"Not in the Church!?"
Hosea 6:1-9:17
3 John 1:1-15
Psalm 126:1-6
Proverbs 29:12-14
Why do you think so much of the New Testament spends so much time talking about loving one another & our relationships with one another? Shouldn't it be that because we all know God we walk in harmony & peace?
Oh if it were only that easy. In John's 3rd letter, he's commending his friend Gaius for his life of integrity, and also for the way he takes care of the traveling teachers & missionaries. He has some words for another fellow, however.
"I sent a brief letter to the church about this, but proud Diotrephes, who loves to push himself forward as the leader of the Christians there, does not admit my authority over him and refuses to listen to me. When I come I will tell you some of the things he is doing and what wicked things he is saying about me and what insulting language he is using. He not only refuses to welcome the missionary travelers himself, but tells others not to, and when they do he tries to put them out of the church. Dear friend, don't let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do what is right prove that they are God's children; and those who continue in evil prove that they are far from God."
This doesn't sound like a very good scripture to take a devotional from does it? Think about how John was someone who had SEEN JESUS! Most of the people in the early church had not. John's authority was clearly established, and yet there was this lack of unity.
What causes this? It's when opinions become out of control. Now, I don't know Diotrephes. I only know what was said about him here. All I can tell is this: He had an agenda, and he didn't want anyone to mess with it, and didn't want others to mess with it.
This couldn't happen in the church could it?? It can if we are not careful to keep opinions in check, and in line with God appointed authority. This can be harder than it seems. God has placed so many different personalities in the Body of Christ, that we are bound to want to do things different. Two Sunday School teachers teaching the same lesson can want to approach it from different angles, and it can potentially be a really divisive issue. Why? Because we think that our idea is the only way.
This is why the principle of Relationships Devoted to Unity is Submission. We must "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." My opinion is not greater than yours, yours is not greater than mine. When there are disagreements, they must fall under the authority structure God has put in place. This is very hard to do in a "vote them off the island" culture.
This is extremely hard to do. My friend said to me, "If the Church can't get it's act together internally, how can we shine outside properly?" the heart of "preferring one another" at all times is crucial. Honoring our leaders is essential.
We should guard our hearts from the power of uncontrolled opinion. We should guard one another from opinions getting out of control. This is how we live a righteous life devoted to unity.
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, December 7, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
12.6.7 "Why Live the DREAM?"
"Why Live the DREAM?"
Hosea 4:1-5:15
2 John 1:1-13
Psalm 125:1-5
Proverbs 29:9-11
Each morning the "DEVO" ends with the phrase "Through the Power of the Spirit, Live the DREAM". How important is it that we Live the DREAM? What does it mean? Why is it important? Today is kind of a refresher as well as a challenge.
As you know, DREAM is merely an acrostic that helps us remember the 5 elements necessary to live the Balanced Christian Life:
-Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship represents our relationship with the Lord which is our worship. This is our fellowship with Him. The highest form of worship is obedience.
-Relationships Devoted to Unity is how we should live in fellowship with one another, completely devoted and committed to unity. Submission is the principle of unity.
-Empowered Through Biblical Training represents discipleship. The principle is Discipline. We need to discipline ourselves to the alignment of God's Word.
-Active Ministry Involvement represents our stewardship of the gifts God has given us. The principle of this is Responsibility.
-Mission to Reach our World for Christ is our Purpose. This is the aim of all we do, to draw others to Christ.
Why the refresher? Because too often the tools that God places in our hands become too "common" to us. We too easily forget the daily impact that God's word needs to have on our lives. The reality of this is brought out in Hosea 4:1-3:
"Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel. The Lord has filed a lawsuit against you listing the following charges: There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land. You swear and lie and kill and steal and commit adultery. There is violence everywhere, with one murder after another. That is why your land is not producing; it is filled with sadness, and all living things grow sick and die; the animals, the birds, and even the fish begin to disappear."
Doesn't that sound like where we live today? Well the reality comes in at verse 4:
"Don't point your finger at someone else, and try to pass the blame to him! Look, priest, I am pointing my finger at you."
It's so easy for me to sit back and look at how bad the world is getting, and not realize that I need to take responsibility for it. What kind of impact do you think the church would have if believers were living the Balanced Christian Life?
Just look at Empowered Through Biblical Training. verse 6 says, "My people are destroyed because they don't know me, and it is all your fault, you priests, for you yourselves refuse to know me;"
I often use the phrase, "The world is desperate for you to be who God created you to be." What is the desperation? To know God! If they don't know God, it's because I don't know God!
I want to be careful here, and not open the door to condemnation. That's not a part of who God wants us to be. But, we do need to take Responsibility (A) for what God has placed in our hands. Our influence. Our Purpose (M).
The book of 2 John is a short letter to a woman named Cyria. He speaks of this woman in high regard: "To: that dear woman Cyria, one of God's very own, and to her children whom I love so much, as does everyone else in the church." (2 John 1:1) verse 4 says, "How happy I am to find some of your children here, and to see that they are living as they should, following the Truth, obeying God's command."
This woman is making an impact as she is becoming who God has created her to be. There is fruit.
John also encourages her in the area of unity. "And now I want to urgently remind you, dear friends, of the old rule God gave us right from the beginning, that Christians should love one another. If we love God, we will do whatever he tells us to. And he has told us from the very first to love each other." (1:5-6) This must be a priority.
In verse 9, John refers to the discipline of aligning to God's word (E). "For if you wander beyond the teaching of Christ, you will leave God behind;" Too often the philosophies of the world drive us instead of the principles of scripture.
Why Live the DREAM? Psalm 125:1 says, "Those who trust in the Lord are as steady as Mount Zion, unmoved by any circumstance." As we live our lives guided by the principles of God's word, we become stable. This is a huge need in our world today. If you notice, the court systems are losing the stability of truth. What the verdicts are showing is that "In this circumstance, the law means this.... In this circumstance, the law means that..." Instead of aligning the circumstance to truth, we align truth to the circumstance.
My heart burns with the urgency that I become who God has created me to be. God has given me this life to use for His glory. All of my energy and focus need to be to this end. I need to Live the DREAM!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Hosea 4:1-5:15
2 John 1:1-13
Psalm 125:1-5
Proverbs 29:9-11
Each morning the "DEVO" ends with the phrase "Through the Power of the Spirit, Live the DREAM". How important is it that we Live the DREAM? What does it mean? Why is it important? Today is kind of a refresher as well as a challenge.
As you know, DREAM is merely an acrostic that helps us remember the 5 elements necessary to live the Balanced Christian Life:
-Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship represents our relationship with the Lord which is our worship. This is our fellowship with Him. The highest form of worship is obedience.
-Relationships Devoted to Unity is how we should live in fellowship with one another, completely devoted and committed to unity. Submission is the principle of unity.
-Empowered Through Biblical Training represents discipleship. The principle is Discipline. We need to discipline ourselves to the alignment of God's Word.
-Active Ministry Involvement represents our stewardship of the gifts God has given us. The principle of this is Responsibility.
-Mission to Reach our World for Christ is our Purpose. This is the aim of all we do, to draw others to Christ.
Why the refresher? Because too often the tools that God places in our hands become too "common" to us. We too easily forget the daily impact that God's word needs to have on our lives. The reality of this is brought out in Hosea 4:1-3:
"Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel. The Lord has filed a lawsuit against you listing the following charges: There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land. You swear and lie and kill and steal and commit adultery. There is violence everywhere, with one murder after another. That is why your land is not producing; it is filled with sadness, and all living things grow sick and die; the animals, the birds, and even the fish begin to disappear."
Doesn't that sound like where we live today? Well the reality comes in at verse 4:
"Don't point your finger at someone else, and try to pass the blame to him! Look, priest, I am pointing my finger at you."
It's so easy for me to sit back and look at how bad the world is getting, and not realize that I need to take responsibility for it. What kind of impact do you think the church would have if believers were living the Balanced Christian Life?
Just look at Empowered Through Biblical Training. verse 6 says, "My people are destroyed because they don't know me, and it is all your fault, you priests, for you yourselves refuse to know me;"
I often use the phrase, "The world is desperate for you to be who God created you to be." What is the desperation? To know God! If they don't know God, it's because I don't know God!
I want to be careful here, and not open the door to condemnation. That's not a part of who God wants us to be. But, we do need to take Responsibility (A) for what God has placed in our hands. Our influence. Our Purpose (M).
The book of 2 John is a short letter to a woman named Cyria. He speaks of this woman in high regard: "To: that dear woman Cyria, one of God's very own, and to her children whom I love so much, as does everyone else in the church." (2 John 1:1) verse 4 says, "How happy I am to find some of your children here, and to see that they are living as they should, following the Truth, obeying God's command."
This woman is making an impact as she is becoming who God has created her to be. There is fruit.
John also encourages her in the area of unity. "And now I want to urgently remind you, dear friends, of the old rule God gave us right from the beginning, that Christians should love one another. If we love God, we will do whatever he tells us to. And he has told us from the very first to love each other." (1:5-6) This must be a priority.
In verse 9, John refers to the discipline of aligning to God's word (E). "For if you wander beyond the teaching of Christ, you will leave God behind;" Too often the philosophies of the world drive us instead of the principles of scripture.
Why Live the DREAM? Psalm 125:1 says, "Those who trust in the Lord are as steady as Mount Zion, unmoved by any circumstance." As we live our lives guided by the principles of God's word, we become stable. This is a huge need in our world today. If you notice, the court systems are losing the stability of truth. What the verdicts are showing is that "In this circumstance, the law means this.... In this circumstance, the law means that..." Instead of aligning the circumstance to truth, we align truth to the circumstance.
My heart burns with the urgency that I become who God has created me to be. God has given me this life to use for His glory. All of my energy and focus need to be to this end. I need to Live the DREAM!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
P Greg
Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
12.5.7 "We Got What it Takes"
"We Got What it Takes"
Hosea 1:1-3:5
I John 5:1-21
Psalm 124:1-8
Proverbs 29:5-8
You've heard the phrase "Attitude is Everything". There's a great deal of truth in that. When tackling a project it makes a big difference when you approach it as if it can be accomplished or not. Have you ever been involved in a project with someone who always says, "This is never going to work"? They're not much fun to be around, are they?
Too often in the Christian's life we walk around as if the task is too great. There's no way we can do this. It's the "Proximity Principle". It's how the giant seems biggest when you're close to it. We need to realize that even if we're standing eyeball to kneecap to the giant, we STILL have what it takes to win.
"Loving God means doing what he tells us to do, and really, that isn't hard at all; for every child of God can obey him, defeating sin and evil pleasure by trusting Christ to help him. But who could possibly fight and win this battle except by believing that Jesus is truly the Son of God?" (I John 5:3-5)
Don't you love that phrase, "...and really, that isn't hard at all..." If we are living the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship by walking in Obedience, we walk equipped. There's no doubt, no fear, no question. God has given us what we need.
We are equipped to live a fulfilling life. "So whoever has God's Son has life; whoever does not have his Son, does not have life." I John 5:12 There's no reason that the believer needs to walk around feeling sorry for himself. I need to look inside to the one who lives within me who has called me to do what I am doing, and realize that the giants in front of me are object lessons in my school of faith building.
So what if I'm tired. I need to be refreshed in the Spirit. So what if I'm sick. God will restore.
You know what else we are equipped for? Answered prayer. "And we are sure of this, that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we really know he is listening when we talk to him and make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us." I John 5:14-15
We can't do anything in our own strength. "If the Lord had not been on our side (let all Israel admit it), if the Lord had not been on our side, we would have been swallowed alive by our enemies, destroyed by their anger." Psalm 124:1-3
Let's have a victorious day! A victorious week! A victorious life! We have what it takes to live the DREAM! We have Christ! We have the Power of the Spirit!
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
Hosea 1:1-3:5
I John 5:1-21
Psalm 124:1-8
Proverbs 29:5-8
You've heard the phrase "Attitude is Everything". There's a great deal of truth in that. When tackling a project it makes a big difference when you approach it as if it can be accomplished or not. Have you ever been involved in a project with someone who always says, "This is never going to work"? They're not much fun to be around, are they?
Too often in the Christian's life we walk around as if the task is too great. There's no way we can do this. It's the "Proximity Principle". It's how the giant seems biggest when you're close to it. We need to realize that even if we're standing eyeball to kneecap to the giant, we STILL have what it takes to win.
"Loving God means doing what he tells us to do, and really, that isn't hard at all; for every child of God can obey him, defeating sin and evil pleasure by trusting Christ to help him. But who could possibly fight and win this battle except by believing that Jesus is truly the Son of God?" (I John 5:3-5)
Don't you love that phrase, "...and really, that isn't hard at all..." If we are living the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship by walking in Obedience, we walk equipped. There's no doubt, no fear, no question. God has given us what we need.
We are equipped to live a fulfilling life. "So whoever has God's Son has life; whoever does not have his Son, does not have life." I John 5:12 There's no reason that the believer needs to walk around feeling sorry for himself. I need to look inside to the one who lives within me who has called me to do what I am doing, and realize that the giants in front of me are object lessons in my school of faith building.
So what if I'm tired. I need to be refreshed in the Spirit. So what if I'm sick. God will restore.
You know what else we are equipped for? Answered prayer. "And we are sure of this, that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we really know he is listening when we talk to him and make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us." I John 5:14-15
We can't do anything in our own strength. "If the Lord had not been on our side (let all Israel admit it), if the Lord had not been on our side, we would have been swallowed alive by our enemies, destroyed by their anger." Psalm 124:1-3
Let's have a victorious day! A victorious week! A victorious life! We have what it takes to live the DREAM! We have Christ! We have the Power of the Spirit!
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 4, 2007
12.4.7 "Knowing God through Loving Others"
"Knowing God through Loving Others"
Daniel 11:35-12:13
I John 4:1-21
Psalm 123:1-4
Proverbs 29:2-4
How do we get to know God? The first priority is in reading his Word. That's a great way to get to see a picture of who God is, and gain wisdom for everyday life. As you read the word, you're going to find that there's more to getting to know God.
"Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know him better. But if a person isn't loving and kind, it shows that he doesn't know God - for God is love." I John 4:7-8
The incredible God of the universe wants to have a relationship with each on of us. In our simple minds, we get this crazy idea that our relationship with God is only "personal". "It's just between me and God." "Who cares what anyone else thinks." You know what? That's not quite true. Your relationship with God shows itself in how you relate to other people. A direct result of loving God is loving people.
Some people can seem hard to love at some times. Guess what? That's when and how we get to know God. As we begin to approach everyone we meet with the love of Christ, His Spirit begins to flow through us, and we know him better.
Our love for others needs to be regardless of their response. Often, one will reach out in love, but because it isn't appreciated the way we thought it should, we apply the "shake the dust off our feet" method, and walk away. Guess what. That is NOT knowing God!
"God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into this wicked world to bring to us eternal life through his death. In this act we see what real love is: it is not our love for God, but his love for us when he sent his Son to satisfy God's anger against our sins." vs.9-10.
God didn't send his Son because we "deserved" it. He didn't even send him because we "appreciated" it. He sent His Son because he LOVED us. We need to apply the same principle when dealing with one another.
We don't love because it is deserved or appreciated. "Dear friends, since God loved us as much as that, we surely ought to love each other too. For though we have never yet seen God, when we love each other God lives in us and his love within us grows ever stronger." vs. 11-12
My knowledge of God is shown in my love for those around me. If I'm caught up in my own world, I'm not knowing God the way I need to. This isn't a suggestion. This is a scriptural principle. It's not "hey, wouldn't it be fun if we were in Relationships Devoted to Unity?" We are COMPELLED to be in Relationships Devoted to Unity. It's is a necessary part of growing in Christ. It's an essential part of discovering and becoming who God has created us to be.
Know God better today by loving others more.
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 11:35-12:13
I John 4:1-21
Psalm 123:1-4
Proverbs 29:2-4
How do we get to know God? The first priority is in reading his Word. That's a great way to get to see a picture of who God is, and gain wisdom for everyday life. As you read the word, you're going to find that there's more to getting to know God.
"Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know him better. But if a person isn't loving and kind, it shows that he doesn't know God - for God is love." I John 4:7-8
The incredible God of the universe wants to have a relationship with each on of us. In our simple minds, we get this crazy idea that our relationship with God is only "personal". "It's just between me and God." "Who cares what anyone else thinks." You know what? That's not quite true. Your relationship with God shows itself in how you relate to other people. A direct result of loving God is loving people.
Some people can seem hard to love at some times. Guess what? That's when and how we get to know God. As we begin to approach everyone we meet with the love of Christ, His Spirit begins to flow through us, and we know him better.
Our love for others needs to be regardless of their response. Often, one will reach out in love, but because it isn't appreciated the way we thought it should, we apply the "shake the dust off our feet" method, and walk away. Guess what. That is NOT knowing God!
"God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into this wicked world to bring to us eternal life through his death. In this act we see what real love is: it is not our love for God, but his love for us when he sent his Son to satisfy God's anger against our sins." vs.9-10.
God didn't send his Son because we "deserved" it. He didn't even send him because we "appreciated" it. He sent His Son because he LOVED us. We need to apply the same principle when dealing with one another.
We don't love because it is deserved or appreciated. "Dear friends, since God loved us as much as that, we surely ought to love each other too. For though we have never yet seen God, when we love each other God lives in us and his love within us grows ever stronger." vs. 11-12
My knowledge of God is shown in my love for those around me. If I'm caught up in my own world, I'm not knowing God the way I need to. This isn't a suggestion. This is a scriptural principle. It's not "hey, wouldn't it be fun if we were in Relationships Devoted to Unity?" We are COMPELLED to be in Relationships Devoted to Unity. It's is a necessary part of growing in Christ. It's an essential part of discovering and becoming who God has created us to be.
Know God better today by loving others more.
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, December 3, 2007
12.3.7 "Born Again"
"Born Again"
Daniel 11:1-34
I John 3:7-24
Psalm 122:1-9
Proverbs 29:1
"Oh, dear children, don't let anyone deceive you about this: if you are constantly doing what is good, it is because you are good, even as he is. But if you keep on sinning, it shows that you belong to Satan, who since he first began to sin has kept steadily at it. But the Son of God came to destroy these works of the devil. The person who has been born into God's family does not make a practice of sinning, because now God's life is in him; so he can't keep on sinning, for this new life has been born into him and controls him - he has been born again. So now we can tell who is a child of God and who belongs to Satan. Whoever is living a life of sin and doesn't love his brother shows that he is not in God's family; for the message to us from the beginning has been that we should love one another." I John 3:7-11
When I was a kid my mom worked at a store that did "iron-ons" for t-shirts. I got one that said "Born Again". It had a sunset on it... I was so cool!
What does it mean to be "born again"? To often I fear that I have had the mentality that "getting saved" is like a check mark on a to-do list, and that is what it means to be born again. That the goal of everyone should be to say the sinners prayer, and that's it. We have to be very careful about that line of thinking. In essence we become a Christian so we can wear the t-shirt.
What is the purpose of the sinner's prayer? It's to restore man's relationship to God, right? Imagine that you and I were in broken relationship for say, 10 years. One day, I make a phone call to you and say, "I'm so sorry we've been so distant, I'm sorry for what separated us, let's restore our relationship," and that's it. Another 10 years go by, and not a whole lot more contact. Would you consider that a restored relationship?
There needs to be an understanding in me as a believer that the final goal of my live is not to just "be saved", it's "to be in right relationship with God." This is a process of life transformation, not a mere check-mark on a to-do list.
I want to make sure that we're careful in discussing this. There is errant theology that can take this thought process too far. It says, "Saying the sinner's prayer isn't enough. You're not really saved unless you..." That is not what I'm saying at all. It's important that we look at the balance of scripture in dealing with our relationship with Christ.
What I'm saying is this: I MUST be PROGRESSING in my Relationship with the Lord. I am a disciple of Christ. This process of transformation needs to be happening in my life. To show no progress in becoming closer to him, is as dangerous as living in sin.
The "good life" is the fruit of a Godly life. It's not the good works that make us Godly, but the result of a godly life is goodness.
verse 14-15 says, "If we love other Christians it proves that we have been delivered from hell and given eternal life. But a person who doesn't have love for others is headed for eternal death. Anyone who hates his Christian brother is really a murderer at heart; and you know that no one wanting to murder has eternal life within. We know what real love is from Christ's example in dying for us. And so we also ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers."
Based on that portion of scripture, how important is unity to God? I was actually laughing about the first part of verse 14. "if we love other Christians it proves we have been delivered from hell" could be interpreted as, "some of them are so hard to love, you GOT to be saved to do it!" True or not, we MUST progress in this area.
When we get under pressure, and under stress we can so easily forget the "love" factor. Remember I Cor 13. "Without love I am a resounding gong". Without love it is all meaningless.
Verse 17 says, "But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him - how can God's love be within him?" Our relationship with Christ is manifest in our concern for one another.
So, what does it mean to be "Born Again"? verse 23 says, "And this is what God says we must do: Believe on the name of his son Jesus Christ, and love one another." Guess what? I'm not done. You're not done. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, to purify our motives, to cleanse us, to help us to know God more. The fruit of that will be Daniel 11:32, "But the people who know their God shall be strong and do great things."
Be Born Again today.
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 11:1-34
I John 3:7-24
Psalm 122:1-9
Proverbs 29:1
"Oh, dear children, don't let anyone deceive you about this: if you are constantly doing what is good, it is because you are good, even as he is. But if you keep on sinning, it shows that you belong to Satan, who since he first began to sin has kept steadily at it. But the Son of God came to destroy these works of the devil. The person who has been born into God's family does not make a practice of sinning, because now God's life is in him; so he can't keep on sinning, for this new life has been born into him and controls him - he has been born again. So now we can tell who is a child of God and who belongs to Satan. Whoever is living a life of sin and doesn't love his brother shows that he is not in God's family; for the message to us from the beginning has been that we should love one another." I John 3:7-11
When I was a kid my mom worked at a store that did "iron-ons" for t-shirts. I got one that said "Born Again". It had a sunset on it... I was so cool!
What does it mean to be "born again"? To often I fear that I have had the mentality that "getting saved" is like a check mark on a to-do list, and that is what it means to be born again. That the goal of everyone should be to say the sinners prayer, and that's it. We have to be very careful about that line of thinking. In essence we become a Christian so we can wear the t-shirt.
What is the purpose of the sinner's prayer? It's to restore man's relationship to God, right? Imagine that you and I were in broken relationship for say, 10 years. One day, I make a phone call to you and say, "I'm so sorry we've been so distant, I'm sorry for what separated us, let's restore our relationship," and that's it. Another 10 years go by, and not a whole lot more contact. Would you consider that a restored relationship?
There needs to be an understanding in me as a believer that the final goal of my live is not to just "be saved", it's "to be in right relationship with God." This is a process of life transformation, not a mere check-mark on a to-do list.
I want to make sure that we're careful in discussing this. There is errant theology that can take this thought process too far. It says, "Saying the sinner's prayer isn't enough. You're not really saved unless you..." That is not what I'm saying at all. It's important that we look at the balance of scripture in dealing with our relationship with Christ.
What I'm saying is this: I MUST be PROGRESSING in my Relationship with the Lord. I am a disciple of Christ. This process of transformation needs to be happening in my life. To show no progress in becoming closer to him, is as dangerous as living in sin.
The "good life" is the fruit of a Godly life. It's not the good works that make us Godly, but the result of a godly life is goodness.
verse 14-15 says, "If we love other Christians it proves that we have been delivered from hell and given eternal life. But a person who doesn't have love for others is headed for eternal death. Anyone who hates his Christian brother is really a murderer at heart; and you know that no one wanting to murder has eternal life within. We know what real love is from Christ's example in dying for us. And so we also ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers."
Based on that portion of scripture, how important is unity to God? I was actually laughing about the first part of verse 14. "if we love other Christians it proves we have been delivered from hell" could be interpreted as, "some of them are so hard to love, you GOT to be saved to do it!" True or not, we MUST progress in this area.
When we get under pressure, and under stress we can so easily forget the "love" factor. Remember I Cor 13. "Without love I am a resounding gong". Without love it is all meaningless.
Verse 17 says, "But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him - how can God's love be within him?" Our relationship with Christ is manifest in our concern for one another.
So, what does it mean to be "Born Again"? verse 23 says, "And this is what God says we must do: Believe on the name of his son Jesus Christ, and love one another." Guess what? I'm not done. You're not done. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, to purify our motives, to cleanse us, to help us to know God more. The fruit of that will be Daniel 11:32, "But the people who know their God shall be strong and do great things."
Be Born Again today.
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, December 2, 2007
12.2.7 "Got Truth?"
"Got Truth?"
Daniel 9:1-10:21
I John 2:18-3:6
Psalm 121:1-8
Proverbs 28:27-28
We live in a world of information overload. Never in all of history is it possible to learn so much from the internet, radio, sports scores on your cell phone, the list is endless. With a push of a button on my laptop a calendar, 7 day forecast, clock, dictionary/thesaurus, spanish translator, & even a thing where i can punch in a flight number & it will tell me if it's on time or not. If we have all this information, truth should be easy, right?
So what is truth? What is right? where do you look it up? In I John 2, John is talking about those in the world who say that Jesus is not the Christ. We have a number of those people around us. Not only are they mixed up about that, they're mixed up about a lot of things.
"But you are not like that, for the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you know the truth. So I am not writing to you as to those who need to know the truth, but I warn you as those who can discern the difference between true and false." I John 2:20-21
We need to live as people who know the truth. We need to make sure our ideas, beliefs, opinions, and actions aren't defined by what society tells us. We need to make sure they come from the Holy Spirit's direction according to God's Word.
In a "blog" world, where people love to talk and express their thoughts & revelations, it can be too easy to develop a blog theology. It will change & react according to whatever the "hot" topic is. We must be Empowered through Biblical Training, not "Empowered" through opinions or popularity.
Our foundation must be firmly established in what is really important:
"...for God loves you very much." (Dan. 9:23)
"God loves you very much..." (Dan. 10:19)
"See how very much our heavenly Father loves us..." (1 John 3:1)
"Jehovah himself is caring for you!" (Psalm 121:5)
There is a theme to the truth of God's Word. We need to get this. We need this truth. When we know it in our hearts, it will effect the way we live. When we begin to grasp the depth of God's love it will change us. I John 3:2-3 says, "... when he comes we will be like him, as a result of seeing him as he really is. And everyone who really believes this will try to stay pure because Christ is pure."
There are people all around us who do not know what is right. They don't know the truth. We MUST be people of the word so they will know the path out of darkness. Your world is desperate for you to be who God has created you to be. You find your direction in the Word so you will be able to provide Direction for those in need. Being Empowered Through Biblical Training and discovering God's love equips us for the Mission to Reach our World for Christ.
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 9:1-10:21
I John 2:18-3:6
Psalm 121:1-8
Proverbs 28:27-28
We live in a world of information overload. Never in all of history is it possible to learn so much from the internet, radio, sports scores on your cell phone, the list is endless. With a push of a button on my laptop a calendar, 7 day forecast, clock, dictionary/thesaurus, spanish translator, & even a thing where i can punch in a flight number & it will tell me if it's on time or not. If we have all this information, truth should be easy, right?
So what is truth? What is right? where do you look it up? In I John 2, John is talking about those in the world who say that Jesus is not the Christ. We have a number of those people around us. Not only are they mixed up about that, they're mixed up about a lot of things.
"But you are not like that, for the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you know the truth. So I am not writing to you as to those who need to know the truth, but I warn you as those who can discern the difference between true and false." I John 2:20-21
We need to live as people who know the truth. We need to make sure our ideas, beliefs, opinions, and actions aren't defined by what society tells us. We need to make sure they come from the Holy Spirit's direction according to God's Word.
In a "blog" world, where people love to talk and express their thoughts & revelations, it can be too easy to develop a blog theology. It will change & react according to whatever the "hot" topic is. We must be Empowered through Biblical Training, not "Empowered" through opinions or popularity.
Our foundation must be firmly established in what is really important:
"...for God loves you very much." (Dan. 9:23)
"God loves you very much..." (Dan. 10:19)
"See how very much our heavenly Father loves us..." (1 John 3:1)
"Jehovah himself is caring for you!" (Psalm 121:5)
There is a theme to the truth of God's Word. We need to get this. We need this truth. When we know it in our hearts, it will effect the way we live. When we begin to grasp the depth of God's love it will change us. I John 3:2-3 says, "... when he comes we will be like him, as a result of seeing him as he really is. And everyone who really believes this will try to stay pure because Christ is pure."
There are people all around us who do not know what is right. They don't know the truth. We MUST be people of the word so they will know the path out of darkness. Your world is desperate for you to be who God has created you to be. You find your direction in the Word so you will be able to provide Direction for those in need. Being Empowered Through Biblical Training and discovering God's love equips us for the Mission to Reach our World for Christ.
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, December 1, 2007
12.1.7 "I am a C.. I am a C-H"
"I am a C.. I am a C-H"
Daniel 8:1-27
1 John 2:1-17
Psalm 120:1-7
Proverbs 28:25-26
Remember that children's song? "I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N" Don't you hate it when someone puts a song in your head?
What does it mean to be a Christian? John answers that in today's scripture.
"And how can we be sure that we belong to him? by looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what he wants us to? Someone may say, 'I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.' But if he doesn't do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar." 1 John 2:3-4
John is reiterating a very important point: Those who belong to Christ walk in obedience. We should be challenged about the "decision making" process in our day. How many of my decisions are MY decisions, and how many do I stop to inquire of the Lord?
The word "Christian" means "of Christ". We become a Christian by accepting him as savior. He forgives us of our sin. Verse 2 says, "He is the one who took God's wrath against our sins upon himself, and brought us into fellowship with God; and he is the forgiveness for our sins, and not only ours but all the world's."
We know that. That's an awesome thing. But is that it? In John 15:5 Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.; apart from me you can do nothing."
The goal of the Christian life is living in the center of his will. Doing whatever he guides us to do. The phrase "apart from me you can do nothing" takes on a new light. I've always read it as "I am the source of your strength." It really means "don't make decisions apart from my direction."
Look at I John 2:5-6. "But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did."
Walking in obedience causes us to love God more which causes us to walk in obedience which causes us to love God more which... You see the pattern?
"Lord, What would you have me to do?" Should be the posture of our life everyday. Small decisions can have huge consequences if they are made apart from the "vine". In the same way, decisions made "in the vine" can produce so much fruit.
Yes, this stuff may be elementary, but it is SO important. John acknowledges that. "Dear brothers, I am not writing out a new rule for you to obey, for it is an old one you have always had, right from the start. You have heard it all before. Yet it is always new, and works for you just as it did for Christ..." verse 7-8
Am I a C? Am I a C-H? I know I am because he has saved me and I walk in obedience to his will. The highest form of Worship is Obedience. Live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship.
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 8:1-27
1 John 2:1-17
Psalm 120:1-7
Proverbs 28:25-26
Remember that children's song? "I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N" Don't you hate it when someone puts a song in your head?
What does it mean to be a Christian? John answers that in today's scripture.
"And how can we be sure that we belong to him? by looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what he wants us to? Someone may say, 'I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.' But if he doesn't do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar." 1 John 2:3-4
John is reiterating a very important point: Those who belong to Christ walk in obedience. We should be challenged about the "decision making" process in our day. How many of my decisions are MY decisions, and how many do I stop to inquire of the Lord?
The word "Christian" means "of Christ". We become a Christian by accepting him as savior. He forgives us of our sin. Verse 2 says, "He is the one who took God's wrath against our sins upon himself, and brought us into fellowship with God; and he is the forgiveness for our sins, and not only ours but all the world's."
We know that. That's an awesome thing. But is that it? In John 15:5 Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.; apart from me you can do nothing."
The goal of the Christian life is living in the center of his will. Doing whatever he guides us to do. The phrase "apart from me you can do nothing" takes on a new light. I've always read it as "I am the source of your strength." It really means "don't make decisions apart from my direction."
Look at I John 2:5-6. "But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did."
Walking in obedience causes us to love God more which causes us to walk in obedience which causes us to love God more which... You see the pattern?
"Lord, What would you have me to do?" Should be the posture of our life everyday. Small decisions can have huge consequences if they are made apart from the "vine". In the same way, decisions made "in the vine" can produce so much fruit.
Yes, this stuff may be elementary, but it is SO important. John acknowledges that. "Dear brothers, I am not writing out a new rule for you to obey, for it is an old one you have always had, right from the start. You have heard it all before. Yet it is always new, and works for you just as it did for Christ..." verse 7-8
Am I a C? Am I a C-H? I know I am because he has saved me and I walk in obedience to his will. The highest form of Worship is Obedience. Live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship.
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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