4.1.12 "One of those Days!"

"One of those Days!"

Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20
Luke 9:28-50
Psalm 73:1-28
Proverbs 12:10

There are days when it seems like there's nothing the devil throws at you can touch you. The storm rages around, but you're joyful, filled with peace, and faith, and excited about what God is doing.

Then there are those "other" days! There are those days where we just about slide off the edge into the "pit of despair". I don't really need to describe them any better than the Psalmist did:

"How good God is to Israel -- to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping and I was almost gone. For I was envious of the prosperity of the proud and wicked. Yes, all through life their road is smooth! They grow sleek and fat. They aren't always in trouble and plagued with problems like everyone else, so their pride sparkles like a jeweled necklace, and their clothing is woven of cruelty! These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! They scoff at God and threaten his people. How proudly they speak! They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut through the earth.

"And so God's people are dismayed and confused, and drink it all in. 'Does God realize what is going on?' they ask. 'Look at these men of arrogance; they never have to lift a finger - theirs is a life of ease; and all the time their riches multiply.'" (Ps 73:1-12)

Have ya been there?

"Have I been wasting my time? Why take the trouble to be pure? All I get out of it is trouble and woe - everyday and all day long! If I had really said that, I would have been a traitor to your people. Yet it is so hard to explain it - this prosperity of those who hate the Lord." (v.13-16)

If you're like me, I feel really guilty when I'm having one of "those" days. It is like a trap. When you start thinking like that, you get snared by self-pity. There's a draw to it. Why take the trouble to be pure?

Listen to where the healthy perspective comes from:

"Then one day I went into God's sanctuary to meditate, and thought about the future of these evil men. What a slippery path they are on - suddenly God will send them sliding over the edge of the cliff and down to their destruction: an instant end to all their happiness, an eternity of terror. Their present life is only a dream! They will awaken to the truth as one awakens from a dream of things that never really were! " (vs. 17-20)

The importance of meditating in God's sanctuary cannot be overstated. We gain understanding, truth and balance from spending time with God. He gives us the perspective we need. Often when we do that we see things as they really are.

"When I saw this, what turmoil filled my heart! I saw myself so stupid and so ignorant; I must seem like an animal to you, O God. But even so, you love me! You are holding my right hand! You will keep on guiding me all my life with your wisdom and counsel; and afterwards receive me into the glories of heaven! Whom have I in heaven but you? And I desire no one on earth as much as you! My health fails; my spirits droop, yet God remains! he is the strength of my heart he is mine forever!

"But those refusing to worship God will perish, for he destroys those serving other gods.

"But as for me, I get as close to him as I can! I have chosen him and I will tell everyone about the wonderful ways he rescues me." (vs.21-28)

It doesn't make a difference how the wicked prosper. God's truth remains. His love for us is ever-abounding in spite of our moments of ignorance.

Gain the proper perspective by spending time with him today! Be Empowered through Biblical Training! Walk in Obedience and live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship, and do it all with your purpose in mind: Mission to Reach our World for Christ!


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

3.19.12 "A Tepee and a Wigwam"

"A Tepee and a Wigwam"

Numbers 28;16-29:40
Luke 3:23-38
Psalm 62:1-12
Proverbs 11:18-19

A guy has recurring dreams that keep him up all night. This goes on for a while, so he finally goes to the doctor. "Doctor, I don't know what my problem is. I have these dreams and I can't get any sleep!" The doctor says, "What's happening in your dreams?" "Well, they're weird. In one dream I'll be a tepee. I'll wake up from that one, and in the next one I'm a wigwam. It's driving me crazy!" The doctor says, "That's easy. You're two 'tents'!" (too tense... get it?) It's never good when it has to be explained...)

Today's reading in Psalm says, "Yes, he alone is my Rock, my rescuer, defense and fortress - why then should I be tense with fear when troubles come?" (62:6)

Tension in our life can be a sign that we don't believe what we say we believe. If we trust God and are walking in obedience, he will carry us through, right? So why all the tension?

Notice the verse says "when" troubles come, and not "if" troubles come. Troubles will come. They will challenge us. They will require more surrender, obedience, and passion for God than ever before, but our response should not be fear.

Fear can come from the internal or subconscious belief that "I" am the one to fix this. "I" have to figure this out. If it does depend on us and our strength, then we have good reason to fear. But that's not the way it works.

"My protection and success come from God alone. He is my refuge, a Rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust him all the time. Pour out your longings before him, for he can help!" (Ps 62:7-8)

What's heavy on your heart today? Pour out your longings before him. Get out of the "tent-tion" of the Tepee and the Wigwam. Trust that he will carry you through. He will guide you. You may not see the plan that he has around the corner, but know that it's "to prosper and not to harm you" (Jer 29:11).

Trusting in God is a discipline. It is part of being "Empowered through Biblical Training". As we discover the nature of God through disciplined study of the Word, we see his greatness, his goodness, and his strength. Knowing this compels us to trust in him.



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

3.13.12 "The Place I Need to Be"

"The Place I Need to Be"

Numbers 19:1-20:29
Luke 1:1-25
Psalm 56:1-13
Proverbs 11:8

There can be times when it seems like the "long-term" battles never are going to end. So what do we do? Is it time to begin to doubt God? Time to move in our own strength? We know how that's going to turn out.

Psalm 56:3-4 says, "But when I am afraid, I will put my confidence in you. Yes, I will trust the promises of God. And since I am trusting him, what can mere man do to me?"

That last sentence is the place i need to be. "Since I am trusting him, what can mere man do to me?" What does it take to get to this place? Dying to the flesh that has to occur. We need to be a "Dead Man Walking".

If it were only as easy as saying "I'm a dead man walking". All conflict is the result of unmet need. Sometimes these needs can be overwhelming. They become the most important thing in our mind, and they consume us. So what do we do?

The first thing is to remember that God sees it all. "You have seen me tossing turning through the night. You have collected all my tears and preserved them in your bottle! You have recorded every one in your book." (v.8) I think many times we don't see results, so we come to the conclusion that God doesn't see, hear, or know what's going on. We couldn't be more wrong. He records every tear.

The next thing is to call for God. "The very day I call for help, the battle turns. My enemies flee! This one thing I know: God is for me!" (v.9) Call out to God! He can deliver you. You may not see an instant victory, but down in the depths of the battle, the tide is turning.

Through it all, we need to Trust in him. "I am trusting God - oh, praise his promises! I am not afraid of anything mere man can do to me! Yes, praise his promises." (10-11)

Stay faithful to what he has called you to do. "I will surely do what I have promised, Lord, and thank you for your help." (12)

I need to be in the place where there's nothing that can throw me off the course the Lord has laid out. I must remain faithful. I must trust him. I must call out to him. The Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is not something that is only possible in absence of conflict and trial, it's something that is built in conflict and trial. It's only in those times that I can get to the place I need to be.



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

Pastor Greg Lathe

Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ

2.18.12 "Trust in the Lord"

"Trust in the Lord"

Leviticus 6:1-7:27
Mark 3:7-30
Psalm 37:1-11
Proverbs 10:3-4

"Never envy the wicked! Soon they fade away like grass and disappear. Trust in the Lord instead." Ps 37:1

Sometimes life doesn't seem fair. Sometimes it looks like the blessings get misdirected and land on the wicked. Our flesh so many times wants to say, "Hey, I deserve..." It's 'natural' for us to want things for ourselves... Of course, by 'natural' I mean "human nature", not godliness. When we succumb to the lure of envy, we actually pull ourself away from the place of peace.

"Be kind and good to others; then you will live safely here in the land and prosper, feeding in safety. Be delighted with the Lord. Then he will give you all your heart's desires." Ps 37:3-4

There's something that begins to happen within us when we take the path of kindness and goodness instead of envy and selfishness. There's a transformation that begins when we delight in the Lord. We find that our heart's desires align with his.

"Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it and he will." vs. 5

We too often try to carry too much on our own. We blaze our own trail. We carry our own weight. There is such peace and safety when we place it in the hands of the creator of the universe. When we place it in his hands, we can live with renewed intensity knowing that he will be faithful to carry us through.

"Your innocence will be clear to everyone. He will vindicate you with the blazing light of justice shining down as from the noonday sun. Rest in the Lord; wait patiently for him to act. Don't be envious of evil men who prosper. Stop your anger! Turn off your wrath. Don't fret and worry - it only leads to harm. For the wicked shall be destroyed, but those who trust the Lord shall be given every blessing. Only a little while and the wicked shall disappear. You will look for them in vain." vs. 6-10

These verses have incredibly powerful meaning when you're going through a situation in where there are false accusations or even misunderstanding. It is in our human nature to want to stand and defend ourselves. We want to shout our innocence. We want to retaliate. The path that we must take, however is leaving it in God's hands. Vindication comes through him, and him alone. I love the thought of justice being a blazing light shining down as from the noonday sun. Though the enemy may use the darkness of confusion and deception, the Light of God's Truth will shine forth. This is a supernatural phenomenon that we must wait for and rely on.

"But all who humble themselves before the Lord shall be given every blessing and shall have wonderful peace." vs. 11

The life of humility is the way to go! the Lord is fighting the battles, bringing peace and blessing, and providing for every need!

Place your Trust in the Lord he will NEVER fail you!



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

Pastor Greg Lathe

Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ

2.11.12 "Don't Take Another Step"

"Don't Take Another Step"

Exodus 32:1-33:23
Matthew 26:69-27:14
Psalm 33:1-11
Proverbs 8:33-36

Moses has been up on Mount Saini receiving the 10 commandments. It was taking a while, so the people got impatient, and decided to create their own god in the form of an idol. Needless to say, that didn't go over to well with God. In Exodus 33:3, the Lord tells Moses, "Go up to this land that flows with milk and honey. But I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn and rebellious people. If i did, I would surely destroy you along the way."

In Verse 15 it says, "For Moses had said, 'If you aren't going with us, don't let us move a step from this place. If you don't go with us, who will ever know that I and my people have found favor with you, and that we are different from any other people upon the face of the earth?'"

I love to tell the story about when my daughter was little. We would stand at the edge of the driveway and "practice" not going into the street. If she would step over the line, she would get in trouble. I wanted to train her that it was not safe to step into the street without holding my hand. She was very good at this. I'll never forget that first time on a Wednesday night she ran across the church driveway without thinking. Thankfully there were no cars coming, but I'll never forget the awful feeling I had as I watched her run out on her own into danger.

I imagine that's the way the Lord feels when we "run out" in our own strength. I'm sure his heart breaks to see our ignorance about the danger that we put ourselves in. Sure, there may not be a car coming at the moment, but that almost makes it worse. We start to think, "Hey, I can do this on my own." Our hearts become more independent, and we walk outside of the covering of God. We don't hold his hand.

Just as Moses prayed, I need to depend on the Lord. In this age of grace and blessing, it can be easy to begin to move in my own strength. The world around me needs to see me living in the favor of the Lord. They need to see that we're different.

The Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is a life moving with the Lord. Staying in his Word trains us to hear his voice. Walking with him equips us to fulfill our Mission to Reach Our World for Christ. Each day we need to cry out to God to walk with us, to hold our hand.



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

1.22.12 "What Are You Looking At?"

"What Are You Looking At?"

Genesis 44:1-45:28
Matthew 14:13-36
Psalm 18:37-50
Proverbs 4:11-13

If you want to walk on water, quit looking at the waves.

Today's reading from Matthew is a familiar story. Jesus sends the disciples across the lake.

Starting in verse 24 it says, "Night fell, and out on the lake the disciples were in trouble. For the wind had risen and they were fighting heavy seas. About four o'clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water! They screamed in terror, for they thought he was a ghost. But Jesus immediately spoke to them, reassuring them. 'Don't be afraid!' he said. Then Peter called to him: 'Sir, if it is really you, tell me to come over to you, walking on the water.'"

Peter then walks toward Jesus. Verse 30 says, "But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me Lord!' He shouted. Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and rescued him. 'O man of little faith,' Jesus said. 'Why did you doubt me?' And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped."

There is such incredible teaching from God's Word. Look at how the progression of this story gives us a life lesson:

It caught my attention how Jesus sent them across the lake, and as night fell the storm started. It wasn't until 4 in the morning that Jesus came out to them. We know God has a plan for our lives. Too often we think that if we walk in obedience to the plan there wont be any storms. That's not the case at all. Storms will happen. Storms do not negate the fact that we are doing what we are called to do.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the storm that when Jesus comes to us in the midst of it, we don't even recognize him. The storms of life can make so much 'noise' that we don't hear the voice that says, "Do not be afraid!"

We need to develop a full understanding of the fact that God doesn't just want us to "survive" the storm, he wants us to experience miracles through it. The circumstances of the storm did not change when Jesus told Peter to step out in faith. The waves didn't die down before he did it.

Too often, the waves keep us in the boat. We hear God speaking to us & we say, "That's ridiculous!" We miss the opportunity to experience the miracle.

What happens to Peter is a life lesson to us all. He steps out in obedience, but he takes his eyes off Jesus. Then he begins to sink.

What are you looking at today? The Master or the waves? With our eyes on Jesus, we can have a victory that is beyond belief. Maybe your eyes have been on the waves, and you can feel yourself sinking. All you have to do is cry out, "Save me, Lord!" the scripture says, "Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and rescued him." Jesus will do the same for you.

Take note that after Peter cried out to the Lord it didn't say, "Instantly the storm stopped." Yes, Jesus took his hand but the storm didn't stop until they were back in the boat. Often I think we get the mentality that if we cry out to God the waves of circumstance around us should change immediately. There are times that may happen, but what really should change is our heart. Our faith should grow. What should happen is that we shouldn't care if there are waves our not. We are in his hand.

We need to keep our eyes on Jesus. The storms are different for each one of us, but that doesn't change the principle of keeping our eyes on Jesus. The Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship is a life of obedience.

What are you looking at?




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

1.8.12 "Why Worry?"

"Why Worry?"

Genesis 18:16-19:38
Matthew 6:25-7:14
Psalm 8:1-9
Proverbs 2:6-15

Today's excerpt in Matthew 6:25-34 is a message that is very easy to understand, but for some reason difficult for many to put into practice.

"Don't worry about things..."

Sounds simple doesn't it? Why do we find it hard to keep from worry? Jesus tries to get us to further understand: "Look at the birds! They don't worry about what to eat - they don't need to sow or reap or store up food - for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are."

What do we think we can accomplish by worrying? "Will all your worries add a single moment to your life?"

"And why worry about your clothes? Look at the field lilies! They don't worry about theirs. Yet King Solomon in all his glory was not clothed as beautifully as they. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you, O men of little faith?"

Why do you think Jesus spent time talking about this? Why is it important?

He says something that shows what the problem is: "Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them."

Here's what the problem is with worry. When we are caught up in worry, we are living as if God is not in control. When we worry about situations, we are living as if the answers come from us, as if we could manipulate things to turn out the way we want.

It sounds harsh, but the root of worry is selfishness. When I worry, it's all about me. I'm concerned that my comfort zone may be threatened.

Living a life without worry is living in complete surrender to God's plan & provision. It's knowing that all things come from him, and are for his glory.

"But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to."

"So don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time."

Lord, I give you first place today. Whatever you have for me is what I will pursue. I set myself apart to hear your voice. You will take care of the rest!


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

12.17.11 "Where to Go"

"Where to Go"

Nahum 1:1-3:19
Revelation 8:1-13
Psalm 136:1-26
Proverbs 30:7-9

Just a simple thought this morning. "The Lord is good. When trouble comes, he is the place to go! And he knows everyone who trusts in him!" Nahum 1:7

The Lord is good. Too many people question that. There is a deep down lack of understanding of the goodness of God. He has our best interest in mind. It doesn't make a difference what circumstances are around us. Psalm 136:1 says, "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his lovingkindness continues forever." This Psalm reiterates that phrase several times. No matter what happens around us, His love endures forever!

He knows that we are not healthy if we are limited to our comfort. "When" trouble comes... notice it doesn't say "if" trouble comes. There will be hard times. Every single difficulty is an opportunity to grow in our relationship with the Lord.

...he is the place to go! As we are trained in knowing God, we need to understand the principle of going to God. Too often we finally end up at God because nothing else worked. He needs to be our first location, our place of first instruction. When we don't go to him, we can too often make a bad situation horrible.

And he knows everyone who trusts in him. Does God know me? Does God know I trust in him? I've heard the great saying before: "You don't know God is all you need until He's all you have." I like that saying, but is that when you show you trust him? Is that when you develop that? No, it's each and every day. It's the discipline of getting into his word. It's knowing Him. Trusting him. Growing in him. Then when the trouble comes, you are ready. You already know where to go because you've been there. You know where to lead others to go.

Building the trusting relationship with the Lord is what strengthens the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship. It comes through being Empowered through Biblical Training.

What a privilege to have a place to go!


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 

12.13.11 "The Trap"

"The Trap"

Obadiah 1:1-21
Revelation 4:1-11
Psalm 132:1-18
Proverbs 29:24-25

If you had to pinpoint one of the main things that keeps one from living a life of radical obedience, what would it be? What keeps you from boldly doing what God has called you to do?

I'd have to guess that most of the time it's the fear of what people think. Prov. 29:25 says, "Fear of man is a dangerous trap, but to trust in God means safety."

What is so dangerous about the trap of fear of man? It is a subtle lure into the Mediocre Christian Life. Scripture says that God is looking for anyone through whom to make his name great. Many times, though, we hear God leading us, but we reason it out in our mind. "You don't want me to speak to that one, God, they'll think I'm weird..." This fear of rejection causes us to miss an opportunity to make His name great.

In all actuality, the fear of man leads to a "victim" mentality. We ultimately are motivated by what others may or may not "do" to us. Therefore we measure our success and failure by what man may think.

Trusting in God is a different story. When trusting in God, the results are totally different. The only question we have to answer is: Was I obedient? The results may vary. In tomorrow's One-Year-Bible reading we read about Jonah. There's a story of obedience and disobedience. Sure there are times when obedience may cause us to "drop in the polls" of man's opinion, but there is safety in knowing we are right with God.

One thing you notice from a believer who lives a life of radical obedience: The truly obedient believer gains favor with God AND man. The life of obedience is marked with humility. Humility is NOT a "low self-esteem". Humility is proper understanding of who we are in Christ. It's not an "I'm not good enough" attitude, it's an "I can do all things through Christ attitude."

What safety there is in trusting God. We know that all we have to worry about is walking in obedience to him. The rest will all fall into place. This makes the Lifestyle of Worship Dynamic!



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 

11.20.11 "The Peace of Proper Perspective"

"The Peace of Proper Perspective"

Ezekiel 40:28-41:26
James 4:1-17
Psalm 118:19-29
Proverbs 28:3-5

It's human nature to celebrate individuals who have vision. We love to hear the success stories of people who have forged their own way. Those who have been driven to create a new invention or discover new territory. Everyone is unique. Some people are very driven and goal oriented. Others are frustrated because they feel like they have no goals.

God places desires in our heart for a purpose. While it's important to have dreams, it is even more important to realize that those dreams are subject to God's direction at all times. Sometimes it's easy to get so goal focused and caught up in figuring things out on our own that we leave God out of the picture.

"Look here, you people who say, 'Today or tomorrow we are going to such and such a town, stay there a year, and open up a profitable business.' How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog - now you see it; soon it is gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we shall live and do this or that.' Otherwise you will be bragging about your own plans, and such self-confidence never pleases God." James 4:13-16

There's a part of us that wants to get everything figured out. We want to know the plan. We want to force it through at times. Sometimes we wrestle through difficult decisions, and in all of this we forget about the will and direction of the Lord.

There's a discipline of thought that needs to happen in the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship. In 2 Chronicles Jehoshaphat approaches a difficult situation with the phrase, "we don't know what to do, but our eyes are on you." The Lord would desire that to be our position in all circumstances. Complete dependence on Him. This does not mean that we are an indecisive people, but we are constantly subjecting our plans to his will. "If the Lord allows, we're doing this."

Why is it so important to take this posture? It's because is brings about humility. We truly subject ourselves to the Lord's leading. Too often what happens is I make a decision on my own, and you know what, things seem to work out. Then the next time I have more confidence in myself, then I make another decision... it doesn't take long before inquiring of the Lord is not even a part of the equation.

People don't necessarily "plan" on growing farther from the Lord, but it can easily happen because of this problem. Reliance on self. "...and such self-confidence never pleases God."

It's stressful trying to pave your own way. But think of the peace that comes with complete reliance on the Lord. There's a calm assurance in all things that He is in control. He will work things out. This perspective is the way we should live as we mature in Christ.



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 

11.12.11 "What makes God Proud"

"What makes God Proud"

Ezekiel 24:1-26:21
Hebrews 11:1-16
Psalm 110:1-7
Proverbs 27:14

Hebrews 11:16 "And now God is not ashamed to be called their God..." What a verse!! Can you imagine that verse written about you? What would precede a verse like that?

11:4 - "By faith Abel..." 11:5 - "By faith Enoch..." 11:7 - "By faith Noah..." 

Hebrews 11 is called the "faith chapter". This chapter speaks of great men and women throughout the old testament who trusted God. I don't mean trusted God in small ways. They built an ark, walked with God, moved to new countries and many more huge things. How could this happen? They KNEW God.

When you get to know someone, it takes a little bit of time. There are times when we get to know a little bit of something about someone and we base the relationship on that. We get in trouble because that can be a shallow understanding of who that person is, and we miss getting to REALLY know them.

The same is true with the Lord. Too often He will teach us something, and we'll think "that's cool" and go on as if we've now got him figured out. That's exactly how our relationship gets cold and stale. Our relationship with the Lord needs to be on the edge of discovery at all times. How do we cultivate that? Living the wild life of faith!

Verse 6 says, "You can never please God without faith, without depending on him."

Faith is such an intimidating thing. In verse 1 it says, "What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead."

It can be difficult to live in the realm of that "confident assurance". Because it isn't easy, we can just think, "I'm not wired as a person of faith... I don't have what it takes to be an Abraham, Moses, etc..." and we then excuse ourselves from this list of great believers.

We need to realize that those great men & women of faith had the same temptations we do. Look at verse 15: "If they had wanted to, they could have gone back to the good things of this world."

Too often it's easy to think that great men and women of faith don't have the temptation to quit. Sometimes we don't give up, but we feel SO guilty that we're tempted to give up, that we paralyze ourselves from doing anything. We see the "good" things of the world and it seems to much more comfortable... so much easier.

What makes the difference? verse 16 says, "But they didn't want to. They were living for heaven." Living for heaven. That takes discipline of thought. It's a different priority system. It's a faith that it's worth standing strong. It's a belief that it's worth it to step out in obedience even when the circumstances seem impossible. It's a mindset that consumes every part of life. It constrains us from compromise and shallow living.

I don't want God to be ashamed to be called my God. I want to be living for heaven every moment of every day. I want to experience the moving of his hand. For that to happen, I must step out in obedience in every area of my life. 



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 

11.1.11 "The Root of Rebellion"

"The Root of Rebellion"

Ezekiel 1:1-3:15
Hebrews 3:1-19
Psalm 104:1-24
Proverbs 26:24-26

Are you a rebel? What is a rebel? We think of rebellious children who thumb their nose at their parent and do their own thing. I think of a time when I thought I'd impress my dad by putting my hair in a ponytail and putting on a gaudy clip-on earring. He looked up from his desk and said. "You look stupid." That was pretty much the end of that. What is rebellion? Well, we know it has something to do with an attitude toward authority. 

"But now is the time. Never forget the warning, 'Today if you hear God's voice speaking to you, do not harden your hearts against him, as the people of Israel did when they rebelled against him in the desert.'" Hebrews 3:15

Those rebels in the desert. Remember that? From this verse we see that the people rebelled against God by hardening their hearts when he would speak to them. We live in quite a rebellious age. Hundreds and thousands of people hear the good news each week, and yet live their lives unchanged. Their hearts become hardened. 

How does the heart become hard? Is it a conscious thought? "You know what? Today I'm going to harden my heart." Where does it come from? 

Let's look at where it came from in the "Desert Rebels":

"And who were those people I speak of, who heard God's voice speaking to them, but then rebelled against him? They were the ones who came out of Egypt with Moses their leader." vs. 16 

Can you imagine walking across the Red Sea? That would be pretty unforgettable. Most of us have seen some kind of depiction of it through the special effects of a movie and we have some context to compare it to. But these people couldn't have seen anything close to this. It was absolutely AMAZING! How Awesome!!! But... it was these people who rebelled. 

Vs 17-20: "And who was it who made God angry for all those forty years? These same people who sinned and as a result died in the wilderness. And to whom was God speaking when he swore an oath that they could never go into the land he had promised his people? He was speaking to all those who disobeyed him. And why couldn't they go in?..." 

You ready? Here's the root of rebellion... it's coming...

Can you imagine making God angry for forty years? Walking through the Red Sea, and then dying in the desert because of your sin? What could cause this? What horrible act???? What could enter the heart of a man that could cause him to be so foolish??

Here it is. Verse 19: "And why couldn't they go in? Because they didn't trust him." 

The root of rebellion is a lack of trust. Lack of trust is the door through which the awful stench of rebellion comes in. 

Why is it that so many hear the Good News, and walk away unchanged? Because they don't trust God. They perceive that there is some flaw in this great plan of His. Lack of trust is the first step in the hardening of the heart. 

What about me? I know God has told me to do something. I'm hesitant though. I don't feel like I can do it. I feel like I don't have the skills. I'm worried about what people will think. Guess what these excuses are: Lack of trust. 

Living a life of radical trust would be an awesome thing. To know each day that when God speaks to our heart, we jump headlong into what he commands. But, we tend to be a hard-hearted people. 

This lack of trust in God is one of the greatest hinderances to the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship. Lack of trust causes us to worry. It causes us to try to mathematically figure things out on our own. All of that clogs the communication lines of heaven. It separates us from God. It is sin. 

Lord, forgive me for my lack of trust in you. You've done awesome things in my life. In salvation you brought me through the Red Sea and out of the Slavery of my sin. That is an incredible miracle, one far greater than anything I can imagine. Help me to trust you more. Help me to recognize that my excuses open the door to my rebellion. Forgive me Lord. Help me to realize that when I don't trust those you've placed in authority over me, I'm opening the door to rebellion as well. Help me to radically live for you!



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

Pastor Greg Lathe

Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
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Mission to Reach our World for Christ