"You Are What You Eat (Worship)"
I Kings 18:1-46
Acts 11:1-30
Psalm 135:1-21
Proverbs 17:12-13
I've never been to a country that is given to actual, physical, little statue-like idols. I know that the far-east is pretty much given to that. Every home has the little shine, and it's a way of life. Our culture may not have the specific shrines like the orient, but that doesn't clear us of idolatry.
A couple years ago we spent a day in Niagara Falls. It is absolutely amazing to see how much water goes over those falls. People from all over the world are here to check it out. it's very cool. I had been there in 1990, but it has changed quite a bit since then. Now there are huge casino signs, and other "attractions" that are basically shrines to self.
Psalm 135:15-18 says "The heathen worship idols of gold and silver, made by men - idols with speechless mouths and sightless eyes and ears that cannot hear; they cannot even breathe. Those who make them become like them! And so do all who trust in them!"
For some reason, people are emulators. We hang around a crowd of people, a circle of friends, watch certain things, listen to certain music, and we, at varying degrees, become like the influences around us.
I was a teenager in the 80's. I'm not proud. I remember the leg-warmers, the big hair, i had my own version of the mullet, I remember the "valley-girl" phase. That was "like when, you know like the girls were like TOTALLY talking like for sure like the same way..." makes me sick to recall!
We are in a society of idolatry. While our high places and shrines are not laid out like they may be in some eastern cultures, or in the days of Solomon, no matter how you look at it, we have them. It's not just in gambling halls and inappropriate night clubs. It's also in our shrines to our comfort.
Today's Psalm says alot! "Those who make them become like them! And so do all who trust in them!"
So, lets check if this true... "...idols with speechless mouths and sightless eyes and ears that cannot hear; they cannot even breathe." Does that sound like anyone you know? neighbors, unsaved family, friends, politicians?
I never actually saw the movie, "Night of the Living Dead", but I've seen clips and commercials have mimicked it. It's where zombies roam the streets with glazed eyes, etc. If you've read Frank Peretti's book "the Oath", he describes people walking aimlessly, completely unaware of the oozing sore of sin in their life.
So it is with those who don't know Christ. I Cor 1:18 "the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the very power of God." They have become Speechless, Blind, Deaf, and Lifeless for lack of breath.
In today's reading in I Kings we have the story of the showdown between Elijah & the prophets of Baal. It's a great story. God comes through and the "bad guys" are defeated. You can almost feel sorry for those prophets of Baal. They're dancing around the altar waiting for their god to come through. They don't even have the sense realize he can't. Their gods are powerless, and therefore, so are they.
I have to be honest. I'm kind of irritated at Christians who complain about how much sinners sin, as if they should know better. We would never walk up to a blind man and yell at him for being blind would we? Yet we so quickly bring the verdict down on our neighbor who's trapped in sin. I know this isn't a perfect analogy, but I'm sure you can see the correlation. Those who are around us NEED the Breath of God! They NEED the light of the Word!
I like the phrase, "We catch the fish, He cleans 'em". As we work to bring people to Christ THEN they can begin the process of becoming like HIM! Heaven forbid we try to make them like us! (Read Matthew 23 for a little encouragement in that area!)
The message of Psalm 135 is not just for those outside the body. it's for those in our home, as well as for us. I don't care where you are in your maturing process: Idolatry is ALWAYS knocking at your door. If you feel like you're speechless, blind, deaf to the spirit, and lack breath, check the shrine of your heart to make sure there are no idols, because if there are, you will soon be becoming like them!
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
Showing posts with label Judging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Judging. Show all posts
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
4.21.10 "Suspicion is Not a Spiritual Gift"
"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!
P Greg
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!
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, March 25, 2010
3.25.10 "Speck Patrol"
"Speck Patrol"
Deuteronomy 4:1-49
Luke 6:39-7:10
Psalm 68:1-18
Proverbs 11:28
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get upset with people who don't live the way "we know" that God wants them to live? Think of people who "get your goat". There's probably something about their actions that you feel is "wrong", and it is probably some element of spirituality that you believe is missing in their life.
It's so easy to sit and hear a wonderful sermon or a word of correction or exhortation and think, "Wow! this is good! There are people here who need to hear this!" There's danger in that thought process. That thinking is a way of deflecting what the Lord is trying to do in my life.
Jesus calls attention to this. "And why quibble about the speck in someone else's eye - his little fault - when a [beam] is in your own? How can you think of saying to him, 'Brother, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the [beam] in yours? Hypocrite! First get rid of the board, and then perhaps you can see well enough to deal with his speck!" Luke 6:41-42
I had this picture of people on "Speck Patrol" riding around in their "Beam"ers.... get it? Beamers?
When you are in the presence of the Lord, he will speak to you. It will usually be an area he would like for you to surrender to him. Lets use the example of gossip. When the Lord shines his light on your gossip, all the sudden you see all those around you who gossip. It's like you're seeing through "Gossip-Goggles".
Our human nature then kicks in, and starts to judge others for the issues they have with gossip. It does this for a number of reasons. One may be so you start thinking, "well at least I'm not as bad as them...". Another reason is to distract you and waste the energy you should be spending on repentance and refining the gossip in your own life.
So what should we do when the "speck patrol" of our flesh shows up? We need to recognize that as the Holy Spirit reminding us of OUR faults, not someone else's. This is a HUGE opportunity to thrust a dagger into the heart of our flesh and further the process of becoming the "dead man" God wants us to be.
Whether we realize it or not, we are always looking for an excuse to hang on to what God is asking us to give him. When we begin to be people of "habitual repentance" and we surrender as soon as the Lord brings our "beams" to light, we will be on a path toward maturity. We will become who God has created us to be.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Deuteronomy 4:1-49
Luke 6:39-7:10
Psalm 68:1-18
Proverbs 11:28
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get upset with people who don't live the way "we know" that God wants them to live? Think of people who "get your goat". There's probably something about their actions that you feel is "wrong", and it is probably some element of spirituality that you believe is missing in their life.
It's so easy to sit and hear a wonderful sermon or a word of correction or exhortation and think, "Wow! this is good! There are people here who need to hear this!" There's danger in that thought process. That thinking is a way of deflecting what the Lord is trying to do in my life.
Jesus calls attention to this. "And why quibble about the speck in someone else's eye - his little fault - when a [beam] is in your own? How can you think of saying to him, 'Brother, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the [beam] in yours? Hypocrite! First get rid of the board, and then perhaps you can see well enough to deal with his speck!" Luke 6:41-42
I had this picture of people on "Speck Patrol" riding around in their "Beam"ers.... get it? Beamers?
When you are in the presence of the Lord, he will speak to you. It will usually be an area he would like for you to surrender to him. Lets use the example of gossip. When the Lord shines his light on your gossip, all the sudden you see all those around you who gossip. It's like you're seeing through "Gossip-Goggles".
Our human nature then kicks in, and starts to judge others for the issues they have with gossip. It does this for a number of reasons. One may be so you start thinking, "well at least I'm not as bad as them...". Another reason is to distract you and waste the energy you should be spending on repentance and refining the gossip in your own life.
So what should we do when the "speck patrol" of our flesh shows up? We need to recognize that as the Holy Spirit reminding us of OUR faults, not someone else's. This is a HUGE opportunity to thrust a dagger into the heart of our flesh and further the process of becoming the "dead man" God wants us to be.
Whether we realize it or not, we are always looking for an excuse to hang on to what God is asking us to give him. When we begin to be people of "habitual repentance" and we surrender as soon as the Lord brings our "beams" to light, we will be on a path toward maturity. We will become who God has created us to be.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
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, November 19, 2009
11.19.9 "Taming the Beast"
"Taming the Beast"
Ezekiel 39:1-40:27
James 2:18-3:18
Psalm 118:1-18
Proverbs 28:2
Have your words ever got you in trouble?
"If anyone can control his tongue, it proves that he has perfect control over himself in every other way." James 3:2
Growing in Christ is such a matter of discipline. (I guess that's where disciple and discipleship come from!) I think there are times when we get frustrated with ourselves over the fact that God isn't changing us as fast as we'd like. We know and quote, "If any man be in Christ he is a new creature..." But still there are some issues that just haven't "disappeared" as fast as we'd like.
That's when we go buy the bumper sticker that says, "Please Be Patient, God isn't Finished with me yet." I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that statement, but where we get into trouble is in the fact that sometimes we're waiting for God to do some miraculous change in our lives without applying personal discipline. So, we give ourselves all kinds of grace over the fact that "oops, I slipped up again..."
The sad part is that there are times we don't offer that same grace to others. We're quick to point out their mistakes. "...and they call themselves a Christian..." James 3 warns Verse 1 warns about this: "Dear brothers, don't be too eager to tell others their faults, for we all make many mistakes; and when we teachers of religion, who should know better, do wrong, our punishment will be greater that it would be for others."
Often we like to deflect what the Lord is trying to do in our own lives onto others. If the Lord's telling me I shouldn't do a certain thing, it's in my nature to judge you, and let you know that you shouldn't be doing it either.
Our growth needs to be from the inside out. James 3:13 says, "If you are wise, live a life of steady goodness, so that only good deeds will pour forth." The way to tame our tongue is to discipline our heart. It's to allow God to cleanse us entirely of the ungodliness that lurks within.
"And by all means don't brag about being wise and good if you are bitter and jealous and selfish; that is the worst sort of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, inspired by the devil. For wherever there is jealousy or selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every other kind of evil." James 3:14-16
It's amazing how practical God's Word is. We focus so much on the outside, but the only way to see true transformation on the outside is to be transformed on the inside. It's in disciplining our thoughts and emotions, and allowing the peace-loving nature of Christ fill us.
Listen to God's plan for us:
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness." James 3:17-18
The only way our tongue can be tamed is as we grow steadily in the character-transforming discipline found in God's Word and allow his Spirit to fill our lives.
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 39:1-40:27
James 2:18-3:18
Psalm 118:1-18
Proverbs 28:2
Have your words ever got you in trouble?
"If anyone can control his tongue, it proves that he has perfect control over himself in every other way." James 3:2
Growing in Christ is such a matter of discipline. (I guess that's where disciple and discipleship come from!) I think there are times when we get frustrated with ourselves over the fact that God isn't changing us as fast as we'd like. We know and quote, "If any man be in Christ he is a new creature..." But still there are some issues that just haven't "disappeared" as fast as we'd like.
That's when we go buy the bumper sticker that says, "Please Be Patient, God isn't Finished with me yet." I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that statement, but where we get into trouble is in the fact that sometimes we're waiting for God to do some miraculous change in our lives without applying personal discipline. So, we give ourselves all kinds of grace over the fact that "oops, I slipped up again..."
The sad part is that there are times we don't offer that same grace to others. We're quick to point out their mistakes. "...and they call themselves a Christian..." James 3 warns Verse 1 warns about this: "Dear brothers, don't be too eager to tell others their faults, for we all make many mistakes; and when we teachers of religion, who should know better, do wrong, our punishment will be greater that it would be for others."
Often we like to deflect what the Lord is trying to do in our own lives onto others. If the Lord's telling me I shouldn't do a certain thing, it's in my nature to judge you, and let you know that you shouldn't be doing it either.
Our growth needs to be from the inside out. James 3:13 says, "If you are wise, live a life of steady goodness, so that only good deeds will pour forth." The way to tame our tongue is to discipline our heart. It's to allow God to cleanse us entirely of the ungodliness that lurks within.
"And by all means don't brag about being wise and good if you are bitter and jealous and selfish; that is the worst sort of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, inspired by the devil. For wherever there is jealousy or selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every other kind of evil." James 3:14-16
It's amazing how practical God's Word is. We focus so much on the outside, but the only way to see true transformation on the outside is to be transformed on the inside. It's in disciplining our thoughts and emotions, and allowing the peace-loving nature of Christ fill us.
Listen to God's plan for us:
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness." James 3:17-18
The only way our tongue can be tamed is as we grow steadily in the character-transforming discipline found in God's Word and allow his Spirit to fill our lives.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
3.25.9 "Speck Patrol"
"Speck Patrol"
Deuteronomy 4:1-49
Luke 6:39-7:10
Psalm 68:1-18
Proverbs 11:28
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get upset with people who don't live the way "we know" that God wants them to live? Think of people who "get your goat". There's probably something about their actions that you feel is "wrong", and it is probably some element of spirituality that you believe is missing in their life.
It's so easy to sit and hear a wonderful sermon or a word of correction or exhortation and think, "Wow! this is good! There are people here who need to hear this!" There's danger in that thought process. That thinking is a way of deflecting what the Lord is trying to do in my life.
Jesus calls attention to this. "And why quibble about the speck in someone else's eye - his little fault - when a [beam] is in your own? How can you think of saying to him, 'Brother, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the [beam] in yours? Hypocrite! First get rid of the board, and then perhaps you can see well enough to deal with his speck!" Luke 6:41-42
I had this picture of people on "Speck Patrol" riding around in their "Beam"ers.... get it? Beamers? wow... humor like that is rare!
When you are in the presence of the Lord, he will speak to you. It will usually be an area he would like for you to surrender to him. Lets use the example of gossip. When the Lord shines his light on your gossip, all the sudden you see all those around you who gossip. It's like you're seeing through "Gossip-Goggles".
Our human nature then kicks in, and starts to judge others for the issues they have with gossip. It does this for a number of reasons. One may be so you start thinking, "well at least I'm not as bad as them...". Another reason is to distract you and waste the energy you should be spending on repentance and refining the gossip in your own life.
So what should we do when the "speck patrol" of our flesh shows up? We need to recognize that as the Holy Spirit reminding us of OUR faults, not someone else's. This is a HUGE opportunity to thrust a dagger into the heart of our flesh and further the process of becoming the "dead man" God wants us to be.
Whether we realize it or not, we are always looking for an excuse to hang on to what God is asking us to give him. When we begin to be people of "habitual repentance" and we surrender as soon as the Lord brings our "beams" to light, we will be on a path toward maturity. We will become who God has created us to be.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Deuteronomy 4:1-49
Luke 6:39-7:10
Psalm 68:1-18
Proverbs 11:28
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get upset with people who don't live the way "we know" that God wants them to live? Think of people who "get your goat". There's probably something about their actions that you feel is "wrong", and it is probably some element of spirituality that you believe is missing in their life.
It's so easy to sit and hear a wonderful sermon or a word of correction or exhortation and think, "Wow! this is good! There are people here who need to hear this!" There's danger in that thought process. That thinking is a way of deflecting what the Lord is trying to do in my life.
Jesus calls attention to this. "And why quibble about the speck in someone else's eye - his little fault - when a [beam] is in your own? How can you think of saying to him, 'Brother, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the [beam] in yours? Hypocrite! First get rid of the board, and then perhaps you can see well enough to deal with his speck!" Luke 6:41-42
I had this picture of people on "Speck Patrol" riding around in their "Beam"ers.... get it? Beamers? wow... humor like that is rare!
When you are in the presence of the Lord, he will speak to you. It will usually be an area he would like for you to surrender to him. Lets use the example of gossip. When the Lord shines his light on your gossip, all the sudden you see all those around you who gossip. It's like you're seeing through "Gossip-Goggles".
Our human nature then kicks in, and starts to judge others for the issues they have with gossip. It does this for a number of reasons. One may be so you start thinking, "well at least I'm not as bad as them...". Another reason is to distract you and waste the energy you should be spending on repentance and refining the gossip in your own life.
So what should we do when the "speck patrol" of our flesh shows up? We need to recognize that as the Holy Spirit reminding us of OUR faults, not someone else's. This is a HUGE opportunity to thrust a dagger into the heart of our flesh and further the process of becoming the "dead man" God wants us to be.
Whether we realize it or not, we are always looking for an excuse to hang on to what God is asking us to give him. When we begin to be people of "habitual repentance" and we surrender as soon as the Lord brings our "beams" to light, we will be on a path toward maturity. We will become who God has created us to be.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
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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