1.5.8 "Salt and Light"

"Salt and Light"

Genesis 11:1-13:4
Matthew 5:1-26
Psalm 5:1-12
Proverbs 1:24-28

In Matthew 5, Jesus is giving the "Sermon on the Mount". Through this whole discourse Jesus is building a picture of who believers are supposed to be. Notice that I didn't say a picture of "what believers are supposed to DO." throughout the chapter he uses words such as "hearts are pure", etc.

In Living the DREAM, each element of the DREAM works together in helping the believer live the Balanced Christian Life. It can be visualized like a wheel. The "Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship" is the hub. It represents our relationship with Christ. It needs to be at the center of everything. A wheel without the 'hub' in the center cannot be balanced. Relationships Devoted to Unity, Empowered through Biblical Training and Active Ministry Involvement are the "spokes". They all work together for balance. Mission to Reach our World for Christ is where "the rubber meets the road". Here's a simple diagram to illustrate:






In today's selected verses, Jesus is talking about where the rubber meets the road. "You are the world's seasoning, to make it tolerable. If you lose your flavor, what will happen to the world? And you yourselves will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the world's light - a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father." Matt. 5:13-16

I'm impressed this morning with the "integrity" of our mission. Jesus is speaking of our purpose. He's speaking of why we are here. He wants us to be in right relationship to him, as living in right relationship will draw others to him. He doesn't say, "Make it look like you are the world's seasoning." Baking soda may kind of look like salt, but believe me, you taste the difference! My wife got this refill of liquid green hand soap for our bathroom dispenser. It's in a bottle that is shaped just like the mouth wash. Believe me when I tell you that it's more important what something is, than what it looks like.

We are here to impact the world. When we draw close to Christ, his light shines in us and through us. We can't hide it because it's part of who we are. The way we deal with unbelievers around us is a part of our being, not something on our "to-do" list.

What is the world's biggest complaint about Christians? Hypocrisy. They spend their efforts on looking like salt instead of being salt. They sign petitions and boycotts, but sue their neighbor. They tell people they need Jesus, but don't reach out to those in need. The problem is looking at our Mission as something we "do" rather than it being a natural part of who we "are".

To be the light, we must have Christ dwelling within us. He desires a dwelling place. He WANTS to live in us.

Verse 16 doesn't say, "Let your bumper stickers, pins, & t-shirts glow for all see so that they will praise your heavenly Father." It says, "Let your good deeds..." When we live like we should, we are salt and light. I'm not saying we shouldn't impact the world through all available means, but we must make sure it begins in our heart.



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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

1.4.8 "How Many Days to the Rainbow?"

"How Many Days to the Rainbow?"

Genesis 8:1-10:32
Matthew 4:12-25
Psalm 4:1-8
Proverbs 1:20-23

Noah was a pleasure to the Lord (Gen 6:8). He did everything he could to try to conduct his affairs according to God's will. We know his story. We decorate Sunday School rooms with it. I love the pictures of the cute little animals and everything.

When it comes right down to it, the story isn't as romantic as we may picture it. "Noah, I'm going to destroy the earth. I want you to build an ark." I don't know if you've ever heard Bill Cosby's telling of the story, but here's his rendition of Noah's response: "Right... What's an ark?"

I was struck by the "numbers" this morning. My math isn't totally accurate, but based on some of the numbers in the Living Bible, look at this:

It could have taken 100-120 years to build the ark (36,500-43,800 days) (Gen.5:32;6:3;7:10)
7 days on the ark before it rains
40 days of rain
110 days of floating
40 days on Mount Ararat before sending out the dove
7 days before sending it out the second time
7 days before the third time when it doesn't come back
29 days before Noah looks again & sees it's dried up.
56 days before God says, "You may all go out." (I got humor out of Gen. 8:18 "So the boat was soon empty." Ya think?)

Would you like Noah's job? Would you like to go through what he had to? Would you have liked 296 days on a boat w/ animals? It wasn't pretty.

Noah did not know what was to come. He only knew what God had told him to do. His righteousness saved his family. (It doesn't say whether or not his righteousness kept them from complaining to him.)

What's the point?

So many time we sense the call of God. He gives us direction. We move in obedience, but when the results aren't there the way we expected, or it takes longer, or it's been 200 days in a stinky boat, we begin to think "Wait a minute! I'm here because I'm in obedience! This should be easy!"

One of the most amazing numbers in all of this is the 56 days between Noah seeing the land has dried up and God saying "you may all go out". I picture Noah's family lined up at the door looking at him wondering why we're not leaving. "It smells in here!"

Noah was intimately tied to the will of God. He knew his voice. He didn't move until he heard it.

Genesis 8:1 says, "God didn't forget about Noah and all the animals in the boat!" in verse 20-21, Noah sacrifices to the Lord, "And Jehovah was pleased with the sacrifice and said to himself, 'I will never do it again..'" in 9:13 he says, "I have placed my rainbow in the clouds as a sign of my promise until the end of time, to you and to all the earth."

So many times, we want the rainbow. We want to get to the goal. While the Lord has placed in our nature the desire to acheive, we must be sure to remember the point is not in getting to the goal, the point is in being faithful throughout the process. It may take what seems like forever. It may smell. But, we must know the voice of the one who has called us, and we must remain faithful.

As smelly as our boat may be, in light of eternity, it's but a moment. When we are "Driven by Eternity" we know that the rainbow we seek is not necessarily the rainbow the world can see. Our success is on a different scale. Our pursuit must be obedience.


Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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

1.3.8 "I Must Do All that is Right"

"I Must Do All that is Right"

Genesis 5:1-7:24
Matthew 3:7-4:11
Psalm 3:1-8
Proverbs 1:10-19

John the Baptist is quite a character. He's out in the wilderness eating locusts, wearing animal skin (which is WAY out of fashion!), and he begins to baptize people. His demeanor is that which would probably offend many of us, but nonetheless, people are turning to God.

As quirky as he is, he knows his place in the kingdom. "With water I baptize those who repent of their sins; but someone else is coming, far greater than I am, so great that I am not worthy to carry his shoes! He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matt. 3:11)

Then Jesus shows up. He wants to be baptized. Now think about this. We have the whole counsel of scripture to consider here. What was John's message? "Repent and be baptized..." Jesus showed up to be baptized. What was he to repent of? John saw this. He said, "This isn't proper, I am the one who needs to be baptized by you." (3:14)

That makes sense to me. John is very perceptive & understanding. He's thinking in "kingdom" terms. But listen to what Jesus says. "But Jesus said, 'Please do it, for I must do all that is right.' So then John baptized him." (3:15)

Did you catch that? "I must do all that is right." The question that follows in my mind is "Why?" Why must Jesus do all that is right? It would be easy for him to be justified to not be baptized. Everyone would understand. He's the Son of God!

Look into the next chapter, Matthew 4. The Holy Spirit leads him into the wilderness. He's there for forty days. He gets hungry. Satan tempts him to turn stone to bread. "It will prove you are the Son of God." That makes sense, too. The flesh is in great need. Why not meet the need? I'm sure everyone would understand. Everyone would sympathize.

"But Jesus told him, 'No! For the scriptures tell us that bread won't feed men's souls: obedience to every word of God is what we need.'"

Interesting answer: Obedience to EVERY WORD OF GOD is what we need. Wow. He's "toeing the line" here. Why?

As you've read, this testing continues.

The thought for the day is why did Jesus say he "must do all that is right"?

The answer is: Because he knew what was at stake. He knew his mission. He knew he was to be the spotless sacrifice. He knew his responsibility. He knew how important it is to be in right relationship with God.

So, what about us? Where do we fit in when it comes to doing "all that is right"? How seriously do we take it?

To Live the DREAM we must live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship. The principle of worship is obedience. "The Scriptures say,'Worship only the Lord God. Obey only him.'" (Matt. 4:10) How intensely do we pursue this?

The more we value and understand the big picture of right relationship with the Lord, the more intensely we will guard it, pursue it, and defend it.

Why do you keep certain kinds of music out of your home? Why do you keep from watching certain things? What keeps you from cheating on the job or in school? Why do you keep from doing some of the things your flesh so greatly desires?

The answer is: because you know what is at stake. You know your mission. You know how important your relationship with the Lord is. By not understanding how valuable obedience is, we compromise it, and trade it. Remember Esau and the bowl of soup? He traded the blessing of generations because he was hungry.

Jesus knew that we needed an example. We needed to see what it takes to be in right relationship with the Lord. If I was forty days hungry and had the power to turn a stone into bread... I don't know.... I can hardly stay out of McD's drive-thru as it is. But Jesus gives us the pattern. He shows us the way. The answer is in the Word.

"I must do all that is right"



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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

1.2.8 "Must Be Present to Win"

"Must Be Present to Win"

Genesis 3:1-4:26
Matthew 2:13-3:6
Psalm 2:1-12
Proverbs 1:7-9

Have you ever heard that line? It's usually tied to a gimmick of some kind or another. Maybe a door prize. In the context of today's readings, there's a much more sincere application.

Genesis 3 tells the story of the fall of man. We've heard it before, tree, serpent, Eve, Adam. Prior to sin, Adam & Eve were in perfect communion with God. There was no pretension. There was vulnerability. But something happened when sin entered the picture. Man hid. God called to Adam, "Why are you hiding?" And Adam replied, "I heard you coming and didn't want you to see me naked. So I hid."

Adam instantly knew that in the presence of God, his sin would be revealed. He didn't want to go there. Have you ever had the same thought? "I'm afraid that if I open up to more of God, I'm going to have to give up..." We know that the light of his presence will shine on areas we would like to keep in darkness. It's kind of foolish isn't it?

Adam's sin removed him from the place of experiencing God.

What is keeping us from that place?

In Matthew 3, John is in the wilderness preaching, "Turn from your sins... turn to God... for the kingdom of Heaven is coming soon." in verse 5-6 it says, "People from Jerusalem and from all over the Jordan Valley, and in fact, from every section of Judea went out to the wilderness to hear him preach, and when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River."

Notice the patterns, "Turn from sin... Turn to God..." The people from the area came to hear THEN confessed, and then were baptized. There is a process of being in position to experience God. There is an aspect of physical presence, but there is also the aspect of consecration - setting aside whatever would separate us from God.

I think the most haunting phrase in the Bible is "Adam, where are you?" It reveals so much about the heart of our God. It's MY sin that separates ME from God. If I can't "find" God, it's because I've strayed. I think the Lord comes to us each and every day and says, "Where are you?" Sometimes I think we cloud our minds with the sin of the world so much, we don't even hear him walking. Each and every day is an opportunity for us to say, "Here I am, cleanse me!"

We need to be people Empowered through Biblical Training. To do this, we must PLACE ourselves in a position to receive from God. Faithfulness in the Word in the morning. Consistent attendance to the corporate teaching of the Word in services as well as bible studies are vital to being in the place where God chooses to move. We need to be there physically. I hate seeing empty pews in church services. I hate seeing empty seats in Sunday School classes. I wonder to whom God is saying, "Where are you?" We MUST be present to win. While church attendance is not the ultimate measure of spiritual maturity, it is the fruit of a passion for God.

We also need to be there spiritually. We all know we can show up to church and look like everything is ok when it's not. We can "fake it" to others. In fact, I can write these DEVO's every morning for the rest of my life and still miss out on what God has for me. It must go deeper. I must prioritize the setting aside of the "noise" of life, whether it be sin, or just busyness and distraction. I must set it all aside and say as Samuel did, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."

The Lord desires to abide in my home. As a family we want to prepare it to be a place where he is welcome, recognized, and where our hearts are ready to meet him. I must be ready to meet him. I must prepare myself. I must be present to "win".



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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

1.1.8 "In the Beginning..."

"In the Beginning..."

Genesis 1:1-2:25
Matthew 1:1-2:12
Psalm 1:1-6
Proverbs 1:1-6

"Happy New Year!"

The beginning...

Here we are at the start of a new year. As we all look at this new year it's like we're at the top of a brand new roller coaster. Who knows what's coming? There will be joys and there will be challenges. There will most likely be tragedy at some level. There will be tears. For others, this could be the year where life-long dreams come to fulfillment. If the Lord tarries, a year from this morning, we'll be looking back at 2008 recounting all that God has done and what he's brought us through.

Without the security of knowing that God is taking care of us, it can be almost paralyzing to sit and wonder and fear what might be around the corner. We must prioritize what will truly be our strength in this new year. Let's renew our commitment to be in the word. THAT is where we will find sustenance for each new day and each new turn.

A couple of "priorities" that jump out from today's readings are as follows.

Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." As a young child it never occurred to me how important this foundational statement is. In the beginning, God was. How does that effect our lives? That means there is nothing new to him. Everything is in his sight. He knows all he sees all. It is important to live this year knowing God is in control!

Genesis 2:3 - "and God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he ceased this work of creation." It's important to apply the principle of Sabbath to our lives. We can't live the Balanced Christian Life without it.

Genesis 2:15 - "The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden as its gardener, to tend and care for it." God has me here to use the resources he has given me for his glory. There are no exceptions. All I have at my disposal, whether it be time, talent, family, finances, or anything else, is to be put to work for his glory.

Matthew 1 is the genealogy of Jesus. I'm sure you've read it before, but take note of the women who were mentioned: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheeba. Each of them lived a story that would cause us to write them off of our list of heroines. They were a rape victim, a prostitute, a poor widow, and an adulteress. Yet God took their trial and difficulty, and through their lineage brought salvation to man. I need to take care that I don't overlook anyone. God has great plans for EVERY one of us. We need to strengthen and encourage each other to pursue that plan.

Matthew 2:24 - "When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel commanded..." It's one thing to have a dream. It's another to wake up and be obedient to it. I don't want to just have the dream, I want to make sure that I do what the Lord commands.

Psalm 1 lays it out: "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men's advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God: but they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely.

"They are like trees along a river bank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper.

"But for sinners, what a different story! They blow away like chaff before the wind. They are not safe on Judgment Day; they shall not stand among the godly. For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of godly men, but the paths of the godless lead to doom."

Fruit bearing trees or chaff in the wind. I know which way I want to live.

I want what is listed in Proverbs 1:2-3 "for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;"

Here we are. The beginning of a year. Where will your strength come from? Where will hope? Joy? Fulfillment?

God has plans for us. This year, lets draw near to him and allow him to change us. Transform us. He created us in the beginning. Lets be who he created us to be!

If Jesus doesn't return, what does "1.1.9" look like? Will you be the same, will you be different? Where will you focus your growth? Will it be on family? Friends? Wealth? Physical appearance? Or will you focus on your soul? It's amazing how when we focus on growing in Christ, everything else falls into place.

Matthew 6:33 - Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

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

12.31.7 "Last Words"

"Last Words"

Malachi 3:1-4:6
Revelation 22:1-21
Psalm 150:1-6
Proverbs 31:25-31

The last hours of this year are passing by. This has been another year of God's goodness. Many have gone through the reading plan of the One-Year Bible. Each day is a portion of the Old & New Testament, as well as Psalms and Proverbs. For the last day of this year, let's look at the theme of what the "last words" of each of these sections of scripture are saying.

The Old Testament closes with the book of Malachi. Chapter 3:1-3 says, "Listen: I will send my messenger before me to prepare the way. And then the one you are looking for will come suddenly to his Temple - the Messenger of God's promises, to bring you great joy. Yes, he is surely coming," says the Lord Almighty. "But who can live when he appears? Who can endure his coming? For he is like a blazing fire refining precious metal and he can bleach the dirtiest garments! Like a refiner of silver he will sit and closely watch as the dross is burned away. He will purify the Levites, the ministers of God, refining them like gold or silver, so that they will do their work for God with pure hearts."

Verses 8-11 speak of bringing tithes into the storehouse. "...if you do, I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won't have room enough to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!" Nearing the end of the book, Malachi 4:4 says, "Remember to obey the laws I gave all Israel through Moses my servant on Mount Horeb."

Revelation 22:12 says, "See, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay everyone according to the deeds he has done."

Psalm 150 closes out with 6 verses commanding us to praise him. verse 6 says, "Let everything alive give praises to the Lord! You praise him! Hallelujah!"

Proverbs ends with many verses talking about wisdom and the awesome joy of a godly wife.

Do you see a link with all of these? The thought that goes through my mind is, "What are you doing with what you have?"

Both Malachi & Revelation speak of Jesus coming and our works being tested by him. What are our works? They are what we've done with the resources we have.

Proverbs causes me to realize that I need to highly value one of the greatest resources in my care. My awesome wife.

The Psalms cause me to understand that with all that is within me I need to be praising God.

This is for real. I need to use everything at my disposal for the glory of God. He's coming soon! He longs to pour his blessings out on his people who obey his commands and bring him glory.

Lord, I commit all of this to you, for your glory in the year to come.

The last 2 verses of the bible say "He who has said all these things declares: Yes, I am coming soon! Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen!"

You may or may not be a person who looks at the new year with the "resolution" mindset, but we should be consistently setting goals for progress in our Christian walk. Most of the time our resolutions come across as big drastic changes, and therefore only last a few days or weeks. But really, most also have to do with an increase in discipline in some manner. If we make a huge goal in the area of discipline, we can get discouraged and give up, but I want to encourage you to pray about what areas of discipline the Lord may be desiring you to grow in for 2008.

I'm pretty sure for all of us, the Lord would love to see us spend more time with him. It's been great going through the One Year Bible again this year. Even though they may be the same words read last year, when ignited by the Holy Spirit, they bring fresh life for every day.

Make it your goal to spend time in God's word EVERY DAY of 2008. It will tremendously equip you to do all that he has called you to do. Allow His Spirit to work in you so that you can become all He has created you to be.



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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

12.30.7 "What's Left for God?"

"What's Left for God?"

Malachi 1:1-2:17
Revelation 21:1-27
Psalm 149:1-9
Proverbs 31:10-24

Over the course of the next few days we will hear a lot about resolutions. With the new year at the door, many people look at this as a time to evaluate where they are at, and what they are doing with their life, health, finances, etc. What about the year that has just gone by? What does that look like? What did you do for you? What did you do for God?

Malachi 1:6-8 declares: "'A son honors his father, a servant honors his master. I am your Father and Master, yet you don't honor me, O priests, but you despise my name.' 'Who? Us?' you say. 'When did we ever despise your name?' ' When you offer polluted sacrifices on my altar.' 'Polluted sacrifices? When have we ever done a thing like that?' 'Every time you say, "Don't bother bringing anything very valuable to offer to God!" You tell the people, "Lame animals are all right to offer on the altar of the Lord - yes, even the sick and the blind ones." And you claim this isn't evil? Try it on your governor sometime - give him gifts like that - and see how pleased he is!"

We don't offer sacrifices of animals, but we do offer God our time, talent and resources as well as lives of obedience. I was thinking about how so many people offer God what is "left" of these things.

"Well, we spent a little too much for Christmas, so we're going to have to wait to give in the offering." "Well, our family is really busy, so there's not enough time left, we're not going to be able to be involved in ministry."

Isn't it sad how backwards we have it? All of this belongs to God! He gets our best, not what's left over! When we live with this principle, WE can live on what's "left over". With our priorities in order, we will ALWAYS have more than enough, because we are living for HIS glory.

Some misunderstand and think that you can be a poor steward of your family for the sake of ministry involvement. That's not it at all. That is not the definition of healthy living. You need to integrate into your life and your family the proper understanding of what it means to put God's resources into service. In fact, the result of good stewardship of family is engaging them in ministry and making the church Body a significant part of of life.

As we look at this new year, rather than making resolutions of how we can better ourselves, why not resolve to offer God the best of our best. Watch and see what happens when the obedience of the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship and the responsibility of Active Ministry Involvement become a part of our being and a part of who we are. We will live in an exciting new dimension of life and fulfillment.


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