"The Enemy's Strategy"
2 Samuel 17:1-29
John 19:23-42
Psalm 119:132-155
Proverbs 16:12-13
What is the best way to render a Christian ineffective? Would it be to drop him in the middle of a huge crisis? Would it be to assault with accusation? Probably not... if that were the case, the sirens would sound, the prayer corps would be called to action, the attack would be instantly recognized. A more devious attack might be something a bit more subtle. Maybe get the warrior to cut corners on taking care of himself, and when he's worn out, put words of defeat into his mind.
Throughout scripture the enemy has tried many methods with varied success, but he loves to do to us what is spoken of in 2 Samuel 17. David is with his men and he's running away from his son Absalom. Absalom has an advisor named Ahithophel. Ahithophel develops a plan to attack David. He says in 2 Samuel 17:2, "I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged..."
We have to realize that is the strategy of our enemy. He is looking for an opportunity to take us down, and the opportunity comes when we are weary and discouraged.
Why does this strategy work?
1. When we are tired & discouraged, we lose our motivation to mobilize our defenses. In the middle of fatigue, we are so apt to relax in our Discipline. There's something within us that says, "I owe it to myself..." then we slack off. We become more of a target.
2. Weariness & Discouragement tend to make us turn on ourself. When we are tired and discouraged, we are already feeling a sense of failure. We can feel that we've blown it, so what's the use. We can almost feel like the enemy's got a good point. We in essence hand the enemy weapons to use against us when we allow discouragement to set in.
3. There's a subtle timing to all of this. The enemy knows it will take subversive means to over throw us. If it were a frontal attack of full force, it would be easier to recognize & call us to battle. Instead, it's a sneaky way of waiting until we invite discouragement, doubt, and fear into the camp, only to be attacked from within.
So what can we do?
1. Stay balanced. Take care of the body. You need to "check your gauges". Be aware of your physical, emotional and spiritual needs, and take care of them. We must be consistently in a mode of "preventative maintenance". We need to do a DREAM Check-up. How am I doing in each area?
2. Recognize discouragement as an attack from the enemy. Sometimes we treat thoughts of discouragement more as a "comfort food" than as poison. Discouragement is a wet blanket to put out the fire of faith. If we get more aggressive and take a "get thee behind me satan" stance on discouragement, we will close the door to a key entry point for the enemy.
3. Zoom out and see the big picture. It's tough sometimes to see what's really going on when we're in the middle of the storm. Instead of letting the "little things" (however big they may be) effect our decision, we must stay the course of obedience. We need to recognize that frustrations are a necessary element in God's refining process and serve to complete his work in our lives.
Are there any warning signs for you today? What can you do to get things in order. Sometimes people think the answer is to pull out of everything. That's not the healthy choice. Taking a spoke out of the 3 spoke wheel (see DEVO 1.5.12) doesn't achieve balance. You must keep moving. Keep Christ at the center. Maintain healthy relationships. Keep in the Word. Be a good steward of all that God has given you. Live with your purpose in mind.
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, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
5.30.12 "Five Smooth Stones"
"Five Smooth Stones"
2 Samuel 15:23-16:23
John 18:25-19:22
Psalm 119:113-131
Proverbs 16:10-11
God's word equips us. At different stages in our spiritual walk we can have different perspectives on reading the word. Sometimes there's a time when it seems very ritualistic, or going through the motions. Other times, it's almost an after thought. When we stay consistently in the Word, we find that we can't get enough of it. The morsels of God's truth bring life to us. Too often, if we're not careful, we can disconnect life from the practical truth in God's word.
In Psalm 119:125 David says, "give me the common sense to apply your rules to everything I do." God's word applies to EVERY situation you are going through. There is no exception. What we need to do is to get to know his word well enough to apply it.
The principles of DREAM are a means to bring application of God's truth to our daily life. In the same way that David went to the stream and gathered five smooth stones when facing Goliath, the principles outlined by the DREAM are five stones we can gather each day to face whatever giant comes our way. These stones become smooth as we hold them in our hand, as we work with them, and as we get to know them.
With that thought process in mind, let's take the time to do a DREAM Checkup.
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship - How is my relationship with the Lord? Am I in a good place right now? Worship is my fellowship and communion with him. Is there anything that is "clogging" the communication lines? Is there sin that is breaking our relationship? The "D" represents the principle of obedience. Obedience is the highest form of worship. Is there any thing in my life that I know I'm being disobedient about?
Relationships Devoted to Unity - How are my relationships with others? Am I building others up instead of tearing them down? Am I living as a part of the Body of Christ, or am I off doing things on my own? The "R" represents the principle of Submission. Do I model biblical submission to those around me? Do I take the time to meet the needs of others?
Empowered Through Biblical Training - Is biblical training a regular part of my life? Do I consistently get into the word and let it strengthen me, or do I just "dabble" in it? Am I consistent to the corporate teaching of the word in church services, sunday school, bible studies, or do I just go through the motions of convenient church attendance? Will I continue to be faithful through the summer months? The "E" represents the principle of Discipline. Discipline means to bring to alignment. Am I placing myself in alignment with God's word? Am I disciplined to study it?
Active Ministry Involvement - Am I being a good steward of the resources God has given me? This is not just a question of being involved in a ministry, it's putting what God has given me into his hands to serve others. The "A" represents the principle of Responsibility. Am I being responsible with my time, talent, finances and resources in a way that brings honor to God?
Mission to Reach our World for Christ - Do I understand that every part of my life is for this purpose? Am I living a life that points to Christ, or do I turn the "switch off" when I don't feel like acting Christ-like? The "M" represents the principle of Purpose. Am I living with this purpose in mind? Am I using every opportunity to draw others to Christ?
How did you do? Do you have all five stones? Are you equipped to kill the giants with them? As I read the Word, I find how God will work through people in using the appropriate stone at the appropriate time to deal with the situation. In essence, he equips his people with the "common sense to apply [his] rules to everything".
In today's reading in John, for example, Jesus is armed with the stone of "purpose" when he is brought before Pilate. "Pilate replied, 'But you are a king then?' 'Yes,' Jesus said. 'I was born for that purpose. And I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth are my followers.'" (John 18:37) We need to follow his lead and be equipped by the truth found in God's word.
You're going to face giants today. Are you ready? When David met Goliath, he only needed one stone, but he had five. in the same way, we need to be fully prepared to know God's word, so at the proper time, we can place the proper stone in the sling of the Holy Spirit, and bring the giant 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
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
5.29.12 "Sin Breaks Relationships"
"Sin Breaks Relationships"
2 Samuel 14:1-15:22
John 18:1-24
Psalm 119:96-112
Proverbs 16:8-9
Each year I am in a battle to keep a birds' nest away from under our deck. It has been used by finches & robins. When living under there, the robins really get uptight when we're out here. Usually they holler at us from a distance, sometimes with a worm in their mouth because it's feeding time, and they don't want me anywhere around. When she was 6 years old, my daughter asked, "Dad, why can't we all just get along? Why can't the birds just come and play with us instead of being afraid?" I told her "that's the way things used to be." We talked about the Garden of Eden and how sin messed everything up. I can't say specifically that Adam and the robins played together, and it is hard to imagine the dynamics of the human/animal relationship there, but I do know that sin breaks relationships.
In the chapters we read today in 2 Samuel, we discover the same truth. Sin breaks relationships. Remember what has already happened: Absolom killed his brother, Amnon who had raped his sister. As a result, Absolom fled, and was in exile for 3 years. The last verse in 2 Samuel 13 says, "David... longed day after day for fellowship with his son Absolom."
2 Samuel 14 is the story about how Joab, a general in David's army is so concerned about this broken relationship that he hires an actress to tell a story to get David's attention and to bring Absolom home. She makes this great statement: "All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him." (v.14)
2 Samuel 14:1-15:22
John 18:1-24
Psalm 119:96-112
Proverbs 16:8-9
Each year I am in a battle to keep a birds' nest away from under our deck. It has been used by finches & robins. When living under there, the robins really get uptight when we're out here. Usually they holler at us from a distance, sometimes with a worm in their mouth because it's feeding time, and they don't want me anywhere around. When she was 6 years old, my daughter asked, "Dad, why can't we all just get along? Why can't the birds just come and play with us instead of being afraid?" I told her "that's the way things used to be." We talked about the Garden of Eden and how sin messed everything up. I can't say specifically that Adam and the robins played together, and it is hard to imagine the dynamics of the human/animal relationship there, but I do know that sin breaks relationships.
In the chapters we read today in 2 Samuel, we discover the same truth. Sin breaks relationships. Remember what has already happened: Absolom killed his brother, Amnon who had raped his sister. As a result, Absolom fled, and was in exile for 3 years. The last verse in 2 Samuel 13 says, "David... longed day after day for fellowship with his son Absolom."
2 Samuel 14 is the story about how Joab, a general in David's army is so concerned about this broken relationship that he hires an actress to tell a story to get David's attention and to bring Absolom home. She makes this great statement: "All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him." (v.14)
Well, David brings him home, but does not reconcile with him. There is a difference between restoring relationship and reconciling relationship.
Because there hasn't been reconciliation, Absalom actually stirs up a rebellion. 2 Sam 15:6 says, "So in this way Absalom stole the hearts of all the people of Israel." Once David hears about it, he takes his family and they flee.
In today's reading in John, Jesus is arrested in the garden. In John 18:4 it says, "Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him." What was going to happen to him? He was going to reconcile the broken relationship caused by sin.
There is a great cost with reconciliation. Most of the time it comes from the "offended" submitting to the need of the "offender". We offended God with our sin, so Jesus laid down his life for us. Sin not only breaks relationship with God, it breaks relationship with those around us. We need to lay down our pride, will and opinion, to reconcile those relationships as well.
Sin is a big deal! It comes at so great a cost! We don't realize the danger of just a "morsel" of sin. It causes damage to friends, families, even kingdoms. We need to obey the Word at all costs. Psalm 119:109 says, "My life hangs in the balance, but I will not give up obedience to your laws." We need to understand that urgency. Our very lives are at stake.
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
Because there hasn't been reconciliation, Absalom actually stirs up a rebellion. 2 Sam 15:6 says, "So in this way Absalom stole the hearts of all the people of Israel." Once David hears about it, he takes his family and they flee.
In today's reading in John, Jesus is arrested in the garden. In John 18:4 it says, "Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him." What was going to happen to him? He was going to reconcile the broken relationship caused by sin.
There is a great cost with reconciliation. Most of the time it comes from the "offended" submitting to the need of the "offender". We offended God with our sin, so Jesus laid down his life for us. Sin not only breaks relationship with God, it breaks relationship with those around us. We need to lay down our pride, will and opinion, to reconcile those relationships as well.
Sin is a big deal! It comes at so great a cost! We don't realize the danger of just a "morsel" of sin. It causes damage to friends, families, even kingdoms. We need to obey the Word at all costs. Psalm 119:109 says, "My life hangs in the balance, but I will not give up obedience to your laws." We need to understand that urgency. Our very lives are at stake.
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, May 28, 2012
5.28.12 "Sin as God Sees It"
- Sorry, I got my readings mixed up yesterday! This reading should have been for May 27, but will post for today! -
"Sin as God Sees It"
2 Samuel 12:1-31
John 16:1-33
Psalm 119:71-80
Proverbs 16:4-5
David, the King of Israel, the man after God's own heart, has sinned. He allowed his eyes to wander, he saw a wife of another man, had an affair, and to hide it all, he had the man killed. How could this be? How could this great man get so far off course?
2 Samuel 12 is when King David is called to account for his actions. It's fascinating how the Lord, through the prophet Nathan describes David's sin. Here's the story:
"There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. The rich man owned a great many sheep and cattle. The poor man owned nothing but one little lamb he had bought. He raised that little lamb, and it grew up with his children. It ate from the man's own plate and drank from his cup. He cuddled it in his arms like a baby daughter. One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing an animal from his own flock or herd, he took the poor man's lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest." (2 Samuel 12:1-4)
This story of injustice angered David, as it would all of us. How could anyone think of doing such a thing??
Nathan's rebuke brings it home: "Then Nathan said to David, "you are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. I gave you your master's house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed?" (2 Sam. 12:7-9)
In the context of this story is a perspective that is important for us to note. This story was an analogy of how God saw David's sin. The rich man represented David. The "guest" represents desire that shows up unannounced at times. Often this opens the door to the arrival of temptation. Temptation wants us to feel that we can't meet this need with what we have. It tells us we must cheat. If we give in, we go outside of God's plan and God's blessing to meet our desires in our own way, and thus, we despise the word of the Lord.
A very key phrase that should not be overlooked is: "And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more." This expresses the all-sufficiency of God. He can, and will, supply EVERY need.
So often we are lured into sin because we allow ourself to entertain the thought of "If i do it God's way, I'll never get what I want." Then we dive into the short-cut and the cheat of the sin. The truth is that when we walk in obedience and trust him to meet the needs, and for him to place his desires in us, we experience the bounty of his blessing.
Sin, from God's perspective, is so foolish! He has everything we need at his disposal, and yet we shut ourselves off to him to pursue fleeting desires and things we feel we "deserve", and in doing that we lose out on so much!
The next time that the "guest" of desire appears at your door, trust God. Trust that He will meet your need, and that he will give you the strength to follow HIS plan!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Samuel 12:1-31
John 16:1-33
Psalm 119:71-80
Proverbs 16:4-5
David, the King of Israel, the man after God's own heart, has sinned. He allowed his eyes to wander, he saw a wife of another man, had an affair, and to hide it all, he had the man killed. How could this be? How could this great man get so far off course?
2 Samuel 12 is when King David is called to account for his actions. It's fascinating how the Lord, through the prophet Nathan describes David's sin. Here's the story:
"There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. The rich man owned a great many sheep and cattle. The poor man owned nothing but one little lamb he had bought. He raised that little lamb, and it grew up with his children. It ate from the man's own plate and drank from his cup. He cuddled it in his arms like a baby daughter. One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing an animal from his own flock or herd, he took the poor man's lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest." (2 Samuel 12:1-4)
This story of injustice angered David, as it would all of us. How could anyone think of doing such a thing??
Nathan's rebuke brings it home: "Then Nathan said to David, "you are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. I gave you your master's house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed?" (2 Sam. 12:7-9)
In the context of this story is a perspective that is important for us to note. This story was an analogy of how God saw David's sin. The rich man represented David. The "guest" represents desire that shows up unannounced at times. Often this opens the door to the arrival of temptation. Temptation wants us to feel that we can't meet this need with what we have. It tells us we must cheat. If we give in, we go outside of God's plan and God's blessing to meet our desires in our own way, and thus, we despise the word of the Lord.
A very key phrase that should not be overlooked is: "And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more." This expresses the all-sufficiency of God. He can, and will, supply EVERY need.
So often we are lured into sin because we allow ourself to entertain the thought of "If i do it God's way, I'll never get what I want." Then we dive into the short-cut and the cheat of the sin. The truth is that when we walk in obedience and trust him to meet the needs, and for him to place his desires in us, we experience the bounty of his blessing.
Sin, from God's perspective, is so foolish! He has everything we need at his disposal, and yet we shut ourselves off to him to pursue fleeting desires and things we feel we "deserve", and in doing that we lose out on so much!
The next time that the "guest" of desire appears at your door, trust God. Trust that He will meet your need, and that he will give you the strength to follow HIS plan!
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, May 27, 2012
5.27.12 "The DNA of Undisciplined Thought"
- Sorry, this reading should have posted for 5.28 :) -
"The DNA of Undisciplined Thought"
1 Samuel 13:1-39
John 17:1-26
Psalm 119:81-95
Proverbs 16:6-7
What does it mean to NOT live the DREAM? Well, the principle of the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is obedience, so that must mean it's to live in disobedience. The principle of Relationships Devoted to Unity is Submission, so that must mean to live in rebellion. When we get to Empowered Through Biblical Training we know the principle is Discipline. That means to NOT live the E is a lack of discipline. What we fail to realize sometimes is the effect it has on others when we don't live the way God intended.
As we looked at a couple days ago in Psalm 119, David spoke of his dedication for the Word, and how even at the midnight hour his thoughts would be on God's word. The contrast of that was 2 Samuel 11 where he rose to find his thoughts on Bathsheba. He dwelt on them to the point of allowing his flesh to believe, "I must have her". We know what ensued.
Follow this DNA strain that's passed on to Amnon, David's son. In 2 Samuel 13, He began to entertain thoughts of "I must have her" toward his sister. He allowed this to grow to the point of making him sick. An obsession. He allowed a friend (cousin) into his life who only served to feed the undisciplined thought. This thought grew to the point of action being taken, and rather than this desire being fulfilled, the result was "now he hated her more than he had loved her."
As a result of all that David's son, Absalom, had undisciplined thought that was the unbridled hatred for his brother. For 2 years it simmered, until he killed his brother.
The collateral damage of undisciplined thought should not be underestimated. Undisciplined thought can almost become an "alternate universe" where truth has no "gravitational pull". When there has been undisciplined thought for an extended period of time, it seems truth has no impact. There's almost a glazing of the eyes like the old "night of the living dead" zombies. Individuals who become slaves to their own lack of discipline begin to wander aimlessly muttering, "I must have...."
This thought process becomes so self serving, one begins to lose all concept of the needs of others. I had a friend tell me after being freed from the bondage of pornography about what happens in the mind. He said you begin to lose any concern for your family and their needs. Everything revolves around the need for the addiction.
To further the universe analogy, this undisciplined thought grows to the point of itself having the gravitational pull that only truth should have. We see how that brought such destruction to the house of David. I think this is ultimately why we have such moral relativism in our country today. "It's all about me" is the natural result of undisciplined thought.
So what kind of rocket booster does it take to break from the orbit of undisciplined thought? Psalm 119:95b says, "I will quietly keep my mind upon your promises." The only cure is disciplined thought.
Ps 119:92-93 says, "I would have despaired and perished unless you laws had been my deepest delight. I will never lay aside your laws for you have used them to restore my joy and health." The only hope is being "Empowered through Biblical training."
Knowing the danger of undisciplined thought should help us aggressively guard the "candy store" of our mind that we can easily allow ourself the luxury of window shopping. It's confections of lust, revenge, jealousy, greed, even comfort should come with a hidden warning label that declares "this product is highly addictive." Garrison Keiller has a saying, "if you don't wanna go to Minneapolis, don't get on the train." If you don't want the trouble that comes, don't even board the train. Don't start. Don't try it.
We MUST stay far away from the attractions of our thoughts lest we infuse ourselves with a DNA strain we were never intended to have.
The proverb for today is 16:6-7: Iniquity is atoned for by mercy and TRUTH; evil is avoided by reverence for God.
Make sure you are taking your supplemental TRUTH vitamin today through God's word!!! It is like a radioactive agent fighting the cancer of the flesh.
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
"The DNA of Undisciplined Thought"
1 Samuel 13:1-39
John 17:1-26
Psalm 119:81-95
Proverbs 16:6-7
What does it mean to NOT live the DREAM? Well, the principle of the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is obedience, so that must mean it's to live in disobedience. The principle of Relationships Devoted to Unity is Submission, so that must mean to live in rebellion. When we get to Empowered Through Biblical Training we know the principle is Discipline. That means to NOT live the E is a lack of discipline. What we fail to realize sometimes is the effect it has on others when we don't live the way God intended.
As we looked at a couple days ago in Psalm 119, David spoke of his dedication for the Word, and how even at the midnight hour his thoughts would be on God's word. The contrast of that was 2 Samuel 11 where he rose to find his thoughts on Bathsheba. He dwelt on them to the point of allowing his flesh to believe, "I must have her". We know what ensued.
Follow this DNA strain that's passed on to Amnon, David's son. In 2 Samuel 13, He began to entertain thoughts of "I must have her" toward his sister. He allowed this to grow to the point of making him sick. An obsession. He allowed a friend (cousin) into his life who only served to feed the undisciplined thought. This thought grew to the point of action being taken, and rather than this desire being fulfilled, the result was "now he hated her more than he had loved her."
As a result of all that David's son, Absalom, had undisciplined thought that was the unbridled hatred for his brother. For 2 years it simmered, until he killed his brother.
The collateral damage of undisciplined thought should not be underestimated. Undisciplined thought can almost become an "alternate universe" where truth has no "gravitational pull". When there has been undisciplined thought for an extended period of time, it seems truth has no impact. There's almost a glazing of the eyes like the old "night of the living dead" zombies. Individuals who become slaves to their own lack of discipline begin to wander aimlessly muttering, "I must have...."
This thought process becomes so self serving, one begins to lose all concept of the needs of others. I had a friend tell me after being freed from the bondage of pornography about what happens in the mind. He said you begin to lose any concern for your family and their needs. Everything revolves around the need for the addiction.
To further the universe analogy, this undisciplined thought grows to the point of itself having the gravitational pull that only truth should have. We see how that brought such destruction to the house of David. I think this is ultimately why we have such moral relativism in our country today. "It's all about me" is the natural result of undisciplined thought.
So what kind of rocket booster does it take to break from the orbit of undisciplined thought? Psalm 119:95b says, "I will quietly keep my mind upon your promises." The only cure is disciplined thought.
Ps 119:92-93 says, "I would have despaired and perished unless you laws had been my deepest delight. I will never lay aside your laws for you have used them to restore my joy and health." The only hope is being "Empowered through Biblical training."
Knowing the danger of undisciplined thought should help us aggressively guard the "candy store" of our mind that we can easily allow ourself the luxury of window shopping. It's confections of lust, revenge, jealousy, greed, even comfort should come with a hidden warning label that declares "this product is highly addictive." Garrison Keiller has a saying, "if you don't wanna go to Minneapolis, don't get on the train." If you don't want the trouble that comes, don't even board the train. Don't start. Don't try it.
We MUST stay far away from the attractions of our thoughts lest we infuse ourselves with a DNA strain we were never intended to have.
The proverb for today is 16:6-7: Iniquity is atoned for by mercy and TRUTH; evil is avoided by reverence for God.
Make sure you are taking your supplemental TRUTH vitamin today through God's word!!! It is like a radioactive agent fighting the cancer of the flesh.
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, May 26, 2012
5.26.12 "Stay in the Vine"
"Stay in the Vine"
2 Samuel 9:1- 11:27
John 15:1-27
Psalm 119:53-70
Proverbs 16:1-3
In Psalm 119, we get to see into the heart of David. He has such a passion for the word! "I am angry with those who spurn your commands. For these laws or yours have been my source of joy & singing through all these years of my earthly pilgrimage." (119:53-54) "I am firmly anchored in your laws" (61) "I obey your laws with all my heart." (69) "Anyone is my brother who fears and trusts the Lord." (63)
Take special note of 119:55. David says "I obey them even at night and keep my thoughts, O Lord, on you. What a blessing this has been to me -- to constantly obey."
Now look at the reading from 2 Sam 11. This is David's "big fall". We've heard about the story of Bathsheba many times. This story is tragic on so many levels.
2 Sam 11:2 says "One night he couldn't get to sleep and went for a stroll on the roof of the palace... he noticed a woman..." Then things go awry. Do you remember what we just read in 119:55? "I obey them even at night and keep my thoughts..." Compare that with "One night... he noticed a woman."
What a contrast between this chapter and Psalm 119. What happened? How could this be?
We "know" this stuff. We're thinking "David! How could you do this! Remember all the things God has done in your life?? How could this be!" In our piety, we could even chastise David... but who of us has written Psalm 119? What puts us beyond this ability to fail? What can keep us from from the same situation?
John 15:4-5 says, "Take care to live in me, and let me live in you. For a branch can't produce fruit when severed from the vine. Nor can you be fruitful apart from me. Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can't do a thing."
FOR APART FROM ME YOU CAN'T DO A THING. What is it in our nature that makes it so easy for us to forget that?!
David is so connected to the Word as he's writing Psalm 119. He's desperate for it. Dependent on it. For all we know, he could have written it the week before his rooftop stroll. But in the "comfort" of his state, his discipline dies, and he operates separate from the vine of God's Word.
"...apart from me you can't do a thing." Were Jesus' words. We need to remember that! In John 15:2-3 He says, "He lops off every branch that doesn't produce. And he prunes those branches that bear fruit for even larger crops. He has already tended you by pruning you back for greater strength and usefulness by means of the commands I gave you."
Are you beginning to see the importance of staying in God's word? Who of us is beyond this?
We used to have a dogwood bush. We planted it on the side hill near our dining room window. We are not gardeners, and we let that thing go. MAN, DID IT GROW! It was crazy! We hacked it way down, and it grew a bit more respectably. If we don't "prune" the flesh with God's word, we are DESTINED for trouble.
David's branch was getting a little out of hand. He was not being pruned "by means of the command" of scripture. The discipline to keep his mind on the things of God was gone. There was no longer truth to hold him back.
Remember how David tried to cover up his sin by getting Uriah to come back from the battle? The only problem was Uriah's discipline: Knowing what his purpose was, he would not relax within the freedom he was given. He slept on the steps. It's not like David didn't have this discipline at other times of his life. Look at Ps 119:59,60 "I thought about the wrong direction in which I was headed, and turned around and came running back to you."
There is no excuse to falling into sin. We can't blame anyone else. I find it interesting that in Ps 119: 61 David says, "Evil men have tried to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your laws." Sure, no one could drag him to sin, but on that night on the roof, he so easily walked into it.
Lord, you are the vine, I am grafted to you not out of obligation, but of desperation. Hold me to your Word. Keep your hand on me to constrain me to do right. To guard my thoughts. Guard my intentions. Guard my times of peace. Help me to acknowledge my inability to accomplish anything unless you hold my hand. Sustain me through your word. I need you more at this moment than I even realize.
Today's proverb says, "We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God's hands. We can always 'prove' that we are right, but is the Lord convinced? Commit your work to the Lord, then it will succeed." (Prov 16:1-3)
Stay in the Vine today! ... and tomorrow... and... There is no way we can truly comprehend how important this really 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
2 Samuel 9:1- 11:27
John 15:1-27
Psalm 119:53-70
Proverbs 16:1-3
In Psalm 119, we get to see into the heart of David. He has such a passion for the word! "I am angry with those who spurn your commands. For these laws or yours have been my source of joy & singing through all these years of my earthly pilgrimage." (119:53-54) "I am firmly anchored in your laws" (61) "I obey your laws with all my heart." (69) "Anyone is my brother who fears and trusts the Lord." (63)
Take special note of 119:55. David says "I obey them even at night and keep my thoughts, O Lord, on you. What a blessing this has been to me -- to constantly obey."
Now look at the reading from 2 Sam 11. This is David's "big fall". We've heard about the story of Bathsheba many times. This story is tragic on so many levels.
2 Sam 11:2 says "One night he couldn't get to sleep and went for a stroll on the roof of the palace... he noticed a woman..." Then things go awry. Do you remember what we just read in 119:55? "I obey them even at night and keep my thoughts..." Compare that with "One night... he noticed a woman."
What a contrast between this chapter and Psalm 119. What happened? How could this be?
We "know" this stuff. We're thinking "David! How could you do this! Remember all the things God has done in your life?? How could this be!" In our piety, we could even chastise David... but who of us has written Psalm 119? What puts us beyond this ability to fail? What can keep us from from the same situation?
John 15:4-5 says, "Take care to live in me, and let me live in you. For a branch can't produce fruit when severed from the vine. Nor can you be fruitful apart from me. Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can't do a thing."
FOR APART FROM ME YOU CAN'T DO A THING. What is it in our nature that makes it so easy for us to forget that?!
David is so connected to the Word as he's writing Psalm 119. He's desperate for it. Dependent on it. For all we know, he could have written it the week before his rooftop stroll. But in the "comfort" of his state, his discipline dies, and he operates separate from the vine of God's Word.
"...apart from me you can't do a thing." Were Jesus' words. We need to remember that! In John 15:2-3 He says, "He lops off every branch that doesn't produce. And he prunes those branches that bear fruit for even larger crops. He has already tended you by pruning you back for greater strength and usefulness by means of the commands I gave you."
Are you beginning to see the importance of staying in God's word? Who of us is beyond this?
We used to have a dogwood bush. We planted it on the side hill near our dining room window. We are not gardeners, and we let that thing go. MAN, DID IT GROW! It was crazy! We hacked it way down, and it grew a bit more respectably. If we don't "prune" the flesh with God's word, we are DESTINED for trouble.
David's branch was getting a little out of hand. He was not being pruned "by means of the command" of scripture. The discipline to keep his mind on the things of God was gone. There was no longer truth to hold him back.
Remember how David tried to cover up his sin by getting Uriah to come back from the battle? The only problem was Uriah's discipline: Knowing what his purpose was, he would not relax within the freedom he was given. He slept on the steps. It's not like David didn't have this discipline at other times of his life. Look at Ps 119:59,60 "I thought about the wrong direction in which I was headed, and turned around and came running back to you."
There is no excuse to falling into sin. We can't blame anyone else. I find it interesting that in Ps 119: 61 David says, "Evil men have tried to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your laws." Sure, no one could drag him to sin, but on that night on the roof, he so easily walked into it.
Lord, you are the vine, I am grafted to you not out of obligation, but of desperation. Hold me to your Word. Keep your hand on me to constrain me to do right. To guard my thoughts. Guard my intentions. Guard my times of peace. Help me to acknowledge my inability to accomplish anything unless you hold my hand. Sustain me through your word. I need you more at this moment than I even realize.
Today's proverb says, "We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God's hands. We can always 'prove' that we are right, but is the Lord convinced? Commit your work to the Lord, then it will succeed." (Prov 16:1-3)
Stay in the Vine today! ... and tomorrow... and... There is no way we can truly comprehend how important this really 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
Friday, May 25, 2012
5.25.12 "What is God Telling You To Do?"
"What is God Telling You To Do?"
2 Samuel 7:1-8:18
John 14:15-31
Psalm 119:36-52
Proverbs 15:33
"If you love me, obey me... The one who obeys me is the one who loves me; and because he loves me, my Father will love him; and I will too, and I will reveal myself to him." (John 14:15,21)
There is a very clear message in today's readings: Obey.
"Anyone who doesn't obey me doesn't love me." (14:24)
So the question stands: Do I love God? "Sure, I'm saved..." A man once told his wife, "I told you I loved you when I married you, and if I change my mind I'll let you know." How loving is that? We don't love God by coming to church once a week and singing a song or two. That's not how we show our love. While that IS the fruit of loving God, we show we love God by obeying him on a daily basis. Then we can't help but show up at church and sing songs of victory.
Imagine a worship service filled with the voices of those who've had a week of walking in radical obedience. Because of these steps of obedience they've seen giants fall, waters part, and souls added to the kingdom.
So what is God telling you to do? You get interesting responses when you ask others that question. Often it's "I don't know". We too often find ourselves deaf to his voice. How do we find him? "I will only reveal myself to those who love me and obey me." (14:23) Psalm 119:34-35 says, "Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found." Hearing his voice is a result of being in his word and keeping his commandments, and keeping pure.
What's the last thing you knew that God was telling you to do? Did you do it? When we disobey or even delay obedience, we callous our heart to his voice. Then we miss out on hearing what he would have us to do.
We must live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship. We must live in obedience.
"Help me to prefer obedience to making money! Turn me away from wanting any other plan than yours. Revive my heart toward you." Ps 119:38
Let's make that our prayer 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
Thursday, May 24, 2012
5.24.12 "Live It!"
"Live It!"
2 Samuel 4:1-6:23
John 13:31-14:14
Psalm 119:17-35
Proverbs 15:31-32
God's people need to be in God's Word. We live in a day when the mentality of many is "just enough to get by". Sadly, there are believers who are content to live that kind of Christian life. We don't realize the urgency there is in seeking his ways.
"Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word. I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map - and your commands are my chart and guide. I long for your instructions more than I can tell." (Ps. 119:18-20) I love that last verse. I need God more than I can tell. Many are dying of thirst without even realizing it.
God's word is the MAP. It's our guide to growth in our Christian walk. We use the DREAM as an outline of how to apply spiritual principles to our lives. Each day God's word gives us instruction in each of these principles. Today I want to just pull an example of each element out of today's reading.
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
As we've discovered in I Samuel, the highest form of worship is obedience. David shows us the "D" in Psalm 119:33-34, "Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey." Remember David was considered "a man after God's own heart." It was because of his obedience. We need to apply the principle of obedience to our life daily.
Relationships Devoted to Unity
"And so I am giving a new commandment to you now - love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (John 13:34-35) Jesus places a GREAT priority on our love for one another. In fact, our "mission" depends on it. It is in itself the proof that we are followers of Christ.
Empowered Through Biblical Training
"Your laws are both my light and my counselors." (Ps 119:24-25) So often when we are in need of direction in life, we prefer to talk to everyone before seeking out what God's Word says. This is often how so many can develop a "circumstantial theology". That's when beliefs about God change according to the circumstances of life. We NEED to realize the priority of being empowered through the training of God's Word.
Active Ministry Involvement
God has given us each resources to use for his glory. It's not for our benefit, but to bring glory to his name, and to benefit others. "David now realized why the Lord had made him the king and blessed his kingdom so greatly - it was because God wanted to pour out his kindness on Israel, his chosen people." (2 Sam 5:12) We have a responsibility to be faithful stewards of what God has given us, and where he placed us. We may not understand, but we need to make this responsibility the highest priority.
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
"There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. If this weren't so, I would tell you plainly. And you know where I am going and how to get there... I am the Way - yes, and the Truth and the Life. No one can get to the Father except by means of me." (John 14:2-4,6) This is our purpose. We must show people the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
God's word shows us the way to live. We must dive into it everyday. We must seek him. We must know him. Our world is desperate for us to be who he has created us to be. Don't delay! Read his Word today! Live it!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Samuel 4:1-6:23
John 13:31-14:14
Psalm 119:17-35
Proverbs 15:31-32
God's people need to be in God's Word. We live in a day when the mentality of many is "just enough to get by". Sadly, there are believers who are content to live that kind of Christian life. We don't realize the urgency there is in seeking his ways.
"Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word. I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map - and your commands are my chart and guide. I long for your instructions more than I can tell." (Ps. 119:18-20) I love that last verse. I need God more than I can tell. Many are dying of thirst without even realizing it.
God's word is the MAP. It's our guide to growth in our Christian walk. We use the DREAM as an outline of how to apply spiritual principles to our lives. Each day God's word gives us instruction in each of these principles. Today I want to just pull an example of each element out of today's reading.
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
As we've discovered in I Samuel, the highest form of worship is obedience. David shows us the "D" in Psalm 119:33-34, "Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey." Remember David was considered "a man after God's own heart." It was because of his obedience. We need to apply the principle of obedience to our life daily.
Relationships Devoted to Unity
"And so I am giving a new commandment to you now - love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (John 13:34-35) Jesus places a GREAT priority on our love for one another. In fact, our "mission" depends on it. It is in itself the proof that we are followers of Christ.
Empowered Through Biblical Training
"Your laws are both my light and my counselors." (Ps 119:24-25) So often when we are in need of direction in life, we prefer to talk to everyone before seeking out what God's Word says. This is often how so many can develop a "circumstantial theology". That's when beliefs about God change according to the circumstances of life. We NEED to realize the priority of being empowered through the training of God's Word.
Active Ministry Involvement
God has given us each resources to use for his glory. It's not for our benefit, but to bring glory to his name, and to benefit others. "David now realized why the Lord had made him the king and blessed his kingdom so greatly - it was because God wanted to pour out his kindness on Israel, his chosen people." (2 Sam 5:12) We have a responsibility to be faithful stewards of what God has given us, and where he placed us. We may not understand, but we need to make this responsibility the highest priority.
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
"There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. If this weren't so, I would tell you plainly. And you know where I am going and how to get there... I am the Way - yes, and the Truth and the Life. No one can get to the Father except by means of me." (John 14:2-4,6) This is our purpose. We must show people the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
God's word shows us the way to live. We must dive into it everyday. We must seek him. We must know him. Our world is desperate for us to be who he has created us to be. Don't delay! Read his Word today! Live it!
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, May 23, 2012
5.23.12 "True Leadership"
"True Leadership"
2 Samuel 2:12-3:39
John 13:1-30
Psalm 119:1-16
Proverbs 15:29-30
Each one of us is a leader. We each have responsibility for someone. We have influence. What is a leader? What is a godly leader? There are many books on the market about what type of leader to be, and how to get people to do what you want, etc. There's really no better book on leadership than God's word. The "A" of DREAM is Active Ministry Involvement. As we've studied in the past, "A" is not about "participation", it's about responsibility. It's about being a good steward of all the resources God has placed in our care. When it comes to leadership, our resources are the individuals in our care.
Let's compare two leaders: Judas and Jesus.
John 13 is John's account of the Last supper. In the opening verses, we find out that Jesus "knew it would be his last night on earth before returning to his Father." We also learn that "the devil had already suggested to Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, that this was the night to carry out his plan to betray Jesus." The very next sentence is "Jesus knew that the Father had given him everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. And how he loved his disciples!"
Contrast that with the previous chapter where Judas said, "'That perfume was worth a fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.' Not that he cared for the poor, but he was in charge of the disciples' funds and often dipped into them for his own use!"
Both of these were given resources to care for. One knew it was from the Father, and would return to the Father. The other had begun to gain an unhealthy attachment... he started to treat it like it was his own. What was the fruit?
A note in the Message bible says: "Because leadership is necessarily an exercise of authority, it easily shifts into an exercise of power. But the minute it does that, it begins to inflict damage on both the leader and the led. Paul, studying Jesus, had learned a kind of leadership in which he managed to stay out of the way so that the others could deal with God without having to go through him."
Each one of us as leaders must guard ourselves from touching God's resources. The fruit of "not loving the poor" was manipulation: Betraying Jesus. What was the fruit of "and how he loved his disciples!"? "He got up from the supper table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his loins, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disiples' feet and to wipe them with the towel he had around him."
We have a mandate as to what the fruit of our leadership must be. John 13:14-17 says, "And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow: do as I have done to you. How true it is that a servant is not greater than his master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends him. You know these things-- now do them! That is the path of blessing."
I am a person who loves to figure things out! I love so see things work. In this 'quest' to solve the puzzles of life, I have to be careful to trust in God's timing. I can't "fix" people, I just have to serve them, do my best to meet their need, connect them to God, and let Him do his work. I MUST constrain myself to rush to servanthood, not manipulation. We have to consistently guard against the devil's suggestions. We must make sure that our "exercise in authority" does not turn into an "exercise of power".
We must also then turn and train those in our charge to do the same thing. We have to teach people to fish! As we lead individuals by example, we must follow up to help them develop as the leaders God has intended them to be.
As Jesus said, "You know these things -- now do them! That is the path of blessing." John 13:17
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Samuel 2:12-3:39
John 13:1-30
Psalm 119:1-16
Proverbs 15:29-30
Each one of us is a leader. We each have responsibility for someone. We have influence. What is a leader? What is a godly leader? There are many books on the market about what type of leader to be, and how to get people to do what you want, etc. There's really no better book on leadership than God's word. The "A" of DREAM is Active Ministry Involvement. As we've studied in the past, "A" is not about "participation", it's about responsibility. It's about being a good steward of all the resources God has placed in our care. When it comes to leadership, our resources are the individuals in our care.
Let's compare two leaders: Judas and Jesus.
John 13 is John's account of the Last supper. In the opening verses, we find out that Jesus "knew it would be his last night on earth before returning to his Father." We also learn that "the devil had already suggested to Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, that this was the night to carry out his plan to betray Jesus." The very next sentence is "Jesus knew that the Father had given him everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. And how he loved his disciples!"
Contrast that with the previous chapter where Judas said, "'That perfume was worth a fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.' Not that he cared for the poor, but he was in charge of the disciples' funds and often dipped into them for his own use!"
Both of these were given resources to care for. One knew it was from the Father, and would return to the Father. The other had begun to gain an unhealthy attachment... he started to treat it like it was his own. What was the fruit?
A note in the Message bible says: "Because leadership is necessarily an exercise of authority, it easily shifts into an exercise of power. But the minute it does that, it begins to inflict damage on both the leader and the led. Paul, studying Jesus, had learned a kind of leadership in which he managed to stay out of the way so that the others could deal with God without having to go through him."
Each one of us as leaders must guard ourselves from touching God's resources. The fruit of "not loving the poor" was manipulation: Betraying Jesus. What was the fruit of "and how he loved his disciples!"? "He got up from the supper table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his loins, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disiples' feet and to wipe them with the towel he had around him."
We have a mandate as to what the fruit of our leadership must be. John 13:14-17 says, "And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow: do as I have done to you. How true it is that a servant is not greater than his master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends him. You know these things-- now do them! That is the path of blessing."
I am a person who loves to figure things out! I love so see things work. In this 'quest' to solve the puzzles of life, I have to be careful to trust in God's timing. I can't "fix" people, I just have to serve them, do my best to meet their need, connect them to God, and let Him do his work. I MUST constrain myself to rush to servanthood, not manipulation. We have to consistently guard against the devil's suggestions. We must make sure that our "exercise in authority" does not turn into an "exercise of power".
We must also then turn and train those in our charge to do the same thing. We have to teach people to fish! As we lead individuals by example, we must follow up to help them develop as the leaders God has intended them to be.
As Jesus said, "You know these things -- now do them! That is the path of blessing." John 13:17
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, May 22, 2012
5.22.12 "Not That Way!"
"Not That Way!"
2 Samuel 1:1-2:11
John 12:20-50
Psalm 118:19-29
Proverbs 15:27-28
Saul is Dead! Isn't that GREAT? David was anointed king so long ago. After all that running and all that discouragement and fear, and frustration, his chance is finally here! Go storm the castle, David!
"David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news. They mourned and wept and fasted all day for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the Lord's people, and for the men of Israel who died that day." (2 Sam. 1:11-12)
There's this little Amalekite dude who thinks he can score some points with David. Even though Saul had killed himself this little weasel lies and tells David that he's the one who killed him. He's thinking like we would think. "I took the obstacle out of your way! Now go be king!"
What's David's response to that? "'Why did you kill's God's chosen king?' David demanded...'You die self-condemned,' David said, 'for you yourself confessed that you killed God's appointed king.'"(2 Sam 1:14,16)
We all have dreams and aspirations to some extent. They may be related to a job or a position of authority, or a solo, or maybe it's even just a hope that a longing & a need will be met. These needs, hopes and dreams are God given. They are based on desires that God has placed within us.
Enter the temptation. Satan has one desire. He wants to destroy us. There's only one way he can do that. He must entice us to destroy ourselves. He does that by tempting us to take short-cuts. These kind of thoughts go through our mind: "If only so-and-so wasn't in the picture... THEN I could succeed!" "If only my spouse was like that other person, then I would be fulfilled."
Pretty soon the "if-only"s give way to "Hey, I deserve this", and all of the sudden we're on the destructive path of sin.
Jesus knew this danger. The number of people who believed in him was increasing. He knew he was the Messiah, but those who believed had their own impression of who they thought the Messiah should be. Jesus had spoken of his death and their response was, "'Die?' asked the crowd. 'We understood that the Messiah would live forever and never die. Why are you saying he will die? What messiah are you talking about?'" (John 12:34)
Oh, that must have been so tempting! Take the short-cut! Jesus knew he must constrain himself to God's timing and God's plan. "'Shall I pray, "Father save me from what lies ahead"? But that is the very reason why I came!'" (12:27)
God's ways are not like ours. His timing and his plan are perfect. It's interesting that what drives us is "self-promotion", but the path is usually death to self.
"'I must fall and die like a kernel of wheat that falls into the furrows of the earth. Unless I die I will be alone - a single seed. But my death will produce many new wheat kernels - a plentiful harvest of new lives. If you love your life down here - you will lose it. If you despise your life down here - you will exchange it for eternal glory.'" (12:23-25)
This principle applies to all of us. If we really want to live, we must die to flesh. If we want to achieve the goals and dreams and fulfillment that God has for us, we must actually die to those desires. When we go around "storming the castle" to accomplish our goals, we are laying a foundation of rebellion. Rebellion separates us from God. That's not the path we are to pursue.
Seek God. Wait for his timing. Die to self.
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, May 21, 2012
5.21.12 "Why Do We Do What We Do?"
"Why Do We Do What We Do?"
I Samuel 29:1-31:13
John 11:54-12:19
Psalm 118:1-18
Proverbs 15:24-26
In John chapter 12, Jesus is attending a banquet in his honor. Lazarus is there, and it's quite a celebration. "Then Mary took a jar of costly perfume made from essence of nard, and anointed Jesus' feet with it and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples - the one who would betray him - said, 'That perfume was worth a fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.' Not that he cared for the poor, but he was in charge of the disciples' funds and often dipped into them for his own use!" (John 12:3-6)
We've heard this scripture so many times, and there are songs about the alabaster box, and we file it away in our mind thinking, "How could Judas miss the point?" Hold on a second. How often do we miss the point?
Sunday's are a pretty busy day for me. I try to get to church between 6:30-6:45, make sure the music is ready to go, have sound check at 7:15, run through the choir song, take care of details, go through the first service, teach sunday school, get ready for the second... be ready for 5:00 choir practice, and the evening service... It's a busy day...
In the same way that Judas lost sight of the Master, I can easily do the same. I could get so focussed on the "task" that I fail to focus on why I am really here. I am here to connect to God, and to help others do the same. I can be so busy in preparation for the service that I walk right by someone who has a need to be connected to the Body, and needs to be connected to Christ.
It's possible to "DO" everything right, and completely fail. We must have hearts that are transformed in Christ so we can BE what we're supposed to be. Then what we DO flows out of a love for Christ. Then we don't miss the point.
We have purpose. It is our Mission to Reach our World for Christ. Let's be motivated by that purpose. We don't want our motivation to consist of what people think of us, or what gives us selfish gain, or personal pride. Let's live according to His purpose! THAT'S why we do what we do!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Samuel 29:1-31:13
John 11:54-12:19
Psalm 118:1-18
Proverbs 15:24-26
In John chapter 12, Jesus is attending a banquet in his honor. Lazarus is there, and it's quite a celebration. "Then Mary took a jar of costly perfume made from essence of nard, and anointed Jesus' feet with it and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples - the one who would betray him - said, 'That perfume was worth a fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.' Not that he cared for the poor, but he was in charge of the disciples' funds and often dipped into them for his own use!" (John 12:3-6)
We've heard this scripture so many times, and there are songs about the alabaster box, and we file it away in our mind thinking, "How could Judas miss the point?" Hold on a second. How often do we miss the point?
Sunday's are a pretty busy day for me. I try to get to church between 6:30-6:45, make sure the music is ready to go, have sound check at 7:15, run through the choir song, take care of details, go through the first service, teach sunday school, get ready for the second... be ready for 5:00 choir practice, and the evening service... It's a busy day...
In the same way that Judas lost sight of the Master, I can easily do the same. I could get so focussed on the "task" that I fail to focus on why I am really here. I am here to connect to God, and to help others do the same. I can be so busy in preparation for the service that I walk right by someone who has a need to be connected to the Body, and needs to be connected to Christ.
It's possible to "DO" everything right, and completely fail. We must have hearts that are transformed in Christ so we can BE what we're supposed to be. Then what we DO flows out of a love for Christ. Then we don't miss the point.
We have purpose. It is our Mission to Reach our World for Christ. Let's be motivated by that purpose. We don't want our motivation to consist of what people think of us, or what gives us selfish gain, or personal pride. Let's live according to His purpose! THAT'S why we do what we do!
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, May 20, 2012
5.20.12 "The Opportunity to Believe"
"The Opportunity to Believe"
I Samuel 26:1-28:25
John 11:1-53
Psalm 117:1-2
Proverbs 15:22-23
There's nothing more frustrating than being in a situation that looks hopeless. It can be as "superficial" a softball game when you're down by too many runs, or as life-threatening as a cancerous tumor that seems to be spreading. We can all relate at some level to insurmountable obstacles.
In today's reading the the book of John we find the story of Lazarus. It's a story that's familiar to us. I think we can remember from childhood the pictures of Lazarus coming out from the tomb. I remember an old song that Carmen did. In his big booming voice he yells, "Lazarus! Come forth!" It's pretty exciting. We love stories like that.
We also like the story about how David becomes king. We love the great endings. When it comes to our own lives, we want the great endings now. We can even get mad at God because he's not taking care of things in our timing. We can so easily fall into despair.
David wasn't far from there. He says, "Must I die on foreign soil, far from the presence of Jehovah?" (I Sam 26:20) "But David kept thinking to himself, 'Some day Saul is going to get me. I'll try my luck among the Philistines until Saul gives up and quits hunting for me; then I will finally be safe again.'" (I Sam. 27:1) David and his men then move to the town of Ziklag, and live there for A YEAR AND FOUR MONTHS!
We often find ourselves in the middle of a difficult situation. Maybe it's a relationship that's experiencing turmoil, marriage difficulties, grief, health, employment... the list can go on. When we encounter this "waiting period", we can easily lose hope.
We need to recognize this season as the opportunity to BELIEVE, not the opportunity to despair. Jesus got the message that Lazarus had died. "But when Jesus heard about it he said, 'The purpose of his illness is not death, but for the glory of God. I, the Son of God, will receive glory from this situation.'" (John 11:4) We LOVE that. I'm sure the disciples were excited. then in verse 6 it says, "He stayed where he was for the NEXT TWO DAYS AND MADE NO MOVE TO GO TO THEM."
HE MADE NO MOVE! What happens inside of us when we perceive that God makes no move? We need to understand God's timing. We need to surrender to it. WE NEED to experience that waiting. It is often the waiting itself that is necessary to transform us into who God has created us to be. As a friend said to me, "The waiting also gives our SELF time to die so that we can be resurrected as a new creation."
"And for your sake, I am glad I wasn't there, for this will give you another opportunity to believe in me." (John 11:15) Those words are profound. We need to recognize the opportunities to believe. Waiting periods need to be times for faith to grow, not for faith to die!
"Praise the Lord, all nations everywhere. Praise him, all the peoples of the earth. For he loves us very dearly, and his truth endures. Praise the Lord." (Ps 117:1-2) His truth endures!
Whatever the situation, we need to be secure in God's timing. Sometimes we may be in front of Lazarus' tomb for two days. Other times we will be in Ziklag for 16 months. We may be running for our lives, wondering when the promise will come to pass, but we must remember in all things, His truth endures! We have the opportunity to believe!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Samuel 26:1-28:25
John 11:1-53
Psalm 117:1-2
Proverbs 15:22-23
There's nothing more frustrating than being in a situation that looks hopeless. It can be as "superficial" a softball game when you're down by too many runs, or as life-threatening as a cancerous tumor that seems to be spreading. We can all relate at some level to insurmountable obstacles.
In today's reading the the book of John we find the story of Lazarus. It's a story that's familiar to us. I think we can remember from childhood the pictures of Lazarus coming out from the tomb. I remember an old song that Carmen did. In his big booming voice he yells, "Lazarus! Come forth!" It's pretty exciting. We love stories like that.
We also like the story about how David becomes king. We love the great endings. When it comes to our own lives, we want the great endings now. We can even get mad at God because he's not taking care of things in our timing. We can so easily fall into despair.
David wasn't far from there. He says, "Must I die on foreign soil, far from the presence of Jehovah?" (I Sam 26:20) "But David kept thinking to himself, 'Some day Saul is going to get me. I'll try my luck among the Philistines until Saul gives up and quits hunting for me; then I will finally be safe again.'" (I Sam. 27:1) David and his men then move to the town of Ziklag, and live there for A YEAR AND FOUR MONTHS!
We often find ourselves in the middle of a difficult situation. Maybe it's a relationship that's experiencing turmoil, marriage difficulties, grief, health, employment... the list can go on. When we encounter this "waiting period", we can easily lose hope.
We need to recognize this season as the opportunity to BELIEVE, not the opportunity to despair. Jesus got the message that Lazarus had died. "But when Jesus heard about it he said, 'The purpose of his illness is not death, but for the glory of God. I, the Son of God, will receive glory from this situation.'" (John 11:4) We LOVE that. I'm sure the disciples were excited. then in verse 6 it says, "He stayed where he was for the NEXT TWO DAYS AND MADE NO MOVE TO GO TO THEM."
HE MADE NO MOVE! What happens inside of us when we perceive that God makes no move? We need to understand God's timing. We need to surrender to it. WE NEED to experience that waiting. It is often the waiting itself that is necessary to transform us into who God has created us to be. As a friend said to me, "The waiting also gives our SELF time to die so that we can be resurrected as a new creation."
"And for your sake, I am glad I wasn't there, for this will give you another opportunity to believe in me." (John 11:15) Those words are profound. We need to recognize the opportunities to believe. Waiting periods need to be times for faith to grow, not for faith to die!
"Praise the Lord, all nations everywhere. Praise him, all the peoples of the earth. For he loves us very dearly, and his truth endures. Praise the Lord." (Ps 117:1-2) His truth endures!
Whatever the situation, we need to be secure in God's timing. Sometimes we may be in front of Lazarus' tomb for two days. Other times we will be in Ziklag for 16 months. We may be running for our lives, wondering when the promise will come to pass, but we must remember in all things, His truth endures! We have the opportunity to believe!
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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