"Devoted to Unity"
2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27
Romans 13:1-14
Psalm 23:1-6
Proverbs 20:11
Is it important to be connected to the body? We all need to know we have the need for fellowship with one another in the SAME way we know we should obey God. These are inseparable truths.
In reading Romans 13 we can see the importance of this. In verse 9-10 Paul says, " If you love your neighbor as much as you love yourself you will not want to harm or cheat him, or kill him or steal from him. And you won't sin with his wife or want what is his, or do anything else the Ten Commandments say is wrong. All ten are wrapped up in this one, to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Love does no wrong to anyone. That's why it fully satisfies all of God's requirements. It is the only law you need."
Using a spiritual "Checklist" like DREAM is helpful in that we can take a daily inventory of the purposes God has for us. As good as that is, we have to be careful about a "checklist mentality". With a checklist mentality we can think, "well, at least i got my 'D', i don't have time for my 'R' today."
As we mature in Christ we must begin to realize how inseparable these elements are. How can you say you are living the "Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship", and not respect and obey the government? verse 2 says, "So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow."
Verse 3 says, "For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you." For the past few years, I've started to do a much better job of driving the speed limit. I'm not perfect in this area, but it's been amazing how much more relaxed I am when I see the squad car on the side of the road. There's much more peace in doing what the authorities have asked. I'm sure that's what Paul had in mind when he wrote this, right?
Paul must have been thinking of those who get a letter from the assessor when he wrote verse 6-7. "Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority."
The root of unity is Submission. We cannot be in unity without submitting to the needs of one another. This is a deep heart issue. We must train our hearts to love one another by consistently being aware of each other's needs, and responding with compassion, and appropriate submission to those needs. This is what love is all about.
How urgent is this? Is this really important??
verse 11 "...you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is far gone, the day of his return will soon be here. So quit the evil deeds of darkness and put on the armor of right living, as we who live in the daylight should! Be decent and true in everything you do so that all can approve your behavior."
There isn't much time left. Put this into practice today!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Monday, July 30, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
7.29.12 "When the Body Wakes Up"
"When the Body Wakes Up"
2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28
Romans 12:1-21
Psalm 22:19-31
Proverbs 20:8-10
Do you ever wonder where we are in the scope of the history of God's people? As we look in the word and go through the hundreds of years of the kings we see there are ages of blessing and ages of bondage. Where are we now? What is written in the books of heaven about this generation? Do they serve the Lord?
We are in the age where the Body is about to wake up. I think over the past hundred years, there has been a consistent pouring out of God's spirit in millions coming to Christ around the world. Hearts are being made right with God. When we add Romans 12 to the equation, the anticipation increases. There is something big about to happen.
Romans 12: 1 says "...I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy -- the kind he can accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?" We've heard that a hundred times, but meditate on it.
verse 2, " Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you." The behavior and customs of this world teach "it's all about me." Think the fresh thought of "It's NOT about me." Why? Because THEN from YOUR OWN experience you will learn how his ways will SATISFY you!
Romans 12:4,5 "Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others."
Big deal I've heard that a hundred times, too.
You're right. it's been heard a hundred times for hundreds of years. It's time to live it. You may have heard about the 80-20 rule. It's the principle that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. It's true in almost any organization. It's been true in the body of Christ.
How would you feel if your body only had 20% of it functioning? How do you think Christ feels? Most people don't have the mindset that we ARE the Body of Christ, and we need to be healthy and active. Many just come in, sit in a pew and leave having no idea "how his ways will really satisfy you."
Look at the rest of Romans 12. Verse 6-9 Instruct us that whatever it is, we do it WELL! Too often we do a good enough job to get by, or we just do enough to please our conscience. That's NOT what it's about! We will not experience true satisfaction unless we obey these commands.
Read the rest of the chapter. Read it with urgency. When the Body of Christ gets this, we are going to experience something like never before.
To live the DREAM, we must be urgent about each of these elements. Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is your relationship with the Lord. If you you're going to love the Lord with all your heart, you must follow through with R-E-A-M. It's not optional. It's the fulfillment of his plan for our lives. As I've said before, "Your world is desperate for you to be who God created you to be." You must be solidly connected to the Body of Christ in developing your "Relationships Devoted to Unity", You must be in the Word "Empowered through Biblical Training", You MUST get serious about living up to your potential in "Active Ministry Involvement", and it's not about you. It's about our "Mission to Reach our World for Christ."
One verse that I find particularly important for all of us: Romans 12:9 - "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them."
It's time for the Body of Christ to stop hitting the snooze alarm. It's time to wake up!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28
Romans 12:1-21
Psalm 22:19-31
Proverbs 20:8-10
Do you ever wonder where we are in the scope of the history of God's people? As we look in the word and go through the hundreds of years of the kings we see there are ages of blessing and ages of bondage. Where are we now? What is written in the books of heaven about this generation? Do they serve the Lord?
We are in the age where the Body is about to wake up. I think over the past hundred years, there has been a consistent pouring out of God's spirit in millions coming to Christ around the world. Hearts are being made right with God. When we add Romans 12 to the equation, the anticipation increases. There is something big about to happen.
Romans 12: 1 says "...I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy -- the kind he can accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?" We've heard that a hundred times, but meditate on it.
verse 2, " Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you." The behavior and customs of this world teach "it's all about me." Think the fresh thought of "It's NOT about me." Why? Because THEN from YOUR OWN experience you will learn how his ways will SATISFY you!
Romans 12:4,5 "Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others."
Big deal I've heard that a hundred times, too.
You're right. it's been heard a hundred times for hundreds of years. It's time to live it. You may have heard about the 80-20 rule. It's the principle that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. It's true in almost any organization. It's been true in the body of Christ.
How would you feel if your body only had 20% of it functioning? How do you think Christ feels? Most people don't have the mindset that we ARE the Body of Christ, and we need to be healthy and active. Many just come in, sit in a pew and leave having no idea "how his ways will really satisfy you."
Look at the rest of Romans 12. Verse 6-9 Instruct us that whatever it is, we do it WELL! Too often we do a good enough job to get by, or we just do enough to please our conscience. That's NOT what it's about! We will not experience true satisfaction unless we obey these commands.
Read the rest of the chapter. Read it with urgency. When the Body of Christ gets this, we are going to experience something like never before.
To live the DREAM, we must be urgent about each of these elements. Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is your relationship with the Lord. If you you're going to love the Lord with all your heart, you must follow through with R-E-A-M. It's not optional. It's the fulfillment of his plan for our lives. As I've said before, "Your world is desperate for you to be who God created you to be." You must be solidly connected to the Body of Christ in developing your "Relationships Devoted to Unity", You must be in the Word "Empowered through Biblical Training", You MUST get serious about living up to your potential in "Active Ministry Involvement", and it's not about you. It's about our "Mission to Reach our World for Christ."
One verse that I find particularly important for all of us: Romans 12:9 - "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them."
It's time for the Body of Christ to stop hitting the snooze alarm. It's time to wake up!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Saturday, July 28, 2012
7.28.12 "The Awesome Weight of Legacy"
"The Awesome Weight of Legacy"
2 Chronicles 21:1 - 23:21
Romans 11:13-36
Psalm 22:1-18
Proverbs 20:7
Proverbs 20:7 "It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father."
Like it or not, we have a self-centered nature. Many times we view our struggle through Christian maturity as something that is between us and God. God is working in each of us to develop our character into what He wants us to be, but we feel that is a private matter. We all too often forget the larger picture of the impact our character has on generations to come.
2 Chronicles 21:1 starts out, "When Jehoshaphat died..." The first thought in my head was. wow. that's it. All that Jehoshaphat gets is a few pages. A few good lessons of obedience, a few examples of compromise. Is that it? Not really. His allegiance w/ the "evil" King Ahab laid the groundwork for Jehoram, his son, the new king to marry Ahab's daughter, Athaliah. Let's just say she's not someone to name your daughter after. It says in 21:6 of Jehoram, "...and his whole life was one constant binge of doing evil." This pretty much continues for another generation as the lovely Queen Athaliah tries to kill all her grandchildren to protect her throne, and only Joash escapes.
Ugly mess. How does this happen? Character flaws in one generation magnified in the next.
We all know we are not perfect. In fact, there can be comfort zone areas of our heart in which we really aren't interested in allowing the Holy Spirit in to do his work. We think we can get by. 2 Chronicles 21:11 says that Jehoram constructed idol shrines in the mountains and compelled the people to worship idols. It drives me nuts how much we read about God's people in the old testament and these shrines in the mountains. However, I'm coming to realize that these mountain shrines represent the corners of our heart and of our character that we try to hide from God. Guess what... It's these shrines that make a mess for future generations.
We may be able to be "whitened sepulchers", as Jesus called the Pharisees, enough to give the appearance of righteousness to those around us, but the pattern of scripture is too consistent and clear for us to think that it wont be revealed somehow.
As I look at my daughter, I wonder about today's Proverb. Will she have the wonderful heritage of an honest father? I consider myself honest, and I do my best, but when I think about her, it raises the bar. Knowing how my integrity affects her future, it causes me to all the more desire the holiness of a surrendered heart.
I can't do this on my own. Romans 11:16b, which is also a part of today's reading says, "For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be too." It is so vital that I am completely grafted to Christ. There is no holiness or purity I can create in myself. It doesn't make a difference what I look like to you or anyone else. It can only come as I am desperately dependent on the Vine of Christ.
It's not that we should be holy for the sake of our kids. We should be holy because He who called us is holy. But it may help to realize the fruit of compromise.
What's your legacy today? What will your children think as they read Proverbs 20:7? My dad will read this. I'm so grateful that I can look at this proverb and be able to relate to the "wonderful heritage" of an honest father. His legacy is known to all. My prayer is that my daughter will look at this verse and feel the same about me. I'm going to live today with that goal. It is an awesome weight, but a tremendous privilege. Lord, graft me to you!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 21:1 - 23:21
Romans 11:13-36
Psalm 22:1-18
Proverbs 20:7
Proverbs 20:7 "It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father."
Like it or not, we have a self-centered nature. Many times we view our struggle through Christian maturity as something that is between us and God. God is working in each of us to develop our character into what He wants us to be, but we feel that is a private matter. We all too often forget the larger picture of the impact our character has on generations to come.
2 Chronicles 21:1 starts out, "When Jehoshaphat died..." The first thought in my head was. wow. that's it. All that Jehoshaphat gets is a few pages. A few good lessons of obedience, a few examples of compromise. Is that it? Not really. His allegiance w/ the "evil" King Ahab laid the groundwork for Jehoram, his son, the new king to marry Ahab's daughter, Athaliah. Let's just say she's not someone to name your daughter after. It says in 21:6 of Jehoram, "...and his whole life was one constant binge of doing evil." This pretty much continues for another generation as the lovely Queen Athaliah tries to kill all her grandchildren to protect her throne, and only Joash escapes.
Ugly mess. How does this happen? Character flaws in one generation magnified in the next.
We all know we are not perfect. In fact, there can be comfort zone areas of our heart in which we really aren't interested in allowing the Holy Spirit in to do his work. We think we can get by. 2 Chronicles 21:11 says that Jehoram constructed idol shrines in the mountains and compelled the people to worship idols. It drives me nuts how much we read about God's people in the old testament and these shrines in the mountains. However, I'm coming to realize that these mountain shrines represent the corners of our heart and of our character that we try to hide from God. Guess what... It's these shrines that make a mess for future generations.
We may be able to be "whitened sepulchers", as Jesus called the Pharisees, enough to give the appearance of righteousness to those around us, but the pattern of scripture is too consistent and clear for us to think that it wont be revealed somehow.
As I look at my daughter, I wonder about today's Proverb. Will she have the wonderful heritage of an honest father? I consider myself honest, and I do my best, but when I think about her, it raises the bar. Knowing how my integrity affects her future, it causes me to all the more desire the holiness of a surrendered heart.
I can't do this on my own. Romans 11:16b, which is also a part of today's reading says, "For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be too." It is so vital that I am completely grafted to Christ. There is no holiness or purity I can create in myself. It doesn't make a difference what I look like to you or anyone else. It can only come as I am desperately dependent on the Vine of Christ.
It's not that we should be holy for the sake of our kids. We should be holy because He who called us is holy. But it may help to realize the fruit of compromise.
What's your legacy today? What will your children think as they read Proverbs 20:7? My dad will read this. I'm so grateful that I can look at this proverb and be able to relate to the "wonderful heritage" of an honest father. His legacy is known to all. My prayer is that my daughter will look at this verse and feel the same about me. I'm going to live today with that goal. It is an awesome weight, but a tremendous privilege. Lord, graft me to you!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Friday, July 27, 2012
7.27.12 "THIS is what Worship is All About"
"THIS is what Worship is All About"
2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37
Romans 10:13-11:12
Psalm 21:1-13
Proverbs 20:4-6
If you were to ask individuals to define worship, you'd get a wide variety of responses. You would probably get many responses that would have to do with music and songs. While these are elements of worship, they don't really 'define' worship.
Worship is our response to the revelation of God. We can respond in song, shouts of praise, clapping hands, etc. The "highest" form of worship is obedience, but all of it is our response to experiencing God.
One of the best illustrations of the pattern for a lifestyle of worship can be found in 2 Chronicles 20. Take the time to read this chapter. This is a story about King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. Jehoshaphat was a good king who had made a few poor decisions, but he tried to be faithful to God. In chapter 20, armies were gathering to attack Israel. 20:3 says, "Jehoshaphat was badly shaken by this news and determined to beg for help from the Lord." He then declared a fast for the people, and they waited to hear from God. They cried out to him and Jehoshaphat declared in verse 12 "We don't know what to do, but we are looking to you."
God then gave his answer to them. In verse 15, ""the Lord says,'Don't be afraid! Don't be paralyzed by this mighty army! For the battle is not yours, but God's!" His instruction said in 20:17, "But you will not need to fight! Take your places; stand quietly and see the incredible rescue operation God will perform for you..."
In verse 18-19 "Jehoshaphat fell to the ground with his face to the earth, and all the people did the same, worshiping the Lord. Then the Levites... stood to praise the Lord God of Israel with songs of praise that rang out strong and clear." They praised God for giving them instruction.
Then they went into battle in verse 21, "...he determined that there should be a choir leading the march... singing the song 'His Lovingkindness is Forever' as they walked along praising and thanking the Lord!"
In verse 22, "And at the moment they began to sing and to praise..." the enemy armies began to destroy one another. Verse 26 says "And how they praised the Lord!" (for those old enough to remember the Little Rascals... "And How!" :)
Then they went back to Jerusalem and REALLY had Church!
So how does that apply to you? What is the pattern for worship found here?
1. Troubles will come!
2. Determine in your heart to seek God first.
3. Acknowledge you are helpless, "I don't know what to do but my eyes are on you!"
4. Wait for an answer (EXPECTING an answer is key to this, as is WAITING till you get it!)
5. Praise God for the answer he gives you.
6. Walk in obedience with a heart of praise leading the way!
7. Rejoice in the victory he brings.
Imagine what church would be like Sunday morning if this was the pattern of God's people all the time! We probably wouldn't hear "I didn't get much out of worship today..." We'd be having a great stompin' on the devil party!
Try to apply these principles to your life and to the struggles that come. Then share your testimony! Verse 29 says, "And as had happened before, when the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God fell upon them." Your testimony will make a difference!
"Accept our praise, O Lord, for all your glorious power. We will write songs to celebrate your mighty acts!" Psalm 21:13
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37
Romans 10:13-11:12
Psalm 21:1-13
Proverbs 20:4-6
If you were to ask individuals to define worship, you'd get a wide variety of responses. You would probably get many responses that would have to do with music and songs. While these are elements of worship, they don't really 'define' worship.
Worship is our response to the revelation of God. We can respond in song, shouts of praise, clapping hands, etc. The "highest" form of worship is obedience, but all of it is our response to experiencing God.
One of the best illustrations of the pattern for a lifestyle of worship can be found in 2 Chronicles 20. Take the time to read this chapter. This is a story about King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. Jehoshaphat was a good king who had made a few poor decisions, but he tried to be faithful to God. In chapter 20, armies were gathering to attack Israel. 20:3 says, "Jehoshaphat was badly shaken by this news and determined to beg for help from the Lord." He then declared a fast for the people, and they waited to hear from God. They cried out to him and Jehoshaphat declared in verse 12 "We don't know what to do, but we are looking to you."
God then gave his answer to them. In verse 15, ""the Lord says,'Don't be afraid! Don't be paralyzed by this mighty army! For the battle is not yours, but God's!" His instruction said in 20:17, "But you will not need to fight! Take your places; stand quietly and see the incredible rescue operation God will perform for you..."
In verse 18-19 "Jehoshaphat fell to the ground with his face to the earth, and all the people did the same, worshiping the Lord. Then the Levites... stood to praise the Lord God of Israel with songs of praise that rang out strong and clear." They praised God for giving them instruction.
Then they went into battle in verse 21, "...he determined that there should be a choir leading the march... singing the song 'His Lovingkindness is Forever' as they walked along praising and thanking the Lord!"
In verse 22, "And at the moment they began to sing and to praise..." the enemy armies began to destroy one another. Verse 26 says "And how they praised the Lord!" (for those old enough to remember the Little Rascals... "And How!" :)
Then they went back to Jerusalem and REALLY had Church!
So how does that apply to you? What is the pattern for worship found here?
1. Troubles will come!
2. Determine in your heart to seek God first.
3. Acknowledge you are helpless, "I don't know what to do but my eyes are on you!"
4. Wait for an answer (EXPECTING an answer is key to this, as is WAITING till you get it!)
5. Praise God for the answer he gives you.
6. Walk in obedience with a heart of praise leading the way!
7. Rejoice in the victory he brings.
Imagine what church would be like Sunday morning if this was the pattern of God's people all the time! We probably wouldn't hear "I didn't get much out of worship today..." We'd be having a great stompin' on the devil party!
Try to apply these principles to your life and to the struggles that come. Then share your testimony! Verse 29 says, "And as had happened before, when the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God fell upon them." Your testimony will make a difference!
"Accept our praise, O Lord, for all your glorious power. We will write songs to celebrate your mighty acts!" Psalm 21:13
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Thursday, July 26, 2012
7.26.12 "The Good News is: You're not Good Enough!"
"The Good News is: You're not Good Enough!"
2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34
Romans 9:25 - 10:12
Psalm 20:1-9
Proverbs 20:2-3
In Romans 10:2-3 Paul is speaking of the Jewish people. "I know what enthusiasm they have for the honor of God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don't understand that Christ has died to make them right with God. Instead they are trying to make themselves good enough to gain God's favor by keeping the Jewish laws and customs, but that is not God's way of salvation."
In verses 8-10 he continues: "For salvation that comes from trusting Christ... is already within easy reach of each of us; in fact, it is as near as our own hearts and mouths. For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord, and believe in your own heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in his heart that a man becomes right with God..."
For many of us this is not a new revelation, but it is good that we keep this at the forefront of our thinking. We are not saved by trying to be good. It's only by faith.
Too often there are people who beat themselves up over the fact that they don't deserve God. That's kind of fruitless because the truth is none of us deserve God. But it's important to realize there's not bondage in that thought, there's freedom!
There was one time I was working with a phenomenal piano player. As I was listening to him play the thought went through my head "I'll never be that good". At first it was a bad thought. I was giving myself a mental beating for my inadequacies. Then it became a freeing thought as the Lord spoke to me. "You're right. You're not that good, but you're the one I chose for this task!" Wow! I wasn't earning God's favor by my actions or by how good I was. My value in Christ was not based on my ability to his will. That was an incredibly freeing moment. My value has nothing to do with what I "do".
There's a humility that comes with acknowledging that we do not deserve salvation. We need to humble ourselves each day and thank the Lord for offering us this salvation that is so rich and free. This will help keep us aligned to him.
Sometimes we try to get rid of our sin on our own before coming to Christ. That's like feeling the need to get cleaned up to take a bath. It doesn't make any sense. We need to come humbly to him and allow HIM to complete his work in us. According to Romans 10:8 it's easy. "...it is as near as our own hearts and mouths."
There's an old chorus:
Thank you Lord for Saving my soul
Thank you Lord for making me whole
Thank you Lord for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34
Romans 9:25 - 10:12
Psalm 20:1-9
Proverbs 20:2-3
In Romans 10:2-3 Paul is speaking of the Jewish people. "I know what enthusiasm they have for the honor of God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don't understand that Christ has died to make them right with God. Instead they are trying to make themselves good enough to gain God's favor by keeping the Jewish laws and customs, but that is not God's way of salvation."
In verses 8-10 he continues: "For salvation that comes from trusting Christ... is already within easy reach of each of us; in fact, it is as near as our own hearts and mouths. For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord, and believe in your own heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in his heart that a man becomes right with God..."
For many of us this is not a new revelation, but it is good that we keep this at the forefront of our thinking. We are not saved by trying to be good. It's only by faith.
Too often there are people who beat themselves up over the fact that they don't deserve God. That's kind of fruitless because the truth is none of us deserve God. But it's important to realize there's not bondage in that thought, there's freedom!
There was one time I was working with a phenomenal piano player. As I was listening to him play the thought went through my head "I'll never be that good". At first it was a bad thought. I was giving myself a mental beating for my inadequacies. Then it became a freeing thought as the Lord spoke to me. "You're right. You're not that good, but you're the one I chose for this task!" Wow! I wasn't earning God's favor by my actions or by how good I was. My value in Christ was not based on my ability to his will. That was an incredibly freeing moment. My value has nothing to do with what I "do".
There's a humility that comes with acknowledging that we do not deserve salvation. We need to humble ourselves each day and thank the Lord for offering us this salvation that is so rich and free. This will help keep us aligned to him.
Sometimes we try to get rid of our sin on our own before coming to Christ. That's like feeling the need to get cleaned up to take a bath. It doesn't make any sense. We need to come humbly to him and allow HIM to complete his work in us. According to Romans 10:8 it's easy. "...it is as near as our own hearts and mouths."
There's an old chorus:
Thank you Lord for Saving my soul
Thank you Lord for making me whole
Thank you Lord for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
7.25.12 "The Power of being Powerless"
"The Power of being Powerless"
2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14
Romans 9:1-24
Psalm 19:1-14
Proverbs 20:1
2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the Lord search back and forth across the whole earth, looking for people whose hearts are perfect toward him, so that he can show his great power in helping them."
I just had a picture in my mind of the old "Welcome Back, Kotter" show. As the Lord is looking across the earth, I'd be Horshack waving my arms franticly "ooh, ooh, ooh" Pick me! Show your power in helping me!
So, what's the context of this scripture? King Asa of Judah is doing a great job. He's been real careful to live a life of obedience, and lead the country to do the same. In chapter 14 the Lord helps him defeat an army of 1 million Ethiopians. In Chapter 15 Azariah had a word from the Lord telling King Asa that the Lord would be with him as long as he stayed with the Lord. King Asa listened to this, and cleansed the country of idols, even to the point of ousting his mother because she built an idol.
So, Asa's doing good! Then comes chapter 16. Asa learns that Israel is preparing for battle against Judah. He responds with a plan of his own making. Syria has an alliance with Judah, so Asa takes the silver & Gold from the temple, and sends it to the King of Syria with a message. "Here is silver and gold to induce you to break your alliance with King Baasha of Israel, so that he will leave me alone."
It worked. Sort of. It got him out of the potential war with Israel, but God wasn't happy.
This is the message that came to him through the prophet in 2 Chron. 16:7-8. "Because you have put your trust in the king of Syria instead of in the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped from you. Don't you remember what happened to the Ethiopians and Libyans and their vast army, with all of their chariots and cavalrymen? But you relied then on the Lord, and he delivered them all into your hand." The end of verse 9 says, "What a fool you have been! From now on you shall have wars."
In 2 Chron. 16:12 says, "In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a serious foot disease. Yet even with the severity of his disease, he did not seek the Lord's help but turned only to his physicians."
Bring this home. It's easy to disconnect from the message of this story about the kings of long ago. How does it apply to us? The Lord desires to use our situations to deliver us and make his name great. How does that happen? It happens when we rely on him to give us direction in our problems and come through with answers that bring glory to his name.
When we fix things without consulting God, we rob ourselves of a victory that is greater than we could imagine. Sure, we may deflect the immediate battle, but as the word came to King Asa, the bigger plan was to defeat the Syrians, too.
We must discipline ourselves to seek God in EVERYTHING. You don't know what God wants to ultimately do through your struggle. You may be looking for a simple victory, but God is looking to do miraculous things.
Make your heart "perfect toward him" by walking in obedience. Walk in DEPENDENCE on him. When we lay our "power" down, and constantly rely on him, we will experience some incredible things.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14
Romans 9:1-24
Psalm 19:1-14
Proverbs 20:1
2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the Lord search back and forth across the whole earth, looking for people whose hearts are perfect toward him, so that he can show his great power in helping them."
I just had a picture in my mind of the old "Welcome Back, Kotter" show. As the Lord is looking across the earth, I'd be Horshack waving my arms franticly "ooh, ooh, ooh" Pick me! Show your power in helping me!
So, what's the context of this scripture? King Asa of Judah is doing a great job. He's been real careful to live a life of obedience, and lead the country to do the same. In chapter 14 the Lord helps him defeat an army of 1 million Ethiopians. In Chapter 15 Azariah had a word from the Lord telling King Asa that the Lord would be with him as long as he stayed with the Lord. King Asa listened to this, and cleansed the country of idols, even to the point of ousting his mother because she built an idol.
So, Asa's doing good! Then comes chapter 16. Asa learns that Israel is preparing for battle against Judah. He responds with a plan of his own making. Syria has an alliance with Judah, so Asa takes the silver & Gold from the temple, and sends it to the King of Syria with a message. "Here is silver and gold to induce you to break your alliance with King Baasha of Israel, so that he will leave me alone."
It worked. Sort of. It got him out of the potential war with Israel, but God wasn't happy.
This is the message that came to him through the prophet in 2 Chron. 16:7-8. "Because you have put your trust in the king of Syria instead of in the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped from you. Don't you remember what happened to the Ethiopians and Libyans and their vast army, with all of their chariots and cavalrymen? But you relied then on the Lord, and he delivered them all into your hand." The end of verse 9 says, "What a fool you have been! From now on you shall have wars."
In 2 Chron. 16:12 says, "In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a serious foot disease. Yet even with the severity of his disease, he did not seek the Lord's help but turned only to his physicians."
Bring this home. It's easy to disconnect from the message of this story about the kings of long ago. How does it apply to us? The Lord desires to use our situations to deliver us and make his name great. How does that happen? It happens when we rely on him to give us direction in our problems and come through with answers that bring glory to his name.
When we fix things without consulting God, we rob ourselves of a victory that is greater than we could imagine. Sure, we may deflect the immediate battle, but as the word came to King Asa, the bigger plan was to defeat the Syrians, too.
We must discipline ourselves to seek God in EVERYTHING. You don't know what God wants to ultimately do through your struggle. You may be looking for a simple victory, but God is looking to do miraculous things.
Make your heart "perfect toward him" by walking in obedience. Walk in DEPENDENCE on him. When we lay our "power" down, and constantly rely on him, we will experience some incredible things.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
7.24.12 "Trusting"
"Trusting"
2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22
Romans 8:24-39
Psalm 18:35-50
Proverbs 19:27-29
"Trust me." Has anyone ever said that to you? It's usually said when you've got a look on your face that displays you're not sure what you're getting into. One of my favorite parenting experiences was when my daughter learned to ride her bike. After taking off the training wheels, I would walk beside her holding her bike up. She'd yell, "Dad! Don't let go!" I kept telling her she could trust me. (I know you're thinking I did let go, but not until she was ready!)
Dictionary.com has these definitions of trust:
1. Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
2. Custody; care.
3. Something committed into the care of another; charge.
4. One in which confidence is placed.
5. Reliance on something in the future; hope.
6. Reliance on the intention and ability of a purchaser to pay in the future; credit
Romans 8:24-25 says, "We are saved by trusting. And trusting means looking forward to getting something we don't yet have - for a man who already has something doesn't need to hope and trust that he will get it. But if we must keep trusting God for something that hasn't happened yet, it teaches us to wait patiently and confidently."
When I was a teen in youth group we would play a game called "trust". a person would stand in the middle of a bunch of kids sitting in a tight circle with their feet together around the standing persons ankles. The person standing in the middle would then fall and those sitting would catch them and push them back up. If you've ever played this game before you know what i'm talking about. There's only a couple ways this thing works. 1. The people sitting must do their part to catch the person and push them up, or it ruins the "trust" of the falling person. 2. The falling person must fall completely stiff or it wont work, but to fall completely stiff, you must really TRUST that someone is going to catch you.
Looking at the outline of the dictionary definition of trust, here are some simple thoughts on trust for us today.
Do you Trust God?
1. Do you have a firm reliance on His integrity? His ability to accomplish what needs to be accomplished? Do you trust His character? Do you really believe he will do what he said he will do?
2. Are you in his "custody"? Are you keeping yourself in his care? Trusting God is like staying under his umbrella. Are you waiting patiently under his care, or are you running ahead trying to fix things your way?
3. Have you committed your ways to him? Have you placed your life in His charge? "Here I am Lord, You are in charge of me."
4. Is He your confidence? Your trust? Do you confide in him? Is there that bond of trust?
5. How sure are you of his promise? Do you have a firm reliance in the future? Do you have hope?
6. This will sound funny, but do you believe God will pay his bills? Do you believe he will come through the way he said he will? Is he able to "cover" his promises? He is in no way indebted to us, but he is committed to fulfill his word.
These definitions come from the dictionary, not the bible, but nonetheless they do create a picture of how we should be trusting God.
The game of trust is a lot of fun when you completely trust those who are catching you. they almost throw you back and forth and around the circle, but you don't get hurt because they don't let you fall.
Think of a life COMPLETELY trusting God. There's no flinching. There's no dropping. Wouldn't that be a blast? Living a Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is a thrill ride when we don't hesitate to walk in obedience because we TRUST the One giving the commands.
The words written almost 100 years ago:
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
There is discipline in trusting God. It is an action. Trust in Him today as you Live the DREAM!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22
Romans 8:24-39
Psalm 18:35-50
Proverbs 19:27-29
"Trust me." Has anyone ever said that to you? It's usually said when you've got a look on your face that displays you're not sure what you're getting into. One of my favorite parenting experiences was when my daughter learned to ride her bike. After taking off the training wheels, I would walk beside her holding her bike up. She'd yell, "Dad! Don't let go!" I kept telling her she could trust me. (I know you're thinking I did let go, but not until she was ready!)
Dictionary.com has these definitions of trust:
1. Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
2. Custody; care.
3. Something committed into the care of another; charge.
4. One in which confidence is placed.
5. Reliance on something in the future; hope.
6. Reliance on the intention and ability of a purchaser to pay in the future; credit
Romans 8:24-25 says, "We are saved by trusting. And trusting means looking forward to getting something we don't yet have - for a man who already has something doesn't need to hope and trust that he will get it. But if we must keep trusting God for something that hasn't happened yet, it teaches us to wait patiently and confidently."
When I was a teen in youth group we would play a game called "trust". a person would stand in the middle of a bunch of kids sitting in a tight circle with their feet together around the standing persons ankles. The person standing in the middle would then fall and those sitting would catch them and push them back up. If you've ever played this game before you know what i'm talking about. There's only a couple ways this thing works. 1. The people sitting must do their part to catch the person and push them up, or it ruins the "trust" of the falling person. 2. The falling person must fall completely stiff or it wont work, but to fall completely stiff, you must really TRUST that someone is going to catch you.
Looking at the outline of the dictionary definition of trust, here are some simple thoughts on trust for us today.
Do you Trust God?
1. Do you have a firm reliance on His integrity? His ability to accomplish what needs to be accomplished? Do you trust His character? Do you really believe he will do what he said he will do?
2. Are you in his "custody"? Are you keeping yourself in his care? Trusting God is like staying under his umbrella. Are you waiting patiently under his care, or are you running ahead trying to fix things your way?
3. Have you committed your ways to him? Have you placed your life in His charge? "Here I am Lord, You are in charge of me."
4. Is He your confidence? Your trust? Do you confide in him? Is there that bond of trust?
5. How sure are you of his promise? Do you have a firm reliance in the future? Do you have hope?
6. This will sound funny, but do you believe God will pay his bills? Do you believe he will come through the way he said he will? Is he able to "cover" his promises? He is in no way indebted to us, but he is committed to fulfill his word.
These definitions come from the dictionary, not the bible, but nonetheless they do create a picture of how we should be trusting God.
The game of trust is a lot of fun when you completely trust those who are catching you. they almost throw you back and forth and around the circle, but you don't get hurt because they don't let you fall.
Think of a life COMPLETELY trusting God. There's no flinching. There's no dropping. Wouldn't that be a blast? Living a Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is a thrill ride when we don't hesitate to walk in obedience because we TRUST the One giving the commands.
The words written almost 100 years ago:
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
There is discipline in trusting God. It is an action. Trust in Him today as you Live the DREAM!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Monday, July 23, 2012
7.23.12 "The Seed that Always Grows"
"The Seed that Always Grows"
2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19
Romans 8:9-23
Psalm 18:16-34
Proverbs 19:26
In the One Year Bible reading today, we read through a couple chapters in 2 Chronicles. Through the course of this portion of scripture, we go through quite a contrast in Israel. Compare these two excerpts:
The Queen of Sheba is saying to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 9:5, "everything I heard about you in my own country is true! I didn't believe it until I got here and saw it with my own eyes. Your wisdom is far greater than I could ever have imagined. What a privilege for these men of yours to stand here and listen to you talk! Blessed be the Lord your God! How he must love Israel to give them a just king like you! He wants them to be a great, strong nation forever."
After Rehoboam succeeds Solomon, 2 Chronicles 10:19 "And Israel has refused to be ruled by a descendant of David to this day."
What happened?!
2 things: Pride & Compromise
We have to look into I Kings to get more of the story. Here's the scenario:
Solomon is successful. In 2 Chronicles 8:15, "Solomon did not deviate in any way from David's instructions." This was concerning the building of the temple. Great! but what about what we read in I Kings 11:1,4 "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women... his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been."
As a result of this, later in I Kings 11 we meet Jeroboam who Solomon puts in charge of much of the labor force. The prophet Ahijah prophesies that because of Solomon's compromise the Kingdom of Israel will be torn apart. the Lord promises Jeroboam will be a blessed leader, and have a dynasty as that of David if he follows after the Lord. Solomon tries to kill him, but he hides in Egypt until Solomon's death.
Then there's Rehoboam, Solomon's son. He has the chance to win the hearts of the people. In 2 Chronicles 10, because of his pride, he rejects the wisdom of Solomon's advisors, and the tribes of Israel turn their backs on him & refuse to follow the house of David anymore.
What a disaster! What a disgrace to the name of the Lord God of Israel. Where did all this start??
It started in Solomon's compromise.
How can we apply this to our lives??
Solomon was MOSTLY obedient. Sometimes we fall into the same trap. For example, we can really make things look good on the outside by doing work for the kingdom. Doing everything our leader asks us to do, Just as Solomon did what David commanded in regards to the temple. This may give us "enough" of a sense of accomplishment that we think the things that are hidden will go unnoticed.
But it's the seed that always grows. There will be a consequence to partial obedience. Maybe it's like the case of Rehoboam. The motivation is pride that causes us to go without heeding the spiritual advisors around us. We'll do it OUR way. There will always be a consequence to that as well.
It's important that we understand how urgent it is to make sure we are totally pure before God. We live in danger each moment we linger with hidden high places of pride and compromise.
Jeroboam blew it too. He caused the people to worship idols as well.
God has a great plan for us. It's full of promise like it was for each of these leaders. The terms of this promise are dependent on "if you obey all I command."
Our sinful nature drives us to compromise. "So, dear brothers, you have no obligations whatever to your old sinful nature to do what it begs you to do. For if you keep on following it you are lost and will perish, but if through the power of the Holy Spirit you crush it and its evil deeds, you shall live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:12-14)
Do that today. Be led by the Spirit. Live in full obedience of all God commands. If you find the seeds of pride and compromise, allow God to weed them out of your life, or they will grow!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19
Romans 8:9-23
Psalm 18:16-34
Proverbs 19:26
In the One Year Bible reading today, we read through a couple chapters in 2 Chronicles. Through the course of this portion of scripture, we go through quite a contrast in Israel. Compare these two excerpts:
The Queen of Sheba is saying to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 9:5, "everything I heard about you in my own country is true! I didn't believe it until I got here and saw it with my own eyes. Your wisdom is far greater than I could ever have imagined. What a privilege for these men of yours to stand here and listen to you talk! Blessed be the Lord your God! How he must love Israel to give them a just king like you! He wants them to be a great, strong nation forever."
After Rehoboam succeeds Solomon, 2 Chronicles 10:19 "And Israel has refused to be ruled by a descendant of David to this day."
What happened?!
2 things: Pride & Compromise
We have to look into I Kings to get more of the story. Here's the scenario:
Solomon is successful. In 2 Chronicles 8:15, "Solomon did not deviate in any way from David's instructions." This was concerning the building of the temple. Great! but what about what we read in I Kings 11:1,4 "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women... his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been."
As a result of this, later in I Kings 11 we meet Jeroboam who Solomon puts in charge of much of the labor force. The prophet Ahijah prophesies that because of Solomon's compromise the Kingdom of Israel will be torn apart. the Lord promises Jeroboam will be a blessed leader, and have a dynasty as that of David if he follows after the Lord. Solomon tries to kill him, but he hides in Egypt until Solomon's death.
Then there's Rehoboam, Solomon's son. He has the chance to win the hearts of the people. In 2 Chronicles 10, because of his pride, he rejects the wisdom of Solomon's advisors, and the tribes of Israel turn their backs on him & refuse to follow the house of David anymore.
What a disaster! What a disgrace to the name of the Lord God of Israel. Where did all this start??
It started in Solomon's compromise.
How can we apply this to our lives??
Solomon was MOSTLY obedient. Sometimes we fall into the same trap. For example, we can really make things look good on the outside by doing work for the kingdom. Doing everything our leader asks us to do, Just as Solomon did what David commanded in regards to the temple. This may give us "enough" of a sense of accomplishment that we think the things that are hidden will go unnoticed.
But it's the seed that always grows. There will be a consequence to partial obedience. Maybe it's like the case of Rehoboam. The motivation is pride that causes us to go without heeding the spiritual advisors around us. We'll do it OUR way. There will always be a consequence to that as well.
It's important that we understand how urgent it is to make sure we are totally pure before God. We live in danger each moment we linger with hidden high places of pride and compromise.
Jeroboam blew it too. He caused the people to worship idols as well.
God has a great plan for us. It's full of promise like it was for each of these leaders. The terms of this promise are dependent on "if you obey all I command."
Our sinful nature drives us to compromise. "So, dear brothers, you have no obligations whatever to your old sinful nature to do what it begs you to do. For if you keep on following it you are lost and will perish, but if through the power of the Holy Spirit you crush it and its evil deeds, you shall live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:12-14)
Do that today. Be led by the Spirit. Live in full obedience of all God commands. If you find the seeds of pride and compromise, allow God to weed them out of your life, or they will grow!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Sunday, July 22, 2012
7.22.12 "You Can't, Yet You Must!"
"You Can't, yet You Must!"
2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10
Romans 7:14-8:8
Psalm 18:1-15
Proverbs 19:24-25
Guess what? You can't keep from sinning. Period. There is nothing in your strength that can defeat sin's power over you. Yet you must.
Paul says it well in Romans 7:15 "I don't really understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can't."
Have you ever been there? are you there right now?
We need to keep a very important truth before us at ALL times: we NEED the power of the Holy Spirit!
As we mature in Christ there's a "by-product" of maturity we must guard against. It's an element of pride that sneaks in. We begin to think we can work in our own strength and our own understanding. We learn a spiritual principle, then walk away thinking, "OK, I got it." and we come back with a bloody nose. Why is that?
One of the main reasons is that we understand that knowing God's Commands is EXTREMELY important, but we many times forget that KNOWING isn't enough. We desperately need the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:3-4 says, "We aren't saved from sin's grasp by knowing the commandments of God, because we can't and don't keep them, but God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours - except that ours are sinful - and destroyed sin's control over us by giving himself as a sacrifice for our sins. So now we can obey God's laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit and no longer obey the old evil nature within us."
As humans mature, they become increasingly independent. Maturity in Christ IS our goal! We need to get the point that we are "no longer as infants tossed back and forth by every wind of doctrine." We need to get past the point of surviving only on spiritual milk. HOWEVER, we MUST realize that unlike our human maturity, Christian Maturity makes us MORE dependent on Christ.
Here's a good test for yourself. How well do you think you can do today without spending time with God? Your answer may be an indicator of your maturity. Will the mature answer be: I spent extra time with God yesterday... I know the word... I made it to church a couple days ago... Or will it be: I can't take another step without time with the Lord! Guess which one is a sign of maturity.
Now think about the sin that so easily entangles you. Are you wrestling with it in your own power, or have you given it to Christ? Sunday school answer is: I've given it to Christ. Well then why does it still entangle? The answer is: Because we walk in the flesh and not in the Spirit.
Try something today: Consciously walk in the power of the Spirit. When challenges or temptations come up, discipline yourself to not react in the flesh. Rest on the power of the Spirit, and see what happens.
"Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God. Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but following after the old nature leads to death." Romans 8:5-6
There's a chorus that says: "Lord fill me with your power, your all consuming fire. Take this clay, mold me I pray, so I'll be ready, Lord. Prepare me today."
Guess what? You're gonna be tempted to sin again. And guess what? In your own strength, you can't keep from sinning. But here's the best part! The power of the Holy Spirit that has been given to you can keep you from sinning! Walk in THAT power!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10
Romans 7:14-8:8
Psalm 18:1-15
Proverbs 19:24-25
Guess what? You can't keep from sinning. Period. There is nothing in your strength that can defeat sin's power over you. Yet you must.
Paul says it well in Romans 7:15 "I don't really understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can't."
Have you ever been there? are you there right now?
We need to keep a very important truth before us at ALL times: we NEED the power of the Holy Spirit!
As we mature in Christ there's a "by-product" of maturity we must guard against. It's an element of pride that sneaks in. We begin to think we can work in our own strength and our own understanding. We learn a spiritual principle, then walk away thinking, "OK, I got it." and we come back with a bloody nose. Why is that?
One of the main reasons is that we understand that knowing God's Commands is EXTREMELY important, but we many times forget that KNOWING isn't enough. We desperately need the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:3-4 says, "We aren't saved from sin's grasp by knowing the commandments of God, because we can't and don't keep them, but God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours - except that ours are sinful - and destroyed sin's control over us by giving himself as a sacrifice for our sins. So now we can obey God's laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit and no longer obey the old evil nature within us."
As humans mature, they become increasingly independent. Maturity in Christ IS our goal! We need to get the point that we are "no longer as infants tossed back and forth by every wind of doctrine." We need to get past the point of surviving only on spiritual milk. HOWEVER, we MUST realize that unlike our human maturity, Christian Maturity makes us MORE dependent on Christ.
Here's a good test for yourself. How well do you think you can do today without spending time with God? Your answer may be an indicator of your maturity. Will the mature answer be: I spent extra time with God yesterday... I know the word... I made it to church a couple days ago... Or will it be: I can't take another step without time with the Lord! Guess which one is a sign of maturity.
Now think about the sin that so easily entangles you. Are you wrestling with it in your own power, or have you given it to Christ? Sunday school answer is: I've given it to Christ. Well then why does it still entangle? The answer is: Because we walk in the flesh and not in the Spirit.
Try something today: Consciously walk in the power of the Spirit. When challenges or temptations come up, discipline yourself to not react in the flesh. Rest on the power of the Spirit, and see what happens.
"Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God. Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but following after the old nature leads to death." Romans 8:5-6
There's a chorus that says: "Lord fill me with your power, your all consuming fire. Take this clay, mold me I pray, so I'll be ready, Lord. Prepare me today."
Guess what? You're gonna be tempted to sin again. And guess what? In your own strength, you can't keep from sinning. But here's the best part! The power of the Holy Spirit that has been given to you can keep you from sinning! Walk in THAT power!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Saturday, July 21, 2012
7.21.12 "What is Worship?"
"What is Worship?"
2 Chronicles 4:1-6:13a
Romans 7:1-14
Psalm 17:1-15
Proverbs 19:22-23
What is worship? Is it music? What is it? Worship is our response to the revelation of God. HOW we respond is the "form" of worship, of which "obedience" honors God more than any other. This is also why we sing. We sing in response to his greatness. We clap, shout, etc. all in response to the revelation of our God.
Notice 2 Chronicles 5:10. "Nothing was in the Ark except the two stone tablets which Moses had put there at Mount Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel as they were leaving Egypt."
Think about this. The Ark has been a consistent representation of the Presence of God throughout the Old Testament. Both David and Solomon have referred to the Temple as a place for the Lord to dwell. How do they "move" God in? By bringing in the Ark. What's in the Ark? His commands.
Now, we all know "the Lord inhabits the praises of His people." What are "the praises of His people"? They are "our response to the revelation of God". How is God revealed? Through His Commands!
The dot that we must connect here is that you MUST be "Empowered through Biblical Training" to live a "Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship". Why? because worshiping without the revelation of God is just going through the motions. "having a form of godliness but denying its power." (2 Tim 3:5)
Again, we are speaking of Balance. One could take this to the extreme and say, well then the highest form of worship IS legalism. Not at all!! In today's reading in Romans 7:6 Paul says, "not in the old way, mechanically obeying a set of rules, but in the new way, with all of your hearts and minds." (TLB) As we look at God's word it's as Paul says in verse 7 "it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known the sin in my heart - the evil desires that are hidden there - if the law had not said, 'you must not have evil desires in your heart.'"
As God reveals himself through His Word, we respond in worship. There may be times we wanna shout for joy. Times to sing. Times to fall down in repentance. In all things, our worship needs to be in the form of obedience to what he has shown us. This isn't always an emotional thing. In fact, most of the time it's not. We must discipline ourselves to seek his face, to get into the word, and of course, to worship in spirit and in truth.
Remember King Josiah in 2 Kings 23? They had found the commands in the temple. They read them publicly. What followed? "The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord - to follow the Lord and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant." They responded to the revelation of God. Their worship took the form of cleansing the temple.
In 2 Chronicles 5:11-14, the priests present the first musical entitled "He is so good! His loving kindness lasts forever!" in response to the Ark coming into the temple.
What is your response to the revelation of God in your life?
In Psalm 17:15, David says, "But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing you and knowing all is well between us." (TLB) How great is that! What makes you content? If you search your heart you will know that the only contentment is found as we seek God, respond in obedience, and know that all is well between us.
Live Empowered through Biblical Training today so you can Live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 4:1-6:13a
Romans 7:1-14
Psalm 17:1-15
Proverbs 19:22-23
What is worship? Is it music? What is it? Worship is our response to the revelation of God. HOW we respond is the "form" of worship, of which "obedience" honors God more than any other. This is also why we sing. We sing in response to his greatness. We clap, shout, etc. all in response to the revelation of our God.
Notice 2 Chronicles 5:10. "Nothing was in the Ark except the two stone tablets which Moses had put there at Mount Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel as they were leaving Egypt."
Think about this. The Ark has been a consistent representation of the Presence of God throughout the Old Testament. Both David and Solomon have referred to the Temple as a place for the Lord to dwell. How do they "move" God in? By bringing in the Ark. What's in the Ark? His commands.
Now, we all know "the Lord inhabits the praises of His people." What are "the praises of His people"? They are "our response to the revelation of God". How is God revealed? Through His Commands!
The dot that we must connect here is that you MUST be "Empowered through Biblical Training" to live a "Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship". Why? because worshiping without the revelation of God is just going through the motions. "having a form of godliness but denying its power." (2 Tim 3:5)
Again, we are speaking of Balance. One could take this to the extreme and say, well then the highest form of worship IS legalism. Not at all!! In today's reading in Romans 7:6 Paul says, "not in the old way, mechanically obeying a set of rules, but in the new way, with all of your hearts and minds." (TLB) As we look at God's word it's as Paul says in verse 7 "it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known the sin in my heart - the evil desires that are hidden there - if the law had not said, 'you must not have evil desires in your heart.'"
As God reveals himself through His Word, we respond in worship. There may be times we wanna shout for joy. Times to sing. Times to fall down in repentance. In all things, our worship needs to be in the form of obedience to what he has shown us. This isn't always an emotional thing. In fact, most of the time it's not. We must discipline ourselves to seek his face, to get into the word, and of course, to worship in spirit and in truth.
Remember King Josiah in 2 Kings 23? They had found the commands in the temple. They read them publicly. What followed? "The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord - to follow the Lord and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant." They responded to the revelation of God. Their worship took the form of cleansing the temple.
In 2 Chronicles 5:11-14, the priests present the first musical entitled "He is so good! His loving kindness lasts forever!" in response to the Ark coming into the temple.
What is your response to the revelation of God in your life?
In Psalm 17:15, David says, "But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing you and knowing all is well between us." (TLB) How great is that! What makes you content? If you search your heart you will know that the only contentment is found as we seek God, respond in obedience, and know that all is well between us.
Live Empowered through Biblical Training today so you can Live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Friday, July 20, 2012
7.20.12 "The Bondage of Freedom or Bound to Be Free"
"The Bondage of Freedom or Bound to Be Free"
2 Chronicles 1:1- 3:17
Romans 6:1-23
Psalm 16:1-11
Proverbs 19:20-21
Romans 6:2 "Should we keep sinning when we don't have to?"
The trip through Romans is very interesting. Paul writes with such a logical process to the Roman Christians. It reminds me of some of my early computer programing classes. Many of the calculations were "if-then" statements. (IF this is true, THEN this is true...) I had a Logical Philosophy class in college which Paul would have been a great teacher of, based on his teachings in Romans. I'm not as eloquent logically, so this DEVO may be hard to follow.
The concept of freedom is very paradoxical. For example, look at America. We are so proud of our freedom, but as individuals "do what's right in their own eyes", their freedom leads to bondage. In legal terms, Americans are "free" to drink alcohol, but how many are bound by alcoholism. When an alcoholic took his first drink and you asked him why, I'm sure there may have been a response something like, "Because I can! Nobody's telling ME what to do!" Yet if you ask him now it would probably be "Because I must!" Freedom? I don't think so.
Romans 6:16b says, "The one to whom you offer yourself - he will take you and be your master and you will be his slave."
Why is it that the "freedoms" of sin are so tempting? We love to please the flesh. We fool ourselves into thinking that our flesh is not really a master. Yet you know in your heart, that pleasing the flesh is exactly what satan hopes we do. As we please the flesh, we become a slave to it's desires.
So where is freedom found? Freedom is found in becoming a slave to God. Romans 6:16a says "Don't you realize that you can choose your own master? You can choose sin (with death) or else obedience (with acquittal)." verse 18 says, "and now you are free from your old master, sin; and you have become slaves to your new master, righteousness."
Where is the line drawn between legalism and slavery to righteousness? That's a really tough question. Were we to legislate the conduct and behavior of every individual, it would be yet another form of bondage. But at the same time, being a slave to righteousness will dictate our conduct and behavior.
Bob Dylan sang the song, "You Gotta Serve Somebody". The line was, "Well, it may be the devil, or it may be the Lord, but you gotta serve somebody!"
The fact is this: you ARE a slave. But, you have a choice to whom you will be a slave to. Look at the benefits package of both sin and righteousness. Make no mistake. If sin wasn't fun, no one would do it. It does please the flesh. So, why not sin? Because you become a slave to it. Period. There's no exception.
We must commit ourselves to be slaves to God. In doing that, it becomes like Romans 6:6 "Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin's control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin."
A friend of mine who was freed from an addiction wrote the following:
Sometimes my body aches, but my heart, spirit, mind, and conscience
rejoice. This makes the score 4 to 1 against the flesh, as I see it.
Yet the flesh is a heavy hitter. It will try to get me to trade scores:
"I can make you feel great!" When we're a slave to sin, this lie works
so well, and I often traded what I knew was right for what I knew was
wrong. After we're away from the flesh for awhile, though, the mind,
heart, spirit, and conscience not only recognize the lie (I recognized it
even when I was in the middle of sin, but still made the trade) but they
now begin to ask, "Is this worth it?" The spirit gains more and more
strength as time goes on and soon says, "It's not worth it today, this
week, this month, .... this year?!!??? " To me the key to no longer
being a slave to sin is to get away from it for awhile completely. Time
is the key to growing stronger, with the Lord's power, of course. The
devil will try to sift as wheat, but if we can make it through a sifting
or 2, suddenly we see a faint light, a spark at the end of the tunnel.
For me, when I saw the spark, I lit out for it, wanted the light. Now
the light shines, and the flesh is no longer the slave driver. Christ
bought me as His slave and offers me the papers of freedom. I don't want
them! Keep me as yours, Lord!
Psalm 16:8 says, "I am always thinking of the Lord; and because he is so near, I never need to stumble or to fall." Keeping our mind on Christ keeps us from sin.
Christians need to be reminded of this. Too often there is a flirting with the slavery of sin. There is willful bondage.
To truly be free, find freedom in Christ your master. On the outside, it may seem that your conduct is constrained, but your heart will be free, and there is nothing like that feeling! This is a daily choice. Romans 6:22,23 "But now you are free from the power of sin and are slaves of God, and his benefits to you include holiness and everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
I am free in Christ!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 1:1- 3:17
Romans 6:1-23
Psalm 16:1-11
Proverbs 19:20-21
Romans 6:2 "Should we keep sinning when we don't have to?"
The trip through Romans is very interesting. Paul writes with such a logical process to the Roman Christians. It reminds me of some of my early computer programing classes. Many of the calculations were "if-then" statements. (IF this is true, THEN this is true...) I had a Logical Philosophy class in college which Paul would have been a great teacher of, based on his teachings in Romans. I'm not as eloquent logically, so this DEVO may be hard to follow.
The concept of freedom is very paradoxical. For example, look at America. We are so proud of our freedom, but as individuals "do what's right in their own eyes", their freedom leads to bondage. In legal terms, Americans are "free" to drink alcohol, but how many are bound by alcoholism. When an alcoholic took his first drink and you asked him why, I'm sure there may have been a response something like, "Because I can! Nobody's telling ME what to do!" Yet if you ask him now it would probably be "Because I must!" Freedom? I don't think so.
Romans 6:16b says, "The one to whom you offer yourself - he will take you and be your master and you will be his slave."
Why is it that the "freedoms" of sin are so tempting? We love to please the flesh. We fool ourselves into thinking that our flesh is not really a master. Yet you know in your heart, that pleasing the flesh is exactly what satan hopes we do. As we please the flesh, we become a slave to it's desires.
So where is freedom found? Freedom is found in becoming a slave to God. Romans 6:16a says "Don't you realize that you can choose your own master? You can choose sin (with death) or else obedience (with acquittal)." verse 18 says, "and now you are free from your old master, sin; and you have become slaves to your new master, righteousness."
Where is the line drawn between legalism and slavery to righteousness? That's a really tough question. Were we to legislate the conduct and behavior of every individual, it would be yet another form of bondage. But at the same time, being a slave to righteousness will dictate our conduct and behavior.
Bob Dylan sang the song, "You Gotta Serve Somebody". The line was, "Well, it may be the devil, or it may be the Lord, but you gotta serve somebody!"
The fact is this: you ARE a slave. But, you have a choice to whom you will be a slave to. Look at the benefits package of both sin and righteousness. Make no mistake. If sin wasn't fun, no one would do it. It does please the flesh. So, why not sin? Because you become a slave to it. Period. There's no exception.
We must commit ourselves to be slaves to God. In doing that, it becomes like Romans 6:6 "Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin's control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin."
A friend of mine who was freed from an addiction wrote the following:
Sometimes my body aches, but my heart, spirit, mind, and conscience
rejoice. This makes the score 4 to 1 against the flesh, as I see it.
Yet the flesh is a heavy hitter. It will try to get me to trade scores:
"I can make you feel great!" When we're a slave to sin, this lie works
so well, and I often traded what I knew was right for what I knew was
wrong. After we're away from the flesh for awhile, though, the mind,
heart, spirit, and conscience not only recognize the lie (I recognized it
even when I was in the middle of sin, but still made the trade) but they
now begin to ask, "Is this worth it?" The spirit gains more and more
strength as time goes on and soon says, "It's not worth it today, this
week, this month, .... this year?!!??? " To me the key to no longer
being a slave to sin is to get away from it for awhile completely. Time
is the key to growing stronger, with the Lord's power, of course. The
devil will try to sift as wheat, but if we can make it through a sifting
or 2, suddenly we see a faint light, a spark at the end of the tunnel.
For me, when I saw the spark, I lit out for it, wanted the light. Now
the light shines, and the flesh is no longer the slave driver. Christ
bought me as His slave and offers me the papers of freedom. I don't want
them! Keep me as yours, Lord!
Psalm 16:8 says, "I am always thinking of the Lord; and because he is so near, I never need to stumble or to fall." Keeping our mind on Christ keeps us from sin.
Christians need to be reminded of this. Too often there is a flirting with the slavery of sin. There is willful bondage.
To truly be free, find freedom in Christ your master. On the outside, it may seem that your conduct is constrained, but your heart will be free, and there is nothing like that feeling! This is a daily choice. Romans 6:22,23 "But now you are free from the power of sin and are slaves of God, and his benefits to you include holiness and everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
I am free in Christ!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
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