Showing posts with label Remembrance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Remembrance. Show all posts
Saturday, December 24, 2011
12.24.11 "A Present Wrapped for You"
"A Present Wrapped for You"
Zechariah 6:1-7:14
Revelation 15:1-8
Psalm 143:1-12
Proverbs 30:24-28
Christmas Eve! When my daughter was 5, Lisa & I were awakened by our daughter jumping into our bed with us the morning of Christmas Eve. The three of us just laid there talking and resting. It was really nice. Annalese was lamenting that fact that we're a family who opens presents on Christmas morning. . "Don't some people get to open their presents today?" She then proceeded to present her case for an early event.
It's fun to look at Christmas through the eyes of a child. When they look under the tree, the imaginations are limitless. There's such excitement in knowing "There's something there for me!" Kids have an incredible ability to savor the moment. I asked Annalese, "What's the best part of Christmas?" Without hesitation she held out the piece of hot carmel roll she was eating. Oh that it was that simple, right?
It's too easy for us to distracted from what this is all really about. We carry around bundles of worry of how everyone is going to get along, where they're going to sit, the schedule and so many other things. The Lord says to Zechariah in 7:6, "And even now in your holy feasts to God, you don't think of me, but only of the food and fellowship and fun." The Lord desires to be a part of every moment of our lives.
God wraps us a present each day, not just at Christmas. He has a plan and a purpose for our lives, and wraps it up in his word. As we get older, we see the trials of life, and can so easily forget to marvel at the present we've been given each day.
The Lord desires that we open our lives to him. To walk in his way. To trust him. Psalm 143:10 says, "Help me to do your will, for you are my God. Lead me in good paths, for your Spirit is good. "
There's no "lump of coal" in God's will for us. His "present" to us is his "Presence". Each and every morning we need to run to the "tree" (cross) ready to unwrap the infinite possibilities of His Presence. He is an AWESOME God!
Make sure you pause today & take the time to "breathe in" Christmas. Thank the Lord for what he's done for you. Take the time to Praise him. Worship him in the Christmas Eve service. Celebrate HIm in your home.
Merry Christmas!
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, August 18, 2011
8.18.11 "The Danger of the Familiar"
"The Danger of the Familiar"
Esther 1:1-3:15
I Corinthians 11:17-34
Psalm 35:17-28
Proverbs 21:19-20
Today's reading in I Corinthians is a familiar portion of scripture to many, especially verses 23-30. These are the verses used during a communion service.
In this section Paul is rebuking the Corinthian church for what they've done to the communion service. By the nature of his writing, it's clear that they have been celebrating the communion service on a regular basis. That's a good thing, right? Not really. Somehow over time, the familiarity of the "ritual" has caused the focus to be lost. In verse 17 Paul says, "... it sounds as if more harm than good is done when you meet together for your communion services."
How does a communion service cause more harm than good? There are several reasons, but one is the danger of the familiar. You know what it's like. There are verses you've heard thousands of times. What do they mean to you? "For God so loved the world...." "Go ye into all the world...." "Do this in remembrance of me..."
It's so easy to allow the teaching of the word, and even the practices of the church become mere rituals because we forget what it really means. We get caught in the routine of life and numbed to our purpose, and what God has done for us. How thankful are you today that you know Christ? Have you become so accustomed to being in the light that you've forgotten the loneliness of the darkness?
"Take this and eat it. This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me." Do you remember the setting? Do you remember what was at stake? Do you remember the agony of "his only son".
"This cup is the new agreement between God and you that has been established and set in motion by my blood." Look at your wrist. Imagine a spike being driven through it. Imagine the blood you would lose. Remember the one who went through that for the purpose of setting in motion a new covenant between you and God... so you could be right with God.
What happens when you just go the ritual motions of communion? Do you sense the danger of apathy creeping in? It's like a silent killer gradually snuffing out the flame of gratefulness and reverence.
What happens in your heart as you truly take the time to remember? What posture do you have in your spirit when you really consider what Christ has done for you?
Isn't it humbling? There's an old song that says:
Who am I that The King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray not my will, but Thine Lord?
The answer I may never know
Why He ever loved me so
That to an old rugged cross He'd go
For who am I?
What happens to us when we genuinely remember? It humbles us. We're in awe of his love. Maybe that's why we become casual about these things. We don't like to be in that humble position.
Paul says in verse 26 "For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you are re-telling the message of the Lord's death, that he has died for you. Do this until he comes again."
If you are re-telling this message, is there any time that it should be unimportant? is there any time that it should be casual?
Can you see the importance of guarding against the dangers of the familiar? This doesn't only apply to communion. It applies to worship, the preaching of the word, all areas of the Christian walk.
As we mature in true Godly humility we can better keep the course the Lord has laid out for us. When we remember our mission, our purpose, and above all what Christ has done for us, then we will truly guard ourselves from eating and drinking in an "unworthy manner."
Take time today to examine your heart, your motives, your actions. You may not have the opportunity to have a formal communion service, but wherever you are at, you can truly thank Jesus for the price he paid.
Thank you Lord for what you've done!
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
Esther 1:1-3:15
I Corinthians 11:17-34
Psalm 35:17-28
Proverbs 21:19-20
Today's reading in I Corinthians is a familiar portion of scripture to many, especially verses 23-30. These are the verses used during a communion service.
In this section Paul is rebuking the Corinthian church for what they've done to the communion service. By the nature of his writing, it's clear that they have been celebrating the communion service on a regular basis. That's a good thing, right? Not really. Somehow over time, the familiarity of the "ritual" has caused the focus to be lost. In verse 17 Paul says, "... it sounds as if more harm than good is done when you meet together for your communion services."
How does a communion service cause more harm than good? There are several reasons, but one is the danger of the familiar. You know what it's like. There are verses you've heard thousands of times. What do they mean to you? "For God so loved the world...." "Go ye into all the world...." "Do this in remembrance of me..."
It's so easy to allow the teaching of the word, and even the practices of the church become mere rituals because we forget what it really means. We get caught in the routine of life and numbed to our purpose, and what God has done for us. How thankful are you today that you know Christ? Have you become so accustomed to being in the light that you've forgotten the loneliness of the darkness?
"Take this and eat it. This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me." Do you remember the setting? Do you remember what was at stake? Do you remember the agony of "his only son".
"This cup is the new agreement between God and you that has been established and set in motion by my blood." Look at your wrist. Imagine a spike being driven through it. Imagine the blood you would lose. Remember the one who went through that for the purpose of setting in motion a new covenant between you and God... so you could be right with God.
What happens when you just go the ritual motions of communion? Do you sense the danger of apathy creeping in? It's like a silent killer gradually snuffing out the flame of gratefulness and reverence.
What happens in your heart as you truly take the time to remember? What posture do you have in your spirit when you really consider what Christ has done for you?
Isn't it humbling? There's an old song that says:
Who am I that The King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray not my will, but Thine Lord?
The answer I may never know
Why He ever loved me so
That to an old rugged cross He'd go
For who am I?
What happens to us when we genuinely remember? It humbles us. We're in awe of his love. Maybe that's why we become casual about these things. We don't like to be in that humble position.
Paul says in verse 26 "For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you are re-telling the message of the Lord's death, that he has died for you. Do this until he comes again."
If you are re-telling this message, is there any time that it should be unimportant? is there any time that it should be casual?
Can you see the importance of guarding against the dangers of the familiar? This doesn't only apply to communion. It applies to worship, the preaching of the word, all areas of the Christian walk.
As we mature in true Godly humility we can better keep the course the Lord has laid out for us. When we remember our mission, our purpose, and above all what Christ has done for us, then we will truly guard ourselves from eating and drinking in an "unworthy manner."
Take time today to examine your heart, your motives, your actions. You may not have the opportunity to have a formal communion service, but wherever you are at, you can truly thank Jesus for the price he paid.
Thank you Lord for what you've done!
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, April 22, 2011
4.22.11 "Don't Forget What Got You Here"
"Don't Forget What Got You Here"
Joshua 24:1-33
Luke 21:1-28
Psalm 89:38-52
Proverbs 13:20-23
This is the last chapter of Joshua. He was Moses' successor, and one of the last ones to have really experienced the great things God had done in the wilderness. He died at the age of 110.
I find it interesting what he did as his last major act before he dies. He called all the people together, and gave them a history lesson. He went back to Abraham & told the story of Jacob and Esau and then, of course, through the story of delivering them from Egypt. He told of the kings they had conquered and how God had done miracles in those victories.
He told them the Lord says, "It was not your swords or bows that brought you victory! I gave you land you had not worked for and cities you did not build - these cities where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them." (Jos. 24:12-13)
What is the point of all of this? To bring it to this: "So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols... Serve the Lord alone. but if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve... But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord." (Josh 24:14-15)
It is really important that we take the time on a regular basis to remember the great things God has done for us. We need to recount the miracles that he's done in our lives to save us and to free us. We can so often be caught up in our present situation, or concerned about the future that we've lost the wonder and awe of what God has brought us through.
When we take the time to remember and re-tell these things, it's almost as if we tether ourselves to obeying God. Verse 31 says, "Israel obeyed the Lord throughout the lifetimes of Joshua and the other old men who had personally witnessed the amazing deeds the Lord had done for Israel." Basically, it's saying, those who've seen God obeyed him, and those who heard the stories of those who had seen God also obeyed him.
No matter where you are at right now, God has done great things in your life. He saved you. He set you free. Praise him for the great things he has done. As you recall all of the victories he has given you, you are positioning yourself and those around you to obey God.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Joshua 24:1-33
Luke 21:1-28
Psalm 89:38-52
Proverbs 13:20-23
This is the last chapter of Joshua. He was Moses' successor, and one of the last ones to have really experienced the great things God had done in the wilderness. He died at the age of 110.
I find it interesting what he did as his last major act before he dies. He called all the people together, and gave them a history lesson. He went back to Abraham & told the story of Jacob and Esau and then, of course, through the story of delivering them from Egypt. He told of the kings they had conquered and how God had done miracles in those victories.
He told them the Lord says, "It was not your swords or bows that brought you victory! I gave you land you had not worked for and cities you did not build - these cities where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them." (Jos. 24:12-13)
What is the point of all of this? To bring it to this: "So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols... Serve the Lord alone. but if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve... But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord." (Josh 24:14-15)
It is really important that we take the time on a regular basis to remember the great things God has done for us. We need to recount the miracles that he's done in our lives to save us and to free us. We can so often be caught up in our present situation, or concerned about the future that we've lost the wonder and awe of what God has brought us through.
When we take the time to remember and re-tell these things, it's almost as if we tether ourselves to obeying God. Verse 31 says, "Israel obeyed the Lord throughout the lifetimes of Joshua and the other old men who had personally witnessed the amazing deeds the Lord had done for Israel." Basically, it's saying, those who've seen God obeyed him, and those who heard the stories of those who had seen God also obeyed him.
No matter where you are at right now, God has done great things in your life. He saved you. He set you free. Praise him for the great things he has done. As you recall all of the victories he has given you, you are positioning yourself and those around you to obey God.
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, August 18, 2010
8.18.10 "The Danger of the Familiar"
"The Danger of the Familiar"
Esther 1:1-3:15
I Corinthians 11:17-34
Psalm 35:17-28
Proverbs 21:19-20
Today's reading in I Corinthians is a familiar portion of scripture to many, especially verses 23-30. These are the verses used during a communion service.
In this section Paul is rebuking the Corinthian church for what they've done to the communion service. By the nature of his writing, it's clear that they have been celebrating the communion service on a regular basis. That's a good thing, right? Not really. Somehow over time, the familiarity of the "ritual" has caused the focus to be lost. In verse 17 Paul says, "... it sounds as if more harm than good is done when you meet together for your communion services."
How does a communion service cause more harm than good? There are several reasons, but one is the danger of the familiar. You know what it's like. There are verses you've heard thousands of times. What do they mean to you? "For God so loved the world...." "Go ye into all the world...." "Do this in remembrance of me..."
It's so easy to allow the teaching of the word, and even the practices of the church become mere rituals because we forget what it really means. We get caught in the routine of life and numbed to our purpose, and what God has done for us. How thankful are you today that you know Christ? Have you become so accustomed to being in the light that you've forgotten the loneliness of the darkness?
"Take this and eat it. This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me." Do you remember the setting? Do you remember what was at stake? Do you remember the agony of "his only son".
"This cup is the new agreement between God and you that has been established and set in motion by my blood." Look at your wrist. Imagine a spike being driven through it. Imagine the blood you would lose. Remember the one who went through that for the purpose of setting in motion a new covenant between you and God... so you could be right with God.
What happens when you just go the ritual motions of communion? Do you sense the danger of apathy creeping in? It's like a silent killer gradually snuffing out the flame of gratefulness and reverence.
What happens in your heart as you truly take the time to remember? What posture do you have in your spirit when you really consider what Christ has done for you?
Isn't it humbling? There's an old song that says:
Who am I that The King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray not my will, but Thine Lord?
The answer I may never know
Why He ever loved me so
That to an old rugged cross He'd go
For who am I?
What happens to us when we genuinely remember? It humbles us. We're in awe of his love. Maybe that's why we become casual about these things. We don't like to be in that humble position.
Paul says in verse 26 "For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you are re-telling the message of the Lord's death, that he has died for you. Do this until he comes again."
If you are re-telling this message, is there any time that it should be unimportant? is there any time that it should be casual?
Can you see the importance of guarding against the dangers of the familiar? This doesn't only apply to communion. It applies to worship, the preaching of the word, all areas of the Christian walk.
As we mature in true Godly humility we can better keep the course the Lord has laid out for us. When we remember our mission, our purpose, and above all what Christ has done for us, then we will truly guard ourselves from eating and drinking in an "unworthy manner."
Take time today to examine your heart, your motives, your actions. You may not have the opportunity to have a formal communion service, but wherever you are at, you can truly thank Jesus for the price he paid.
Thank you Lord for what you've done!
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
Esther 1:1-3:15
I Corinthians 11:17-34
Psalm 35:17-28
Proverbs 21:19-20
Today's reading in I Corinthians is a familiar portion of scripture to many, especially verses 23-30. These are the verses used during a communion service.
In this section Paul is rebuking the Corinthian church for what they've done to the communion service. By the nature of his writing, it's clear that they have been celebrating the communion service on a regular basis. That's a good thing, right? Not really. Somehow over time, the familiarity of the "ritual" has caused the focus to be lost. In verse 17 Paul says, "... it sounds as if more harm than good is done when you meet together for your communion services."
How does a communion service cause more harm than good? There are several reasons, but one is the danger of the familiar. You know what it's like. There are verses you've heard thousands of times. What do they mean to you? "For God so loved the world...." "Go ye into all the world...." "Do this in remembrance of me..."
It's so easy to allow the teaching of the word, and even the practices of the church become mere rituals because we forget what it really means. We get caught in the routine of life and numbed to our purpose, and what God has done for us. How thankful are you today that you know Christ? Have you become so accustomed to being in the light that you've forgotten the loneliness of the darkness?
"Take this and eat it. This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me." Do you remember the setting? Do you remember what was at stake? Do you remember the agony of "his only son".
"This cup is the new agreement between God and you that has been established and set in motion by my blood." Look at your wrist. Imagine a spike being driven through it. Imagine the blood you would lose. Remember the one who went through that for the purpose of setting in motion a new covenant between you and God... so you could be right with God.
What happens when you just go the ritual motions of communion? Do you sense the danger of apathy creeping in? It's like a silent killer gradually snuffing out the flame of gratefulness and reverence.
What happens in your heart as you truly take the time to remember? What posture do you have in your spirit when you really consider what Christ has done for you?
Isn't it humbling? There's an old song that says:
Who am I that The King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray not my will, but Thine Lord?
The answer I may never know
Why He ever loved me so
That to an old rugged cross He'd go
For who am I?
What happens to us when we genuinely remember? It humbles us. We're in awe of his love. Maybe that's why we become casual about these things. We don't like to be in that humble position.
Paul says in verse 26 "For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you are re-telling the message of the Lord's death, that he has died for you. Do this until he comes again."
If you are re-telling this message, is there any time that it should be unimportant? is there any time that it should be casual?
Can you see the importance of guarding against the dangers of the familiar? This doesn't only apply to communion. It applies to worship, the preaching of the word, all areas of the Christian walk.
As we mature in true Godly humility we can better keep the course the Lord has laid out for us. When we remember our mission, our purpose, and above all what Christ has done for us, then we will truly guard ourselves from eating and drinking in an "unworthy manner."
Take time today to examine your heart, your motives, your actions. You may not have the opportunity to have a formal communion service, but wherever you are at, you can truly thank Jesus for the price he paid.
Thank you Lord for what you've done!
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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