"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!
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 Maturity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maturity. Show all posts
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
3.12.12 "Luvin' Dat Trouble!"
"Luvin' Dat Trouble!"
Numbers 16:41-18:32
Mark 16:1-20
Psalm 55:1-23
Proverbs 11:7
There are times when the season we are in is just plain difficult. The personality of the trial can vary, but often it can bring discouragement, despair, frustration, hurt, and a variety of other "baggage".
The trial can bring weariness. David is going through such a time in Psalm 55. There are times when we feel like David where we want to say as he did in verse 6-8. "Oh, for wings like a dove, to fly away and rest! I would fly to the far-off deserts and stay there. I would flee to some refuge from all this storm." I probably wouldn't have said "desert". Maybe more of a "beach" setting! But either way, we just want to run from the storm.
The source of the trial can sometimes hurt more than the trial itself. David's sorrow is that his "enemy" is "my companion and my friend." (vs.13)
Regardless of the type of storm it is, who is the source of it, the truths of vs 16-18 ring out. "But I will call upon the Lord to save me - and he will. I will pray morning, noon, and night, pleading aloud with God; and he will hear and answer. Though the tide of battle runs strongly against me, for so many are fighting me, yet he will rescue me."
No matter what, we are to call upon the Lord, and he will rescue. Verse 22 says, "Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them."
As much as we would like to flee, most of the time the Lord has us in the middle of the storm for a purpose. We must allow him to complete his work in us. We need to remember to not try to carry the burden on our own. Even though the waves are high, He is faithful. He will carry the burden for us. It may not reduce the size of the wave right away, but we don't have to make it worse with worry. He will carry us through. Trust in Him.
Why is there Trouble? We have trouble so we can serve out of a pure heart of faith. So we will be able to help someone else. Troubles cause us to run to God. They carve us into the image of Christ. They cause us to get our mind off of this world and our mind on heaven.
Allow any difficulty to complete Christ's work in you. Encourage one another in the same way.
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
Numbers 16:41-18:32
Mark 16:1-20
Psalm 55:1-23
Proverbs 11:7
There are times when the season we are in is just plain difficult. The personality of the trial can vary, but often it can bring discouragement, despair, frustration, hurt, and a variety of other "baggage".
The trial can bring weariness. David is going through such a time in Psalm 55. There are times when we feel like David where we want to say as he did in verse 6-8. "Oh, for wings like a dove, to fly away and rest! I would fly to the far-off deserts and stay there. I would flee to some refuge from all this storm." I probably wouldn't have said "desert". Maybe more of a "beach" setting! But either way, we just want to run from the storm.
The source of the trial can sometimes hurt more than the trial itself. David's sorrow is that his "enemy" is "my companion and my friend." (vs.13)
Regardless of the type of storm it is, who is the source of it, the truths of vs 16-18 ring out. "But I will call upon the Lord to save me - and he will. I will pray morning, noon, and night, pleading aloud with God; and he will hear and answer. Though the tide of battle runs strongly against me, for so many are fighting me, yet he will rescue me."
No matter what, we are to call upon the Lord, and he will rescue. Verse 22 says, "Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them."
As much as we would like to flee, most of the time the Lord has us in the middle of the storm for a purpose. We must allow him to complete his work in us. We need to remember to not try to carry the burden on our own. Even though the waves are high, He is faithful. He will carry the burden for us. It may not reduce the size of the wave right away, but we don't have to make it worse with worry. He will carry us through. Trust in Him.
Why is there Trouble? We have trouble so we can serve out of a pure heart of faith. So we will be able to help someone else. Troubles cause us to run to God. They carve us into the image of Christ. They cause us to get our mind off of this world and our mind on heaven.
Allow any difficulty to complete Christ's work in you. Encourage one another in the same way.
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, December 1, 2011
12.1.11 "I am a C.. I am a C-H"
"I am a C.. I am a C-H"
Daniel 8:1-27
1 John 2:1-17
Psalm 120:1-7
Proverbs 28:25-26
Remember that children's song? "I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N" Don't you hate it when someone puts a song in your head?
What does it mean to be a Christian? John answers that in today's scripture.
"And how can we be sure that we belong to him? by looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what he wants us to? Someone may say, 'I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.' But if he doesn't do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar." 1 John 2:3-4
John is reiterating a very important point: Those who belong to Christ walk in obedience. We should be challenged about the "decision making" process in our day. How many of my decisions are MY decisions, and how many do I stop to inquire of the Lord?
The word "Christian" means "of Christ". We become a Christian by accepting him as savior. He forgives us of our sin. Verse 2 says, "He is the one who took God's wrath against our sins upon himself, and brought us into fellowship with God; and he is the forgiveness for our sins, and not only ours but all the world's."
We know that. That's an awesome thing. But is that it? In John 15:5 Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.; apart from me you can do nothing."
The goal of the Christian life is living in the center of his will. Doing whatever he guides us to do. The phrase "apart from me you can do nothing" takes on a new light. I've always read it as "I am the source of your strength." It really means "don't make decisions apart from my direction."
Look at I John 2:5-6. "But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did."
Walking in obedience causes us to love God more which causes us to walk in obedience which causes us to love God more which... You see the pattern?
"Lord, What would you have me to do?" Should be the posture of our life everyday. Small decisions can have huge consequences if they are made apart from the "vine". In the same way, decisions made "in the vine" can produce so much fruit.
Yes, this stuff may be elementary, but it is SO important. John acknowledges that. "Dear brothers, I am not writing out a new rule for you to obey, for it is an old one you have always had, right from the start. You have heard it all before. Yet it is always new, and works for you just as it did for Christ..." verse 7-8
Am I a C? Am I a C-H? I know I am because he has saved me and I walk in obedience to his will. The highest form of Worship is Obedience. Live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Daniel 8:1-27
1 John 2:1-17
Psalm 120:1-7
Proverbs 28:25-26
Remember that children's song? "I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N" Don't you hate it when someone puts a song in your head?
What does it mean to be a Christian? John answers that in today's scripture.
"And how can we be sure that we belong to him? by looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what he wants us to? Someone may say, 'I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.' But if he doesn't do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar." 1 John 2:3-4
John is reiterating a very important point: Those who belong to Christ walk in obedience. We should be challenged about the "decision making" process in our day. How many of my decisions are MY decisions, and how many do I stop to inquire of the Lord?
The word "Christian" means "of Christ". We become a Christian by accepting him as savior. He forgives us of our sin. Verse 2 says, "He is the one who took God's wrath against our sins upon himself, and brought us into fellowship with God; and he is the forgiveness for our sins, and not only ours but all the world's."
We know that. That's an awesome thing. But is that it? In John 15:5 Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.; apart from me you can do nothing."
The goal of the Christian life is living in the center of his will. Doing whatever he guides us to do. The phrase "apart from me you can do nothing" takes on a new light. I've always read it as "I am the source of your strength." It really means "don't make decisions apart from my direction."
Look at I John 2:5-6. "But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did."
Walking in obedience causes us to love God more which causes us to walk in obedience which causes us to love God more which... You see the pattern?
"Lord, What would you have me to do?" Should be the posture of our life everyday. Small decisions can have huge consequences if they are made apart from the "vine". In the same way, decisions made "in the vine" can produce so much fruit.
Yes, this stuff may be elementary, but it is SO important. John acknowledges that. "Dear brothers, I am not writing out a new rule for you to obey, for it is an old one you have always had, right from the start. You have heard it all before. Yet it is always new, and works for you just as it did for Christ..." verse 7-8
Am I a C? Am I a C-H? I know I am because he has saved me and I walk in obedience to his will. The highest form of Worship is Obedience. Live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
11.30.11 "Come into the Light"
"Come into the Light"
Daniel 7:1-28
I John 1:1-10
Psalm 119156-176
Proverbs 28:23-24
"This is the message God has given us to pass on to you: that God is Light and in him is no darkness at all. So if we say we are his friends, but go on living in spiritual darkness and sin, we are lying. but if we are living the light of God's presence, just as Christ does, then we have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from every sin."
Christian growth is a process. There isn't a moment that we can stop and say, "there, I've arrived.... I don't need to grow any more." Unfortunately, we have forces working against us that would like to stunt our growth. There are things that creep into our life that essentially stop the maturing process.
What makes these "growth stoppers" so dangerous is that they come from within. Growing in Christ is dying to the flesh, and believe it or not, or flesh does not want to die! So, it rages against us.
Think of your relationship with the Lord as a path. The path leads toward greater intimacy with Christ. Where are you on the path right now? The goal is that we walk joyfully onward. Do you feel in your spirit that your running toward him, walking grudgingly onward, or have you stopped along the way? The challenge arises in that the flesh is not really looking forward to this journey. It sees that this progression with Christ becomes increasingly brighter. Flesh knows that as we come into the light, flaws may be revealed. We may become aware of sin, and that will have to be dealt with.
Flesh says, "You're doing a great job compared to them! Look how far you've come. You're much farther down the path than some others. Why don't you stop here. Rest. Sure, there are things that the Light will reveal, but that may get uncomfortable. You deserve your comfort."
So we may say, "you know what, I am tired. I have been working too hard. I know God is drawing me to deal with this, but I'm not going to go there right now." We stop.
So what changes? The surprising thing is that no one really notices we've stopped. In fact we don't notice much change at all. We can still see the light. No big deal, right? In fact, this comfort is kind of a great feeling. What we don't see is that the darkness has crept in. It's very subtle, but none the less, standing out of the "Light of God's presence" is standing in the darkness.
If it seems really hard to get back "on track", it can be because we've become comfortable in the darkness. But the scripture is clear. "if we say we are his friends, but go on living in spiritual darkness and sin, we are lying."
There is such promise in walking in the Light. "But if we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Christ does, then we have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from every sin." That's where I want to be. I want my relationship with the Lord to be exciting, open to his leading, and vulnerable to his Spirit. That will change everything, even my relationship to those around me.
This is what puts the "Dynamic" in the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship. Walk in the Light 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
Daniel 7:1-28
I John 1:1-10
Psalm 119156-176
Proverbs 28:23-24
"This is the message God has given us to pass on to you: that God is Light and in him is no darkness at all. So if we say we are his friends, but go on living in spiritual darkness and sin, we are lying. but if we are living the light of God's presence, just as Christ does, then we have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from every sin."
Christian growth is a process. There isn't a moment that we can stop and say, "there, I've arrived.... I don't need to grow any more." Unfortunately, we have forces working against us that would like to stunt our growth. There are things that creep into our life that essentially stop the maturing process.
What makes these "growth stoppers" so dangerous is that they come from within. Growing in Christ is dying to the flesh, and believe it or not, or flesh does not want to die! So, it rages against us.
Think of your relationship with the Lord as a path. The path leads toward greater intimacy with Christ. Where are you on the path right now? The goal is that we walk joyfully onward. Do you feel in your spirit that your running toward him, walking grudgingly onward, or have you stopped along the way? The challenge arises in that the flesh is not really looking forward to this journey. It sees that this progression with Christ becomes increasingly brighter. Flesh knows that as we come into the light, flaws may be revealed. We may become aware of sin, and that will have to be dealt with.
Flesh says, "You're doing a great job compared to them! Look how far you've come. You're much farther down the path than some others. Why don't you stop here. Rest. Sure, there are things that the Light will reveal, but that may get uncomfortable. You deserve your comfort."
So we may say, "you know what, I am tired. I have been working too hard. I know God is drawing me to deal with this, but I'm not going to go there right now." We stop.
So what changes? The surprising thing is that no one really notices we've stopped. In fact we don't notice much change at all. We can still see the light. No big deal, right? In fact, this comfort is kind of a great feeling. What we don't see is that the darkness has crept in. It's very subtle, but none the less, standing out of the "Light of God's presence" is standing in the darkness.
If it seems really hard to get back "on track", it can be because we've become comfortable in the darkness. But the scripture is clear. "if we say we are his friends, but go on living in spiritual darkness and sin, we are lying."
There is such promise in walking in the Light. "But if we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Christ does, then we have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from every sin." That's where I want to be. I want my relationship with the Lord to be exciting, open to his leading, and vulnerable to his Spirit. That will change everything, even my relationship to those around me.
This is what puts the "Dynamic" in the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship. Walk in the Light 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
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
11.23.11 "Grow Up"
"Grow Up"
Ezekiel 45:13-46:24
I Peter 1:14-2:10
Psalm 119:36-52
Proverbs 28:11
"Long to grow up into the fullness of your salvation; cry for this as a baby cries for his milk." I Pet. 2:3
I have been a Christian since 1974. I accepted Christ as a child after an elderly woman filled in for a children's church worker who didn't show up. She brought in a picture of people going up in the rapture. I wanted that to be me. I was 4 years old. I still remember that picture. After I went home from church that day, I talked to my dad about it, and he led me to Christ.
37 years is a long time isn't it? You know what though? It doesn't mean anything when it comes to Christian maturity. Physical maturity "happens" to you. As time goes by, we physically grow old. Spiritual maturity doesn't work that way. As time goes by we should "grow up", but we might not.
I'm just discovering the need to commit oneself to the maturing process. Faithful church attendance doesn't automatically lead to Christian maturity. Sometimes we presume too much in ourselves (and others) that if we've been saved for a while, maturity has happened. It SHOULD have happened, but it might not have.
I Peter hits on some of the elements of maturity. There are three elements we'll pull from these scriptures: Fearing God, Living Holy, and Loving Others.
Fearing God is not a real popular teaching or thought process for us. We are "friends of God", so we don't really want to get into the "fear" thing. The last part of verse 17 into 18 reads, "so act in reverent fear of him from now on until you get to heaven . God paid a ransom to save you from the impossible road to heaven which your fathers tried to take, and the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver, as you very well know. But he paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God."
Understanding the tremendous price that was paid should create in us a reverent fear of God. A respect. A gratefulness that goes beyond a "Hey, thanks, God!" Taking the time to meditate, remember and comprehend the precious blood of the Lamb should be a regular part of our Christian walk. This births humility and gratitude. This also helps us to constrain ourselves to Living Holy.
I Peter 1:14-16 says, "Obey God because you are his children; don't slip back into your old ways - doing evil because you knew no better. But be holy now in everything you do, just as the Lord is holy, who invited you to be his child. He himself has said, 'You must be holy, for I am holy.'"
Understanding the price that God paid to ransom us and the value he has placed on us should constrain us to do the right thing. When you first got your driver's license, how did you feel when you got to drive the "good" car? There's something about the "value" that caused you to drive more carefully. Understanding the value God has placed on me should cause me to live more carefully.
Most of the rest of the reading deals with a major part of growing up in Christ: Loving Others.
"Now you can have real love for everyone because your souls have been cleansed from selfishness and hatred when you trusted Christ to save you; so see to it that you really do love each other warmly with all your hearts. For you have a new life." I Peter 1:22-23a
Committing ourself to the maturing process should directly effect the way we treat others. Not just in our conduct, but in our heart. I Peter 2:1-2 says, "So get rid of your feelings of hatred. Don't just pretend to be good! Be done with dishonesty and jealousy and talking about others behind their backs. Now that you realize how kind the Lord has been to you, put away all evil, deception, envy, and fraud."
Growing up in Christ should really change my heart, and it should be reflected on the outside. You would think that after 37 years of this I would have taken care of that at least within the first 5 years! I should have been a fully mature 9 year old! It's not that way. I must crave to grow in Christ, and allow his spirit to work in me to make me into who he has created me to be.
We can tend to be hypocritical. Do you ever notice that many times our frustration with other people is because they haven't "matured" as we thought they should? The irony is that if we were as mature as we should be their lack of maturity wouldn't bother us so much. Ouch. That one hits me pretty hard. I really need to grow up.
I Peter 2:14 says, "Once you were less than nothing; now you are God's own. Once you knew very little of God's kindness; now your very lives have been changed by it."
Let's allow our very lives to be changed by God's loving kindness.
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 45:13-46:24
I Peter 1:14-2:10
Psalm 119:36-52
Proverbs 28:11
"Long to grow up into the fullness of your salvation; cry for this as a baby cries for his milk." I Pet. 2:3
I have been a Christian since 1974. I accepted Christ as a child after an elderly woman filled in for a children's church worker who didn't show up. She brought in a picture of people going up in the rapture. I wanted that to be me. I was 4 years old. I still remember that picture. After I went home from church that day, I talked to my dad about it, and he led me to Christ.
37 years is a long time isn't it? You know what though? It doesn't mean anything when it comes to Christian maturity. Physical maturity "happens" to you. As time goes by, we physically grow old. Spiritual maturity doesn't work that way. As time goes by we should "grow up", but we might not.
I'm just discovering the need to commit oneself to the maturing process. Faithful church attendance doesn't automatically lead to Christian maturity. Sometimes we presume too much in ourselves (and others) that if we've been saved for a while, maturity has happened. It SHOULD have happened, but it might not have.
I Peter hits on some of the elements of maturity. There are three elements we'll pull from these scriptures: Fearing God, Living Holy, and Loving Others.
Fearing God is not a real popular teaching or thought process for us. We are "friends of God", so we don't really want to get into the "fear" thing. The last part of verse 17 into 18 reads, "so act in reverent fear of him from now on until you get to heaven . God paid a ransom to save you from the impossible road to heaven which your fathers tried to take, and the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver, as you very well know. But he paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God."
Understanding the tremendous price that was paid should create in us a reverent fear of God. A respect. A gratefulness that goes beyond a "Hey, thanks, God!" Taking the time to meditate, remember and comprehend the precious blood of the Lamb should be a regular part of our Christian walk. This births humility and gratitude. This also helps us to constrain ourselves to Living Holy.
I Peter 1:14-16 says, "Obey God because you are his children; don't slip back into your old ways - doing evil because you knew no better. But be holy now in everything you do, just as the Lord is holy, who invited you to be his child. He himself has said, 'You must be holy, for I am holy.'"
Understanding the price that God paid to ransom us and the value he has placed on us should constrain us to do the right thing. When you first got your driver's license, how did you feel when you got to drive the "good" car? There's something about the "value" that caused you to drive more carefully. Understanding the value God has placed on me should cause me to live more carefully.
Most of the rest of the reading deals with a major part of growing up in Christ: Loving Others.
"Now you can have real love for everyone because your souls have been cleansed from selfishness and hatred when you trusted Christ to save you; so see to it that you really do love each other warmly with all your hearts. For you have a new life." I Peter 1:22-23a
Committing ourself to the maturing process should directly effect the way we treat others. Not just in our conduct, but in our heart. I Peter 2:1-2 says, "So get rid of your feelings of hatred. Don't just pretend to be good! Be done with dishonesty and jealousy and talking about others behind their backs. Now that you realize how kind the Lord has been to you, put away all evil, deception, envy, and fraud."
Growing up in Christ should really change my heart, and it should be reflected on the outside. You would think that after 37 years of this I would have taken care of that at least within the first 5 years! I should have been a fully mature 9 year old! It's not that way. I must crave to grow in Christ, and allow his spirit to work in me to make me into who he has created me to be.
We can tend to be hypocritical. Do you ever notice that many times our frustration with other people is because they haven't "matured" as we thought they should? The irony is that if we were as mature as we should be their lack of maturity wouldn't bother us so much. Ouch. That one hits me pretty hard. I really need to grow up.
I Peter 2:14 says, "Once you were less than nothing; now you are God's own. Once you knew very little of God's kindness; now your very lives have been changed by it."
Let's allow our very lives to be changed by God's loving kindness.
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, November 19, 2011
11.19.11 "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 than 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!
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, November 17, 2011
11.17.11 "The Preciousness of Frustration"
"The Preciousness of Frustration"
Ezekiel 35:10-36:38
James 1:1-18
Psalm 116:1-19
Proverbs 27:23-27
Do you want to become who God has created you to be? It's a process. Do you know those struggles you face, those giants? They are actually not an obstacle to the victorious Christian life, they mark the path and give you the opportunity to live the victorious Christian life.
I've attached a chart that relates to a teaching on the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship. I'm really hoping the attachment works ok, but you never know.
James 1 has one of the most important scriptures we need to understand. "Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. so let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete."
You know what I want? I want my patience to be in full bloom. I want to be ready for anything. I want to be strong in character. I want to be full and complete.
You know what I don't want? Trials. But, guess what? I can't get what I want (and what God wants for me) without going through things I don't "want" to go through.
In the NIV verse 2 says, "Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds." That is so much easier said than done, but the more you do it, the more it becomes a habit and a part of the "lifestyle". It becomes part of who you are, and it transforms you.
Like the chart shows, when you face a trial, frustration, test, stress, hurt or whatever may set you off, you have options. You can avoid it (hope the giant goes away), blame someone else for it, talk to others about it, react in the flesh, or you can worship. Hmmm... I wonder which one is right....
Notice the path that each one of these take. With the exception of the response of worship, they all lead back to repeating the test. They also cause you to lose your motivation to worship.
Watch what happens when you worship. You hear God's voice. You receive direction. Now, if you disobey God's voice, you're back on the path of repeating the test. But, if you listen to his voice and obey, he WILL complete his work in you. You experience victory. Your faith increases. Yes, more "giants" will come, but you are more equipped to handle it in the right way. Responding to these situations from a lifestyle of worship and obedience.
James 1:5-8 says, "If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way, and then that. If you don't ask with faith, don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer."
How many believers do you know that are unsettled as a wave? how many that are tossed by the wind? Maybe you're looking at your life in that light. Wherever you're at, the pattern is clear. When difficulty comes, treat it as an opportunity to worship God. Treat it as an opportunity to hear his voice in a new situation.
He will then begin to renew your mind (Romans 12:2) and he will begin work on your character. It's not easy at times, but the more we get into this discipline, the more our faith grows and we are more able to do it the next time.
Psalm 116:10-11 says, "In my discouragement I thought, 'They are lying when they say I will recover.' But now what can I offer Jehovah for all he has done for me?" verse 17 says, "I will worship you and offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving."
It doesn't make a difference where you are at. Worship God! He is Lord of ALL! He will bring you out!
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 35:10-36:38
James 1:1-18
Psalm 116:1-19
Proverbs 27:23-27
Do you want to become who God has created you to be? It's a process. Do you know those struggles you face, those giants? They are actually not an obstacle to the victorious Christian life, they mark the path and give you the opportunity to live the victorious Christian life.
I've attached a chart that relates to a teaching on the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship. I'm really hoping the attachment works ok, but you never know.
James 1 has one of the most important scriptures we need to understand. "Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. so let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete."
You know what I want? I want my patience to be in full bloom. I want to be ready for anything. I want to be strong in character. I want to be full and complete.
You know what I don't want? Trials. But, guess what? I can't get what I want (and what God wants for me) without going through things I don't "want" to go through.
In the NIV verse 2 says, "Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds." That is so much easier said than done, but the more you do it, the more it becomes a habit and a part of the "lifestyle". It becomes part of who you are, and it transforms you.
Like the chart shows, when you face a trial, frustration, test, stress, hurt or whatever may set you off, you have options. You can avoid it (hope the giant goes away), blame someone else for it, talk to others about it, react in the flesh, or you can worship. Hmmm... I wonder which one is right....
Notice the path that each one of these take. With the exception of the response of worship, they all lead back to repeating the test. They also cause you to lose your motivation to worship.
Watch what happens when you worship. You hear God's voice. You receive direction. Now, if you disobey God's voice, you're back on the path of repeating the test. But, if you listen to his voice and obey, he WILL complete his work in you. You experience victory. Your faith increases. Yes, more "giants" will come, but you are more equipped to handle it in the right way. Responding to these situations from a lifestyle of worship and obedience.
James 1:5-8 says, "If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way, and then that. If you don't ask with faith, don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer."
How many believers do you know that are unsettled as a wave? how many that are tossed by the wind? Maybe you're looking at your life in that light. Wherever you're at, the pattern is clear. When difficulty comes, treat it as an opportunity to worship God. Treat it as an opportunity to hear his voice in a new situation.
He will then begin to renew your mind (Romans 12:2) and he will begin work on your character. It's not easy at times, but the more we get into this discipline, the more our faith grows and we are more able to do it the next time.
Psalm 116:10-11 says, "In my discouragement I thought, 'They are lying when they say I will recover.' But now what can I offer Jehovah for all he has done for me?" verse 17 says, "I will worship you and offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving."
It doesn't make a difference where you are at. Worship God! He is Lord of ALL! He will bring you out!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Friday, November 4, 2011
11.4.11 "The Boring Christian Life"
"The Boring Christian Life"
Ezekiel 10:1-11:25
Hebrews 6:1-20
Psalm 105:16-38
Proverbs 27:1-2
When I was a kid I had heard why it was good to become a Christian: You go to heaven and get a white robe and spend all your time worshiping God... Ok... You can imagine that for a active young guy that wasn't a great thing to put in the brochure. At my level of understanding all I could picture was wooden church benches, and being sleepy. It sounded boring.
There is an interesting verse in Hebrews 6:12: "Then, knowing what lies ahead for you, you won't become bored with being a Christian..."
The writer of Hebrews is dealing with people who are "bored with being a Christian". Who wants to live the Boring Christian Life? What causes that? We'll have to look at the preceding verses. Verse 1 says, "Let us stop going over the same old ground again and again, always teaching those first lessons about Christ. Let us go on instead to other things and become mature in our understanding, as strong Christians ought to be."
One of the first ingredients of the Boring Christian Life is to get stuck in a rut. A rut comes from driving in the same path over and over and over again. Too many believers stand on the shoreline of Christian maturity. There is an acceptance of Christ, but as far as relationship goes, it's more a matter of ritual. Go to church because you should. Do enough to look like a Christian, but there's no diving in to the deeper things of Christ: The discipline of daily time in the Word, the devotion to discipling relationships.
Another ingredient to the Boring Christian Life is the calloused heart. verse 4-6 "There is no use trying to bring you back to the Lord again if you have once understood the Good News and tasted for yourself the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, and know how good the Word of God is, and felt the mighty powers of the world to come, and then have turned against God. You cannot bring yourself to repent again..." We've talked before about being "moved and not changed". The hardening of the Boring Christian's heart comes from knowing the right thing to do, but in spite of the Spirit's prompting, ignoring it and going through life without being obedient to the Lord's direction. We've all heard someone say, "I'll follow God later". That presumes so much. That presumes that there's something WE do to save ourselves. We cannot come to Christ unless his Spirit draws us. That's why it is SO important to respond to Him IMMEDIATELY when he's calling us. Otherwise we lose our sense of direction and purpose. We walk alone... in the Boring Christian Life.
The fruit of the Boring Christian Life is thistles and thorns. It's dry. It's desolate. Who wants that?
There's good news! It doesn't have to be that way. Let's get away from the Boring Christian Life.
"Dear friends, even though I am talking like this I really don't believe that what I am saying applies to you. I am confident you are producing the good fruit that comes along with your salvation. For God is not unfair. How can he forget your hard work for him, or forget the way you used to show your love for him - and still do - by helping his children? And we are anxious that you keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, so that you will get your full reward. THEN, knowing what lies ahead for you, you won't become bored with being a Christian, nor become spiritually dull and indifferent, but you will be anxious to follow the example of those who receive all that God has promised them because of their strong faith and patience." Heb 6:9-12
Living the Christian life according to God's plan is anything but boring. Being in right relationship (obedience) produces good fruit. Loving one another brings rewards. Fulfillment comes through following Godly examples. It takes strong faith and patience.
The next verses use the example of Abraham and how God was faithful to His promise to him. God will be faithful to his promise to you. Your faith becomes strong through storms and trials that seem too great to handle. It's in those circumstances God comes through "... so that those he promised to help would be perfectly sure and never need to wonder whether he might change his plans." Heb. 6:17
Growing in faith isn't easy. It comes through some turbulent times. When floods of adversity come those caught in the rut too often get swept away. But applying scriptural principles in every area of our life keeps us secure in him regardless of the circumstances. verse 19 says, "This certain hope of being saved is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls, connecting us with God himself behind the sacred curtains of heaven..."
God has a plan for you, and if we surrender to His direction, He will come through. He is faithful!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Monday, October 24, 2011
10.24.11 "WuduyaNogood?"
"WuduyaNogood?"
Jeremiah 44:24-47:7
2 Timothy 2:22 - 3:17
Psalm 94:1-2
Proverbs 26:1-2
I'm guessing you look at that title and are like... "what??" That's how I was when i heard it. My wife and I had driven down to Arkansas to visit a friend. My friends dad greeted us with, "WuduyaNogood?" We smiled and nodded acting like we knew what he said. I wasnt' sure if it was a friendly insult, a cajun greeting, or what. I finally asked him to explain. It's "what do you know that's good?" Basically "WUTSUP!" (THAT I understand!) I was telling the Wednesday night bible study about this, when i was corrected afterward by a couple from Texas they said it's Wutchaknowgood?"
So, Wutchaknowgood?
Knowledge is an incredible thing. What you know shapes what you believe. What you believe shapes how you act. So in actuality, your actions reveal what you know. So, What do you know? Our quest for knowledge needs to be based on truth, not on opinion or circumstance. In a Sunday school class, all our heads nod because we "agree" with that. However, many times our actions and the way we deal with situations bring into question whether or not we really do believe this.
Let's look at it this way: Are you a disciple of Christ? Look at the requirement of John 8:31-32 "...If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Do we know the truth? How do we know it? It is EXTREMELY important that we gain truth from the Word of God. In Timothy 3 Paul is warning of how in the last days the truth will become very confusing. A lot of "gray area". Sounds like today doesn't it? Too often Christians get lured in to foolish arguments and discussions over issues that are not based on truth. And ultimately they don't lead individuals to live holy lives.
So, we need to base our lives on the Word. "You know how, when you were a small child, you were taught the holy Scriptures; and it is these that make you wise to accept God's salvation by trusting in Christ Jesus. The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God's way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone." 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Knowing the Word teaches us truth, and helps us align to that truth, which in turn helps us to do right. It prepares us for everything we come up against.
You may be reading along saying, "yeah, I know all this." But here is a major connection we need to make in this: 2 Timothy 2:23-26 "Again I say, don't get involved in foolish arguments which only upset people and make them angry. God's people must not be quarrelsome; they must be gentle, patient teachers of those who are wrong. Be humble when you are trying to teach those who are mixed up concerning the truth. For if you talk meekly and courteously to them they are more likely , with God's help, to turn away from their wrong ideas and believe what is true. Then they will come to their senses and escape from Satan's trap of slavery to sin which he uses to catch them whenever he likes, and then they can begin doing the will of God."
This is a really big deal.
First, we must know the solid truth of scripture. We need to know what God says, and align our lives to that.
Secondly, we need to use this knowledge to be able to see what the root of the issue is when it comes to foolish arguments, or more importantly when it comes to dealing with someone's sin, or where they are not "aligned" with truth.
Third, a VERY important thing is that knowing the truth is not JUST about what you know, it's about having the maturity to humbly reveal the truth to others at the appropriate time and in the appropriate way. Jesus says we are the light of the world. We need to be the light that people are drawn to, not one they run from. Revealing the truth to them in arrogance does not make them want to be like you.
Finally, don't get caught in the illusion that YOUR knowledge will turn people from sin. It's God. Your knowledge of truth that you gain from scripture "equips" you to bring the light of truth to any situation (in humility, of course). Then "they are more likely, with God's help, to turn away from their wrong ideas and believe what is true." (2 Tim. 2:25) When they know this truth, the truth will set them free.
Your world is desperate for you to get this. You MUST be "Empowered Through Biblical Training". Those around you need you to be. You need to show another the key to open the doors of the prison of sin they are in. So, WuduyaNogood? Hopefully you got it out of the Word today!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Jeremiah 44:24-47:7
2 Timothy 2:22 - 3:17
Psalm 94:1-2
Proverbs 26:1-2
I'm guessing you look at that title and are like... "what??" That's how I was when i heard it. My wife and I had driven down to Arkansas to visit a friend. My friends dad greeted us with, "WuduyaNogood?" We smiled and nodded acting like we knew what he said. I wasnt' sure if it was a friendly insult, a cajun greeting, or what. I finally asked him to explain. It's "what do you know that's good?" Basically "WUTSUP!" (THAT I understand!) I was telling the Wednesday night bible study about this, when i was corrected afterward by a couple from Texas they said it's Wutchaknowgood?"
So, Wutchaknowgood?
Knowledge is an incredible thing. What you know shapes what you believe. What you believe shapes how you act. So in actuality, your actions reveal what you know. So, What do you know? Our quest for knowledge needs to be based on truth, not on opinion or circumstance. In a Sunday school class, all our heads nod because we "agree" with that. However, many times our actions and the way we deal with situations bring into question whether or not we really do believe this.
Let's look at it this way: Are you a disciple of Christ? Look at the requirement of John 8:31-32 "...If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Do we know the truth? How do we know it? It is EXTREMELY important that we gain truth from the Word of God. In Timothy 3 Paul is warning of how in the last days the truth will become very confusing. A lot of "gray area". Sounds like today doesn't it? Too often Christians get lured in to foolish arguments and discussions over issues that are not based on truth. And ultimately they don't lead individuals to live holy lives.
So, we need to base our lives on the Word. "You know how, when you were a small child, you were taught the holy Scriptures; and it is these that make you wise to accept God's salvation by trusting in Christ Jesus. The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God's way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone." 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Knowing the Word teaches us truth, and helps us align to that truth, which in turn helps us to do right. It prepares us for everything we come up against.
You may be reading along saying, "yeah, I know all this." But here is a major connection we need to make in this: 2 Timothy 2:23-26 "Again I say, don't get involved in foolish arguments which only upset people and make them angry. God's people must not be quarrelsome; they must be gentle, patient teachers of those who are wrong. Be humble when you are trying to teach those who are mixed up concerning the truth. For if you talk meekly and courteously to them they are more likely , with God's help, to turn away from their wrong ideas and believe what is true. Then they will come to their senses and escape from Satan's trap of slavery to sin which he uses to catch them whenever he likes, and then they can begin doing the will of God."
This is a really big deal.
First, we must know the solid truth of scripture. We need to know what God says, and align our lives to that.
Secondly, we need to use this knowledge to be able to see what the root of the issue is when it comes to foolish arguments, or more importantly when it comes to dealing with someone's sin, or where they are not "aligned" with truth.
Third, a VERY important thing is that knowing the truth is not JUST about what you know, it's about having the maturity to humbly reveal the truth to others at the appropriate time and in the appropriate way. Jesus says we are the light of the world. We need to be the light that people are drawn to, not one they run from. Revealing the truth to them in arrogance does not make them want to be like you.
Finally, don't get caught in the illusion that YOUR knowledge will turn people from sin. It's God. Your knowledge of truth that you gain from scripture "equips" you to bring the light of truth to any situation (in humility, of course). Then "they are more likely, with God's help, to turn away from their wrong ideas and believe what is true." (2 Tim. 2:25) When they know this truth, the truth will set them free.
Your world is desperate for you to get this. You MUST be "Empowered Through Biblical Training". Those around you need you to be. You need to show another the key to open the doors of the prison of sin they are in. So, WuduyaNogood? Hopefully you got it out of the Word today!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
10.19.11 "Exercise"
"Exercise"
Jeremiah 33:1-34:22
I Timothy 4:1-16
Psalm 89:1-13
Proverbs 25:23-24
Exercise. How does that word hit you? To me I end up with the feeling of "yeah... I know I should, but..." I do enjoy sports, though. That's probably more because of my competitive nature than it is for the good of exercise. Some people love to exercise. Those endorphines kick in, and there's a rush of energy there. While in the past I have attempted to make steps toward improving exercise, I don't know that I've ever found that endorphin stage yet... Or maybe I'm endorphin-intolerant...
"Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit. Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do. So exercise yourself spiritually and practice being a better Christian, because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too." I Timothy 4:7-8
The process of exercise is one of putting your body to work by applying resistance. By nature your body doesn't want to jog, but jogging exercises the muscles and cardio-vascular system. It's not a lot different in keeping spiritually fit. The way our spiritual lives are exercised is in places of resistance. In places where our flesh doesn't necessarily want to be. For example, Spiritual exercise is getting up earlier to insure time in the Word. It is being godly in ungodly surroundings. It's ministering in difficult places, maybe even with difficult individuals.
It's been a while since we've done it, but I used to enjoy playing basketball with some guys at the church in the early morning. It was fun even though I'm not good at basketball. I miss most of my shots, and if I'm not careful I foul guys a lot because I'm still learning to understand the game. Everyone is at a different level of experience and skill, but I'm grateful that they have the patience to allow me to play, To try to get better, to exercise. The same principle should apply to the Christian walk. I shouldn't quit because I make a mistake. I need to commit to the process of exercise. Those with perfectionist personalities can really struggle with this, because they want to get it right the first time. If they don't they feel like quitting.
The struggle with inadequacy can also paralyze Christian growth. My biggest problem in basketball is probably being out of shape. So should I not play because I'm not in shape? No, because if I quit, I wont get in shape. In the Christian walk, I may be working on my anger. If I find myself in a situation where I lose my temper and quit, I've lost my chance to work through this issue.
It takes discipline to commit to the Christian walk. It takes exercise to grow. The process we struggle through is actually one that encourages others. "Be their ideal; let them follow the way you teach and live; be a pattern for them in your love, your faith, and your clean thoughts... Be sure to use the abilities God has given you through his prophets when the elders of the church laid their hands upon your head. Put these abilities to work; throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone may notice your improvement and progress. Keep a close watch on all you do and think. Stay true to what is right and God will bless you and use you to help others." I Tim. 4:12, 14-16
Get your spiritual workout in today. Use every situation as an opportunity to grow in Christ. Those around you desperately need you to be who God created you to be. That can only happen through your exercise.
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
Jeremiah 33:1-34:22
I Timothy 4:1-16
Psalm 89:1-13
Proverbs 25:23-24
Exercise. How does that word hit you? To me I end up with the feeling of "yeah... I know I should, but..." I do enjoy sports, though. That's probably more because of my competitive nature than it is for the good of exercise. Some people love to exercise. Those endorphines kick in, and there's a rush of energy there. While in the past I have attempted to make steps toward improving exercise, I don't know that I've ever found that endorphin stage yet... Or maybe I'm endorphin-intolerant...
"Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit. Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do. So exercise yourself spiritually and practice being a better Christian, because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too." I Timothy 4:7-8
The process of exercise is one of putting your body to work by applying resistance. By nature your body doesn't want to jog, but jogging exercises the muscles and cardio-vascular system. It's not a lot different in keeping spiritually fit. The way our spiritual lives are exercised is in places of resistance. In places where our flesh doesn't necessarily want to be. For example, Spiritual exercise is getting up earlier to insure time in the Word. It is being godly in ungodly surroundings. It's ministering in difficult places, maybe even with difficult individuals.
It's been a while since we've done it, but I used to enjoy playing basketball with some guys at the church in the early morning. It was fun even though I'm not good at basketball. I miss most of my shots, and if I'm not careful I foul guys a lot because I'm still learning to understand the game. Everyone is at a different level of experience and skill, but I'm grateful that they have the patience to allow me to play, To try to get better, to exercise. The same principle should apply to the Christian walk. I shouldn't quit because I make a mistake. I need to commit to the process of exercise. Those with perfectionist personalities can really struggle with this, because they want to get it right the first time. If they don't they feel like quitting.
The struggle with inadequacy can also paralyze Christian growth. My biggest problem in basketball is probably being out of shape. So should I not play because I'm not in shape? No, because if I quit, I wont get in shape. In the Christian walk, I may be working on my anger. If I find myself in a situation where I lose my temper and quit, I've lost my chance to work through this issue.
It takes discipline to commit to the Christian walk. It takes exercise to grow. The process we struggle through is actually one that encourages others. "Be their ideal; let them follow the way you teach and live; be a pattern for them in your love, your faith, and your clean thoughts... Be sure to use the abilities God has given you through his prophets when the elders of the church laid their hands upon your head. Put these abilities to work; throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone may notice your improvement and progress. Keep a close watch on all you do and think. Stay true to what is right and God will bless you and use you to help others." I Tim. 4:12, 14-16
Get your spiritual workout in today. Use every situation as an opportunity to grow in Christ. Those around you desperately need you to be who God created you to be. That can only happen through your exercise.
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, October 13, 2011
10.13.11 "Where the Fruit Trees Grow"
"Where the Fruit Trees Grow"
Jeremiah 23:21 - 25:38
2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
Psalm 84:1-12
Proverbs 25:15
I remember as a kid hearing the scripture about the "fruit of the Spirit", and seeing pretty pictures, and how sweet it was. Now growing up, I have a little better understanding of what it takes to make fruit grow. As I was reading today's Psalm, I was reminded of this. Galatians 5:22-23 isn't a part of today's reading from the One-Year Bible, but I thought it would be a good reminder:
"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Gal. 5:22-23
Those are 9 good things to have aren't they? It would be great if you could just run to Pick-n-Save produce section, rip off a plastic bag, and fill it with what you're going to need for that day. "I'll take a dozen patience... let's see... the kids like kindness... i suppose i should have a bit of self-control..."
It really doesn't work that way does it? Growing fruit is no easy process. It's not found at Pick-n-Save in fact, Psalm 84 gives us a bit of insight into where we can look.
"Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who want above all else to follow your steps. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains! They will grow constantly in strength and each of them is invited to meet with the Lord in Zion." Ps 84:5-7
The Fruit of the Spirit is a necessary part of your growth in Christ. You need it. Guess what! Some of these trees grow in the Valley of Weeping. We all walk through this valley at one time or another. Unfortunately, sometimes we want to run through this valley. We close our eyes, cover our ears, and can't wait until we get out of it. We rush through it without ever opening our baskets to gather fruit. Our focus on self and concern that we've lost our comfort causes us to miss out on so much. We're frustrated at the rains that come, and miss the "pools of blessing and refreshment that collect after rains!"
It's awesome to see God work in people's lives. I see individuals who have walked through the Valley & come out with a priceless treasure. Unfortunately I've seen those who come out bitter for having been there. The saddest part is knowing that the journey the Lord has for them can't be travelled without gaining the fruit that only grows in THAT valley. Somewhere down the line, there will be a sense of "repeating the test".
Where do the fruit trees grow? I can tell you that the patience tree is not in a quiet place. It's on a freeway. or at a red light when you're late for work. (or trying to get one of the plastic bags apart at Pick and Save!) Self-control is right next to Krispy-Kreme. Joy is in a very dark place. Love... that's a hard one. This one grows in the most undeserving place. This is a valley of danger... risk... the potential for hurt is high. It would be great if this tree were in a Hallmark shop on Valentine's day, but not so. It takes a lot of "fertilizer" for this fruit to become what it needs to be.
Remember the whole "Pure Joy" thing in James 1:2? You know, "consider it pure joy when you face trials..." Well, this is what it's about. This is why the armor goes on each day. It's for a purpose. It's not just to survive the Valley of Weeping. It's to come out better for it.
Maybe right now you're in a pleasant part of the journey. No valleys, just beautiful meadows & mountain tops. But someone very close to you could be at the darkest point in the Valley. Their eyes are closed, and they want to scream. You've been through a valley before. Reach in your basket. Pull out the fruit. What you may not realize is that the fruit was never for you in the first place. It was to help someone else. As you bring kindness and gentleness to another, help them open their eyes and see the pools of blessing. There's refreshment there.
Don't miss the most important part of these verses: "Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who want above all else to follow your steps." The key to a successful journey is to follow in the steps the Lord has laid out. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Don't get worried when the path leads through a valley. It's all the more important to be Empowered through Biblical Training. Too often that's the first to go. "Too busy to read the Word... Too tired to go to church..." No wonder the valley gets so dark. There's no light.
Be refreshed today wherever you are at. The fruit is nearby.
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, October 6, 2011
10.6.11 "How About a Little Stability?"
"How About a Little Stability?"
Jeremiah 6:15-8:7
Colossians 2:8-23
Psalm 78:1-25
Proverbs 24:26
"Don't let others spoil your faith and joy with their philosophies, their wrong and shallow answers built on men's thoughts and ideas, instead of on what Christ has said. For in Christ there is all of God in a human body; so you have everything when you have Christ, and you are filled with God through your union with Christ." (Col. 2:8-10)
Our number one goal needs to be to mature in Christ. Stability should be a direct result of Christian maturity. Paul speaks of this in Ephesians 4:14 when he says, "Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different, or has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. Instead, we will lovingly follow the truth at all times..."
I think too often people live Christianity as a "reactionary" life: The circumstances of life dictate their actions, beliefs, mood, and decisions. Why don't we recognize that this is not part of the Balanced Christian Life? I've seen individuals who go into each day not knowing what they'll be like at the end of it because of not knowing what may "happen" to them.
Wouldn't it be great if WE would "happen" to circumstances, rather than circumstances happening to us? The reason we are on this earth is to make a difference. I have a thermometer outside my dining room window. It's not making a difference in the world. It's reflecting the temperature. I have a thermostat on my wall. It's making a difference. It sets the temperature for my home. When it's too cold, it decides it's time to make a difference.
As a believer in Christ, we need to look at trials and struggles as a signal that it's time to make a difference. Henry Blackaby said, "If society as a whole seems to be getting darker and darker, it is not the problem of the darkness: the darkness is just acting like its nature. But it is that the light no longer dispels the darkness, and the salt no longer preserves. It time for the light to say, if things are darker, the problem is with us."
Can you see how a reactionary Christianity renders us ineffective? In the Reactionary Christian Life, we can only witness to someone if the circumstances are perfect. Basically, an unbeliever has to come to us. We have to be in the right mood. We have to have the perfect flyer inviting them to a Christian event that we're sure has a message that we approve of. If any of these things are out of whack, "It just wasn't God's timing."
In the Balanced Christian Life, we view struggles, trials and opposition as an opportunity for God to make his name great. Our joy is not affected by false doctrine. We don't react selfishly when those living in darkness speak offensively. We react as Christ would. We love them into the kingdom.
As we grow in maturity, we need to realize the fact that we have Christ IN us. He is the hope for all generations. The very power of God is available to us. He has authority over EVERY OTHER power!
I John 4:4 says, "... the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." Do we believe this? Do we live like it? What does it take to live like it?
It takes discipline. We need to guard our thought life against discouraging thoughts that cause us to lose the joy we've been given. We need to be disciplined in getting into the word so we know when someone is speaking words that do not line up with Godly principles. We need to be disciplined to keep our hearts in tune with the Spirit's direction.
Yeah, it takes work, but THIS life is a whole lot better than being knocked around all the time. The world around you is looking for someone who "has it together". No, I'm not talking about perfection, but I'm talking about someone who knows how to weather a storm. Whining about the rain is not weathering the storm. When people in your world are going through a trial, do they come to you for prayer? If they do, why? It's because they see what a difference it's made for you. If they don't come to you, why is that?? is it because they see you being knocked around by your circumstances? If there's no visible difference in your ability to stand strong, why would they want what you have?
Let's recognize struggles, trials, even words of discouragement and false doctrine as an opportunity to let the power of God and the Light of His Word shine through our lives. This is what living the DREAM 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
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