"Discipline!"
Job 4:1 - 7:21
I Corinthians 14:18-40
Psalm 37:29-40
Proverbs 21:27
If this where one of those ink blot tests where you look at it and say the first thing that comes to your mind, what happens when you see the word "discipline"? You like it? You hate it? What is your definition? What is your perception of what it means?
From the reading a few days ago, I Corinthians 11:32 says, "When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world."
The word "discipline" really stands out from that reading. It is a challenge to me to really understand what discipline means: To bring into alignment. That may have no profound impact on you at all, but it does for me. I have lived life with multiple definitions for the word, including, punishment, self-control, restraint, focus, etc. Each of those have a specific application, but I believe "to bring into alignment" covers all of these.
So what's the big deal? When you get right down to it, to be "Empowered through Biblical Training" is really to be "disciplined". To live the DREAM, we need to live the "E". So what does that mean? that means we need to live a life of discipline. So what does THAT mean? It means we need "to bring alignment" to our life. How? By knowing God's Word and God's voice and making sure everything in our circle of influence is "aligned" to scriptural truth.
We NEED to know the Word! Yes, we know that from Sunday School, but it's more urgent than we realize. How do you know when your actions align with God's word? How do you know when someone else's does?
We all share a God given purpose: to "make disciples". (matt. 28:19) What does "disciple" mean? To bring into alignment. This gives us 2 responsibilities: 1. To KNOW what we are aligning to, 2. to Help others align to it.
Let's look at today's readings: In Job chapters 4&5, Job's friend Elephaz is going off on Job about how he must have sinned for all this bad stuff to be happening. In chapter 6:10 Job says, "This, at least, gives me comfort despite all the pain - that I have not denied the words of the Holy God." Job is empowered through biblical training. He is "aligned" to God's word, an he has not denied them. This gives him strength to carry on through the hardship. This should cause us to hunger greatly for the word so we can have that same empowerment when we go through tough times. If not, we'll more than likely go through the questioning season: "Maybe I'm out of God's will". Too often that is a Christian's response to difficulty. That in itself can be a sign of deficiency in the area of "biblical training".
A couple verses later, Job brings his friend "into alignment" so to speak. He corrects him for his erroneous accusation. In 6:14-18 he says, "One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you have accused me without the slightest fear of God. My brother, you have proved as unreliable as a brook; it floods when there is ice and snow, but in hot weather, disappears. The caravans turn aside to be refreshed, but there is nothing there to drink, and so they perish." Job is disciplining his friend. We might take the interpretation that he's "going off" on him (like sometimes we like to do to people), but it's not a personal thing to Job he refers to "fear of God" in this rebuke. He's bringing his friend "into alignment" with the truth of God's word.
We have a GREAT responsibility to DISCIPLE our friends and loved ones. How does that happen? By lovingly bringing them into alignment wherever/whenever possible. How many times has a fellow Christian complained to you or acted inappropriately or ungodly? Too often our response is to "let it go". We fear conflict. Let's just say it's you who's off track. Wouldn't you want someone to help correct your course? If you are "Devoted to Unity", why wouldn't you work to bring another into alignment with scripture?
Psalm 37:34 says, "Don't be impatient for the Lord to act! Keep traveling steadily along his pathway and in due season he will honor you with every blessing, and you will see the wicked destroyed."
What great encouragement in this word! The discipline of Biblical Training is evident in several ways in this scripture. First we're encouraged to travel steadily along "his pathway." There's no way to know what his pathway is without knowing his word. another benefit of discipline is the wisdom of holding steady to the path. Being faithful and remaining undistracted from what His direction is. That takes discipline. The last is knowing this scripture brings encouragement to know that God will be faithful when all is said and done. Having been disciplined to study this Psalm will give you strength for the journey.
After reading this DEVO, Rudy Ruiz, a former Marine sent me this email:
I served 8 years in the United States Marine Corps, and three of those years as a Marine Parachutist. Our boot camp is 13 weeks long, far longer than any other branch of the service. It was during these years I became a man.
During those 13 months in boot camp we did thousands of push-ups. For every push-up we did there were two words we shouted out. "Loyalty Sir!" was the shout as we lowered our bodies and "Discipline Sir!" was the cry on the way up from a push-up. So "Discipline" became an integral part of my life as a Marine, and for every Marine. Loyalty to the Marine Corps and to our superiors was also deeply instilled into every fiber of our being. That is why we were, we are, and we will always be the most efficient fighting force on this planet. One of the Marine Corps goals is to bring every Marine into alignment with Marine Corps doctrine. The Marine Corps brings ghetto kids, farm boys, suburban kids, and even kids from wealthy families together, and in 13 weeks molds them into one well oiled fighting machine. That takes discipline.
I believe if every Christian lived their lives with that kind of loyalty to our Lord, and that kind of discipline to His Word, the Church would impact this planet like the world has never seen!
What a powerful example of the importance of discipline.
Think of the balance that we can obtain in our life if we have a proper understanding and application of the biblical principle of discipline. You wont punish your kids in anger because they "made you mad". You will do what is proper and necessary to bring them "into alignment" with the values you hold dear. You will be intentional in your relationships with those around you to bring each other into alignment of the Word.
Live the "E" today. Live the disciplined 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
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
8.21.12 "What Right Do You Have?"
"What Right Do You Have?"
Job 1:1-3:26
I Corinthians 14:1-17
Psalm 37:12-28
Proverbs 21:25-26
Another familiar portion of scripture today. We know the story of Job: A Godly man who does not turn against God in times of hardship. His response to the calamity that falls on his life is in verse 21: "'I came naked from my mother's womb,' he said, 'and I shall have nothing when I die. The Lord gave me everything I had, and they were his to take away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.'"
Looking at this portion of scripture gives us a good opportunity to evaluate where we are at in our Christian maturity. Would my response resemble Job's? My first reaction is probably not. Why is that?
It really comes down to the fact that we feel we have a "right" to things. When God blesses us, somehow we attach ourselves to that blessing and we make it "ours". If you've ever seen "Finding Nemo", we're like the seagulls that always go around saying "mine! mine! mine!"
Often it takes a significant event in our lives to bring to light how connected we really are. Mark, a member of our pastoral team & his family lost everything in a house fire on a Saturday night. They were in church that next night & I spoke briefly with his wife Heather, and she said, "We're fine, it's just 'stuff'." Sure, there were tears for heirlooms and other memories that were gone, and over time there was the process of grieving, but there was not despair.
How connected to your "stuff" are you? Whether you live in a place of great financial blessing, or adequate provision, you are blessed with your "stuff". You know what? You have no right to any of it. It is only by the grace of God you have what you have. You have no "right" to good health. No "right" to financial gain. It's purely by the grace of God.
Living with that attitude can make quite a difference. It's much easier to live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship when we are not hung up on our "rights". When we realize what little we really deserve, we are already postured for worship. This denial of our fleshly desire for rights opens our eyes to the greatness of God, his awesome power, and his love for us.
You may have heard the phrase, "I know God wont give me more than I can handle, but I wish he wouldn't trust me so much." there are times when our "connectivity" to the blessings will be tested. Realizing that everything is God's sure takes away some of the worry and fret over these issues.
Don't get out of balance in this, however. We are still Responsible to be good stewards of the blessings he has given us. We are to put the blessings of time, talent and resource to work to bring an increase for the kingdom, but they are not "ours". They are his. What I'm saying is that to be blessed with a thousand dollars and say "oh it's not mine, it's God's" and set the pile of money on the front step and let it blow away is not God's plan either. To live the DREAM, we must understand the principle of Active Ministry involvement is Responsibility. We must be good stewards of all that God has given us. But never get out of balance to the point that we think what is given to us is ours.
Psalm 37:23-26 says, "The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. If they fall it isn't fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand. I have been young and now I am old. And in all my years I have never seen the Lord forsake a man who loves him; nor have I seen the children of the godly go hungry. Instead, the godly are able to be generous with their gifts and loans to others, and their children are a blessing."
Our life may be filled with abundance, or it may be scarred by disease, but the circumstances don't change the fact that we have not been forsaken. All we have is the Lord's. We are in the palm of his hand.
We don't have any right to any of the blessing we have, but in his infinite wisdom, graciousness, love and mercy, God has poured out these blessings upon us. Take time today to say, "Blessed be the Name of the Lord!"
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
Job 1:1-3:26
I Corinthians 14:1-17
Psalm 37:12-28
Proverbs 21:25-26
Another familiar portion of scripture today. We know the story of Job: A Godly man who does not turn against God in times of hardship. His response to the calamity that falls on his life is in verse 21: "'I came naked from my mother's womb,' he said, 'and I shall have nothing when I die. The Lord gave me everything I had, and they were his to take away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.'"
Looking at this portion of scripture gives us a good opportunity to evaluate where we are at in our Christian maturity. Would my response resemble Job's? My first reaction is probably not. Why is that?
It really comes down to the fact that we feel we have a "right" to things. When God blesses us, somehow we attach ourselves to that blessing and we make it "ours". If you've ever seen "Finding Nemo", we're like the seagulls that always go around saying "mine! mine! mine!"
Often it takes a significant event in our lives to bring to light how connected we really are. Mark, a member of our pastoral team & his family lost everything in a house fire on a Saturday night. They were in church that next night & I spoke briefly with his wife Heather, and she said, "We're fine, it's just 'stuff'." Sure, there were tears for heirlooms and other memories that were gone, and over time there was the process of grieving, but there was not despair.
How connected to your "stuff" are you? Whether you live in a place of great financial blessing, or adequate provision, you are blessed with your "stuff". You know what? You have no right to any of it. It is only by the grace of God you have what you have. You have no "right" to good health. No "right" to financial gain. It's purely by the grace of God.
Living with that attitude can make quite a difference. It's much easier to live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship when we are not hung up on our "rights". When we realize what little we really deserve, we are already postured for worship. This denial of our fleshly desire for rights opens our eyes to the greatness of God, his awesome power, and his love for us.
You may have heard the phrase, "I know God wont give me more than I can handle, but I wish he wouldn't trust me so much." there are times when our "connectivity" to the blessings will be tested. Realizing that everything is God's sure takes away some of the worry and fret over these issues.
Don't get out of balance in this, however. We are still Responsible to be good stewards of the blessings he has given us. We are to put the blessings of time, talent and resource to work to bring an increase for the kingdom, but they are not "ours". They are his. What I'm saying is that to be blessed with a thousand dollars and say "oh it's not mine, it's God's" and set the pile of money on the front step and let it blow away is not God's plan either. To live the DREAM, we must understand the principle of Active Ministry involvement is Responsibility. We must be good stewards of all that God has given us. But never get out of balance to the point that we think what is given to us is ours.
Psalm 37:23-26 says, "The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. If they fall it isn't fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand. I have been young and now I am old. And in all my years I have never seen the Lord forsake a man who loves him; nor have I seen the children of the godly go hungry. Instead, the godly are able to be generous with their gifts and loans to others, and their children are a blessing."
Our life may be filled with abundance, or it may be scarred by disease, but the circumstances don't change the fact that we have not been forsaken. All we have is the Lord's. We are in the palm of his hand.
We don't have any right to any of the blessing we have, but in his infinite wisdom, graciousness, love and mercy, God has poured out these blessings upon us. Take time today to say, "Blessed be the Name of the Lord!"
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
Monday, August 20, 2012
8.20.12 "Your Heart's Desires"
"Your Heart's Desires"
Esther 8:1-10:3
I Corinthians 12:27-13:13
Psalm 37:1-11
Proverbs 21:23-24
"Be delighted with the Lord. Then he will give you all your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it and he will."
Just a simple thought today of placing your heart in the hand of God. What does it mean to be delighted with the Lord? I'm thinking that it's not something that's swayed by circumstance. It's allowing your heart to be filled with love for Him. It's living a life of trust. It's being so in love with him you can't help but say, "God, I'm excited about what you're doing in my life!" even when it's uncomfortable.
What are your heart's desires? I'm finding that as I begin to delight in the Lord, it's not a matter of him giving me what I want, it's a matter of me realizing that I desire what He wants. The closer we draw to Him, the more he places desires within us that align to his will. The passions that motivate us come into alignment with what he has set out to do in us and through us. My delight transforms my desires.
I'm a dreamer. I have all kinds of crazy plans and big things I'd like to do and see accomplished. There's a purpose for that. As I delight myself in the Lord, I see how he's placing proper perspective to all I have in my heart.
Sometimes we think if we commit everything to the Lord, and trust him to help us do it, it will be accomplished immediately in the way we imagined. Rarely is that the case. In the process of helping us in what we do, he has a way of molding us, purifying our motivations, our desires, our burdens and our vision.
There may be times we fear that if we commit everything to the Lord, He would never fulfill the desires. This fear comes from a lack of understanding the nature of the God who loves us so much. Matthew 7:9-11 says, "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
It is paradoxical. In order to see our desires fulfilled we must completely die to the desires. We can't even be "mostly dead" to them. We have to place them COMPLETELY in his hands. We have to delight in him. That is only way we will find fulfillment. We must die to our dreams in order to live them out.
It's interesting that one of the most well known scripture readings is in today's reading as well. It's I Cor. 13... the "love" chapter. It can basically be outlined as this: Love is dying to self. All of us desperately need love, yet the only way to experience it to die to the need.
As difficult as it sounds, it's really a great place to be. Living in the freedom of knowing your heart is in the hands of the One who has all power, all knowledge, and loves you so much. Trust him today.
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
Esther 8:1-10:3
I Corinthians 12:27-13:13
Psalm 37:1-11
Proverbs 21:23-24
"Be delighted with the Lord. Then he will give you all your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it and he will."
Just a simple thought today of placing your heart in the hand of God. What does it mean to be delighted with the Lord? I'm thinking that it's not something that's swayed by circumstance. It's allowing your heart to be filled with love for Him. It's living a life of trust. It's being so in love with him you can't help but say, "God, I'm excited about what you're doing in my life!" even when it's uncomfortable.
What are your heart's desires? I'm finding that as I begin to delight in the Lord, it's not a matter of him giving me what I want, it's a matter of me realizing that I desire what He wants. The closer we draw to Him, the more he places desires within us that align to his will. The passions that motivate us come into alignment with what he has set out to do in us and through us. My delight transforms my desires.
I'm a dreamer. I have all kinds of crazy plans and big things I'd like to do and see accomplished. There's a purpose for that. As I delight myself in the Lord, I see how he's placing proper perspective to all I have in my heart.
Sometimes we think if we commit everything to the Lord, and trust him to help us do it, it will be accomplished immediately in the way we imagined. Rarely is that the case. In the process of helping us in what we do, he has a way of molding us, purifying our motivations, our desires, our burdens and our vision.
There may be times we fear that if we commit everything to the Lord, He would never fulfill the desires. This fear comes from a lack of understanding the nature of the God who loves us so much. Matthew 7:9-11 says, "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
It is paradoxical. In order to see our desires fulfilled we must completely die to the desires. We can't even be "mostly dead" to them. We have to place them COMPLETELY in his hands. We have to delight in him. That is only way we will find fulfillment. We must die to our dreams in order to live them out.
It's interesting that one of the most well known scripture readings is in today's reading as well. It's I Cor. 13... the "love" chapter. It can basically be outlined as this: Love is dying to self. All of us desperately need love, yet the only way to experience it to die to the need.
As difficult as it sounds, it's really a great place to be. Living in the freedom of knowing your heart is in the hands of the One who has all power, all knowledge, and loves you so much. Trust him today.
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
Sunday, August 19, 2012
8.19.12 "I'm glad you're odd!"
"I'm glad you're odd!"
Esther 4:1-7:10
I Corinthians 12:1-26
Psalm 36:1-12
Proverbs 21:21-22
"Our bodies have many parts, but the many parts make up only one body when they are all put together. So it is with the 'body' of Christ." I Cor. 12:12
In a sense, the Body of Christ is like a great relay team. We all work together in our given are a of responsibility and giftings. While we may not be the "recognizable name" in this relay, it doesn't mean that we aren't important.
The Living Bible brings some renewed perspectives to this familiar scripture. Here's my favorite of the day: "And some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary. Yes, we are especially glad to have some parts that seem rather odd!" (I Cor. 12:22-23) Do you know any odd parts?
As we mature in Christ, we need to strengthen each element of DREAM. If you haven't learned already, one of the truths of growing in Christ is that we are never done. Even if we understand each of the principles of DREAM, and have read the Bible through, we can't just check it off our to-do list and then coast through life. We have to be continually strengthened in all areas.
Today's reading is to strengthen our resolve to live in "Relationships Devoted to Unity". Do you find there are individuals in your life who rub you the wrong way? Their personality grates on you, or it seems like you disagree with everything they say? Do you know that God put them in your life to complete his work in you? Do you know that He has a plan for that individual just like he has a plan for you?
Sometimes I struggle with my own concerns so much that it's easy to forget about God's plan for the people around me. I forget that the body would be incomplete without those "odd" parts. (The truth is, I'm probably the odd one!) Sometimes we may get frustrated with individuals who seem to distract from what we're trying to do. We forget that God is using that individual to make us better. We forget that we cannot function properly without their opposing view, or complementary giftings, or putting it more bluntly, the body can't function without that person that drives you nuts!
It's easy for us to read this chapter and say we "get it". Putting it into practice is a whole other issue. What did you see the last time you were walking through the hall at church? Did what you see describe I Corinthians 12:25? "This makes for happiness among the parts, so that the parts have the same care for each other that they do for themselves."
You may have passed by someone that made you uncomfortable. They seemed "odd". The tendency is to want to go to those who make you feel good about yourself when you talk to them. You may have been on a mission to get something done. The question is, did you walk through the hall with "the same care for others" that you have for yourself?
Put yourself in the shoes of the "outsider". The one who may feel a little "odd". What kind of impact would it make for you to take the time to speak with them, Listen to their story, Let them know that the Body welcomes them? If someone did that for you, don't you think that would make quite an impact?
Chuck Swindoll said once, "Christians are like porcupines on a cold winter night. They get cold, so they huddle together for warmth, until one pokes another, then they scatter for a while until they get cold again." So many times offenses in the body of Christ occur, and one porcupine is complaining about the quills of another, completely ignorant of their own quills.
We're all odd. We all have a different function in the body. Everyone is necessary. We have to "get over ourselves" and realize that God is working his plan in all of us. I Cor. 12:6 says, "There are many ways in which God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work in and through all of us who are his. The Holy Spirit displays God's power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church."
Remember you are no more important than anyone else. Some need to hear that. Others need to hear this: You are NO LESS important than anyone else. To live the Balanced Christian Life, we need to understand this! We need to find that balance point.
"if one part suffers, all parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored all the parts are glad." I Cor. 12:26.
Live today "especially glad to have some parts that seem rather odd!"
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
--
Posted By P Greg to DEVO DREAM at 8/19/2010 07:44:00 AM
Esther 4:1-7:10
I Corinthians 12:1-26
Psalm 36:1-12
Proverbs 21:21-22
"Our bodies have many parts, but the many parts make up only one body when they are all put together. So it is with the 'body' of Christ." I Cor. 12:12
In a sense, the Body of Christ is like a great relay team. We all work together in our given are a of responsibility and giftings. While we may not be the "recognizable name" in this relay, it doesn't mean that we aren't important.
The Living Bible brings some renewed perspectives to this familiar scripture. Here's my favorite of the day: "And some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary. Yes, we are especially glad to have some parts that seem rather odd!" (I Cor. 12:22-23) Do you know any odd parts?
As we mature in Christ, we need to strengthen each element of DREAM. If you haven't learned already, one of the truths of growing in Christ is that we are never done. Even if we understand each of the principles of DREAM, and have read the Bible through, we can't just check it off our to-do list and then coast through life. We have to be continually strengthened in all areas.
Today's reading is to strengthen our resolve to live in "Relationships Devoted to Unity". Do you find there are individuals in your life who rub you the wrong way? Their personality grates on you, or it seems like you disagree with everything they say? Do you know that God put them in your life to complete his work in you? Do you know that He has a plan for that individual just like he has a plan for you?
Sometimes I struggle with my own concerns so much that it's easy to forget about God's plan for the people around me. I forget that the body would be incomplete without those "odd" parts. (The truth is, I'm probably the odd one!) Sometimes we may get frustrated with individuals who seem to distract from what we're trying to do. We forget that God is using that individual to make us better. We forget that we cannot function properly without their opposing view, or complementary giftings, or putting it more bluntly, the body can't function without that person that drives you nuts!
It's easy for us to read this chapter and say we "get it". Putting it into practice is a whole other issue. What did you see the last time you were walking through the hall at church? Did what you see describe I Corinthians 12:25? "This makes for happiness among the parts, so that the parts have the same care for each other that they do for themselves."
You may have passed by someone that made you uncomfortable. They seemed "odd". The tendency is to want to go to those who make you feel good about yourself when you talk to them. You may have been on a mission to get something done. The question is, did you walk through the hall with "the same care for others" that you have for yourself?
Put yourself in the shoes of the "outsider". The one who may feel a little "odd". What kind of impact would it make for you to take the time to speak with them, Listen to their story, Let them know that the Body welcomes them? If someone did that for you, don't you think that would make quite an impact?
Chuck Swindoll said once, "Christians are like porcupines on a cold winter night. They get cold, so they huddle together for warmth, until one pokes another, then they scatter for a while until they get cold again." So many times offenses in the body of Christ occur, and one porcupine is complaining about the quills of another, completely ignorant of their own quills.
We're all odd. We all have a different function in the body. Everyone is necessary. We have to "get over ourselves" and realize that God is working his plan in all of us. I Cor. 12:6 says, "There are many ways in which God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work in and through all of us who are his. The Holy Spirit displays God's power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church."
Remember you are no more important than anyone else. Some need to hear that. Others need to hear this: You are NO LESS important than anyone else. To live the Balanced Christian Life, we need to understand this! We need to find that balance point.
"if one part suffers, all parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored all the parts are glad." I Cor. 12:26.
Live today "especially glad to have some parts that seem rather odd!"
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
--
Posted By P Greg to DEVO DREAM at 8/19/2010 07:44:00 AM
Saturday, August 18, 2012
8.18.12 "The Danger of the Familiar"
"The Danger of the Familiar"
Esther 1:1-3:15
I Corinthians 11:17-34
Psalm 35:17-28
Proverbs 21:19-20
Today's reading in I Corinthians is a familiar portion of scripture to many, especially verses 23-30. These are the verses used during a communion service.
In this section Paul is rebuking the Corinthian church for what they've done to the communion service. By the nature of his writing, it's clear that they have been celebrating the communion service on a regular basis. That's a good thing, right? Not really. Somehow over time, the familiarity of the "ritual" has caused the focus to be lost. In verse 17 Paul says, "... it sounds as if more harm than good is done when you meet together for your communion services."
How does a communion service cause more harm than good? There are several reasons, but one is the danger of the familiar. You know what it's like. There are verses you've heard thousands of times. What do they mean to you? "For God so loved the world...." "Go ye into all the world...." "Do this in remembrance of me..."
It's so easy to allow the teaching of the word, and even the practices of the church become mere rituals because we forget what it really means. We get caught in the routine of life and numbed to our purpose, and what God has done for us. How thankful are you today that you know Christ? Have you become so accustomed to being in the light that you've forgotten the loneliness of the darkness?
"Take this and eat it. This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me." Do you remember the setting? Do you remember what was at stake? Do you remember the agony of "his only son".
"This cup is the new agreement between God and you that has been established and set in motion by my blood." Look at your wrist. Imagine a spike being driven through it. Imagine the blood you would lose. Remember the one who went through that for the purpose of setting in motion a new covenant between you and God... so you could be right with God.
What happens when you just go the ritual motions of communion? Do you sense the danger of apathy creeping in? It's like a silent killer gradually snuffing out the flame of gratefulness and reverence.
What happens in your heart as you truly take the time to remember? What posture do you have in your spirit when you really consider what Christ has done for you?
Isn't it humbling? There's an old song that says:
Who am I that The King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray not my will, but Thine Lord?
The answer I may never know
Why He ever loved me so
That to an old rugged cross He'd go
For who am I?
What happens to us when we genuinely remember? It humbles us. We're in awe of his love. Maybe that's why we become casual about these things. We don't like to be in that humble position.
Paul says in verse 26 "For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you are re-telling the message of the Lord's death, that he has died for you. Do this until he comes again."
If you are re-telling this message, is there any time that it should be unimportant? is there any time that it should be casual?
Can you see the importance of guarding against the dangers of the familiar? This doesn't only apply to communion. It applies to worship, the preaching of the word, all areas of the Christian walk.
As we mature in true Godly humility we can better keep the course the Lord has laid out for us. When we remember our mission, our purpose, and above all what Christ has done for us, then we will truly guard ourselves from eating and drinking in an "unworthy manner."
Take time today to examine your heart, your motives, your actions. You may not have the opportunity to have a formal communion service, but wherever you are at, you can truly thank Jesus for the price he paid.
Thank you Lord for what you've done!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
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
Esther 1:1-3:15
I Corinthians 11:17-34
Psalm 35:17-28
Proverbs 21:19-20
Today's reading in I Corinthians is a familiar portion of scripture to many, especially verses 23-30. These are the verses used during a communion service.
In this section Paul is rebuking the Corinthian church for what they've done to the communion service. By the nature of his writing, it's clear that they have been celebrating the communion service on a regular basis. That's a good thing, right? Not really. Somehow over time, the familiarity of the "ritual" has caused the focus to be lost. In verse 17 Paul says, "... it sounds as if more harm than good is done when you meet together for your communion services."
How does a communion service cause more harm than good? There are several reasons, but one is the danger of the familiar. You know what it's like. There are verses you've heard thousands of times. What do they mean to you? "For God so loved the world...." "Go ye into all the world...." "Do this in remembrance of me..."
It's so easy to allow the teaching of the word, and even the practices of the church become mere rituals because we forget what it really means. We get caught in the routine of life and numbed to our purpose, and what God has done for us. How thankful are you today that you know Christ? Have you become so accustomed to being in the light that you've forgotten the loneliness of the darkness?
"Take this and eat it. This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me." Do you remember the setting? Do you remember what was at stake? Do you remember the agony of "his only son".
"This cup is the new agreement between God and you that has been established and set in motion by my blood." Look at your wrist. Imagine a spike being driven through it. Imagine the blood you would lose. Remember the one who went through that for the purpose of setting in motion a new covenant between you and God... so you could be right with God.
What happens when you just go the ritual motions of communion? Do you sense the danger of apathy creeping in? It's like a silent killer gradually snuffing out the flame of gratefulness and reverence.
What happens in your heart as you truly take the time to remember? What posture do you have in your spirit when you really consider what Christ has done for you?
Isn't it humbling? There's an old song that says:
Who am I that The King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray not my will, but Thine Lord?
The answer I may never know
Why He ever loved me so
That to an old rugged cross He'd go
For who am I?
What happens to us when we genuinely remember? It humbles us. We're in awe of his love. Maybe that's why we become casual about these things. We don't like to be in that humble position.
Paul says in verse 26 "For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you are re-telling the message of the Lord's death, that he has died for you. Do this until he comes again."
If you are re-telling this message, is there any time that it should be unimportant? is there any time that it should be casual?
Can you see the importance of guarding against the dangers of the familiar? This doesn't only apply to communion. It applies to worship, the preaching of the word, all areas of the Christian walk.
As we mature in true Godly humility we can better keep the course the Lord has laid out for us. When we remember our mission, our purpose, and above all what Christ has done for us, then we will truly guard ourselves from eating and drinking in an "unworthy manner."
Take time today to examine your heart, your motives, your actions. You may not have the opportunity to have a formal communion service, but wherever you are at, you can truly thank Jesus for the price he paid.
Thank you Lord for what you've done!
Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!
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
Friday, August 17, 2012
8.17.12 "Whose Responsibility is It?"
"Whose Responsibility is It?"
Nehemiah 12:27 - 13:31
I Corinthians 11:3-16
Psalm 35:1-16
Proverbs 21:17-18
Today's memory verse is Nehemiah 13:25 "So I confronted these parents and cursed them and punched a few of them and knocked them around and pulled out their hair."
How do you like that?? Having been a school teacher, there are days when that would have felt real good!
To get the context of the verse above you need to read all of Nehemiah 13. After the wall has been completed and they go through their celebrations, and the people are rejoicing, Nehemiah leaves town for a period. He comes back to find things that should not be. Remember Tobiah & his plots with Sanballat? Well Nehemiah returns to find him living in the temple! the context of verse 13 is that he has found that the children were marrying foreigners which was in direct violation of God's commands. Sometimes ministry is like herding cats more than herding sheep. Why is that?
How would you feel if you were Nehemiah? You remember the vision, you remember the burden, you remember the work, you remember the attacks, the discouragement, the victory, the celebration, and after all that, the hearts of the people stray back to where they were. How discouraging and frustrating.
Good thing that doesn't happen today...
Unfortunately, it's way too common. Why is that? Part of the reason is that individuals don't take responsibility for the work of the ministry. A close friend once said, "every Christian should minister and live a life of servitude. Pastors are called to minister to the minister, lead the leader and train the trainer while the flock is ministering to the hurting, leading the lost and training the clueless." That's a powerful statement.
Often people will say, "hey, you get paid to do this" when it comes to ministry. Can you see the danger with that thought process? The point is that every single member of the body of Christ has a stake in obeying God's commands, and watching out for one another.
For example, if Charlie choir member says to Edgar Usher, "I'm thinking of leaving the church." What is Edgar's responsibility? Many times the thought process is: "I'm just an usher. I'll tell him I'll pray for him and that's it. The Pastor will have to deal with that." And nothing is done to restore the relationship. It's as if the individual parts of the body are willing to let other parts die because "it's not my job."
Imagine how healthy we will be as a body when we take responsibility not only for tasks we've been given, but we also take responsibility to carry out the instruction of the Word, take responsibility for the health and care of one another, and make it a personal responsibility to carry out the vision of our Pastor.
"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:14-16 That's how it should be.
This does not reduce the responsibility of the leader. in Nehemiah 13:30 he "assigned tasks to the priests and Levites making certain that each knew his work." It is incumbent upon you as a leader to communicate vision and responsibility to those in your charge. Otherwise you get upset with people for things they don't know they are responsible for.
Responsibility is the spiritual principle of "Active Ministry Involvement". To live the Balanced Christian Life, we must understand the Responsibility we have in all areas of life. We are responsible for what we've been given, and we are responsible to God and to the authorities he's placed over us.
Take Responsibility for the ministry today. Whose responsibility is it?
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
Nehemiah 12:27 - 13:31
I Corinthians 11:3-16
Psalm 35:1-16
Proverbs 21:17-18
Today's memory verse is Nehemiah 13:25 "So I confronted these parents and cursed them and punched a few of them and knocked them around and pulled out their hair."
How do you like that?? Having been a school teacher, there are days when that would have felt real good!
To get the context of the verse above you need to read all of Nehemiah 13. After the wall has been completed and they go through their celebrations, and the people are rejoicing, Nehemiah leaves town for a period. He comes back to find things that should not be. Remember Tobiah & his plots with Sanballat? Well Nehemiah returns to find him living in the temple! the context of verse 13 is that he has found that the children were marrying foreigners which was in direct violation of God's commands. Sometimes ministry is like herding cats more than herding sheep. Why is that?
How would you feel if you were Nehemiah? You remember the vision, you remember the burden, you remember the work, you remember the attacks, the discouragement, the victory, the celebration, and after all that, the hearts of the people stray back to where they were. How discouraging and frustrating.
Good thing that doesn't happen today...
Unfortunately, it's way too common. Why is that? Part of the reason is that individuals don't take responsibility for the work of the ministry. A close friend once said, "every Christian should minister and live a life of servitude. Pastors are called to minister to the minister, lead the leader and train the trainer while the flock is ministering to the hurting, leading the lost and training the clueless." That's a powerful statement.
Often people will say, "hey, you get paid to do this" when it comes to ministry. Can you see the danger with that thought process? The point is that every single member of the body of Christ has a stake in obeying God's commands, and watching out for one another.
For example, if Charlie choir member says to Edgar Usher, "I'm thinking of leaving the church." What is Edgar's responsibility? Many times the thought process is: "I'm just an usher. I'll tell him I'll pray for him and that's it. The Pastor will have to deal with that." And nothing is done to restore the relationship. It's as if the individual parts of the body are willing to let other parts die because "it's not my job."
Imagine how healthy we will be as a body when we take responsibility not only for tasks we've been given, but we also take responsibility to carry out the instruction of the Word, take responsibility for the health and care of one another, and make it a personal responsibility to carry out the vision of our Pastor.
"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:14-16 That's how it should be.
This does not reduce the responsibility of the leader. in Nehemiah 13:30 he "assigned tasks to the priests and Levites making certain that each knew his work." It is incumbent upon you as a leader to communicate vision and responsibility to those in your charge. Otherwise you get upset with people for things they don't know they are responsible for.
Responsibility is the spiritual principle of "Active Ministry Involvement". To live the Balanced Christian Life, we must understand the Responsibility we have in all areas of life. We are responsible for what we've been given, and we are responsible to God and to the authorities he's placed over us.
Take Responsibility for the ministry today. Whose responsibility is it?
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
Thursday, August 16, 2012
8.16.12 "Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should"
"Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should"
Nehemiah 11:1-12:26
I Corinthians 10:15-11:2
Psalm 34:11-22
Proverbs 21:14 - 16
Today's portion of scripture is quite challenging. Paul is addressing the Corinthian church about eating food that has been sacrificed to idols. At the surface level, it's a bit hard for us to relate to this issue. In our culture we really don't have to worry about whether Pick 'n' Save sacrificed the cow to an idol before we purchase the T-Bone. But don't throw out this section of scripture, because there are some very important principles that need to be integrated into the life of a maturing Christian.
What is sin and what isn't? As Paul is addressing this issue he is addressing things in life that are "matters of conscience". In other words, what may be sin for one, may not be sin for another. This is not an easy topic to tackle, but bear with me on this.
If you read through these scriptures, it sounds like Paul is contradicting himself. In verse 18 he says, "Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?" (NIV) and yet in verse 25 he says, "Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience". In verse 27 he says, "If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience." and yet the very next verse: "But if anyone says to you, 'This has been offered in sacrifice,' then do not eat it".
So what's the point? How does this apply to our lives?
Paul answers this in verses 32-33 (TLB) "So don't be a stumbling block to anyone, whether they are Jews or Gentiles or Christians. That is the plan I follow, too. I try to please everyone in everything I do, not doing what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them, so that they may be saved."
It all comes back to living a life of purpose. There are people who really get hung up on some issues of legalism. They spend their time on "holiness patrol" making it their mission to point out things other Christians are doing that are questionable, and wanting to bring them judgment. There are others who could care less what others think about their actions, and live life loose and figure, "hey it's just between me and God, it doesn't make a difference what others think." Both of these are wrong. They are out of balance.
It comes back to the first line of Purpose Driven Life: "It's not about you."
Bring this home. What things in your life are questionable? What are you watching on TV? Where are you hanging out? What kind of language do you use? Do you use the Lord's name in vain in casual conversation?
Now by the nature of the questions, it sounds like I'm on "holiness patrol". Not at all. What I'm saying is: Does the way you live reflect your purpose? Are you "doing what I like or what is best for me"? or are you doing "what is best for them, so that they may be saved."
In all that we do we need to be conscious of the need for others to have a right relationship with the Lord. We could get into some great battles about which TV shows are sin, and if you're more holy with cable because you get TBN or without cable because you don't get MTV, or whether or not you should have a TV, or if you're sinning because you love Cheetos or whatever. That's not the point! The point is living a life of purpose. It's not just what you do. It's who you are.
We need to walk every step of every day with the "M" in mind. We are on a "Mission to Reach Our World for Christ". "Relationships Devoted to Unity" are also a major part in this discussion. What are the needs of those around you who don't know Christ, and what are the needs of those around you who do know Christ.
It's not about you.
Paul says in I Cor. 10:29 "In this case his feeling about it is the important thing, not yours. But why you may ask, must I be guided and limited by what someone else thinks?" in verse 31 he answers, "Well, I'll tell you why. It is because you must do everything for the glory of God, even your eating and drinking."
Don't forget your Mission today. Do everything for the glory of God so that others may be saved!
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
Nehemiah 11:1-12:26
I Corinthians 10:15-11:2
Psalm 34:11-22
Proverbs 21:14 - 16
Today's portion of scripture is quite challenging. Paul is addressing the Corinthian church about eating food that has been sacrificed to idols. At the surface level, it's a bit hard for us to relate to this issue. In our culture we really don't have to worry about whether Pick 'n' Save sacrificed the cow to an idol before we purchase the T-Bone. But don't throw out this section of scripture, because there are some very important principles that need to be integrated into the life of a maturing Christian.
What is sin and what isn't? As Paul is addressing this issue he is addressing things in life that are "matters of conscience". In other words, what may be sin for one, may not be sin for another. This is not an easy topic to tackle, but bear with me on this.
If you read through these scriptures, it sounds like Paul is contradicting himself. In verse 18 he says, "Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?" (NIV) and yet in verse 25 he says, "Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience". In verse 27 he says, "If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience." and yet the very next verse: "But if anyone says to you, 'This has been offered in sacrifice,' then do not eat it".
So what's the point? How does this apply to our lives?
Paul answers this in verses 32-33 (TLB) "So don't be a stumbling block to anyone, whether they are Jews or Gentiles or Christians. That is the plan I follow, too. I try to please everyone in everything I do, not doing what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them, so that they may be saved."
It all comes back to living a life of purpose. There are people who really get hung up on some issues of legalism. They spend their time on "holiness patrol" making it their mission to point out things other Christians are doing that are questionable, and wanting to bring them judgment. There are others who could care less what others think about their actions, and live life loose and figure, "hey it's just between me and God, it doesn't make a difference what others think." Both of these are wrong. They are out of balance.
It comes back to the first line of Purpose Driven Life: "It's not about you."
Bring this home. What things in your life are questionable? What are you watching on TV? Where are you hanging out? What kind of language do you use? Do you use the Lord's name in vain in casual conversation?
Now by the nature of the questions, it sounds like I'm on "holiness patrol". Not at all. What I'm saying is: Does the way you live reflect your purpose? Are you "doing what I like or what is best for me"? or are you doing "what is best for them, so that they may be saved."
In all that we do we need to be conscious of the need for others to have a right relationship with the Lord. We could get into some great battles about which TV shows are sin, and if you're more holy with cable because you get TBN or without cable because you don't get MTV, or whether or not you should have a TV, or if you're sinning because you love Cheetos or whatever. That's not the point! The point is living a life of purpose. It's not just what you do. It's who you are.
We need to walk every step of every day with the "M" in mind. We are on a "Mission to Reach Our World for Christ". "Relationships Devoted to Unity" are also a major part in this discussion. What are the needs of those around you who don't know Christ, and what are the needs of those around you who do know Christ.
It's not about you.
Paul says in I Cor. 10:29 "In this case his feeling about it is the important thing, not yours. But why you may ask, must I be guided and limited by what someone else thinks?" in verse 31 he answers, "Well, I'll tell you why. It is because you must do everything for the glory of God, even your eating and drinking."
Don't forget your Mission today. Do everything for the glory of God so that others may be saved!
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
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