need to "seize the potential of the present."
Be Free TODAY!
rribbit!
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
Exodus 8:1-9:35
Matthew 19:13-30
Psalm 24:1-10
Proverbs 6:1-5
The fear of the unknown can be paralyzing. I've read that individuals will choose to remain in a miserable state rather than risk the unknown of change. This happens with believers as well. Often God's people are in bondage because they don't realize they don't have to be. Jesus has paid the price, and we can BE FREE!
I've always been perplexed by the hardness of Pharoah's heart. Plague after plague, he would refuse to follow through on a promise to let God's people go. There is one particular instance doesn't make any sense at all.
It's the plague of frogs. Frogs are EVERYWHERE, in the kitchen in the beds, in the food... (on a side note, a friend of mine commented about the magicians who also brought frogs out of the river: "What were they thinking by adding more frogs!?) :)
"Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and begged, 'Plead with God to take the frogs away, and I will let the people go and sacrifice to him.'" Ex. 8:8
It's the next part that I find interesting. Moses asks him when he wants the frogs to go. Pharoah's answer: "Do it tomorrow."
To me that sounds just stupid. Why in the world would he want another minute of this pestilence? Why not say, "right now!!"
Sometimes this is like it is with someone who delays getting right with God. The Spirit draws us to him, and shines his light on sin, and we know we need to lay it down. So often, though, we delay the surrender. More often than not, the problem is we like the sin too much. There can be a false sense of comfort in the bondage of sins grip. When do you want to be free? Tomorrow? Why not today?
Jesus brought me out of Egypt. Now it's my job to get Egypt out of me. I need to be free today. Anything that could hold me back from his presence must be immediately surrendered to him. My passion and fear of the Lord must be of the intensity to allow no delay. We need to "seize the potential of the present."
Be Free TODAY!
rribbit!
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, January 28, 2012
1.28.12 "The Two Shall Become One"
"The Two Shall Become One"
Exodus 5:22-7:25
Matthew 18:21-19:12
Psalm 23:1-6
Proverbs 5:22-23
With the majority of marriages ending in divorce in America today, there must be a popular belief that divorce is ok. Unfortunately, that is leaking into the church. But we should be different. We must be Empowered through Biblical Training. If we do not take the principles of scripture and apply them to our lives, we will so easily succumb to the tainted doctrines of worldliness.
In today's reading from the One Year Bible, the Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus. They want him to slip up so they can turn the people against him. Knowing what a volatile subject it is, they ask his opinion on divorce.
Jesus responds with scripture that we've all heard many times. "'Don't you read the Scriptures?' he replied. 'in them it is written that at the beginning God created man and woman, and that a man should leave his father and mother, and be forever united to his wife. The two shall become one - no longer two, but one! And no man may divorce what God has joined together.'" (Matt. 19:4-6)
Marriage is a precious thing to God. The enemy knows that and will do whatever he can to get people to mess it up. The sad thing is that the enemy has deceived many into justifying divorce. He has painted a picture that divorce is ok. What is even more sad is that Christians are believing that lie.
There is no room for the concept of divorce in the life of the believer. What has happened is that the enemy has whispered some thoughts and "exceptions" into the mind of believers who may be struggling in their marriage, and the door has been opened to the thought of marriage breakup. This is extremely dangerous.
One of the most common lies that Christians use to entertain the idea of divorce is the idea that "I married the wrong person". "I wasn't listening to God when I married this one." This is a dangerous lie that some listen to so long that it becomes a cancer that drowns out the voice of truth.
"No man may divorce what God has joined together." It doesn't say that only "marriages from obedient people are joined by God". We are created so that the two become one. It's as foolish as a mother saying, "I was living in sin on the day I became pregnant with this child, so now that the child is 2 and driving me crazy, I need to kill the child." I'm horrified to even type that statement. Yet why aren't we horrified as believers when we see marriages falling apart?
It's time that we close the door to the idea of divorce. You may be in a place where you need to close this door in your own marriage. Maybe you've had your hand on the doorknob ready to walk out. Or maybe you've opened the door to the concept that divorce might be an option. That needs to slam shut. We need to come to terms with the fact that this is not an option.
It's been said to me, "Well, I know it's a sin to divorce, but I'll just ask forgiveness afterwards." Is that a statement of someone who fears God?
The priority in the life of a believer is to enter an intimate relationship with the Lord. So many fear doing this for many reasons. I know several who don't want to get right with God because of fear that He will heal the marriage that they don't want to be in.
What do you think about divorce? Are you pretty passive about it? Is the word allowed in your home? In our home we obviously don't threaten murder when disciplining our child nor do we ever allow the word divorce in our home. To do so would open the door to immeasurable risks.
Too often people wait too long to talk to someone when the marriage is a struggle. If you're in a place where the marriage relationship is strained, value it enough to talk to someone about it. Don't talk to someone with a worldly perspective who will advise you to "abort." Talk to someone who understands what marriage is supposed to be. Too often pride prevents couples from seeking help. The cancer grows.
God has a plan for your life. He put you together with your mate for a purpose. He wants to complete his work in your marriage so he can work through your marriage. Marriage is a very important Relationship Devoted to Unity.
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
Exodus 5:22-7:25
Matthew 18:21-19:12
Psalm 23:1-6
Proverbs 5:22-23
With the majority of marriages ending in divorce in America today, there must be a popular belief that divorce is ok. Unfortunately, that is leaking into the church. But we should be different. We must be Empowered through Biblical Training. If we do not take the principles of scripture and apply them to our lives, we will so easily succumb to the tainted doctrines of worldliness.
In today's reading from the One Year Bible, the Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus. They want him to slip up so they can turn the people against him. Knowing what a volatile subject it is, they ask his opinion on divorce.
Jesus responds with scripture that we've all heard many times. "'Don't you read the Scriptures?' he replied. 'in them it is written that at the beginning God created man and woman, and that a man should leave his father and mother, and be forever united to his wife. The two shall become one - no longer two, but one! And no man may divorce what God has joined together.'" (Matt. 19:4-6)
Marriage is a precious thing to God. The enemy knows that and will do whatever he can to get people to mess it up. The sad thing is that the enemy has deceived many into justifying divorce. He has painted a picture that divorce is ok. What is even more sad is that Christians are believing that lie.
There is no room for the concept of divorce in the life of the believer. What has happened is that the enemy has whispered some thoughts and "exceptions" into the mind of believers who may be struggling in their marriage, and the door has been opened to the thought of marriage breakup. This is extremely dangerous.
One of the most common lies that Christians use to entertain the idea of divorce is the idea that "I married the wrong person". "I wasn't listening to God when I married this one." This is a dangerous lie that some listen to so long that it becomes a cancer that drowns out the voice of truth.
"No man may divorce what God has joined together." It doesn't say that only "marriages from obedient people are joined by God". We are created so that the two become one. It's as foolish as a mother saying, "I was living in sin on the day I became pregnant with this child, so now that the child is 2 and driving me crazy, I need to kill the child." I'm horrified to even type that statement. Yet why aren't we horrified as believers when we see marriages falling apart?
It's time that we close the door to the idea of divorce. You may be in a place where you need to close this door in your own marriage. Maybe you've had your hand on the doorknob ready to walk out. Or maybe you've opened the door to the concept that divorce might be an option. That needs to slam shut. We need to come to terms with the fact that this is not an option.
It's been said to me, "Well, I know it's a sin to divorce, but I'll just ask forgiveness afterwards." Is that a statement of someone who fears God?
The priority in the life of a believer is to enter an intimate relationship with the Lord. So many fear doing this for many reasons. I know several who don't want to get right with God because of fear that He will heal the marriage that they don't want to be in.
What do you think about divorce? Are you pretty passive about it? Is the word allowed in your home? In our home we obviously don't threaten murder when disciplining our child nor do we ever allow the word divorce in our home. To do so would open the door to immeasurable risks.
Too often people wait too long to talk to someone when the marriage is a struggle. If you're in a place where the marriage relationship is strained, value it enough to talk to someone about it. Don't talk to someone with a worldly perspective who will advise you to "abort." Talk to someone who understands what marriage is supposed to be. Too often pride prevents couples from seeking help. The cancer grows.
God has a plan for your life. He put you together with your mate for a purpose. He wants to complete his work in your marriage so he can work through your marriage. Marriage is a very important Relationship Devoted to Unity.
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, January 27, 2012
1.27.11 "What is that in your Hand?"
"What is that in your Hand?"
Exodus 4:1-5:21
Matthew 18:1-20
Psalm 22:19-31
Proverbs 5:15-21
Exodus 4 is one of my favorite passages of scripture. I love this discussion between God and Moses via the burning bush. I don't love this story because I'm proud of Moses' responses to God, but because I see myself in his responses.
God calls Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. He's heard their cries, and he's ready to move. He's chosen his man to do it: Moses.
Moses says in verse 1. "What if they wont believe or listen to me? What if they say, 'The Lord never appeared to you?'' Isn't that our usual response when God puts something on our heart? "Hey God, I bet you didn't think of this... What if... How about..." And we begin to go into this delay pattern of trying to excuse ourselves out of obedience.
Listen to what God asks Moses in verse 2: "What is that in your hand?" "A shepherd's staff," Moses replied.
I think that same question echoes down through the ages to all of us. "What is that in your hand?" God wants to change our world through you & me. We're simple, common people. We have faults, we have weaknesses. But he just asks, "what do you have?"
God has Moses throw the staff on the ground and miracles happen. All God asks of us is that we lay our "stuff" down. Our skills, our talents, our resources, our possessions... all of it. Then miracles begin to happen. He uses what he's already given us to do great things.
Too often we want to become someone else, or wait until we have enough, or we find some other excuse to not step out in obedience.
We need to stop the excuses and move. In verse 20, it says Moses headed back to Egypt, and "in his hand he carried the staff of God." Something happens when we lay it all down. We realize it's God's. He can do incredible things through your personality. Through the time you have. Through your relationships.
What is that in your hand? Lay it 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
Exodus 4:1-5:21
Matthew 18:1-20
Psalm 22:19-31
Proverbs 5:15-21
Exodus 4 is one of my favorite passages of scripture. I love this discussion between God and Moses via the burning bush. I don't love this story because I'm proud of Moses' responses to God, but because I see myself in his responses.
God calls Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. He's heard their cries, and he's ready to move. He's chosen his man to do it: Moses.
Moses says in verse 1. "What if they wont believe or listen to me? What if they say, 'The Lord never appeared to you?'' Isn't that our usual response when God puts something on our heart? "Hey God, I bet you didn't think of this... What if... How about..." And we begin to go into this delay pattern of trying to excuse ourselves out of obedience.
Listen to what God asks Moses in verse 2: "What is that in your hand?" "A shepherd's staff," Moses replied.
I think that same question echoes down through the ages to all of us. "What is that in your hand?" God wants to change our world through you & me. We're simple, common people. We have faults, we have weaknesses. But he just asks, "what do you have?"
God has Moses throw the staff on the ground and miracles happen. All God asks of us is that we lay our "stuff" down. Our skills, our talents, our resources, our possessions... all of it. Then miracles begin to happen. He uses what he's already given us to do great things.
Too often we want to become someone else, or wait until we have enough, or we find some other excuse to not step out in obedience.
We need to stop the excuses and move. In verse 20, it says Moses headed back to Egypt, and "in his hand he carried the staff of God." Something happens when we lay it all down. We realize it's God's. He can do incredible things through your personality. Through the time you have. Through your relationships.
What is that in your hand? Lay it 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
Thursday, January 26, 2012
1.26.12 "Let God Connect the Dots"
"Let God Connect the Dots"
Exodus 2:11-3:22
Matthew 17:10-27
Psalm 22:1-18
Proverbs 5:7-14
"God's will for us is less about our comfort than it is about our contribution. God would never choose for us safety at the cost of significance. God created you so that your life would count, not so that you could count the days of your life." - Erwin McManus
There is a great need out there. The Lord desires to use you to meet that need. You may or may not realize it yet, but there are desires in your heart that are already connected to that need.
Moses was raised in the house of the king. It was the good life. However, he felt a strong connection to his Hebrew brothers. "One day, many years later when Moses had grown up and become a man, he went out to visit his fellow Hebrews and saw the terrible conditions they were under." The story continues to tell how he saw an Egyptian mistreat a Hebrew, so he killed the Egyptian. He then goes into hiding in the wilderness.
Moses had a burden for his people, but at that time he had not placed it in the hands of God. He had not gone through the wilderness experience to meet the need in God's strength and timing. Look at the result: the sin of murder.
Beginning in Exodus 3, Moses meets God via the burning bush. This is an incredible experience with the glory and the voice of God. In Ex. 3:7-10 the Lord says, "I have seen the deep sorrows of my people in Egypt, and have heard their pleas for freedom... I have come to deliver them... Now I am going to send you..."
God is now connecting the need of the people to the desire of Moses. In actuality by now, Moses has spent so long in hiding, and he knows the mistakes he's made, that in his mind, he is not the man for the job. "But I'm not the person for a job like that!" Moses exclaimed. ex. 3:11.
As far as Moses was concerned, the dream was dead. Not to God, though. He had placed the desires in Moses' heart long ago. It was now time to connect the dots.
How about you? What desires are in your heart? You could be in many different places. You could be out there in your own strength trying to pursue the desires. You could be running from the mistakes of the past. You may be in the position where you don't even remember the desire anymore. Maybe you're in the place where God is telling you "it's time". You're scared. You don't think you're the one to be obedient.
God will never call you to do something and not give you the strength to accomplish it. No matter where you're at in this journey, give your desires to God. Make yourself wholly available to him. In his time you're going to see HIM connect the dots.
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, January 25, 2012
1.25.12 "The Danger of Being Human"
"The Danger of Being Human"
Genesis 50:1 - Exodus 2:10
Matthew 16:13-17:9
Psalm 21:1-13
Proverbs 5:1-6
"Jesus turned to Peter and said, 'Get away from me, you Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me.'" Matt. 16:23a
Wow! How would you like to be Peter at that point in time? The Son of the Most High calling you Satan! A mere 5 verses before Jesus was saying to Peter, "You are Peter, a stone; and upon this rock I will build my church; and all the powers of hell shall not prevail against it." (16:18) So, why the big change?
What was it that caused Jesus to react so strongly to Peter? The rest of verse 23 says, "You are thinking merely from a human point of view, and not from God's."
The danger of being human is thinking in human terms. We so often get trapped in the confines of our human senses and understanding that we begin to lay out "God's plan" on our terms rather than on His. We react to difficulties and challenges in the flesh and not in the Spirit.
I think every one of us would have wanted to say what Peter said in verse 22. Jesus had been talking about how he would be crucified. Peter said, "Heaven forbid, sir, This is not going to happen to you!" What's wrong with that? Here's what's wrong. It's reacting in human terms with human logic, and not in Godly understanding.
"Then Jesus said to the disciples, 'If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who keeps his life for himself shall lose it; and anyone who loses his life for me shall find it again. What profit is there if you gain the whole world - and lose eternal life? What can be compared with the value of eternal life?" Matt 16:24-26
As long as our flesh lives, we are in danger of gaining the whole world and losing eternal life. When we take up our cross, we are giving our flesh the death sentence. I must become a "Dead Man Walking"! (see DEVO 1.9)
True worship is a dagger in the heart of the flesh. The Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is not singing the songs we like so we can "get something out of" a worship service. True worship is unhindered communion with God marked by Love, Fear, and Obedience. When trials come, I must discipline myself to not react in human terms and human understanding. I must turn to God and surrender all I have to him. I must lay myself bare before him. THEN, as a Dead Man Walking, I am in a position to allow him to complete his work in me and through me.
This state of humanness is far more dangerous than I realize. The seduction of my comfort and my opinion and my desires is constantly working to give flesh "time off for good behavior". I need to fear God with the intensity to constrain myself to carry my cross. Proverbs 5:1-6 says, "My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you've learned. For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave."
I get a kick out of Peter. In the next section of scripture, Peter, James & John go up the mountain with Jesus. Jesus becomes transfigured so that his face "shone like the sun and his clothing became dazzling white. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking with him. Peter blurted out, 'Sir, it's wonderful that we can be here! If you want me to, I'll make three shelters, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.'" Matt 17:2-4
Again, not what one would consider sin, but definitely thinking in human terms. The presence of God is revealed to them, and brings them to the place they need to be. "... a bright cloud came over them, and a voice form the cloud said, 'This is my beloved Son, and I am wonderfully pleased with him. Obey him.' At this the disciples fell face downward to the ground, terribly frightened. Jesus came over and touched them. 'Get up,' he said, 'don't be afraid.'" (17:5-7)
To be where we need to be, we must experience the presence of the Lord. We must worship him in spirit and in truth. We must set aside all that hinders. We must take up our cross, die to the flesh, and obey him!
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
Genesis 50:1 - Exodus 2:10
Matthew 16:13-17:9
Psalm 21:1-13
Proverbs 5:1-6
"Jesus turned to Peter and said, 'Get away from me, you Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me.'" Matt. 16:23a
Wow! How would you like to be Peter at that point in time? The Son of the Most High calling you Satan! A mere 5 verses before Jesus was saying to Peter, "You are Peter, a stone; and upon this rock I will build my church; and all the powers of hell shall not prevail against it." (16:18) So, why the big change?
What was it that caused Jesus to react so strongly to Peter? The rest of verse 23 says, "You are thinking merely from a human point of view, and not from God's."
The danger of being human is thinking in human terms. We so often get trapped in the confines of our human senses and understanding that we begin to lay out "God's plan" on our terms rather than on His. We react to difficulties and challenges in the flesh and not in the Spirit.
I think every one of us would have wanted to say what Peter said in verse 22. Jesus had been talking about how he would be crucified. Peter said, "Heaven forbid, sir, This is not going to happen to you!" What's wrong with that? Here's what's wrong. It's reacting in human terms with human logic, and not in Godly understanding.
"Then Jesus said to the disciples, 'If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who keeps his life for himself shall lose it; and anyone who loses his life for me shall find it again. What profit is there if you gain the whole world - and lose eternal life? What can be compared with the value of eternal life?" Matt 16:24-26
As long as our flesh lives, we are in danger of gaining the whole world and losing eternal life. When we take up our cross, we are giving our flesh the death sentence. I must become a "Dead Man Walking"! (see DEVO 1.9)
True worship is a dagger in the heart of the flesh. The Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is not singing the songs we like so we can "get something out of" a worship service. True worship is unhindered communion with God marked by Love, Fear, and Obedience. When trials come, I must discipline myself to not react in human terms and human understanding. I must turn to God and surrender all I have to him. I must lay myself bare before him. THEN, as a Dead Man Walking, I am in a position to allow him to complete his work in me and through me.
This state of humanness is far more dangerous than I realize. The seduction of my comfort and my opinion and my desires is constantly working to give flesh "time off for good behavior". I need to fear God with the intensity to constrain myself to carry my cross. Proverbs 5:1-6 says, "My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you've learned. For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave."
I get a kick out of Peter. In the next section of scripture, Peter, James & John go up the mountain with Jesus. Jesus becomes transfigured so that his face "shone like the sun and his clothing became dazzling white. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking with him. Peter blurted out, 'Sir, it's wonderful that we can be here! If you want me to, I'll make three shelters, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.'" Matt 17:2-4
Again, not what one would consider sin, but definitely thinking in human terms. The presence of God is revealed to them, and brings them to the place they need to be. "... a bright cloud came over them, and a voice form the cloud said, 'This is my beloved Son, and I am wonderfully pleased with him. Obey him.' At this the disciples fell face downward to the ground, terribly frightened. Jesus came over and touched them. 'Get up,' he said, 'don't be afraid.'" (17:5-7)
To be where we need to be, we must experience the presence of the Lord. We must worship him in spirit and in truth. We must set aside all that hinders. We must take up our cross, die to the flesh, and obey him!
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, January 24, 2012
1.24.12 "The Big Dream"
"The Big Dream"
Genesis 48:1-49:33
Matthew 15:29-16:12
Psalm 20:1-9
Proverbs 4:20-27
The "DREAM" (all caps) that we speak of each day represents the elements of the Balanced Christian Life. God also has a "Big Dream" that he has given each one of us. Do you realize the great plans God has for your life? Do you understand that God has created you to be a world changer? The details of God's plan for each of us will vary quite a bit. God's plan for some of us is to be world changers for a few people, others for millions, but if you know God at all, you know that he desires to use each one of us to carry out His plan. He has a "Big Dream" for every one of us
In Matthew 15, Jesus has been healing hundreds of people. There are 4,000 of them gathered there. verse 31 says, "What a spectacle it was! Those who hadn't been able to say a word before were talking excitedly, and those with missing arms and legs had new ones..."
Can you imagine a sight like that? Absolutely incredible. Today's message comes from the next section:
"Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I pity these people - they've been here with me for three days now, and have nothing left to eat; I don't want to send them away hungry or they will faint along the road.' the disciples replied, 'And where would we get enough here in the desert for all this mob to eat?' Jesus asked them, "How much food do you have?' And they replied, 'Seven loaves of bread and a few small fish!' Then Jesus told all of the people to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves and the fish, and gave thanks to God for them, and divided them into pieces, and gave them to the disciples who presented them to the crowd. And everyone ate until full - 4,000 men besides the women and children! And afterwards, when the scraps were picked up, there were seven basketfuls left over!"
It's a great story, but I believe with all my heart that within there is an outline for the "Big Dream" God has for my life and for yours.
1. See the need. Jesus saw how hungry the people were & didn't want to send them away. You may already have an intense burden for something. You may not be there yet. Either way, the Big Dream is for the purpose of meeting a need. What need do you see? What needs to be "fixed"? Who do you see hurting?
2. The need is probably overwhelming. The disciples asked where they would get enough food. The need seemed impossible to meet. Most of the time, your Big Dream is to meet a need that seems impossible to meet. You may have expressed your burden for this need to someone, and they've said something like "yeah right. Like that could ever happen." You need to understand, that their response doesn't negate the fact that God has placed this within you.
3. What do you have? Jesus didn't tell the disciples, "You know what? You're right. I didn't realize the magnitude of this need. We are in trouble." He said, "What do you have?" That question is asked of us today. What do you have? Everyone of us have a God-given "SHAPE". This stands for Spiritual gifts, Heart (passions), Ability, Personality, and Experience. What is your SHAPE? Do you realize that you are the way you are so that God could use you the way he needs to?
4. Give it to Jesus. Jesus took what they had and gave thanks for it & blessed it. We need to be thankful for the SHAPE God made us, and give ourselves entirely to him so he can bless it.
5. The results are up to him. So many times we view success or failure in human terms. True success is really the answer to one question: Was I obedient? When it comes to the Big Dream for your life, are you walking in obedience? Under God's blessing, the results are exponential when we live a life of radical obedience.
This is a lesson in Active Ministry Involvement. The principle is Responsibility. Are you being responsible to give him all of your resources to meet the need he has laid out in front of you?
Take time today to pray that God will open your eyes to the need. Don't stop because it seems overwhelming. Take inventory of what you have and offer it to him. Pray that he would use your obedience to bring about the results he desires.
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
Genesis 48:1-49:33
Matthew 15:29-16:12
Psalm 20:1-9
Proverbs 4:20-27
The "DREAM" (all caps) that we speak of each day represents the elements of the Balanced Christian Life. God also has a "Big Dream" that he has given each one of us. Do you realize the great plans God has for your life? Do you understand that God has created you to be a world changer? The details of God's plan for each of us will vary quite a bit. God's plan for some of us is to be world changers for a few people, others for millions, but if you know God at all, you know that he desires to use each one of us to carry out His plan. He has a "Big Dream" for every one of us
In Matthew 15, Jesus has been healing hundreds of people. There are 4,000 of them gathered there. verse 31 says, "What a spectacle it was! Those who hadn't been able to say a word before were talking excitedly, and those with missing arms and legs had new ones..."
Can you imagine a sight like that? Absolutely incredible. Today's message comes from the next section:
"Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I pity these people - they've been here with me for three days now, and have nothing left to eat; I don't want to send them away hungry or they will faint along the road.' the disciples replied, 'And where would we get enough here in the desert for all this mob to eat?' Jesus asked them, "How much food do you have?' And they replied, 'Seven loaves of bread and a few small fish!' Then Jesus told all of the people to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves and the fish, and gave thanks to God for them, and divided them into pieces, and gave them to the disciples who presented them to the crowd. And everyone ate until full - 4,000 men besides the women and children! And afterwards, when the scraps were picked up, there were seven basketfuls left over!"
It's a great story, but I believe with all my heart that within there is an outline for the "Big Dream" God has for my life and for yours.
1. See the need. Jesus saw how hungry the people were & didn't want to send them away. You may already have an intense burden for something. You may not be there yet. Either way, the Big Dream is for the purpose of meeting a need. What need do you see? What needs to be "fixed"? Who do you see hurting?
2. The need is probably overwhelming. The disciples asked where they would get enough food. The need seemed impossible to meet. Most of the time, your Big Dream is to meet a need that seems impossible to meet. You may have expressed your burden for this need to someone, and they've said something like "yeah right. Like that could ever happen." You need to understand, that their response doesn't negate the fact that God has placed this within you.
3. What do you have? Jesus didn't tell the disciples, "You know what? You're right. I didn't realize the magnitude of this need. We are in trouble." He said, "What do you have?" That question is asked of us today. What do you have? Everyone of us have a God-given "SHAPE". This stands for Spiritual gifts, Heart (passions), Ability, Personality, and Experience. What is your SHAPE? Do you realize that you are the way you are so that God could use you the way he needs to?
4. Give it to Jesus. Jesus took what they had and gave thanks for it & blessed it. We need to be thankful for the SHAPE God made us, and give ourselves entirely to him so he can bless it.
5. The results are up to him. So many times we view success or failure in human terms. True success is really the answer to one question: Was I obedient? When it comes to the Big Dream for your life, are you walking in obedience? Under God's blessing, the results are exponential when we live a life of radical obedience.
This is a lesson in Active Ministry Involvement. The principle is Responsibility. Are you being responsible to give him all of your resources to meet the need he has laid out in front of you?
Take time today to pray that God will open your eyes to the need. Don't stop because it seems overwhelming. Take inventory of what you have and offer it to him. Pray that he would use your obedience to bring about the results he desires.
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, January 23, 2012
1.23.12 "The Glory of God"
"The Glory of God"
Genesis 46:1-47:31
Matthew 15:1-28
Psalm 19:1-14
Proverbs 4:14-19
"The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship. Day and night they keep on telling about God. Without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it and moves out across the skies as radiant as a bridegroom going to his wedding, or as joyous as an athlete looking forward to a race! The sun crosses the heavens from end to end, and nothing can hide from its heat." (Ps. 19:1-6)
"The heavens are telling the glory of God..." That's a phrase I've heard all my life. I had never really thought about it. One day I was looking out the dining room window watching some birds going about their business. I was thinking of this scripture, and looking at the trees and the sky & I was wondering, how does this bring glory to God? I mean i think it's beautiful, but I don't see any birds with their eyes closed in prayer, and for that matter, they don't even pray before they eat!!!
The Lord spoke to my heart at that moment and said, "They bring me glory by doing what they are created to do."
That really pierced my heart. I began to think about whether or not I bring glory to him. To often I think that there's moments i bring glory to him by praying, or singing a song. That's good stuff, but that's not the essence of it all.
I bring glory to God by doing what I'm created to do. My worship shouldn't be a couple of songs & a prayer here & there. It needs to be a Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship - a life of obedience to his voice, consistent in prayerful communion with him and thankfulness. I need to make sure I'm committed to Relationships Devoted to Unity by intentionally engaging in healthy relationships with others. I must be Empowered through Biblical Training by studying his word and committing myself to discipleship. I need to be faithful to use all my resources in Active Ministry Involvement. I need to live with the Mission to Reach our World for Christ as my purpose for being.
To bring glory to God, I must Live the DREAM. That's what I'm created to do.
This example is a couple years old, but it illustrates the point so well. We had friends over a while back, and they brought their dog/horse. He's a huge goldendoodle named Buddy. (golden retriever/poodle) He looks like Fozzie Bear. This dog lives with the belief that he is created to chase a ball. That's all he wants to do. We were playing a board game and he would stand next to the table and stare at you for a solid half an hour waiting for you to throw the ball. When there was no ball to be found (because of the ingestion of a previous ball, which is a whole other story...), the dog would wander around as someone looking for purpose in life.
How many people do we see walking around looking for purpose? Why not share the DREAM with them? Let them know why they were created. Let them know what God can do in their life. Let them know they can bring glory to God.
"Get the ball, Buddy!"
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, January 22, 2012
1.22.12 "What Are You Looking At?"
"What Are You Looking At?"
Genesis 44:1-45:28
Matthew 14:13-36
Psalm 18:37-50
Proverbs 4:11-13
If you want to walk on water, quit looking at the waves.
Today's reading from Matthew is a familiar story. Jesus sends the disciples across the lake.
Starting in verse 24 it says, "Night fell, and out on the lake the disciples were in trouble. For the wind had risen and they were fighting heavy seas. About four o'clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water! They screamed in terror, for they thought he was a ghost. But Jesus immediately spoke to them, reassuring them. 'Don't be afraid!' he said. Then Peter called to him: 'Sir, if it is really you, tell me to come over to you, walking on the water.'"
Peter then walks toward Jesus. Verse 30 says, "But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me Lord!' He shouted. Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and rescued him. 'O man of little faith,' Jesus said. 'Why did you doubt me?' And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped."
There is such incredible teaching from God's Word. Look at how the progression of this story gives us a life lesson:
It caught my attention how Jesus sent them across the lake, and as night fell the storm started. It wasn't until 4 in the morning that Jesus came out to them. We know God has a plan for our lives. Too often we think that if we walk in obedience to the plan there wont be any storms. That's not the case at all. Storms will happen. Storms do not negate the fact that we are doing what we are called to do.
Sometimes we get so caught up in the storm that when Jesus comes to us in the midst of it, we don't even recognize him. The storms of life can make so much 'noise' that we don't hear the voice that says, "Do not be afraid!"
We need to develop a full understanding of the fact that God doesn't just want us to "survive" the storm, he wants us to experience miracles through it. The circumstances of the storm did not change when Jesus told Peter to step out in faith. The waves didn't die down before he did it.
Too often, the waves keep us in the boat. We hear God speaking to us & we say, "That's ridiculous!" We miss the opportunity to experience the miracle.
What happens to Peter is a life lesson to us all. He steps out in obedience, but he takes his eyes off Jesus. Then he begins to sink.
What are you looking at today? The Master or the waves? With our eyes on Jesus, we can have a victory that is beyond belief. Maybe your eyes have been on the waves, and you can feel yourself sinking. All you have to do is cry out, "Save me, Lord!" the scripture says, "Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and rescued him." Jesus will do the same for you.
Take note that after Peter cried out to the Lord it didn't say, "Instantly the storm stopped." Yes, Jesus took his hand but the storm didn't stop until they were back in the boat. Often I think we get the mentality that if we cry out to God the waves of circumstance around us should change immediately. There are times that may happen, but what really should change is our heart. Our faith should grow. What should happen is that we shouldn't care if there are waves our not. We are in his hand.
We need to keep our eyes on Jesus. The storms are different for each one of us, but that doesn't change the principle of keeping our eyes on Jesus. The Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is a life of obedience.
What are you looking at?
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, January 21, 2012
1.21.12 "What a God He Is!"
"What a God He Is!"
Genesis 42:18-43:34
Matthew 13:47-14:12
Psalm 18:16-36
Proverbs 4:7-10
"What a God he is! How perfect in every way! All his promises prove true. He is a shield for everyone who hides behind him. For who is God except our Lord? Who but he is as a rock? He fills me with strength and protects me wherever I go. He gives me the surefootedness of a mountain goat upon the crags. He leads me safely along the top of the cliffs. He prepares me for battle and gives me strength to draw an iron bow!" Ps. 18:30-34
We need to hear this encouragement every day. There are times we know this without question, but there are those other times where we really need to be reminded.
He is your shield, your defender! He will never call you to do something without giving you the strength to do it. There may be some precarious times, but he will keep you secure.
He will prepare you for battle as you spend time in his word.
Get to know God! He is is awesome! The most incredible thing about our God is that there's no way you can fathom his awesome majesty. We will never get to know him enough until the day we will really see him "as he is".
Lord, I want to know you more! I want to be in your presence. Help me to keep from making my time with you "about me". Help me to keep my eyes on you. Help me to realize that with you as my focal point, all else comes into perspective, and even the greatest trial is nothing in your presence!
What a God He is!
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
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