"What are you building?"
Ezra 4:24-6:22
I Cor. 3:5-23
Psalm 29:1-11
Proverbs 20:26-27
"Does God give vision to disciplined people, or does God give vision so people develop discipline?"
It probably works both ways. I tend to often find myself in the second group. I am by nature an undisciplined person. For example, I've never really fully developed my musical abilities to what they could be for this very reason: I don't put the time into practice. The times I have really grown musically have been when there's been an event like a CD project or something that I've had to get in shape for. When I would see the value, I'd match it with the preparation. I'm not saying that's a good thing, that's just my nature. This relates to growth in Christ.
We can view maturity in Christ as a personal building project. When we give our life to Christ, he is the foundation. "And no one can ever lay any other real foundation that the one we already have - Jesus Christ." I Cor. 3:11. Everyone starts from the same point. But from here on, each has control over the building materials used.
What are you building "God's building" out of? "There are various kinds of materials that can be used to build on that foundation." (3:12) What is your time spent on? What are you doing when you expend your greatest energies? "there is going to come a time of testing at Christ's Judgment Day to see what kind of material each builder has used. Everyone's work will be put through the fire so that all can see whether or not it keeps its value, and what was really accomplished." (3:13) Will your materials pass the test?
A man working for a contractor was about to retire, his boss told him to build a house. He was told to spare no expense, but he wanted to get done quickly, so he cut corners, used cheap materials, etc. When it was finished, the contractor told the man that the house was his retirement gift. Well, you can imagine his disappointment in himself. If he had had known, he would have probably been more disciplined in the project.
Too often we run through life cutting corners, using cheap materials, etc. We're in a hurry to get on to other things. We need to see what a tragedy that is. "But if the house he has built burns up, he will have a great loss." (3:15) I don't want to suffer that.
When you understand the value of the building you are working on, and how God has such a tremendous purpose for it's use, you become increasingly disciplined in material usage. "Empowered through Biblical Training" is the "Home Depot" of this building project. This is where you get your materials. We must become increasingly disciplined in the word, and faithful to corporate study and worship. Then we will find the process of disciplining thought and action begin to grow. This is the "gold and silver and jewels" that is talked about in verse 12.
You WILL be tried by fire. You wont know the full effect of the purpose for this building called your "life", but know that it is for GOD'S purpose, and he desires to complete his work in you! Make sure you give him great materials to work with!
Run the race to build on a godly foundation today!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
8.6.10 "God's Puzzle"
"God's Puzzle"
Ezra 3:1-4:24
I Corinthians 2:6-3:4
Psalm 28:1-9
Proverbs 20:24-25
I Corinthians 2:9 "...no mere man has ever seen, heard or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord."
Proverbs 20:24 "Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way?"
God has a purpose for your life. This is not just a passing thought. You may have heard this a thousand times, but it this should be something that burns within you. God has a plan for you!
So many times we get caught in the trap of trying to figure out this plan in our own terms. Trying to manipulate it. Trying to "understand everything that happens along the way." There is no way we can fathom what God is trying to do. One thing is for certain. He's trying to change someone's world through you.
I would imagine that God would get frustrated. He has this great plan for us, and for it to be completed, many things need to happen.
He looks down upon his people and sees all of the pieces of the puzzle before him. He just needs them to allow him to put them in place. There are pieces that need to be reshaped a bit in order to fit. So, the Spirit begins to mold. But for some reason the piece decides it doesn't want to be shaped that way. Either the shaping process is too uncomfortable or it wants to be a different shape, This puzzle piece stops the process. it's no longer available.
Another piece is going through the shaping process just fine, but isn't happy with the piece that it's connected with. That piece said something it didn't like. This one actually disconnected itself and decided to be part of a different puzzle.
All the while I imagine God's excitement for this masterpiece waning as he watches each piece trying to "understand everything that happens along the way."
It's a good thing God isn't like me. There have been times I would have thrown the puzzle on the floor. His patience and his mercy are unfathomable. I've worked on some interesting projects.... built a deck... finished a basement... tried to replace an ignition cylinder in my truck... All of these projects were tough enough in their own right. I can't imagine if my materials and tools began to develop a mind of their own... Any problems I have in those projects I know are a result of my own workmanship. With God, the only thing keeping him from completing his work is his people who think they've got it figured out, and just begin to do their own thing. We need to just be pliable.
Do you love the Lord? Then walk in obedience. Don't question the shaping process, don't try to figure out why the difficulties have to be the way they are. Just know that God's plan is more than you could ever imagine. Trust Him to complete it. Be the puzzle piece that is available, moldable, and completely devoted to do his will.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezra 3:1-4:24
I Corinthians 2:6-3:4
Psalm 28:1-9
Proverbs 20:24-25
I Corinthians 2:9 "...no mere man has ever seen, heard or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord."
Proverbs 20:24 "Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way?"
God has a purpose for your life. This is not just a passing thought. You may have heard this a thousand times, but it this should be something that burns within you. God has a plan for you!
So many times we get caught in the trap of trying to figure out this plan in our own terms. Trying to manipulate it. Trying to "understand everything that happens along the way." There is no way we can fathom what God is trying to do. One thing is for certain. He's trying to change someone's world through you.
I would imagine that God would get frustrated. He has this great plan for us, and for it to be completed, many things need to happen.
He looks down upon his people and sees all of the pieces of the puzzle before him. He just needs them to allow him to put them in place. There are pieces that need to be reshaped a bit in order to fit. So, the Spirit begins to mold. But for some reason the piece decides it doesn't want to be shaped that way. Either the shaping process is too uncomfortable or it wants to be a different shape, This puzzle piece stops the process. it's no longer available.
Another piece is going through the shaping process just fine, but isn't happy with the piece that it's connected with. That piece said something it didn't like. This one actually disconnected itself and decided to be part of a different puzzle.
All the while I imagine God's excitement for this masterpiece waning as he watches each piece trying to "understand everything that happens along the way."
It's a good thing God isn't like me. There have been times I would have thrown the puzzle on the floor. His patience and his mercy are unfathomable. I've worked on some interesting projects.... built a deck... finished a basement... tried to replace an ignition cylinder in my truck... All of these projects were tough enough in their own right. I can't imagine if my materials and tools began to develop a mind of their own... Any problems I have in those projects I know are a result of my own workmanship. With God, the only thing keeping him from completing his work is his people who think they've got it figured out, and just begin to do their own thing. We need to just be pliable.
Do you love the Lord? Then walk in obedience. Don't question the shaping process, don't try to figure out why the difficulties have to be the way they are. Just know that God's plan is more than you could ever imagine. Trust Him to complete it. Be the puzzle piece that is available, moldable, and completely devoted to do his will.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Thursday, August 5, 2010
8.5.10
"Who's Making You Who You Are?"
Ezra 1:1-2:70
I Corinthians 1:18-2:5
Psalm 27:7-14
Proverbs 20:22-23
"For it is from God alone that you have your life through Christ Jesus. He showed us God's plan of salvation; he was the one who made us acceptable to God; he made us pure and holy and gave himself to purchase our salvation. As it says in the Scriptures, "If anyone is going to boast, let him boast only of what the Lord has done."" I Cor. 1:30-31
Can you remember this past January's New Year's resolution? How are you doing on that? It's not often we're asked that in August. Why do resolutions rarely work? I think it's because at some level, Our resolutions are our attempt to mold our character. Yes, most of them have to do with our conduct, but most of the time that conduct is a result of a character issue. Changing our character is not something we can do in our own strength.
Are you maturing in Christ? If you're not, why not? If you are, how are you doing it?
If we're not maturing in Christ, it may be a result of trying to do it in our own strength. We're trying to fix ourselves before coming to God. As we mature in Christ, sometimes we can too easily and unintentionally slip into thinking that it's something we've done. We don't mean for this to happen, it's just natural for our human nature to be bent that way. There is a sense of accomplishment in the steps of maturity, and it's difficult at times to keep the progress in perspective.
It's like we've got the spiritual equivalent of our Girl Scout sashes & Boy Scout uniforms on, and we get these patches, these steps of accomplishment. (don't worry, I support the badges!) And we forget where the progress comes from.
As verse 30 says, "...it is from God alone that you have your life..." We need to consistently acknowledge the source of our strength and progress in the Christian walk. It is only through the power of the Spirit. The personal stake in this process is getting out of the way to let the Spirit do his work. The "bragging" is in doing nothing, which is of course, nothing to brag about.
I'm a person who enjoys puzzles, so I like to "solve" things. When situations arise, and even when I sense God working in my life, I want to "figure it out". I want to "find the solution", and sometimes I find myself attempting to manipulate the hand of God. When the Spirit convicts me, I try to fix myself before allowing him to change me. In essence, I'm trying to "get cleaned up before taking a bath". Sometimes I think that that's how we "grow weary in doing good." We try to work the plan of God in our own strength.
The formula should be this simple: The Spirit moves, we get out of the way, God completes his work.
This habit of getting out of the way, this posture of humility, this life of dependance.... THAT'S maturing in Christ. Then, what do we have to boast about? "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
Todays Psalm 27:8 says, "My heart has heard you say, 'Come and talk with me, O my people.' And my heart responds, 'Lord, I am coming.'" That's what it's all about.
We must have an encounter with God. Sitting in His presence will change us. He's not desiring to sit us down and scold us, He wants to love on us.
Lord, I feel your Spirit calling me. Forgive me for trying to fix things in my own strength. My heart hears you, and it responds by saying "do your work in me!"
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezra 1:1-2:70
I Corinthians 1:18-2:5
Psalm 27:7-14
Proverbs 20:22-23
"For it is from God alone that you have your life through Christ Jesus. He showed us God's plan of salvation; he was the one who made us acceptable to God; he made us pure and holy and gave himself to purchase our salvation. As it says in the Scriptures, "If anyone is going to boast, let him boast only of what the Lord has done."" I Cor. 1:30-31
Can you remember this past January's New Year's resolution? How are you doing on that? It's not often we're asked that in August. Why do resolutions rarely work? I think it's because at some level, Our resolutions are our attempt to mold our character. Yes, most of them have to do with our conduct, but most of the time that conduct is a result of a character issue. Changing our character is not something we can do in our own strength.
Are you maturing in Christ? If you're not, why not? If you are, how are you doing it?
If we're not maturing in Christ, it may be a result of trying to do it in our own strength. We're trying to fix ourselves before coming to God. As we mature in Christ, sometimes we can too easily and unintentionally slip into thinking that it's something we've done. We don't mean for this to happen, it's just natural for our human nature to be bent that way. There is a sense of accomplishment in the steps of maturity, and it's difficult at times to keep the progress in perspective.
It's like we've got the spiritual equivalent of our Girl Scout sashes & Boy Scout uniforms on, and we get these patches, these steps of accomplishment. (don't worry, I support the badges!) And we forget where the progress comes from.
As verse 30 says, "...it is from God alone that you have your life..." We need to consistently acknowledge the source of our strength and progress in the Christian walk. It is only through the power of the Spirit. The personal stake in this process is getting out of the way to let the Spirit do his work. The "bragging" is in doing nothing, which is of course, nothing to brag about.
I'm a person who enjoys puzzles, so I like to "solve" things. When situations arise, and even when I sense God working in my life, I want to "figure it out". I want to "find the solution", and sometimes I find myself attempting to manipulate the hand of God. When the Spirit convicts me, I try to fix myself before allowing him to change me. In essence, I'm trying to "get cleaned up before taking a bath". Sometimes I think that that's how we "grow weary in doing good." We try to work the plan of God in our own strength.
The formula should be this simple: The Spirit moves, we get out of the way, God completes his work.
This habit of getting out of the way, this posture of humility, this life of dependance.... THAT'S maturing in Christ. Then, what do we have to boast about? "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
Todays Psalm 27:8 says, "My heart has heard you say, 'Come and talk with me, O my people.' And my heart responds, 'Lord, I am coming.'" That's what it's all about.
We must have an encounter with God. Sitting in His presence will change us. He's not desiring to sit us down and scold us, He wants to love on us.
Lord, I feel your Spirit calling me. Forgive me for trying to fix things in my own strength. My heart hears you, and it responds by saying "do your work in me!"
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
8.4.10 "The Priority of Unity"
"The Priority of Unity"
2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23
I Corinthians 1:1-17
Psalm 27:1-6
Proverbs 20:20-21
Have you noticed the priority of unity in scriptures? This should be a constant priority in everything we do. In today's reading Paul speaks of his joy that the church is growing. In I Corinthians 1:7 he says, "Now you have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing his will are yours..." Think about that! What a joy!
So many times we inflict the self paralysis of feeling unequipped to do what God has called us to do. We need to get it into our head: God has given us everything we need to walk in obedience to his direction. We need to live with this confidence!
In the next breath Paul says, "But, dear brothers, I beg you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so that there won't be splits in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose." I Cor.1:10.
Imagine if the Body of Christ gets this. Unity PRECEDES revival. You see it in Acts chapter 2. They were in one accord when the Holy Spirit came. The irony is that sometimes even the desire for the Holy Spirit can be divisive in the church. Everyone wants it their way. How should it be? We should "be of one mind, united in thought and purpose."
The Mission of Oak Creek Assembly of God is "Reaching our world for Christ as we lead individuals to Discover and Become who God has created them to be." Who has God created them to be? Individuals who, through the Power of the Spirit, Live the DREAM. A vital element of DREAM is the "R" - Relationships Devoted to Unity.
When the Body of Christ functions healthily, injury and offenses are "absorbed". In effect, one member comes to the aid of another for the purpose of building the body. Unfortunately, what can often happen is, "I agree that Pastor Greg treated you poorly. You have a right to be angry. We should go to another church." How's that for devotion to unity? We can mistakenly think, "well that's submission to the need of the individual... " Not at all. When dealing with one another we need to constantly acknowledge our purpose as a body and look past the superficial and into what the true need is. We are in the ministry of Reconciliation.
So many times someone will say something that sounds a little wrong, even divisive, but we don't want to correct it because, "well, that takes too much work." "I don't want to cause an argument..." There's a misconception that Unity is absence of conflict. That's not true at all. Unity is conflict with Purpose! Discipleship is conflict with purpose. Maturing in Christ is conflict with purpose. It's a battle with the flesh. It's a battle against human nature.
"Now wait a minute! Paul just told us to stop arguing, and you're telling us that conflict is good!"
Arguing about issues of opinion and selfish ambition are divisive (see Romans 15). But if you are about to walk off the edge of a cliff, my devotion to unity is going to keep you from doing it, even if I have to throw you to the ground to save you. (I sound tough don't I!)
Don't forget about balance. We need to make unity a high priority, but not at the expense of obedience (worship), biblical training(discipleship), ministry involvement, and the great commission. We need to increase our intensity in all of these areas.
Look through "unity goggles" today. What opportunities do you have to build the body of Christ? See what happens.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23
I Corinthians 1:1-17
Psalm 27:1-6
Proverbs 20:20-21
Have you noticed the priority of unity in scriptures? This should be a constant priority in everything we do. In today's reading Paul speaks of his joy that the church is growing. In I Corinthians 1:7 he says, "Now you have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing his will are yours..." Think about that! What a joy!
So many times we inflict the self paralysis of feeling unequipped to do what God has called us to do. We need to get it into our head: God has given us everything we need to walk in obedience to his direction. We need to live with this confidence!
In the next breath Paul says, "But, dear brothers, I beg you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so that there won't be splits in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose." I Cor.1:10.
Imagine if the Body of Christ gets this. Unity PRECEDES revival. You see it in Acts chapter 2. They were in one accord when the Holy Spirit came. The irony is that sometimes even the desire for the Holy Spirit can be divisive in the church. Everyone wants it their way. How should it be? We should "be of one mind, united in thought and purpose."
The Mission of Oak Creek Assembly of God is "Reaching our world for Christ as we lead individuals to Discover and Become who God has created them to be." Who has God created them to be? Individuals who, through the Power of the Spirit, Live the DREAM. A vital element of DREAM is the "R" - Relationships Devoted to Unity.
When the Body of Christ functions healthily, injury and offenses are "absorbed". In effect, one member comes to the aid of another for the purpose of building the body. Unfortunately, what can often happen is, "I agree that Pastor Greg treated you poorly. You have a right to be angry. We should go to another church." How's that for devotion to unity? We can mistakenly think, "well that's submission to the need of the individual... " Not at all. When dealing with one another we need to constantly acknowledge our purpose as a body and look past the superficial and into what the true need is. We are in the ministry of Reconciliation.
So many times someone will say something that sounds a little wrong, even divisive, but we don't want to correct it because, "well, that takes too much work." "I don't want to cause an argument..." There's a misconception that Unity is absence of conflict. That's not true at all. Unity is conflict with Purpose! Discipleship is conflict with purpose. Maturing in Christ is conflict with purpose. It's a battle with the flesh. It's a battle against human nature.
"Now wait a minute! Paul just told us to stop arguing, and you're telling us that conflict is good!"
Arguing about issues of opinion and selfish ambition are divisive (see Romans 15). But if you are about to walk off the edge of a cliff, my devotion to unity is going to keep you from doing it, even if I have to throw you to the ground to save you. (I sound tough don't I!)
Don't forget about balance. We need to make unity a high priority, but not at the expense of obedience (worship), biblical training(discipleship), ministry involvement, and the great commission. We need to increase our intensity in all of these areas.
Look through "unity goggles" today. What opportunities do you have to build the body of Christ? See what happens.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
8.3.10 "Motives and Affections"
"Motives and Affections"
2 Chronicles 33:14 - 34:33
Romans 16:8-27
Psalm 26:1-12
Proverbs 20:19
Psalm 26:2 says, "Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind." (NIV) The Living Bible says, "Cross-examine me, O Lord, and see that this is so; test my motives and affections too."
I don't know if you've ever had someone come to help clean your house, or help decorate, but you learn some things about yourself in the process. You really appreciate the help until they start moving things you don't want moved. "Hey, wait a minute don't touch my singing fish plaque!"
As we discover and become who God has created us to be, we will go through a refining process. If we make this Psalm of David our prayer today, what comes to the surface? God desires to mold us, and that process can get interesting sometimes. In his leadership series, "The Vision of the Leader", Bruce Wilkinson speaks of 3 levels of refining that God does in us. The first is Conduct, the second is Character, and the third is Core.
In the same way we're more than willing to have someone dust and help with dishes, we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us to shape our Conduct. We agreeably allow him to change our talk, and our behaviors that we know are not the way believers should talk and act.
Then we begin to allow him to work on our character. This is a deeper process, and we're not as moldable as we were with the conduct issues, but we know there's a need to be changed. It's been said "your character is who you are when no one is watching." This is where we begin to "be" Christians, instead of "doing" Christianity. It's the "walk the talk" stage. It's the next step in maturity. Character will ultimately reveal itself, and we need to prioritize the Lord shaping our character.
The next level of "house cleaning" is pretty intimate. It goes deeper than the conduct or character. No one may EVER see this part. This is the Core of who you are. This is your motives, affections and ambitions. This is your heart. It is the essence of your being. This is even more precious to you than the "singing fish". When your motives are challenged, it's very personal.
If Basic Christianity could be summed up in "doing the right thing", Maturity in Christ is "doing the right thing with the right motives." For example, I've enjoyed writing these DEVOs. But why am I doing it? Is it to look good to you? Is to try to impress you? Am I trying to sound smart? Am I trying to be more disciplined? Am I trying to cast vision? Even in doing "good" things, we have to allow God to refine the motives of doing them.
Apply this to your workplace, or a ministry your involved in, or your attitude toward an individual. Why are you concerned with proving your point? What are your motives? Are they pure? Have you noticed them changing?
This is where Psalm 26:2 comes in. "Test me God". This is an area that only the Lord can develop. There are times that our motives and affections are so deep we haven't even identified what our motives are. As we allow God to test them, he will mold them.
You know what? Many times people will NEVER see what God is doing in your motives and affections. They may notice down the road that you've become more "balanced", that you don't seem to fly off the handle... that you're not so attached to the singing fish.
This doesn't happen in a day. This is a process. Allow God in to test you. Allow the Spirit to refine you. What's interesting in all of us is that our maturity is revealed in stressful times. We may want people to evaluate our Christian maturity by what they see in us on a Sunday morning with our cute little outfit on, but it's actually more revealed in crisis, and challenge, and in a meeting that's going too long, and even when driving! THAT'S when the "true you" comes out.
God's got some work to do in me! "Purify my heart. Let me be as gold and precious silver... Refiner's fire, my heart's one desire is to be holy. I choose to be holy. Set apart for you Lord... ready to do your will."
As we allow God to do his work, we are more equipped to Live the DREAM. We are more equipped to walk in confident obedience.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 33:14 - 34:33
Romans 16:8-27
Psalm 26:1-12
Proverbs 20:19
Psalm 26:2 says, "Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind." (NIV) The Living Bible says, "Cross-examine me, O Lord, and see that this is so; test my motives and affections too."
I don't know if you've ever had someone come to help clean your house, or help decorate, but you learn some things about yourself in the process. You really appreciate the help until they start moving things you don't want moved. "Hey, wait a minute don't touch my singing fish plaque!"
As we discover and become who God has created us to be, we will go through a refining process. If we make this Psalm of David our prayer today, what comes to the surface? God desires to mold us, and that process can get interesting sometimes. In his leadership series, "The Vision of the Leader", Bruce Wilkinson speaks of 3 levels of refining that God does in us. The first is Conduct, the second is Character, and the third is Core.
In the same way we're more than willing to have someone dust and help with dishes, we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us to shape our Conduct. We agreeably allow him to change our talk, and our behaviors that we know are not the way believers should talk and act.
Then we begin to allow him to work on our character. This is a deeper process, and we're not as moldable as we were with the conduct issues, but we know there's a need to be changed. It's been said "your character is who you are when no one is watching." This is where we begin to "be" Christians, instead of "doing" Christianity. It's the "walk the talk" stage. It's the next step in maturity. Character will ultimately reveal itself, and we need to prioritize the Lord shaping our character.
The next level of "house cleaning" is pretty intimate. It goes deeper than the conduct or character. No one may EVER see this part. This is the Core of who you are. This is your motives, affections and ambitions. This is your heart. It is the essence of your being. This is even more precious to you than the "singing fish". When your motives are challenged, it's very personal.
If Basic Christianity could be summed up in "doing the right thing", Maturity in Christ is "doing the right thing with the right motives." For example, I've enjoyed writing these DEVOs. But why am I doing it? Is it to look good to you? Is to try to impress you? Am I trying to sound smart? Am I trying to be more disciplined? Am I trying to cast vision? Even in doing "good" things, we have to allow God to refine the motives of doing them.
Apply this to your workplace, or a ministry your involved in, or your attitude toward an individual. Why are you concerned with proving your point? What are your motives? Are they pure? Have you noticed them changing?
This is where Psalm 26:2 comes in. "Test me God". This is an area that only the Lord can develop. There are times that our motives and affections are so deep we haven't even identified what our motives are. As we allow God to test them, he will mold them.
You know what? Many times people will NEVER see what God is doing in your motives and affections. They may notice down the road that you've become more "balanced", that you don't seem to fly off the handle... that you're not so attached to the singing fish.
This doesn't happen in a day. This is a process. Allow God in to test you. Allow the Spirit to refine you. What's interesting in all of us is that our maturity is revealed in stressful times. We may want people to evaluate our Christian maturity by what they see in us on a Sunday morning with our cute little outfit on, but it's actually more revealed in crisis, and challenge, and in a meeting that's going too long, and even when driving! THAT'S when the "true you" comes out.
God's got some work to do in me! "Purify my heart. Let me be as gold and precious silver... Refiner's fire, my heart's one desire is to be holy. I choose to be holy. Set apart for you Lord... ready to do your will."
As we allow God to do his work, we are more equipped to Live the DREAM. We are more equipped to walk in confident obedience.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Monday, August 2, 2010
8.2.10 "The Alluring Bondage of Rebellion"
"The Alluring Bondage of Rebellion"
2 Chronicles 32:1 - 33:13
Romans 15:23 - 16:7
Psalm 25:12-22
Proverbs 20:16-18
Did you remember your "rebellious" stage? I'm sure almost everyone has had one in one form or another. My venture was nothing to brag about. Probably the most extreme was when I put my curly mullet into a ponytail, got a clip on earring about the size of a 50 cent piece with a bunch of dangly things on it. I walked into my dad's office to get a reaction from him. He glanced up said, "you look stupid" and went back to work. That was pretty much the end of that.
Your memories of rebellion may be more current in your dealings with rebellious children, or more painful of past relationships lost through rebellion.
What is it about rebellion? "No one's going to tell ME what to do!" There's something within that drives an individual to push against what they perceive to be constraints placed upon them. The grass on the other side of the fence looks so tempting. It looks so free over there on the other side. Yet, the irony is, no matter what the circumstances, the fruit of rebellion is bondage.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 says "there is nothing new under the sun." The rebels and anarchists of today would do well to look at the rebels of the past. It would probably take the wind out of their sails to know that this rebellion of theirs isn't anything new.
This is illustrated in the life of Manasseh. His father Hezekiah was a great king. He led the nation to worship God, and was incredibly blessed. He destroyed the heathen idols throughout the land. He had his moments of failure, but did all he could to keep the nation pure. His son Manasseh was only 12 when he became king, and he would have nothing of the Law of God. 2 Chron 13:9 says, "Manasseh encouraged the people of Judah and Jerusalem to do even more evil than the nations the Lord destroyed when Israel entered the land."
Verse 7 says, "Think of it! He placed an idol in the very Temple of God, where God has told David and his son Solomon, ' I will be honored here in this Temple... And if you will only obey my commands... I won't ever again exile Israel..." Because we are so used to it, we don't realize how appalling and ridiculous rebellion is.
I heard rebellion described as a police chase we watch on TV. We see the 'rebel' running, but you know how it's going to end. The rebel wont get away.
For Manasseh, the fruit of his rebellion comes in verse 11. "So God sent the Assyrian armies, and they seized him with hooks and bound him with bronze chains and carted him away to Babylon." I've never smoked, but some that I know who do started as an act of rebellion. Well, now there's hooks and chains that have them addicted. Look at the rebel now. There's no freedom there. Think of the many other vices.
John Bevere says in his series "Under Cover", "There is bondage in rebellion, but freedom in submission." Isn't that quite the paradox? Sometimes I find humor in God's ways. So many times we feel the "constraint" of scripture that doesn't allow us to do what we want. And yet, doing what we want will place us in bondage. You tell me who was more free. Hezekiah, who obeyed the Lord, or Manasseh who did what he wanted?
You want to experience freedom? Don't hang around the "fence" of God's commands. Don't try to see how much you can get away with. Instead, enjoy the immense pastures of blessing that are found in obeying his will and his direction. Don't flirt with rebelling against the leaders God has placed in your life. That will lead to the same bondage Manasseh found himself in.
In 2 Chron. 32:12-13, Manasseh "came to his senses and cried out humbly to God for help. And the Lord listened..." If you find yourself in bondage as a result of rebelling against the direction of the Lord, cry out to him today.
In today's Psalm 25:12-14 it says, "Where is the man who fears the Lord? God will teach him how to choose the best. He shall live within God's circle of blessing, and his children shall inherit the earth. Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises."
Stay away from the fence line of rebellion, and run free in the circle of God's blessing!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 32:1 - 33:13
Romans 15:23 - 16:7
Psalm 25:12-22
Proverbs 20:16-18
Did you remember your "rebellious" stage? I'm sure almost everyone has had one in one form or another. My venture was nothing to brag about. Probably the most extreme was when I put my curly mullet into a ponytail, got a clip on earring about the size of a 50 cent piece with a bunch of dangly things on it. I walked into my dad's office to get a reaction from him. He glanced up said, "you look stupid" and went back to work. That was pretty much the end of that.
Your memories of rebellion may be more current in your dealings with rebellious children, or more painful of past relationships lost through rebellion.
What is it about rebellion? "No one's going to tell ME what to do!" There's something within that drives an individual to push against what they perceive to be constraints placed upon them. The grass on the other side of the fence looks so tempting. It looks so free over there on the other side. Yet, the irony is, no matter what the circumstances, the fruit of rebellion is bondage.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 says "there is nothing new under the sun." The rebels and anarchists of today would do well to look at the rebels of the past. It would probably take the wind out of their sails to know that this rebellion of theirs isn't anything new.
This is illustrated in the life of Manasseh. His father Hezekiah was a great king. He led the nation to worship God, and was incredibly blessed. He destroyed the heathen idols throughout the land. He had his moments of failure, but did all he could to keep the nation pure. His son Manasseh was only 12 when he became king, and he would have nothing of the Law of God. 2 Chron 13:9 says, "Manasseh encouraged the people of Judah and Jerusalem to do even more evil than the nations the Lord destroyed when Israel entered the land."
Verse 7 says, "Think of it! He placed an idol in the very Temple of God, where God has told David and his son Solomon, ' I will be honored here in this Temple... And if you will only obey my commands... I won't ever again exile Israel..." Because we are so used to it, we don't realize how appalling and ridiculous rebellion is.
I heard rebellion described as a police chase we watch on TV. We see the 'rebel' running, but you know how it's going to end. The rebel wont get away.
For Manasseh, the fruit of his rebellion comes in verse 11. "So God sent the Assyrian armies, and they seized him with hooks and bound him with bronze chains and carted him away to Babylon." I've never smoked, but some that I know who do started as an act of rebellion. Well, now there's hooks and chains that have them addicted. Look at the rebel now. There's no freedom there. Think of the many other vices.
John Bevere says in his series "Under Cover", "There is bondage in rebellion, but freedom in submission." Isn't that quite the paradox? Sometimes I find humor in God's ways. So many times we feel the "constraint" of scripture that doesn't allow us to do what we want. And yet, doing what we want will place us in bondage. You tell me who was more free. Hezekiah, who obeyed the Lord, or Manasseh who did what he wanted?
You want to experience freedom? Don't hang around the "fence" of God's commands. Don't try to see how much you can get away with. Instead, enjoy the immense pastures of blessing that are found in obeying his will and his direction. Don't flirt with rebelling against the leaders God has placed in your life. That will lead to the same bondage Manasseh found himself in.
In 2 Chron. 32:12-13, Manasseh "came to his senses and cried out humbly to God for help. And the Lord listened..." If you find yourself in bondage as a result of rebelling against the direction of the Lord, cry out to him today.
In today's Psalm 25:12-14 it says, "Where is the man who fears the Lord? God will teach him how to choose the best. He shall live within God's circle of blessing, and his children shall inherit the earth. Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises."
Stay away from the fence line of rebellion, and run free in the circle of God's blessing!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Sunday, August 1, 2010
8.1.10 "The Burden We Bear"
"The Burden We Bear"
2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21
Romans 15:1-22
Psalm 25:1-15
Proverbs 20:13-15
Reading through Romans, you may have noticed that Paul is putting a GREAT deal of emphasis on unity. I'm deeply challenged again to realize the vital necessity of "Relationships Devoted to Unity." It's not just a slogan. It's a part of serving Christ that we cannot ignore, neglect, or pass off.
Romans 15:1 says, "for we must bear the 'burden' of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others"(TLB). This needs to be our calling. Our mandate. We must place the needs of those around us before ours at all times. It's not about you. verse 2 says, "Let's please the other fellow, not ourselves and do what is for his good and thus build him up in the Lord."
The principle behind unity is Submission. We don't like to hear it, because we don't really understand it. Submission is not about blind obedience. It's so unpopular in this culture because of our individual "rights". I like to define submission as "the active setting aside of pride, will, opinion and convenience to meet the need of another." This is what this is all about: Meeting the need.
We lose the focus of submission when it becomes a matter of who 'wins' and who 'loses'. That's not what it's about at all. It's about meeting the need. I don't care what relationships we're talking about. It could be your spouse, your coworker, your neighbor, or a church friend. Every single one of these individuals have needs. All conflict is the result of unmet need. To grow in the area of unity, we must grow in the ability to submit to the needs of others.
I recently returned from a missions trip to Brazil. While on this trip I prayed that the Lord would help me see people the way he does. What was amazing for me is that to do that I needed healing in my own heart. My own insecurities had taken root so deep that when I looked at others, it was through my own filter of falling short. There's not enough time to fully develop that thought, but what is happening now is this process of seeing people from the prospective of their need that God sees, not the need I see, or the "deficiency" that I see. It becomes less of me.
This is so important to maturing in Christ. This develops OUR character to get into the habit of subjecting pride, will and opinion on a regular basis. You're thinking, "that's not fair!" You're right. That's the point. The irony of it all is this: It's the only way to "win". What's our example in this?
Romans 15:3 "Christ didn't please himself. As the Psalmist said, 'He came for the very purpose of suffering under the insults of those who were against the Lord.'" He came to submit! What was the greatest 'need' in the history of the universe? Man needed to get right with God. How did this happen? Christ submitted himself. This is the only path of conflict resolution. Our nature causes us to resolve conflict by proving ourself "right." This is not the nature of God. He was right. But regardless of that fact, He did not come to further prove that fact, he came to suffer... to meet the need.
Don't worry, we cannot do this on our own. verse 5 says, "May God who gives patience, steadiness, and encouragement help you to live in complete harmony with each other - each with the attitude of Christ toward the other." What's the attitude of Christ? Prepare to receive insults. As we become more dependent on Christ, we can begin to walk in this life of Submission and unity.
We tend to think in terms of "Priority". We believe our first priority is our relationship with the Lord. And I don't think that I could say you are wrong about that, but that top priority cannot exist apart from its application: According to verse 6, the path to right relationship with God is through harmony with one another. "And THEN all of us can praise the Lord together with one voice, giving glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
See if you can apply the principle of Unity today. Seek the unmet need in someone else, and see what happens as you subject yourself to meet that need.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21
Romans 15:1-22
Psalm 25:1-15
Proverbs 20:13-15
Reading through Romans, you may have noticed that Paul is putting a GREAT deal of emphasis on unity. I'm deeply challenged again to realize the vital necessity of "Relationships Devoted to Unity." It's not just a slogan. It's a part of serving Christ that we cannot ignore, neglect, or pass off.
Romans 15:1 says, "for we must bear the 'burden' of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others"(TLB). This needs to be our calling. Our mandate. We must place the needs of those around us before ours at all times. It's not about you. verse 2 says, "Let's please the other fellow, not ourselves and do what is for his good and thus build him up in the Lord."
The principle behind unity is Submission. We don't like to hear it, because we don't really understand it. Submission is not about blind obedience. It's so unpopular in this culture because of our individual "rights". I like to define submission as "the active setting aside of pride, will, opinion and convenience to meet the need of another." This is what this is all about: Meeting the need.
We lose the focus of submission when it becomes a matter of who 'wins' and who 'loses'. That's not what it's about at all. It's about meeting the need. I don't care what relationships we're talking about. It could be your spouse, your coworker, your neighbor, or a church friend. Every single one of these individuals have needs. All conflict is the result of unmet need. To grow in the area of unity, we must grow in the ability to submit to the needs of others.
I recently returned from a missions trip to Brazil. While on this trip I prayed that the Lord would help me see people the way he does. What was amazing for me is that to do that I needed healing in my own heart. My own insecurities had taken root so deep that when I looked at others, it was through my own filter of falling short. There's not enough time to fully develop that thought, but what is happening now is this process of seeing people from the prospective of their need that God sees, not the need I see, or the "deficiency" that I see. It becomes less of me.
This is so important to maturing in Christ. This develops OUR character to get into the habit of subjecting pride, will and opinion on a regular basis. You're thinking, "that's not fair!" You're right. That's the point. The irony of it all is this: It's the only way to "win". What's our example in this?
Romans 15:3 "Christ didn't please himself. As the Psalmist said, 'He came for the very purpose of suffering under the insults of those who were against the Lord.'" He came to submit! What was the greatest 'need' in the history of the universe? Man needed to get right with God. How did this happen? Christ submitted himself. This is the only path of conflict resolution. Our nature causes us to resolve conflict by proving ourself "right." This is not the nature of God. He was right. But regardless of that fact, He did not come to further prove that fact, he came to suffer... to meet the need.
Don't worry, we cannot do this on our own. verse 5 says, "May God who gives patience, steadiness, and encouragement help you to live in complete harmony with each other - each with the attitude of Christ toward the other." What's the attitude of Christ? Prepare to receive insults. As we become more dependent on Christ, we can begin to walk in this life of Submission and unity.
We tend to think in terms of "Priority". We believe our first priority is our relationship with the Lord. And I don't think that I could say you are wrong about that, but that top priority cannot exist apart from its application: According to verse 6, the path to right relationship with God is through harmony with one another. "And THEN all of us can praise the Lord together with one voice, giving glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
See if you can apply the principle of Unity today. Seek the unmet need in someone else, and see what happens as you subject yourself to meet that need.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
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