"Go and Help!"
Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30
Luke 9:51-10:12
Psalm 74:1-23
Proverbs 12:11
It's so easy to get caught up in our own world of schedules, to-do lists, and concerns that we lose sight of the whole "Relationships Devoted to Unity" thing. Because it's in our human nature to be self-centered, we can very easily slip into the trap of independence, and forget that God has created his people for "interdependence".
It's a simple verse that brought this to mind today. "If you see someone trying to get an ox or donkey onto its feet when it has slipped beneath its load, don't look the other way. Go and help!" (Deut. 22:4)
This verse is in the middle of some pretty heavy stuff. In the chapter before and the verses following there are guidelines that carry the penalty of death if not followed. What we need to understand from that is that it is REALLY important to God that we look out for one another.
Have you ever been in that place where you "look the other way"? You may be in a hurry to get somewhere. You may be "on a mission", and you pass someone who is crying or has a flat tire. There are many things that we can "look the other way" to. There are "good" things. We have kids. We have family time. We have ministry. But we also have unity. We must take the time to serve the needs of one another.
What does it take to help someone out? It takes submission. Sometimes you submit your agenda to the need, other times it may be a submission of resources to help another through a difficult time.
Whatever the case, we have to understand the value of unity. We cannot live the Balanced Christian Life without it. We may be walking in obedience, studying the word, and very busy in ministry, but if we are not living out unity, we are out of balance. This needs to be on our priority list.
Look for opportunities to help someone today. Go out and help!
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 Kindness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kindness. Show all posts
Friday, April 2, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
3.24.10 "Recipe for Success"
"Recipe for Success"
Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29
Luke 6:12-38
Psalm 67:1-7
Proverbs 11:27
This portion of scripture in Luke is one that We've all heard since we were kids, and we probably understand what it means, but it isn't very easy to put into practice.
"Listen, all of you. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you; implore God's blessing on those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, let him slap the other too! If someone demands your coat, give him your shirt besides. Give what you have to anyone who asks you for it; and when things are taken away from you, don't worry about getting them back." (Luke 6:27-30)
What is the purpose of all that? Why are we to be that kind of people? Is it God's goal for Christians to be doormats? Are we to be a weak people? Fear of weakness and injustice is what our flesh sees when we read this type of scripture. Even most Christians in this day would want to re-write the verses to say, "Tolerate your enemies. Ignore those who hate you. Pray that those who curse you and hurt you would leave you alone...."
What does it take to live like these verses in Luke? It takes true Godly submission. It takes an understanding of what "Relationships Devoted to Unity" is all about. Moreover, it takes death to flesh.
"Treat others as you want them to treat you.... Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don't be concerned about the fact that they won't repay..." (Luke 6:31, 35a)
That's tough! We fear the "doormat" syndrome so much that we don't even come close to it. Our thought process is many times caught up in the fact that "If I'm going to live this life of submission, I better see results!" Too often we are overly concerned with the "result" of our actions. We'll be submissive a couple times, and if that doesn't work, I'm back to doing it my way!
While it's true that God's promises are conditional based on our obedience, we can't turn that around and give him "conditional obedience". His word says to love our enemies. That doesn't have any stipulation of the outcome. It just says do it!
The good news is there is a blessing! "... Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as sons of God: for he is kind to the unthankful and to those who are very wicked. Try to show as much compassion as your father does. Never criticize or condemn - or it will all come back on you. Go easy on others; then they will do the same for you. For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give - large or small - will be used to measure what is given back to you." (35b-38)
That sounds like a recipe for success! We may see the fruit of that blessing immediately, or in years to come, or it may even be the heavenly reward. But either way, it is the way we are to live as sons of God!
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 2:1-3:29
Luke 6:12-38
Psalm 67:1-7
Proverbs 11:27
This portion of scripture in Luke is one that We've all heard since we were kids, and we probably understand what it means, but it isn't very easy to put into practice.
"Listen, all of you. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you; implore God's blessing on those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, let him slap the other too! If someone demands your coat, give him your shirt besides. Give what you have to anyone who asks you for it; and when things are taken away from you, don't worry about getting them back." (Luke 6:27-30)
What is the purpose of all that? Why are we to be that kind of people? Is it God's goal for Christians to be doormats? Are we to be a weak people? Fear of weakness and injustice is what our flesh sees when we read this type of scripture. Even most Christians in this day would want to re-write the verses to say, "Tolerate your enemies. Ignore those who hate you. Pray that those who curse you and hurt you would leave you alone...."
What does it take to live like these verses in Luke? It takes true Godly submission. It takes an understanding of what "Relationships Devoted to Unity" is all about. Moreover, it takes death to flesh.
"Treat others as you want them to treat you.... Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don't be concerned about the fact that they won't repay..." (Luke 6:31, 35a)
That's tough! We fear the "doormat" syndrome so much that we don't even come close to it. Our thought process is many times caught up in the fact that "If I'm going to live this life of submission, I better see results!" Too often we are overly concerned with the "result" of our actions. We'll be submissive a couple times, and if that doesn't work, I'm back to doing it my way!
While it's true that God's promises are conditional based on our obedience, we can't turn that around and give him "conditional obedience". His word says to love our enemies. That doesn't have any stipulation of the outcome. It just says do it!
The good news is there is a blessing! "... Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as sons of God: for he is kind to the unthankful and to those who are very wicked. Try to show as much compassion as your father does. Never criticize or condemn - or it will all come back on you. Go easy on others; then they will do the same for you. For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give - large or small - will be used to measure what is given back to you." (35b-38)
That sounds like a recipe for success! We may see the fruit of that blessing immediately, or in years to come, or it may even be the heavenly reward. But either way, it is the way we are to live as sons of God!
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, February 18, 2010
2.18.10 "Trust in the Lord"
"Trust in the Lord"
Leviticus 6:1-7:27
Mark 3:7-30
Psalm 37:1-11
Proverbs 10:3-4
"Never envy the wicked! Soon they fade away like grass and disappear. Trust in the Lord instead." Ps 37:1
Sometimes life doesn't seem fair. Sometimes it looks like the blessings get misdirected and land on the wicked. Our flesh so many times wants to say, "Hey, I deserve..." It's 'natural' for us to want things for ourselves... Of course, by 'natural' I mean "human nature", not godliness. When we succumb to the lure of envy, we actually pull ourself away from the place of peace.
"Be kind and good to others; then you will live safely here in the land and prosper, feeding in safety. Be delighted with the Lord. Then he will give you all your heart's desires." Ps 37:3-4
There's something that begins to happen within us when we take the path of kindness and goodness instead of envy and selfishness. There's a transformation that begins when we delight in the Lord. We find that our heart's desires align with his.
"Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it and he will." vs. 5
We too often try to carry too much on our own. We blaze our own trail. We carry our own weight. There is such peace and safety when we place it in the hands of the creator of the universe. When we place it in his hands, we can live with renewed intensity knowing that he will be faithful to carry us through.
"Your innocence will be clear to everyone. He will vindicate you with the blazing light of justice shining down as from the noonday sun. Rest in the Lord; wait patiently for him to act. Don't be envious of evil men who prosper. Stop your anger! Turn off your wrath. Don't fret and worry - it only leads to harm. For the wicked shall be destroyed, but those who trust the Lord shall be given every blessing. Only a little while and the wicked shall disappear. You will look for them in vain." vs. 6-10
These verses have incredibly powerful meaning when you're going through a situation in where there are false accusations or even misunderstanding. It is in our human nature to want to stand and defend ourselves. We want to shout our innocence. We want to retaliate. The path that we must take, however is leaving it in God's hands. Vindication comes through him, and him alone. I love the thought of justice being a blazing light shining down as from the noonday sun. Though the enemy may use the darkness of confusion and deception, the Light of God's Truth will shine forth. This is a supernatural phenomenon that we must wait for and rely on.
"But all who humble themselves before the Lord shall be given every blessing and shall have wonderful peace." vs. 11
The life of humility is the way to go! the Lord is fighting the battles, bringing peace and blessing, and providing for every need!
Place your Trust in the Lord he will NEVER fail 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
Leviticus 6:1-7:27
Mark 3:7-30
Psalm 37:1-11
Proverbs 10:3-4
"Never envy the wicked! Soon they fade away like grass and disappear. Trust in the Lord instead." Ps 37:1
Sometimes life doesn't seem fair. Sometimes it looks like the blessings get misdirected and land on the wicked. Our flesh so many times wants to say, "Hey, I deserve..." It's 'natural' for us to want things for ourselves... Of course, by 'natural' I mean "human nature", not godliness. When we succumb to the lure of envy, we actually pull ourself away from the place of peace.
"Be kind and good to others; then you will live safely here in the land and prosper, feeding in safety. Be delighted with the Lord. Then he will give you all your heart's desires." Ps 37:3-4
There's something that begins to happen within us when we take the path of kindness and goodness instead of envy and selfishness. There's a transformation that begins when we delight in the Lord. We find that our heart's desires align with his.
"Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it and he will." vs. 5
We too often try to carry too much on our own. We blaze our own trail. We carry our own weight. There is such peace and safety when we place it in the hands of the creator of the universe. When we place it in his hands, we can live with renewed intensity knowing that he will be faithful to carry us through.
"Your innocence will be clear to everyone. He will vindicate you with the blazing light of justice shining down as from the noonday sun. Rest in the Lord; wait patiently for him to act. Don't be envious of evil men who prosper. Stop your anger! Turn off your wrath. Don't fret and worry - it only leads to harm. For the wicked shall be destroyed, but those who trust the Lord shall be given every blessing. Only a little while and the wicked shall disappear. You will look for them in vain." vs. 6-10
These verses have incredibly powerful meaning when you're going through a situation in where there are false accusations or even misunderstanding. It is in our human nature to want to stand and defend ourselves. We want to shout our innocence. We want to retaliate. The path that we must take, however is leaving it in God's hands. Vindication comes through him, and him alone. I love the thought of justice being a blazing light shining down as from the noonday sun. Though the enemy may use the darkness of confusion and deception, the Light of God's Truth will shine forth. This is a supernatural phenomenon that we must wait for and rely on.
"But all who humble themselves before the Lord shall be given every blessing and shall have wonderful peace." vs. 11
The life of humility is the way to go! the Lord is fighting the battles, bringing peace and blessing, and providing for every need!
Place your Trust in the Lord he will NEVER fail 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
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