"Have you Been to the Mountain?"
Leviticus 20:22-22:16
Mark 9:1-29
Psalm 43:1-5
Proverbs 10:18
Wouldn't it be great if things came a little easier? I'm sure you are like me. I want to be who God has created me to be. But, to be honest, I'd much rather that it just "happen" to me. I'm lazy by nature. I wish that laziness were a spiritual gift, because then I could boast of my maturity!
We want to be like Christ. We want the wisdom to deal with the Pharisees in our lives. We want to be able to lay hands on the sick and see them healed. We want the ability to say in every circumstance, "not my will but thine be done!" What does that take?
In Mark 9 there's a story of Jesus approaching a crowd of people who are arguing with 9 of his disciples. As it turns out, there's a demon possessed boy and the disciples aren't able to cast it out. Jesus casts the demon out. "Afterwards, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, 'Why couldn't we cast that demon out?' Jesus replied, 'Cases like this require prayer.'" (Mark 9:28-29)
One thing that is consistent throughout the gospels is Jesus' devotion to get alone to pray. Sometimes he's more successful than others about the "alone" part, but you can definitely see it's priority in his life. At the beginning of Mark 9, Jesus asks 3 of his disciples to go with him up the mountain. His face begins to shine in glory, and his clothes become dazzling white. He is in the presence of the Almighty.
As he comes down the mountain to this scene with the other disciples, it says, "The crowed watched Jesus in awe as he came toward them." (Mark 9:15) It was obvious to EVERYONE who he was. It was obvious he had been with God.
There's a need all around us. It's a need for us to be who God has created us to be. How is that going to happen? It's going to happen when we "go up the mountain" in our private time with the Lord. We need to get alone to pray. Mediocrity breeds mediocrity. When we are not disciplined to meet with God, we can't experience his full glory, nor can we see his hand move like we should.
We need to find time to be alone. We need to seek God. We need to experience first hand the transforming power of His Spirit.
Many times we can think that the trials of our life are the arena for transforming our character. That's not really true. The trials of life test our character and reveal what's inside. The character needs to be transformed in the arena of our time with the Lord. Jesus' face didn't glow when he argued with the Pharisees. It didn't glow as great miracles were occurring. The glow came from the Glory of being set apart in time with God.
I need to get to the mountain on a regular basis. There are moments in my life that are ripe for miracles, and I miss them because of my bent towards mediocrity. I must increase my discipline to prioritize time in prayer. I'm not talking about needing to spend more time going down my list of needs. I'm talking about time to KNOW God. Time to open up to whatever HE wants to deal with in me. I need to allow myself to be transformed!
Make sure you find time to get to the mountain today, and each new day! The Lord desires to meet us there.
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 Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Monday, February 27, 2012
Thursday, July 7, 2011
7.7.11 "The Prayer of... you"
"The Prayer of... you"
I Chronicles 4:5-5:17
Acts 25:1-27
Psalm 5:1-12
Proverbs 18:19
I Chronicles 4:10 is the Prayer of Jabez. This has become a very well known scripture over the past number of years. Bruce Wilkinson wrote a book on it, there have been songs, etc.
In the middle of a long genealogy, there's a pause. It's for a man named Jabez. "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request."
Much of what I've heard regarding this prayer has to do with the content of the prayer, but the meditation today is, in the genealogies of heaven, what happens when it gets to your name? What is your prayer? What is your passion? What is your heart's desire?
It can easily be that our prayer is reactionary to the needs around us, "Lord, bless this food..." "Help me deal w/ my mother in law...." "Help me find a new job..." "Deliver me from this pimple the devil gave me..." Is that the extent of the prayer of you?
I'm challenged today to pray the prayer that marks my life. "Lord, this is my greatest desire... this is what consumes me.... Have your way..."
For each of us it will be different. It's not like there's a formula. It's about diving in with all our heart. It's about crying out. It's about getting to know God and let him have complete control. It's living in radical surrender.
As you cry out today, may it be like it was for Jabez, "And God granted his request."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 4:5-5:17
Acts 25:1-27
Psalm 5:1-12
Proverbs 18:19
I Chronicles 4:10 is the Prayer of Jabez. This has become a very well known scripture over the past number of years. Bruce Wilkinson wrote a book on it, there have been songs, etc.
In the middle of a long genealogy, there's a pause. It's for a man named Jabez. "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request."
Much of what I've heard regarding this prayer has to do with the content of the prayer, but the meditation today is, in the genealogies of heaven, what happens when it gets to your name? What is your prayer? What is your passion? What is your heart's desire?
It can easily be that our prayer is reactionary to the needs around us, "Lord, bless this food..." "Help me deal w/ my mother in law...." "Help me find a new job..." "Deliver me from this pimple the devil gave me..." Is that the extent of the prayer of you?
I'm challenged today to pray the prayer that marks my life. "Lord, this is my greatest desire... this is what consumes me.... Have your way..."
For each of us it will be different. It's not like there's a formula. It's about diving in with all our heart. It's about crying out. It's about getting to know God and let him have complete control. It's living in radical surrender.
As you cry out today, may it be like it was for Jabez, "And God granted his request."
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, May 4, 2011
5.4.11 "The Empty Swing"
"The Empty Swing"
Judges 19:1-20:48
John 3:22-4:3
Psalm 104:24-35
Proverbs 14:22-23
Today's reading in Judges is gruesome. It's a story of a man who has a concubine who runs back home. He brings gifts to the girl's family to win her back, and he does. The girls father, however keeps talking him into staying longer than he should. They feast and party on, until finally after a few days of trying to leave, the man leaves late in the day.
Because they left so late, they have to stop along their journey to sleep in a city square. A stranger brings them in, but during the night an occurrence happens that sounds like the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. "... a gang of sex perverts gathered around the house and began beating at the door and yelling at the old man to bring out the man who was saying with him, so they could rape him." (Jud. 19:22) What ended up happening is that the man pushed the concubine out the door, and throughout the night they abused her to the point of death. He threw her body onto his donkey and took her home.
"When he got there he took a knife and cut her body into twelve parts and sent one piece to each tribe of Israel. Everyone who saw it said, 'Such a horrible crime has not been committed in all the time since Israel left Egypt. Think about it! What are we going to do? Who's going to speak up?'" (Judges 19:29-30)
You may be wondering why I would pick such an encouraging story for today's devotional. Do you recognize the name "Norma McCorvey"? She is also known as Jane Roe. She was the original plaintiff in Roe v. Wade which legalized abortion in 1973. In 1995, Norma gave her life to Christ. She was led to Christ by a pastor who was part of Operation Rescue, a pro-life organization that was protesting outside the clinic where Norma worked.
Now that there have been over 50 million "legal" abortions in the US, Norma tells the story of one day she was sitting in a park and there were no kids there. She wept as she realized the swings were empty because of the generation that has been lost.
In our backyard we have a swing set for my daughter. She's outgrown many of her toys, but not the swing. She loves to play on it and sing, and come up with new ways to swing. I hear my daughter's songs as I think of Norma's story.
The entire nation of Israel was roused to action in Judges 20. There were over 400,000 troops mobilized to attack the people of Benjamin who had become so perverted. "So the whole nation united in this task." (Jud 20:11)
"Before the battle the Israeli army went to Bethel first to ask counsel from the God." (20:18) That day, 22,000 Israelis died. "Then the Israeli army wept before the Lord until evening and asked him, 'Shall we fight further against our brother Benjamin?' And the Lord said, 'Yes.' So the men of Israel took courage and went out again the next day to fight at the same place. And that day they lost another eighteen thousand men... Then the entire army went up to Bethel and wept before the Lord..."
As much as we'd love it to be an easy battle, Israel experienced great loss in their fight for justice. Even after God told them to go fight, they lost 40,000 men. It would be easy to give up.
"The men of Israel asked the Lord, 'Shall we go out again and fight against our brother Benjamin, or shall we stop?' And the Lord said, 'Go, for tomorrow I will see to it that you defeat the men of Benjamin.'" (Jud. 20:18-28) There was more loss of life, but the evil men were finally defeated.
Reading this account you can't help think about the state of perversion in our nation. Where are the people of God? There are a few key points we need to realize.
It says earlier in Judges that Benjamin was the only tribe that didn't completely conquer the territory. They didn't purify themselves. This led to their perversion. The Body of Christ needs to be pure.
Second, notice how the man initially placed himself in the situation. He was feasting instead of returning home. Over the course of the last generation, the Church has fallen asleep in prosperity instead of holding to Godly principles.
The other point I want to make is that I believe the people of God have become intimidated into inaction. Just like the Israelites experienced great loss when they first went out to fight, I believe the Christians of our day have realized that this battle can't be fought without sacrifice, and that has caused them to give up far too early.
My question however is whether we have gone back to ask the Lord what we should do, or if we have just determined that the cost is too great and we have gone home. I believe the victory is there, but are we willing to pay the price?
This coming Thursday is the National Day of Prayer. There is much to pray about. There are empty swings.
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
Judges 19:1-20:48
John 3:22-4:3
Psalm 104:24-35
Proverbs 14:22-23
Today's reading in Judges is gruesome. It's a story of a man who has a concubine who runs back home. He brings gifts to the girl's family to win her back, and he does. The girls father, however keeps talking him into staying longer than he should. They feast and party on, until finally after a few days of trying to leave, the man leaves late in the day.
Because they left so late, they have to stop along their journey to sleep in a city square. A stranger brings them in, but during the night an occurrence happens that sounds like the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. "... a gang of sex perverts gathered around the house and began beating at the door and yelling at the old man to bring out the man who was saying with him, so they could rape him." (Jud. 19:22) What ended up happening is that the man pushed the concubine out the door, and throughout the night they abused her to the point of death. He threw her body onto his donkey and took her home.
"When he got there he took a knife and cut her body into twelve parts and sent one piece to each tribe of Israel. Everyone who saw it said, 'Such a horrible crime has not been committed in all the time since Israel left Egypt. Think about it! What are we going to do? Who's going to speak up?'" (Judges 19:29-30)
You may be wondering why I would pick such an encouraging story for today's devotional. Do you recognize the name "Norma McCorvey"? She is also known as Jane Roe. She was the original plaintiff in Roe v. Wade which legalized abortion in 1973. In 1995, Norma gave her life to Christ. She was led to Christ by a pastor who was part of Operation Rescue, a pro-life organization that was protesting outside the clinic where Norma worked.
Now that there have been over 50 million "legal" abortions in the US, Norma tells the story of one day she was sitting in a park and there were no kids there. She wept as she realized the swings were empty because of the generation that has been lost.
In our backyard we have a swing set for my daughter. She's outgrown many of her toys, but not the swing. She loves to play on it and sing, and come up with new ways to swing. I hear my daughter's songs as I think of Norma's story.
The entire nation of Israel was roused to action in Judges 20. There were over 400,000 troops mobilized to attack the people of Benjamin who had become so perverted. "So the whole nation united in this task." (Jud 20:11)
"Before the battle the Israeli army went to Bethel first to ask counsel from the God." (20:18) That day, 22,000 Israelis died. "Then the Israeli army wept before the Lord until evening and asked him, 'Shall we fight further against our brother Benjamin?' And the Lord said, 'Yes.' So the men of Israel took courage and went out again the next day to fight at the same place. And that day they lost another eighteen thousand men... Then the entire army went up to Bethel and wept before the Lord..."
As much as we'd love it to be an easy battle, Israel experienced great loss in their fight for justice. Even after God told them to go fight, they lost 40,000 men. It would be easy to give up.
"The men of Israel asked the Lord, 'Shall we go out again and fight against our brother Benjamin, or shall we stop?' And the Lord said, 'Go, for tomorrow I will see to it that you defeat the men of Benjamin.'" (Jud. 20:18-28) There was more loss of life, but the evil men were finally defeated.
Reading this account you can't help think about the state of perversion in our nation. Where are the people of God? There are a few key points we need to realize.
It says earlier in Judges that Benjamin was the only tribe that didn't completely conquer the territory. They didn't purify themselves. This led to their perversion. The Body of Christ needs to be pure.
Second, notice how the man initially placed himself in the situation. He was feasting instead of returning home. Over the course of the last generation, the Church has fallen asleep in prosperity instead of holding to Godly principles.
The other point I want to make is that I believe the people of God have become intimidated into inaction. Just like the Israelites experienced great loss when they first went out to fight, I believe the Christians of our day have realized that this battle can't be fought without sacrifice, and that has caused them to give up far too early.
My question however is whether we have gone back to ask the Lord what we should do, or if we have just determined that the cost is too great and we have gone home. I believe the victory is there, but are we willing to pay the price?
This coming Thursday is the National Day of Prayer. There is much to pray about. There are empty swings.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Sunday, February 27, 2011
2.27.11 "Have you Been to the Mountain?"
"Have you Been to the Mountain?"
Leviticus 20:22-22:16
Mark 9:1-29
Psalm 43:1-5
Proverbs 10:18
Wouldn't it be great if things came a little easier? I'm sure you are like me. I want to be who God has created me to be. But, to be honest, I'd much rather that it just "happen" to me. I'm lazy by nature. I wish that laziness were a spiritual gift, because then I could boast of my maturity!
We want to be like Christ. We want the wisdom to deal with the Pharisees in our lives. We want to be able to lay hands on the sick and see them healed. We want the ability to say in every circumstance, "not my will but thine be done!" What does that take?
In Mark 9 there's a story of Jesus approaching a crowd of people who are arguing with 9 of his disciples. As it turns out, there's a demon possessed boy and the disciples aren't able to cast it out. Jesus casts the demon out. "Afterwards, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, 'Why couldn't we cast that demon out?' Jesus replied, 'Cases like this require prayer.'" (Mark 9:28-29)
One thing that is consistent throughout the gospels is Jesus' devotion to get alone to pray. Sometimes he's more successful than others about the "alone" part, but you can definitely see it's priority in his life. At the beginning of Mark 9, Jesus asks 3 of his disciples to go with him up the mountain. His face begins to shine in glory, and his clothes become dazzling white. He is in the presence of the Almighty.
As he comes down the mountain to this scene with the other disciples, it says, "The crowed watched Jesus in awe as he came toward them." (Mark 9:15) It was obvious to EVERYONE who he was. It was obvious he had been with God.
There's a need all around us. It's a need for us to be who God has created us to be. How is that going to happen? It's going to happen when we "go up the mountain" in our private time with the Lord. We need to get alone to pray. Mediocrity breeds mediocrity. When we are not disciplined to meet with God, we can't experience his full glory, nor can we see his hand move like we should.
We need to find time to be alone. We need to seek God. We need to experience first hand the transforming power of His Spirit.
Many times we can think that the trials of our life are the arena for transforming our character. That's not really true. The trials of life test our character and reveal what's inside. The character needs to be transformed in the arena of our time with the Lord. Jesus' face didn't glow when he argued with the Pharisees. It didn't glow as great miracles were occurring. The glow came from the Glory of being set apart in time with God.
I need to get to the mountain on a regular basis. There are moments in my life that are ripe for miracles, and I miss them because of my bent towards mediocrity. I must increase my discipline to prioritize time in prayer. I'm not talking about needing to spend more time going down my list of needs. I'm talking about time to KNOW God. Time to open up to whatever HE wants to deal with in me. I need to allow myself to be transformed!
Make sure you find time to get to the mountain today, and each new day! The Lord desires to meet us there.
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
Leviticus 20:22-22:16
Mark 9:1-29
Psalm 43:1-5
Proverbs 10:18
Wouldn't it be great if things came a little easier? I'm sure you are like me. I want to be who God has created me to be. But, to be honest, I'd much rather that it just "happen" to me. I'm lazy by nature. I wish that laziness were a spiritual gift, because then I could boast of my maturity!
We want to be like Christ. We want the wisdom to deal with the Pharisees in our lives. We want to be able to lay hands on the sick and see them healed. We want the ability to say in every circumstance, "not my will but thine be done!" What does that take?
In Mark 9 there's a story of Jesus approaching a crowd of people who are arguing with 9 of his disciples. As it turns out, there's a demon possessed boy and the disciples aren't able to cast it out. Jesus casts the demon out. "Afterwards, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, 'Why couldn't we cast that demon out?' Jesus replied, 'Cases like this require prayer.'" (Mark 9:28-29)
One thing that is consistent throughout the gospels is Jesus' devotion to get alone to pray. Sometimes he's more successful than others about the "alone" part, but you can definitely see it's priority in his life. At the beginning of Mark 9, Jesus asks 3 of his disciples to go with him up the mountain. His face begins to shine in glory, and his clothes become dazzling white. He is in the presence of the Almighty.
As he comes down the mountain to this scene with the other disciples, it says, "The crowed watched Jesus in awe as he came toward them." (Mark 9:15) It was obvious to EVERYONE who he was. It was obvious he had been with God.
There's a need all around us. It's a need for us to be who God has created us to be. How is that going to happen? It's going to happen when we "go up the mountain" in our private time with the Lord. We need to get alone to pray. Mediocrity breeds mediocrity. When we are not disciplined to meet with God, we can't experience his full glory, nor can we see his hand move like we should.
We need to find time to be alone. We need to seek God. We need to experience first hand the transforming power of His Spirit.
Many times we can think that the trials of our life are the arena for transforming our character. That's not really true. The trials of life test our character and reveal what's inside. The character needs to be transformed in the arena of our time with the Lord. Jesus' face didn't glow when he argued with the Pharisees. It didn't glow as great miracles were occurring. The glow came from the Glory of being set apart in time with God.
I need to get to the mountain on a regular basis. There are moments in my life that are ripe for miracles, and I miss them because of my bent towards mediocrity. I must increase my discipline to prioritize time in prayer. I'm not talking about needing to spend more time going down my list of needs. I'm talking about time to KNOW God. Time to open up to whatever HE wants to deal with in me. I need to allow myself to be transformed!
Make sure you find time to get to the mountain today, and each new day! The Lord desires to meet us there.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Saturday, February 27, 2010
2.27.10 "Have you Been to the Mountain?"
"Have you Been to the Mountain?"
Leviticus 20:22-22:16
Mark 9:1-29
Psalm 43:1-5
Proverbs 10:18
Wouldn't it be great if things came a little easier? I'm sure you are like me. I want to be who God has created me to be. But, to be honest, I'd much rather that it just "happen" to me. I'm lazy by nature. I wish that laziness were a spiritual gift, because then I could boast of my maturity!
We want to be like Christ. We want the wisdom to deal with the Pharisees in our lives. We want to be able to lay hands on the sick and see them healed. We want the ability to say in every circumstance, "not my will but thine be done!" What does that take?
In Mark 9 there's a story of Jesus approaching a crowd of people who are arguing with 9 of his disciples. As it turns out, there's a demon possessed boy and the disciples aren't able to cast it out. Jesus casts the demon out. "Afterwards, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, 'Why couldn't we cast that demon out?' Jesus replied, 'Cases like this require prayer.'" (Mark 9:28-29)
One thing that is consistent throughout the gospels is Jesus' devotion to get alone to pray. Sometimes he's more successful than others about the "alone" part, but you can definitely see it's priority in his life. At the beginning of Mark 9, Jesus asks 3 of his disciples to go with him up the mountain. His face begins to shine in glory, and his clothes become dazzling white. He is in the presence of the Almighty.
As he comes down the mountain to this scene with the other disciples, it says, "The crowed watched Jesus in awe as he came toward them." (Mark 9:15) It was obvious to EVERYONE who he was. It was obvious he had been with God.
There's a need all around us. It's a need for us to be who God has created us to be. How is that going to happen? It's going to happen when we "go up the mountain" in our private time with the Lord. We need to get alone to pray. Mediocrity breeds mediocrity. When we are not disciplined to meet with God, we can't experience his full glory, nor can we see his hand move like we should.
We need to find time to be alone. We need to seek God. We need to experience first hand the transforming power of His Spirit.
Many times we can think that the trials of our life are the arena for transforming our character. That's not really true. The trials of life test our character and reveal what's inside. The character needs to be transformed in the arena of our time with the Lord. Jesus' face didn't glow when he argued with the Pharisees. It didn't glow as great miracles were occurring. The glow came from the Glory of being set apart in time with God.
I need to get to the mountain on a regular basis. There are moments in my life that are ripe for miracles, and I miss them because of my bent towards mediocrity. I must increase my discipline to prioritize time in prayer. I'm not talking about needing to spend more time going down my list of needs. I'm talking about time to KNOW God. Time to open up to whatever HE wants to deal with in me. I need to allow myself to be transformed!
Make sure you find time to get to the mountain today, and each new day! The Lord desires to meet us there.
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 20:22-22:16
Mark 9:1-29
Psalm 43:1-5
Proverbs 10:18
Wouldn't it be great if things came a little easier? I'm sure you are like me. I want to be who God has created me to be. But, to be honest, I'd much rather that it just "happen" to me. I'm lazy by nature. I wish that laziness were a spiritual gift, because then I could boast of my maturity!
We want to be like Christ. We want the wisdom to deal with the Pharisees in our lives. We want to be able to lay hands on the sick and see them healed. We want the ability to say in every circumstance, "not my will but thine be done!" What does that take?
In Mark 9 there's a story of Jesus approaching a crowd of people who are arguing with 9 of his disciples. As it turns out, there's a demon possessed boy and the disciples aren't able to cast it out. Jesus casts the demon out. "Afterwards, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, 'Why couldn't we cast that demon out?' Jesus replied, 'Cases like this require prayer.'" (Mark 9:28-29)
One thing that is consistent throughout the gospels is Jesus' devotion to get alone to pray. Sometimes he's more successful than others about the "alone" part, but you can definitely see it's priority in his life. At the beginning of Mark 9, Jesus asks 3 of his disciples to go with him up the mountain. His face begins to shine in glory, and his clothes become dazzling white. He is in the presence of the Almighty.
As he comes down the mountain to this scene with the other disciples, it says, "The crowed watched Jesus in awe as he came toward them." (Mark 9:15) It was obvious to EVERYONE who he was. It was obvious he had been with God.
There's a need all around us. It's a need for us to be who God has created us to be. How is that going to happen? It's going to happen when we "go up the mountain" in our private time with the Lord. We need to get alone to pray. Mediocrity breeds mediocrity. When we are not disciplined to meet with God, we can't experience his full glory, nor can we see his hand move like we should.
We need to find time to be alone. We need to seek God. We need to experience first hand the transforming power of His Spirit.
Many times we can think that the trials of our life are the arena for transforming our character. That's not really true. The trials of life test our character and reveal what's inside. The character needs to be transformed in the arena of our time with the Lord. Jesus' face didn't glow when he argued with the Pharisees. It didn't glow as great miracles were occurring. The glow came from the Glory of being set apart in time with God.
I need to get to the mountain on a regular basis. There are moments in my life that are ripe for miracles, and I miss them because of my bent towards mediocrity. I must increase my discipline to prioritize time in prayer. I'm not talking about needing to spend more time going down my list of needs. I'm talking about time to KNOW God. Time to open up to whatever HE wants to deal with in me. I need to allow myself to be transformed!
Make sure you find time to get to the mountain today, and each new day! The Lord desires to meet us there.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Saturday, October 17, 2009
10.17.9 "The DREAM Job"
"The DREAM Job"
Jeremiah 30:1-31:26
I Timothy 2:1-15
Psalm 87:1-7
Proverbs 25:18-19
As we put focused attention on living the DREAM, much of our scriptural application has been about what God is doing in our lives. It is very important that we do our part to grow in maturity, but it's not just an internal thing. It should be making a difference in every area of our life. Maturity is measured in how we treat other people.
I Timothy 2:1-3 says, "Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God's mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them. Pray in this way for kings and all others who are in authority over us, or are in places of high responsibility, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord. This is good and pleases God our Savior, for he longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth".
We really need to be praying for those around us. Especially for those in authority over us. The "norm" in our society is that we complain about our boss, our working conditions, and others we work with. We tend to dwell on things that cause us to be irritated with personalities or practices that are different than the way WE think they should be.
Think about what prayer does. The obvious thing is that God answers prayer. As you pray for someone in authority over you or in a place of high responsibility, God moves. There are times when the answer is immediate and obvious, but there are other times it's more subtle, but in God's will and timing, it's answered.
But also think about what prayer does IN you. When you have those people who "fertilize" your "Fruit of the Spirit", and you begin to pray for them, you begin to see them as God does. Praying for one another puts us in a posture of humility. Like Paul says, we must "give thanks for all he is going to do for them." This helps us get our minds off our selfishness and off our opinions, and onto what God is trying to complete in those around us.
If you are Living the DREAM, you should be different than those around you. You should not be around the water cooler complaining and talking about others, you should be setting the temperature of encouragement. Today's proverbs puts it pretty clear: "Telling lies about someone is as harmful as hitting him with an axe, or wounding him with a sword, or shooting him with a sharp arrow." Prov. 25:18. It is WAY too often that Christians justify doing this type of behavior. We cannot take part in this activity. Sometimes I fear we think we can get away with it if we phrase it in a form of a prayer request. "Please pray with me for a co-worker who is an idiot." The arrow is shot.
We must understand that if we act improperly toward those we work for and those in authority over us, it undermines our integrity. WE become the weak link. That is NOT living the DREAM. Prov. 25:19 says, "Putting confidence in an unreliable man is like chewing with a sore tooth, or trying to run on a broken foot."
How does your authority view you? Can you be trusted? Do they know that you have their back? That you are guarding them? Or do they feel like they are running on a broken foot? We do a disservice to the Kingdom when a Christian is "high maintenance" in the work place. We need to be people of honor, integrity, and faithfulness. Whining is not a fruit of the Spirit, nor is it a principle of DREAM. Do you have trouble with someone? Stop whining and start praying. God will show you the path to reconciliation.
In 1 Timothy 2:5 the "truth" that God wants every one to understand is this: "That God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, himself man, is between them to bring them together, by giving his life for all mankind." Each one of us are part of this. We need to be pointing to Christ not creating an obstacle by being unreliable. This is our Mission. Reaching our World for Christ. You can't just turn it off. That's why you're doing what you're doing.
That's why you've got your DREAM job!
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
Jeremiah 30:1-31:26
I Timothy 2:1-15
Psalm 87:1-7
Proverbs 25:18-19
As we put focused attention on living the DREAM, much of our scriptural application has been about what God is doing in our lives. It is very important that we do our part to grow in maturity, but it's not just an internal thing. It should be making a difference in every area of our life. Maturity is measured in how we treat other people.
I Timothy 2:1-3 says, "Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God's mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them. Pray in this way for kings and all others who are in authority over us, or are in places of high responsibility, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord. This is good and pleases God our Savior, for he longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth".
We really need to be praying for those around us. Especially for those in authority over us. The "norm" in our society is that we complain about our boss, our working conditions, and others we work with. We tend to dwell on things that cause us to be irritated with personalities or practices that are different than the way WE think they should be.
Think about what prayer does. The obvious thing is that God answers prayer. As you pray for someone in authority over you or in a place of high responsibility, God moves. There are times when the answer is immediate and obvious, but there are other times it's more subtle, but in God's will and timing, it's answered.
But also think about what prayer does IN you. When you have those people who "fertilize" your "Fruit of the Spirit", and you begin to pray for them, you begin to see them as God does. Praying for one another puts us in a posture of humility. Like Paul says, we must "give thanks for all he is going to do for them." This helps us get our minds off our selfishness and off our opinions, and onto what God is trying to complete in those around us.
If you are Living the DREAM, you should be different than those around you. You should not be around the water cooler complaining and talking about others, you should be setting the temperature of encouragement. Today's proverbs puts it pretty clear: "Telling lies about someone is as harmful as hitting him with an axe, or wounding him with a sword, or shooting him with a sharp arrow." Prov. 25:18. It is WAY too often that Christians justify doing this type of behavior. We cannot take part in this activity. Sometimes I fear we think we can get away with it if we phrase it in a form of a prayer request. "Please pray with me for a co-worker who is an idiot." The arrow is shot.
We must understand that if we act improperly toward those we work for and those in authority over us, it undermines our integrity. WE become the weak link. That is NOT living the DREAM. Prov. 25:19 says, "Putting confidence in an unreliable man is like chewing with a sore tooth, or trying to run on a broken foot."
How does your authority view you? Can you be trusted? Do they know that you have their back? That you are guarding them? Or do they feel like they are running on a broken foot? We do a disservice to the Kingdom when a Christian is "high maintenance" in the work place. We need to be people of honor, integrity, and faithfulness. Whining is not a fruit of the Spirit, nor is it a principle of DREAM. Do you have trouble with someone? Stop whining and start praying. God will show you the path to reconciliation.
In 1 Timothy 2:5 the "truth" that God wants every one to understand is this: "That God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, himself man, is between them to bring them together, by giving his life for all mankind." Each one of us are part of this. We need to be pointing to Christ not creating an obstacle by being unreliable. This is our Mission. Reaching our World for Christ. You can't just turn it off. That's why you're doing what you're doing.
That's why you've got your DREAM job!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
7.7.9 "The Prayer of... you"
"The Prayer of... you"
I Chronicles 4:5-5:17
Acts 25:1-27
Psalm 5:1-12
Proverbs 18:19
I Chronicles 4:10 is the Prayer of Jabez. This has become a very well known scripture over the past number of years. Bruce Wilkinson wrote a book on it, there have been songs, etc.
In the middle of a long genealogy, there's a pause. It's for a man named Jabez. "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request."
Much of what I've heard regarding this prayer has to do with the content of the prayer, but the meditation today is, in the genealogies of heaven, what happens when it gets to your name? What is your prayer? What is your passion? What is your heart's desire?
It can easily be that our prayer is reactionary to the needs around us, "Lord, bless this food..." "Help me deal w/ my mother in law...." "Help me find a new job..." "Deliver me from this pimple the devil gave me..." Is that the extent of the prayer of you?
I'm challenged today to pray the prayer that marks my life. "Lord, this is my greatest desire... this is what consumes me.... Have your way..."
For each of us it will be different. It's not like there's a formula. It's about diving in with all our heart. It's about crying out. It's about getting to know God and let him have complete control. It's living in radical surrender.
As you cry out today, may it be like it was for Jabez, "And God granted his request."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 4:5-5:17
Acts 25:1-27
Psalm 5:1-12
Proverbs 18:19
I Chronicles 4:10 is the Prayer of Jabez. This has become a very well known scripture over the past number of years. Bruce Wilkinson wrote a book on it, there have been songs, etc.
In the middle of a long genealogy, there's a pause. It's for a man named Jabez. "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request."
Much of what I've heard regarding this prayer has to do with the content of the prayer, but the meditation today is, in the genealogies of heaven, what happens when it gets to your name? What is your prayer? What is your passion? What is your heart's desire?
It can easily be that our prayer is reactionary to the needs around us, "Lord, bless this food..." "Help me deal w/ my mother in law...." "Help me find a new job..." "Deliver me from this pimple the devil gave me..." Is that the extent of the prayer of you?
I'm challenged today to pray the prayer that marks my life. "Lord, this is my greatest desire... this is what consumes me.... Have your way..."
For each of us it will be different. It's not like there's a formula. It's about diving in with all our heart. It's about crying out. It's about getting to know God and let him have complete control. It's living in radical surrender.
As you cry out today, may it be like it was for Jabez, "And God granted his request."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Friday, December 19, 2008
12.19.8 "The Big Picture"
"The Big Picture"
Zephaniah 1:1-3:20
Revelation 10:1-11
Psalm 138:1-8
Proverbs 30:11-14
When I was growing up, I had a friend whose mom was a nut. She was really fun, but she was crazy, too. When she would watch a TV program she would begin to intercede for anyone in trouble. If someone on the show was sick, she'd start to pray for them out loud. I remember watching Raiders of the Lost Ark with them. She never stopped praying for Indiana Jones! It was actually a pretty cool thing that her heart was close to God in a way that he was her first thought, but she was so wrapped up in the show, it became reality. She even prayed for Peter Sellers when he was in the Pink Panther!
We look at that and we think it's a bit ridiculous to be so caught up in a movie or TV program to think that it's reality. Truthfully, its just as ridiculous that we get caught up in the cares, concerns and circumstances of daily life, and forget what the ultimate reality truly is.
Psalm 138:8 says, "The Lord will work out his plans for my life - for your lovingkindness, Lord, continues forever." We know God is in control, but too often we don't live like we believe it. Our circumstances seem so overwhelming. Our stresses seem so overpowering.
We need to surrender to the fact that God sees the big picture. The circumstances of our life are only a part of what he is doing to work out his plans for us. We tend to be control freaks. We will surrender if, and only if, we can see how it plays into God's plan. But if we can't see how it fits in, we begin to complain, cry and attempt to control the situation.
When you have the attitude of "The Lord will work out his plans for my life," what circumstance can knock you off course? Each moment of each day we need to align ourselves with that place of humility that says, "God, complete your big picture through me!"
Zephaniah 2:3 says, "Walk humbly and do what is right; perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you from his wrath in that day of doom." How do you like the word "perhaps" in that verse?
Do you ever have a hard time sleeping? How do you feel about that? It's easy to be upset about it and be frustrated, OR we can look at the big picture and realize the Lord needs intercessors. You're just laying there anyway! Start praying. No, not about your TV shows, but about whatever the Lord would place on your heart.
There is no circumstance that can come up in your life that God can't use to work out his plan for you. Live in surrender to his plan. Allow him to do his work in you, and through you. As much as we want to "live the Comfort Zone", it's vital that we "Live the DREAM!" Whatever situation you find yourself in, call out to him in prayer. There may be times it's a prayer of desperation, but in EVERY circumstance get in the habit of seeking God. This will keep the "Big Picture" in focus.
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
Zephaniah 1:1-3:20
Revelation 10:1-11
Psalm 138:1-8
Proverbs 30:11-14
When I was growing up, I had a friend whose mom was a nut. She was really fun, but she was crazy, too. When she would watch a TV program she would begin to intercede for anyone in trouble. If someone on the show was sick, she'd start to pray for them out loud. I remember watching Raiders of the Lost Ark with them. She never stopped praying for Indiana Jones! It was actually a pretty cool thing that her heart was close to God in a way that he was her first thought, but she was so wrapped up in the show, it became reality. She even prayed for Peter Sellers when he was in the Pink Panther!
We look at that and we think it's a bit ridiculous to be so caught up in a movie or TV program to think that it's reality. Truthfully, its just as ridiculous that we get caught up in the cares, concerns and circumstances of daily life, and forget what the ultimate reality truly is.
Psalm 138:8 says, "The Lord will work out his plans for my life - for your lovingkindness, Lord, continues forever." We know God is in control, but too often we don't live like we believe it. Our circumstances seem so overwhelming. Our stresses seem so overpowering.
We need to surrender to the fact that God sees the big picture. The circumstances of our life are only a part of what he is doing to work out his plans for us. We tend to be control freaks. We will surrender if, and only if, we can see how it plays into God's plan. But if we can't see how it fits in, we begin to complain, cry and attempt to control the situation.
When you have the attitude of "The Lord will work out his plans for my life," what circumstance can knock you off course? Each moment of each day we need to align ourselves with that place of humility that says, "God, complete your big picture through me!"
Zephaniah 2:3 says, "Walk humbly and do what is right; perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you from his wrath in that day of doom." How do you like the word "perhaps" in that verse?
Do you ever have a hard time sleeping? How do you feel about that? It's easy to be upset about it and be frustrated, OR we can look at the big picture and realize the Lord needs intercessors. You're just laying there anyway! Start praying. No, not about your TV shows, but about whatever the Lord would place on your heart.
There is no circumstance that can come up in your life that God can't use to work out his plan for you. Live in surrender to his plan. Allow him to do his work in you, and through you. As much as we want to "live the Comfort Zone", it's vital that we "Live the DREAM!" Whatever situation you find yourself in, call out to him in prayer. There may be times it's a prayer of desperation, but in EVERY circumstance get in the habit of seeking God. This will keep the "Big Picture" in focus.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Monday, July 7, 2008
7.7.8 "The Prayer of... you"
"The Prayer of... you"
I Chronicles 4:5-5:17
Acts 25:1-27
Psalm 5:1-12
Proverbs 18:19
I Chronicles 4:10 is the Prayer of Jabez. This has become a very well known scripture over the past number of years. Bruce Wilkinson wrote a book on it, there have been songs, etc.
In the middle of a long genealogy, there's a pause. It's for a man named Jabez. "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request."
Much of what I've heard regarding this prayer has to do with the content of the prayer, but the meditation today is, in the genealogies of heaven, what happens when it gets to your name? What is your prayer? What is your passion? What is your heart's desire?
It can easily be that our prayer is reactionary to the needs around us, "Lord, bless this food..." "Help me deal w/ my mother in law...." "Help me find a new job..." "Deliver me from this pimple the devil gave me..." Is that the extent of the prayer of you?
I'm challenged today to pray the prayer that marks my life. "Lord, this is my greatest desire... this is what consumes me.... Have your way..."
For each of us it will be different. It's not like there's a formula. It's about diving in with all our heart. It's about crying out. It's about getting to know God and let him have complete control. It's living in radical surrender.
As you cry out today, may it be like it was for Jabez, "And God granted his request."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 4:5-5:17
Acts 25:1-27
Psalm 5:1-12
Proverbs 18:19
I Chronicles 4:10 is the Prayer of Jabez. This has become a very well known scripture over the past number of years. Bruce Wilkinson wrote a book on it, there have been songs, etc.
In the middle of a long genealogy, there's a pause. It's for a man named Jabez. "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request."
Much of what I've heard regarding this prayer has to do with the content of the prayer, but the meditation today is, in the genealogies of heaven, what happens when it gets to your name? What is your prayer? What is your passion? What is your heart's desire?
It can easily be that our prayer is reactionary to the needs around us, "Lord, bless this food..." "Help me deal w/ my mother in law...." "Help me find a new job..." "Deliver me from this pimple the devil gave me..." Is that the extent of the prayer of you?
I'm challenged today to pray the prayer that marks my life. "Lord, this is my greatest desire... this is what consumes me.... Have your way..."
For each of us it will be different. It's not like there's a formula. It's about diving in with all our heart. It's about crying out. It's about getting to know God and let him have complete control. It's living in radical surrender.
As you cry out today, may it be like it was for Jabez, "And God granted his request."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Sunday, May 4, 2008
5.4.8 "The Empty Swing"
"The Empty Swing"
Judges 19:1-20:48
John 3:22-4:3
Psalm 104:24-35
Proverbs 14:22-23
This past week we recognized the National Day of Prayer. I want to encourage you to make sure to spend time today praying for our Nation. We have things to pray about!
Today's reading in Judges is gruesome. It's a story of a man who has a concubine who runs back home. He brings gifts to the girl's family to win her back, and he does. The girls father, however keeps talking him into staying longer than he should. They feast and party on, until finally after a few days of trying to leave, the man leaves late in the day.
Because they left so late, they have to stop along their journey to sleep in a city square. A stranger brings them in, but during the night an occurrence happens that sounds like the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. "... a gang of sex perverts gathered around the house and began beating at the door and yelling at the old man to bring out the man who was saying with him, so they could rape him." (Jud. 19:22) What ended up happening is that the man pushed the concubine out the door, and throughout the night they abused her to the point of death. He threw her body onto his donkey and took her home.
"When he got there he took a knife and cut her body into twelve parts and sent one piece to each tribe of Israel. Then the entire nation was roused to action against the men of Benjamin because of this awful deed." (Judges 19:29-30)
You may be wondering why I would pick such an encouraging story for today's devotional. Do you recognize the name "Norma McCorvey"? She is also known as Jane Roe. She was the original plaintiff in Roe v. Wade which legalized abortion in 1973. In 1995, Norma gave her life to Christ. She was led to Christ by a pastor who was part of Operation Rescue, a pro-life organization that was protesting outside the clinic where Norma worked.
Now that there have been over 40 million "legal" abortions, Norma tells the story of one day she was sitting in a park and there were no kids there. She wept as she realized the swings were empty because of the generation that has been lost.
In our backyard we have a swing set for my daughter. She's outgrown many of her toys, but not the swing. She loves to play on it and sing, and come up with new ways to swing. I hear my daughter's songs as I think of Norma's story.
The entire nation of Israel was roused to action in Judges 20. There were over 400,000 troops mobilized to attack the people of Benjamin who had become so perverted. "So the whole nation united in this task." (Jud 20:11)
"Before the battle the Israeli army went to Bethel first to ask counsel from the God." (20:18) That day, 22,000 Israelis died. "Then the Israeli army wept before the Lord until evening and asked him, 'Shall we fight further against our brother Benjamin?' And the Lord said, 'Yes.' So the men of Israel took courage and went out again the next day to fight at the same place. And that day they lost another eighteen thousand men... Then the entire army went up to Bethel and wept before the Lord...
"The men of Israel asked the Lord, 'Shall we go out again and fight against our brother Benjamin, or shall we stop?' And the Lord said, 'Go, for tomorrow I will see to it that you defeat the men of Benjamin.'" (Jud. 20:18-28) There was more loss of life, but the evil men were finally defeated.
As I read this today I was thinking about the state of perversion in our nation. Where are the people of God? There are a few key points we need to realize.
It says earlier in Judges that Benjamin was the only tribe that didn't completely conquer the territory. They didn't purify themselves. This led to their perversion. The Body of Christ needs to be pure.
Second, notice how the man initially placed himself in the situation. He was feasting instead of returning home. Over the course of the last generation, the Church has fallen asleep in prosperity instead of holding to Godly principles.
The other point I want to make is that I believe the people of God have become intimidated into inaction. Just like the Israelis experienced great loss when they first went out to fight, I believe the Christians of our day have realized that this battle can't be fought without sacrifice.
My question however is whether we have gone back to ask the Lord what we should do, or if we have just determined that the cost is too great and we have gone home. I believe the victory is there, but are we willing to pay the price?
Today may not be the National Day of Prayer, but there is much to pray about. There are empty swings.
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
Judges 19:1-20:48
John 3:22-4:3
Psalm 104:24-35
Proverbs 14:22-23
This past week we recognized the National Day of Prayer. I want to encourage you to make sure to spend time today praying for our Nation. We have things to pray about!
Today's reading in Judges is gruesome. It's a story of a man who has a concubine who runs back home. He brings gifts to the girl's family to win her back, and he does. The girls father, however keeps talking him into staying longer than he should. They feast and party on, until finally after a few days of trying to leave, the man leaves late in the day.
Because they left so late, they have to stop along their journey to sleep in a city square. A stranger brings them in, but during the night an occurrence happens that sounds like the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. "... a gang of sex perverts gathered around the house and began beating at the door and yelling at the old man to bring out the man who was saying with him, so they could rape him." (Jud. 19:22) What ended up happening is that the man pushed the concubine out the door, and throughout the night they abused her to the point of death. He threw her body onto his donkey and took her home.
"When he got there he took a knife and cut her body into twelve parts and sent one piece to each tribe of Israel. Then the entire nation was roused to action against the men of Benjamin because of this awful deed." (Judges 19:29-30)
You may be wondering why I would pick such an encouraging story for today's devotional. Do you recognize the name "Norma McCorvey"? She is also known as Jane Roe. She was the original plaintiff in Roe v. Wade which legalized abortion in 1973. In 1995, Norma gave her life to Christ. She was led to Christ by a pastor who was part of Operation Rescue, a pro-life organization that was protesting outside the clinic where Norma worked.
Now that there have been over 40 million "legal" abortions, Norma tells the story of one day she was sitting in a park and there were no kids there. She wept as she realized the swings were empty because of the generation that has been lost.
In our backyard we have a swing set for my daughter. She's outgrown many of her toys, but not the swing. She loves to play on it and sing, and come up with new ways to swing. I hear my daughter's songs as I think of Norma's story.
The entire nation of Israel was roused to action in Judges 20. There were over 400,000 troops mobilized to attack the people of Benjamin who had become so perverted. "So the whole nation united in this task." (Jud 20:11)
"Before the battle the Israeli army went to Bethel first to ask counsel from the God." (20:18) That day, 22,000 Israelis died. "Then the Israeli army wept before the Lord until evening and asked him, 'Shall we fight further against our brother Benjamin?' And the Lord said, 'Yes.' So the men of Israel took courage and went out again the next day to fight at the same place. And that day they lost another eighteen thousand men... Then the entire army went up to Bethel and wept before the Lord...
"The men of Israel asked the Lord, 'Shall we go out again and fight against our brother Benjamin, or shall we stop?' And the Lord said, 'Go, for tomorrow I will see to it that you defeat the men of Benjamin.'" (Jud. 20:18-28) There was more loss of life, but the evil men were finally defeated.
As I read this today I was thinking about the state of perversion in our nation. Where are the people of God? There are a few key points we need to realize.
It says earlier in Judges that Benjamin was the only tribe that didn't completely conquer the territory. They didn't purify themselves. This led to their perversion. The Body of Christ needs to be pure.
Second, notice how the man initially placed himself in the situation. He was feasting instead of returning home. Over the course of the last generation, the Church has fallen asleep in prosperity instead of holding to Godly principles.
The other point I want to make is that I believe the people of God have become intimidated into inaction. Just like the Israelis experienced great loss when they first went out to fight, I believe the Christians of our day have realized that this battle can't be fought without sacrifice.
My question however is whether we have gone back to ask the Lord what we should do, or if we have just determined that the cost is too great and we have gone home. I believe the victory is there, but are we willing to pay the price?
Today may not be the National Day of Prayer, but there is much to pray about. There are empty swings.
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, February 27, 2008
2.27.8 "Have you Been to the Mountain?"
"Have you Been to the Mountain?"
Leviticus 20:22-22:16
Mark 9:1-29
Psalm 43:1-5
Proverbs 10:18
Wouldn't it be great if things came a little easier? I'm sure you are like me. I want to be who God has created me to be. But, to be honest, I'd much rather that it just "happen" to me. I'm lazy by nature. I wish that laziness were a spiritual gift, because then I could boast of my maturity!
We want to be like Christ. We want the wisdom to deal with the Pharisees in our lives. We want to be able to lay hands on the sick and see them healed. We want the ability to say in every circumstance, "not my will but thine be done!" What does that take?
In Mark 9 there's a story of Jesus approaching a crowd of people who are arguing with 9 of his disciples. As it turns out, there's a demon possessed boy and the disciples aren't able to cast it out. Jesus casts the demon out. "Afterwards, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, 'Why couldn't we cast that demon out?' Jesus replied, 'Cases like this require prayer.'" (Mark 9:28-29)
One thing that is consistent throughout the gospels is Jesus' devotion to get alone to pray. Sometimes he's more successful than others about the "alone" part, but you can definitely see it's priority in his life. At the beginning of Mark 9, Jesus asks 3 of his disciples to go with him up the mountain. His face begins to shine in glory, and his clothes become dazzling white. He is in the presence of the Almighty.
As he comes down the mountain to this scene with the other disciples, it says, "The crowed watched Jesus in awe as he came toward them." (Mark 9:15) It was obvious to EVERYONE who he was. It was obvious he had been with God.
There's a need all around us. It's a need for us to be who God has created us to be. How is that going to happen? It's going to happen when we "go up the mountain" in our private time with the Lord. We need to get alone to pray. Mediocrity breeds mediocrity. When we are not disciplined to meet with God, we can't experience his full glory, nor can we see his hand move like we should.
We need to find time to be alone. We need to seek God. We need to experience first hand the transforming power of His Spirit.
Many times we can think that the trials of our life are the arena for transforming our character. That's not really true. The trials of life test our character and reveal what's inside. The character needs to be transformed in the arena of our time with the Lord. Jesus' face didn't glow when he argued with the Pharisees. It didn't glow as great miracles were occurring. The glow came from the Glory of being set apart in time with God.
I need to get to the mountain on a regular basis. There are moments in my life that are ripe for miracles, and I miss them because of my bent towards mediocrity. I must increase my discipline to prioritize time in prayer. I'm not talking about needing to spend more time going down my list of needs. I'm talking about time to KNOW God. Time to open up to whatever HE wants to deal with in me. I need to allow myself to be transformed!
Make sure you find time to get to the mountain today, and each new day! The Lord desires to meet us there.
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 20:22-22:16
Mark 9:1-29
Psalm 43:1-5
Proverbs 10:18
Wouldn't it be great if things came a little easier? I'm sure you are like me. I want to be who God has created me to be. But, to be honest, I'd much rather that it just "happen" to me. I'm lazy by nature. I wish that laziness were a spiritual gift, because then I could boast of my maturity!
We want to be like Christ. We want the wisdom to deal with the Pharisees in our lives. We want to be able to lay hands on the sick and see them healed. We want the ability to say in every circumstance, "not my will but thine be done!" What does that take?
In Mark 9 there's a story of Jesus approaching a crowd of people who are arguing with 9 of his disciples. As it turns out, there's a demon possessed boy and the disciples aren't able to cast it out. Jesus casts the demon out. "Afterwards, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, 'Why couldn't we cast that demon out?' Jesus replied, 'Cases like this require prayer.'" (Mark 9:28-29)
One thing that is consistent throughout the gospels is Jesus' devotion to get alone to pray. Sometimes he's more successful than others about the "alone" part, but you can definitely see it's priority in his life. At the beginning of Mark 9, Jesus asks 3 of his disciples to go with him up the mountain. His face begins to shine in glory, and his clothes become dazzling white. He is in the presence of the Almighty.
As he comes down the mountain to this scene with the other disciples, it says, "The crowed watched Jesus in awe as he came toward them." (Mark 9:15) It was obvious to EVERYONE who he was. It was obvious he had been with God.
There's a need all around us. It's a need for us to be who God has created us to be. How is that going to happen? It's going to happen when we "go up the mountain" in our private time with the Lord. We need to get alone to pray. Mediocrity breeds mediocrity. When we are not disciplined to meet with God, we can't experience his full glory, nor can we see his hand move like we should.
We need to find time to be alone. We need to seek God. We need to experience first hand the transforming power of His Spirit.
Many times we can think that the trials of our life are the arena for transforming our character. That's not really true. The trials of life test our character and reveal what's inside. The character needs to be transformed in the arena of our time with the Lord. Jesus' face didn't glow when he argued with the Pharisees. It didn't glow as great miracles were occurring. The glow came from the Glory of being set apart in time with God.
I need to get to the mountain on a regular basis. There are moments in my life that are ripe for miracles, and I miss them because of my bent towards mediocrity. I must increase my discipline to prioritize time in prayer. I'm not talking about needing to spend more time going down my list of needs. I'm talking about time to KNOW God. Time to open up to whatever HE wants to deal with in me. I need to allow myself to be transformed!
Make sure you find time to get to the mountain today, and each new day! The Lord desires to meet us there.
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, December 19, 2007
12.19.7 "The Big Picture"
"The Big Picture"
Zephaniah 1:1-3:20
Revelation 10:1-11
Psalm 138:1-8
Proverbs 30:11-14
When I was growing up, I had a friend whose mom was a nut. She was really fun, but she was crazy, too. When she would watch a TV program she would begin to intercede for anyone in trouble. If someone on the show was sick, she'd start to pray for them out loud. I remember watching Raiders of the Lost Ark with them. She never stopped praying for Indiana Jones! It was actually a pretty cool thing that her heart was close to God in a way that he was her first thought, but she was so wrapped up in the show, it became reality. She even prayed for Peter Sellers when he was in the Pink Panther!
We look at that and we think it's a bit ridiculous to be so caught up in a movie or TV program to think that it's reality. Truthfully, its just as ridiculous that we get caught up in the cares, concerns and circumstances of daily life, and forget what the ultimate reality truly is.
Psalm 138:8 says, "The Lord will work out his plans for my life - for your lovingkindness, Lord, continues forever." We know God is in control, but too often we don't live like we believe it. Our circumstances seem so overwhelming. Our stresses seem so overpowering.
We need to surrender to the fact that God sees the big picture. The circumstances of our life are only a part of what he is doing to work out his plans for us. We tend to be control freaks. We will surrender if, and only if, we can see how it plays into God's plan. But if we can't see how it fits in, we begin to complain, cry and attempt to control the situation.
When you have the attitude of "The Lord will work out his plans for my life," what circumstance can knock you off course? Each moment of each day we need to align ourselves with that place of humility that says, "God, complete your big picture through me!"
Zephaniah 2:3 says, "Walk humbly and do what is right; perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you from his wrath in that day of doom." How do you like the word "perhaps" in that verse?
Do you ever have a hard time sleeping? How do you feel about that? It's easy to be upset about it and be frustrated, OR we can look at the big picture and realize the Lord needs intercessors. You're just laying there anyway! Start praying. No, not about your TV shows, but about whatever the Lord would place on your heart.
There is no circumstance that can come up in your life that God can't use to work out his plan for you. Live in surrender to his plan. Allow him to do his work in you, and through you. As much as we want to "live the Comfort Zone", it's vital that we "Live the DREAM!" Whatever situation you find yourself in, call out to him in prayer. There may be times it's a prayer of desperation, but in EVERY circumstance get in the habit of seeking God. This will keep the "Big Picture" in focus.
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
Zephaniah 1:1-3:20
Revelation 10:1-11
Psalm 138:1-8
Proverbs 30:11-14
When I was growing up, I had a friend whose mom was a nut. She was really fun, but she was crazy, too. When she would watch a TV program she would begin to intercede for anyone in trouble. If someone on the show was sick, she'd start to pray for them out loud. I remember watching Raiders of the Lost Ark with them. She never stopped praying for Indiana Jones! It was actually a pretty cool thing that her heart was close to God in a way that he was her first thought, but she was so wrapped up in the show, it became reality. She even prayed for Peter Sellers when he was in the Pink Panther!
We look at that and we think it's a bit ridiculous to be so caught up in a movie or TV program to think that it's reality. Truthfully, its just as ridiculous that we get caught up in the cares, concerns and circumstances of daily life, and forget what the ultimate reality truly is.
Psalm 138:8 says, "The Lord will work out his plans for my life - for your lovingkindness, Lord, continues forever." We know God is in control, but too often we don't live like we believe it. Our circumstances seem so overwhelming. Our stresses seem so overpowering.
We need to surrender to the fact that God sees the big picture. The circumstances of our life are only a part of what he is doing to work out his plans for us. We tend to be control freaks. We will surrender if, and only if, we can see how it plays into God's plan. But if we can't see how it fits in, we begin to complain, cry and attempt to control the situation.
When you have the attitude of "The Lord will work out his plans for my life," what circumstance can knock you off course? Each moment of each day we need to align ourselves with that place of humility that says, "God, complete your big picture through me!"
Zephaniah 2:3 says, "Walk humbly and do what is right; perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you from his wrath in that day of doom." How do you like the word "perhaps" in that verse?
Do you ever have a hard time sleeping? How do you feel about that? It's easy to be upset about it and be frustrated, OR we can look at the big picture and realize the Lord needs intercessors. You're just laying there anyway! Start praying. No, not about your TV shows, but about whatever the Lord would place on your heart.
There is no circumstance that can come up in your life that God can't use to work out his plan for you. Live in surrender to his plan. Allow him to do his work in you, and through you. As much as we want to "live the Comfort Zone", it's vital that we "Live the DREAM!" Whatever situation you find yourself in, call out to him in prayer. There may be times it's a prayer of desperation, but in EVERY circumstance get in the habit of seeking God. This will keep the "Big Picture" in focus.
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, October 17, 2007
10.17.7 "The DREAM Job"
"The DREAM Job"
Jeremiah 30:1-31:26
I Timothy 2:1-15
Psalm 87:1-7
Proverbs 25:18-19
As we put focused attention on living the DREAM, much of our scriptural application has been about what God is doing in our lives. It is very important that we do our part to grow in maturity, but it's not just an internal thing. It should be making a difference in every area of our life. Maturity is measured in how we treat other people.
I Timothy 2:1-3 says, "Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God's mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them. Pray in this way for kings and all others who are in authority over us, or are in places of high responsibility, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord. This is good and pleases God our Savior, for he longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth".
We really need to be praying for those around us. Especially for those in authority over us. The "norm" in our society is that we complain about our boss, our working conditions, and others we work with. We tend to dwell on things that cause us to be irritated with personalities or practices that are different than the way WE think they should be.
Think about what prayer does. The obvious thing is that God answers prayer. As you pray for someone in authority over you or in a place of high responsibility, God moves. There are times when the answer is immediate and obvious, but there are other times it's more subtle, but in God's will and timing, it's answered.
But also think about what prayer does IN you. When you have those people who "fertilize" your "Fruit of the Spirit", and you begin to pray for them, you begin to see them as God does. Praying for one another puts us in a posture of humility. Like Paul says, we must "give thanks for all he is going to do for them." This helps us get our minds off our selfishness and off our opinions, and onto what God is trying to complete in those around us.
If you are Living the DREAM, you should be different than those around you. You should not be around the water cooler complaining and talking about others, you should be setting the temperature of encouragement. Today's proverbs puts it pretty clear: "Telling lies about someone is as harmful as hitting him with an axe, or wounding him with a sword, or shooting him with a sharp arrow." Prov. 25:18. It is WAY too often that Christians justify doing this type of behavior. We cannot take part in this activity. Sometimes I fear we think we can get away with it if we phrase it in a form of a prayer request. "Please pray with me for a co-worker who is an idiot." The arrow is shot.
We must understand that if we act improperly toward those we work for and those in authority over us, it undermines our integrity. WE become the weak link. That is NOT living the DREAM. Prov. 25:19 says, "Putting confidence in an unreliable man is like chewing with a sore tooth, or trying to run on a broken foot."
How does your authority view you? Can you be trusted? Do they know that you have their back? That you are guarding them? Or do they feel like they are running on a broken foot? We do a disservice to the Kingdom when a Christian is "high maintenance" in the work place. We need to be people of honor, integrity, and faithfulness. Whining is not a fruit of the Spirit, nor is it a principle of DREAM. Do you have trouble with someone? Stop whining and start praying. God will show you the path to reconciliation.
In 1 Timothy 2:5 the "truth" that God wants every one to understand is this: "That God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, himself man, is between them to bring them together, by giving his life for all mankind." Each one of us are part of this. We need to be pointing to Christ not creating an obstacle by being unreliable. This is our Mission. Reaching our World for Christ. You can't just turn it off. That's why you're doing what you're doing.
That's why you've got your DREAM job!
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
Jeremiah 30:1-31:26
I Timothy 2:1-15
Psalm 87:1-7
Proverbs 25:18-19
As we put focused attention on living the DREAM, much of our scriptural application has been about what God is doing in our lives. It is very important that we do our part to grow in maturity, but it's not just an internal thing. It should be making a difference in every area of our life. Maturity is measured in how we treat other people.
I Timothy 2:1-3 says, "Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God's mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them. Pray in this way for kings and all others who are in authority over us, or are in places of high responsibility, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord. This is good and pleases God our Savior, for he longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth".
We really need to be praying for those around us. Especially for those in authority over us. The "norm" in our society is that we complain about our boss, our working conditions, and others we work with. We tend to dwell on things that cause us to be irritated with personalities or practices that are different than the way WE think they should be.
Think about what prayer does. The obvious thing is that God answers prayer. As you pray for someone in authority over you or in a place of high responsibility, God moves. There are times when the answer is immediate and obvious, but there are other times it's more subtle, but in God's will and timing, it's answered.
But also think about what prayer does IN you. When you have those people who "fertilize" your "Fruit of the Spirit", and you begin to pray for them, you begin to see them as God does. Praying for one another puts us in a posture of humility. Like Paul says, we must "give thanks for all he is going to do for them." This helps us get our minds off our selfishness and off our opinions, and onto what God is trying to complete in those around us.
If you are Living the DREAM, you should be different than those around you. You should not be around the water cooler complaining and talking about others, you should be setting the temperature of encouragement. Today's proverbs puts it pretty clear: "Telling lies about someone is as harmful as hitting him with an axe, or wounding him with a sword, or shooting him with a sharp arrow." Prov. 25:18. It is WAY too often that Christians justify doing this type of behavior. We cannot take part in this activity. Sometimes I fear we think we can get away with it if we phrase it in a form of a prayer request. "Please pray with me for a co-worker who is an idiot." The arrow is shot.
We must understand that if we act improperly toward those we work for and those in authority over us, it undermines our integrity. WE become the weak link. That is NOT living the DREAM. Prov. 25:19 says, "Putting confidence in an unreliable man is like chewing with a sore tooth, or trying to run on a broken foot."
How does your authority view you? Can you be trusted? Do they know that you have their back? That you are guarding them? Or do they feel like they are running on a broken foot? We do a disservice to the Kingdom when a Christian is "high maintenance" in the work place. We need to be people of honor, integrity, and faithfulness. Whining is not a fruit of the Spirit, nor is it a principle of DREAM. Do you have trouble with someone? Stop whining and start praying. God will show you the path to reconciliation.
In 1 Timothy 2:5 the "truth" that God wants every one to understand is this: "That God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, himself man, is between them to bring them together, by giving his life for all mankind." Each one of us are part of this. We need to be pointing to Christ not creating an obstacle by being unreliable. This is our Mission. Reaching our World for Christ. You can't just turn it off. That's why you're doing what you're doing.
That's why you've got your DREAM job!
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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