"Keep Close to Me!"
Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20
Luke 9:7-27
Psalm 72:1-20
Proverbs 12:8-9
"Keep Close to Me!" In what situations have you heard that phrase? When my daughter was old enough to walk in stores we began to practice obedience by playing a game. If Lisa or I would say "close" Annalese was supposed to see how fast she could get to us. She was supposed to drop whatever she was doing and RUN to us. If she did, we'd reward her. We would also do it when we were out for walks. She'd get ahead of us or something and we'd say, "Annalese, close!" She would turn and run back to us.
Why did we teach her that? We were trying to teach her that right next to us is a safe place to be. We were making practice of an important principle.
Jesus says "Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to me! Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it, but whoever insists on keeping his life will lose it; and what profit is there in gaining the whole world when it means forfeiting one's self?" (Luke 9:23-25)
Why does Jesus say "Keep close to me"? Because next to him is the safest place to be.
What does it take to be close to him? We have to drop everything and run to him. We have to put aside our own desires and conveniences. It's those desires left unchecked that will bring us to harm.
What does it mean to take up your cross? It means that we live at all times with an understanding that we are dying to flesh. "Dead Man Walking". Every step I take down the road of life must be a step that is not directed by self, but by the Spirit. It must be a part of being close to him.
There's something within that cries out, "But think of all the things you miss out on if you die to flesh! Think of all the things YOU want to do!" The world's understanding is that the only way to find fulfillment is if I chase my own wants and needs, but the truth is, If I lose my life for the sake of following Christ, I will actually find the fulfillment of the all of the desires. This happens for a number of reasons, the main one being that knowing Christ transforms our desires into what he wants them to be. They work for his glory.
When we live to serve the flesh, we ultimately lose out not only on the fulfillment, but can eventually lose our soul because we are living for self.
What steps are you taking today? Are they for your desire and convenience, or are they for walking in step with Christ? Stay close to him today!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Showing posts with label Discipleship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Discipleship. Show all posts
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
2.29.12 "The Discipleship Dilemma"
"The Discipleship Dilemma"
Matthew 28:19-20
John 15:1-17
Happy Leap Year! Today we're looking at some verses outside of the One-Year Bible reading track as there isn't a given reading for the 29th.
Have you ever been given a job and really had a hard time completing it because you didn't understand it? I think there is a vast majority of believers who suffer from a sense of paralysis because there's not an understanding of the assignment. In the great commission of Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands all of us, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
When you hear the words, "Go and make disciples", what feeling do you experience? I believe for many there's a feeling of intimidation because we don't understand what that means. When we hear the words "teaching to obey..." there's this level of confrontation that can be somewhat disconcerting. It's really important however, to look at the context of who's giving this command, and how he put this into action.
The Pharisees were people who walked around looking at people, and judging whether or not they were measuring up to the commands of God. They were judgmental. They looked down their nose at people. I think when we consider discipling people, our misconceptions of what it means may cause us to align with the methodology of the Pharisees.
But that's what we've got to reconsider. Jesus' method of discipleship was not a yardstick of judgment reminding people of how they fell short. His purpose and plan was to build relationships with people, and through those relationships teach them the ways of the Lord.
Listen to what Jesus says to his disciples: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands, and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as i have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit -- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other." (John 15:9-17)
Notice the key mindset: FRIENDSHIP.
When we have an incorrect view of discipleship, and we align with the methods of the pharisees, we don't engage in the process. We're not connected to the vine. We're not bearing fruit. This is the dilemma: We're commanded to disciple, but don't do it.
We need to understand that the priority of discipleship is Making Friends! As we focus on building relationships and becoming Godly friends, THEN the exponential expansion of discipleship begins to take place. Our friendships need to have the focus of encouragement, servanthood, and love. Jesus said that the world will know we are his disciples by our love for one another. He didn't say it was by the fact that we have a discipleship workbook in our hand.
Make disciples today! You can do it! Build friendships with purpose!
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, November 22, 2011
11.22.11 "I'm Lost!!"
"I'm Lost!!"
Ezekiel 44:1-45:12
I Peter 1:1-13
Psalm 119:17-35
Proverbs 28:8-10
When you were a kid do you remember watching ants? When they would find food, they would somehow communicate with one another and soon there would be a line of them bringing food back home. In the animated movie, "A Bug's Life" one of the first scenes of the movie was depicting this. The ants were walking one behind the other bringing food back to the nest. Tragedy strikes when a leaf lands in the middle of the line, blocking the way for those following. The ant next to the leaf yells in complete despair, "I'm lost!" Yes, it loses some (or all) of it's humor in the translation, but what makes it so funny is that it's just a leaf, and all he needs to do is walk around it. Easy to see from our perspective.
Psalm 119:19 says, "I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map - and your commands are my chart and guide." The ant in the movie was lost as soon as the path was blocked. How many times are we, or someone we we know of, completely lost when an obstacle comes up. What's the right thing to do? How should I respond? Where am I going?
The answer is found in knowing God's Word. verse 20 says, "I long for your instructions more than I can tell." We don't even realize how much we need to be empowered through the Word. If we don't have the word, we are starving ourselves. We are dangerously walking in uncharted paths.
The word gives us counsel "Your laws are both my light and my counselors." vs. 24. So many people want to "talk through" their trials when the "leaf" blocks their path instead of getting into the Word. Sometimes they don't even want to know what the Word says because it's not what they want to hear. We must allow the Word to guide us.
Verse 25 says, "I am completely discouraged - I lie in the dust. Revive me by your Word." When discouragement comes for some reason, the Word is the last place people look for strength, but it is the only source of lasting strength.
Grieving? verse 28 says, "I weep with grief; my heart is heavy with sorrow; encourage and cheer me with your words."
I "lovingly" refer to discipleship as the "ministry of damage control". Often Jesus taught others by redirecting those who've strayed off the path. Many times people have come with problems and trials that are a direct result of straying away from the path God has laid out. Think of the trouble that could be averted by staying in the path of the Word.
"Keep me far from every wrong. Help me, undeserving as I am, to obey your laws, for I have chosen to do right. I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can. Lord, don't let me make a mess of things. If you will only help me to want your will, then I will follow your laws even more closely. Just tell me what to do and i will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey. Make me walk along the right paths for I know how delightful they really are." Ps 119:29-35
Why do we forget that Biblical Training REALLY Empowers us? Why are we so surprised when we are weak from not being in the Word. We laugh (I may be laughing alone) at the ant who is in such despair over a leaf because we can see the big picture. We see that it's not really that big of deal. I'm sure at times God would want to laugh (or at least get frustrated) at his people who drop everything and cry in despair over a leaf that blows in the path. We forget HE has the perspective to know it's just a leaf. The path is marked in his word. He wants to equip and empower us. Get into the Word 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
Ezekiel 44:1-45:12
I Peter 1:1-13
Psalm 119:17-35
Proverbs 28:8-10
When you were a kid do you remember watching ants? When they would find food, they would somehow communicate with one another and soon there would be a line of them bringing food back home. In the animated movie, "A Bug's Life" one of the first scenes of the movie was depicting this. The ants were walking one behind the other bringing food back to the nest. Tragedy strikes when a leaf lands in the middle of the line, blocking the way for those following. The ant next to the leaf yells in complete despair, "I'm lost!" Yes, it loses some (or all) of it's humor in the translation, but what makes it so funny is that it's just a leaf, and all he needs to do is walk around it. Easy to see from our perspective.
Psalm 119:19 says, "I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map - and your commands are my chart and guide." The ant in the movie was lost as soon as the path was blocked. How many times are we, or someone we we know of, completely lost when an obstacle comes up. What's the right thing to do? How should I respond? Where am I going?
The answer is found in knowing God's Word. verse 20 says, "I long for your instructions more than I can tell." We don't even realize how much we need to be empowered through the Word. If we don't have the word, we are starving ourselves. We are dangerously walking in uncharted paths.
The word gives us counsel "Your laws are both my light and my counselors." vs. 24. So many people want to "talk through" their trials when the "leaf" blocks their path instead of getting into the Word. Sometimes they don't even want to know what the Word says because it's not what they want to hear. We must allow the Word to guide us.
Verse 25 says, "I am completely discouraged - I lie in the dust. Revive me by your Word." When discouragement comes for some reason, the Word is the last place people look for strength, but it is the only source of lasting strength.
Grieving? verse 28 says, "I weep with grief; my heart is heavy with sorrow; encourage and cheer me with your words."
I "lovingly" refer to discipleship as the "ministry of damage control". Often Jesus taught others by redirecting those who've strayed off the path. Many times people have come with problems and trials that are a direct result of straying away from the path God has laid out. Think of the trouble that could be averted by staying in the path of the Word.
"Keep me far from every wrong. Help me, undeserving as I am, to obey your laws, for I have chosen to do right. I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can. Lord, don't let me make a mess of things. If you will only help me to want your will, then I will follow your laws even more closely. Just tell me what to do and i will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey. Make me walk along the right paths for I know how delightful they really are." Ps 119:29-35
Why do we forget that Biblical Training REALLY Empowers us? Why are we so surprised when we are weak from not being in the Word. We laugh (I may be laughing alone) at the ant who is in such despair over a leaf because we can see the big picture. We see that it's not really that big of deal. I'm sure at times God would want to laugh (or at least get frustrated) at his people who drop everything and cry in despair over a leaf that blows in the path. We forget HE has the perspective to know it's just a leaf. The path is marked in his word. He wants to equip and empower us. Get into the Word 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
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
11.15.11 "Look out!"
"Look out!"
Ezekiel 31:1-32:32
Hebrews 12:14-29
Psalm 113:1-114:8
Proverbs 27:18-20
If you've ever been to Niagara Falls, you know it is truly an amazing sight. The volume of water that goes over the falls is incredible. It almost makes you dizzy to watch it. When we were there in the summer of '07, we walked through tunnels behind the falls, and the roar of the water was incredible. I had slippery shoes on, and there were a couple of times i hit a slick spot on the tunnel floor, and wiped out. For how many tourists are there I'm surprised it isn't more guarded with safety rails. It seemed to me like it would be very easy for a child or a crazy teenager to walk out on a ledge, and fall over the cliff or into the falls.
As I read the scriptures this morning, I was imagining seeing someone walk out there with slippery shoes. What would I do if I saw that? Would I say anything? Would I do anything to prevent?
When discussing confrontation a friend said, "It's hardest to confront those closest to you. We're great friends, but when it comes to spiritual things..."
Hebrews 12:15 shows us the priority: "Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives."
This is what it is all about. In pastoral ministries there are some sad stories. I'll sit in my office as the person across my desk has a broken life in their hand. Often it's something that has gone on for years. What makes it so sad, is that many times individuals in this condition have "close" relationships with Christian friends. But, for some reason or another, the struggle never came up in conversation. There may have been comments on the side about a marriage frustration, or even a snide comment about another believer, but for one reason another, it was never discussed. Never confronted.
Enter the bitter root. An individual misses church for a few weeks, and no one "notices". Sure, there's a call from a pastor, or church leader, but what about my friends? The bitterness grows to the point that when a call is made, it seems "too late". The bitter root takes hold, and it causes deep trouble. Not only for the individual, but "hurting many in their spiritual lives."
It's uncomfortable many times to say, "hey man, I notice you're not getting along with your wife very well." Or, "I haven't seen you in bible study for a while. Is everything ok?" We don't want to risk offending the individual. But SO OFTEN, the one who's hurting inside is BEGGING for someone to notice. Someone to ask.
It's like seeing the child on the ledge. "I'd say something, but I don't want the parent to think I'm judging them." "I haven't met them yet. Who am I to say something?"
In a scenario like that the only way you would keep silent is either you don't value the life, or you don't recognize the danger.
Look again at the purpose for this. "Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings." If you see me heading down a path that could cause me to miss God's best blessings, why wouldn't you talk to me about it? Why wouldn't you say, "Look out!" Don't you care enough?
The difficulty is that too often people are "judged" instead of talked to. Benny misses two bible studies & he must be in sin. We build a case against him in our mind, build it up to be a huge deal, and we actually become insecure in how to deal with the issue, and afraid to do anything. So, we shake our head, and wonder what went wrong rather than finding out that Benny is discouraged because of a job situation, and could really use a call. We don't value Benny's life enough to pick up the phone.
Relationships Devoted to Unity are "discipling" relationships. It's caring enough to help one another keep conversation and conduct aligned with the word. Look at the people in your world differently. View yourself as God's agent to bring another closer to Christ. Not just unbelievers, but those in your family & the family of God.
There's a pretty good chance that someone reading this email is the one who "needs someone to notice". The enemy wants to keep you isolated and alone. He wants to separate you from the Body so he can destroy you. Don't use the lie that "no one cares" feed into the ploy to drive you to despair. Get connected! Pursue relationships with godly people. EVERY ONE of us have this responsibility!
One thing that I'm discovering more and more is that as the Lord is purifying his Church for his soon return, there are some interesting things happening. In the lives of so many individuals there are things that are coming to the surface. For example, people who have been Christians for a long time are "all of the sudden" struggling with issues and it's being revealed.
As the Lord purifies us, things come to the surface so we can allow God to take them away. What tends to happen, though is that we want to cover them up. We feel we should be perfect because it's time to be mature. But the bible says that we should "confess our sins one to another so that we may be healed." We need to be vulnerable one to another. We need to offer grace one to another. We need to show one another the way out.
We need to Look Out! for one another! If we don't we either don't value the life, or recognize the danger.
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
Ezekiel 31:1-32:32
Hebrews 12:14-29
Psalm 113:1-114:8
Proverbs 27:18-20
If you've ever been to Niagara Falls, you know it is truly an amazing sight. The volume of water that goes over the falls is incredible. It almost makes you dizzy to watch it. When we were there in the summer of '07, we walked through tunnels behind the falls, and the roar of the water was incredible. I had slippery shoes on, and there were a couple of times i hit a slick spot on the tunnel floor, and wiped out. For how many tourists are there I'm surprised it isn't more guarded with safety rails. It seemed to me like it would be very easy for a child or a crazy teenager to walk out on a ledge, and fall over the cliff or into the falls.
As I read the scriptures this morning, I was imagining seeing someone walk out there with slippery shoes. What would I do if I saw that? Would I say anything? Would I do anything to prevent?
When discussing confrontation a friend said, "It's hardest to confront those closest to you. We're great friends, but when it comes to spiritual things..."
Hebrews 12:15 shows us the priority: "Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives."
This is what it is all about. In pastoral ministries there are some sad stories. I'll sit in my office as the person across my desk has a broken life in their hand. Often it's something that has gone on for years. What makes it so sad, is that many times individuals in this condition have "close" relationships with Christian friends. But, for some reason or another, the struggle never came up in conversation. There may have been comments on the side about a marriage frustration, or even a snide comment about another believer, but for one reason another, it was never discussed. Never confronted.
Enter the bitter root. An individual misses church for a few weeks, and no one "notices". Sure, there's a call from a pastor, or church leader, but what about my friends? The bitterness grows to the point that when a call is made, it seems "too late". The bitter root takes hold, and it causes deep trouble. Not only for the individual, but "hurting many in their spiritual lives."
It's uncomfortable many times to say, "hey man, I notice you're not getting along with your wife very well." Or, "I haven't seen you in bible study for a while. Is everything ok?" We don't want to risk offending the individual. But SO OFTEN, the one who's hurting inside is BEGGING for someone to notice. Someone to ask.
It's like seeing the child on the ledge. "I'd say something, but I don't want the parent to think I'm judging them." "I haven't met them yet. Who am I to say something?"
In a scenario like that the only way you would keep silent is either you don't value the life, or you don't recognize the danger.
Look again at the purpose for this. "Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings." If you see me heading down a path that could cause me to miss God's best blessings, why wouldn't you talk to me about it? Why wouldn't you say, "Look out!" Don't you care enough?
The difficulty is that too often people are "judged" instead of talked to. Benny misses two bible studies & he must be in sin. We build a case against him in our mind, build it up to be a huge deal, and we actually become insecure in how to deal with the issue, and afraid to do anything. So, we shake our head, and wonder what went wrong rather than finding out that Benny is discouraged because of a job situation, and could really use a call. We don't value Benny's life enough to pick up the phone.
Relationships Devoted to Unity are "discipling" relationships. It's caring enough to help one another keep conversation and conduct aligned with the word. Look at the people in your world differently. View yourself as God's agent to bring another closer to Christ. Not just unbelievers, but those in your family & the family of God.
There's a pretty good chance that someone reading this email is the one who "needs someone to notice". The enemy wants to keep you isolated and alone. He wants to separate you from the Body so he can destroy you. Don't use the lie that "no one cares" feed into the ploy to drive you to despair. Get connected! Pursue relationships with godly people. EVERY ONE of us have this responsibility!
One thing that I'm discovering more and more is that as the Lord is purifying his Church for his soon return, there are some interesting things happening. In the lives of so many individuals there are things that are coming to the surface. For example, people who have been Christians for a long time are "all of the sudden" struggling with issues and it's being revealed.
As the Lord purifies us, things come to the surface so we can allow God to take them away. What tends to happen, though is that we want to cover them up. We feel we should be perfect because it's time to be mature. But the bible says that we should "confess our sins one to another so that we may be healed." We need to be vulnerable one to another. We need to offer grace one to another. We need to show one another the way out.
We need to Look Out! for one another! If we don't we either don't value the life, or recognize the danger.
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, September 21, 2011
9.21.11 "No Man Left Behind"
"No Man Left Behind"
Isaiah 37:1-38:22
Galatians 6:1-18
Psalm 64:1-10
Proverbs 23:24
We are in a battle. The great news is that we win! We too often forget that, especially when things don't seem to be going good around us. In battle soldiers get wounded. This is no different in our Christian walk. Soldiers get wounded.
I believe it's the Marine motto that says, "Until they are home, No man left behind!" They've trained to follow through on what they believe. At any cost, they will work to bring a fallen soldier home.
As believers, what's our training? What's our motto? In the battle we wage, we must show the same loyalty and commitment. In looking at this let's unwrap some verses in Galatians 6.
Galatians 6:1 "Dear brothers, if a Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help him back onto the right path, remembering that next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong."
There are a few things to pull out of this verse.
1. "if a Christian is overcome by some sin..." There will times that a Christian you know will struggle with sin. What does that mean to you? Often we don't respond as one committed to the care of the individual. We tend to want to check with someone else. "So what's going on with Jim... someone should really set him straight..." What follows next shows that YOU are part of the process in helping this person out.
2. "... you who are godly..." If you need extra motivation for living a godly life, let this be it. Your world is desperate for you to be who God has created you to be. Raise the bar in your life so you can be a lifeline for someone else. It's really important that you know the Word, so you know how to help someone who needs help. Imagine an EMT who waits until his first ambulance call to pull the book off the shelf & learn CPR. You have to be prepared & pre-prayered for the work God has for you. Someone desperately needs you.
3. "... should gently and humbly help him..." This is what discipleship is all about: Helping one another to be aligned with God's word. What's your definition of discipleship? I'm not sure how I came up with my "old" definition of discipleship, but it was basically, "punishing someone for not being who I expected them to be". I would "speak the truth in love" which usually meant I would give them a piece of my mind and walk away. If I didn't have the courage to do that, I'd just do that in my mind... I guess it's more of a "ding & ditch discipleship" program... not quite what Jesus had in mind. I'm just beginning to understand the process of "leading individuals to discover and become who God created them to be." It's the approach we need to have when dealing with one another... gentle & humble. Ultimately, be a friend.
4. "... back onto the right path," What is the right path? Again, it compels us to be Empowered through Biblical Training to know the truth and help others align to the truth. This requires relational leadership. To be a leader in a relationship, you have to create an environment where people want to be with you. The same is true when leading someone to the right path. Beating someone up when they're wounded and in the wrong place is not that way to bring them home. It's a matter of creating an environment of trust.
5. "... remembering that next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong." This says a lot. I was thinking about opinionated people (of which I am one!). It's important that we make sure we understand we are not above being wrong. "I get irritated when everyone doesn't do things the way I think they should be done." can be an attitude that creeps into our life that is nothing other than arrogance. We must walk humbly with our God, knowing that we always have much to learn.
Galatians 6:2 "Share each other's troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord's command."
1. "Share each other's troubles and problems..." This is what Relationships Devoted to Unity is all about. When someone is going through something, it's vital that we carry the load together.
2. "... and so obey our Lord's command." Remember that Obedience is the highest form of worship. We must follow the path of unity to live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship.
Galatians 6:3 "If anyone thinks he is too great to stoop to this, he is fooling himself. He is really a nobody."
1. This is a principle we need to be constantly reminded of. Greatness in Christ is found in being the "least". Our pride keeps us from being vulnerable. Being humble and open about our struggles is the only path to maturity. We are a "nobody" when our pride causes us to hide or struggles, sins or insecurities to the point that they take root and cause a BIG problem. This paralyzes the Body. When we are appropriately vulnerable with one another, it's like allowing the oxygen of the Holy Spirit to flow freely through the muscles of the Body so it can function in health.
Today's reading in Psalms 65:2-4 says, "All of us must come to you. Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all. What joy for those you choose to bring near, those who live in your holy courts. What festivities await us inside your holy Temple."
We need to work together until all come together to the one who forgives and enjoy the festivities of God's kingdom.
Do your part. "No Man left behind"
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
Isaiah 37:1-38:22
Galatians 6:1-18
Psalm 64:1-10
Proverbs 23:24
We are in a battle. The great news is that we win! We too often forget that, especially when things don't seem to be going good around us. In battle soldiers get wounded. This is no different in our Christian walk. Soldiers get wounded.
I believe it's the Marine motto that says, "Until they are home, No man left behind!" They've trained to follow through on what they believe. At any cost, they will work to bring a fallen soldier home.
As believers, what's our training? What's our motto? In the battle we wage, we must show the same loyalty and commitment. In looking at this let's unwrap some verses in Galatians 6.
Galatians 6:1 "Dear brothers, if a Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help him back onto the right path, remembering that next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong."
There are a few things to pull out of this verse.
1. "if a Christian is overcome by some sin..." There will times that a Christian you know will struggle with sin. What does that mean to you? Often we don't respond as one committed to the care of the individual. We tend to want to check with someone else. "So what's going on with Jim... someone should really set him straight..." What follows next shows that YOU are part of the process in helping this person out.
2. "... you who are godly..." If you need extra motivation for living a godly life, let this be it. Your world is desperate for you to be who God has created you to be. Raise the bar in your life so you can be a lifeline for someone else. It's really important that you know the Word, so you know how to help someone who needs help. Imagine an EMT who waits until his first ambulance call to pull the book off the shelf & learn CPR. You have to be prepared & pre-prayered for the work God has for you. Someone desperately needs you.
3. "... should gently and humbly help him..." This is what discipleship is all about: Helping one another to be aligned with God's word. What's your definition of discipleship? I'm not sure how I came up with my "old" definition of discipleship, but it was basically, "punishing someone for not being who I expected them to be". I would "speak the truth in love" which usually meant I would give them a piece of my mind and walk away. If I didn't have the courage to do that, I'd just do that in my mind... I guess it's more of a "ding & ditch discipleship" program... not quite what Jesus had in mind. I'm just beginning to understand the process of "leading individuals to discover and become who God created them to be." It's the approach we need to have when dealing with one another... gentle & humble. Ultimately, be a friend.
4. "... back onto the right path," What is the right path? Again, it compels us to be Empowered through Biblical Training to know the truth and help others align to the truth. This requires relational leadership. To be a leader in a relationship, you have to create an environment where people want to be with you. The same is true when leading someone to the right path. Beating someone up when they're wounded and in the wrong place is not that way to bring them home. It's a matter of creating an environment of trust.
5. "... remembering that next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong." This says a lot. I was thinking about opinionated people (of which I am one!). It's important that we make sure we understand we are not above being wrong. "I get irritated when everyone doesn't do things the way I think they should be done." can be an attitude that creeps into our life that is nothing other than arrogance. We must walk humbly with our God, knowing that we always have much to learn.
Galatians 6:2 "Share each other's troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord's command."
1. "Share each other's troubles and problems..." This is what Relationships Devoted to Unity is all about. When someone is going through something, it's vital that we carry the load together.
2. "... and so obey our Lord's command." Remember that Obedience is the highest form of worship. We must follow the path of unity to live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship.
Galatians 6:3 "If anyone thinks he is too great to stoop to this, he is fooling himself. He is really a nobody."
1. This is a principle we need to be constantly reminded of. Greatness in Christ is found in being the "least". Our pride keeps us from being vulnerable. Being humble and open about our struggles is the only path to maturity. We are a "nobody" when our pride causes us to hide or struggles, sins or insecurities to the point that they take root and cause a BIG problem. This paralyzes the Body. When we are appropriately vulnerable with one another, it's like allowing the oxygen of the Holy Spirit to flow freely through the muscles of the Body so it can function in health.
Today's reading in Psalms 65:2-4 says, "All of us must come to you. Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all. What joy for those you choose to bring near, those who live in your holy courts. What festivities await us inside your holy Temple."
We need to work together until all come together to the one who forgives and enjoy the festivities of God's kingdom.
Do your part. "No Man left behind"
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, September 13, 2011
9.13.11 "Who's Discipling You?"
"Who's Discipling You?"
Isaiah 12:1-14:32
2 Corinthians 13:1-14
Psalm 57:1-11
Proverbs 23:9-11
Are you a disciple of Christ? What is a disciple? The dictionary says a follower of Jesus, or a student of a leader. We're commanded in Matthew 28:19 to "Go and make disciples..." Jesus had a lot of people around him, but not all of them were considered disciples. Why is that? The disciples were the ones who experienced changes in their behavior, redirection in their lives, and committed themselves to the path.
So "Who's discipling you?" I've asked that question to quite a few people. Some are new in the faith, others have been serving the Lord for years. The reactions to that question are pretty interesting. In fact, there have only been a few times when someone has been able to answer. What does that indicate?
If we are to "go into all the world and make disciples...", that should mean there are many disciples around everywhere right? To some extent, it could be argued that there are, based on our definition. What is a disciple? A follower? a learner? Most Christians would qualify for that definition. So if they're all disciples, who's discipling them?
I'm kind of taking a long way around a point I'm trying to make. There seems to be the feeling that the longer you've been a Christian, the less you need to be discipled. We get the feeling that our growth is just between us and God. This could not be further from the truth.
Empowered through Biblical Training is the element of DREAM that represents discipleship. There are many facets to this, including group bible study, church attendance, personal discipline in the word, but we forget the necessity of personal mentorship that comes through a close discipling relationship.
In today's reading, Paul makes a tough statement: "Check up on yourselves. Are you really Christians? Do you pass the test? Do you feel Christ's presence and power more and more within you? Or are you just pretending to be Christians when actually you aren't at all?" (2 Cor. 13:5) That's a pretty strong, but it shows something. There needs to be an expectation to feel Christ's presence "more and more". There is a progression, a growth that is necessary to the Christian life.
Paul says at the end of verse 9 " Our greatest wish and prayer is that you will become mature Christians." This is the objective for all of us. How do we become mature? Of course it comes through getting into the word in greater ways, but a major element is being a part of an "iron sharpens iron" discipling relationship.
The root of discipleship is discipline which means "to bring into alignment." We need people we trust to help us stay the course, not grow weary, and to challenge our actions and decisions. This is a vital part of helping us become mature.
Another question to ask is "who are you discipling?" Your friends are not there to make you feel good. Remember, "it's not about you!" We need to be looking at every relationship as a discipling opportunity. A chance to help another come into alignment with the Word of God. It's interesting that we'd be more inclined to stop a friend from buying the wrong car than we would to help them out spiritually. We'll help them with a home improvement project, but we wont ask if they're getting in the Word each day.
We can't Live the DREAM without this. I need it, you need it, your world needs it.
2 Cor. 13:11 "I close my letter with these last words: Be happy. Grow in Christ. Pay attention to what I have said. Live in harmony and peace. And may the God of love and peace be with 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
Isaiah 12:1-14:32
2 Corinthians 13:1-14
Psalm 57:1-11
Proverbs 23:9-11
Are you a disciple of Christ? What is a disciple? The dictionary says a follower of Jesus, or a student of a leader. We're commanded in Matthew 28:19 to "Go and make disciples..." Jesus had a lot of people around him, but not all of them were considered disciples. Why is that? The disciples were the ones who experienced changes in their behavior, redirection in their lives, and committed themselves to the path.
So "Who's discipling you?" I've asked that question to quite a few people. Some are new in the faith, others have been serving the Lord for years. The reactions to that question are pretty interesting. In fact, there have only been a few times when someone has been able to answer. What does that indicate?
If we are to "go into all the world and make disciples...", that should mean there are many disciples around everywhere right? To some extent, it could be argued that there are, based on our definition. What is a disciple? A follower? a learner? Most Christians would qualify for that definition. So if they're all disciples, who's discipling them?
I'm kind of taking a long way around a point I'm trying to make. There seems to be the feeling that the longer you've been a Christian, the less you need to be discipled. We get the feeling that our growth is just between us and God. This could not be further from the truth.
Empowered through Biblical Training is the element of DREAM that represents discipleship. There are many facets to this, including group bible study, church attendance, personal discipline in the word, but we forget the necessity of personal mentorship that comes through a close discipling relationship.
In today's reading, Paul makes a tough statement: "Check up on yourselves. Are you really Christians? Do you pass the test? Do you feel Christ's presence and power more and more within you? Or are you just pretending to be Christians when actually you aren't at all?" (2 Cor. 13:5) That's a pretty strong, but it shows something. There needs to be an expectation to feel Christ's presence "more and more". There is a progression, a growth that is necessary to the Christian life.
Paul says at the end of verse 9 " Our greatest wish and prayer is that you will become mature Christians." This is the objective for all of us. How do we become mature? Of course it comes through getting into the word in greater ways, but a major element is being a part of an "iron sharpens iron" discipling relationship.
The root of discipleship is discipline which means "to bring into alignment." We need people we trust to help us stay the course, not grow weary, and to challenge our actions and decisions. This is a vital part of helping us become mature.
Another question to ask is "who are you discipling?" Your friends are not there to make you feel good. Remember, "it's not about you!" We need to be looking at every relationship as a discipling opportunity. A chance to help another come into alignment with the Word of God. It's interesting that we'd be more inclined to stop a friend from buying the wrong car than we would to help them out spiritually. We'll help them with a home improvement project, but we wont ask if they're getting in the Word each day.
We can't Live the DREAM without this. I need it, you need it, your world needs it.
2 Cor. 13:11 "I close my letter with these last words: Be happy. Grow in Christ. Pay attention to what I have said. Live in harmony and peace. And may the God of love and peace be with 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
Saturday, August 27, 2011
8.27.11 "How Much do You Care?"
"How Much do You Care?"
Job 23:1-27:23
2 Corinthians 1:12-2:8
Psalm 41:1-13
Proverbs 22:5-6
2 Corinthians 2:4 "Oh, how I hated to write that letter! It almost broke my heart and I tell you honestly that I cried over it. I didn't want to hurt you, but I had to show you how very much I loved you and cared about what was happening to you."
In this second letter to the Corinthian church, Paul references the first letter. If you remember, there were some harsh words in I Corinthians. In today's verse, Paul models what it really means to be devoted to unity.
Unity is great when everything is going smoothly & everyone is getting along. But when it comes to dealing with sin, and discipling one another, there can be an awkwardness to it. Here are some possible reactions to seeing someone doing/acting/talking inappropriately:
1. I'm uncomfortable. I'm just going to walk away.
2. I didn't just hear what I thought I heard!? I'm shocked that person would do that. they've offended me.
3. Why doesn't Pastor do something about this individual?
4. How dare they do that! They should know by now that that is wrong! I'm going to "share the truth in love" by telling that person off.
5. I'm going to just ignore this & hope it goes away. I know now I should keep my distance.
6. I need to talk to another friend to make sure I'm not off base in thinking what they're doing is wrong.
There's many more responses, but don't these somewhat represent our initial reactions? Do you realize that none of these are what discipleship is all about?
Discipleship is about love. Yes, it is "bringing into alignment" as we've talked about before. But it's not about bringing into alignment to prove we are "right"! It's bringing into alignment because we care enough about the spiritual and physical health and welfare of the individual. Discipleship is friendship.
Proper motivation will give you the appropriate method of encouraging and correcting one another.
There may be times for a strong word like Paul gave, but when it is done in brokenness and humility, for the purpose of restoration, God is glorified.
Allowing someone to continue walking out of alignment with the word is not only dangerous to the individual, it's dangerous to you. It gives you a callous heart, and builds walls of division in the body of Christ. We really need to truly grow in our love for one another.
There used be an old saying. "Care enough to confront" was the mantra. Usually it translated into, "I was offended when you didn't say hi to me last week", then a couple tears and a hug. That's not what this is about. It's about "I notice you guys haven't been to bible study in a while. Is everything ok? Is there anything I can do to help?"
How much do you care? How devoted to unity are you? How comforting it would be to know that the Body of Christ is looking out for one another. Not make sure everyone's "toeing the line", but to know that everyone cares enough to stick it out through tough times and bring each other into the alignment of the Word.
Is it uncomfortable? It can be. But there is nothing more secure than knowing that someone is watching out for 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
Job 23:1-27:23
2 Corinthians 1:12-2:8
Psalm 41:1-13
Proverbs 22:5-6
2 Corinthians 2:4 "Oh, how I hated to write that letter! It almost broke my heart and I tell you honestly that I cried over it. I didn't want to hurt you, but I had to show you how very much I loved you and cared about what was happening to you."
In this second letter to the Corinthian church, Paul references the first letter. If you remember, there were some harsh words in I Corinthians. In today's verse, Paul models what it really means to be devoted to unity.
Unity is great when everything is going smoothly & everyone is getting along. But when it comes to dealing with sin, and discipling one another, there can be an awkwardness to it. Here are some possible reactions to seeing someone doing/acting/talking inappropriately:
1. I'm uncomfortable. I'm just going to walk away.
2. I didn't just hear what I thought I heard!? I'm shocked that person would do that. they've offended me.
3. Why doesn't Pastor do something about this individual?
4. How dare they do that! They should know by now that that is wrong! I'm going to "share the truth in love" by telling that person off.
5. I'm going to just ignore this & hope it goes away. I know now I should keep my distance.
6. I need to talk to another friend to make sure I'm not off base in thinking what they're doing is wrong.
There's many more responses, but don't these somewhat represent our initial reactions? Do you realize that none of these are what discipleship is all about?
Discipleship is about love. Yes, it is "bringing into alignment" as we've talked about before. But it's not about bringing into alignment to prove we are "right"! It's bringing into alignment because we care enough about the spiritual and physical health and welfare of the individual. Discipleship is friendship.
Proper motivation will give you the appropriate method of encouraging and correcting one another.
There may be times for a strong word like Paul gave, but when it is done in brokenness and humility, for the purpose of restoration, God is glorified.
Allowing someone to continue walking out of alignment with the word is not only dangerous to the individual, it's dangerous to you. It gives you a callous heart, and builds walls of division in the body of Christ. We really need to truly grow in our love for one another.
There used be an old saying. "Care enough to confront" was the mantra. Usually it translated into, "I was offended when you didn't say hi to me last week", then a couple tears and a hug. That's not what this is about. It's about "I notice you guys haven't been to bible study in a while. Is everything ok? Is there anything I can do to help?"
How much do you care? How devoted to unity are you? How comforting it would be to know that the Body of Christ is looking out for one another. Not make sure everyone's "toeing the line", but to know that everyone cares enough to stick it out through tough times and bring each other into the alignment of the Word.
Is it uncomfortable? It can be. But there is nothing more secure than knowing that someone is watching out for 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
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
6.14.11 "Learn How to Walk"
"Learn How to Walk"
I Kings 12:20 - 13:34
Acts 9:26-43
Psalm 132:1-18
Proverbs 17:6
As we read in Acts, it's been quite an interesting birth of the Christian church. We've seen growth, and then we've seen persecution. The stoning of Stephen brought new growth to the church. It preceded the conversion of Paul. In today's reading we find that Paul is beginning his teaching and preaching. He begins to experience some of the same persecution that he had done to other people.
In spite of the persecution Acts 9:31 says, "...the church had peace throughout... and grew in strength and numbers. The believers learned how to walk in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit."
Growing in Christ is a constant process. No matter where we are in our Christian "maturity" we must be learning to walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes we can develop the misconception that being a Christian for a long time makes us mature. The truth is all that makes us is older, not necessarily more mature. Maturing in Christ is an intentional act. Each day of my life I must LEARN to walk in the fear of the Lord. To learn this, I must commit to the process.
This is what discipleship is all about. Who is discipling you? Who are you discipling? It's really easy to look at those questions and think, "yeah, that's a good idea..." Or, we may be thinking in terms of "There's no way I have time for that". We miss the fact that this is what Empowered Through Biblical Training is all about! You can't progress in Christian maturity without being involved in discipleship. You can't live the DREAM with out the "E".
The mission statement of our church says, "Reaching our world for Christ as we lead individuals to discover and become who God has created them to be." I think we all are on board with the idea of "Reaching our world for Christ" We know that God has told us to do. We even like the idea of "discover and become", but when it comes to how we live our lives, we to often separate that from reality. We hesitate to put this into action.
We must be people who are involved in Discipling relationships teaching and encouraging each other to walk in the fear of the Lord & in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. This requires the humility to place yourself under the leadership of a mentor, and it requires the courage to help redirect another believer who needs correction, encouragement or instruction. We build this up in our mind to be some huge obstacle. It doesn't have to be. This shouldn't just be something we do, it should be a part of who we are.
We must do this to Live the DREAM! Determine today that you will commit to being a disciple, and making disciples. Learn how to walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Kings 12:20 - 13:34
Acts 9:26-43
Psalm 132:1-18
Proverbs 17:6
As we read in Acts, it's been quite an interesting birth of the Christian church. We've seen growth, and then we've seen persecution. The stoning of Stephen brought new growth to the church. It preceded the conversion of Paul. In today's reading we find that Paul is beginning his teaching and preaching. He begins to experience some of the same persecution that he had done to other people.
In spite of the persecution Acts 9:31 says, "...the church had peace throughout... and grew in strength and numbers. The believers learned how to walk in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit."
Growing in Christ is a constant process. No matter where we are in our Christian "maturity" we must be learning to walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes we can develop the misconception that being a Christian for a long time makes us mature. The truth is all that makes us is older, not necessarily more mature. Maturing in Christ is an intentional act. Each day of my life I must LEARN to walk in the fear of the Lord. To learn this, I must commit to the process.
This is what discipleship is all about. Who is discipling you? Who are you discipling? It's really easy to look at those questions and think, "yeah, that's a good idea..." Or, we may be thinking in terms of "There's no way I have time for that". We miss the fact that this is what Empowered Through Biblical Training is all about! You can't progress in Christian maturity without being involved in discipleship. You can't live the DREAM with out the "E".
The mission statement of our church says, "Reaching our world for Christ as we lead individuals to discover and become who God has created them to be." I think we all are on board with the idea of "Reaching our world for Christ" We know that God has told us to do. We even like the idea of "discover and become", but when it comes to how we live our lives, we to often separate that from reality. We hesitate to put this into action.
We must be people who are involved in Discipling relationships teaching and encouraging each other to walk in the fear of the Lord & in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. This requires the humility to place yourself under the leadership of a mentor, and it requires the courage to help redirect another believer who needs correction, encouragement or instruction. We build this up in our mind to be some huge obstacle. It doesn't have to be. This shouldn't just be something we do, it should be a part of who we are.
We must do this to Live the DREAM! Determine today that you will commit to being a disciple, and making disciples. Learn how to walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
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, June 12, 2011
6.12.11 "God Purifies Hearts"
"God Purifies Hearts"
I Kings 9:1-10:29
Acts 8:14-40
Psalm 130:1-8
Proverbs 17:2-3
"Silver and gold are purified by fire, but God purifies hearts." (Prov 17:2-3)
We are commissioned to go and make disciples, right? So, how are you doing with that? "Well, I have a bunch of Christian friends... and I put up a flyer at work when there's an event...."
So what about this "making disciples" thing? Could you produce a list of individuals that you are discipling in their relationship with the Lord? If not, why? What keeps Christians from charging forward with this?
I think our big issue about the challenge of discipleship is thinking that it means WE need to fix people. If we witness and they don't get saved, WE feel like we've failed. If we pray for healing and it doesn't happen for them, WE wonder what we did wrong. If we are counseling someone and they make the wrong decision, and fall away or fall into sin, we wonder what WE could have done different.
These thoughts reveal an important misconception that we have in the discipleship process. WE can't make a change in the hearts of men. "God purifies hearts." As we begin to realize (personally and then teach others) that all we are is a Connection Point to God, it takes some of the self-imposed paralysis away that comes from feeling that WE have to have the answers and WE have to "fix" people.
Too often we create this huge divide between discipleship and friendship. It's almost like our voice and posture, and everything changes to "discipleship" mode when it comes to spiritual matters. We struggle to find something profound to say. That's totally unnecessary.
All we have to do is Connect them to God, and he takes care of the rest. We have to have faith and be obedient, but beyond that we can come up with all the discipleship books & answers we want, but its no good without the power of God. Going back to the proverb analogy, all of our own efforts will only be a manmade fire that might refine silver or Gold, but do nothing to change the hearts of men.
I'm a person who loves puzzles. I like to solve things. But I'm learning as I grow in Christ that people don't need to be "solved" they need to be put in touch with God. Then HE takes care of it. In fact, if we do it the other way around, we get into BIG trouble. Pretty soon we put restrictions, and man-made obstacles to coming to Christ. I've shared the story before about how when I was a teen-ager I was leading a friend to Christ, but I made him put his cigarette out first before praying with him. I was trying to get him "cleaned up" before "taking a bath". It sent the wrong message. It's GOD who purifies hearts. WE can light a fire and purify silver, but there's NOTHING we can do to change a heart.
We can't "convince" people into the kingdom. Evangelism is not a game show where our goal is to answer every question right & then the prize is they "have to" get saved. We are just here to display the presence of God so others can respond as the Lord directs.
We can't fix people. I think that often we are more interested in changing the lifestyles of our neighbors instead of just creating an opportunity for them to meet God and letting HIM change things in His timing. I have friends who are living a very ungodly lifestyle. I could get after them about that, but I'm much more interested in them coming into contact with the One who can show them what REAL life is like. He'll take care of the rest.
All we need to do is clear the road. We need to connect people to Christ. This is our Mission. We must disciple individuals, and we don't have to be intimidated by the thought that WE have to have all the answers. All we have to do is be available to help people get to a place where they can hear from God.
Your Christian friends? Guess what... they need to be discipled by you... and you need to be discipled by them! We need to be helping one another grow in Christ. We can't fix the problems, but we MUST encourage one another to 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
I Kings 9:1-10:29
Acts 8:14-40
Psalm 130:1-8
Proverbs 17:2-3
"Silver and gold are purified by fire, but God purifies hearts." (Prov 17:2-3)
We are commissioned to go and make disciples, right? So, how are you doing with that? "Well, I have a bunch of Christian friends... and I put up a flyer at work when there's an event...."
So what about this "making disciples" thing? Could you produce a list of individuals that you are discipling in their relationship with the Lord? If not, why? What keeps Christians from charging forward with this?
I think our big issue about the challenge of discipleship is thinking that it means WE need to fix people. If we witness and they don't get saved, WE feel like we've failed. If we pray for healing and it doesn't happen for them, WE wonder what we did wrong. If we are counseling someone and they make the wrong decision, and fall away or fall into sin, we wonder what WE could have done different.
These thoughts reveal an important misconception that we have in the discipleship process. WE can't make a change in the hearts of men. "God purifies hearts." As we begin to realize (personally and then teach others) that all we are is a Connection Point to God, it takes some of the self-imposed paralysis away that comes from feeling that WE have to have the answers and WE have to "fix" people.
Too often we create this huge divide between discipleship and friendship. It's almost like our voice and posture, and everything changes to "discipleship" mode when it comes to spiritual matters. We struggle to find something profound to say. That's totally unnecessary.
All we have to do is Connect them to God, and he takes care of the rest. We have to have faith and be obedient, but beyond that we can come up with all the discipleship books & answers we want, but its no good without the power of God. Going back to the proverb analogy, all of our own efforts will only be a manmade fire that might refine silver or Gold, but do nothing to change the hearts of men.
I'm a person who loves puzzles. I like to solve things. But I'm learning as I grow in Christ that people don't need to be "solved" they need to be put in touch with God. Then HE takes care of it. In fact, if we do it the other way around, we get into BIG trouble. Pretty soon we put restrictions, and man-made obstacles to coming to Christ. I've shared the story before about how when I was a teen-ager I was leading a friend to Christ, but I made him put his cigarette out first before praying with him. I was trying to get him "cleaned up" before "taking a bath". It sent the wrong message. It's GOD who purifies hearts. WE can light a fire and purify silver, but there's NOTHING we can do to change a heart.
We can't "convince" people into the kingdom. Evangelism is not a game show where our goal is to answer every question right & then the prize is they "have to" get saved. We are just here to display the presence of God so others can respond as the Lord directs.
We can't fix people. I think that often we are more interested in changing the lifestyles of our neighbors instead of just creating an opportunity for them to meet God and letting HIM change things in His timing. I have friends who are living a very ungodly lifestyle. I could get after them about that, but I'm much more interested in them coming into contact with the One who can show them what REAL life is like. He'll take care of the rest.
All we need to do is clear the road. We need to connect people to Christ. This is our Mission. We must disciple individuals, and we don't have to be intimidated by the thought that WE have to have all the answers. All we have to do is be available to help people get to a place where they can hear from God.
Your Christian friends? Guess what... they need to be discipled by you... and you need to be discipled by them! We need to be helping one another grow in Christ. We can't fix the problems, but we MUST encourage one another to 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
Thursday, April 21, 2011
"Suspicion is Not a Spiritual Gift"
Joshua 22:21-23:16
Luke 20:27-47
Psalm 89:14-37
Proverbs 13:17-19
I don't know if you've ever noticed this or not, but there is an interesting "quirk" to the human nature: I believe everyone should understand that my motives are pure, and that my heart is clean, and that I "mean well" in everything. However, it's also in my nature that when I look at the actions of others, I presume the worst. We have thoughts like, "They're out to get me", "Their actions are sinful & selfish". We want people to assume the best about us, and yet we often presume the worst about them. We're certain that our motives are "pure", but we're suspicious of others. Sometimes we live like suspicion is a spiritual gift.
One of my favorite Bible stories is a somewhat obscure one. It's the story of the tribes of Reuben and Gad. These people have a couple of times in their journey when they are GREATLY misunderstood. The first part of the story is in Numbers 32 and the culmination is in Joshua 22. I'll give you a quick synopsis: The Israelites have entered the Promised Land from the east. There is great pasture land on the east side of the Jordan and tribes of Reuben & Gad have sheep. They ask Moses for that land for their tribes & their flocks. Moses, having recently had a bunch of people rise up against him in rebellion, goes off on them. He thinks they are lazy & trying to take the easy way out by not crossing over the Jordan to fight the battles and conquer all of the territory.
That's not the case. The tribes just want to leave their sheep & families there. They vow to fight ahead of all of the other tribes and go to the extra mile to conquer the land. Moses agrees, and they fight on. Years later, Joshua, like we read yesterday, thanks Reuben & Gad for all of their help, and blesses them and sends them back across the Jordan.
"Before they went across, while they were still in Canaan, they built a large monument for everyone to see, in the shape of an altar. But when the rest of Israel heard about what they had done, they mustered an army at Shiloh and prepared to go to war against their brother tribes." (Jos 22:10-11)
Before attacking, they send a delegation led by Phineas to speak to the tribes. "The whole congregation of the Lord demands to know why you are sinning against the God of Israel by turning away from him and building an altar of rebellion against the Lord." (22:16) They spend a few more verses giving Rueben and Gad a piece of their mind.
As it turns out, the motives of Reuben and Gad had been completely misread. "We have done it because we love the Lord... It is not for burnt offerings or sacrifices but is a symbol of the relationship with God that both of us have. Far be it from us to turn away from the Lord or to rebel against him by building our own altar..." (22:24,28-29)
Phineas is relieved. "Today we know that the Lord is among us because you have not sinned against the Lord as we thought; instead, you have saved us from destruction!" (22:30)
So how does this apply to us? First off, we have been commissioned to disciple one another, which really means that we need to be a friend to one another. As we have discussed in the past, the root word of discipleship is discipline, which means to bring into alignment. We need to bring one another into alignment with God's word. Sometimes, we get a little out of focus by over-reacting to the actions of others. We are offended when someone looks at us the wrong way, or maybe they say something that to us is totally out of whack.
When that happens, our flesh "because we care" musters the troops and is ready to go to war against someone because we are sure they are in the wrong. We want to talk to a few people, press charges, and bring someone to trial for this action.
Thankfully, the troops of Israel sent a delegation to talk to Reuben and Gad. As Phineas said, were they to have attacked and gone to battle with them, it would have been an ungodly war.
There are some in the body of Christ who live as if suspicion is a spiritual gift. They unwrap that gift at the slightest offense. They will often "muster the troops" under the disguise of a prayer request. "Please pray for Sally, She's really struggling in her spiritual walk. She was bossy to me at the bake sale!"
So many times the Lord allows these frustrations and conflicts to arise in the Body of Christ to bring us closer together. Look at the unity that was among all the tribes when all was said and done. "and all Israel rejoiced and praised God and spoke no more of war..." (22:33)
We need to stop looking at offenses through the eyes of suspicion and stop speaking of war. We need to understand our purpose is to build up the body of Christ and not to tear it down. We're not here to eradicate everyone who doesn't align with "my way" of doing things, we're here to work together so we can all walk in alignment with God's way of doing things.
This is what Relationships Devoted to Unity is all about!
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
Joshua 22:21-23:16
Luke 20:27-47
Psalm 89:14-37
Proverbs 13:17-19
I don't know if you've ever noticed this or not, but there is an interesting "quirk" to the human nature: I believe everyone should understand that my motives are pure, and that my heart is clean, and that I "mean well" in everything. However, it's also in my nature that when I look at the actions of others, I presume the worst. We have thoughts like, "They're out to get me", "Their actions are sinful & selfish". We want people to assume the best about us, and yet we often presume the worst about them. We're certain that our motives are "pure", but we're suspicious of others. Sometimes we live like suspicion is a spiritual gift.
One of my favorite Bible stories is a somewhat obscure one. It's the story of the tribes of Reuben and Gad. These people have a couple of times in their journey when they are GREATLY misunderstood. The first part of the story is in Numbers 32 and the culmination is in Joshua 22. I'll give you a quick synopsis: The Israelites have entered the Promised Land from the east. There is great pasture land on the east side of the Jordan and tribes of Reuben & Gad have sheep. They ask Moses for that land for their tribes & their flocks. Moses, having recently had a bunch of people rise up against him in rebellion, goes off on them. He thinks they are lazy & trying to take the easy way out by not crossing over the Jordan to fight the battles and conquer all of the territory.
That's not the case. The tribes just want to leave their sheep & families there. They vow to fight ahead of all of the other tribes and go to the extra mile to conquer the land. Moses agrees, and they fight on. Years later, Joshua, like we read yesterday, thanks Reuben & Gad for all of their help, and blesses them and sends them back across the Jordan.
"Before they went across, while they were still in Canaan, they built a large monument for everyone to see, in the shape of an altar. But when the rest of Israel heard about what they had done, they mustered an army at Shiloh and prepared to go to war against their brother tribes." (Jos 22:10-11)
Before attacking, they send a delegation led by Phineas to speak to the tribes. "The whole congregation of the Lord demands to know why you are sinning against the God of Israel by turning away from him and building an altar of rebellion against the Lord." (22:16) They spend a few more verses giving Rueben and Gad a piece of their mind.
As it turns out, the motives of Reuben and Gad had been completely misread. "We have done it because we love the Lord... It is not for burnt offerings or sacrifices but is a symbol of the relationship with God that both of us have. Far be it from us to turn away from the Lord or to rebel against him by building our own altar..." (22:24,28-29)
Phineas is relieved. "Today we know that the Lord is among us because you have not sinned against the Lord as we thought; instead, you have saved us from destruction!" (22:30)
So how does this apply to us? First off, we have been commissioned to disciple one another, which really means that we need to be a friend to one another. As we have discussed in the past, the root word of discipleship is discipline, which means to bring into alignment. We need to bring one another into alignment with God's word. Sometimes, we get a little out of focus by over-reacting to the actions of others. We are offended when someone looks at us the wrong way, or maybe they say something that to us is totally out of whack.
When that happens, our flesh "because we care" musters the troops and is ready to go to war against someone because we are sure they are in the wrong. We want to talk to a few people, press charges, and bring someone to trial for this action.
Thankfully, the troops of Israel sent a delegation to talk to Reuben and Gad. As Phineas said, were they to have attacked and gone to battle with them, it would have been an ungodly war.
There are some in the body of Christ who live as if suspicion is a spiritual gift. They unwrap that gift at the slightest offense. They will often "muster the troops" under the disguise of a prayer request. "Please pray for Sally, She's really struggling in her spiritual walk. She was bossy to me at the bake sale!"
So many times the Lord allows these frustrations and conflicts to arise in the Body of Christ to bring us closer together. Look at the unity that was among all the tribes when all was said and done. "and all Israel rejoiced and praised God and spoke no more of war..." (22:33)
We need to stop looking at offenses through the eyes of suspicion and stop speaking of war. We need to understand our purpose is to build up the body of Christ and not to tear it down. We're not here to eradicate everyone who doesn't align with "my way" of doing things, we're here to work together so we can all walk in alignment with God's way of doing things.
This is what Relationships Devoted to Unity is all about!
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, February 26, 2011
2.26.11 "The Goal is Death"
"The Goal is Death"
Leviticus 19:1-20:21
Mark 8:11-38
Psalm 42:1-11
Proverbs 10:17
"Raise your hand if you think our goal should be to be different than the world." At the first read, it seems yes, our goal should be different than the world's goal... But our goal should not be "to be different from the world." Our goal needs to be that we have the mind of Christ. When we become like him, then we will automatically become different than the world.
How far are we willing to go with that?
The most basic of all human instincts is "self-preservation". It's in our instinct that when we hear a lion roar, our "fight or flight" reflexes begin to kick in. (more "flight" than "fight"!) As natural as this is, this must be something we overcome as we mature in Christ. We must die to our instinct of self preservation. I'm not saying that we should run to the zoo and jump into the cage, but we must be intentional about dying to the flesh. It must be our goal.
Jesus lays this out for us. "Then he began to tell them about the terrible things he would suffer, and that he would be rejected by the elders and the Chief Priests and the other Jewish leaders - and be killed, and that he would rise again three days afterwards. He talked about it quite frankly with them, so Peter took him aside and chided him. 'You shouldn't say things like that,' he told Jesus.
"Jesus turned and looked at his disciples and then said to Peter very sternly, 'Satan, get behind me! You are looking at this only from a human point of view and not from God's.'"
How would you feel if you were Peter? I picture the cartoon where the character shrinks down to the size of a mouse. My thoughts would be, "But I'm just trying to help! Don't you see how I'm trying to help you? Don't you see that I'm trying to build up your ministry?" Peter had the best intentions. But they were wrong.
Why were they wrong? Because they were the result of a fleshly response: self-preservation. Jesus recognized that, and took it very seriously.
"Then he called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen. 'If any of you wants to be my follower,' he told them, 'you must put aside your own pleasures and shoulder your cross, and follow me closely. If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live. And how does a man benefit if he gains the whole world and loses his soul in the process?"
We've talked in the past of "Dead Man Walking". It refers to taking every step with the knowledge that our goal is death. This should not be a "theory", or a catch phrase. It must be a way of life. "I lay down my desires, my pleasures, and I stay close to Christ, making intentional steps toward the death of my flesh."
That sounds so difficult, but what's the alternative? To live for me? To live the "Mediocre Christian Life"?
If my goal is to live for Christ, my objective must be to die for him.
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
Leviticus 19:1-20:21
Mark 8:11-38
Psalm 42:1-11
Proverbs 10:17
"Raise your hand if you think our goal should be to be different than the world." At the first read, it seems yes, our goal should be different than the world's goal... But our goal should not be "to be different from the world." Our goal needs to be that we have the mind of Christ. When we become like him, then we will automatically become different than the world.
How far are we willing to go with that?
The most basic of all human instincts is "self-preservation". It's in our instinct that when we hear a lion roar, our "fight or flight" reflexes begin to kick in. (more "flight" than "fight"!) As natural as this is, this must be something we overcome as we mature in Christ. We must die to our instinct of self preservation. I'm not saying that we should run to the zoo and jump into the cage, but we must be intentional about dying to the flesh. It must be our goal.
Jesus lays this out for us. "Then he began to tell them about the terrible things he would suffer, and that he would be rejected by the elders and the Chief Priests and the other Jewish leaders - and be killed, and that he would rise again three days afterwards. He talked about it quite frankly with them, so Peter took him aside and chided him. 'You shouldn't say things like that,' he told Jesus.
"Jesus turned and looked at his disciples and then said to Peter very sternly, 'Satan, get behind me! You are looking at this only from a human point of view and not from God's.'"
How would you feel if you were Peter? I picture the cartoon where the character shrinks down to the size of a mouse. My thoughts would be, "But I'm just trying to help! Don't you see how I'm trying to help you? Don't you see that I'm trying to build up your ministry?" Peter had the best intentions. But they were wrong.
Why were they wrong? Because they were the result of a fleshly response: self-preservation. Jesus recognized that, and took it very seriously.
"Then he called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen. 'If any of you wants to be my follower,' he told them, 'you must put aside your own pleasures and shoulder your cross, and follow me closely. If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live. And how does a man benefit if he gains the whole world and loses his soul in the process?"
We've talked in the past of "Dead Man Walking". It refers to taking every step with the knowledge that our goal is death. This should not be a "theory", or a catch phrase. It must be a way of life. "I lay down my desires, my pleasures, and I stay close to Christ, making intentional steps toward the death of my flesh."
That sounds so difficult, but what's the alternative? To live for me? To live the "Mediocre Christian Life"?
If my goal is to live for Christ, my objective must be to die for him.
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, November 15, 2010
11.15.10 "Look out!"
"Look out!"
Ezekiel 31:1-32:32
Hebrews 12:14-29
Psalm 113:1-114:8
Proverbs 27:18-20
If you've ever been to Niagara Falls, you know it is truly an amazing sight. The volume of water that goes over the falls is incredible. It almost makes you dizzy to watch it. When we were there in the summer of '07, we walked through tunnels behind the falls, and the roar of the water was incredible. I had slippery shoes on, and there were a couple of times i hit a slick spot on the tunnel floor, and wiped out. For how many tourists are there I'm surprised it isn't more guarded with safety rails. It seemed to me like it would be very easy for a child or a crazy teenager to walk out on a ledge, and fall over the cliff or into the falls.
As I read the scriptures this morning, I was imagining seeing someone walk out there with slippery shoes. What would I do if I saw that? Would I say anything? Would I do anything to prevent?
When discussing confrontation a friend said, "It's hardest to confront those closest to you. We're great friends, but when it comes to spiritual things..."
Hebrews 12:15 shows us the priority: "Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives."
This is what it is all about. In pastoral ministries there are some sad stories. I'll sit in my office as the person across my desk has a broken life in their hand. Often it's something that has gone on for years. What makes it so sad, is that many times individuals in this condition have "close" relationships with Christian friends. But, for some reason or another, the struggle never came up in conversation. There may have been comments on the side about a marriage frustration, or even a snide comment about another believer, but for one reason another, it was never discussed. Never confronted.
Enter the bitter root. An individual misses church for a few weeks, and no one "notices". Sure, there's a call from a pastor, or church leader, but what about my friends? The bitterness grows to the point that when a call is made, it seems "too late". The bitter root takes hold, and it causes deep trouble. Not only for the individual, but "hurting many in their spiritual lives."
It's uncomfortable many times to say, "hey man, I notice you're not getting along with your wife very well." Or, "I haven't seen you in bible study for a while. Is everything ok?" We don't want to risk offending the individual. But SO OFTEN, the one who's hurting inside is BEGGING for someone to notice. Someone to ask.
It's like seeing the child on the ledge. "I'd say something, but I don't want the parent to think I'm judging them." "I haven't met them yet. Who am I to say something?"
In a scenario like that the only way you would keep silent is either you don't value the life, or you don't recognize the danger.
Look again at the purpose for this. "Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings." If you see me heading down a path that could cause me to miss God's best blessings, why wouldn't you talk to me about it? Why wouldn't you say, "Look out!" Don't you care enough?
The difficulty is that too often people are "judged" instead of talked to. Benny misses two bible studies & he must be in sin. We build a case against him in our mind, build it up to be a huge deal, and we actually become insecure in how to deal with the issue, and afraid to do anything. So, we shake our head, and wonder what went wrong rather than finding out that Benny is discouraged because of a job situation, and could really use a call. We don't value Benny's life enough to pick up the phone.
Relationships Devoted to Unity are "discipling" relationships. It's caring enough to help one another keep conversation and conduct aligned with the word. Look at the people in your world differently. View yourself as God's agent to bring another closer to Christ. Not just unbelievers, but those in your family & the family of God.
There's a pretty good chance that someone reading this email is the one who "needs someone to notice". The enemy wants to keep you isolated and alone. He wants to separate you from the Body so he can destroy you. Don't use the lie that "no one cares" feed into the ploy to drive you to despair. Get connected! Pursue relationships with godly people. EVERY ONE of us have this responsibility!
One thing that I'm discovering more and more is that as the Lord is purifying his Church for his soon return, there are some interesting things happening. In the lives of so many individuals there are things that are coming to the surface. For example, people who have been Christians for a long time are "all of the sudden" struggling with issues and it's being revealed.
As the Lord purifies us, things come to the surface so we can allow God to take them away. What tends to happen, though is that we want to cover them up. We feel we should be perfect because it's time to be mature. But the bible says that we should "confess our sins one to another so that we may be healed." We need to be vulnerable one to another. We need to offer grace one to another. We need to show one another the way out.
We need to Look Out! for one another! If we don't we either don't value the life, or recognize the danger.
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
Ezekiel 31:1-32:32
Hebrews 12:14-29
Psalm 113:1-114:8
Proverbs 27:18-20
If you've ever been to Niagara Falls, you know it is truly an amazing sight. The volume of water that goes over the falls is incredible. It almost makes you dizzy to watch it. When we were there in the summer of '07, we walked through tunnels behind the falls, and the roar of the water was incredible. I had slippery shoes on, and there were a couple of times i hit a slick spot on the tunnel floor, and wiped out. For how many tourists are there I'm surprised it isn't more guarded with safety rails. It seemed to me like it would be very easy for a child or a crazy teenager to walk out on a ledge, and fall over the cliff or into the falls.
As I read the scriptures this morning, I was imagining seeing someone walk out there with slippery shoes. What would I do if I saw that? Would I say anything? Would I do anything to prevent?
When discussing confrontation a friend said, "It's hardest to confront those closest to you. We're great friends, but when it comes to spiritual things..."
Hebrews 12:15 shows us the priority: "Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives."
This is what it is all about. In pastoral ministries there are some sad stories. I'll sit in my office as the person across my desk has a broken life in their hand. Often it's something that has gone on for years. What makes it so sad, is that many times individuals in this condition have "close" relationships with Christian friends. But, for some reason or another, the struggle never came up in conversation. There may have been comments on the side about a marriage frustration, or even a snide comment about another believer, but for one reason another, it was never discussed. Never confronted.
Enter the bitter root. An individual misses church for a few weeks, and no one "notices". Sure, there's a call from a pastor, or church leader, but what about my friends? The bitterness grows to the point that when a call is made, it seems "too late". The bitter root takes hold, and it causes deep trouble. Not only for the individual, but "hurting many in their spiritual lives."
It's uncomfortable many times to say, "hey man, I notice you're not getting along with your wife very well." Or, "I haven't seen you in bible study for a while. Is everything ok?" We don't want to risk offending the individual. But SO OFTEN, the one who's hurting inside is BEGGING for someone to notice. Someone to ask.
It's like seeing the child on the ledge. "I'd say something, but I don't want the parent to think I'm judging them." "I haven't met them yet. Who am I to say something?"
In a scenario like that the only way you would keep silent is either you don't value the life, or you don't recognize the danger.
Look again at the purpose for this. "Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings." If you see me heading down a path that could cause me to miss God's best blessings, why wouldn't you talk to me about it? Why wouldn't you say, "Look out!" Don't you care enough?
The difficulty is that too often people are "judged" instead of talked to. Benny misses two bible studies & he must be in sin. We build a case against him in our mind, build it up to be a huge deal, and we actually become insecure in how to deal with the issue, and afraid to do anything. So, we shake our head, and wonder what went wrong rather than finding out that Benny is discouraged because of a job situation, and could really use a call. We don't value Benny's life enough to pick up the phone.
Relationships Devoted to Unity are "discipling" relationships. It's caring enough to help one another keep conversation and conduct aligned with the word. Look at the people in your world differently. View yourself as God's agent to bring another closer to Christ. Not just unbelievers, but those in your family & the family of God.
There's a pretty good chance that someone reading this email is the one who "needs someone to notice". The enemy wants to keep you isolated and alone. He wants to separate you from the Body so he can destroy you. Don't use the lie that "no one cares" feed into the ploy to drive you to despair. Get connected! Pursue relationships with godly people. EVERY ONE of us have this responsibility!
One thing that I'm discovering more and more is that as the Lord is purifying his Church for his soon return, there are some interesting things happening. In the lives of so many individuals there are things that are coming to the surface. For example, people who have been Christians for a long time are "all of the sudden" struggling with issues and it's being revealed.
As the Lord purifies us, things come to the surface so we can allow God to take them away. What tends to happen, though is that we want to cover them up. We feel we should be perfect because it's time to be mature. But the bible says that we should "confess our sins one to another so that we may be healed." We need to be vulnerable one to another. We need to offer grace one to another. We need to show one another the way out.
We need to Look Out! for one another! If we don't we either don't value the life, or recognize the danger.
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, September 13, 2010
9.13.10 "Who's Discipling You?"
"Who's Discipling You?"
Isaiah 12:1-14:32
2 Corinthians 13:1-14
Psalm 57:1-11
Proverbs 23:9-11
Are you a disciple of Christ? What is a disciple? The dictionary says a follower of Jesus, or a student of a leader. We're commanded in Matthew 28:19 to "Go and make disciples..." Jesus had a lot of people around him, but not all of them were considered disciples. Why is that? The disciples were the ones who experienced changes in their behavior, redirection in their lives, and committed themselves to the path.
So "Who's discipling you?" I've asked that question to quite a few people. Some are new in the faith, others have been serving the Lord for years. The reactions to that question are pretty interesting. In fact, there have only been a few times when someone has been able to answer. What does that indicate?
If we are to "go into all the world and make disciples...", that should mean there are many disciples around everywhere right? To some extent, it could be argued that there are, based on our definition. What is a disciple? A follower? a learner? Most Christians would qualify for that definition. So if they're all disciples, who's discipling them?
I'm kind of taking a long way around a point I'm trying to make. There seems to be the feeling that the longer you've been a Christian, the less you need to be discipled. We get the feeling that our growth is just between us and God. This could not be further from the truth.
Empowered through Biblical Training is the element of DREAM that represents discipleship. There are many facets to this, including group bible study, church attendance, personal discipline in the word, but we forget the necessity of personal mentorship that comes through a close discipling relationship.
In today's reading, Paul makes a tough statement: "Check up on yourselves. Are you really Christians? Do you pass the test? Do you feel Christ's presence and power more and more within you? Or are you just pretending to be Christians when actually you aren't at all?" (2 Cor. 13:5) That's a pretty strong, but it shows something. There needs to be an expectation to feel Christ's presence "more and more". There is a progression, a growth that is necessary to the Christian life.
Paul says at the end of verse 9 " Our greatest wish and prayer is that you will become mature Christians." This is the objective for all of us. How do we become mature? Of course it comes through getting into the word in greater ways, but a major element is being a part of an "iron sharpens iron" discipling relationship.
The root of discipleship is discipline which means "to bring into alignment." We need people we trust to help us stay the course, not grow weary, and to challenge our actions and decisions. This is a vital part of helping us become mature.
Another question to ask is "who are you discipling?" Your friends are not there to make you feel good. Remember, "it's not about you!" We need to be looking at every relationship as a discipling opportunity. A chance to help another come into alignment with the Word of God. It's interesting that we'd be more inclined to stop a friend from buying the wrong car than we would to help them out spiritually. We'll help them with a home improvement project, but we wont ask if they're getting in the Word each day.
We can't Live the DREAM without this. I need it, you need it, your world needs it.
2 Cor. 13:11 "I close my letter with these last words: Be happy. Grow in Christ. Pay attention to what I have said. Live in harmony and peace. And may the God of love and peace be with you."
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
Isaiah 12:1-14:32
2 Corinthians 13:1-14
Psalm 57:1-11
Proverbs 23:9-11
Are you a disciple of Christ? What is a disciple? The dictionary says a follower of Jesus, or a student of a leader. We're commanded in Matthew 28:19 to "Go and make disciples..." Jesus had a lot of people around him, but not all of them were considered disciples. Why is that? The disciples were the ones who experienced changes in their behavior, redirection in their lives, and committed themselves to the path.
So "Who's discipling you?" I've asked that question to quite a few people. Some are new in the faith, others have been serving the Lord for years. The reactions to that question are pretty interesting. In fact, there have only been a few times when someone has been able to answer. What does that indicate?
If we are to "go into all the world and make disciples...", that should mean there are many disciples around everywhere right? To some extent, it could be argued that there are, based on our definition. What is a disciple? A follower? a learner? Most Christians would qualify for that definition. So if they're all disciples, who's discipling them?
I'm kind of taking a long way around a point I'm trying to make. There seems to be the feeling that the longer you've been a Christian, the less you need to be discipled. We get the feeling that our growth is just between us and God. This could not be further from the truth.
Empowered through Biblical Training is the element of DREAM that represents discipleship. There are many facets to this, including group bible study, church attendance, personal discipline in the word, but we forget the necessity of personal mentorship that comes through a close discipling relationship.
In today's reading, Paul makes a tough statement: "Check up on yourselves. Are you really Christians? Do you pass the test? Do you feel Christ's presence and power more and more within you? Or are you just pretending to be Christians when actually you aren't at all?" (2 Cor. 13:5) That's a pretty strong, but it shows something. There needs to be an expectation to feel Christ's presence "more and more". There is a progression, a growth that is necessary to the Christian life.
Paul says at the end of verse 9 " Our greatest wish and prayer is that you will become mature Christians." This is the objective for all of us. How do we become mature? Of course it comes through getting into the word in greater ways, but a major element is being a part of an "iron sharpens iron" discipling relationship.
The root of discipleship is discipline which means "to bring into alignment." We need people we trust to help us stay the course, not grow weary, and to challenge our actions and decisions. This is a vital part of helping us become mature.
Another question to ask is "who are you discipling?" Your friends are not there to make you feel good. Remember, "it's not about you!" We need to be looking at every relationship as a discipling opportunity. A chance to help another come into alignment with the Word of God. It's interesting that we'd be more inclined to stop a friend from buying the wrong car than we would to help them out spiritually. We'll help them with a home improvement project, but we wont ask if they're getting in the Word each day.
We can't Live the DREAM without this. I need it, you need it, your world needs it.
2 Cor. 13:11 "I close my letter with these last words: Be happy. Grow in Christ. Pay attention to what I have said. Live in harmony and peace. And may the God of love and peace be with you."
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
Friday, August 27, 2010
8.27.10 "How Much do You Care?"
"How Much do You Care?"
Job 23:1-27:23
2 Corinthians 1:12-2:8
Psalm 41:1-13
Proverbs 22:5-6
2 Corinthians 2:4 "Oh, how I hated to write that letter! It almost broke my heart and I tell you honestly that I cried over it. I didn't want to hurt you, but I had to show you how very much I loved you and cared about what was happening to you."
In this second letter to the Corinthian church, Paul references the first letter. If you remember, there were some harsh words in I Corinthians. In today's verse, Paul models what it really means to be devoted to unity.
Unity is great when everything is going smoothly & everyone is getting along. But when it comes to dealing with sin, and discipling one another, there can be an awkwardness to it. Here are some possible reactions to seeing someone doing/acting/talking inappropriately:
1. I'm uncomfortable. I'm just going to walk away.
2. I didn't just hear what I thought I heard!? I'm shocked that person would do that. they've offended me.
3. Why doesn't Pastor do something about this individual?
4. How dare they do that! They should know by now that that is wrong! I'm going to "share the truth in love" by telling that person off.
5. I'm going to just ignore this & hope it goes away. I know now I should keep my distance.
6. I need to talk to another friend to make sure I'm not off base in thinking what they're doing is wrong.
There's many more responses, but don't these somewhat represent our initial reactions? Do you realize that none of these are what discipleship is all about?
Discipleship is about love. Yes, it is "bringing into alignment" as we've talked about before. But it's not about bringing into alignment to prove we are "right"! It's bringing into alignment because we care enough about the spiritual and physical health and welfare of the individual. Discipleship is friendship.
Proper motivation will give you the appropriate method of encouraging and correcting one another.
There may be times for a strong word like Paul gave, but when it is done in brokenness and humility, for the purpose of restoration, God is glorified.
Allowing someone to continue walking out of alignment with the word is not only dangerous to the individual, it's dangerous to you. It gives you a callous heart, and builds walls of division in the body of Christ. We really need to truly grow in our love for one another.
There used be an old saying. "Care enough to confront" was the mantra. Usually it translated into, "I was offended when you didn't say hi to me last week", then a couple tears and a hug. That's not what this is about. It's about "I notice you guys haven't been to bible study in a while. Is everything ok? Is there anything I can do to help?"
How much do you care? How devoted to unity are you? How comforting it would be to know that the Body of Christ is looking out for one another. Not make sure everyone's "toeing the line", but to know that everyone cares enough to stick it out through tough times and bring each other into the alignment of the Word.
Is it uncomfortable? It can be. But there is nothing more secure than knowing that someone is watching out for you.
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
Job 23:1-27:23
2 Corinthians 1:12-2:8
Psalm 41:1-13
Proverbs 22:5-6
2 Corinthians 2:4 "Oh, how I hated to write that letter! It almost broke my heart and I tell you honestly that I cried over it. I didn't want to hurt you, but I had to show you how very much I loved you and cared about what was happening to you."
In this second letter to the Corinthian church, Paul references the first letter. If you remember, there were some harsh words in I Corinthians. In today's verse, Paul models what it really means to be devoted to unity.
Unity is great when everything is going smoothly & everyone is getting along. But when it comes to dealing with sin, and discipling one another, there can be an awkwardness to it. Here are some possible reactions to seeing someone doing/acting/talking inappropriately:
1. I'm uncomfortable. I'm just going to walk away.
2. I didn't just hear what I thought I heard!? I'm shocked that person would do that. they've offended me.
3. Why doesn't Pastor do something about this individual?
4. How dare they do that! They should know by now that that is wrong! I'm going to "share the truth in love" by telling that person off.
5. I'm going to just ignore this & hope it goes away. I know now I should keep my distance.
6. I need to talk to another friend to make sure I'm not off base in thinking what they're doing is wrong.
There's many more responses, but don't these somewhat represent our initial reactions? Do you realize that none of these are what discipleship is all about?
Discipleship is about love. Yes, it is "bringing into alignment" as we've talked about before. But it's not about bringing into alignment to prove we are "right"! It's bringing into alignment because we care enough about the spiritual and physical health and welfare of the individual. Discipleship is friendship.
Proper motivation will give you the appropriate method of encouraging and correcting one another.
There may be times for a strong word like Paul gave, but when it is done in brokenness and humility, for the purpose of restoration, God is glorified.
Allowing someone to continue walking out of alignment with the word is not only dangerous to the individual, it's dangerous to you. It gives you a callous heart, and builds walls of division in the body of Christ. We really need to truly grow in our love for one another.
There used be an old saying. "Care enough to confront" was the mantra. Usually it translated into, "I was offended when you didn't say hi to me last week", then a couple tears and a hug. That's not what this is about. It's about "I notice you guys haven't been to bible study in a while. Is everything ok? Is there anything I can do to help?"
How much do you care? How devoted to unity are you? How comforting it would be to know that the Body of Christ is looking out for one another. Not make sure everyone's "toeing the line", but to know that everyone cares enough to stick it out through tough times and bring each other into the alignment of the Word.
Is it uncomfortable? It can be. But there is nothing more secure than knowing that someone is watching out for you.
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 22, 2010
8.22.10 "Discipline!"
"Discipline!"
Job 4:1 - 7:21
I Corinthians 14:18:40
Psalm 37:29-40
Proverbs 21:27
If this where one of those ink blot tests where you look at it & say the first thing that comes to your mind, what happens when you see the word "discipline"? You like it? You hate it? What is your definition? What is your perception of what it means?
From the reading a few days ago, I Corinthians 11:32 says, "When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world."
The word "discipline" really stands out from that reading. It is a challenge to me to really understand what discipline means: To bring into alignment. That may have no profound impact on you at all, but it does for me. I have lived life with multiple definitions for the word, including, punishment, self-control, restraint, focus, etc. Each of those have a specific application, but I believe "to bring into alignment" covers all of these.
So what's the big deal? When you get right down to it, to be "Empowered through Biblical Training" is really to be "disciplined". To live the DREAM, we need to live the "E". So what does that mean? that means we need to live a life of discipline. So what does THAT mean? It means we need "to bring alignment" to our life. How? By knowing God's Word and God's voice and making sure everything in our circle of influence is "aligned" to scriptural truth.
We NEED to know the Word! Yes, we know that from Sunday School, but it's more urgent than we realize. How do you know when your actions align with God's word? How do you know when someone else's does?
We all share a God given purpose: to "make disciples". (matt. 28:19) What does "disciple" mean? To bring into alignment. This gives us 2 responsibilities: 1. To KNOW what we are aligning to, 2. to Help others align to it.
Let's look at today's readings: In Job chapters 4&5, Job's friend Elephaz is going off on Job about how he must have sinned for all this bad stuff to be happening. In chapter 6:10 Job says, "This, at least, gives me comfort despite all the pain - that I have not denied the words of the Holy God." Job is empowered through biblical training. He is "aligned" to God's word, an he has not denied them. This gives him strength to carry on through the hardship. This should cause us to hunger greatly for the word so we can have that same empowerment when we go through tough times. If not, we'll more than likely go through the questioning season: "Maybe I'm out of God's will". Too often that is a Christian's response to difficulty. That in itself can be a sign of deficiency in the area of "biblical training".
A couple verses later, Job brings his friend "into alignment" so to speak. He corrects him for his erroneous accusation. In 6:14-18 he says, "One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you have accused me without the slightest fear of God. My brother, you have proved as unreliable as a brook; it floods when there is ice and snow, but in hot weather, disappears. The caravans turn aside to be refreshed, but there is nothing there to drink, and so they perish." Job is disciplining his friend. We might take the interpretation that he's "going off" on him (like sometimes we like to do to people), but it's not a personal thing to Job he refers to "fear of God" in this rebuke. He's bringing his friend "into alignment" with the truth of God's word.
We have a GREAT responsibility to DISCIPLE our friends and loved ones. How does that happen? By lovingly bringing them into alignment wherever/whenever possible. How many times has a fellow Christian complained to you or acted inappropriately or ungodly? Too often our response is to "let it go". We fear conflict. Let's just say it's you who's off track. Wouldn't you want someone to help correct your course? If you are "Devoted to Unity", why wouldn't you work to bring another into alignment with scripture?
Psalm 37:34 says, "Don't be impatient for the Lord to act! Keep traveling steadily along his pathway and in due season he will honor you with every blessing, and you will see the wicked destroyed."
What great encouragement in this word! The discipline of Biblical Training is evident in several ways in this scripture. First we're encouraged to travel steadily along "his pathway." There's no way to know what his pathway is without knowing his word. another benefit of discipline is the wisdom of holding steady to the path. Being faithful and remaining undistracted from what His direction is. That takes discipline. The last is knowing this scripture brings encouragement to know that God will be faithful when all is said and done. Having been disciplined to study this Psalm will give you strength for the journey.
After reading this DEVO, Rudy Ruiz, a former Marine sent me this email:
I served 8 years in the United States Marine Corps, and three of those years as a Marine Parachutist. Our boot camp is 13 weeks long, far longer than any other branch of the service. It was during these years I became a man.
During those 13 months in boot camp we did thousands of push-ups. For every push-up we did there were two words we shouted out. "Loyalty Sir!" was the shout as we lowered our bodies and "Discipline Sir!" was the cry on the way up from a push-up. So "Discipline" became an integral part of my life as a Marine, and for every Marine. Loyalty to the Marine Corps and to our superiors was also deeply instilled into every fiber of our being. That is why we were, we are, and we will always be the most efficient fighting force on this planet. One of the Marine Corps goals is to bring every Marine into alignment with Marine Corps doctrine. The Marine Corps brings ghetto kids, farm boys, suburban kids, and even kids from wealthy families together, and in 13 weeks molds them into one well oiled fighting machine. That takes discipline.
I believe if every Christian lived their lives with that kind of loyalty to our Lord, and that kind of discipline to His Word, the Church would impact this planet like the world has never seen!
What a powerful example of the importance of discipline.
Think of the balance that we can obtain in our life if we have a proper understanding and application of the biblical principle of discipline. You wont punish your kids in anger because they "made you mad". You will do what is proper and necessary to bring them "into alignment" with the values you hold dear. You will be intentional in your relationships with those around you to bring each other into alignment of the Word.
Live the "E" today. Live the disciplined life.
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
Job 4:1 - 7:21
I Corinthians 14:18:40
Psalm 37:29-40
Proverbs 21:27
If this where one of those ink blot tests where you look at it & say the first thing that comes to your mind, what happens when you see the word "discipline"? You like it? You hate it? What is your definition? What is your perception of what it means?
From the reading a few days ago, I Corinthians 11:32 says, "When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world."
The word "discipline" really stands out from that reading. It is a challenge to me to really understand what discipline means: To bring into alignment. That may have no profound impact on you at all, but it does for me. I have lived life with multiple definitions for the word, including, punishment, self-control, restraint, focus, etc. Each of those have a specific application, but I believe "to bring into alignment" covers all of these.
So what's the big deal? When you get right down to it, to be "Empowered through Biblical Training" is really to be "disciplined". To live the DREAM, we need to live the "E". So what does that mean? that means we need to live a life of discipline. So what does THAT mean? It means we need "to bring alignment" to our life. How? By knowing God's Word and God's voice and making sure everything in our circle of influence is "aligned" to scriptural truth.
We NEED to know the Word! Yes, we know that from Sunday School, but it's more urgent than we realize. How do you know when your actions align with God's word? How do you know when someone else's does?
We all share a God given purpose: to "make disciples". (matt. 28:19) What does "disciple" mean? To bring into alignment. This gives us 2 responsibilities: 1. To KNOW what we are aligning to, 2. to Help others align to it.
Let's look at today's readings: In Job chapters 4&5, Job's friend Elephaz is going off on Job about how he must have sinned for all this bad stuff to be happening. In chapter 6:10 Job says, "This, at least, gives me comfort despite all the pain - that I have not denied the words of the Holy God." Job is empowered through biblical training. He is "aligned" to God's word, an he has not denied them. This gives him strength to carry on through the hardship. This should cause us to hunger greatly for the word so we can have that same empowerment when we go through tough times. If not, we'll more than likely go through the questioning season: "Maybe I'm out of God's will". Too often that is a Christian's response to difficulty. That in itself can be a sign of deficiency in the area of "biblical training".
A couple verses later, Job brings his friend "into alignment" so to speak. He corrects him for his erroneous accusation. In 6:14-18 he says, "One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you have accused me without the slightest fear of God. My brother, you have proved as unreliable as a brook; it floods when there is ice and snow, but in hot weather, disappears. The caravans turn aside to be refreshed, but there is nothing there to drink, and so they perish." Job is disciplining his friend. We might take the interpretation that he's "going off" on him (like sometimes we like to do to people), but it's not a personal thing to Job he refers to "fear of God" in this rebuke. He's bringing his friend "into alignment" with the truth of God's word.
We have a GREAT responsibility to DISCIPLE our friends and loved ones. How does that happen? By lovingly bringing them into alignment wherever/whenever possible. How many times has a fellow Christian complained to you or acted inappropriately or ungodly? Too often our response is to "let it go". We fear conflict. Let's just say it's you who's off track. Wouldn't you want someone to help correct your course? If you are "Devoted to Unity", why wouldn't you work to bring another into alignment with scripture?
Psalm 37:34 says, "Don't be impatient for the Lord to act! Keep traveling steadily along his pathway and in due season he will honor you with every blessing, and you will see the wicked destroyed."
What great encouragement in this word! The discipline of Biblical Training is evident in several ways in this scripture. First we're encouraged to travel steadily along "his pathway." There's no way to know what his pathway is without knowing his word. another benefit of discipline is the wisdom of holding steady to the path. Being faithful and remaining undistracted from what His direction is. That takes discipline. The last is knowing this scripture brings encouragement to know that God will be faithful when all is said and done. Having been disciplined to study this Psalm will give you strength for the journey.
After reading this DEVO, Rudy Ruiz, a former Marine sent me this email:
I served 8 years in the United States Marine Corps, and three of those years as a Marine Parachutist. Our boot camp is 13 weeks long, far longer than any other branch of the service. It was during these years I became a man.
During those 13 months in boot camp we did thousands of push-ups. For every push-up we did there were two words we shouted out. "Loyalty Sir!" was the shout as we lowered our bodies and "Discipline Sir!" was the cry on the way up from a push-up. So "Discipline" became an integral part of my life as a Marine, and for every Marine. Loyalty to the Marine Corps and to our superiors was also deeply instilled into every fiber of our being. That is why we were, we are, and we will always be the most efficient fighting force on this planet. One of the Marine Corps goals is to bring every Marine into alignment with Marine Corps doctrine. The Marine Corps brings ghetto kids, farm boys, suburban kids, and even kids from wealthy families together, and in 13 weeks molds them into one well oiled fighting machine. That takes discipline.
I believe if every Christian lived their lives with that kind of loyalty to our Lord, and that kind of discipline to His Word, the Church would impact this planet like the world has never seen!
What a powerful example of the importance of discipline.
Think of the balance that we can obtain in our life if we have a proper understanding and application of the biblical principle of discipline. You wont punish your kids in anger because they "made you mad". You will do what is proper and necessary to bring them "into alignment" with the values you hold dear. You will be intentional in your relationships with those around you to bring each other into alignment of the Word.
Live the "E" today. Live the disciplined life.
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, June 12, 2010
6.12.10 "God Purifies Hearts"
"God Purifies Hearts"
I Kings 9:1-10:29
Acts 8:14-40
Psalm 130:1-8
Proverbs 17:2-3
"Silver and gold are purified by fire, but God purifies hearts." (Prov 17:2-3)
We are commissioned to go and make disciples, right? So, how are you doing with that? "Well, I have a bunch of Christian friends... and I put up a flyer at work when there's an event...."
So what about this "making disciples" thing? Could you produce a list of individuals that you are discipling in their relationship with the Lord? If not, why? What keeps Christians from charging forward with this?
I think our big issue about the challenge of discipleship is thinking that it means WE need to fix people. If we witness and they don't get saved, WE feel like we've failed. If we pray for healing and it doesn't happen for them, WE wonder what we did wrong. If we are counseling someone and they make the wrong decision, and fall away or fall into sin, we wonder what WE could have done different.
These thoughts reveal an important misconception that we have in the discipleship process. WE can't make a change in the hearts of men. "God purifies hearts." As we begin to realize (personally and then teach others) that ALL we are is a Connection Point to God, it takes some of the self-imposed paralysis away that comes from feeling that WE have to have the answers and WE have to "fix" people.
Too often we create this huge divide between discipleship and friendship. It's almost like our voice and posture, and everything changes to "discipleship" mode when it comes to spiritual matters. We struggle to find something profound to say. That's totally unnecessary.
All we have to do is Connect them to God, and he takes care of the rest. We have to have faith and be obedient, but beyond that we can come up with all the discipleship books & answers we want, but its no good without the power of God. Going back to the proverb analogy, all of our own efforts will only be a manmade fire that might refine silver or Gold, but do nothing to change the hearts of men.
I'm a person who loves puzzles. I like to solve things. But I'm learning as I grow in Christ that people don't need to be "solved" they need to be put in touch with God. Then HE takes care of it. In fact, if we do it the other way around, we get into BIG trouble. Pretty soon we put restrictions, and man-made obstacles to coming to Christ. I've shared the story before about how when I was a teen-ager I was leading a friend to Christ, but I made him put his cigarette out first before praying with him. I was trying to get him "cleaned up" before "taking a bath". It sent the wrong message. It's GOD who purifies hearts. WE can light a fire and purify silver, but there's NOTHING we can do to change a heart.
We can't "convince" people into the kingdom. Evangelism is not a game show where our goal is to answer every question right & then the prize is they "have to" get saved. We are just here to display the presence of God so others can respond as the Lord directs.
We can't fix people. I think that often we are more interested in changing the lifestyles of our neighbors instead of just creating an opportunity for them to meet God and letting HIM change things in His timing. I have friends who are living a very ungodly lifestyle. I could get after them about that, but I'm much more interested in them coming into contact with the One who can show them what REAL life is like. He'll take care of the rest.
All we need to do is clear the road. We need to connect people to Christ. This is our Mission. We must disciple individuals, and we don't have to be intimidated by the thought that WE have to have all the answers. All we have to do is be available to help people get to a place where they can hear from God.
Your Christian friends? Guess what... they need to be discipled by you... and you need to be discipled by them! We need to be helping one another grow in Christ. We can't fix the problems, but we MUST encourage one another to grow.
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
I Kings 9:1-10:29
Acts 8:14-40
Psalm 130:1-8
Proverbs 17:2-3
"Silver and gold are purified by fire, but God purifies hearts." (Prov 17:2-3)
We are commissioned to go and make disciples, right? So, how are you doing with that? "Well, I have a bunch of Christian friends... and I put up a flyer at work when there's an event...."
So what about this "making disciples" thing? Could you produce a list of individuals that you are discipling in their relationship with the Lord? If not, why? What keeps Christians from charging forward with this?
I think our big issue about the challenge of discipleship is thinking that it means WE need to fix people. If we witness and they don't get saved, WE feel like we've failed. If we pray for healing and it doesn't happen for them, WE wonder what we did wrong. If we are counseling someone and they make the wrong decision, and fall away or fall into sin, we wonder what WE could have done different.
These thoughts reveal an important misconception that we have in the discipleship process. WE can't make a change in the hearts of men. "God purifies hearts." As we begin to realize (personally and then teach others) that ALL we are is a Connection Point to God, it takes some of the self-imposed paralysis away that comes from feeling that WE have to have the answers and WE have to "fix" people.
Too often we create this huge divide between discipleship and friendship. It's almost like our voice and posture, and everything changes to "discipleship" mode when it comes to spiritual matters. We struggle to find something profound to say. That's totally unnecessary.
All we have to do is Connect them to God, and he takes care of the rest. We have to have faith and be obedient, but beyond that we can come up with all the discipleship books & answers we want, but its no good without the power of God. Going back to the proverb analogy, all of our own efforts will only be a manmade fire that might refine silver or Gold, but do nothing to change the hearts of men.
I'm a person who loves puzzles. I like to solve things. But I'm learning as I grow in Christ that people don't need to be "solved" they need to be put in touch with God. Then HE takes care of it. In fact, if we do it the other way around, we get into BIG trouble. Pretty soon we put restrictions, and man-made obstacles to coming to Christ. I've shared the story before about how when I was a teen-ager I was leading a friend to Christ, but I made him put his cigarette out first before praying with him. I was trying to get him "cleaned up" before "taking a bath". It sent the wrong message. It's GOD who purifies hearts. WE can light a fire and purify silver, but there's NOTHING we can do to change a heart.
We can't "convince" people into the kingdom. Evangelism is not a game show where our goal is to answer every question right & then the prize is they "have to" get saved. We are just here to display the presence of God so others can respond as the Lord directs.
We can't fix people. I think that often we are more interested in changing the lifestyles of our neighbors instead of just creating an opportunity for them to meet God and letting HIM change things in His timing. I have friends who are living a very ungodly lifestyle. I could get after them about that, but I'm much more interested in them coming into contact with the One who can show them what REAL life is like. He'll take care of the rest.
All we need to do is clear the road. We need to connect people to Christ. This is our Mission. We must disciple individuals, and we don't have to be intimidated by the thought that WE have to have all the answers. All we have to do is be available to help people get to a place where they can hear from God.
Your Christian friends? Guess what... they need to be discipled by you... and you need to be discipled by them! We need to be helping one another grow in Christ. We can't fix the problems, but we MUST encourage one another to grow.
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, December 3, 2009
12.3.9 "Born Again"
"Born Again"
Daniel 11:1-34
I John 3:7-24
Psalm 122:1-9
Proverbs 29:1
"Oh, dear children, don't let anyone deceive you about this: if you are constantly doing what is good, it is because you are good, even as he is. But if you keep on sinning, it shows that you belong to Satan, who since he first began to sin has kept steadily at it. But the Son of God came to destroy these works of the devil. The person who has been born into God's family does not make a practice of sinning, because now God's life is in him; so he can't keep on sinning, for this new life has been born into him and controls him - he has been born again. So now we can tell who is a child of God and who belongs to Satan. Whoever is living a life of sin and doesn't love his brother shows that he is not in God's family; for the message to us from the beginning has been that we should love one another." I John 3:7-11
When I was a kid my mom worked at a store that did "iron-ons" for t-shirts. I got one that said "Born Again". It had a sunset on it... I was so cool! I felt like i was super Christian!
What does it mean to be "born again"? To often I fear that I have had the mentality that "getting saved" is like a check mark on a to-do list, and that is what it means to be born again. That the goal of everyone should be to say the sinners prayer, and that's it. We have to be very careful about that line of thinking. In essence we become a Christian so we can wear the t-shirt.
What is the purpose of the sinner's prayer? It's to restore man's relationship to God, right? Imagine that you and I were in broken relationship for say, 10 years. One day, I make a phone call to you and say, "I'm so sorry we've been so distant, I'm sorry for what separated us, let's restore our relationship," and that's it. Another 10 years go by, and not a whole lot more contact. Would you consider that a restored relationship?
There needs to be an understanding in me as a believer that the final goal of my life is not to just "be saved", it's "to be in right relationship with God." This is a process of life transformation, not a mere check-mark on a to-do list.
I want to make sure that we're careful in discussing this. There is errant theology that can take this thought process too far. It says, "Saying the sinner's prayer isn't enough. You're not really saved unless you..." That is not what I'm saying at all. To be Born Again means your born into "new life". It involves living it out. It's important that we look at the balance of scripture in dealing with our relationship with Christ.
What I'm saying is this: I MUST be PROGRESSING in my Relationship with the Lord. I am a disciple of Christ. This process of continual transformation needs to be happening in my life. To show no progress in becoming closer to him, is as dangerous as living in sin.
The "good life" is the fruit of a Godly life. It's not the good works that make us Godly, but the result of a godly life is goodness.
verse 14-15 says, "If we love other Christians it proves that we have been delivered from hell and given eternal life. But a person who doesn't have love for others is headed for eternal death. Anyone who hates his Christian brother is really a murderer at heart; and you know that no one wanting to murder has eternal life within. We know what real love is from Christ's example in dying for us. And so we also ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers."
Based on that portion of scripture, how important is unity to God? I was actually laughing about the first part of verse 14. "if we love other Christians it proves we have been delivered from hell" could be interpreted as, "some of them are so hard to love, you GOT to be saved to do it!" True or not, we MUST progress in this area.
When we get under pressure and under stress we can so easily forget the "love" factor. Remember I Cor 13. "Without love I am a resounding gong". Without love it is all meaningless.
Verse 17 says, "But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him - how can God's love be within him?" Our relationship with Christ is manifest in our concern for one another.
So, what does it mean to be "Born Again"? verse 23 says, "And this is what God says we must do: Believe on the name of his son Jesus Christ, and love one another." Guess what? I'm not done. You're not done. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, to purify our motives, to cleanse us, to help us to know God more. The fruit of that will be Daniel 11:32, "But the people who know their God shall be strong and do great things."
Be Born Again 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
Daniel 11:1-34
I John 3:7-24
Psalm 122:1-9
Proverbs 29:1
"Oh, dear children, don't let anyone deceive you about this: if you are constantly doing what is good, it is because you are good, even as he is. But if you keep on sinning, it shows that you belong to Satan, who since he first began to sin has kept steadily at it. But the Son of God came to destroy these works of the devil. The person who has been born into God's family does not make a practice of sinning, because now God's life is in him; so he can't keep on sinning, for this new life has been born into him and controls him - he has been born again. So now we can tell who is a child of God and who belongs to Satan. Whoever is living a life of sin and doesn't love his brother shows that he is not in God's family; for the message to us from the beginning has been that we should love one another." I John 3:7-11
When I was a kid my mom worked at a store that did "iron-ons" for t-shirts. I got one that said "Born Again". It had a sunset on it... I was so cool! I felt like i was super Christian!
What does it mean to be "born again"? To often I fear that I have had the mentality that "getting saved" is like a check mark on a to-do list, and that is what it means to be born again. That the goal of everyone should be to say the sinners prayer, and that's it. We have to be very careful about that line of thinking. In essence we become a Christian so we can wear the t-shirt.
What is the purpose of the sinner's prayer? It's to restore man's relationship to God, right? Imagine that you and I were in broken relationship for say, 10 years. One day, I make a phone call to you and say, "I'm so sorry we've been so distant, I'm sorry for what separated us, let's restore our relationship," and that's it. Another 10 years go by, and not a whole lot more contact. Would you consider that a restored relationship?
There needs to be an understanding in me as a believer that the final goal of my life is not to just "be saved", it's "to be in right relationship with God." This is a process of life transformation, not a mere check-mark on a to-do list.
I want to make sure that we're careful in discussing this. There is errant theology that can take this thought process too far. It says, "Saying the sinner's prayer isn't enough. You're not really saved unless you..." That is not what I'm saying at all. To be Born Again means your born into "new life". It involves living it out. It's important that we look at the balance of scripture in dealing with our relationship with Christ.
What I'm saying is this: I MUST be PROGRESSING in my Relationship with the Lord. I am a disciple of Christ. This process of continual transformation needs to be happening in my life. To show no progress in becoming closer to him, is as dangerous as living in sin.
The "good life" is the fruit of a Godly life. It's not the good works that make us Godly, but the result of a godly life is goodness.
verse 14-15 says, "If we love other Christians it proves that we have been delivered from hell and given eternal life. But a person who doesn't have love for others is headed for eternal death. Anyone who hates his Christian brother is really a murderer at heart; and you know that no one wanting to murder has eternal life within. We know what real love is from Christ's example in dying for us. And so we also ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers."
Based on that portion of scripture, how important is unity to God? I was actually laughing about the first part of verse 14. "if we love other Christians it proves we have been delivered from hell" could be interpreted as, "some of them are so hard to love, you GOT to be saved to do it!" True or not, we MUST progress in this area.
When we get under pressure and under stress we can so easily forget the "love" factor. Remember I Cor 13. "Without love I am a resounding gong". Without love it is all meaningless.
Verse 17 says, "But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him - how can God's love be within him?" Our relationship with Christ is manifest in our concern for one another.
So, what does it mean to be "Born Again"? verse 23 says, "And this is what God says we must do: Believe on the name of his son Jesus Christ, and love one another." Guess what? I'm not done. You're not done. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, to purify our motives, to cleanse us, to help us to know God more. The fruit of that will be Daniel 11:32, "But the people who know their God shall be strong and do great things."
Be Born Again 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
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