"If I Did it My Way..."
Exodus 30:11-31:18
Matthew 26:47-68
Psalm 32:1-11
Proverbs 8:27-32
"Boy if I'd had it to do all over again..." Ever heard that before? (or have you said it?) Because each and every moment of life is really made up of choices, we have plenty of opportunity to second guess and reconsider, and maybe even have some regrets for choices that have been made in the past. Wouldn't it be great to just KNOW what to do in every situation so that there would be no regret?
Some choices we make we don't really have to think about. For a while, I drove a manual transmission pick-up. When I first got it, I would really pay attention when the right time to shift was. After a while, I didn't even have to think about it. In more spiritual terms, there are choices that should become automatic as well. "Hey buddy, wanna go out drinkin'?" Well, that should be a no-brainer.
What about in times of crisis or trial when there's a split second decision to make. Will it be the right choice?
Matthew 26 describes the setting in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus is being arrested. Judas enters the garden with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. He greets Jesus with a kiss. "Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest's slave, slashing off his ear. 'Put away your sword,' Jesus told him. 'Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don't you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?" Matt. 26:50-54
In essence, Jesus is saying, "I could do it my way, but it wouldn't align with God's Word."
I've heard the song, "He Could have called ten thousand angels..." many times before, but in reading this passage this time, I was captured by the fact that Jesus knew the scriptures well enough that it caused him to react according to scripture, and not his own drive for self-preservation.
What an incredible challenge that is to us. I'm sure we've been in those situations where we send out a 911 emergency prayer, "God what should I do?"... I wonder how many times God feels like saying, "You should know what to do because I put the principles in my Word."
What a tragedy to read the Word only to find the way you "should" have done things when we have every opportunity to preemptively prepare for each and every decision by knowing the truth of the word.
Psalm 32:8 says, "The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.'" By investing his Word into our own lives, we are in tune with His direction.
So, in the choices you face today, you can do it your way, but does it align with God's Word? How do you know?
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 Wisdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wisdom. Show all posts
Friday, February 10, 2012
Friday, July 23, 2010
7.23.10 "The Seed that Always Grows"
"The Seed that Always Grows"
2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19
Romans 8:9-23
Psalm 18:16-34
Proverbs 19:26
In the One Year Bible reading today, we read through a couple chapters in 2 Chronicles. Through the course of this portion of scripture, we go through quite a contrast in Israel. Compare these two excerpts:
The Queen of Sheba is saying to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 9:5, "everything I heard about you in my own country is true! I didn't believe it until I got here and saw it with my own eyes. Your wisdom is far greater than I could ever have imagined. What a privilege for these men of yours to stand here and listen to you talk! Blessed be the Lord your God! How he must love Israel to give them a just king like you! He wants them to be a great, strong nation forever."
After Rehoboam succeeds Solomon, 2 Chronicles 10:19 "And Israel has refused to be ruled by a descendant of David to this day."
What happened?!
2 things: Pride & Compromise
We have to look into I Kings to get more of the story. Here's the scenario:
Solomon is successful. In 2 Chronicles 8:15, "Solomon did not deviate in any way from David's instructions." This was concerning the building of the temple. Great! but what about what we read in I Kings 11:1,4 "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women... his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been."
As a result of this, later in I Kings 11 we meet Jeroboam who Solomon puts in charge of much of the labor force. The prophet Ahijah prophecies that because of Solomon's compromise the Kingdom of Israel will be torn apart. the Lord promises Jeroboam will be a blessed leader, and have a dynasty as that of David if he follows after the Lord. Solomon tries to kill him, but he hides in Egypt until Solomon's death.
Then there's Rehoboam, Solomon's son. He has the chance to win the hearts of the people. In 2 Chronicles 10, because of his pride, he rejects the wisdom of Solomon's advisors, and the tribes of Israel turn their backs on him & refuse to follow the house of David anymore.
What a disaster! What a disgrace to the name of the Lord God of Israel. Where did all this start??
It started in Solomon's compromise.
How can we apply this to our lives??
Solomon was MOSTLY obedient. Sometimes we fall into the same trap. For example, we can really make things look good on the outside by doing work for the kingdom. Doing everything our leader asks us to do, Just as Solomon did what David commanded in regards to the temple. This may give us "enough" of a sense of accomplishment that we think the things that are hidden will go unnoticed.
But it's the seed that always grows. There will be a consequence to partial obedience. Maybe it's like the case of Rehoboam. The motivation is pride that causes us to go without heeding the spiritual advisors around us. We'll do it OUR way. There will always be a consequence to that as well.
It's important that we understand how urgent it is to make sure we are totally pure before God. We live in danger each moment we linger with hidden high places of pride and compromise.
Jeroboam blew it too. He caused the people to worship idols as well.
God has a great plan for us. It's full of promise like it was for each of these leaders. The terms of this promise are dependent on "if you obey all I command."
Our sinful nature drives us to compromise. "So, dear brothers, you have no obligations whatever to your old sinful nature to do what it begs you to do. For if you keep on following it you are lost and will perish, but if through the power of the Holy Spirit you crush it and its evil deeds, you shall live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:12-14)
Do that today. Be led by the Spirit. Live in full obedience of all God commands. If you find the seeds of pride and compromise, allow God to weed them out of your life, or they will grow!
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 Chronicles 8:11-10:19
Romans 8:9-23
Psalm 18:16-34
Proverbs 19:26
In the One Year Bible reading today, we read through a couple chapters in 2 Chronicles. Through the course of this portion of scripture, we go through quite a contrast in Israel. Compare these two excerpts:
The Queen of Sheba is saying to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 9:5, "everything I heard about you in my own country is true! I didn't believe it until I got here and saw it with my own eyes. Your wisdom is far greater than I could ever have imagined. What a privilege for these men of yours to stand here and listen to you talk! Blessed be the Lord your God! How he must love Israel to give them a just king like you! He wants them to be a great, strong nation forever."
After Rehoboam succeeds Solomon, 2 Chronicles 10:19 "And Israel has refused to be ruled by a descendant of David to this day."
What happened?!
2 things: Pride & Compromise
We have to look into I Kings to get more of the story. Here's the scenario:
Solomon is successful. In 2 Chronicles 8:15, "Solomon did not deviate in any way from David's instructions." This was concerning the building of the temple. Great! but what about what we read in I Kings 11:1,4 "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women... his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been."
As a result of this, later in I Kings 11 we meet Jeroboam who Solomon puts in charge of much of the labor force. The prophet Ahijah prophecies that because of Solomon's compromise the Kingdom of Israel will be torn apart. the Lord promises Jeroboam will be a blessed leader, and have a dynasty as that of David if he follows after the Lord. Solomon tries to kill him, but he hides in Egypt until Solomon's death.
Then there's Rehoboam, Solomon's son. He has the chance to win the hearts of the people. In 2 Chronicles 10, because of his pride, he rejects the wisdom of Solomon's advisors, and the tribes of Israel turn their backs on him & refuse to follow the house of David anymore.
What a disaster! What a disgrace to the name of the Lord God of Israel. Where did all this start??
It started in Solomon's compromise.
How can we apply this to our lives??
Solomon was MOSTLY obedient. Sometimes we fall into the same trap. For example, we can really make things look good on the outside by doing work for the kingdom. Doing everything our leader asks us to do, Just as Solomon did what David commanded in regards to the temple. This may give us "enough" of a sense of accomplishment that we think the things that are hidden will go unnoticed.
But it's the seed that always grows. There will be a consequence to partial obedience. Maybe it's like the case of Rehoboam. The motivation is pride that causes us to go without heeding the spiritual advisors around us. We'll do it OUR way. There will always be a consequence to that as well.
It's important that we understand how urgent it is to make sure we are totally pure before God. We live in danger each moment we linger with hidden high places of pride and compromise.
Jeroboam blew it too. He caused the people to worship idols as well.
God has a great plan for us. It's full of promise like it was for each of these leaders. The terms of this promise are dependent on "if you obey all I command."
Our sinful nature drives us to compromise. "So, dear brothers, you have no obligations whatever to your old sinful nature to do what it begs you to do. For if you keep on following it you are lost and will perish, but if through the power of the Holy Spirit you crush it and its evil deeds, you shall live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:12-14)
Do that today. Be led by the Spirit. Live in full obedience of all God commands. If you find the seeds of pride and compromise, allow God to weed them out of your life, or they will grow!
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, January 20, 2010
1.20.10 "Know the Word"
"Know the Word"
Genesis 41:17-42:17
Matthew 13:24-46
Psalm 18:1-15
Proverbs 4:1-6
"Young men, listen to me as you would to your father. Listen, and grow wise, for I speak the truth - don't turn away... [My father] told me never to forget his words. 'If you follow them,' he said, 'you will have a long and happy life. Learn to be wise,' he said,' and develop good judgment and common sense! I cannot overemphasize this point.' Cling to wisdom - she will protect you. Love her - she will guard you." Prov. 4:1-6 (TLB)
Have you ever tried to convince someone the urgency of something and they just didn't get it? It can be as simple as, "if you don't put a coat on, you'll be sorry". Or, it can be more urgent. "I'd turn off the breaker before changing that light switch..."
Today's proverb uses the phrase, "I cannot overemphasize this point". We desperately need Godly wisdom. Godly wisdom comes from the Word. We must be Empowered Through Biblical Training. How are you doing with your bible reading? Most make some kind of commitment at the beginning of the year. Sometimes a day is missed, discouragement sets in, and the goal is given up.
To not be in the Word daily means that one doesn't understand the urgency.
We need to be sure of what the Word says because of the "thorns" around us. In Matthew, Jesus tells the parable of a farmer who has sown seed. His enemy came and planted thistles. "The farmer's men came and told him, 'Sir, the field where you planted that choice seed is full of thistles!... Shall we pull out the thistles?' 'No,' he replied. 'You'll hurt the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest, and I will tell the reapers to sort out the thistles and burn them...'"
Worldliness is all around us. Sometimes it's tough to tell what's "wheat" and what's "thistle". Knowing the Word brings clarity. Knowing the Word helps us know God. Jesus says in verses 40-43 "Just as in this story the thistles are separated and burned, so shall it be at the end of the world: I will send my angels and they will separate out of the Kingdom every temptation and all who are evil, and throw them into the furnace and burn them. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the godly shall shine as the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Let those with ears, listen!"
Knowing the future as revealed in the word should place upon our hearts the urgency to be in the word. The enemy doesn't want us in the word.
"Death bound me with chains, and the floods of ungodliness mounted a massive attack against me." Ps. 18:4
The word is our defense. What foolishness to think we can stand against that in our own strength. We need to be fortified in the Word.
Being Empowered Through Biblical Training produces fruit in every area of life. Through time in the word the power of the Spirit grows in us. After all Joseph had been through, listen to Pharaoh's comments about him. "As they discussed who should be appointed for the job, Pharaoh said, 'Who could do it better than Joseph? For he is a man who is obviously filled with the Spirit of God.'" (Gen 41:38)
As we become who God has created us to be, the world will see that we are "obviously filled with the Spirit of God."
This is a game "for keeps". This is a big deal. There are so many excuses of why not to read the word. They all pale in comparison to the real urgency of the situation. We need to KNOW God! We need to KNOW his Word!!
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
Genesis 41:17-42:17
Matthew 13:24-46
Psalm 18:1-15
Proverbs 4:1-6
"Young men, listen to me as you would to your father. Listen, and grow wise, for I speak the truth - don't turn away... [My father] told me never to forget his words. 'If you follow them,' he said, 'you will have a long and happy life. Learn to be wise,' he said,' and develop good judgment and common sense! I cannot overemphasize this point.' Cling to wisdom - she will protect you. Love her - she will guard you." Prov. 4:1-6 (TLB)
Have you ever tried to convince someone the urgency of something and they just didn't get it? It can be as simple as, "if you don't put a coat on, you'll be sorry". Or, it can be more urgent. "I'd turn off the breaker before changing that light switch..."
Today's proverb uses the phrase, "I cannot overemphasize this point". We desperately need Godly wisdom. Godly wisdom comes from the Word. We must be Empowered Through Biblical Training. How are you doing with your bible reading? Most make some kind of commitment at the beginning of the year. Sometimes a day is missed, discouragement sets in, and the goal is given up.
To not be in the Word daily means that one doesn't understand the urgency.
We need to be sure of what the Word says because of the "thorns" around us. In Matthew, Jesus tells the parable of a farmer who has sown seed. His enemy came and planted thistles. "The farmer's men came and told him, 'Sir, the field where you planted that choice seed is full of thistles!... Shall we pull out the thistles?' 'No,' he replied. 'You'll hurt the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest, and I will tell the reapers to sort out the thistles and burn them...'"
Worldliness is all around us. Sometimes it's tough to tell what's "wheat" and what's "thistle". Knowing the Word brings clarity. Knowing the Word helps us know God. Jesus says in verses 40-43 "Just as in this story the thistles are separated and burned, so shall it be at the end of the world: I will send my angels and they will separate out of the Kingdom every temptation and all who are evil, and throw them into the furnace and burn them. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the godly shall shine as the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Let those with ears, listen!"
Knowing the future as revealed in the word should place upon our hearts the urgency to be in the word. The enemy doesn't want us in the word.
"Death bound me with chains, and the floods of ungodliness mounted a massive attack against me." Ps. 18:4
The word is our defense. What foolishness to think we can stand against that in our own strength. We need to be fortified in the Word.
Being Empowered Through Biblical Training produces fruit in every area of life. Through time in the word the power of the Spirit grows in us. After all Joseph had been through, listen to Pharaoh's comments about him. "As they discussed who should be appointed for the job, Pharaoh said, 'Who could do it better than Joseph? For he is a man who is obviously filled with the Spirit of God.'" (Gen 41:38)
As we become who God has created us to be, the world will see that we are "obviously filled with the Spirit of God."
This is a game "for keeps". This is a big deal. There are so many excuses of why not to read the word. They all pale in comparison to the real urgency of the situation. We need to KNOW God! We need to KNOW his Word!!
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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