"Keep Close to Me!"
Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20
Luke 9:7-27
Psalm 72:1-20
Proverbs 12:8-9
"Keep Close to Me!" In what situations have you heard that phrase? When my daughter was old enough to walk in stores we began to practice obedience by playing a game. If Lisa or I would say "close" Annalese was supposed to see how fast she could get to us. She was supposed to drop whatever she was doing and RUN to us. If she did, we'd reward her. We would also do it when we were out for walks. She'd get ahead of us or something and we'd say, "Annalese, close!" She would turn and run back to us.
Why did we teach her that? We were trying to teach her that right next to us is a safe place to be. We were making practice of an important principle.
Jesus says "Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to me! Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it, but whoever insists on keeping his life will lose it; and what profit is there in gaining the whole world when it means forfeiting one's self?" (Luke 9:23-25)
Why does Jesus say "Keep close to me"? Because next to him is the safest place to be.
What does it take to be close to him? We have to drop everything and run to him. We have to put aside our own desires and conveniences. It's those desires left unchecked that will bring us to harm.
What does it mean to take up your cross? It means that we live at all times with an understanding that we are dying to flesh. "Dead Man Walking". Every step I take down the road of life must be a step that is not directed by self, but by the Spirit. It must be a part of being close to him.
There's something within that cries out, "But think of all the things you miss out on if you die to flesh! Think of all the things YOU want to do!" The world's understanding is that the only way to find fulfillment is if I chase my own wants and needs, but the truth is, If I lose my life for the sake of following Christ, I will actually find the fulfillment of the all of the desires. This happens for a number of reasons, the main one being that knowing Christ transforms our desires into what he wants them to be. They work for his glory.
When we live to serve the flesh, we ultimately lose out not only on the fulfillment, but can eventually lose our soul because we are living for self.
What steps are you taking today? Are they for your desire and convenience, or are they for walking in step with Christ? Stay close to him 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
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
3.30.12 "Fruit for the Journey"
"Fruit for the Journey"
Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23
Luke 8:40-9:6
Psalm 71:1-24
Proverbs 12:5-7
When I was a kid my neighbor had the first video game I had ever seen. It was Amazing! the fact that you could control something on your black and white TV screen! The skill required to play this game was intense. The game was called "Pong"!
My cousin had another type of video game on his Commodore 64. This game was page after page of text. It was basically a story of an adventure. You would walk from room to room and find things in each room. For example, you would come into a room and it would say there was a table in the corner. you would then type in "look at table". It would then say "On the table there is a blue key". Now here's what separated the good players from the amateurs. The amateurs would think, "Cool, but I don't need a blue key," and move on. The experts would type in "pick up key". Sure enough a little farther on in the journey they would encounter a "Blue Door". There were a few times a guy would say, "Man, I wish I would have picked up that key!"
So why the trip down memory lane? Well we are all on this adventure game of life. Thankfully, It's slightly more exciting and more intense than the old Commodore 64. We never know what we are going to encounter, and whether we realize it or not, there are little items that we discover that we need for the journey ahead.
"O Lord, you alone are my hope; I've trusted you from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth and have helped me constantly - no wonder I am always praising you!' (Ps. 71:5-6)
The experiences we have in life give us the ammunition to praise him. It is the fruit for our journey. Sometimes the best fruit grows in the darkest valleys. We will often cry out in the middle of sickness or times of mourning, "I don't need this!" But the truth is, we've got options when it comes to how we react to difficult times. We can just complain and "endure", or we can glean the fruit we need, pick it up and use it for the journey ahead. We will always find that when we've chosen to "pick up" the fruit, we will find a "blue door" down the road, and there's no way we could pass through without the experiences of that valley.
"I will keep on expecting you to help me. I praise you more and more. I cannot count the times when you have faithfully rescued me from danger. I will tell everyone how good you are, and of your constant, daily care. I walk in the strength of the Lord God. I tell everyone that you alone are just and good... I will talk to others all day long about your justice and your goodness." (vs. 14-16, 24)
The only way the fruit of the journey we've traveled does us any good is if we use it. We need to constantly tell of God's faithfulness. We need to tell of the way that he has delivered us and freed us, and sustained us through difficult times.
If you are in a difficult time right now, you need to type in, "use fruit", and begin to testify of the great things God has done for you in the past. This is the key to the victorious Christian life.
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
Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23
Luke 8:40-9:6
Psalm 71:1-24
Proverbs 12:5-7
When I was a kid my neighbor had the first video game I had ever seen. It was Amazing! the fact that you could control something on your black and white TV screen! The skill required to play this game was intense. The game was called "Pong"!
My cousin had another type of video game on his Commodore 64. This game was page after page of text. It was basically a story of an adventure. You would walk from room to room and find things in each room. For example, you would come into a room and it would say there was a table in the corner. you would then type in "look at table". It would then say "On the table there is a blue key". Now here's what separated the good players from the amateurs. The amateurs would think, "Cool, but I don't need a blue key," and move on. The experts would type in "pick up key". Sure enough a little farther on in the journey they would encounter a "Blue Door". There were a few times a guy would say, "Man, I wish I would have picked up that key!"
So why the trip down memory lane? Well we are all on this adventure game of life. Thankfully, It's slightly more exciting and more intense than the old Commodore 64. We never know what we are going to encounter, and whether we realize it or not, there are little items that we discover that we need for the journey ahead.
"O Lord, you alone are my hope; I've trusted you from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth and have helped me constantly - no wonder I am always praising you!' (Ps. 71:5-6)
The experiences we have in life give us the ammunition to praise him. It is the fruit for our journey. Sometimes the best fruit grows in the darkest valleys. We will often cry out in the middle of sickness or times of mourning, "I don't need this!" But the truth is, we've got options when it comes to how we react to difficult times. We can just complain and "endure", or we can glean the fruit we need, pick it up and use it for the journey ahead. We will always find that when we've chosen to "pick up" the fruit, we will find a "blue door" down the road, and there's no way we could pass through without the experiences of that valley.
"I will keep on expecting you to help me. I praise you more and more. I cannot count the times when you have faithfully rescued me from danger. I will tell everyone how good you are, and of your constant, daily care. I walk in the strength of the Lord God. I tell everyone that you alone are just and good... I will talk to others all day long about your justice and your goodness." (vs. 14-16, 24)
The only way the fruit of the journey we've traveled does us any good is if we use it. We need to constantly tell of God's faithfulness. We need to tell of the way that he has delivered us and freed us, and sustained us through difficult times.
If you are in a difficult time right now, you need to type in, "use fruit", and begin to testify of the great things God has done for you in the past. This is the key to the victorious Christian life.
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, March 29, 2012
3.29.12 "Let's Make a Deal!"
"Let's Make a Deal!"
Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32
Luke 8:22-39
Psalm 70:1-5
Proverbs 12:4
Does that title bring back memories? If so, it definitely dates you! For me it was Monte Hall's voice that was so iconic. They've revived the show again now which gives you the choice: Door number 1, Door number 2 or Door number 3! What amazing television!
Well, God makes it a bit easier. There's just 2 doors: " I am giving you the choice today between God's blessing or God's curse!" (Deut. 11:26)
Um.... boy... I don't know.... I ah... blessing or curse... "we'll find out... right after this commercial break!"
"There will be blessing if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I am giving you today, and a curse if you refuse them and worship the gods of these other nations." (v.27-28)
In this chapter Moses speaks of the family in verses 1-6. "You must love the Lord your God and obey every one of his commands. Listen! I am not talking now to your children who have never experienced the Lord's punishments or seen his greatness and his awesome power. They weren't there to see the miracles he did in Egypt..." he goes on to list the many great things God has done.
"But you have seen these mighty miracles! how carefully, then, you should obey these commandments... so that you may have the strength to go in and possess the land you are about to enter." (v.7-8)
My daughter has not had the path to Christ I have. She doesn't automatically know about the godly home I grew up in. She doesn't know that I would find my dad praying in his office or my mom praying in her bedroom. She doesn't know that I had incredible altar experiences at camp. She doesn't know about the HUGE rapture scare I had when my parents went to dinner with the church board & I didn't know & when I called them all no one was home! (still makes me sweat to think about it!)
All she knows is what she sees in me.
I have found freedom in Christ. I have found blessing. "But beware that your hearts do not turn from God... So keep these commandments carefully in mind... Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are sitting at home, when you are out walking, at bedtime, and before breakfast! Write them upon the doors of your houses and upon your gates, so that as long as there is sky above the earth, you and your children will enjoy the good life awaiting you in the land the Lord has promised you." (vs. 16-21)
It's up to me to put the option in front of my daughter. "Blessing, or curse". She wont choose just because I say it, she will choose based on what I live. She will be influenced and impacted by the world around her, but the power for her to live life will come as we sit around the breakfast table each morning.
Well Monte (or Wayne Brady) .... I'll take the blessing!
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
Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32
Luke 8:22-39
Psalm 70:1-5
Proverbs 12:4
Does that title bring back memories? If so, it definitely dates you! For me it was Monte Hall's voice that was so iconic. They've revived the show again now which gives you the choice: Door number 1, Door number 2 or Door number 3! What amazing television!
Well, God makes it a bit easier. There's just 2 doors: " I am giving you the choice today between God's blessing or God's curse!" (Deut. 11:26)
Um.... boy... I don't know.... I ah... blessing or curse... "we'll find out... right after this commercial break!"
"There will be blessing if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I am giving you today, and a curse if you refuse them and worship the gods of these other nations." (v.27-28)
In this chapter Moses speaks of the family in verses 1-6. "You must love the Lord your God and obey every one of his commands. Listen! I am not talking now to your children who have never experienced the Lord's punishments or seen his greatness and his awesome power. They weren't there to see the miracles he did in Egypt..." he goes on to list the many great things God has done.
"But you have seen these mighty miracles! how carefully, then, you should obey these commandments... so that you may have the strength to go in and possess the land you are about to enter." (v.7-8)
My daughter has not had the path to Christ I have. She doesn't automatically know about the godly home I grew up in. She doesn't know that I would find my dad praying in his office or my mom praying in her bedroom. She doesn't know that I had incredible altar experiences at camp. She doesn't know about the HUGE rapture scare I had when my parents went to dinner with the church board & I didn't know & when I called them all no one was home! (still makes me sweat to think about it!)
All she knows is what she sees in me.
I have found freedom in Christ. I have found blessing. "But beware that your hearts do not turn from God... So keep these commandments carefully in mind... Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are sitting at home, when you are out walking, at bedtime, and before breakfast! Write them upon the doors of your houses and upon your gates, so that as long as there is sky above the earth, you and your children will enjoy the good life awaiting you in the land the Lord has promised you." (vs. 16-21)
It's up to me to put the option in front of my daughter. "Blessing, or curse". She wont choose just because I say it, she will choose based on what I live. She will be influenced and impacted by the world around her, but the power for her to live life will come as we sit around the breakfast table each morning.
Well Monte (or Wayne Brady) .... I'll take the blessing!
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, March 28, 2012
3.28.12 "You're Not Good Enough!"
"You're Not Good Enough!"
Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22
Luke 8:4-21
Psalm 69:19-36
Proverbs 12:2-3
Have you been in a situation where you've felt ill-equipped? It can be paralyzing. It may be that you see a need, but you know it's beyond you to meet it, or you know there's others who can do it better, or maybe it's something you've been assigned to do but the task is just too indimidating.
I've told this story several times, so forgive me if you've heard it before, but for me it was a significant moment in my life. I hadn't been on staff as the music pastor for long, and the worship leader was gone so I filled in to lead worship. Another piano player then played for me. We are now very good friends, but at that time I didn't know him very well. I had heard what a great player he was, but I was not prepared for what I heard. He was incredible!
I'll never forget that moment. I could go stand right where I was when this happened. It was during rehearsal, and as he was playing, and we were all singing, I was thinking, "I'll never be that good!". My thought process was one of feeling sorry for myself. I started thinking, "Why am I even in this job? I could never play like that!" I prayed, "Lord, why am I here, I'm not good enough!"
There aren't too many times in my life that the Lord has spoken to me in a way that I could actually quote him later, but this was definitely one of them! He said, "You're right! You will never be that good! But you are the one I've chosen!"
The thought "I'll never be that good!" kept cycling through my mind, but with a different tone. It was a tone of freedom. There was a revelation that how good I am is IRRELEVANT to what God had called me to if I am in a place he has assigned me.
In Deut. 9:1 Moses is speaking to Israel. "O Israel, listen! Today you are to cross the Jordan River and begin to dispossess the nations on the other side. Those nations are much greater and more powerful than you are!"
How's that for a pep-talk? How'd you like your coach to say, "alright let's go beat this team... They're a lot better than you!"
So often in our culture we are so concerned about self-esteem. Self-confidence is something that we highly value. A major reason for that is we errantly attach worth to ability. We don't understand that worth and ability are not connected. Value must come from an understanding of our Creator, and who he has made us to be, not from how we've "performed".
But since we don't understand that, we make a few mistakes. For one, we only step out in things we know we can accomplish. If God calls us to do something, we stop in our tracks because it's beyond our ability.
Another mistake is that we build false confidence in the flesh. "I'm not good enough..." "Oh yes you are! You're great! You're the best! Get out there and do it! Rah! Rah!" Because we've built the confidence in the flesh, we do go out there and some times fail, and then are hurt so we're never willing to do it again.
Now I'm not saying that we need to be brutal with one another, "Yeah, I'm thinking your low self-esteem is just good common sense!" If that's what you're getting from all this, you're missing the point! What it's taking me a LONG time to say is this: OBEDIENCE is not related to ability! In fact, God more often than not chooses to use the most "unlikely" people to do great things.
You may have experienced this at some level. God has done something great through you as a result of you stepping out in obedience. The irony of it all is, that we have to be careful on the other side, as well.
"Then, when the Lord has done this for you, don't say to yourselves, 'The Lord has helped us because we are so good!'" (v.4) We have to be careful that we don't allow God's faithfulness to us to become a pride issue. I can't stick my tongue out at my friend and say, "Nah, Nah! You can play better, but God picked me!"
Pride and insecurity are very similar! They are both self-focussed. They bring the attention away from God. I need to realize, "I am not Good Enough!" However, it's important that I only realize that to the point of FREEDOM, and not to the point of BONDAGE. If it's a point of paralysis, then I am not trusting God.
Deut. 10:12-13 puts it into perspective. "And now, Israel, what does the Lord you God require of you except to listen carefully to all he says to you, and to obey for your own good the commandments I am giving you today, and to love him, and to worship him with all you hearts and soul?"
That's all we need to worry about. Just love the Lord and walk in obedience.
God will never call us to do something without equipping us to accomplish it. However, He will always call us to accomplish more than we can in our own strength. That's how is name is made great among the people!
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, March 27, 2012
3.27.12 "Radical Obedience"
"Radical Obedience"
Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20
Luke 7:36-8:3
Psalm 69:1-18
Proverbs 12:1
Do you ever order chicken "medium rare"? Of course not! You wouldn't even think if it. Even though it's "mostly cooked" it's a bad idea. Chicken needs to be thoroughly cooked. Why? Because it's unhealthy to do it any other way. You can get sick if you don't.
We need to be fully obedient to what the Lord calls us to. Why? It's unhealthy to do it any other way. In today's reading in Deuteronomy Moses is addressing the people.
"For you are a holy people, dedicated to the Lord your God. He has chosen you from all the people on the face of the whole earth to be his own chosen ones. He didn't choose you and pour out his love on you because you were a larger nation than any other, for you were the smallest of all! It was just because he loves you..." (Deut. 7:6-7)
God loves each one of us more than we can imagine. He desires relationship with us. To have that relationship we must be holy before him. We must be pure. We must rid our lives of things that separate us from him. He set us free, but it's our job to stay free.
"You must destroy all the nations which the Lord your God delivers into your hands. Have no pity, and do not worship other gods; if you do, it will be a sad day for you. (v. 16)
We must set ourselves apart from sinful ways. We must be radically obedient to what the Lord is directing us to do. If we don't "It will be a sad day."
Sometimes it seems overwhelming. "Perhaps you will think to yourself, 'How can we ever conquer these nations that are so much more powerful than we are?' But don't be afraid of them! Just remember what the Lord your God did to Pharoah and to all the land of Egypt." (v.17-18)
You may be caught in sin in a way that seems you can't get out. Or, you may like some of the idols so much you don't want to get rid of them. No matter how difficult it seems, it's not impossible. Remember that grace gives us the power to do what truth demands of us. We can trust in the grace of God to strengthen us as we step out in obedience.
Obedience is a PROCESS of growth in us. "No, do not be afraid of those nations, for the Lord your God is among you, and he is a great and awesome God. He will cast them out a little at a time; he will not do it all at once..." (v. 21-22)
We all wish the challenges before us would just disappear, but we must understand that God us doing a work in us, and we need to follow through in the steps as he shows us. We have to understand that partial obedience is disobedience, and delayed obedience us disobedience. I need to live a life of radical obedience. When God says something, I need to do it. When he asks me to get rid of something in my life, I just need to do it. That's living 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
Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20
Luke 7:36-8:3
Psalm 69:1-18
Proverbs 12:1
Do you ever order chicken "medium rare"? Of course not! You wouldn't even think if it. Even though it's "mostly cooked" it's a bad idea. Chicken needs to be thoroughly cooked. Why? Because it's unhealthy to do it any other way. You can get sick if you don't.
We need to be fully obedient to what the Lord calls us to. Why? It's unhealthy to do it any other way. In today's reading in Deuteronomy Moses is addressing the people.
"For you are a holy people, dedicated to the Lord your God. He has chosen you from all the people on the face of the whole earth to be his own chosen ones. He didn't choose you and pour out his love on you because you were a larger nation than any other, for you were the smallest of all! It was just because he loves you..." (Deut. 7:6-7)
God loves each one of us more than we can imagine. He desires relationship with us. To have that relationship we must be holy before him. We must be pure. We must rid our lives of things that separate us from him. He set us free, but it's our job to stay free.
"You must destroy all the nations which the Lord your God delivers into your hands. Have no pity, and do not worship other gods; if you do, it will be a sad day for you. (v. 16)
We must set ourselves apart from sinful ways. We must be radically obedient to what the Lord is directing us to do. If we don't "It will be a sad day."
Sometimes it seems overwhelming. "Perhaps you will think to yourself, 'How can we ever conquer these nations that are so much more powerful than we are?' But don't be afraid of them! Just remember what the Lord your God did to Pharoah and to all the land of Egypt." (v.17-18)
You may be caught in sin in a way that seems you can't get out. Or, you may like some of the idols so much you don't want to get rid of them. No matter how difficult it seems, it's not impossible. Remember that grace gives us the power to do what truth demands of us. We can trust in the grace of God to strengthen us as we step out in obedience.
Obedience is a PROCESS of growth in us. "No, do not be afraid of those nations, for the Lord your God is among you, and he is a great and awesome God. He will cast them out a little at a time; he will not do it all at once..." (v. 21-22)
We all wish the challenges before us would just disappear, but we must understand that God us doing a work in us, and we need to follow through in the steps as he shows us. We have to understand that partial obedience is disobedience, and delayed obedience us disobedience. I need to live a life of radical obedience. When God says something, I need to do it. When he asks me to get rid of something in my life, I just need to do it. That's living 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
Monday, March 26, 2012
3.26.12 "Hear, Learn, and Obey!"
"Hear, Learn, and Obey!"
Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25
Luke 7:11-35
Psalm 68:19-35
Proverbs 11:29-31
"Moses called all the people of Israel together and said, 'Listen carefully, Israel. Hear the decrees and regulations I am giving you today, so you may learn them and obey them!'" (Deut. 5:1)
Can you recite the 10 commandments? on your mark, get set, go....
How did you you do?
Often we hear of court cases where "freedom from religion" groups are trying to get the 10 commandments removed from places of public display. It's so sad that not only people have neglected God, but they are proud that they've neglected him. I'm curious though, as to how many there would be who would fight to keep the commands on display and yet not be able to recite them.
Deut. 6:6-9 says, "And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am givin gyou today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your foreheads as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
There is an intensity to the command to hear, learn and obey the commandments.
I will list them as they appear in Deut. 5 (NLT)
1. You must not have any other god but me.
2. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind.
3. You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. Observe the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy
5. Honor your father and mother
6. You must not murder.
7. You must not commit adultery
8. You must not steal
9. You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
10. You must not covet your neighbor's wife,... house or land... or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.
Deut. 5 elaborates on a few of these, and i would encourage you to read through them again.
5:29 says, "Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me and obey all my commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever."
We need to devote ourselves to God's commands. We need to live lives of obedience. We need to teach this to our children.
When I've been thinking/talking about "you must not commit adultery", what's my reaction when I see adultery on TV? If the command is ready on my mind, The light of truth shines on evil, and I don't want to take part in it. The same is true for murder, and all the rest.
When i hear someone gossiping, does "number 9" jump into my head? What about your neighbor's stuff? are you keeping it in context w/ number 10?
I'm challenged to bring the commands of the Lord to the forefront of what we do as a family. I'm challenged to know them as if they are tied to the back of my hand.
This is what it means to 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
Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25
Luke 7:11-35
Psalm 68:19-35
Proverbs 11:29-31
"Moses called all the people of Israel together and said, 'Listen carefully, Israel. Hear the decrees and regulations I am giving you today, so you may learn them and obey them!'" (Deut. 5:1)
Can you recite the 10 commandments? on your mark, get set, go....
How did you you do?
Often we hear of court cases where "freedom from religion" groups are trying to get the 10 commandments removed from places of public display. It's so sad that not only people have neglected God, but they are proud that they've neglected him. I'm curious though, as to how many there would be who would fight to keep the commands on display and yet not be able to recite them.
Deut. 6:6-9 says, "And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am givin gyou today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your foreheads as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
There is an intensity to the command to hear, learn and obey the commandments.
I will list them as they appear in Deut. 5 (NLT)
1. You must not have any other god but me.
2. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind.
3. You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. Observe the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy
5. Honor your father and mother
6. You must not murder.
7. You must not commit adultery
8. You must not steal
9. You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
10. You must not covet your neighbor's wife,... house or land... or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.
Deut. 5 elaborates on a few of these, and i would encourage you to read through them again.
5:29 says, "Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me and obey all my commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever."
We need to devote ourselves to God's commands. We need to live lives of obedience. We need to teach this to our children.
When I've been thinking/talking about "you must not commit adultery", what's my reaction when I see adultery on TV? If the command is ready on my mind, The light of truth shines on evil, and I don't want to take part in it. The same is true for murder, and all the rest.
When i hear someone gossiping, does "number 9" jump into my head? What about your neighbor's stuff? are you keeping it in context w/ number 10?
I'm challenged to bring the commands of the Lord to the forefront of what we do as a family. I'm challenged to know them as if they are tied to the back of my hand.
This is what it means to 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
Sunday, March 25, 2012
3.25.12 "Speck Patrol"
"Speck Patrol"
Deuteronomy 4:1-49
Luke 6:39-7:10
Psalm 68:1-18
Proverbs 11:28
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get upset with people who don't live the way "we know" that God wants them to live? Think of people who "get your goat". There's probably something about their actions that you feel is "wrong", and it is probably some element of spirituality that you believe is missing in their life.
It's so easy to sit and hear a wonderful sermon or a word of correction or exhortation and think, "Wow! this is good! There are people here who need to hear this!" There's danger in that thought process. That thinking is a way of deflecting what the Lord is trying to do in my life.
Jesus calls attention to this. "And why quibble about the speck in someone else's eye - his little fault - when a [beam] is in your own? How can you think of saying to him, 'Brother, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the [beam] in yours? Hypocrite! First get rid of the board, and then perhaps you can see well enough to deal with his speck!" Luke 6:41-42
I had this picture of people on "Speck Patrol" riding around in their "Beam"ers.... get it? Beamers?
When you are in the presence of the Lord, he will speak to you. It will usually be an area he would like for you to surrender to him. Lets use the example of gossip. When the Lord shines his light on your gossip, all the sudden you see all those around you who gossip. It's like you're seeing through "Gossip-Goggles".
Our human nature then kicks in, and starts to judge others for the issues they have with gossip. It does this for a number of reasons. One may be so you start thinking, "well at least I'm not as bad as them...". Another reason is to distract you and waste the energy you should be spending on repentance and refining the gossip in your own life.
So what should we do when the "speck patrol" of our flesh shows up? We need to recognize that as the Holy Spirit reminding us of OUR faults, not someone else's. This is a HUGE opportunity to thrust a dagger into the heart of our flesh and further the process of becoming the "dead man" God wants us to be.
Whether we realize it or not, we are always looking for an excuse to hang on to what God is asking us to give him. When we begin to be people of "habitual repentance" and we surrender as soon as the Lord brings our "beams" to light, we will be on a path toward maturity. We will become who God has created us to be.
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
Deuteronomy 4:1-49
Luke 6:39-7:10
Psalm 68:1-18
Proverbs 11:28
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get upset with people who don't live the way "we know" that God wants them to live? Think of people who "get your goat". There's probably something about their actions that you feel is "wrong", and it is probably some element of spirituality that you believe is missing in their life.
It's so easy to sit and hear a wonderful sermon or a word of correction or exhortation and think, "Wow! this is good! There are people here who need to hear this!" There's danger in that thought process. That thinking is a way of deflecting what the Lord is trying to do in my life.
Jesus calls attention to this. "And why quibble about the speck in someone else's eye - his little fault - when a [beam] is in your own? How can you think of saying to him, 'Brother, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the [beam] in yours? Hypocrite! First get rid of the board, and then perhaps you can see well enough to deal with his speck!" Luke 6:41-42
I had this picture of people on "Speck Patrol" riding around in their "Beam"ers.... get it? Beamers?
When you are in the presence of the Lord, he will speak to you. It will usually be an area he would like for you to surrender to him. Lets use the example of gossip. When the Lord shines his light on your gossip, all the sudden you see all those around you who gossip. It's like you're seeing through "Gossip-Goggles".
Our human nature then kicks in, and starts to judge others for the issues they have with gossip. It does this for a number of reasons. One may be so you start thinking, "well at least I'm not as bad as them...". Another reason is to distract you and waste the energy you should be spending on repentance and refining the gossip in your own life.
So what should we do when the "speck patrol" of our flesh shows up? We need to recognize that as the Holy Spirit reminding us of OUR faults, not someone else's. This is a HUGE opportunity to thrust a dagger into the heart of our flesh and further the process of becoming the "dead man" God wants us to be.
Whether we realize it or not, we are always looking for an excuse to hang on to what God is asking us to give him. When we begin to be people of "habitual repentance" and we surrender as soon as the Lord brings our "beams" to light, we will be on a path toward maturity. We will become who God has created us to be.
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, March 24, 2012
3.24.12 "Recipe for Success"
"Recipe for Success"
Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29
Luke 6:12-38
Psalm 67:1-7
Proverbs 11:27
This portion of scripture in Luke is one that We've all heard since we were kids, and we probably understand what it means, but it isn't very easy to put into practice.
"Listen, all of you. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you; implore God's blessing on those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, let him slap the other too! If someone demands your coat, give him your shirt besides. Give what you have to anyone who asks you for it; and when things are taken away from you, don't worry about getting them back." (Luke 6:27-30)
What is the purpose of all that? Why are we to be that kind of people? Is it God's goal for Christians to be doormats? Are we to be a weak people? Fear of weakness and injustice is what our flesh sees when we read this type of scripture. Even most Christians in this day would want to re-write the verses to say, "Tolerate your enemies. Ignore those who hate you. Pray that those who curse you and hurt you would leave you alone...."
What does it take to live like these verses in Luke? It takes true Godly submission. It takes an understanding of what "Relationships Devoted to Unity" is all about. Moreover, it takes death to flesh.
"Treat others as you want them to treat you.... Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don't be concerned about the fact that they won't repay..." (Luke 6:31, 35a)
That's tough! We fear the "doormat" syndrome so much that we don't even come close to it. Our thought process is many times caught up in the fact that "If I'm going to live this life of submission, I better see results!" Too often we are overly concerned with the "result" of our actions. We'll be submissive a couple times, and if that doesn't work, I'm back to doing it my way!
While it's true that God's promises are conditional based on our obedience, we can't turn that around and give him "conditional obedience". His word says to love our enemies. That doesn't have any stipulation of the outcome. It just says do it!
The good news is there is a blessing! "... Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as sons of God: for he is kind to the unthankful and to those who are very wicked. Try to show as much compassion as your father does. Never criticize or condemn - or it will all come back on you. Go easy on others; then they will do the same for you. For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give - large or small - will be used to measure what is given back to you." (35b-38)
That sounds like a recipe for success! We may see the fruit of that blessing immediately, or in years to come, or it may even be the heavenly reward. But either way, it is the way we are to live as sons 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
Friday, March 23, 2012
3.23.12 "God's Economy"
"God's Economy"
Numbers 36:1-Deuteronomy 1:46
Luke 5:29-6:11
Psalm 66:1-20
Proverbs 11:24-26
God's economy is incredible. To the world it doesn't make sense. The world's economy is focused on gaining as much as you can. The motivation is selfishness. God's economy is based on obedience.
"It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself." Prov. 11:24-25
As I read the word today, it reminded me of conversations I had with two different individuals. One was a man I see as a model father. He was sharing memories that he had from when his kids were younger. "We don't really have anything to show for the years I've worked. Not much of stuff, but we sure had a lot of fun!" I see his grown children who love the Lord, and it makes me think that there are too many that have the "stuff" and a bunch of regrets.
Another conversation I had was with a young couple who are stepping out in obedience to God's direction. She told me "We've never made so little and yet have so much money." They've been giving a ton away.
I can't explain God's economy. All I know is this. When we try to "get" more it doesn't work. When our focus is obedience in giving, the blessing is poured out. This isn't just about money. It's about all of our time, talent and resource.
We know we should give. But we have a problem with "we should give so we can get more" because it sounds like selfish motivation. That's because we don't finish that thought... It should be "We should give so we can get more to give!"
How can someone who has a lot be broke? I guess I can see it like a "couch potato" who's tired all the time, and a busy person who exercises regularly and is full of energy. How does that make sense? (as said by the guy who loves to be on the couch) The reason the energy is there is because the blood is flowing. The body is healthy.
The same is true for our resources. What God has given us has no value if it is not put to his use. This is what Active Ministry Involvement is all about. Again, it's not about joining a group, it's about using your gifts for God's glory in the home, at work, for the body of Christ, in the neighborhood, and around the world. We have a responsibility to do this.
It may not make sense in the world's eyes, but with the blessing of God's economy, we can know we are walking in obedience!
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
Numbers 36:1-Deuteronomy 1:46
Luke 5:29-6:11
Psalm 66:1-20
Proverbs 11:24-26
God's economy is incredible. To the world it doesn't make sense. The world's economy is focused on gaining as much as you can. The motivation is selfishness. God's economy is based on obedience.
"It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself." Prov. 11:24-25
As I read the word today, it reminded me of conversations I had with two different individuals. One was a man I see as a model father. He was sharing memories that he had from when his kids were younger. "We don't really have anything to show for the years I've worked. Not much of stuff, but we sure had a lot of fun!" I see his grown children who love the Lord, and it makes me think that there are too many that have the "stuff" and a bunch of regrets.
Another conversation I had was with a young couple who are stepping out in obedience to God's direction. She told me "We've never made so little and yet have so much money." They've been giving a ton away.
I can't explain God's economy. All I know is this. When we try to "get" more it doesn't work. When our focus is obedience in giving, the blessing is poured out. This isn't just about money. It's about all of our time, talent and resource.
We know we should give. But we have a problem with "we should give so we can get more" because it sounds like selfish motivation. That's because we don't finish that thought... It should be "We should give so we can get more to give!"
How can someone who has a lot be broke? I guess I can see it like a "couch potato" who's tired all the time, and a busy person who exercises regularly and is full of energy. How does that make sense? (as said by the guy who loves to be on the couch) The reason the energy is there is because the blood is flowing. The body is healthy.
The same is true for our resources. What God has given us has no value if it is not put to his use. This is what Active Ministry Involvement is all about. Again, it's not about joining a group, it's about using your gifts for God's glory in the home, at work, for the body of Christ, in the neighborhood, and around the world. We have a responsibility to do this.
It may not make sense in the world's eyes, but with the blessing of God's economy, we can know we are walking in obedience!
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, March 22, 2012
3.22.12 "Take It!"
"Take It!"
Numbers 33:40-35:34
Luke 5:12-28
Psalm 65:1-13
Proverbs 11:23
The story of the children of Israel and their delivery from Egypt is extremely important for us to understand. There's a reason that so much of scripture is devoted to it. You will note how much it is referred to throughout the rest of God's word.
Why is that?
There are a few reasons. The first is that Egypt represents the bondage of sin. The Exodus represents God's desire to bring us out of bondage to restore an intimate relationship with him. The people represent our flesh and our desires. Notice how continually the people want to return to the "good" things they remember of Egypt. We are often the same way. Our own desires cause us to long for the "freedom" of selfish living. We so easily forget that therein is bondage.
Through all of this we discover the character and nature of God. He has an intense love for his people, but he is a holy God, and he cannot dwell with wicked people. He puts laws in place to help the people keep themselves holy. When sin occurs, it's only atoned for through the sacrifice.
With all of this symbolism in place, there's a portion of the word that stands out this morning:
"... the Lord told Moses to tell the people of Israel, 'When you pass across the Jordan river into the land of Canaan, you must drive out all the people living there and destroy all their idols - their carved stones, molten images, and the open-air sanctuaries in the hills where they worship their idols. I have given the land to you; take it and live there... But if you refuse to drive out the people living there, those who remain will be as cinders in your eyes and thorns in your sides." (Numbers 33:50-55)
The Lord wants us to experience complete freedom from sin. It was God's desire that the people would experience total freedom from the bondage of idolatry in the Promised Land. He knew that if they did not destroy these things going in, they would fall prey to it.
How does that relate to us? Christ has offered us salvation. Freedom. He forgives our sin. He says to the people "I have given the land to you; take it and live there." He offers us freedom and complete forgiveness. We have a part in this. We must "take it and live there."
What does that mean? It means that there are things all around us that represent the idolatry of "the old life". It may be different things for everyone of us. It may be a TV show, it may be a hobby, it may be almost anything, but if it comes between our relationship with the Lord, it is sin.
The warning is clear. If we refuse to drive it out, it will become a cinder in the eye or a thorn in the flesh. It's easy to develop "pet sins". Things we ask forgiveness for, but don't want to give up. Oh, we "want" to give them up... at least we say we do, but inside a desire has been fed and grown so long that it has become an issue of bondage, and we don't even realize it.
It isn't a matter of forgiveness. It's a matter of obedience. It's taking care of the the things God wants us to take care of. It's about living in the freedom of the promise he has for us. We can't experience the full joy of the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship until we live in this freedom.
"Take it and live there!"
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
Numbers 33:40-35:34
Luke 5:12-28
Psalm 65:1-13
Proverbs 11:23
The story of the children of Israel and their delivery from Egypt is extremely important for us to understand. There's a reason that so much of scripture is devoted to it. You will note how much it is referred to throughout the rest of God's word.
Why is that?
There are a few reasons. The first is that Egypt represents the bondage of sin. The Exodus represents God's desire to bring us out of bondage to restore an intimate relationship with him. The people represent our flesh and our desires. Notice how continually the people want to return to the "good" things they remember of Egypt. We are often the same way. Our own desires cause us to long for the "freedom" of selfish living. We so easily forget that therein is bondage.
Through all of this we discover the character and nature of God. He has an intense love for his people, but he is a holy God, and he cannot dwell with wicked people. He puts laws in place to help the people keep themselves holy. When sin occurs, it's only atoned for through the sacrifice.
With all of this symbolism in place, there's a portion of the word that stands out this morning:
"... the Lord told Moses to tell the people of Israel, 'When you pass across the Jordan river into the land of Canaan, you must drive out all the people living there and destroy all their idols - their carved stones, molten images, and the open-air sanctuaries in the hills where they worship their idols. I have given the land to you; take it and live there... But if you refuse to drive out the people living there, those who remain will be as cinders in your eyes and thorns in your sides." (Numbers 33:50-55)
The Lord wants us to experience complete freedom from sin. It was God's desire that the people would experience total freedom from the bondage of idolatry in the Promised Land. He knew that if they did not destroy these things going in, they would fall prey to it.
How does that relate to us? Christ has offered us salvation. Freedom. He forgives our sin. He says to the people "I have given the land to you; take it and live there." He offers us freedom and complete forgiveness. We have a part in this. We must "take it and live there."
What does that mean? It means that there are things all around us that represent the idolatry of "the old life". It may be different things for everyone of us. It may be a TV show, it may be a hobby, it may be almost anything, but if it comes between our relationship with the Lord, it is sin.
The warning is clear. If we refuse to drive it out, it will become a cinder in the eye or a thorn in the flesh. It's easy to develop "pet sins". Things we ask forgiveness for, but don't want to give up. Oh, we "want" to give them up... at least we say we do, but inside a desire has been fed and grown so long that it has become an issue of bondage, and we don't even realize it.
It isn't a matter of forgiveness. It's a matter of obedience. It's taking care of the the things God wants us to take care of. It's about living in the freedom of the promise he has for us. We can't experience the full joy of the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship until we live in this freedom.
"Take it and live there!"
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, March 21, 2012
3.21.12 "Fishing with Jesus"
"Fishing with Jesus"
Numbers 32:1-33:39
Luke 4:31-5:11
Psalm 64:1-10
Proverbs 11:22
The Word of God is amazing. You can read and re-read a story, and each time something new will stand out. It's awesome how the Spirit unwraps the layers of truth found in the Bible. Not in anyway to diminish Matthew & Mark, but the book of Luke reveals Jesus to me in a fresh way. I notice the emphasis on his faithfulness to the synagogue. I notice the discipline in his message. It's not that these character traits aren't portrayed in the other gospels, it is just brought to light in Luke as the Spirit is bringing to light.
In Luke 4, the popularity of Jesus is greatly increasing. it says starting in verse 40 "all the villagers who had any sick people in their homes, no matter what their diseases were, brought them to Jesus; and the touch of his hands healed every one!" What a phrase! "... the touch of his hands healed every one!"
In verse 42, Jesus leaves town. "Early the next morning he went out into the desert. The crowds searched everywhere for him and when they finally found him they begged him not to leave them, but to stay at Capernaum. But he replied, 'I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other places too, for that is why I was sent.' So he continued to travel around preaching in synagogues throughout Judea." (4:42-44)
The key phrase in that portion of scripture is, "... for that is why I was sent." Jesus had a mission. He knew what it was. In earlier verses, he was healing people of demon possession, and commanding them not to tell who he was. Why would he do that? It would compromise his mission. He knew the people would try to make him into the Messiah they wanted instead of discovering the Messiah he was.
In chapter 5, Jesus is teaching to such large crowds that he & his disciples get into a couple boats and he teaches from there. Here's where it gets REALLY good!
"When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets and you will catch a lot of fish!' 'Sir,' Simon replied, 'we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, we'll try again.' And this time their nets were so full that they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
"When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, 'Oh, sir, please leave us - I'm too much of a sinner for you to have around.' For he was awestruck by the size of their catch, as were the others with him, and his partners too - James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Jesus replied, 'Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for the soul of men!' And as soon as they landed, they left everything and went with him." (Luke 5:4-11)
This is a rich portion of scripture. Here are a few points:
1. Jesus tells them to let down their nets, and Simon says, 'we tried that already'. Sometimes what Jesus is calling us to do doesn't make sense at the surface. He may be telling us to talk to the neighbor again. 'But I've done that.' he may be telling us to reach out to a hard heart that's hurt us. So many times I think we give up on what he's telling us to do because we don't see the results. The key is to obey, no matter what. In this case, the 'harvest' was incredibly abundant.
2. Peter's response to seeing the move of God is incredible. He says, "please leave us - I'm too much of a sinner for you to have around." When we REALLY see God, we understand the full magnitude of his greatness. In seeing that, we realize how unworthy we are. It could be easy to look at the harvest and think that it was some work of our own. We must make sure that we like Peter, "realize what had happened". Knowing God has an incredible impact. Because of this revelation, they left everything and followed him.
3. Jesus states the mission: "From now on you'll be fishing for the souls of men!" That is our mission. We need to be people who understand the magnitude of our God and are compelled by the mission he's laid out for us.
To Live the DREAM, we must live with the "Mission to Reach our World for Christ". To live this Mission effectively, we Must first know him, then walk in total radical obedience.
In Luke 4:32 it says that the people in the synagogues were amazed at the things he said. "For he spoke as one who knew the truth, instead of merely quoting the opinions of others as his authority." When we share Christ with others does it come from a heart that KNOWS the truth, or a heart that is only talking about what it has heard?
Know Christ today! Go fishing with 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
Numbers 32:1-33:39
Luke 4:31-5:11
Psalm 64:1-10
Proverbs 11:22
The Word of God is amazing. You can read and re-read a story, and each time something new will stand out. It's awesome how the Spirit unwraps the layers of truth found in the Bible. Not in anyway to diminish Matthew & Mark, but the book of Luke reveals Jesus to me in a fresh way. I notice the emphasis on his faithfulness to the synagogue. I notice the discipline in his message. It's not that these character traits aren't portrayed in the other gospels, it is just brought to light in Luke as the Spirit is bringing to light.
In Luke 4, the popularity of Jesus is greatly increasing. it says starting in verse 40 "all the villagers who had any sick people in their homes, no matter what their diseases were, brought them to Jesus; and the touch of his hands healed every one!" What a phrase! "... the touch of his hands healed every one!"
In verse 42, Jesus leaves town. "Early the next morning he went out into the desert. The crowds searched everywhere for him and when they finally found him they begged him not to leave them, but to stay at Capernaum. But he replied, 'I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other places too, for that is why I was sent.' So he continued to travel around preaching in synagogues throughout Judea." (4:42-44)
The key phrase in that portion of scripture is, "... for that is why I was sent." Jesus had a mission. He knew what it was. In earlier verses, he was healing people of demon possession, and commanding them not to tell who he was. Why would he do that? It would compromise his mission. He knew the people would try to make him into the Messiah they wanted instead of discovering the Messiah he was.
In chapter 5, Jesus is teaching to such large crowds that he & his disciples get into a couple boats and he teaches from there. Here's where it gets REALLY good!
"When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets and you will catch a lot of fish!' 'Sir,' Simon replied, 'we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, we'll try again.' And this time their nets were so full that they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
"When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, 'Oh, sir, please leave us - I'm too much of a sinner for you to have around.' For he was awestruck by the size of their catch, as were the others with him, and his partners too - James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Jesus replied, 'Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for the soul of men!' And as soon as they landed, they left everything and went with him." (Luke 5:4-11)
This is a rich portion of scripture. Here are a few points:
1. Jesus tells them to let down their nets, and Simon says, 'we tried that already'. Sometimes what Jesus is calling us to do doesn't make sense at the surface. He may be telling us to talk to the neighbor again. 'But I've done that.' he may be telling us to reach out to a hard heart that's hurt us. So many times I think we give up on what he's telling us to do because we don't see the results. The key is to obey, no matter what. In this case, the 'harvest' was incredibly abundant.
2. Peter's response to seeing the move of God is incredible. He says, "please leave us - I'm too much of a sinner for you to have around." When we REALLY see God, we understand the full magnitude of his greatness. In seeing that, we realize how unworthy we are. It could be easy to look at the harvest and think that it was some work of our own. We must make sure that we like Peter, "realize what had happened". Knowing God has an incredible impact. Because of this revelation, they left everything and followed him.
3. Jesus states the mission: "From now on you'll be fishing for the souls of men!" That is our mission. We need to be people who understand the magnitude of our God and are compelled by the mission he's laid out for us.
To Live the DREAM, we must live with the "Mission to Reach our World for Christ". To live this Mission effectively, we Must first know him, then walk in total radical obedience.
In Luke 4:32 it says that the people in the synagogues were amazed at the things he said. "For he spoke as one who knew the truth, instead of merely quoting the opinions of others as his authority." When we share Christ with others does it come from a heart that KNOWS the truth, or a heart that is only talking about what it has heard?
Know Christ today! Go fishing with 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
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