"A Passion for Purity"
Ezra 8:21-9:15
I Corinthians 5:1-13
Psalm 31:1-8
Proverbs 21:1-2
How do you feel about sin? I'm not talking about the "It's bad." Sunday School answer. What happens in your heart when you discover a brother or sister in sin? How does it make you feel? Why?
In I Cor. today, Paul is instructing the Corinthian church in a matter of dealing with a man in the church who is living in sin. He instructs them to "call a meeting of the church... and cast out this man from the fellowship of the church and into Satan's hands..." (I Cor 5:4-5)
I think sometimes there is a tendency for some to quickly jump to this response to sin. We can take these few verses without looking at the full context and jump on the desire to see someone thrown out. There is a disgust for the sin which translates to the sinner. The problem with all of this is that the motivation can be judgmental, and not motivated with a heart of brokenness.
In the book of Ezra, Ezra is leading people in the rebuilding of the temple, and restoring the captive Jews to worshiping God. In Chapter 9, It comes to his attention that "many of the Jewish people and even some of the priests and Levites had taken up the horrible customs of the heathen people who lived in the land." Ezra 9:1
Verse 3: "When I heard this, I tore my clothing and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down utterly baffled..." Verse 5: "Finally I stood before the Lord in great embarrassment; then I fell to my knees and lifted my hands to the Lord, and cried out, 'O my God, I am ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you..."
I'm moved by Ezra's brokenness for the sins of God's people. This is how we should be in regards to one another. We need to approach God with such a humility over our sin, that we cry out to him for mercy.
There are 2 elements necessary for this to happen. The first is that we understand the holiness and purity of God. We must guard against treating sin casually. Unfortunately, sin is so prevalent, we get "used to" it. We get comfortable with it. But we must focus on the fact that we need to KNOW God. As his presence is revealed to us, we become full of awe of his greatness and purity. In this setting, sin cannot go unchallenged.
The second element necessary for us to respond to God in brokenness is an intense love for one another. Ezra's passion for repentance came from the understanding that he was one of them. Paul says in I Cor. 5:6 "What a terrible thing it is that you are boasting about your purity, and yet you let this sort of thing go on. Don't you realize that if even one person is allowed to go on sinning, soon all will be affected?"
If we are Devoted to Unity, we understand that we have obligations to one another to watch out for one another. To keep on the right track to restore one another. To approach God with brokenness.
The following is excerpted from "Just Because You're Right", by Rubel Shelly
Leonard Sweet tells a story from Abraham Lincoln's days as a lawyer in private practice. The story goes that Lincoln was hired to sue a fellow over a debt that totaled $2.50. He didn't want to do it. But the client insisted "principle" was at stake more than money. The two men had been friends, but the delinquent debt had changed things. Now they would be adversaries over a paltry sum of money.
Lincoln's resolution of his own problem of conscience in the matter was to charge his client a $10 fee for handling the case -- to be paid in advance. Then the lawyer with big ears, a craggy face, and insight into human nature gave half his fee to the defendant, who promptly paid the $2.50 he owed.
As with so many Lincoln stories passed around in popular lore, I can't vouch for the factual authenticity of the narrative. What I can affirm for a certainty is that we would all be better served by valuing relationships over vindication.
The point Paul is making to the Corinthian church is not that we go after the sinners. His point is that we love God so much we will protect our relationship with him by guarding against sin.
I find it interesting how the Jewish people and leaders fell into sin. Ezra says in verse 8 "But now we have been given a moment of peace... You have given us a moment of joy and new life in our slavery...." It was in that moment of peace that they fell into sin. In verse 10 he says, "And now, O God, what can we say after all of this? For once again we have abandoned you and broken your laws!"
It's so easy in times of peace to fall into the trappings of sin. We need to continually guard our hearts from sin, and look out for one another. And above all to have such a love for God that we are committed to purity.
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 Repentance.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Repentance.. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
6.5.11 "How Much Does it Cost?"
"How Much Does it Cost?"
2 Samuel 23:24-24:25
Acts 3:1-26
Psalm 123:1-4
Proverbs 16:21-23
"i don't want to offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that have cost me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24
Why not? Why not do the minimum God requires? God had instructed David to offer a sacrifice. This was in repentance of his taking a census. The only thing God told him to do was offer the sacrifice on the threshing floor of Araunah. God didn't specifically say, "go pay for it.", so what's the big deal?
The difference is the big picture. It's knowing what God wants to complete in you. Forgiveness is free, but Repentance costs. Too many times what we think is repentance is merely a ritual of confession with no cost attached. To illustrate this point, I asked a friend to stand next to me while I was teaching a class. I kept slapping him & saying "I'm sorry." He was kind enough to stand there and not pummel me. I would confess my sin to him when I'd slap him, but there wasn't any repentance because I just kept on doing it. There's probably alot of Christians out there who think the apology of "I'm sorry" is repentance.
How much does "I'm sorry" cost? I guess that depends on the level of pride. It can be tough to be the first to apologize sometimes, but to repent... that's another price bracket. There needs to be a turning, an intentional effort that must be placed on establishing a "landmark" that this wont happen again. (build an altar).
When the Lord addresses sin in my life, I need to check on whether my "i'm sorry" is an act of ritual confession, or true repentance. What will it cost me to repent? What landmark will I place on my heart to make sure I don't go there again?
As we mature as believers we must not lose the concept of the cost of repentance. Treating repentance casually opens the door to habitual sin, compromise, idolatry, sin in the camp, etc.
Peter says to the Jewish people near the temple, "Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19)
We must turn away from anything that doesn't please God. We must work to cleanse our attitudes so that we can turn toward him, and allow his presence to fill us. Allow him to forgive our sin and purify us. Then we must discipline ourselves to stay the course and not go back the way we came.
The highest form of worship is obedience. We can't have the attitude that "i will obey as long as it costs me nothing." We must have the heart that drives us to say, "I will obey no matter what the cost."
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
2 Samuel 23:24-24:25
Acts 3:1-26
Psalm 123:1-4
Proverbs 16:21-23
"i don't want to offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that have cost me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24
Why not? Why not do the minimum God requires? God had instructed David to offer a sacrifice. This was in repentance of his taking a census. The only thing God told him to do was offer the sacrifice on the threshing floor of Araunah. God didn't specifically say, "go pay for it.", so what's the big deal?
The difference is the big picture. It's knowing what God wants to complete in you. Forgiveness is free, but Repentance costs. Too many times what we think is repentance is merely a ritual of confession with no cost attached. To illustrate this point, I asked a friend to stand next to me while I was teaching a class. I kept slapping him & saying "I'm sorry." He was kind enough to stand there and not pummel me. I would confess my sin to him when I'd slap him, but there wasn't any repentance because I just kept on doing it. There's probably alot of Christians out there who think the apology of "I'm sorry" is repentance.
How much does "I'm sorry" cost? I guess that depends on the level of pride. It can be tough to be the first to apologize sometimes, but to repent... that's another price bracket. There needs to be a turning, an intentional effort that must be placed on establishing a "landmark" that this wont happen again. (build an altar).
When the Lord addresses sin in my life, I need to check on whether my "i'm sorry" is an act of ritual confession, or true repentance. What will it cost me to repent? What landmark will I place on my heart to make sure I don't go there again?
As we mature as believers we must not lose the concept of the cost of repentance. Treating repentance casually opens the door to habitual sin, compromise, idolatry, sin in the camp, etc.
Peter says to the Jewish people near the temple, "Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19)
We must turn away from anything that doesn't please God. We must work to cleanse our attitudes so that we can turn toward him, and allow his presence to fill us. Allow him to forgive our sin and purify us. Then we must discipline ourselves to stay the course and not go back the way we came.
The highest form of worship is obedience. We can't have the attitude that "i will obey as long as it costs me nothing." We must have the heart that drives us to say, "I will obey no matter what the cost."
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
Saturday, January 29, 2011
1.29.11 "When Do You Want to Be Free?"
"When Do You Want to Be Free?"
Exodus 8:1-9:35
Matthew 19:13-30
Psalm 24:1-10
Proverbs 6:1-5
The fear of the unknown can be paralyzing. I've read that individuals will choose to remain in a miserable state rather than risk the unknown of change. This happens with believers as well. Often God's people are in bondage because they don't realize they don't have to be. Jesus has paid the price, and we can BE FREE!
I've always been perplexed by the hardness of Pharoah's heart. Plague after plague, he would refuse to follow through on a promise to let God's people go. There is one particular instance doesn't make any sense at all.
It's the plague of frogs. Frogs are EVERYWHERE, in the kitchen in the beds, in the food... (on a side note, a friend of mine commented about the magicians who also brought frogs out of the river: "What were they thinking by adding more frogs!?) :)
"Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and begged, 'Plead with God to take the frogs away, and I will let the people go and sacrifice to him.'" Ex. 8:8
It's the next part that I find interesting. Moses asks him when he wants the frogs to go. Pharoah's answer: "Do it tomorrow."
To me that sounds just stupid. Why in the world would he want another minute of this pestilence? Why not say, "right now!!"
Sometimes this is like it is with someone who delays getting right with God. The Spirit draws us to him, and shines his light on sin, and we know we need to lay it down. So often, though, we delay the surrender. More often than not, the problem is we like the sin too much. There can be a false sense of comfort in the bondage of sins grip. When do you want to be free? Tomorrow? Why not today?
Jesus brought me out of Egypt. Now it's my job to get Egypt out of me. I need to be free today. Anything that could hold me back from his presence must be immediately surrendered to him. My passion and fear of the Lord must be of the intensity to allow no delay. We need to "seize the potential of the present."
Be Free TODAY!
rribbit!
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
Exodus 8:1-9:35
Matthew 19:13-30
Psalm 24:1-10
Proverbs 6:1-5
The fear of the unknown can be paralyzing. I've read that individuals will choose to remain in a miserable state rather than risk the unknown of change. This happens with believers as well. Often God's people are in bondage because they don't realize they don't have to be. Jesus has paid the price, and we can BE FREE!
I've always been perplexed by the hardness of Pharoah's heart. Plague after plague, he would refuse to follow through on a promise to let God's people go. There is one particular instance doesn't make any sense at all.
It's the plague of frogs. Frogs are EVERYWHERE, in the kitchen in the beds, in the food... (on a side note, a friend of mine commented about the magicians who also brought frogs out of the river: "What were they thinking by adding more frogs!?) :)
"Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and begged, 'Plead with God to take the frogs away, and I will let the people go and sacrifice to him.'" Ex. 8:8
It's the next part that I find interesting. Moses asks him when he wants the frogs to go. Pharoah's answer: "Do it tomorrow."
To me that sounds just stupid. Why in the world would he want another minute of this pestilence? Why not say, "right now!!"
Sometimes this is like it is with someone who delays getting right with God. The Spirit draws us to him, and shines his light on sin, and we know we need to lay it down. So often, though, we delay the surrender. More often than not, the problem is we like the sin too much. There can be a false sense of comfort in the bondage of sins grip. When do you want to be free? Tomorrow? Why not today?
Jesus brought me out of Egypt. Now it's my job to get Egypt out of me. I need to be free today. Anything that could hold me back from his presence must be immediately surrendered to him. My passion and fear of the Lord must be of the intensity to allow no delay. We need to "seize the potential of the present."
Be Free TODAY!
rribbit!
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, July 3, 2010
7.3.10 "Empowered for Repentance"
"Empowered for Repentance"
2 Kings 22:4-23:30
Acts 21:37-22:16
Psalm 1:1-6
Proverbs 18:11-12
As we grow as individuals who "Live the DREAM", we must guard against losing the meaning behind the words.
What does it mean to be "Empowered through Biblical Training"? What are we empowered for? Well, the answer is obvious in some ways. We are Empowered to live the Balanced Christian Life... to Live in Obedience (D), Relationships.... etc.
All of that is true, and important, but it should never just be stuck in our head. It must reach our heart. What happens when you read the Word?
In 2 Kings 22-23, an 8 year old becomes king. He is described as a king who "followed in the steps of his ancestor King David, obeying the Lord completely." (22:2) At the age of 26, he orders the temple repaired. (Remember the past kings have pretty much decimated it, and defiled it with heathen altars.) In 22:8, The word of God is discovered. "One day Hilkiah the High Priest went to Shaphan the secretary and exclaimed, 'I have discovered a scroll in the Temple, with God's laws written on it!'"
verse 11: When the king heard what was written it in, he tore his clothes in terror.
The following 2 chapters describe the process it takes for Josiah to carry out repentance throughout the land, destroying high places, altars, evil priests, etc. It's hard work!
As we "discover the scroll" each day, what happens in us? We are not in a day where the "scroll" is hard to find. We have several bibles in each of our homes. Yet at the same time, the scroll can be lost to us even though it's right in front of us. Confused? What I'm saying is that it's very easy to get caught in the ritual of reading the Word and not become empowered through it. Empowered for what?
With a heart open to the Word, the first thing Josiah was empowered for was repentance. To hear the laws of God is like taking an audit of the heart. At this stage, the nation of Judah did not line up with God's plan. The process of repentance was begun. It was not a pretty process. It took time. It was work. What empowered this work? Knowing the commands of God.
In this age of grace, forgiveness is a prayer away. I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Praise God for that! Where would we be without it! But, this forgiveness that is so available to us does not negate the necessity of repentance in our lives. It is a process as well. when we are forgiven, we must follow through with steps of repentance to cleanse our lives from that which has led us astray. We must apply the commands that are revealed to us in the "scroll".
James 1:22-25 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it -- he will be blessed in what he does."
The empowerment that comes through the Word is for a purpose. It's so that we can use it as a mirror. Does my life line up with God's commands? As the Word reveals high places that need to be torn down, we must follow through in discipline to tear them down. We are empowered by the commands God has given.
Live Empowered today. The Psalm reading for today is a great way to close.
"Oh the joys of those who do not follow evil men's advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God: But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely." Ps 1:1-2
Think about ways to follow Him more closely as you Live the DREAM!
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
2 Kings 22:4-23:30
Acts 21:37-22:16
Psalm 1:1-6
Proverbs 18:11-12
As we grow as individuals who "Live the DREAM", we must guard against losing the meaning behind the words.
What does it mean to be "Empowered through Biblical Training"? What are we empowered for? Well, the answer is obvious in some ways. We are Empowered to live the Balanced Christian Life... to Live in Obedience (D), Relationships.... etc.
All of that is true, and important, but it should never just be stuck in our head. It must reach our heart. What happens when you read the Word?
In 2 Kings 22-23, an 8 year old becomes king. He is described as a king who "followed in the steps of his ancestor King David, obeying the Lord completely." (22:2) At the age of 26, he orders the temple repaired. (Remember the past kings have pretty much decimated it, and defiled it with heathen altars.) In 22:8, The word of God is discovered. "One day Hilkiah the High Priest went to Shaphan the secretary and exclaimed, 'I have discovered a scroll in the Temple, with God's laws written on it!'"
verse 11: When the king heard what was written it in, he tore his clothes in terror.
The following 2 chapters describe the process it takes for Josiah to carry out repentance throughout the land, destroying high places, altars, evil priests, etc. It's hard work!
As we "discover the scroll" each day, what happens in us? We are not in a day where the "scroll" is hard to find. We have several bibles in each of our homes. Yet at the same time, the scroll can be lost to us even though it's right in front of us. Confused? What I'm saying is that it's very easy to get caught in the ritual of reading the Word and not become empowered through it. Empowered for what?
With a heart open to the Word, the first thing Josiah was empowered for was repentance. To hear the laws of God is like taking an audit of the heart. At this stage, the nation of Judah did not line up with God's plan. The process of repentance was begun. It was not a pretty process. It took time. It was work. What empowered this work? Knowing the commands of God.
In this age of grace, forgiveness is a prayer away. I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Praise God for that! Where would we be without it! But, this forgiveness that is so available to us does not negate the necessity of repentance in our lives. It is a process as well. when we are forgiven, we must follow through with steps of repentance to cleanse our lives from that which has led us astray. We must apply the commands that are revealed to us in the "scroll".
James 1:22-25 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it -- he will be blessed in what he does."
The empowerment that comes through the Word is for a purpose. It's so that we can use it as a mirror. Does my life line up with God's commands? As the Word reveals high places that need to be torn down, we must follow through in discipline to tear them down. We are empowered by the commands God has given.
Live Empowered today. The Psalm reading for today is a great way to close.
"Oh the joys of those who do not follow evil men's advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God: But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely." Ps 1:1-2
Think about ways to follow Him more closely as you Live the DREAM!
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, June 5, 2010
6.5.10 "How Much Does it Cost?"
"How Much Does it Cost?"
2 Samuel 23:24-24:25
Acts 3:1-26
Psalm 123:1-4
Proverbs 16:21-23
"i don't want to offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that have cost me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24
Why not? Why not do the minimum God requires? God had instructed David to offer a sacrifice. This was in repentance of his taking a census. The only thing God told him to do was offer the sacrifice on the threshing floor of Araunah. God didn't specifically say, "go pay for it.", so what's the big deal?
The difference is the big picture. It's knowing what God wants to complete in you. Forgiveness is free, but Repentance costs. Too many times what we think is repentance is merely a ritual of confession with no cost attached. To illustrate this point, I asked a friend to stand next to me while I was teaching a class. I kept slapping him & saying "I'm sorry." He was kind enough to stand there and not pummel me. I would confess my sin to him when I'd slap him, but there wasn't any repentance because I just kept on doing it. There's probably alot of Christians out there who think the apology of "I'm sorry" is repentance.
How much does "I'm sorry" cost? I guess that depends on the level of pride. It can be tough to be the first to apologize sometimes, but to repent... that's another price bracket. There needs to be a turning, an intentional effort that must be placed on establishing a "landmark" that this wont happen again. (build an altar).
When the Lord addresses sin in my life, I need to check on whether my "i'm sorry" is an act of ritual confession, or true repentance. What will it cost me to repent? What landmark will I place on my heart to make sure I don't go there again?
As we mature as believers we must not lose the concept of the cost of repentance. Treating repentance casually opens the door to habitual sin, compromise, idolatry, sin in the camp, etc.
Peter says to the Jewish people near the temple, "Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19)
We must turn away from anything that doesn't please God. We must work to cleanse our attitudes so that we can turn toward him, and allow his presence to fill us. Allow him to forgive our sin and purify us. Then we must discipline ourselves to stay the course and not go back the way we came.
The highest form of worship is obedience. We can't have the attitude that "i will obey as long as it costs me nothing." We must have the heart that drives us to say, "I will obey no matter what the cost."
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
2 Samuel 23:24-24:25
Acts 3:1-26
Psalm 123:1-4
Proverbs 16:21-23
"i don't want to offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that have cost me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24
Why not? Why not do the minimum God requires? God had instructed David to offer a sacrifice. This was in repentance of his taking a census. The only thing God told him to do was offer the sacrifice on the threshing floor of Araunah. God didn't specifically say, "go pay for it.", so what's the big deal?
The difference is the big picture. It's knowing what God wants to complete in you. Forgiveness is free, but Repentance costs. Too many times what we think is repentance is merely a ritual of confession with no cost attached. To illustrate this point, I asked a friend to stand next to me while I was teaching a class. I kept slapping him & saying "I'm sorry." He was kind enough to stand there and not pummel me. I would confess my sin to him when I'd slap him, but there wasn't any repentance because I just kept on doing it. There's probably alot of Christians out there who think the apology of "I'm sorry" is repentance.
How much does "I'm sorry" cost? I guess that depends on the level of pride. It can be tough to be the first to apologize sometimes, but to repent... that's another price bracket. There needs to be a turning, an intentional effort that must be placed on establishing a "landmark" that this wont happen again. (build an altar).
When the Lord addresses sin in my life, I need to check on whether my "i'm sorry" is an act of ritual confession, or true repentance. What will it cost me to repent? What landmark will I place on my heart to make sure I don't go there again?
As we mature as believers we must not lose the concept of the cost of repentance. Treating repentance casually opens the door to habitual sin, compromise, idolatry, sin in the camp, etc.
Peter says to the Jewish people near the temple, "Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19)
We must turn away from anything that doesn't please God. We must work to cleanse our attitudes so that we can turn toward him, and allow his presence to fill us. Allow him to forgive our sin and purify us. Then we must discipline ourselves to stay the course and not go back the way we came.
The highest form of worship is obedience. We can't have the attitude that "i will obey as long as it costs me nothing." We must have the heart that drives us to say, "I will obey no matter what the cost."
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, July 3, 2009
7.3.9 "Empowered for Repentance"
"Empowered for Repentance"
2 Kings 22:4-23:30
Acts 21:37-22:16
Psalm 1:1-6
Proverbs 18:11-12
As we grow as individuals who "Live the DREAM", we must guard against losing the meaning behind the words.
What does it mean to be "Empowered through Biblical Training"? What are we empowered for? Well, the answer is obvious in some ways. We are Empowered to live the Balanced Christian Life... to Live in Obedience (D), Relationships.... etc.
All of that is true, and important, but it should never just be stuck in our head. It must reach our heart. What happens when you read the Word?
In 2 Kings 22-23, an 8 year old becomes king. He is described as a king who "followed in the steps of his ancestor King David, obeying the Lord completely." (22:2) At the age of 26, he orders the temple repaired. (Remember the past kings have pretty much decimated it, and defiled it with heathen altars.) In 22:8, The word of God is discovered. "One day Hilkiah the High Priest went to Shaphan the secretary and exclaimed, 'I have discovered a scroll in the Temple, with God's laws written on it!'"
verse 11: When the king heard what was written it in, he tore his clothes in terror.
The following 2 chapters describe the process it takes for Josiah to carry out repentance throughout the land, destroying high places, altars, evil priests, etc. It's hard work!
As we "discover the scroll" each day, what happens in us? We are not in a day where the "scroll" is hard to find. We have several bibles in each of our homes. Yet at the same time, the scroll can be lost to us even though it's right in front of us. Confused? What I'm saying is that it's very easy to get caught in the ritual of reading the Word and not become empowered through it. Empowered for what?
With a heart open to the Word, the first thing Josiah was empowered for was repentance. To hear the laws of God is like taking an audit of the heart. At this stage, the nation of Judah did not line up with God's plan. The process of repentance was begun. It was not a pretty process. It took time. It was work. What empowered this work? Knowing the commands of God.
In this age of grace, forgiveness is a prayer away. I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Praise God for that! Where would we be without it! But, this forgiveness that is so available to us does not negate the necessity of repentance in our lives. It is a process as well. when we are forgiven, we must follow through with steps of repentance to cleanse our lives from that which has led us astray. We must apply the commands that are revealed to us in the "scroll".
James 1:22-25 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it -- he will be blessed in what he does."
The empowerment that comes through the Word is for a purpose. It's so that we can use it as a mirror. Does my life line up with God's commands? As the Word reveals high places that need to be torn down, we must follow through in discipline to tear them down. We are empowered by the commands God has given.
Live Empowered today. The Psalm reading for today is a great way to close.
"Oh the joys of those who do not follow evil men's advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God: But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely." Ps 1:1-2
Think about ways to follow Him more closely as you Live the DREAM!
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
2 Kings 22:4-23:30
Acts 21:37-22:16
Psalm 1:1-6
Proverbs 18:11-12
As we grow as individuals who "Live the DREAM", we must guard against losing the meaning behind the words.
What does it mean to be "Empowered through Biblical Training"? What are we empowered for? Well, the answer is obvious in some ways. We are Empowered to live the Balanced Christian Life... to Live in Obedience (D), Relationships.... etc.
All of that is true, and important, but it should never just be stuck in our head. It must reach our heart. What happens when you read the Word?
In 2 Kings 22-23, an 8 year old becomes king. He is described as a king who "followed in the steps of his ancestor King David, obeying the Lord completely." (22:2) At the age of 26, he orders the temple repaired. (Remember the past kings have pretty much decimated it, and defiled it with heathen altars.) In 22:8, The word of God is discovered. "One day Hilkiah the High Priest went to Shaphan the secretary and exclaimed, 'I have discovered a scroll in the Temple, with God's laws written on it!'"
verse 11: When the king heard what was written it in, he tore his clothes in terror.
The following 2 chapters describe the process it takes for Josiah to carry out repentance throughout the land, destroying high places, altars, evil priests, etc. It's hard work!
As we "discover the scroll" each day, what happens in us? We are not in a day where the "scroll" is hard to find. We have several bibles in each of our homes. Yet at the same time, the scroll can be lost to us even though it's right in front of us. Confused? What I'm saying is that it's very easy to get caught in the ritual of reading the Word and not become empowered through it. Empowered for what?
With a heart open to the Word, the first thing Josiah was empowered for was repentance. To hear the laws of God is like taking an audit of the heart. At this stage, the nation of Judah did not line up with God's plan. The process of repentance was begun. It was not a pretty process. It took time. It was work. What empowered this work? Knowing the commands of God.
In this age of grace, forgiveness is a prayer away. I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Praise God for that! Where would we be without it! But, this forgiveness that is so available to us does not negate the necessity of repentance in our lives. It is a process as well. when we are forgiven, we must follow through with steps of repentance to cleanse our lives from that which has led us astray. We must apply the commands that are revealed to us in the "scroll".
James 1:22-25 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it -- he will be blessed in what he does."
The empowerment that comes through the Word is for a purpose. It's so that we can use it as a mirror. Does my life line up with God's commands? As the Word reveals high places that need to be torn down, we must follow through in discipline to tear them down. We are empowered by the commands God has given.
Live Empowered today. The Psalm reading for today is a great way to close.
"Oh the joys of those who do not follow evil men's advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God: But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely." Ps 1:1-2
Think about ways to follow Him more closely as you Live the DREAM!
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, June 5, 2009
6.5.9 "How Much Does it Cost?"
"How Much Does it Cost?"
2 Samuel 23:24-24:25
Acts 3:1-26
Psalm 123:1-4
Proverbs 16:21-23
"i don't want to offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that have cost me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24
Why not? Why not do the minimum God requires? God had instructed David to offer a sacrifice. This was in repentance of his taking a census. The only thing God told him to do was offer the sacrifice on the threshing floor of Araunah. God didn't specifically say, "go pay for it.", so what's the big deal?
The difference is the big picture. It's knowing what God wants to complete in you. Forgiveness is free, but Repentance costs. Too many times what we think is repentance is merely a ritual of confession with no cost attached. To illustrate this point, I asked a friend to stand next to me while I was teaching a class. I kept slapping him & saying "I'm sorry." He was kind enough to stand there and not pummel me. I would confess my sin to him when I'd slap him, but there wasn't any repentance because I just kept on doing it. There's probably alot of Christians out there who think the apology of "I'm sorry" is repentance.
How much does "I'm sorry" cost? I guess that depends on the level of pride. It can be tough to be the first to apologize sometimes, but to repent... that's another price bracket. There needs to be a turning, an intentional effort that must be placed on establishing a "landmark" that this wont happen again. (build an altar).
When the Lord addresses sin in my life, I need to check on whether my "i'm sorry" is an act of ritual confession, or true repentance. What will it cost me to repent? What landmark will I place on my heart to make sure I don't go there again?
As we mature as believers we must not lose the concept of the cost of repentance. Treating repentance casually opens the door to habitual sin, compromise, idolatry, sin in the camp, etc.
Peter says to the Jewish people near the temple, "Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19)
We must turn away from anything that doesn't please God. We must work to cleanse our attitudes so that we can turn toward him, and allow his presence to fill us. Allow him to forgive our sin and purify us. Then we must discipline ourselves to stay the course and not go back the way we came.
The highest form of worship is obedience. We can't have the attitude that "i will obey as long as it costs me nothing." We must have the heart that drives us to say, "I will obey no matter what the cost."
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
2 Samuel 23:24-24:25
Acts 3:1-26
Psalm 123:1-4
Proverbs 16:21-23
"i don't want to offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that have cost me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24
Why not? Why not do the minimum God requires? God had instructed David to offer a sacrifice. This was in repentance of his taking a census. The only thing God told him to do was offer the sacrifice on the threshing floor of Araunah. God didn't specifically say, "go pay for it.", so what's the big deal?
The difference is the big picture. It's knowing what God wants to complete in you. Forgiveness is free, but Repentance costs. Too many times what we think is repentance is merely a ritual of confession with no cost attached. To illustrate this point, I asked a friend to stand next to me while I was teaching a class. I kept slapping him & saying "I'm sorry." He was kind enough to stand there and not pummel me. I would confess my sin to him when I'd slap him, but there wasn't any repentance because I just kept on doing it. There's probably alot of Christians out there who think the apology of "I'm sorry" is repentance.
How much does "I'm sorry" cost? I guess that depends on the level of pride. It can be tough to be the first to apologize sometimes, but to repent... that's another price bracket. There needs to be a turning, an intentional effort that must be placed on establishing a "landmark" that this wont happen again. (build an altar).
When the Lord addresses sin in my life, I need to check on whether my "i'm sorry" is an act of ritual confession, or true repentance. What will it cost me to repent? What landmark will I place on my heart to make sure I don't go there again?
As we mature as believers we must not lose the concept of the cost of repentance. Treating repentance casually opens the door to habitual sin, compromise, idolatry, sin in the camp, etc.
Peter says to the Jewish people near the temple, "Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19)
We must turn away from anything that doesn't please God. We must work to cleanse our attitudes so that we can turn toward him, and allow his presence to fill us. Allow him to forgive our sin and purify us. Then we must discipline ourselves to stay the course and not go back the way we came.
The highest form of worship is obedience. We can't have the attitude that "i will obey as long as it costs me nothing." We must have the heart that drives us to say, "I will obey no matter what the cost."
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, April 29, 2009
4.29.9 "Those Other gods"
"Those Other gods"
Judges 9:22-10:18
Luke 24:13-53
Psalm 100:1-5
Proverbs 14:11-12
In the book of Judges the real roller coaster begins for the Israelites. In the past under the leadership of Moses and Joshua there were seasons of rebellion and disobedience, but these grow to years of distance from God. The situation described in chapter 10 is not uncommon.
"Then the people of Israel turned away from the Lord again and worshipped the heathen gods... Not only this, but they no longer worshiped Jehovah at all." (Jud. 10:6)
As would often happen their sin separated them from God's blessing, and they would find themselves in oppression and captivity. Often they would live for long periods of time in misery before having the sense to cry out to God.
"This went on for eighteen years. Finally the Israelis turned to Jehovah again and begged him to save them. 'We have sinned against you and have forsaken you as our God and have worshipped idols,' they confessed." (vs.9-10)
I love the answer God gives them. "But the Lord replied, 'Didn't I save you from the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, the Sidonians, the Amalekites, and the Maonites? Has there ever been a time when you cried out to me that I haven't rescued you? Yet you continue to abandon me and to worship other gods. So go away; I wont save you any more. Go and cry to the new gods you have chosen! Let them save you in your hour of distress!" (vs11-12)
As much as we love seeing God answer others that way, we have to remember that we are so much like them. We may not have little statues on altars in our homes, but we are surrounded by other gods we serve. We can be brought into captivity by pleasure, food, debt, laziness, entertainment, and many other things.
Too often we find the people of God living in a state of captivity. The thing that makes it ridiculous is the fact that we've placed ourselves there. It's almost as if we eat unhealthy food and then say, "pray that I lose weight". That's no different than the Israelites saying, "Lord set us free" when they have the shrines to foreign gods in their homes.
So what does it take to get free?
"But they pleaded with him again and said, 'We have sinned. Punish us in any way you think best, only save us once more from our enemies.' then they destroyed their foreign gods and worshiped only the Lord;" (15-16)
I was listening to a testimony of someone who became debt free. He was asked, "How did you do it?" His answer was "I decided to do it." To be free from the captivity of "those other gods" we need to GET RID OF THEM! We need to decide to make a change in lifestyle. For each one of us it's a different issue, a different god. But we must be sincere about making a change. We must worship the Lord only.
It takes discipline to make the change. Remember discipline is the principle of Empowered Through Biblical Training. We need to be in the Word. We need to be in discipling relationships with people who will keep us accountable to Godly principles and help us through our weak times. We should not be people who are under the bondage of addictions. We need to be free in Christ. Our turning to other gods only leads to bondage. We need a revelation of the greatness of God!
"Try to realize what this means - the Lord is God! He made us - we are the sheep of His pasture." (Ps 100:3)
What happens when we truly realize what that means. I am his. He made me, and He is God! That should change the way I live. There are no other gods that have the power to save or to change lives.
Thank you Lord for what you've done in my life!
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 9:22-10:18
Luke 24:13-53
Psalm 100:1-5
Proverbs 14:11-12
In the book of Judges the real roller coaster begins for the Israelites. In the past under the leadership of Moses and Joshua there were seasons of rebellion and disobedience, but these grow to years of distance from God. The situation described in chapter 10 is not uncommon.
"Then the people of Israel turned away from the Lord again and worshipped the heathen gods... Not only this, but they no longer worshiped Jehovah at all." (Jud. 10:6)
As would often happen their sin separated them from God's blessing, and they would find themselves in oppression and captivity. Often they would live for long periods of time in misery before having the sense to cry out to God.
"This went on for eighteen years. Finally the Israelis turned to Jehovah again and begged him to save them. 'We have sinned against you and have forsaken you as our God and have worshipped idols,' they confessed." (vs.9-10)
I love the answer God gives them. "But the Lord replied, 'Didn't I save you from the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, the Sidonians, the Amalekites, and the Maonites? Has there ever been a time when you cried out to me that I haven't rescued you? Yet you continue to abandon me and to worship other gods. So go away; I wont save you any more. Go and cry to the new gods you have chosen! Let them save you in your hour of distress!" (vs11-12)
As much as we love seeing God answer others that way, we have to remember that we are so much like them. We may not have little statues on altars in our homes, but we are surrounded by other gods we serve. We can be brought into captivity by pleasure, food, debt, laziness, entertainment, and many other things.
Too often we find the people of God living in a state of captivity. The thing that makes it ridiculous is the fact that we've placed ourselves there. It's almost as if we eat unhealthy food and then say, "pray that I lose weight". That's no different than the Israelites saying, "Lord set us free" when they have the shrines to foreign gods in their homes.
So what does it take to get free?
"But they pleaded with him again and said, 'We have sinned. Punish us in any way you think best, only save us once more from our enemies.' then they destroyed their foreign gods and worshiped only the Lord;" (15-16)
I was listening to a testimony of someone who became debt free. He was asked, "How did you do it?" His answer was "I decided to do it." To be free from the captivity of "those other gods" we need to GET RID OF THEM! We need to decide to make a change in lifestyle. For each one of us it's a different issue, a different god. But we must be sincere about making a change. We must worship the Lord only.
It takes discipline to make the change. Remember discipline is the principle of Empowered Through Biblical Training. We need to be in the Word. We need to be in discipling relationships with people who will keep us accountable to Godly principles and help us through our weak times. We should not be people who are under the bondage of addictions. We need to be free in Christ. Our turning to other gods only leads to bondage. We need a revelation of the greatness of God!
"Try to realize what this means - the Lord is God! He made us - we are the sheep of His pasture." (Ps 100:3)
What happens when we truly realize what that means. I am his. He made me, and He is God! That should change the way I live. There are no other gods that have the power to save or to change lives.
Thank you Lord for what you've done in my life!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
3.25.9 "Speck Patrol"
"Speck Patrol"
Deuteronomy 4:1-49
Luke 6:39-7:10
Psalm 68:1-18
Proverbs 11:28
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get upset with people who don't live the way "we know" that God wants them to live? Think of people who "get your goat". There's probably something about their actions that you feel is "wrong", and it is probably some element of spirituality that you believe is missing in their life.
It's so easy to sit and hear a wonderful sermon or a word of correction or exhortation and think, "Wow! this is good! There are people here who need to hear this!" There's danger in that thought process. That thinking is a way of deflecting what the Lord is trying to do in my life.
Jesus calls attention to this. "And why quibble about the speck in someone else's eye - his little fault - when a [beam] is in your own? How can you think of saying to him, 'Brother, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the [beam] in yours? Hypocrite! First get rid of the board, and then perhaps you can see well enough to deal with his speck!" Luke 6:41-42
I had this picture of people on "Speck Patrol" riding around in their "Beam"ers.... get it? Beamers? wow... humor like that is rare!
When you are in the presence of the Lord, he will speak to you. It will usually be an area he would like for you to surrender to him. Lets use the example of gossip. When the Lord shines his light on your gossip, all the sudden you see all those around you who gossip. It's like you're seeing through "Gossip-Goggles".
Our human nature then kicks in, and starts to judge others for the issues they have with gossip. It does this for a number of reasons. One may be so you start thinking, "well at least I'm not as bad as them...". Another reason is to distract you and waste the energy you should be spending on repentance and refining the gossip in your own life.
So what should we do when the "speck patrol" of our flesh shows up? We need to recognize that as the Holy Spirit reminding us of OUR faults, not someone else's. This is a HUGE opportunity to thrust a dagger into the heart of our flesh and further the process of becoming the "dead man" God wants us to be.
Whether we realize it or not, we are always looking for an excuse to hang on to what God is asking us to give him. When we begin to be people of "habitual repentance" and we surrender as soon as the Lord brings our "beams" to light, we will be on a path toward maturity. We will become who God has created us to be.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Deuteronomy 4:1-49
Luke 6:39-7:10
Psalm 68:1-18
Proverbs 11:28
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get upset with people who don't live the way "we know" that God wants them to live? Think of people who "get your goat". There's probably something about their actions that you feel is "wrong", and it is probably some element of spirituality that you believe is missing in their life.
It's so easy to sit and hear a wonderful sermon or a word of correction or exhortation and think, "Wow! this is good! There are people here who need to hear this!" There's danger in that thought process. That thinking is a way of deflecting what the Lord is trying to do in my life.
Jesus calls attention to this. "And why quibble about the speck in someone else's eye - his little fault - when a [beam] is in your own? How can you think of saying to him, 'Brother, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the [beam] in yours? Hypocrite! First get rid of the board, and then perhaps you can see well enough to deal with his speck!" Luke 6:41-42
I had this picture of people on "Speck Patrol" riding around in their "Beam"ers.... get it? Beamers? wow... humor like that is rare!
When you are in the presence of the Lord, he will speak to you. It will usually be an area he would like for you to surrender to him. Lets use the example of gossip. When the Lord shines his light on your gossip, all the sudden you see all those around you who gossip. It's like you're seeing through "Gossip-Goggles".
Our human nature then kicks in, and starts to judge others for the issues they have with gossip. It does this for a number of reasons. One may be so you start thinking, "well at least I'm not as bad as them...". Another reason is to distract you and waste the energy you should be spending on repentance and refining the gossip in your own life.
So what should we do when the "speck patrol" of our flesh shows up? We need to recognize that as the Holy Spirit reminding us of OUR faults, not someone else's. This is a HUGE opportunity to thrust a dagger into the heart of our flesh and further the process of becoming the "dead man" God wants us to be.
Whether we realize it or not, we are always looking for an excuse to hang on to what God is asking us to give him. When we begin to be people of "habitual repentance" and we surrender as soon as the Lord brings our "beams" to light, we will be on a path toward maturity. We will become who God has created us to be.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Saturday, August 9, 2008
8.9.8 "A Passion for Purity"
"A Passion for Purity"
Ezra 8:21-9:15
I Corinthians 5:1-13
Psalm 31:1-8
Proverbs 21:1-2
How do you feel about sin? I'm not talking about the "It's bad." Sunday School answer. What happens in your heart when you discover a brother or sister in sin? How does it make you feel? Why?
In I Cor. today, Paul is instructing the Corinthian church in a matter of dealing with a man in the church who is living in sin. He instructs them to "call a meeting of the church... and cast out this man from the fellowship of the church and into Satan's hands..." (I Cor 5:4-5)
I think sometimes there is a tendency for some to quickly jump to this response to sin. We can take these few verses without looking at the full context and jump on the desire to see someone thrown out. There is a disgust for the sin which translates to the sinner. The problem with all of this is that the motivation can be judgmental, and not motivated with a heart of brokenness.
In the book of Ezra, Ezra is leading people in the rebuilding of the temple, and restoring the captive Jews to worshiping God. In Chapter 9, It comes to his attention that "many of the Jewish people and even some of the priests and Levites had taken up the horrible customs of the heathen people who lived in the land." Ezra 9:1
Verse 3: "When I heard this, I tore my clothing and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down utterly baffled..." Verse 5: "Finally I stood before the Lord in great embarrassment; then I fell to my knees and lifted my hands to the Lord, and cried out, 'O my God, I am ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you..."
I'm moved by Ezra's brokenness for the sins of God's people. This is how we should be in regards to one another. We need to approach God with such a humility over our sin, that we cry out to him for mercy.
There are 2 elements necessary for this to happen. The first is that we understand the holiness and purity of God. We must guard against treating sin casually. Unfortunately, sin is so prevalent, we get "used to" it. We get comfortable with it. We need to KNOW God. As his presence is revealed to us, we become full of awe of his greatness and purity. In this setting, sin cannot go unchallenged.
The second element necessary for us to respond to God in brokenness is an intense love for one another. Ezra's passion for repentance came from the understanding that he was one of them. Paul says in I Cor. 5:6 "What a terrible thing it is that you are boasting about your purity, and yet you let this sort of thing go on. Don't you realize that if even one person is allowed to go on sinning, soon all will be affected?"
If we are Devoted to Unity, we understand that we have obligations to one another to watch out for one another. To keep on the right track to restore one another. To approach God with brokenness.
The following is excerpted from "Just Because You're Right", by Rubel Shelly
"Leonard Sweet tells a story from Abraham Lincoln's days as a lawyer in private practice. The story goes that Lincoln was hired to sue a fellow over a debt that totaled $2.50. He didn't want to do it. But the client insisted "principle" was at stake more than money. The two men had been friends, but the delinquent debt had changed things. Now they would be adversaries over a paltry sum of money.
"Lincoln's resolution of his own problem of conscience in the matter was to charge his client a $10 fee for handling the case -- to be paid in advance. Then the lawyer with big ears, a craggy face, and insight into human nature gave half his fee to the defendant, who promptly paid the $2.50 he owed.
"As with so many Lincoln stories passed around in popular lore, I can't vouch for the factual authenticity of the narrative. What I can affirm for a certainty is that we would all be better served by valuing relationships over vindication."
The point Paul is making to the Corinthian church is not that we go after the sinners. His point is that we love God so much we will protect our relationship with him by guarding against sin.
I find it interesting how the Jewish people and leaders fell into sin. Ezra says in verse 8 "But now we have been given a moment of peace... You have given us a moment of joy and new life in our slavery...." It was in that moment of peace that they fell into sin. In verse 10 he says, "And now, O God, what can we say after all of this? For once again we have abandoned you and broken your laws!"
It's so easy in times of peace to fall into the trappings of sin. We need to continually guard our hearts from sin, and look out for one another. And above all to have such a love for God that we are committed to purity.
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
Ezra 8:21-9:15
I Corinthians 5:1-13
Psalm 31:1-8
Proverbs 21:1-2
How do you feel about sin? I'm not talking about the "It's bad." Sunday School answer. What happens in your heart when you discover a brother or sister in sin? How does it make you feel? Why?
In I Cor. today, Paul is instructing the Corinthian church in a matter of dealing with a man in the church who is living in sin. He instructs them to "call a meeting of the church... and cast out this man from the fellowship of the church and into Satan's hands..." (I Cor 5:4-5)
I think sometimes there is a tendency for some to quickly jump to this response to sin. We can take these few verses without looking at the full context and jump on the desire to see someone thrown out. There is a disgust for the sin which translates to the sinner. The problem with all of this is that the motivation can be judgmental, and not motivated with a heart of brokenness.
In the book of Ezra, Ezra is leading people in the rebuilding of the temple, and restoring the captive Jews to worshiping God. In Chapter 9, It comes to his attention that "many of the Jewish people and even some of the priests and Levites had taken up the horrible customs of the heathen people who lived in the land." Ezra 9:1
Verse 3: "When I heard this, I tore my clothing and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down utterly baffled..." Verse 5: "Finally I stood before the Lord in great embarrassment; then I fell to my knees and lifted my hands to the Lord, and cried out, 'O my God, I am ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you..."
I'm moved by Ezra's brokenness for the sins of God's people. This is how we should be in regards to one another. We need to approach God with such a humility over our sin, that we cry out to him for mercy.
There are 2 elements necessary for this to happen. The first is that we understand the holiness and purity of God. We must guard against treating sin casually. Unfortunately, sin is so prevalent, we get "used to" it. We get comfortable with it. We need to KNOW God. As his presence is revealed to us, we become full of awe of his greatness and purity. In this setting, sin cannot go unchallenged.
The second element necessary for us to respond to God in brokenness is an intense love for one another. Ezra's passion for repentance came from the understanding that he was one of them. Paul says in I Cor. 5:6 "What a terrible thing it is that you are boasting about your purity, and yet you let this sort of thing go on. Don't you realize that if even one person is allowed to go on sinning, soon all will be affected?"
If we are Devoted to Unity, we understand that we have obligations to one another to watch out for one another. To keep on the right track to restore one another. To approach God with brokenness.
The following is excerpted from "Just Because You're Right", by Rubel Shelly
"Leonard Sweet tells a story from Abraham Lincoln's days as a lawyer in private practice. The story goes that Lincoln was hired to sue a fellow over a debt that totaled $2.50. He didn't want to do it. But the client insisted "principle" was at stake more than money. The two men had been friends, but the delinquent debt had changed things. Now they would be adversaries over a paltry sum of money.
"Lincoln's resolution of his own problem of conscience in the matter was to charge his client a $10 fee for handling the case -- to be paid in advance. Then the lawyer with big ears, a craggy face, and insight into human nature gave half his fee to the defendant, who promptly paid the $2.50 he owed.
"As with so many Lincoln stories passed around in popular lore, I can't vouch for the factual authenticity of the narrative. What I can affirm for a certainty is that we would all be better served by valuing relationships over vindication."
The point Paul is making to the Corinthian church is not that we go after the sinners. His point is that we love God so much we will protect our relationship with him by guarding against sin.
I find it interesting how the Jewish people and leaders fell into sin. Ezra says in verse 8 "But now we have been given a moment of peace... You have given us a moment of joy and new life in our slavery...." It was in that moment of peace that they fell into sin. In verse 10 he says, "And now, O God, what can we say after all of this? For once again we have abandoned you and broken your laws!"
It's so easy in times of peace to fall into the trappings of sin. We need to continually guard our hearts from sin, and look out for one another. And above all to have such a love for God that we are committed to purity.
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, June 15, 2008
6.15.8 "It's a Lot of Work"
"It's a Lot of Work"
I Kings 14:1-15:24
Acts 10:1-23
Psalm 133:1-3
Proverbs 17:7-8
In I Kings 11, Solomon dies. Because of Solomon's disobedience in allowing the worship of other Gods, the kingdom of Israel is divided into two kingdoms. The tribe of Judah, where Jerusalem is, remains under the reign of David's descendants. The rest of Israel begins under the reign of Jeroboam. Thus begins a cycle of rebellion against God. In reading of these circumstances, you get almost sick thinking about how God must feel about their sin. And, of course, how he feels about our sin. The following thoughts are a result of reading the stories in I Kings 14 & 15.
It's a lot of work to live a partially obedient life.
Each day you wake up you have to handle whatever situation comes up in your own strength. When your child is sick, you have to have your wife go to the prophet in disguise (I Kings 14:1-18) hoping to get a good word from God. You know you can't approach with confidence, because you've been disobedient. You know you're not right with God. That's a alot of work.
It's a lot of work to live in sin.
At first it seems easier to let the people worship as they choose in the countryside, but pretty soon everyone has "built shrines and obelisks and idols on every high hill and under every green tree." (I Kings 14:23) And homosexuality runs rampant throughout the land. At first it seemed so easy to do as you please, but when you realize you've become "as depraved as the heathen nations which the Lord drove out to make room for his people" (I Kings 14:24), you realize you've angered the Lord. To live with that heaviness on your heart, that's alot of work!
It's alot of work to walk outside of the blessing of the Lord.
You don't know who your next enemy will be. It may be the King of Egypt who came and stole the sacred things from the temple, even the gold shields Solomon had made. It's alot of work to make bronze ones to replace them to try to bring back some of the glory. It's alot of work to have guards take them out each time the king comes to the temple to make it look like there is still honor in this place. (I Kings 14: 25-28) Trying to make it look like everything is ok, That's alot of work.
It's alot of work to be at war with your brothers.
Especially when you know deep down that you are at war because of the sins of your fathers, and regretfully your own. This has created a civil war that has divided the people of God. You know what you were created to be like: A great nation... a sign to nations around the world of the greatness of God... but now you sell the sacred things of the temple to buy allegiance from heathen nations to salvage a sense of peace.... So much energy spent on vengeance... that's alot of work.
It SEEMS like a lot of work to make it all right again.
You know those around you will be "put out" by your decision to do right. You know there are relationships that will have to die. You know that part of you will die. It SEEMS like it may not be worth it. To swallow your pride... That's alot of work.
It's alot of work to pay the price of sin.
It requires a sacrifice greater than any man can pay. It's a debt that cannot be satisfied. Only one could pay that price, and did. THAT was alot of work!
To live the obedient life in the timing and blessing of God is the only way to go. At first the journey seems too long and challenging, but the journey is made up of small steps directed by one who sees the map in it's entirety. There are times when it would seem so easy to step off the road of obedience and rest by a pool of comfort, or taste the forbidden fruit of selfish desire, but in the end, THAT'S ALOT OF WORK!
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 Kings 14:1-15:24
Acts 10:1-23
Psalm 133:1-3
Proverbs 17:7-8
In I Kings 11, Solomon dies. Because of Solomon's disobedience in allowing the worship of other Gods, the kingdom of Israel is divided into two kingdoms. The tribe of Judah, where Jerusalem is, remains under the reign of David's descendants. The rest of Israel begins under the reign of Jeroboam. Thus begins a cycle of rebellion against God. In reading of these circumstances, you get almost sick thinking about how God must feel about their sin. And, of course, how he feels about our sin. The following thoughts are a result of reading the stories in I Kings 14 & 15.
It's a lot of work to live a partially obedient life.
Each day you wake up you have to handle whatever situation comes up in your own strength. When your child is sick, you have to have your wife go to the prophet in disguise (I Kings 14:1-18) hoping to get a good word from God. You know you can't approach with confidence, because you've been disobedient. You know you're not right with God. That's a alot of work.
It's a lot of work to live in sin.
At first it seems easier to let the people worship as they choose in the countryside, but pretty soon everyone has "built shrines and obelisks and idols on every high hill and under every green tree." (I Kings 14:23) And homosexuality runs rampant throughout the land. At first it seemed so easy to do as you please, but when you realize you've become "as depraved as the heathen nations which the Lord drove out to make room for his people" (I Kings 14:24), you realize you've angered the Lord. To live with that heaviness on your heart, that's alot of work!
It's alot of work to walk outside of the blessing of the Lord.
You don't know who your next enemy will be. It may be the King of Egypt who came and stole the sacred things from the temple, even the gold shields Solomon had made. It's alot of work to make bronze ones to replace them to try to bring back some of the glory. It's alot of work to have guards take them out each time the king comes to the temple to make it look like there is still honor in this place. (I Kings 14: 25-28) Trying to make it look like everything is ok, That's alot of work.
It's alot of work to be at war with your brothers.
Especially when you know deep down that you are at war because of the sins of your fathers, and regretfully your own. This has created a civil war that has divided the people of God. You know what you were created to be like: A great nation... a sign to nations around the world of the greatness of God... but now you sell the sacred things of the temple to buy allegiance from heathen nations to salvage a sense of peace.... So much energy spent on vengeance... that's alot of work.
It SEEMS like a lot of work to make it all right again.
You know those around you will be "put out" by your decision to do right. You know there are relationships that will have to die. You know that part of you will die. It SEEMS like it may not be worth it. To swallow your pride... That's alot of work.
It's alot of work to pay the price of sin.
It requires a sacrifice greater than any man can pay. It's a debt that cannot be satisfied. Only one could pay that price, and did. THAT was alot of work!
To live the obedient life in the timing and blessing of God is the only way to go. At first the journey seems too long and challenging, but the journey is made up of small steps directed by one who sees the map in it's entirety. There are times when it would seem so easy to step off the road of obedience and rest by a pool of comfort, or taste the forbidden fruit of selfish desire, but in the end, THAT'S ALOT OF WORK!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Thursday, June 5, 2008
6.5.8 "How Much Does it Cost?"
"How Much Does it Cost?"
2 Samuel 23:24-24:25
Acts 3:1-26
Psalm 123:1-4
Proverbs 16:21-23
"i don't want to offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that have cost me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24
Why not? Why not do the minimum God requires? God had instructed David to offer a sacrifice. This was in repentance of his taking a census. all God told him to do was offer the sacrifice on the threshing floor of Araunah. God didn't specifically say, "go pay for it.", so what's the big deal?
The difference is the big picture. It's knowing what God wants to complete in you. Forgiveness is free, but Repentance costs. Too many times what we think is repentance is merely a ritual of confession with no cost attached. To illustrate this point, I asked a friend to stand next to me while I was teaching a class. I kept slapping him & saying "I'm sorry." He was kind enough to stand there and not pummel me. I would confess my sin to him when I'd slap him, but there wasn't any repentance because I just kept on doing it. There's probably alot of Christians out there who think the apology of "I'm sorry" is repentance.
How much does "I'm sorry" cost? I guess that depends on the level of pride. It can be tough to be the first to apologize sometimes, but to repent... that's another price bracket. There needs to be a turning, an intentional effort that must be placed on establishing a "landmark" that this wont happen again. (build an altar).
When the Lord addresses sin in my life, I need to check on whether my "i'm sorry" is an act of ritual confession, or true repentance. What will it cost me to repent? What landmark will I place on my heart to make sure I don't go there again?
As we mature as believers we must not lose the concept of the cost of repentance. Treating repentance casually opens the door to habitual sin, compromise, idolatry, sin in the camp, etc.
Peter says to the Jewish people near the temple, "Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19)
We must turn away from anything that doesn't please God. We must work to cleanse our attitudes so that we can turn toward him, and allow his presence to fill us. Allow him to forgive our sin and purify us. Then we must discipline ourselves to stay the course and not go back the way we came.
The highest form of worship is obedience. We can't have the attitude that "i will obey as long as it costs me nothing." We must have the heart that drives us to say, "I will obey no matter what the cost."
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
2 Samuel 23:24-24:25
Acts 3:1-26
Psalm 123:1-4
Proverbs 16:21-23
"i don't want to offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that have cost me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24
Why not? Why not do the minimum God requires? God had instructed David to offer a sacrifice. This was in repentance of his taking a census. all God told him to do was offer the sacrifice on the threshing floor of Araunah. God didn't specifically say, "go pay for it.", so what's the big deal?
The difference is the big picture. It's knowing what God wants to complete in you. Forgiveness is free, but Repentance costs. Too many times what we think is repentance is merely a ritual of confession with no cost attached. To illustrate this point, I asked a friend to stand next to me while I was teaching a class. I kept slapping him & saying "I'm sorry." He was kind enough to stand there and not pummel me. I would confess my sin to him when I'd slap him, but there wasn't any repentance because I just kept on doing it. There's probably alot of Christians out there who think the apology of "I'm sorry" is repentance.
How much does "I'm sorry" cost? I guess that depends on the level of pride. It can be tough to be the first to apologize sometimes, but to repent... that's another price bracket. There needs to be a turning, an intentional effort that must be placed on establishing a "landmark" that this wont happen again. (build an altar).
When the Lord addresses sin in my life, I need to check on whether my "i'm sorry" is an act of ritual confession, or true repentance. What will it cost me to repent? What landmark will I place on my heart to make sure I don't go there again?
As we mature as believers we must not lose the concept of the cost of repentance. Treating repentance casually opens the door to habitual sin, compromise, idolatry, sin in the camp, etc.
Peter says to the Jewish people near the temple, "Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19)
We must turn away from anything that doesn't please God. We must work to cleanse our attitudes so that we can turn toward him, and allow his presence to fill us. Allow him to forgive our sin and purify us. Then we must discipline ourselves to stay the course and not go back the way we came.
The highest form of worship is obedience. We can't have the attitude that "i will obey as long as it costs me nothing." We must have the heart that drives us to say, "I will obey no matter what the cost."
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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