"Forgiven"
Joshua 13:1-14:15
Luke 18:1-17
Psalm 85:1-13
Proverbs 13:7-8
"Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a proud, self-righteous Pharisee, and the other a cheating tax collector. The proud Pharisee 'prayed' this prayer: 'Thank God, I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don't commit adultery, I go without food twice a week, and I give to God a tenth of everything I earn.'
"But the corrupt tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed, but beat upon his chest in sorrow, exclaiming, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner.' I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home forgiven! For the proud shall be humbled, but the humble shall be honored." (Luke 18:10-14)
What goes through our minds when we have conversations with unbelievers? I hate to say it, but as I look back on my thought process through some of those conversations, I fear that my motives may have been more of the Pharisee than the tax collector. No, I didn't necessarily look down at them, or roll my eyes and say, Thank God, I'm not like them," but yet i think it's in our human nature to look at "them and us". I inadvertently catch myself thinking of unbelievers as "outsiders."
How different would our relationships be with unbelievers, if the arrogance of our piety were gone? What if we approached our conversations with them in humility instead of hoping to get another star on our "witnessing chart". I know I'm sounding a bit harsh, but i hope you can catch the heart of what i'm saying.
Who am I to take pride in the fact that I'm forgiven. "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." Remember the sacrifices that please God are a broken spirit and a contrite heart.
When I spend time at my neighbor's house and I have a broken spirit, I'm not so much worried about getting a chance to fill them with my knowledge, I'm more interested in hearing their need. God will give the opportunity to reveal His love and truth.
Thank you Lord for being merciful to me, a sinner!
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 Thanks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanks. Show all posts
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
3.14.11 "Copyright Infringement"
"Copyright Infringement"
Numbers 21:1-22:20
Luke 1:26-56
Psalm 57:1-11
Proverbs 11:9-11
Copyright has become a big deal in this day and age. A copyright is intended to protect an author, songwriter, advertiser, or other creator and their "work". Basically, it's so the "idea" isn't stolen and someone else makes money off of it. There's big FBI warnings at the beginning of videos to make sure you don't show them to a bunch of people or make copies of it, because to do so would in essence keep the creator from making money from their creation. The intent is to make sure to give credit where credit is due.
This may seem like a bizarre train of thought, but I guess it wouldn't be my first! As I read today's Psalm, I was realizing the damage we cause when we infringe the "copyright" of God.
"Rouse yourself, my soul! Arise, O harp and lyre! Let us greet the dawn with song! I will thank you publicly throughout the land. I will sing your praises among the nations. Your kindness and love are as vast as the heavens. Your faithfulness is higher than the skies. Yes, be exalted, O God above the heavens. May your glory shine throughout the earth." Ps 57:8-11
You're thinking... "OK, Copyright infringement??" Well let's look at it this way. What is God's Goal? To draw all men to him. How does that happen? By them seeing his glory. How is he glorified? By his people declaring his praises. How do they declare praises? By giving credit where credit is due.
We need to be in the habit of giving praise to the Lord for EVERYTHING. We take so much for granted to begin with, and when we do think to praise him, it's mostly in our personal quiet time, or in our homes, or in the corporate worship setting.
It's great that we do it in those places, but if we don't go beyond that we are in danger. We are in danger of taking credit for his blessings. "I have this because I worked hard." "I did this, or that". We are also in danger of robbing the world of the opportunity to see his greatness; to see his glory. In essence we are robbing God of the objective of his creation.
I have a friend who can hardly say a sentence without the phrase, "...by the grace of God" or "because of his goodness..." Do you know what he's doing by these statements? He's singing God's praises to the nations!
Imagine how different things would be if giving God praise was a constant part of our day. Too often we wouldn't want to go this route because it's "weird". We'd be labeled as "one of those..." We have the wrong mindset. We NEED to be one of those. We need to be his workmanship for his purpose.
We have a Mission to Reach Our World for Christ. When we praise the Lord publicly for what he has done we are fulfilling our mission.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Numbers 21:1-22:20
Luke 1:26-56
Psalm 57:1-11
Proverbs 11:9-11
Copyright has become a big deal in this day and age. A copyright is intended to protect an author, songwriter, advertiser, or other creator and their "work". Basically, it's so the "idea" isn't stolen and someone else makes money off of it. There's big FBI warnings at the beginning of videos to make sure you don't show them to a bunch of people or make copies of it, because to do so would in essence keep the creator from making money from their creation. The intent is to make sure to give credit where credit is due.
This may seem like a bizarre train of thought, but I guess it wouldn't be my first! As I read today's Psalm, I was realizing the damage we cause when we infringe the "copyright" of God.
"Rouse yourself, my soul! Arise, O harp and lyre! Let us greet the dawn with song! I will thank you publicly throughout the land. I will sing your praises among the nations. Your kindness and love are as vast as the heavens. Your faithfulness is higher than the skies. Yes, be exalted, O God above the heavens. May your glory shine throughout the earth." Ps 57:8-11
You're thinking... "OK, Copyright infringement??" Well let's look at it this way. What is God's Goal? To draw all men to him. How does that happen? By them seeing his glory. How is he glorified? By his people declaring his praises. How do they declare praises? By giving credit where credit is due.
We need to be in the habit of giving praise to the Lord for EVERYTHING. We take so much for granted to begin with, and when we do think to praise him, it's mostly in our personal quiet time, or in our homes, or in the corporate worship setting.
It's great that we do it in those places, but if we don't go beyond that we are in danger. We are in danger of taking credit for his blessings. "I have this because I worked hard." "I did this, or that". We are also in danger of robbing the world of the opportunity to see his greatness; to see his glory. In essence we are robbing God of the objective of his creation.
I have a friend who can hardly say a sentence without the phrase, "...by the grace of God" or "because of his goodness..." Do you know what he's doing by these statements? He's singing God's praises to the nations!
Imagine how different things would be if giving God praise was a constant part of our day. Too often we wouldn't want to go this route because it's "weird". We'd be labeled as "one of those..." We have the wrong mindset. We NEED to be one of those. We need to be his workmanship for his purpose.
We have a Mission to Reach Our World for Christ. When we praise the Lord publicly for what he has done we are fulfilling our mission.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
Pastor Greg Lathe
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
11.24.10 "Thanks"
"Thanks"
Ezekiel 47:1-48:35
1 Peter 2:11-3:9
Psalm 119:53-70
Proverbs 28:12-13
Thanksgiving is upon us! This year as we are celebrating Thanksgiving, let's make sure we don't only view the events that are to come in terms of "days off", or feasting, or even getting together with family. Let's really truly, from our hearts make this a week of giving thanks.
What is it about "Thank You"? Why do we say it? Because it's polite? It's more than that. The words "thank you" when spoken from the heart do an incredible work in us.
A "Thank You" puts us in a place of humility. When you give me something and I say "thank you", what I'm really saying is, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the one being "thanked" in a "higher place" or place of honor. It takes humility for one to truly be thankful.
The Friday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. Everyone's rushing to "get" stuff to "give". With that on the radar, it can be so easy to rush over the day of Thanksgiving. We should not forget in the busyness to remember to celebrate the Christmas season with a heart of Thanksgiving. What does that really mean? It means, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the One being thanked in a Higher place. A place of honor.
"He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly. He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross, so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on. For his wounds have healed ours!" I Peter 2:22-24
The words of the song "Once Again":
Jesus Christ, I look upon your sacrifice
You became nothing poured out to death
Many times I've wondered at Your gift of life
And I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again.
Once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
Thank you for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the Cross, my friend
Dear Lord Jesus, We pause to day in the midst of the lives that can be so busy & distracting, just to say, "Thank You!"
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 47:1-48:35
1 Peter 2:11-3:9
Psalm 119:53-70
Proverbs 28:12-13
Thanksgiving is upon us! This year as we are celebrating Thanksgiving, let's make sure we don't only view the events that are to come in terms of "days off", or feasting, or even getting together with family. Let's really truly, from our hearts make this a week of giving thanks.
What is it about "Thank You"? Why do we say it? Because it's polite? It's more than that. The words "thank you" when spoken from the heart do an incredible work in us.
A "Thank You" puts us in a place of humility. When you give me something and I say "thank you", what I'm really saying is, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the one being "thanked" in a "higher place" or place of honor. It takes humility for one to truly be thankful.
The Friday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. Everyone's rushing to "get" stuff to "give". With that on the radar, it can be so easy to rush over the day of Thanksgiving. We should not forget in the busyness to remember to celebrate the Christmas season with a heart of Thanksgiving. What does that really mean? It means, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the One being thanked in a Higher place. A place of honor.
"He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly. He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross, so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on. For his wounds have healed ours!" I Peter 2:22-24
The words of the song "Once Again":
Jesus Christ, I look upon your sacrifice
You became nothing poured out to death
Many times I've wondered at Your gift of life
And I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again.
Once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
Thank you for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the Cross, my friend
Dear Lord Jesus, We pause to day in the midst of the lives that can be so busy & distracting, just to say, "Thank You!"
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Sunday, October 31, 2010
10.31.10 "Undeserving"
"Undeserving"
Lamentations 4:1-5:22
Hebrews 2:1-18
Psalm 103:1-22
Proverbs 26:23
We all have expectations. When we walk into a store, we expect that employees will treat customers with respect. If we buy something, it will be in good working order. We should be satisfied. We paid for it, we deserve it.
What a blessing it is to serve God. "I bless the holy name of God with all my heart. Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me. He forgives all my sin. He heals me. He ransoms me from hell. He surrounds me with lovingkindness and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things! My youth is renewed like the eagle's! He gives justice to all who are treated unfairly." Ps 103:1-7
How do you feel reading that scripture? It's too easy to read all of that and say, "Boy, I sure am glad for all that!" and go on with the day. We can become callous to the blessing of salvation.
"He is merciful and tender toward those who don't deserve it; he is slow to get angry and full of kindness and love. He never bears a grudge, nor remains angry forever. He has not punished us as we deserve for all our sin, for his mercy toward those who fear and honor him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth." Ps 103:8-11
"those who don't deserve it..." Who is that? that's me. I walk in and out of the church doors at least a couple dozen times each week. I must be cautious lest I take for granted the grace God has given me. I should never walk into his presence as if I deserve to be there. I should not walk through life as if I deserve to be a child of God. I don't. All i deserve is the punishment for my sin. Praise the Lord, "he has not punished us as we deserve..."
I'm thankful that through the power of his blood we can boldly come before him. "He has removed our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west." Ps 103:12 He has made us pure. Even though we don't deserve it. "For he knows we are but dust, and that our days are few and brief, like grass, like flowers, blown by the wind and gone forever."
How does an individual live if they feel like they "deserve" God's favor? They make for tough customers. We had friends years ago who had a goal to get a free meal at a restaurant every time. They would try to find something to make a stink about. It was actually quite embarrassing. When asked about it, the comment was, "hey, I paid for this meal, and it's their job to keep us happy." Well, let's just say the waiters had their work cut out for them.
Do you know that it's not God's "job" to keep us happy? He has a purpose for all creation, and we are so blessed to be even thought of as part of the family. How awful to walk around in life as if "I paid for this Christianity, so I deserve better..."
Lord, I'm so thankful that you chose me to be one of your very own. I'm full of flaws and I've failed you many times, and yet your love for me just makes it all seem to disappear. Forgive me for times that I walk around as a spoiled child acting arrogant like I deserve your favor. I don't. Help me to walk daily in the humility of one who's been forgiven so much.
"Let everything everywhere bless the Lord. And how I bless him too!" Ps. 103:22
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
Lamentations 4:1-5:22
Hebrews 2:1-18
Psalm 103:1-22
Proverbs 26:23
We all have expectations. When we walk into a store, we expect that employees will treat customers with respect. If we buy something, it will be in good working order. We should be satisfied. We paid for it, we deserve it.
What a blessing it is to serve God. "I bless the holy name of God with all my heart. Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me. He forgives all my sin. He heals me. He ransoms me from hell. He surrounds me with lovingkindness and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things! My youth is renewed like the eagle's! He gives justice to all who are treated unfairly." Ps 103:1-7
How do you feel reading that scripture? It's too easy to read all of that and say, "Boy, I sure am glad for all that!" and go on with the day. We can become callous to the blessing of salvation.
"He is merciful and tender toward those who don't deserve it; he is slow to get angry and full of kindness and love. He never bears a grudge, nor remains angry forever. He has not punished us as we deserve for all our sin, for his mercy toward those who fear and honor him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth." Ps 103:8-11
"those who don't deserve it..." Who is that? that's me. I walk in and out of the church doors at least a couple dozen times each week. I must be cautious lest I take for granted the grace God has given me. I should never walk into his presence as if I deserve to be there. I should not walk through life as if I deserve to be a child of God. I don't. All i deserve is the punishment for my sin. Praise the Lord, "he has not punished us as we deserve..."
I'm thankful that through the power of his blood we can boldly come before him. "He has removed our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west." Ps 103:12 He has made us pure. Even though we don't deserve it. "For he knows we are but dust, and that our days are few and brief, like grass, like flowers, blown by the wind and gone forever."
How does an individual live if they feel like they "deserve" God's favor? They make for tough customers. We had friends years ago who had a goal to get a free meal at a restaurant every time. They would try to find something to make a stink about. It was actually quite embarrassing. When asked about it, the comment was, "hey, I paid for this meal, and it's their job to keep us happy." Well, let's just say the waiters had their work cut out for them.
Do you know that it's not God's "job" to keep us happy? He has a purpose for all creation, and we are so blessed to be even thought of as part of the family. How awful to walk around in life as if "I paid for this Christianity, so I deserve better..."
Lord, I'm so thankful that you chose me to be one of your very own. I'm full of flaws and I've failed you many times, and yet your love for me just makes it all seem to disappear. Forgive me for times that I walk around as a spoiled child acting arrogant like I deserve your favor. I don't. Help me to walk daily in the humility of one who's been forgiven so much.
"Let everything everywhere bless the Lord. And how I bless him too!" Ps. 103:22
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, 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
Saturday, July 17, 2010
7.17.10 "Grateful for the Gift"
"Grateful for the Gift"
I Chronicles 24:1-26:11
Romans 4:1-13
Psalm 13:1-6
Proverbs 19:15-16
Anyone with kids knows that there's a fine line when it comes to gifts. You love them so much you want to give them gifts all the time, but you know how it is. It doesn't take but a couple gifts and kids start to think they deserve gifts on a regular basis.
We're never that way are we? Taking a gift for granted?
In Romans 4 Paul is talking about Abraham and this question of faith and good deeds. vs 1-2: "Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What were his experiences concerning this question of being saved by faith? Was it because of his good deeds that God accepted him? If so, then he would have something to boast about."
We know we are saved by faith, not of works, but it's easier than we realize to subconsciously slip into a "deserving the gift" mentality. "I deserve to be saved."
Have you ever received a gift that really humbled you? I remember a nationally known speaker telling the story of a gift he received. He's fairly well off, nice car, nice home, etc. After a service a lady, who he knew was dirt poor came and gave him a check for $5.00 to support his ministry. He shared how that gift really knocked him down to size. He realized how he did not deserve that $5.00 not to mention all the other blessings in his life.
Receiving a gift that you know you don't deserve does an incredible thing to your heart, if you acknowledge the fact of how undeserving you are.
Think of your salvation. Something you deserve? Sunday School answer is "No." But does your heart bear that sentiment? Take a moment to think of this gift of salvation. Think of the cost. Think of the giver. Think about yourself as the recipient.
In Romans 4:4-5 it says, "...being saved is a gift; if a person could earn it by being good, then it wouldn't be free-- but it is! It is given to those who do NOT work for it."
Psalm 13 starts out "How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever?" it continues to lament about the anguish of the heart. but in verse 5&6 "But I will always trust in you and in your mercy and shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because he has blessed me so richly."
No matter where you feel you are at, in a season of blessing or trial, you are not deserving of this gift of salvation. Yet, it has been given you. Rejoice in it this day!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
I Chronicles 24:1-26:11
Romans 4:1-13
Psalm 13:1-6
Proverbs 19:15-16
Anyone with kids knows that there's a fine line when it comes to gifts. You love them so much you want to give them gifts all the time, but you know how it is. It doesn't take but a couple gifts and kids start to think they deserve gifts on a regular basis.
We're never that way are we? Taking a gift for granted?
In Romans 4 Paul is talking about Abraham and this question of faith and good deeds. vs 1-2: "Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What were his experiences concerning this question of being saved by faith? Was it because of his good deeds that God accepted him? If so, then he would have something to boast about."
We know we are saved by faith, not of works, but it's easier than we realize to subconsciously slip into a "deserving the gift" mentality. "I deserve to be saved."
Have you ever received a gift that really humbled you? I remember a nationally known speaker telling the story of a gift he received. He's fairly well off, nice car, nice home, etc. After a service a lady, who he knew was dirt poor came and gave him a check for $5.00 to support his ministry. He shared how that gift really knocked him down to size. He realized how he did not deserve that $5.00 not to mention all the other blessings in his life.
Receiving a gift that you know you don't deserve does an incredible thing to your heart, if you acknowledge the fact of how undeserving you are.
Think of your salvation. Something you deserve? Sunday School answer is "No." But does your heart bear that sentiment? Take a moment to think of this gift of salvation. Think of the cost. Think of the giver. Think about yourself as the recipient.
In Romans 4:4-5 it says, "...being saved is a gift; if a person could earn it by being good, then it wouldn't be free-- but it is! It is given to those who do NOT work for it."
Psalm 13 starts out "How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever?" it continues to lament about the anguish of the heart. but in verse 5&6 "But I will always trust in you and in your mercy and shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because he has blessed me so richly."
No matter where you feel you are at, in a season of blessing or trial, you are not deserving of this gift of salvation. Yet, it has been given you. Rejoice in it this day!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Sunday, May 9, 2010
5.9.10 "Leanness of Soul"
"Leanness of Soul"
1 Samuel 5:1-7:17
John 6:1-21
Psalm 106:13-31
Proverbs 14:32-33
Today's reading from Psalms is sad. The chapter starts out talking about the greatness of God, and how awesome it was that he delivered them from the bondage of Egypt. But listen to this:
"Yet how quickly they forgot again! They wouldn't wait for him to act, but demanded better food, testing God's patience to the breaking point. So he gave them their demands, but sent them leanness in their souls." (Ps106:13-14)
The scriptures that follow lay out the continuous cycle of the rebellion and waywardness of God's people.
It's verse 14 that sticks in my mind. "So he gave them their demands, but sent them leanness in their souls." I was thinking about how true that is. When we get what we want, there is something lacking inside of us.
Think of it like a spoiled child. If you've ever experienced a child who gets whatever they ask for, you notice something. Yes, they have a lot of stuff, but they're not happy. There's something lacking inside. Many times it's a matter of ungratefulness, or rudeness, but there's almost a "leanness of soul" that is visible.
How would you describe "leanness of soul"? It would be a life that's never satisfied. It would be a life that's self-centered and constantly looking for gratification. It would be a life that compromises moral standards for the sake of self. All of this would still result in an incredible emptiness that is beyond description. There would be an attempt to fill the void with more things, more food, medication, alcohol, noise, anything to hide the need.
That sounds a lot like the state of the world around us. As we meet people everyday we are looking into the eyes of people who are getting "what they want", and living life "my way", but they are experiencing leanness of soul.
I'm not just talking about people who don't know Christ. I think often the people of God do things their own way and find themselves outside the umbrella of God's pleasure, and it's a bad place to be.
Whenever we elevate our opinions or desires above the will of God, we are in danger of this. We risk the joy of hearing his voice. We risk the abundant life he has for us. In Deuteronomy it speaks of the danger of forgetting God when we are "fat" with his blessings. We must never take for granted the greatness of our God the way the Israelites did. We must humbly accept his will for our lives.
We must find our satisfaction in him. We must live in the blessing of his timing. We must rejoice in his provision, and allow his Spirit to fill our souls with abundant 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
1 Samuel 5:1-7:17
John 6:1-21
Psalm 106:13-31
Proverbs 14:32-33
Today's reading from Psalms is sad. The chapter starts out talking about the greatness of God, and how awesome it was that he delivered them from the bondage of Egypt. But listen to this:
"Yet how quickly they forgot again! They wouldn't wait for him to act, but demanded better food, testing God's patience to the breaking point. So he gave them their demands, but sent them leanness in their souls." (Ps106:13-14)
The scriptures that follow lay out the continuous cycle of the rebellion and waywardness of God's people.
It's verse 14 that sticks in my mind. "So he gave them their demands, but sent them leanness in their souls." I was thinking about how true that is. When we get what we want, there is something lacking inside of us.
Think of it like a spoiled child. If you've ever experienced a child who gets whatever they ask for, you notice something. Yes, they have a lot of stuff, but they're not happy. There's something lacking inside. Many times it's a matter of ungratefulness, or rudeness, but there's almost a "leanness of soul" that is visible.
How would you describe "leanness of soul"? It would be a life that's never satisfied. It would be a life that's self-centered and constantly looking for gratification. It would be a life that compromises moral standards for the sake of self. All of this would still result in an incredible emptiness that is beyond description. There would be an attempt to fill the void with more things, more food, medication, alcohol, noise, anything to hide the need.
That sounds a lot like the state of the world around us. As we meet people everyday we are looking into the eyes of people who are getting "what they want", and living life "my way", but they are experiencing leanness of soul.
I'm not just talking about people who don't know Christ. I think often the people of God do things their own way and find themselves outside the umbrella of God's pleasure, and it's a bad place to be.
Whenever we elevate our opinions or desires above the will of God, we are in danger of this. We risk the joy of hearing his voice. We risk the abundant life he has for us. In Deuteronomy it speaks of the danger of forgetting God when we are "fat" with his blessings. We must never take for granted the greatness of our God the way the Israelites did. We must humbly accept his will for our lives.
We must find our satisfaction in him. We must live in the blessing of his timing. We must rejoice in his provision, and allow his Spirit to fill our souls with abundant 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
Thursday, April 22, 2010
4.22.10 "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!
P Greg
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!
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, April 17, 2010
4.17.10 "Ain't No God Like Mine"
"Ain't No God Like Mine!"
Joshua 15:1-63
Luke 18:18-43
Psalm 86:1-17
Proverbs 13:9-10
As kids there was always a "my dad's tougher than yours" conversation at some point or another. My dad was a hockey coach, so I had a lot of clout in that area. Of course those conversations are motivated by pride, and not the healthiest thing to get involved in as they usually lead to a fight in some form or another, which proves today's Proverb true: "Pride leads to conflict..." (Prov. 13:10)
Reading today's Psalm, we get that "my God's tougher than yours" feeling. "Where among the heathen gods is there a god like you? Where are their miracles?" (Ps 86:3) What a great line! Where are their miracles? There is no god like our God! He is awesome his power is unending. As much as we've experienced, we can only comprehend a portion of his greatness.
Everyone's going to know it, though. "All the nations - and you made each one - will come and bow before you, Lord, and praise your great and holy name. For you are great, and do great miracles. You alone are God." (Ps 86:9-10)
We serve an awesome God! We need to think about that. We need to acknowledge his greatness. We need to respond in worship. How do we worship? With our lives.
"Tell me where you want me to go and I will go there. May every fiber of my being unite in reverence to your name. With all my heart I will praise you. I will give glory to your name forever, for you love me so much! you are constantly so kind! You have rescued me from deepest hell." (Ps 86:11-13)
I love that line "May every fiber of my being unite in reverence to your name." What would our day be like if we lived like that? If every fiber of my being united in reverence to his name, I would obey his commands, I would walk in unity, I would study his Word, I would use the gifts he's given me for his glory.
I would Live the DREAM!
Today's reading from Joshua is one that you probably don't have memorized. It lays out the allotment for the tribe of Judah in the promised land. It lists the boundaries on all sides, and then goes on to list the hundreds of cities & surrounding villages that were conquered, and allotted to them.
Ok, be honest... did you read each name of each city? I caught myself skipping over a few verses because i caught the "gist" of what was going on. As I was doing that, I realized I was skipping over answered prayer. The cities that are listed are the result of the unbelievable trials and miracles that God's people went through. This was the promise.
It made me stop to think if I'm doing the same thing in my life. Do I skip over the "details" of the great things God has done for me. "yeah, yeah, yeah... my God is better than any other... I got the gist...." That's not how we should be! We should be listing the great things God has done!
In Luke 18:35-43 the blind man is crying out to Jesus, and Jesus asks him, "'What do you want me to do for you?' 'Lord,' he said, 'I want to see!'" Jesus healed him, and verse 43 says, "Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too."
While the healing of the blind man may seem a bit more dramatically exciting to us than the list of cities, both are a sign of an awesome God. What do you have to praise God for today? I have health! I have provision.
God is GREAT! There ain't NO god like mine!
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
Joshua 15:1-63
Luke 18:18-43
Psalm 86:1-17
Proverbs 13:9-10
As kids there was always a "my dad's tougher than yours" conversation at some point or another. My dad was a hockey coach, so I had a lot of clout in that area. Of course those conversations are motivated by pride, and not the healthiest thing to get involved in as they usually lead to a fight in some form or another, which proves today's Proverb true: "Pride leads to conflict..." (Prov. 13:10)
Reading today's Psalm, we get that "my God's tougher than yours" feeling. "Where among the heathen gods is there a god like you? Where are their miracles?" (Ps 86:3) What a great line! Where are their miracles? There is no god like our God! He is awesome his power is unending. As much as we've experienced, we can only comprehend a portion of his greatness.
Everyone's going to know it, though. "All the nations - and you made each one - will come and bow before you, Lord, and praise your great and holy name. For you are great, and do great miracles. You alone are God." (Ps 86:9-10)
We serve an awesome God! We need to think about that. We need to acknowledge his greatness. We need to respond in worship. How do we worship? With our lives.
"Tell me where you want me to go and I will go there. May every fiber of my being unite in reverence to your name. With all my heart I will praise you. I will give glory to your name forever, for you love me so much! you are constantly so kind! You have rescued me from deepest hell." (Ps 86:11-13)
I love that line "May every fiber of my being unite in reverence to your name." What would our day be like if we lived like that? If every fiber of my being united in reverence to his name, I would obey his commands, I would walk in unity, I would study his Word, I would use the gifts he's given me for his glory.
I would Live the DREAM!
Today's reading from Joshua is one that you probably don't have memorized. It lays out the allotment for the tribe of Judah in the promised land. It lists the boundaries on all sides, and then goes on to list the hundreds of cities & surrounding villages that were conquered, and allotted to them.
Ok, be honest... did you read each name of each city? I caught myself skipping over a few verses because i caught the "gist" of what was going on. As I was doing that, I realized I was skipping over answered prayer. The cities that are listed are the result of the unbelievable trials and miracles that God's people went through. This was the promise.
It made me stop to think if I'm doing the same thing in my life. Do I skip over the "details" of the great things God has done for me. "yeah, yeah, yeah... my God is better than any other... I got the gist...." That's not how we should be! We should be listing the great things God has done!
In Luke 18:35-43 the blind man is crying out to Jesus, and Jesus asks him, "'What do you want me to do for you?' 'Lord,' he said, 'I want to see!'" Jesus healed him, and verse 43 says, "Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too."
While the healing of the blind man may seem a bit more dramatically exciting to us than the list of cities, both are a sign of an awesome God. What do you have to praise God for today? I have health! I have provision.
God is GREAT! There ain't NO god like mine!
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, March 14, 2010
3.14.10 "Copyright Infringement"
"Copyright Infringement"
Numbers 21:1-22:20
Luke 1:26-56
Psalm 57:1-11
Proverbs 11:9-11
Copyright has become a big deal in this day and age. A copyright is intended to protect an author, songwriter, advertiser, or other creator and their "work". Basically, it's so the "idea" isn't stolen and someone else makes money off of it. There's big FBI warnings at the beginning of videos to make sure you don't show them to a bunch of people or make copies of it, because to do so would in essence keep the creator from making money from their creation. The intent is to make sure to give credit where credit is due.
This may seem like a bizarre train of thought, but I guess it wouldn't be my first! As I read today's Psalm, I was realizing the damage we cause when we infringe the "copyright" of God.
"Rouse yourself, my soul! Arise, O harp and lyre! Let us greet the dawn with song! I will thank you publicly throughout the land. I will sing your praises among the nations. Your kindness and love are as vast as the heavens. Your faithfulness is higher than the skies. Yes, be exalted, O God above the heavens. May your glory shine throughout the earth." Ps 57:8-11
You're thinking... "OK, Copyright infringement??" Well let's look at it this way. What is God's Goal? To draw all men to him. How does that happen? By them seeing his glory. How is he glorified? By his people declaring his praises. How do they declare praises? By giving credit where credit is due.
We need to be in the habit of giving praise to the Lord for EVERYTHING. We take so much for granted to begin with, and when we do think to praise him, it's mostly in our personal quiet time, or in our homes, or in the corporate worship setting.
It's great that we do it in those places, but if we don't go beyond that we are in danger. We are in danger of taking credit for his blessings. "I have this because I worked hard." "I did this, or that". We are also in danger of robbing the world of the opportunity to see his greatness; to see his glory. In essence we are robbing God of the objective of his creation.
I have a friend who can hardly say a sentence without the phrase, "...by the grace of God" or "because of his goodness..." Do you know what he's doing by these statements? He's singing God's praises to the nations!
Imagine how different things would be if giving God praise was a constant part of our day. Too often we wouldn't want to go this route because it's "weird". We'd be labeled as "one of those..." We have the wrong mindset. We NEED to be one of those. We need to be his workmanship for his purpose.
We have a Mission to Reach Our World for Christ. When we praise the Lord publicly for what he has done we are fulfilling our mission.
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
Numbers 21:1-22:20
Luke 1:26-56
Psalm 57:1-11
Proverbs 11:9-11
Copyright has become a big deal in this day and age. A copyright is intended to protect an author, songwriter, advertiser, or other creator and their "work". Basically, it's so the "idea" isn't stolen and someone else makes money off of it. There's big FBI warnings at the beginning of videos to make sure you don't show them to a bunch of people or make copies of it, because to do so would in essence keep the creator from making money from their creation. The intent is to make sure to give credit where credit is due.
This may seem like a bizarre train of thought, but I guess it wouldn't be my first! As I read today's Psalm, I was realizing the damage we cause when we infringe the "copyright" of God.
"Rouse yourself, my soul! Arise, O harp and lyre! Let us greet the dawn with song! I will thank you publicly throughout the land. I will sing your praises among the nations. Your kindness and love are as vast as the heavens. Your faithfulness is higher than the skies. Yes, be exalted, O God above the heavens. May your glory shine throughout the earth." Ps 57:8-11
You're thinking... "OK, Copyright infringement??" Well let's look at it this way. What is God's Goal? To draw all men to him. How does that happen? By them seeing his glory. How is he glorified? By his people declaring his praises. How do they declare praises? By giving credit where credit is due.
We need to be in the habit of giving praise to the Lord for EVERYTHING. We take so much for granted to begin with, and when we do think to praise him, it's mostly in our personal quiet time, or in our homes, or in the corporate worship setting.
It's great that we do it in those places, but if we don't go beyond that we are in danger. We are in danger of taking credit for his blessings. "I have this because I worked hard." "I did this, or that". We are also in danger of robbing the world of the opportunity to see his greatness; to see his glory. In essence we are robbing God of the objective of his creation.
I have a friend who can hardly say a sentence without the phrase, "...by the grace of God" or "because of his goodness..." Do you know what he's doing by these statements? He's singing God's praises to the nations!
Imagine how different things would be if giving God praise was a constant part of our day. Too often we wouldn't want to go this route because it's "weird". We'd be labeled as "one of those..." We have the wrong mindset. We NEED to be one of those. We need to be his workmanship for his purpose.
We have a Mission to Reach Our World for Christ. When we praise the Lord publicly for what he has done we are fulfilling our mission.
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
11.24.9 "Thanks"
"Thanks"
Ezekiel 47:1-48:35
1 Peter 2:11-3:9
Psalm 119:53-70
Proverbs 28:12-13
Thanksgiving is upon us! This year as we are celebrating Thanksgiving, let's make sure we don't only view the events that are to come in terms of "days off", or feasting, or even getting together with family. Let's really truly, from our hearts make this a week of giving thanks.
What is it about "Thank You"? Why do we say it? Because it's polite? It's more than that. The words "thank you" when spoken from the heart do an incredible work in us.
A "Thank You" puts us in a place of humility. When you give me something and I say "thank you", what I'm really saying is, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the one being "thanked" in a "higher place" or place of honor. It takes humility for one to truly be thankful.
The Friday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. Everyone's rushing to "get" stuff to "give". With that on the radar, it can be so easy to rush over the day of Thanksgiving. We should not forget in the busyness to remember to celebrate the Christmas season with a heart of Thanksgiving. What does that really mean? It means, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the One being thanked in a Higher place. A place of honor.
"He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly. He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross, so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on. For his wounds have healed ours!" I Peter 2:22-24
The words of the song "Once Again":
Jesus Christ, I look upon your sacrifice
You became nothing poured out to death
Many times I've wondered at Your gift of life
And I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again.
Once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
Thank you for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the Cross, my friend
Dear Lord Jesus, We pause to day in the midst of the lives that can be so busy & distracting, just to say, "Thank You!"
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Ezekiel 47:1-48:35
1 Peter 2:11-3:9
Psalm 119:53-70
Proverbs 28:12-13
Thanksgiving is upon us! This year as we are celebrating Thanksgiving, let's make sure we don't only view the events that are to come in terms of "days off", or feasting, or even getting together with family. Let's really truly, from our hearts make this a week of giving thanks.
What is it about "Thank You"? Why do we say it? Because it's polite? It's more than that. The words "thank you" when spoken from the heart do an incredible work in us.
A "Thank You" puts us in a place of humility. When you give me something and I say "thank you", what I'm really saying is, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the one being "thanked" in a "higher place" or place of honor. It takes humility for one to truly be thankful.
The Friday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. Everyone's rushing to "get" stuff to "give". With that on the radar, it can be so easy to rush over the day of Thanksgiving. We should not forget in the busyness to remember to celebrate the Christmas season with a heart of Thanksgiving. What does that really mean? It means, "you didn't have to do this, and yet you did. I didn't deserve this, and yet you went out of your way to do this for me." In essence it places the One being thanked in a Higher place. A place of honor.
"He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly. He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross, so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on. For his wounds have healed ours!" I Peter 2:22-24
The words of the song "Once Again":
Jesus Christ, I look upon your sacrifice
You became nothing poured out to death
Many times I've wondered at Your gift of life
And I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again.
Once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
Thank you for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the Cross, my friend
Dear Lord Jesus, We pause to day in the midst of the lives that can be so busy & distracting, just to say, "Thank You!"
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Monday, November 9, 2009
11.9.9 "Speak Out!"
"Speak Out!"
Ezekiel 20:1-49
Hebrew 9:13-28
Psalm 107:1-43
Proverbs 27:11
The study of the word is such an incredible way to get to know God. As we look at the full expanse of scripture we learn so much about his character. Too often we grab a "verse-for-the-day" to ease our conscience instead of taking the time to get into the word and get to know him! The only way you can get to know anyone is to spend time with them. What can be greater than spending time with God? Psalm 107 is a great chapter of encouragement to praise the Lord.
"Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies." vs 2
"He brought the exiles back from the farthest corners of the earth. They were wandering homeless in the desert, hungry and thirsty and faint. "Lord, help!" they cried, and he did! He led them straight to safety and a place to live. Oh, that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness, and for all of his wonderful deeds! For he satisfies the thirsty soul and fills the hungry soul with good." vs. 3-9
Have you been there? Thirsty of soul? Has God heard you?
"Who are these who sit in darkness, in the shadow of death, crushed by misery and slavery?... Then they cried to the Lord in their troubles, and he rescued them!... Oh, that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness and for all his wonderful deeds! For he broke down their prison gates of brass and cut apart their iron bars." v.10,13-16
Have you been in the prison of bondage? Are you free?
"Others, the fools, were ill because of their sinful ways... then they cried to the Lord in their troubles, and he helped them and delivered them. He spoke, and they were healed - snatched from the door of death. Oh that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness and for all of his wonderful deeds! Let them tell him "Thank you" as their sacrifice, and sing about his glorious deeds." vs. 17-22
Have you been in trouble because of your sin?
"And there were the sailors sailing the seven seas, plying the trade routes of the world. They, too, observe the power of God in action. He calls to the storm winds; the waves rise high. Their ships are tossed to the heavens and sink again to the depths; the sailors cringe in terror. They reel and stagger like drunkards and are at their wit's end. then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, and he saves them. He calms the storm and stills the waves. What a blessing is that stillness, as he brings them safely into harbor! Oh that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness and for all of his wonderful deeds! Let them praise him publicly before the congregation, and before the leaders of the nation." vs. 23-32
What's your story? What has God done for you? Anything? If so, Speak out! Have you ever heard a testimony that just made you wanna shout? Have you ever thought the fact that there's someone in your world who needs to hear your testimony? Your words could build their faith.
I was thinking that too often we think the "normal" thing is an easy-going life. Things should be all ok. Therefore, we don't rejoice in times of blessing. Trouble comes and we cry out to God, but the fact that we subconsciously think we deserve the blessing, or the freedom, or whatever, we don't rejoice the way we should. The truth is that in a life without God, TRIALS are normal! Stormy seas and bondage are a way of life.
If we would only open our mouth and declare how God has delivered us, others could turn to him! One of the Resources of our life is our testimony. What are we doing with that resource? Think of your blessings today. Your home. Your family. Your children. Your job. Which one of those things did not have a crisis at some point? Did God come through? What did you do with that testimony? Did you bury it in the ground? If you put it to work by praising the Lord and telling of his greatness, it WILL come back with a return. God will use your testimony for his Glory. "Good men everywhere will see it and be glad, while evil men are stricken silent." vs.42
Think of the heathen of this world. Our silence gives them ammunition. It gives them voice. It drives me crazy every time I hear one of those "billions of years ago..." type of statements on TV. Were anybody to speak up to refute it, they seem weird. Why? Because it's not normal to hear of the greatness of God.
"Say 'Thank you' to the Lord for being so good, for always being so loving and kind. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies."
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
Ezekiel 20:1-49
Hebrew 9:13-28
Psalm 107:1-43
Proverbs 27:11
The study of the word is such an incredible way to get to know God. As we look at the full expanse of scripture we learn so much about his character. Too often we grab a "verse-for-the-day" to ease our conscience instead of taking the time to get into the word and get to know him! The only way you can get to know anyone is to spend time with them. What can be greater than spending time with God? Psalm 107 is a great chapter of encouragement to praise the Lord.
"Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies." vs 2
"He brought the exiles back from the farthest corners of the earth. They were wandering homeless in the desert, hungry and thirsty and faint. "Lord, help!" they cried, and he did! He led them straight to safety and a place to live. Oh, that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness, and for all of his wonderful deeds! For he satisfies the thirsty soul and fills the hungry soul with good." vs. 3-9
Have you been there? Thirsty of soul? Has God heard you?
"Who are these who sit in darkness, in the shadow of death, crushed by misery and slavery?... Then they cried to the Lord in their troubles, and he rescued them!... Oh, that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness and for all his wonderful deeds! For he broke down their prison gates of brass and cut apart their iron bars." v.10,13-16
Have you been in the prison of bondage? Are you free?
"Others, the fools, were ill because of their sinful ways... then they cried to the Lord in their troubles, and he helped them and delivered them. He spoke, and they were healed - snatched from the door of death. Oh that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness and for all of his wonderful deeds! Let them tell him "Thank you" as their sacrifice, and sing about his glorious deeds." vs. 17-22
Have you been in trouble because of your sin?
"And there were the sailors sailing the seven seas, plying the trade routes of the world. They, too, observe the power of God in action. He calls to the storm winds; the waves rise high. Their ships are tossed to the heavens and sink again to the depths; the sailors cringe in terror. They reel and stagger like drunkards and are at their wit's end. then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, and he saves them. He calms the storm and stills the waves. What a blessing is that stillness, as he brings them safely into harbor! Oh that these men would praise the Lord for his loving-kindness and for all of his wonderful deeds! Let them praise him publicly before the congregation, and before the leaders of the nation." vs. 23-32
What's your story? What has God done for you? Anything? If so, Speak out! Have you ever heard a testimony that just made you wanna shout? Have you ever thought the fact that there's someone in your world who needs to hear your testimony? Your words could build their faith.
I was thinking that too often we think the "normal" thing is an easy-going life. Things should be all ok. Therefore, we don't rejoice in times of blessing. Trouble comes and we cry out to God, but the fact that we subconsciously think we deserve the blessing, or the freedom, or whatever, we don't rejoice the way we should. The truth is that in a life without God, TRIALS are normal! Stormy seas and bondage are a way of life.
If we would only open our mouth and declare how God has delivered us, others could turn to him! One of the Resources of our life is our testimony. What are we doing with that resource? Think of your blessings today. Your home. Your family. Your children. Your job. Which one of those things did not have a crisis at some point? Did God come through? What did you do with that testimony? Did you bury it in the ground? If you put it to work by praising the Lord and telling of his greatness, it WILL come back with a return. God will use your testimony for his Glory. "Good men everywhere will see it and be glad, while evil men are stricken silent." vs.42
Think of the heathen of this world. Our silence gives them ammunition. It gives them voice. It drives me crazy every time I hear one of those "billions of years ago..." type of statements on TV. Were anybody to speak up to refute it, they seem weird. Why? Because it's not normal to hear of the greatness of God.
"Say 'Thank you' to the Lord for being so good, for always being so loving and kind. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies."
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Saturday, October 31, 2009
10.31.9 "Undeserving"
"Undeserving"
Lamentations 4:1-5:22
Hebrews 2:1-18
Psalm 103:1-22
Proverbs 26:23
We all have expectations. When we walk into a store, we expect that employees will treat customers with respect. If we buy something, it will be in good working order. We should be satisfied. We paid for it, we deserve it.
What a blessing it is to serve God. "I bless the holy name of God with all my heart. Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me. He forgives all my sin. He heals me. He ransoms me from hell. He surrounds me with lovingkindness and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things! My youth is renewed like the eagle's! He gives justice to all who are treated unfairly." Ps 103:1-7
How do you feel reading that scripture? It's too easy to read all of that and say, "Boy, I sure am glad for all that!" and go on with the day. We can become callous to the blessing of salvation.
"He is merciful and tender toward those who don't deserve it; he is slow to get angry and full of kindness and love. He never bears a grudge, nor remains angry forever. He has not punished us as we deserve for all our sin, for his mercy toward those who fear and honor him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth." Ps 103:8-11
"those who don't deserve it..." Who is that? that's me. I walk in and out of the church doors at least a couple dozen times each week. I must be cautious lest I take for granted the grace God has given me. I should never walk into his presence as if I deserve to be there. I should not walk through life as if I deserve to be a child of God. I don't. All i deserve is the punishment for my sin. Praise the Lord, "he has not punished us as we deserve..."
I'm thankful that through the power of his blood we can boldly come before him. "He has removed our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west." Ps 103:12 He has made us pure. Even though we don't deserve it. "For he knows we are but dust, and that our days are few and brief, like grass, like flowers, blown by the wind and gone forever."
How does an individual live if they feel like they "deserve" God's favor? They make for tough customers. We had friends years ago who had a goal to get a free meal at a restaurant every time. They would try to find something to make a stink about. It was actually quite embarrassing. When asked about it, the comment was, "hey, I paid for this meal, and it's their job to keep us happy." Well, let's just say the waiters had their work cut out for them.
Do you know that it's not God's "job" to keep us happy? He has a purpose for all creation, and we are so blessed to be even thought of as part of the family. How awful to walk around in life as if "I paid for this Christianity, so I deserve better..."
Lord, I'm so thankful that you chose me to be one of your very own. I'm full of flaws and I've failed you many times, and yet your love for me just makes it all seem to disappear. Forgive me for times that I walk around as a spoiled child acting arrogant like I deserve your favor. I don't. Help me to walk daily in the humility of one who's been forgiven so much.
"Let everything everywhere bless the Lord. And how I bless him too!" Ps. 103:22
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
Lamentations 4:1-5:22
Hebrews 2:1-18
Psalm 103:1-22
Proverbs 26:23
We all have expectations. When we walk into a store, we expect that employees will treat customers with respect. If we buy something, it will be in good working order. We should be satisfied. We paid for it, we deserve it.
What a blessing it is to serve God. "I bless the holy name of God with all my heart. Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me. He forgives all my sin. He heals me. He ransoms me from hell. He surrounds me with lovingkindness and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things! My youth is renewed like the eagle's! He gives justice to all who are treated unfairly." Ps 103:1-7
How do you feel reading that scripture? It's too easy to read all of that and say, "Boy, I sure am glad for all that!" and go on with the day. We can become callous to the blessing of salvation.
"He is merciful and tender toward those who don't deserve it; he is slow to get angry and full of kindness and love. He never bears a grudge, nor remains angry forever. He has not punished us as we deserve for all our sin, for his mercy toward those who fear and honor him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth." Ps 103:8-11
"those who don't deserve it..." Who is that? that's me. I walk in and out of the church doors at least a couple dozen times each week. I must be cautious lest I take for granted the grace God has given me. I should never walk into his presence as if I deserve to be there. I should not walk through life as if I deserve to be a child of God. I don't. All i deserve is the punishment for my sin. Praise the Lord, "he has not punished us as we deserve..."
I'm thankful that through the power of his blood we can boldly come before him. "He has removed our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west." Ps 103:12 He has made us pure. Even though we don't deserve it. "For he knows we are but dust, and that our days are few and brief, like grass, like flowers, blown by the wind and gone forever."
How does an individual live if they feel like they "deserve" God's favor? They make for tough customers. We had friends years ago who had a goal to get a free meal at a restaurant every time. They would try to find something to make a stink about. It was actually quite embarrassing. When asked about it, the comment was, "hey, I paid for this meal, and it's their job to keep us happy." Well, let's just say the waiters had their work cut out for them.
Do you know that it's not God's "job" to keep us happy? He has a purpose for all creation, and we are so blessed to be even thought of as part of the family. How awful to walk around in life as if "I paid for this Christianity, so I deserve better..."
Lord, I'm so thankful that you chose me to be one of your very own. I'm full of flaws and I've failed you many times, and yet your love for me just makes it all seem to disappear. Forgive me for times that I walk around as a spoiled child acting arrogant like I deserve your favor. I don't. Help me to walk daily in the humility of one who's been forgiven so much.
"Let everything everywhere bless the Lord. And how I bless him too!" Ps. 103:22
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
8.18.9 "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
Saturday, August 15, 2009
8.15.9 "Slaves in the Land of Plenty"
"Slaves in the Land of Plenty"
Nehemiah 9:22 - 10:39
I Corinthians 9:20 - 10:14
Psalm 34:1-10
Proverb 21:13
The book of Nehemiah records a prayer of Ezra, in which he proclaims a covenant that all the people sign to declare their commitment to serve the Lord. He prayed this after reading the laws of the Lord, and proclaiming the history of his people. This is what he says in Neh. 9:35-36:
"They did not worship you despite the wonderful things you did for them and the great goodness you showered upon them. You gave them a large, fat land, but they refused to turn from their wickedness. So now we are slaves here in the land of plenty which you gave to our ancestors! Slaves among all this abundance!"
Reading this one can not help but think of the state of our nation, even the state of the church. We are slaves in the land of abundance. Specifically, I'm thinking in the area of finances.
Our family loves games. One of our games of choice is Monopoly. It's been a blast to see our daughter learn to count money and make change, etc. Parker Brothers and Visa have now partnered to release the new monopoly which has no cash, but comes with cute little credit cards, and a swipe machine that keeps track of what each player has and owes. What a "great" way to teach youth that debt is now a way of life... slaves in the land of plenty.
In I Corinthians Paul is talking about how we need to run to win. "In a race, everyone runs but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best." (I Cor. 9:24-25)
As a society, we're not known for denying ourselves anything. We want it, so we get it, regardless of if we have to go in debt to get it. We don't realize how this paralyzes us. Imagine if all Christians were debt free. About 10 years ago I had a friend tell me that Christians should be debt free. At the time I thought he was NUTS! But think about it! What would the state of the church be? How strong would the missions programs be? How strong would ministries be? How about taking care of the poor?
Proverbs 21:13 says, "He who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in his own time of need." Think about how being in debt shuts the ears to the needy. "I'd give, but I've got these payments..."
I Cor. 10:12-14 says, "So be careful. If you are thinking, 'Oh, I would never behave like that' - let this be a warning to you. For you too may fall into sin. but remember this - the wrong desires that come into your life aren't anything new and different. Many other have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says. He will show you how to escape temptation's power so that you can bear up patiently against it. So dear friends, carefully avoid idol-worship of every kind."
Let's throw off everything that entangles today! Christ died to bring us freedom, not bondage. Let's worship him with all that we have so we are no longer slaves in the land of plenty.
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
Nehemiah 9:22 - 10:39
I Corinthians 9:20 - 10:14
Psalm 34:1-10
Proverb 21:13
The book of Nehemiah records a prayer of Ezra, in which he proclaims a covenant that all the people sign to declare their commitment to serve the Lord. He prayed this after reading the laws of the Lord, and proclaiming the history of his people. This is what he says in Neh. 9:35-36:
"They did not worship you despite the wonderful things you did for them and the great goodness you showered upon them. You gave them a large, fat land, but they refused to turn from their wickedness. So now we are slaves here in the land of plenty which you gave to our ancestors! Slaves among all this abundance!"
Reading this one can not help but think of the state of our nation, even the state of the church. We are slaves in the land of abundance. Specifically, I'm thinking in the area of finances.
Our family loves games. One of our games of choice is Monopoly. It's been a blast to see our daughter learn to count money and make change, etc. Parker Brothers and Visa have now partnered to release the new monopoly which has no cash, but comes with cute little credit cards, and a swipe machine that keeps track of what each player has and owes. What a "great" way to teach youth that debt is now a way of life... slaves in the land of plenty.
In I Corinthians Paul is talking about how we need to run to win. "In a race, everyone runs but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best." (I Cor. 9:24-25)
As a society, we're not known for denying ourselves anything. We want it, so we get it, regardless of if we have to go in debt to get it. We don't realize how this paralyzes us. Imagine if all Christians were debt free. About 10 years ago I had a friend tell me that Christians should be debt free. At the time I thought he was NUTS! But think about it! What would the state of the church be? How strong would the missions programs be? How strong would ministries be? How about taking care of the poor?
Proverbs 21:13 says, "He who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in his own time of need." Think about how being in debt shuts the ears to the needy. "I'd give, but I've got these payments..."
I Cor. 10:12-14 says, "So be careful. If you are thinking, 'Oh, I would never behave like that' - let this be a warning to you. For you too may fall into sin. but remember this - the wrong desires that come into your life aren't anything new and different. Many other have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says. He will show you how to escape temptation's power so that you can bear up patiently against it. So dear friends, carefully avoid idol-worship of every kind."
Let's throw off everything that entangles today! Christ died to bring us freedom, not bondage. Let's worship him with all that we have so we are no longer slaves in the land of plenty.
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, July 4, 2009
7.4.9 "Freedom"
"Freedom"
2 Kings 23:31-25:30
Acts 22:17 - 23:10
Psalm 2:1-12
Proverbs 18:13
Happy 4th of July! We have so much to rejoice in this day. I hope that in this day of patriotic celebration we don't forget to celebrate our spiritual freedom. This makes total sense to us, but to many more than we like to admit, there's a different perspective. Unfortunately, many view freedom as the opportunity to rebel against God.
This is nothing new to God, though. Look at the reading from Psalm 2 today:
Psalm 2:1,3 "What fools the nations are to rage against the Lord! How strange that men should try to outwit God! 'Come, let us break his chains,' they say, 'and free ourselves from all this slavery to God.'"
For Christ followers, we know that when we are walking in obedience to God's commands, there is true freedom for the soul. We have two small dogs. They love to run around in the back yard. They're now to the point that I can let them do that without leashes because they "know" the boundaries. If they "rebel", they will only find themselves leashed once again. How's that for freedom? They love to go for rides in the car and beg me to roll their window down. Once I was making a quick trip to the gas station and Fozzie was enjoying the freedom of the window down so much he figured he should jump through it and see what that was like... Yes, he jumped out the window at 25mph... Not the smartest use of freedom. (He was confused, but fine...) Now I will not be able to trust him with complete freedom regarding the window...
We know that true freedom is found in right relationship with God. The great deception of sin is that there is freedom in rebellion. Not so. Freedom is only found in submission to the plan of God. Within those boundaries there is plenty of room to run free.
"O kings and rulers of the earth, listen while there is still time. Serve the Lord with reverent fear; rejoice with trembling... But oh, the joys of those who put their trust in him!" Psalm 2:10-12
A tremendous price was paid for our spiritual freedom, and for the freedom of this land.
The end of "Saving Private Ryan", a war movie, moved me to tears. It was the story of a soldier giving his life for the safe return of another. The final scene had a pose of the soldier looking over the dead body of the one who saved his life, then with special effects, he "aged" and it switched to him looking at the grave 50 years later. He made a statement something to the effect of "I have my family with me today... I'll never forget what you've done for me. I hope I've lived a life worthy of the price you paid."
This Independence Day, we each need to say the same thing as we pause to remember the white crosses in the field, and the cross of Christ. I pray that each of us will stand before the Lord someday and say, "I have my family with me today... I'll never forget what you've done for me. I hope I've lived a life worthy of the price you paid."
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 23:31-25:30
Acts 22:17 - 23:10
Psalm 2:1-12
Proverbs 18:13
Happy 4th of July! We have so much to rejoice in this day. I hope that in this day of patriotic celebration we don't forget to celebrate our spiritual freedom. This makes total sense to us, but to many more than we like to admit, there's a different perspective. Unfortunately, many view freedom as the opportunity to rebel against God.
This is nothing new to God, though. Look at the reading from Psalm 2 today:
Psalm 2:1,3 "What fools the nations are to rage against the Lord! How strange that men should try to outwit God! 'Come, let us break his chains,' they say, 'and free ourselves from all this slavery to God.'"
For Christ followers, we know that when we are walking in obedience to God's commands, there is true freedom for the soul. We have two small dogs. They love to run around in the back yard. They're now to the point that I can let them do that without leashes because they "know" the boundaries. If they "rebel", they will only find themselves leashed once again. How's that for freedom? They love to go for rides in the car and beg me to roll their window down. Once I was making a quick trip to the gas station and Fozzie was enjoying the freedom of the window down so much he figured he should jump through it and see what that was like... Yes, he jumped out the window at 25mph... Not the smartest use of freedom. (He was confused, but fine...) Now I will not be able to trust him with complete freedom regarding the window...
We know that true freedom is found in right relationship with God. The great deception of sin is that there is freedom in rebellion. Not so. Freedom is only found in submission to the plan of God. Within those boundaries there is plenty of room to run free.
"O kings and rulers of the earth, listen while there is still time. Serve the Lord with reverent fear; rejoice with trembling... But oh, the joys of those who put their trust in him!" Psalm 2:10-12
A tremendous price was paid for our spiritual freedom, and for the freedom of this land.
The end of "Saving Private Ryan", a war movie, moved me to tears. It was the story of a soldier giving his life for the safe return of another. The final scene had a pose of the soldier looking over the dead body of the one who saved his life, then with special effects, he "aged" and it switched to him looking at the grave 50 years later. He made a statement something to the effect of "I have my family with me today... I'll never forget what you've done for me. I hope I've lived a life worthy of the price you paid."
This Independence Day, we each need to say the same thing as we pause to remember the white crosses in the field, and the cross of Christ. I pray that each of us will stand before the Lord someday and say, "I have my family with me today... I'll never forget what you've done for me. I hope I've lived a life worthy of the price you paid."
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, May 9, 2009
5.9.9 "Leanness of Soul"
"Leanness of Soul"
1 Samuel 5:1-7:17
John 6:1-21
Psalm 106:13-31
Proverbs 14:32-33
Today's reading from Psalms is sad. The chapter starts out talking about the greatness of God, and how awesome it was that he delivered them from the bondage of Egypt. But listen to this:
"Yet how quickly they forgot again! They wouldn't wait for him to act, but demanded better food, testing God's patience to the breaking point. So he gave them their demands, but sent them leanness in their souls." (Ps106:13-14)
The scriptures that follow lay out the continuous cycle of the rebellion and waywardness of God's people.
It's verse 14 that sticks in my mind. "So he gave them their demands, but sent them leanness in their souls." I was thinking about how true that is. When we get what we want, there is something lacking inside of us.
Think of it like a spoiled child. If you've ever experienced a child who gets whatever they ask for, you notice something. Yes, they have a lot of stuff, but they're not happy. There's something lacking inside. Many times it's a matter of ungratefulness, or rudeness, but there's almost a "leanness of soul" that is visible.
How would you describe "leanness of soul"? It would be a life that's never satisfied. It would be a life that's self-centered and constantly looking for gratification. It would be a life that compromises moral standards for the sake of self. All of this would still result in an incredible emptiness that is beyond description. There would be an attempt to fill the void with more things, more food, medication, alcohol, noise, anything to hide the need.
That sounds a lot like the state of the world around us. As we meet people everyday we are looking into the eyes of people who are getting "what they want", and living life "my way", but they are experiencing leanness of soul.
I'm not just talking about people who don't know Christ. I think often the people of God do things their own way and find themselves outside the umbrella of God's pleasure, and it's a bad place to be.
Whenever we elevate our opinions or desires above the will of God, we are in danger of this. We risk the joy of hearing his voice. We risk the abundant life he has for us. In Deuteronomy it speaks of the danger of forgetting God when we are "fat" with his blessings. We must never take for granted the greatness of our God the way the Israelites did. We must humbly accept his will for our lives.
We must find our satisfaction in him. We must live in the blessing of his timing. We must rejoice in his provision, and allow his Spirit to fill our souls with abundant 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
1 Samuel 5:1-7:17
John 6:1-21
Psalm 106:13-31
Proverbs 14:32-33
Today's reading from Psalms is sad. The chapter starts out talking about the greatness of God, and how awesome it was that he delivered them from the bondage of Egypt. But listen to this:
"Yet how quickly they forgot again! They wouldn't wait for him to act, but demanded better food, testing God's patience to the breaking point. So he gave them their demands, but sent them leanness in their souls." (Ps106:13-14)
The scriptures that follow lay out the continuous cycle of the rebellion and waywardness of God's people.
It's verse 14 that sticks in my mind. "So he gave them their demands, but sent them leanness in their souls." I was thinking about how true that is. When we get what we want, there is something lacking inside of us.
Think of it like a spoiled child. If you've ever experienced a child who gets whatever they ask for, you notice something. Yes, they have a lot of stuff, but they're not happy. There's something lacking inside. Many times it's a matter of ungratefulness, or rudeness, but there's almost a "leanness of soul" that is visible.
How would you describe "leanness of soul"? It would be a life that's never satisfied. It would be a life that's self-centered and constantly looking for gratification. It would be a life that compromises moral standards for the sake of self. All of this would still result in an incredible emptiness that is beyond description. There would be an attempt to fill the void with more things, more food, medication, alcohol, noise, anything to hide the need.
That sounds a lot like the state of the world around us. As we meet people everyday we are looking into the eyes of people who are getting "what they want", and living life "my way", but they are experiencing leanness of soul.
I'm not just talking about people who don't know Christ. I think often the people of God do things their own way and find themselves outside the umbrella of God's pleasure, and it's a bad place to be.
Whenever we elevate our opinions or desires above the will of God, we are in danger of this. We risk the joy of hearing his voice. We risk the abundant life he has for us. In Deuteronomy it speaks of the danger of forgetting God when we are "fat" with his blessings. We must never take for granted the greatness of our God the way the Israelites did. We must humbly accept his will for our lives.
We must find our satisfaction in him. We must live in the blessing of his timing. We must rejoice in his provision, and allow his Spirit to fill our souls with abundant 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
Friday, April 17, 2009
4.17.9 "Ain't No God Like Mine"
"Ain't No God Like Mine!"
Joshua 15:1-63
Luke 18:18-43
Psalm 86:1-17
Proverbs 13:9-10
As kids there was always a "my dad's tougher than yours" conversation at some point or another. My dad was a hockey coach, so I had a lot of clout in that area. Of course those conversations are motivated by pride, and not the healthiest thing to get involved in as they usually lead to a fight in some form or another, which proves today's Proverb true: "Pride leads to conflict..." (Prov. 13:10)
Reading today's Psalm, we get that "my God's tougher than yours" feeling. "Where among the heathen gods is there a god like you? Where are their miracles?" (Ps 86:3) What a great line! Where are their miracles? There is no god like our God! He is awesome his power is unending. As much as we've experienced, we can only comprehend a portion of his greatness.
Everyone's going to know it, though. "All the nations - and you made each one - will come and bow before you, Lord, and praise your great and holy name. For you are great, and do great miracles. You alone are God." (Ps 86:9-10)
We serve an awesome God! We need to think about that. We need to acknowledge his greatness. We need to respond in worship. How do we worship? With our lives.
"Tell me where you want me to go and I will go there. May every fiber of my being unite in reverence to your name. With all my heart I will praise you. I will give glory to your name forever, for you love me so much! you are constantly so kind! You have rescued me from deepest hell." (Ps 86:11-13)
I love that line "May every fiber of my being unite in reverence to your name." What would our day be like if we lived like that? If every fiber of my being united in reverence to his name, I would obey his commands, I would walk in unity, I would study his Word, I would use the gifts he's given me for his glory.
I would Live the DREAM!
Today's reading from Joshua is one that you probably don't have memorized. It lays out the allotment for the tribe of Judah in the promised land. It lists the boundaries on all sides, and then goes on to list the hundreds of cities & surrounding villages that were conquered, and allotted to them.
Ok, be honest... did you read each name of each city? I caught myself skipping over a few verses because i caught the "gist" of what was going on. As I was doing that, I realized I was skipping over answered prayer. The cities that are listed are the result of the unbelievable trials and miracles that God's people went through. This was the promise.
It made me stop to think if I'm doing the same thing in my life. Do I skip over the "details" of the great things God has done for me. "yeah, yeah, yeah... my God is better than any other... I got the gist...." That's not how we should be! We should be listing the great things God has done!
In Luke 18:35-43 the blind man is crying out to Jesus, and Jesus asks him, "'What do you want me to do for you?' 'Lord,' he said, 'I want to see!'" Jesus healed him, and verse 43 says, "Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too."
The healing of the blind man is a bit more exciting to us than the list of cities. Yet both are a sign of an awesome God. What do you have to praise God for today? I have health! I have provision.
God is GREAT! There ain't NO god like mine!
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
Joshua 15:1-63
Luke 18:18-43
Psalm 86:1-17
Proverbs 13:9-10
As kids there was always a "my dad's tougher than yours" conversation at some point or another. My dad was a hockey coach, so I had a lot of clout in that area. Of course those conversations are motivated by pride, and not the healthiest thing to get involved in as they usually lead to a fight in some form or another, which proves today's Proverb true: "Pride leads to conflict..." (Prov. 13:10)
Reading today's Psalm, we get that "my God's tougher than yours" feeling. "Where among the heathen gods is there a god like you? Where are their miracles?" (Ps 86:3) What a great line! Where are their miracles? There is no god like our God! He is awesome his power is unending. As much as we've experienced, we can only comprehend a portion of his greatness.
Everyone's going to know it, though. "All the nations - and you made each one - will come and bow before you, Lord, and praise your great and holy name. For you are great, and do great miracles. You alone are God." (Ps 86:9-10)
We serve an awesome God! We need to think about that. We need to acknowledge his greatness. We need to respond in worship. How do we worship? With our lives.
"Tell me where you want me to go and I will go there. May every fiber of my being unite in reverence to your name. With all my heart I will praise you. I will give glory to your name forever, for you love me so much! you are constantly so kind! You have rescued me from deepest hell." (Ps 86:11-13)
I love that line "May every fiber of my being unite in reverence to your name." What would our day be like if we lived like that? If every fiber of my being united in reverence to his name, I would obey his commands, I would walk in unity, I would study his Word, I would use the gifts he's given me for his glory.
I would Live the DREAM!
Today's reading from Joshua is one that you probably don't have memorized. It lays out the allotment for the tribe of Judah in the promised land. It lists the boundaries on all sides, and then goes on to list the hundreds of cities & surrounding villages that were conquered, and allotted to them.
Ok, be honest... did you read each name of each city? I caught myself skipping over a few verses because i caught the "gist" of what was going on. As I was doing that, I realized I was skipping over answered prayer. The cities that are listed are the result of the unbelievable trials and miracles that God's people went through. This was the promise.
It made me stop to think if I'm doing the same thing in my life. Do I skip over the "details" of the great things God has done for me. "yeah, yeah, yeah... my God is better than any other... I got the gist...." That's not how we should be! We should be listing the great things God has done!
In Luke 18:35-43 the blind man is crying out to Jesus, and Jesus asks him, "'What do you want me to do for you?' 'Lord,' he said, 'I want to see!'" Jesus healed him, and verse 43 says, "Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too."
The healing of the blind man is a bit more exciting to us than the list of cities. Yet both are a sign of an awesome God. What do you have to praise God for today? I have health! I have provision.
God is GREAT! There ain't NO god like mine!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
12.16.8 "Next Door to Contentment"
"Next Door to Contentment"
Micah 5:1-7:20
Revelation 7:1-17
Psalm 135:1-21
Proverbs 30:5-6
Where do you live? You will probably answer with a town, an intersection, or a distance from a common landmark or location. But I'm not talking about your house or your neighborhood, but where do we live in proximity to contentment? Is contentment a long way off? near? I think so many times we live our lives "next door" to contentment. The amazing thing is that it has nothing to do with how much or how little one has. It has nothing to do with wealth or poverty. It has nothing to do with sickness or health. It has nothing to do with joy or sorrow. It's about where you live.
An individual with $100 to their name can live comfortably in contentment while the millionaire lives next door to it. Or, it can be the other way around.
What's the difference? In Micah we see a description. "You will eat but never have enough; hunger pangs and emptiness will still remain. And though you try and try to save your money, it will come to nothing at the end, and what little you succeed in storing up I'll give to those who conquer you! You will plant crops but not harvest them; you will press out the oil from the olives, and not get enough to anoint yourself! You will trample the grapes, but get no juice to make your wine." Micah 6:14-15
In context, this portion of scripture is the judgment on those who've sinned against the Lord. Isn't that a description of our world today? In Psalm 135:15-18 it says, "The heathen worship idols of gold and silver, made by men - idols with speechless mouths and sightless eyes and ears that cannot hear; they cannot even breathe. Those who make them become like them! And so do all who trust in them!"
We're surrounded by a society of people who've become like the idols they've made. They live with speechless mouths and sightless eyes and ears that cannot hear. Because of this idolatry, there are so many who live next door to contentment. Actually, some live miles away. But what can be expected? The word says those who make the idols become like them.
Contrast that with the picture in Revelation 7:16-17 "They will never be hungry again, nor thirsty, and they will be fully protected from the scorching noontime heat. For the Lamb standing in front of the throne will feed them and be their Shepherd and lead them to the springs of the Water of Life. And God will wipe their tears away."
Contentment is found in Christ. Our ultimate goal is to be in uninhibited communion with the Creator of the Universe. In His presence is fullness of joy.
In this Christmas season, the schedule may be busy, the finances may be stressful, but take the time to live in contentment. Our God has given us so much. There's no way we can fathom his greatness. More stuff, less stuff, more time, less time, none of that has to affect our contentment. We don't have to live "next door" to it. We can live in it.
Paul says to Timothy "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothin gout. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition." (I Tim 6:7-10)
Invite contentment into your home. It isn't something the you have to "wait until I get..." It can come wherever you are. We have been blessed with a beautiful home. But it doesn't come with a "contentment package". Contentment has nothing to do with surroundings and whether they are miserable or comfortable. Contentment has everything to do with the state of the heart and realizing that God always provides enough.
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
Micah 5:1-7:20
Revelation 7:1-17
Psalm 135:1-21
Proverbs 30:5-6
Where do you live? You will probably answer with a town, an intersection, or a distance from a common landmark or location. But I'm not talking about your house or your neighborhood, but where do we live in proximity to contentment? Is contentment a long way off? near? I think so many times we live our lives "next door" to contentment. The amazing thing is that it has nothing to do with how much or how little one has. It has nothing to do with wealth or poverty. It has nothing to do with sickness or health. It has nothing to do with joy or sorrow. It's about where you live.
An individual with $100 to their name can live comfortably in contentment while the millionaire lives next door to it. Or, it can be the other way around.
What's the difference? In Micah we see a description. "You will eat but never have enough; hunger pangs and emptiness will still remain. And though you try and try to save your money, it will come to nothing at the end, and what little you succeed in storing up I'll give to those who conquer you! You will plant crops but not harvest them; you will press out the oil from the olives, and not get enough to anoint yourself! You will trample the grapes, but get no juice to make your wine." Micah 6:14-15
In context, this portion of scripture is the judgment on those who've sinned against the Lord. Isn't that a description of our world today? In Psalm 135:15-18 it says, "The heathen worship idols of gold and silver, made by men - idols with speechless mouths and sightless eyes and ears that cannot hear; they cannot even breathe. Those who make them become like them! And so do all who trust in them!"
We're surrounded by a society of people who've become like the idols they've made. They live with speechless mouths and sightless eyes and ears that cannot hear. Because of this idolatry, there are so many who live next door to contentment. Actually, some live miles away. But what can be expected? The word says those who make the idols become like them.
Contrast that with the picture in Revelation 7:16-17 "They will never be hungry again, nor thirsty, and they will be fully protected from the scorching noontime heat. For the Lamb standing in front of the throne will feed them and be their Shepherd and lead them to the springs of the Water of Life. And God will wipe their tears away."
Contentment is found in Christ. Our ultimate goal is to be in uninhibited communion with the Creator of the Universe. In His presence is fullness of joy.
In this Christmas season, the schedule may be busy, the finances may be stressful, but take the time to live in contentment. Our God has given us so much. There's no way we can fathom his greatness. More stuff, less stuff, more time, less time, none of that has to affect our contentment. We don't have to live "next door" to it. We can live in it.
Paul says to Timothy "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothin gout. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition." (I Tim 6:7-10)
Invite contentment into your home. It isn't something the you have to "wait until I get..." It can come wherever you are. We have been blessed with a beautiful home. But it doesn't come with a "contentment package". Contentment has nothing to do with surroundings and whether they are miserable or comfortable. Contentment has everything to do with the state of the heart and realizing that God always provides enough.
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, November 27, 2008
11.27.8 "All We Need"
"All We Need"
Daniel 4:1-37
2 Peter 1:1-21
Psalm 119:96-112
Proverbs 28:17-18
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are having a great day celebrating the Great things God has done!
"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires." (2 Peter 1:3-4)
Imagine that! God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life! When we realize what he's given us, it compels us to respond. Peter gives us a strategy:
"In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone." (2 Peter 1:5-6)
"The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins." (2 Peter 1:8-9)
On this day of giving thanks, lets remember that we have been cleansed from our sins, and respond not only by giving thanks, but in growing in Christ and growing in love for one another.
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
Daniel 4:1-37
2 Peter 1:1-21
Psalm 119:96-112
Proverbs 28:17-18
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are having a great day celebrating the Great things God has done!
"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires." (2 Peter 1:3-4)
Imagine that! God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life! When we realize what he's given us, it compels us to respond. Peter gives us a strategy:
"In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone." (2 Peter 1:5-6)
"The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins." (2 Peter 1:8-9)
On this day of giving thanks, lets remember that we have been cleansed from our sins, and respond not only by giving thanks, but in growing in Christ and growing in love for one another.
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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