As most of you know my middle son is in the Army Reserves, and I work with the Family Readiness Group with his unit. The FRG does a lot of different things, for instance when a soldier is deployed we will help their family with things like getting the resources needed to meet a financial emergency, or if say a spouse or child needs counseling due to the soldier being deployed in harms way. We also have different fund raisers during the year so that we can have a "Family Day", where we bring all the soldiers, and all their families together for a day of fun and fellowship, so that we can become one big family, so we can support each other if our loved ones have to go overseas. This weekend was our Family Day, while getting ready for it, I started thinking about how the life of a soldier is so much like the life of a Christian.
1. We make the choice to be a soldier/Christian
Rm 10:9, "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth...thou shalt be saved" (13) "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved".
Joshua 24:15 "Choose you this day whom ye will serve;...but as for me and my house we will serve the LORD".
2Tim. 2:3 "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ".
God uses other Christians to recruit us, but it is by His power we are convicted of our sin, and through that conviction we decided to join His family/army. Remember the old song "I'm in the LORD's army".
2. Church/Bible study is our training
Rm 10:17 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God".
John 14:26 "But the comforter...shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you".
1Cor 4:17 "...as I teach every where in every church"
We learn the things we need to know to be a good soldier, going to boot camp (church), and through our personal study of the word of God. There is no substitute for either, there are things we learn in one place that can not be learned in the other.
3. We receive our orders through prayer
1Kg 9:3, Mt ch. 6, Mk 11:24
Lk 10:2 "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the LORD of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into his harvest".
Lk 18:1 "And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint"
When we talk to God, He talks to us. We may not always hear an audible voice, but He speaks to us in other ways. If we listen to His voice He will direct our paths.
4. Once we have received enough training--We go into combat
Eph. 6:11 "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may beable to stand against the wiles of the devil".
2Tim 2:4 "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier"
1Tim 1:18 "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare"
From the moment we accept Christ into our hearts, Satan and his henchmen are looking for any opportunity to tear us down. But, through the grace of God we will have the victory, if we fight for it.
5.When we finish the job we are sent to do, we get to go home.
Eph 1:10, 2:6, 3:15
Heb 11:16 "But now they desire a better country, that is an heavenly...for He hath prepared for them a city"
John 14:2-3 "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I woul have told you. I go to prepare a place for you..."
Just as the soldier in combat looks forward to the day his tour is over, and he gets to go to the safety of home and to loved one's. We should be looking forward to the day we go to our home in heaven.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Commitment
A couple of days ago I had some plans that I had been looking forward to. It was something that I really wanted to do, however when I got up that morning I did not feel real good. It's not that I felt bad, I just didn't feel good. So I canceled my plans. The next day I got up and felt horrible, however I got dressed and went to town. I had told a friend I would do something with them, and even though it was something I did not want to do to begin with, I went even as bad as I felt. A few days later someone asked me, why I canceled my plans, that I wanted to do when I did not feel that bad, and yet did something I did not want to do when I felt even worse. My answer was that I had made a commitment to someone else, and they were counting on me, and I always keep my commitment's unless something really major happens. I have went to work with a fever of 102F. Why? I had made a commitment to be there, and the company was counting on me to do my job, especially since I was the only one in my department, and there was a large order to get out.
I got to thinking about being asked the question about why I did what I did, and I got to thinking about my commitment to God. Luke 12:48b says, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:". You see, when we say that prayer, and ask God into our heart to be our Saviour, we make a commitment to Him, to do His will, and obey His commands. God says in Acts 13:22b "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will (23) Of this man's seed hath God according to His promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:"
I had to start asking myself if I was fulfilling my commitment to God. Am I doing everything He wants me to do? Am I obeying all His commands to me? After all He is faithful to keep His commitment to me. He promised to forgive all my sins, and to seal me into His family, making my salvation permanent unto eternity. "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day" 2Tim. 1:12. Paul said God is able to keep what we give Him, all the way until the judgment day. When we accept Him in our hearts, we are giving Him our bodies to use, and our souls to take into glory when the day comes. Jesus promises us in John 14:14 "If ye shall ask any thing in my name I will do it". That is a promise, God never breaks His promise. Then He goes on in vs 15 to say "If ye love me, keep my commandments". (vs16) "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever:". Jesus was telling us how much He loves us, and that the Comforter would be with us forever, but right in the middle of that He adds, "If ye love me keep my commandments". He just sandwiches what He expects of us, between what we can know that He will do. Notice those two words "expect" and "know", what is the difference between those words? I'll let you think about that on your own.
Jesus made the ultimate commitment to us when he went to the cross, He died for us, and all He ask in return is that we live for Him. That we tell others about Him, that others see Him in the way we live, the way we compose ourselves, how we handle trials, and troubles. He ask that we spend time studying His word, not just reading, but studying, commiting it to memory. He ask that we spend time in prayer talking to Him, and listening to Him. If we love Him we should want to do these things.
But too often it's this way, I know that my wife loves "Moose Tracks" ice cream. So I buy some to surprise her, I take it home expecting her to eat it, but she takes it from me, sits it on the table and it sits there until it melts. This never happens, if I bring it home, she eats it, but so many times in our spiritual lives we take the ice cream which represents the Bible, and prayer, and we just let it sit there until it is of no use to us. Just as I would not be able to understand why she did not eat the ice cream, I have to imagine that God looks down and wonders why we pass up His word, and conversation with Him.
I am going to leave you with one more passage 1Peter 4:18-19 "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator".
I got to thinking about being asked the question about why I did what I did, and I got to thinking about my commitment to God. Luke 12:48b says, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:". You see, when we say that prayer, and ask God into our heart to be our Saviour, we make a commitment to Him, to do His will, and obey His commands. God says in Acts 13:22b "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will (23) Of this man's seed hath God according to His promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:"
I had to start asking myself if I was fulfilling my commitment to God. Am I doing everything He wants me to do? Am I obeying all His commands to me? After all He is faithful to keep His commitment to me. He promised to forgive all my sins, and to seal me into His family, making my salvation permanent unto eternity. "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day" 2Tim. 1:12. Paul said God is able to keep what we give Him, all the way until the judgment day. When we accept Him in our hearts, we are giving Him our bodies to use, and our souls to take into glory when the day comes. Jesus promises us in John 14:14 "If ye shall ask any thing in my name I will do it". That is a promise, God never breaks His promise. Then He goes on in vs 15 to say "If ye love me, keep my commandments". (vs16) "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever:". Jesus was telling us how much He loves us, and that the Comforter would be with us forever, but right in the middle of that He adds, "If ye love me keep my commandments". He just sandwiches what He expects of us, between what we can know that He will do. Notice those two words "expect" and "know", what is the difference between those words? I'll let you think about that on your own.
Jesus made the ultimate commitment to us when he went to the cross, He died for us, and all He ask in return is that we live for Him. That we tell others about Him, that others see Him in the way we live, the way we compose ourselves, how we handle trials, and troubles. He ask that we spend time studying His word, not just reading, but studying, commiting it to memory. He ask that we spend time in prayer talking to Him, and listening to Him. If we love Him we should want to do these things.
But too often it's this way, I know that my wife loves "Moose Tracks" ice cream. So I buy some to surprise her, I take it home expecting her to eat it, but she takes it from me, sits it on the table and it sits there until it melts. This never happens, if I bring it home, she eats it, but so many times in our spiritual lives we take the ice cream which represents the Bible, and prayer, and we just let it sit there until it is of no use to us. Just as I would not be able to understand why she did not eat the ice cream, I have to imagine that God looks down and wonders why we pass up His word, and conversation with Him.
I am going to leave you with one more passage 1Peter 4:18-19 "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator".
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Angels
I want to say thank you to all of you who were praying for me yesterday. I knew when I did not post, that you would know that I was having an extremely bad day. Actually I am going through one of my bad cycles and will be having problems for a few more weeks before it lets up.
Let's just jump right into our devotion this morning. What exactly is an angel? In Col. 1:16, we see that they are created beings. They have not always existed, and they have jobs to do in God's kingdom. First let's look at how the angels are classified. The first classification is the archangel. There is only one particular angel associated specifically with this role, Michael. However in Daniel 10:13 we are given an indication that there might be more than just one archangel. Then there is Gabriel, let's call him God's messenger. Next is the cherubim, it appears their role is as a guardian. First in the garden of Eden after the banishment, on top of the ark of the covenant. Then there is the seraphim, only mentioned once in the Bible in
Isaiah chapter 6. The only thing we know about them is they cry to each other "Holy holy, holy is the LORD of host; the whole earth is full of His glory". Although they may have other roles, we are not told about.
"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation"? Heb. 1:14. The first way we see the angels ministering to us, is by guarding us. There was Daniel in the lions den, then in 2 Kings 6 we see where Elisha was going up against the king of Syria. Elisha's servant saw the Syrian army and was afraid, so Elisha prayed that the man's eyes would be opened, "and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha". God had sent an army of angels to protect Elisha. Then there was Peter and John in prison, and during the night an angel entered the jail, opened the doors and brought them out. Don't forget when Peter was in prison alone, and the angel led him out past the guards who did not see Peter walking out. In Matt. 18:10 we are told that our angels "do always behold the face of My Father, who is in heaven".
We should be able to take comfort in knowing that the angels transport us. Look at the story of Lazarus and the rich man. When Lazarus died he was "carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom". Jesus said the angels carried him, not escorted but carried him.
We see several times in scripture when an angel delivered a message from God to a man. There was Lot before Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed. Moses, Balam, Joshua, Gideon Manoah, Zechariah and David all received visits from angels. In the New Testament there was Zachariahs before the birth of John the Baptist, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds all foretelling the birth of Christ. Then an angel brought the good news of the resurrection. The apostle Paul in Acts 27:22-25 concerning the safety of the passengers on the ship.
"Do we receive special messages through angelic visitors today"? I believe that once the scriptures were completed most all communication with angels ceased. With the Bible complete there is no need for special divine revelation. Rev. 22:18 tells us, "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book". However, I am not saying all communication has ceased, after all Heb 13:2 says "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares". If you remember a couple of months ago, I told you about my friend that had an experience that we believe was a visit from an angel.
We also see in scripture, where the angels rejoice over a sinner who repents. In Revelation we see all the things the angels will do concerning the rapture, and second coming, and the defeat of Satan's army.
Now I want to make this clear, Col. 2:18 "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind". Under no circumstance are we to worship angels. They are God's servants, and nothing more. Worship of angels, is actually worship of false gods. God uses His angels to minister to us, to guard us, to communicate with us, and to fight Satan's army. God will have an angel deliver a blessing to us, but the angel on their own can do nothing to bless us, or minister to us, or even communicate with us. But, just knowing that God still uses His angels to minister to us, should give us peace when we are troubled, joy when we are sad, and hope when things appear hopeless, not because of the angel, but because of their service to God.
Let's just jump right into our devotion this morning. What exactly is an angel? In Col. 1:16, we see that they are created beings. They have not always existed, and they have jobs to do in God's kingdom. First let's look at how the angels are classified. The first classification is the archangel. There is only one particular angel associated specifically with this role, Michael. However in Daniel 10:13 we are given an indication that there might be more than just one archangel. Then there is Gabriel, let's call him God's messenger. Next is the cherubim, it appears their role is as a guardian. First in the garden of Eden after the banishment, on top of the ark of the covenant. Then there is the seraphim, only mentioned once in the Bible in
Isaiah chapter 6. The only thing we know about them is they cry to each other "Holy holy, holy is the LORD of host; the whole earth is full of His glory". Although they may have other roles, we are not told about.
"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation"? Heb. 1:14. The first way we see the angels ministering to us, is by guarding us. There was Daniel in the lions den, then in 2 Kings 6 we see where Elisha was going up against the king of Syria. Elisha's servant saw the Syrian army and was afraid, so Elisha prayed that the man's eyes would be opened, "and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha". God had sent an army of angels to protect Elisha. Then there was Peter and John in prison, and during the night an angel entered the jail, opened the doors and brought them out. Don't forget when Peter was in prison alone, and the angel led him out past the guards who did not see Peter walking out. In Matt. 18:10 we are told that our angels "do always behold the face of My Father, who is in heaven".
We should be able to take comfort in knowing that the angels transport us. Look at the story of Lazarus and the rich man. When Lazarus died he was "carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom". Jesus said the angels carried him, not escorted but carried him.
We see several times in scripture when an angel delivered a message from God to a man. There was Lot before Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed. Moses, Balam, Joshua, Gideon Manoah, Zechariah and David all received visits from angels. In the New Testament there was Zachariahs before the birth of John the Baptist, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds all foretelling the birth of Christ. Then an angel brought the good news of the resurrection. The apostle Paul in Acts 27:22-25 concerning the safety of the passengers on the ship.
"Do we receive special messages through angelic visitors today"? I believe that once the scriptures were completed most all communication with angels ceased. With the Bible complete there is no need for special divine revelation. Rev. 22:18 tells us, "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book". However, I am not saying all communication has ceased, after all Heb 13:2 says "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares". If you remember a couple of months ago, I told you about my friend that had an experience that we believe was a visit from an angel.
We also see in scripture, where the angels rejoice over a sinner who repents. In Revelation we see all the things the angels will do concerning the rapture, and second coming, and the defeat of Satan's army.
Now I want to make this clear, Col. 2:18 "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind". Under no circumstance are we to worship angels. They are God's servants, and nothing more. Worship of angels, is actually worship of false gods. God uses His angels to minister to us, to guard us, to communicate with us, and to fight Satan's army. God will have an angel deliver a blessing to us, but the angel on their own can do nothing to bless us, or minister to us, or even communicate with us. But, just knowing that God still uses His angels to minister to us, should give us peace when we are troubled, joy when we are sad, and hope when things appear hopeless, not because of the angel, but because of their service to God.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Show Me the Path
Good morning, let's start in Ps. 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth". I have been thinking about this verse, since yesterday morning. As you know I had told you that as of yesterday I would be correcting the misspelling in the address of the blog. Thursday afternoon (or whatever day I posted that), I checked and verified that the corrected address was available, which it was. Then Monday morning when I went in to actually make the change, I found out someone had claimed it out from under me. So now I am facing a couple of decisions. First of all, I want the address correct, this is God's work it should be correct in every way, He deserves it.
There are two ways I can correct this, I can either find another address totally, which I have thought about making some rather large changes. After all this has evolved into something different than I originally thought it would be. So if I go with a different name, then I can make sure things are correct. However, I feel the name "My Conversation with God", is one I want to stick with.
The other option is to move to a different host. With that option, there are hundreds of host available. So that thought is almost overwhelming.
So right now I am sitting here trying to "be still and know the He is God". I am waiting on Him to show me His plan. If you remember our lesson on 1Kings 19:12, when God sent Elijah onto Mount Horeb, there was a series of natural disasters, then the still small voice of God. Elijah stayed put where he was supposed to be, he did not turn and run, and because of that he was blessed by hearing the voice of God. That voice told him what he was to do next. I am waiting on that voice, I have heard that voice several times in my life, and I know that God will tell me what He wants me to do.
I feel that He is giving me a test right now. He is also teaching me again to wait on Him to direct my path. Ps. 16:11 "Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in they presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore". This is something that I must remember.
I have to admit that the last few weeks I have had to rely on Ps 27 especially starting with vs 11 "Teach me thy way O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. (13) I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. (14) Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say on the LORD".
First I want to make it clear that there are no human enemies. There are people that I have had conflict with, but they are not my enemies. They are good Christian people there was just some misunderstandings between us. Now Satan has tried to use that conflict to discourage me. Do you remember a couple of months ago we talked about the meaning of the word "wait". Do you remember how I showed that it means to depend on God for everything. Again that may not be the "original" meaning, but if you follow the phrase "wait on God, (the LORD)" you will see that once you put all the times it was used together, there is a common theme, wait on God to provide (whatever is needed at the moment), strength, wisdom, guidance, provisions, in other words everything.
Worrying about a small misspelling may seem silly to some, and any other time I would agree. But God has directed me to be a steward of this blog. He has made a special place in my heart for this work, after all this was originally intended to help me, to give me a place to connect His word to the trials, tribulations, and pain I go through. Coming here everyday, brings joy to my heart. I was told that I needed to stop trying to help others, until I knew what I was talking about. What that person does not understand is that I am not here to help others, I am here for me. But, God is here to help the rest of you, He is just using my struggles to do it. I have never claimed to be an expert, just a normal Christian with problems, that is depending on God to carry Him through, and I am willing to share my problems with you, as He told me to.
Ps. 26:6-7, "I will wash mine hands in innocency; so will I compass thine alter, O LORD: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all they wondrous works".
There are two ways I can correct this, I can either find another address totally, which I have thought about making some rather large changes. After all this has evolved into something different than I originally thought it would be. So if I go with a different name, then I can make sure things are correct. However, I feel the name "My Conversation with God", is one I want to stick with.
The other option is to move to a different host. With that option, there are hundreds of host available. So that thought is almost overwhelming.
So right now I am sitting here trying to "be still and know the He is God". I am waiting on Him to show me His plan. If you remember our lesson on 1Kings 19:12, when God sent Elijah onto Mount Horeb, there was a series of natural disasters, then the still small voice of God. Elijah stayed put where he was supposed to be, he did not turn and run, and because of that he was blessed by hearing the voice of God. That voice told him what he was to do next. I am waiting on that voice, I have heard that voice several times in my life, and I know that God will tell me what He wants me to do.
I feel that He is giving me a test right now. He is also teaching me again to wait on Him to direct my path. Ps. 16:11 "Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in they presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore". This is something that I must remember.
I have to admit that the last few weeks I have had to rely on Ps 27 especially starting with vs 11 "Teach me thy way O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. (13) I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. (14) Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say on the LORD".
First I want to make it clear that there are no human enemies. There are people that I have had conflict with, but they are not my enemies. They are good Christian people there was just some misunderstandings between us. Now Satan has tried to use that conflict to discourage me. Do you remember a couple of months ago we talked about the meaning of the word "wait". Do you remember how I showed that it means to depend on God for everything. Again that may not be the "original" meaning, but if you follow the phrase "wait on God, (the LORD)" you will see that once you put all the times it was used together, there is a common theme, wait on God to provide (whatever is needed at the moment), strength, wisdom, guidance, provisions, in other words everything.
Worrying about a small misspelling may seem silly to some, and any other time I would agree. But God has directed me to be a steward of this blog. He has made a special place in my heart for this work, after all this was originally intended to help me, to give me a place to connect His word to the trials, tribulations, and pain I go through. Coming here everyday, brings joy to my heart. I was told that I needed to stop trying to help others, until I knew what I was talking about. What that person does not understand is that I am not here to help others, I am here for me. But, God is here to help the rest of you, He is just using my struggles to do it. I have never claimed to be an expert, just a normal Christian with problems, that is depending on God to carry Him through, and I am willing to share my problems with you, as He told me to.
Ps. 26:6-7, "I will wash mine hands in innocency; so will I compass thine alter, O LORD: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all they wondrous works".
Monday, September 6, 2010
Statement of Faith Pt. 3
Good Labor Day to Everyone, I hope all of you have a good day celebrating with family and friends. But let's not forget the main reason we have to celebrate, our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. I am going to finish up on the statement of faith study today. It did not quite turn out as I intended, but hopefully we all have a better understanding of what is contained in this important statement, and why it is so important.
7. Baptism is commanded in order to show our obedience to Christ, and does not in any way affect our salvation. It represents Christ death, burial, and resurrection, in the movements, and act of immersion in water. If we truly accept Christ as our Savior we should have a desire to show our relationship with him through baptism.
Matthew 3:6, 3:16, 28:19-20; Acts 2:41, 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12
As someone enters the water, it represents Christ time on the cross, as they are lowered into the water, it represents His death and burial, then just as that person is raised out of the water, Christ victoriously arose from the dead, and the grave. This is just another way to demonstrate our love for Him, and our obedience to His commandments. After all He died for us, surely we can get wet for Him.
8. The global church is comprised of all believers worldwide. The local church is a congregation of baptized believers meeting together as a family to worship God, and learn about Him through the preaching of His word. The local church is autonomous, free of control by any outside organization, board, or person.
A. The true mission of the local church is found in the “Great Commission”. First to make individual disciples and to teach and instruct them, second to build up the church, and third to reach out in a spiral from the church, starting in the local community, then the region, then nationally, and finally the whole world, through national, and international missions.
B. Even though men and women are equal in God’s eyes, He has established certain requirements for jobs within the church, women are never to be over men, and accordingly only men are eligible to be pastors, elders, and deacons.
Leviticus 27:30-32; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 4:42-47, 6:2-3, 14:23, 15:22-23; 1Corinthians 5:11-13, 16;1-2; Ephesians 1:20-23, 5:23-24; Colossians 1:17-18; 1Timothy 2:12, 3:1-13
I tried my best to separate these three items, but all of the supporting verses would have been the same for all three (to a point anyway), so it just made sense to put them all together. I am probably as much for equal rights as anyone else when it comes to the workforce, but the Bible is clear about the role of women and men in the church, and the home.
9. Civil Governments are of divine appointment, in order to control society, and should always be obeyed except when they oppose the laws of God. God’s law always takes precedence.
Matthew 10:28, 22:21; Romans 13:6-7; Titus 3:1 1Peter 2:13-17
Does this need to be explained?
10. Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the faith. We are commanded to tithe 10% of our income before any deductions are made, to the local church. We are also commanded to cheerfully give above and beyond the tithe by faith to support mission work and the furtherance, and spread of the Gospel. At the same time we are commanded also to be witnesses in our local community our self.
Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23, 28:19-20; Acts 4:32-37, 11:27-30; Romans Ch. 15; Hebrews 7:2-4; 1Corinthians 16:2, 15-17; 2Corinthians 8:1-5, 9:6-7
Notice that the tithe comes out from the income amount before any deductions. Also notice that missions offering is made by faith, over and above the tithe. I promise that if you are faithful to give the missions offering then He will be faithful to bless you for it.
That is all of this list, as I said to start with I have seen some list that were quite extensive, covering a lot more subjects, with a lot more per subject. However this is a blog, not a church I just want to give a basic idea of what I believe in. Hopefully I covered all I need to cover, and did so adequately.
7. Baptism is commanded in order to show our obedience to Christ, and does not in any way affect our salvation. It represents Christ death, burial, and resurrection, in the movements, and act of immersion in water. If we truly accept Christ as our Savior we should have a desire to show our relationship with him through baptism.
Matthew 3:6, 3:16, 28:19-20; Acts 2:41, 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12
As someone enters the water, it represents Christ time on the cross, as they are lowered into the water, it represents His death and burial, then just as that person is raised out of the water, Christ victoriously arose from the dead, and the grave. This is just another way to demonstrate our love for Him, and our obedience to His commandments. After all He died for us, surely we can get wet for Him.
8. The global church is comprised of all believers worldwide. The local church is a congregation of baptized believers meeting together as a family to worship God, and learn about Him through the preaching of His word. The local church is autonomous, free of control by any outside organization, board, or person.
A. The true mission of the local church is found in the “Great Commission”. First to make individual disciples and to teach and instruct them, second to build up the church, and third to reach out in a spiral from the church, starting in the local community, then the region, then nationally, and finally the whole world, through national, and international missions.
B. Even though men and women are equal in God’s eyes, He has established certain requirements for jobs within the church, women are never to be over men, and accordingly only men are eligible to be pastors, elders, and deacons.
Leviticus 27:30-32; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 4:42-47, 6:2-3, 14:23, 15:22-23; 1Corinthians 5:11-13, 16;1-2; Ephesians 1:20-23, 5:23-24; Colossians 1:17-18; 1Timothy 2:12, 3:1-13
I tried my best to separate these three items, but all of the supporting verses would have been the same for all three (to a point anyway), so it just made sense to put them all together. I am probably as much for equal rights as anyone else when it comes to the workforce, but the Bible is clear about the role of women and men in the church, and the home.
9. Civil Governments are of divine appointment, in order to control society, and should always be obeyed except when they oppose the laws of God. God’s law always takes precedence.
Matthew 10:28, 22:21; Romans 13:6-7; Titus 3:1 1Peter 2:13-17
Does this need to be explained?
10. Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the faith. We are commanded to tithe 10% of our income before any deductions are made, to the local church. We are also commanded to cheerfully give above and beyond the tithe by faith to support mission work and the furtherance, and spread of the Gospel. At the same time we are commanded also to be witnesses in our local community our self.
Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23, 28:19-20; Acts 4:32-37, 11:27-30; Romans Ch. 15; Hebrews 7:2-4; 1Corinthians 16:2, 15-17; 2Corinthians 8:1-5, 9:6-7
Notice that the tithe comes out from the income amount before any deductions. Also notice that missions offering is made by faith, over and above the tithe. I promise that if you are faithful to give the missions offering then He will be faithful to bless you for it.
That is all of this list, as I said to start with I have seen some list that were quite extensive, covering a lot more subjects, with a lot more per subject. However this is a blog, not a church I just want to give a basic idea of what I believe in. Hopefully I covered all I need to cover, and did so adequately.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Statement of Faith Pt. 2
Let's just jump right in and see how far we get today.
4. The Genesis account of creation is correct and that it is to be accepted literally. All life was created by God in its present form, and there has never been, nor will there ever be any form of evolution. All life was created in two forms, male and female, and the only legitimate marriage is between man and woman. All forms of homosexuality, bi-sexuality, and bestiality is in and of itself sin. Man was created in innocence but fell by voluntary transgression of God’s Word, and is therefore under condemnation, and deserving of eternal punishment.
Genesis 1:1 &11 &24 &26-27, 2:21-23, 3:1-6 &24, John 1:3, Acts 4:24, Romans 5:12
This is repeated through out the Bible, "In the beginning God created the heavens and earth". "All that was made was made by Him and for Him", we are here for His pleasure, and not the other way around. If it wasn't for the vicarious suffering of Christ on the cross, we would be condemned to an eternity in hell, because of our own wickedness.
5. Jesus Christ was miraculously born of a virgin. He is both Son of God, and Son of Man. Mary conceived when the Holy Spirit moved on her, and miraculously planted the Christ child in her. But, at no time was there sexual intercourse between the Holy Spirit and Mary, otherwise she would not have been a virgin, and also God can not sin, premarital sex is a sin.
Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25, Mark 1:1, Luke 1:35, John 1:14 Galatians 4:4
We see in the Old Testament where the virgin birth was prophesied, and in the New Testament where it was fulfilled. But, at no time do we see where the Holy Spirit sinned by having premarital relations with her, which is something that He is incapable of, and would have made her of no use to Him anyway.
6. Salvation is by the Grace of God, and there is nothing man can do to obtain salvation on his own, by any work or effort. We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ and His sinless life, His voluntary death on the Cross, and His victory over death as a result of His resurrection. There can be no salvation without the shed blood of Christ to cover our sin.
Isaiah 53:4-7, &11-12; Matt 18:11; John 3:16, 10:17-18; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:23-24; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 7:25, 9:12-15, 12:2
There are people who think that if they live "good enough" they will be saved, other people think that there is some other way to be saved, but we are clearly told that "No man cometh to the Father but by Me", and "without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin." This is one of the main points of the Christian faith, belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior. God makes His salvation available to all men, but without faith in Jesus we can not hope to obtain it.
I'll finish up tomorrow, I hope everyone has a good day at church.
4. The Genesis account of creation is correct and that it is to be accepted literally. All life was created by God in its present form, and there has never been, nor will there ever be any form of evolution. All life was created in two forms, male and female, and the only legitimate marriage is between man and woman. All forms of homosexuality, bi-sexuality, and bestiality is in and of itself sin. Man was created in innocence but fell by voluntary transgression of God’s Word, and is therefore under condemnation, and deserving of eternal punishment.
Genesis 1:1 &11 &24 &26-27, 2:21-23, 3:1-6 &24, John 1:3, Acts 4:24, Romans 5:12
This is repeated through out the Bible, "In the beginning God created the heavens and earth". "All that was made was made by Him and for Him", we are here for His pleasure, and not the other way around. If it wasn't for the vicarious suffering of Christ on the cross, we would be condemned to an eternity in hell, because of our own wickedness.
5. Jesus Christ was miraculously born of a virgin. He is both Son of God, and Son of Man. Mary conceived when the Holy Spirit moved on her, and miraculously planted the Christ child in her. But, at no time was there sexual intercourse between the Holy Spirit and Mary, otherwise she would not have been a virgin, and also God can not sin, premarital sex is a sin.
Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25, Mark 1:1, Luke 1:35, John 1:14 Galatians 4:4
We see in the Old Testament where the virgin birth was prophesied, and in the New Testament where it was fulfilled. But, at no time do we see where the Holy Spirit sinned by having premarital relations with her, which is something that He is incapable of, and would have made her of no use to Him anyway.
6. Salvation is by the Grace of God, and there is nothing man can do to obtain salvation on his own, by any work or effort. We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ and His sinless life, His voluntary death on the Cross, and His victory over death as a result of His resurrection. There can be no salvation without the shed blood of Christ to cover our sin.
Isaiah 53:4-7, &11-12; Matt 18:11; John 3:16, 10:17-18; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:23-24; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 7:25, 9:12-15, 12:2
There are people who think that if they live "good enough" they will be saved, other people think that there is some other way to be saved, but we are clearly told that "No man cometh to the Father but by Me", and "without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin." This is one of the main points of the Christian faith, belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior. God makes His salvation available to all men, but without faith in Jesus we can not hope to obtain it.
I'll finish up tomorrow, I hope everyone has a good day at church.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Statement of Faith Pt. 1
I guess a day late is better than never. I was just wondering the other day, just how many of us have actually sat down and read the Christian Statement of Faith. There are as many different versions as there are people who have written them. When I say different versions, I mean that they all should say the exact same thing, however one person might just give a basic one page statement, with 10 points, and just one or two sentences on each point. The next person may, take 4 or 5 pages, to cover the exact same 10 points. What I grouped together in one point someone else may list separately as 4 points. I have copied and pasted (with permission) two different list since the beginning of the blog, one was just a basic set, the other an extremely complex list. However I did not like either, if it's too basic there just is not enough information for someone who is not a Christian to understand completely, if it is too complex, even the most mature Christian can have trouble following it, and will get bored. So I have sat down and tried to make it as simple to read as possible, while including good amount of information without going into overload. I have to admit, that it is going to be difficult to do much more than just paste the list here. I believe I have explained things about as well as they can be explained in the list. I gave supporting verses for each one of the points, but I just gave chapter and verse, with anywhere from 5-10 verses for each point, it would have increased the length to a point of enormous length, so I will probably just expand a few of those verses, and tie them together. I am just going to have to pray and let God lead, and control my fingers, I always try to "let Him use my fingers to do the walking". I know He is leading me to do this, so I know He will help me.
1. The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It was written by men, as God placed it on their hearts. As such it is without error, is infallible and is the standard by which we should live.
Acts 1:16, Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Peter 1:23, 2 Peter 1:21,
Revelation 22:18-19
What else needs to be said? God spoke through the prophets of old to write the 66 books that we have now. The Bible contains no errors, it is perfect in every way, it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
2. There is only one living and true God, who exist in a Trinity consisting of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Three persons inhabiting the same body equal in divine perfection, executing distinct buy equal functions.
Genesis 1:26, Matthew 28:19, Mark 12:30, John 4:24, 10:30, 1Corinthians 8:6, 12:4-6,
2Corinthins 13:14, Ephesians 2:13-18, Philippians 2:5-6, Hebrews 9:14, 1Peter 1:2
Isn't it great to know that we do serve a living God? Our God is not a piece of wood, or stone, our God is actually capable of thought, of assisting us, of loving us. Our God does not have a spot or blemish, He is not cracked, or molded, or termite infested.
3. Satan was once a holy angel, but through pride and ambition to be equal to the Almighty God, fell from grace, and is now man’s great tempter and the enemy of God. He is destined to be defeated at the hands of God the Son, and eternal damnation in hell.
Isaiah 14:12-15, Matthew 4:1-3, 25:41, Luke 22:3-4, 2Corintians 11:13-15, Ephesians 2:2
1Thessalonians 3:5, 2Thessalonians 2:8-11, Revelation 19:20, 20:1-3 &10
I believe that Satan is jealous of man, we have God's love, we have been invited into heaven, he was kicked out. Even though it is not possible for us to be equal with God, Jesus did become equal with man for a short time, and Satan was made lower than man.
I'm going to stop there for today, to stay within the average length I have tried to maintain from the beginning. I hope to cover more tomorrow, because there won't be a need for the beginning explanation.
1. The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It was written by men, as God placed it on their hearts. As such it is without error, is infallible and is the standard by which we should live.
Acts 1:16, Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Peter 1:23, 2 Peter 1:21,
Revelation 22:18-19
What else needs to be said? God spoke through the prophets of old to write the 66 books that we have now. The Bible contains no errors, it is perfect in every way, it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
2. There is only one living and true God, who exist in a Trinity consisting of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Three persons inhabiting the same body equal in divine perfection, executing distinct buy equal functions.
Genesis 1:26, Matthew 28:19, Mark 12:30, John 4:24, 10:30, 1Corinthians 8:6, 12:4-6,
2Corinthins 13:14, Ephesians 2:13-18, Philippians 2:5-6, Hebrews 9:14, 1Peter 1:2
Isn't it great to know that we do serve a living God? Our God is not a piece of wood, or stone, our God is actually capable of thought, of assisting us, of loving us. Our God does not have a spot or blemish, He is not cracked, or molded, or termite infested.
3. Satan was once a holy angel, but through pride and ambition to be equal to the Almighty God, fell from grace, and is now man’s great tempter and the enemy of God. He is destined to be defeated at the hands of God the Son, and eternal damnation in hell.
Isaiah 14:12-15, Matthew 4:1-3, 25:41, Luke 22:3-4, 2Corintians 11:13-15, Ephesians 2:2
1Thessalonians 3:5, 2Thessalonians 2:8-11, Revelation 19:20, 20:1-3 &10
I believe that Satan is jealous of man, we have God's love, we have been invited into heaven, he was kicked out. Even though it is not possible for us to be equal with God, Jesus did become equal with man for a short time, and Satan was made lower than man.
I'm going to stop there for today, to stay within the average length I have tried to maintain from the beginning. I hope to cover more tomorrow, because there won't be a need for the beginning explanation.
Christian Character
Today we were supposed to start a series on our Statement of Faith, however I had a bad night last night and was not able to get it ready. So I am going to pull one from my notebook that I already had ready.
Turn to 2 Pet. 1:1 "Simon Peter a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith...", because Peter knew this would be his last letter he wanted the believers to understand who he was and how he felt about himself. If you look at the original meanings of "a servant and an apostle", you see that Peter was calling himself both a slave and an apostle. In doing so he affirmed both a sincere humility and a position of authority.
Now look down at verses 5-7, "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity". In vs. 1 we see that he considered himself equal with everyone else who had obtained a faith of equal privilege, a faith that is essential to salvation, and Christian growth.
Once we are saved then we are obligated to make every effort to supplement our faith with first, virtue. Virtue is goodness, or moral excellence. To virtue or moral excellence, we are to add knowledge, the understanding and insight that comes from diligent study of the Bible under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It is a practical, applied knowledge, not simply a theoretical one.
To spiritual knowledge is added temperance, or self-control. The God-given ability to take charge of your own life, and control the passions and desires that the Devil uses to undermine people's spiritual lives. In addition to temperance we are to add, patience or endurance. This is what Paul talked about in Heb 12:1-2 "...run with endurance the race...for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross...".
As we are focusing on Jesus we develop godliness, or being God-like, the quality of living reverently in God's presence. Even though God has given us everything we need, we must diligently pursue godliness.
The first five qualities in this quest for Christlike character are climaxed by two kinds of love. The first, and lessor is brotherly kindness, or affection (philadelphia), which is a family like love, that involves a willingness to sacrifice for each other. This leads to the highest aspect of all Christian character, charity or Christ like love (agape). That is unconditional love, it was agape love that motivated God to send His only Son to die for us. It is the kind of love we are commanded to have for each other.
Verses 8-9 "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins".
Turn to 2 Pet. 1:1 "Simon Peter a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith...", because Peter knew this would be his last letter he wanted the believers to understand who he was and how he felt about himself. If you look at the original meanings of "a servant and an apostle", you see that Peter was calling himself both a slave and an apostle. In doing so he affirmed both a sincere humility and a position of authority.
Now look down at verses 5-7, "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity". In vs. 1 we see that he considered himself equal with everyone else who had obtained a faith of equal privilege, a faith that is essential to salvation, and Christian growth.
Once we are saved then we are obligated to make every effort to supplement our faith with first, virtue. Virtue is goodness, or moral excellence. To virtue or moral excellence, we are to add knowledge, the understanding and insight that comes from diligent study of the Bible under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It is a practical, applied knowledge, not simply a theoretical one.
To spiritual knowledge is added temperance, or self-control. The God-given ability to take charge of your own life, and control the passions and desires that the Devil uses to undermine people's spiritual lives. In addition to temperance we are to add, patience or endurance. This is what Paul talked about in Heb 12:1-2 "...run with endurance the race...for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross...".
As we are focusing on Jesus we develop godliness, or being God-like, the quality of living reverently in God's presence. Even though God has given us everything we need, we must diligently pursue godliness.
The first five qualities in this quest for Christlike character are climaxed by two kinds of love. The first, and lessor is brotherly kindness, or affection (philadelphia), which is a family like love, that involves a willingness to sacrifice for each other. This leads to the highest aspect of all Christian character, charity or Christ like love (agape). That is unconditional love, it was agape love that motivated God to send His only Son to die for us. It is the kind of love we are commanded to have for each other.
Verses 8-9 "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins".
Thursday, September 2, 2010
CHANGE OF WEB ADDRESS
Beginning Monday, September 6th 2010, I will be correcting a misspelling in the page address. The new address will be http://myconversation.blogspot.com. Originally I left the "a" out of "conversation", there has been some confusion on finding the page. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE!!!!
PLEASE TAKE NOTE!!!!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Such a Time as This
It took me a little while to get over the stuff that happened last week, but last night God gave me Ester 4:14 "For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"So I knew that I needed to get back to work no matter what. I did not realize just how much this blog meant to me, until I started back writing. It lifts my soul, it gives me joy, and I learn so much. But more importantly I feel the presence of God around me as I write.
In the Bible we see a lot of people that were put where they were for such a time as this. First of course is Ester, as she saved the Jews from annihilation by Haman. Then there was Isiah who said "Here am I send me", in Is 6:5. There was Philip who was in the right place to witness to the Ethiopian, starting in Acts 8:26.
Hebrews chapter 11 list several people who where there for such a time as this. There was Abel, who offered a better sacrifice. Enoch who walked with God, and was translated. Then there was Noah, who built the ark and saved his family, and all the animals. Abraham and Sara, who obeyed God and became parents at 100 years old, and gave birth to the nation of Israel. Moses and his parents were at the right place at the right time. Joshua and Israel as they took over the promised land. Rahab the harlot as she saved the spies. And so many more that there is not room to list them all.
Yes I know that Hebrews 11 is technically a list of those with great faith. However is faith not being where God wants you, when He wants you there and doing what He wants you to do when you are there. When the time is right, God puts us all where He wants us, and He has something for all of us to do while we are there. The question is do we have the faith we need in order to do it.
Ester was afraid for her life, yet she had enough faith to be used of God, where she was, when she was there.
What is your "such a time as this"? Do you have enough faith to do what God wants?
In the Bible we see a lot of people that were put where they were for such a time as this. First of course is Ester, as she saved the Jews from annihilation by Haman. Then there was Isiah who said "Here am I send me", in Is 6:5. There was Philip who was in the right place to witness to the Ethiopian, starting in Acts 8:26.
Hebrews chapter 11 list several people who where there for such a time as this. There was Abel, who offered a better sacrifice. Enoch who walked with God, and was translated. Then there was Noah, who built the ark and saved his family, and all the animals. Abraham and Sara, who obeyed God and became parents at 100 years old, and gave birth to the nation of Israel. Moses and his parents were at the right place at the right time. Joshua and Israel as they took over the promised land. Rahab the harlot as she saved the spies. And so many more that there is not room to list them all.
Yes I know that Hebrews 11 is technically a list of those with great faith. However is faith not being where God wants you, when He wants you there and doing what He wants you to do when you are there. When the time is right, God puts us all where He wants us, and He has something for all of us to do while we are there. The question is do we have the faith we need in order to do it.
Ester was afraid for her life, yet she had enough faith to be used of God, where she was, when she was there.
What is your "such a time as this"? Do you have enough faith to do what God wants?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
I have removed the post from Aug. 25th, titled "Christian Life".
I also must apologize first to my readers, as in that posting I used some incorrect information. This was in no way intentional, it was just a matter of me misreading something, because I really did not understand how to read what I was looking at.
More importantly, I managed to hurt the feelings of a very good friend. I called myself trying to downplay her role in things, and to make sure to state the fact that she had done exactly what she should have done. However, I apparently did not put myself in her place, when proofreading.
Sometimes, despite my best efforts I fail to remember that just because something sounds right to me, that does not mean that it is the correct way to say it.
I could sit here and try to explain how all of this happened, however I feel that would just be insulting to everyone involved. So I am just going to ask that you pray for all those directly involved, and those that might have been indirectly hurt because of my mistakes.
Thank you
Robby
I also must apologize first to my readers, as in that posting I used some incorrect information. This was in no way intentional, it was just a matter of me misreading something, because I really did not understand how to read what I was looking at.
More importantly, I managed to hurt the feelings of a very good friend. I called myself trying to downplay her role in things, and to make sure to state the fact that she had done exactly what she should have done. However, I apparently did not put myself in her place, when proofreading.
Sometimes, despite my best efforts I fail to remember that just because something sounds right to me, that does not mean that it is the correct way to say it.
I could sit here and try to explain how all of this happened, however I feel that would just be insulting to everyone involved. So I am just going to ask that you pray for all those directly involved, and those that might have been indirectly hurt because of my mistakes.
Thank you
Robby
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Giving
Good morning, God is good. I am sorry about yesterday, but as I posted on Facebook, I was actually getting up off the couch to move to the computer to post the devotion, and somehow I moved wrong. I felt a pull, and a pop in my back, and that was it, I was useless the rest of the day. It still hurts this morning but I am here, praise God.
This morning I want to start in Lk 12:16-21, where we see the parable of the rich fool. If you remember the story, Jesus said this man's farm was blessed and brought forth plentifully. So he being greedy, decided to tear down his barns, and build bigger barns, so that he could store the excess. This way he could be rich for years to come. However, instead God in vs 20 said to him, "Thou fool this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be". PS. 62:10 says "...if riches increase set not your heart upon them". You see, there is nothing wrong with having earthly riches, as long as we keep our hearts on God, and not on those earthly riches. I know a lot of people that are what I consider "rich", however, even though they enjoy the finer things in life, a nice house, a Cadillac, cruises and such, they remember where those blessings come from. They are faithful to give above and beyond their tithes, they are quick to offer financial support to the church, and it's members. There was one Sunday morning before church, I saw a particular man, pick up my Bible and place something inside, then walk away innocently. So I purposely waited to open my Bible until the preaching started. I pulled out an envelope, and stuck it in my pocket. I knew how the man was, I knew he was always doing something to help others, but he did not ever want anyone to know that he was responsible. After I got in the car, I opened the envelope, and there was $200 inside. This man knew that I was not able to work at that moment, he knew we were facing financial problems, and he wanted to help. He had the money, so he helped. But, he did not receive any kind of praise, he did not want to be exalted for doing what God commands us to do. His treasure is in heaven, and not on earth.
Luke 6:30 says "give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again". There is a story of a missionary who was translating the Bible into the language of the people of an African country. When he got to this passage, he was afraid to translate this verse because these people would always take everything literately, instead of spiritually. But, he obeyed God, and translated it anyway, and just as he expected the natives, looked at all the stuff he had that they had never seen, and one by one they began to ask him for things. He felt he had no choice but to give them what they asked for. Soon he had nothing, and they had everything. It did not take long, until the natives began to talk amongst themselves, and they all agreed that surely this was a man of God, as they had never seen anyone so selfless. They then began to feel guilty for taking all of his prized belongings. So the next morning, the missionary woke up to the entire village waiting at the door to his tent, bringing back everything they had taken from him. They all also wanted to know how to have what he had, the entire village was converted because of this one selfless act. His treasure was in heaven, and not on earth. He did not want to depart with some of his prized possessions, but he did so for the LORD, and was rewarded abundantly.
We are not only told to be giving, and selfless, but we are also told to be discerning. There are so many people out there that will take advantage of our goodness, and we must discern the difference between a real need and a scam, in order to be good stewards. Even, so if we are saved, our treasure should be in heaven. The widow had enough for one meal for her and her son, and yet she fed the man of God first, and was blessed. Elijah was able to take a small cruise of oil and get enough out of it, to fill hundreds, if not thousands of vessels, all because someone was willing to share.
I believe you all know this story, but several years ago, at a time when we were not able to buy groceries and pay our bills, God sent a young man to us that needed a place to live. I did not hesitate to make him move in, I knew the boy and knew that he was a good Christian man that could not live at home with his parents that were drunks, and were always fighting. So with it 20degrees at night he was sleeping in a camper trailer with no heat. Now we have another mouth to feed, and boy could he eat. The next morning I thought about it, and almost got worried, after all I could not make our money go far enough as it was, how could I stretch it any farther. Two days later, Dawn got paid, and I went and bought enough groceries, and then went and paid all the bills, and had money left over. And it was that way the entire time he lived with us. I was faithful to share what God blessed us with, (even if at the time we didn't think we were being blessed), and He blessed our faithfulness. But, I must also mention, that this boy was living with another friend of his. I originally told this boy to stay with us also, but after a couple of weeks I realized that this boy was in the position he was in, because of his own actions. Or, maybe I should say in-actions. You see he was lazy, and wanted to depend on others to take care of him. He wanted to run around and get in trouble, and have fun and live off others. I talked to him about this, and gave him another chance. When he pretended to change, even though he was refusing to change, I told him he had to find somewhere else to live. I was discerning about the boys. Over the years, I helped many people, and refused to help others because I knew they did not want to help themselves.
God gives us the opportunities to serve Him, are we watching for those opportunities so we can serve Him.
This morning I want to start in Lk 12:16-21, where we see the parable of the rich fool. If you remember the story, Jesus said this man's farm was blessed and brought forth plentifully. So he being greedy, decided to tear down his barns, and build bigger barns, so that he could store the excess. This way he could be rich for years to come. However, instead God in vs 20 said to him, "Thou fool this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be". PS. 62:10 says "...if riches increase set not your heart upon them". You see, there is nothing wrong with having earthly riches, as long as we keep our hearts on God, and not on those earthly riches. I know a lot of people that are what I consider "rich", however, even though they enjoy the finer things in life, a nice house, a Cadillac, cruises and such, they remember where those blessings come from. They are faithful to give above and beyond their tithes, they are quick to offer financial support to the church, and it's members. There was one Sunday morning before church, I saw a particular man, pick up my Bible and place something inside, then walk away innocently. So I purposely waited to open my Bible until the preaching started. I pulled out an envelope, and stuck it in my pocket. I knew how the man was, I knew he was always doing something to help others, but he did not ever want anyone to know that he was responsible. After I got in the car, I opened the envelope, and there was $200 inside. This man knew that I was not able to work at that moment, he knew we were facing financial problems, and he wanted to help. He had the money, so he helped. But, he did not receive any kind of praise, he did not want to be exalted for doing what God commands us to do. His treasure is in heaven, and not on earth.
Luke 6:30 says "give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again". There is a story of a missionary who was translating the Bible into the language of the people of an African country. When he got to this passage, he was afraid to translate this verse because these people would always take everything literately, instead of spiritually. But, he obeyed God, and translated it anyway, and just as he expected the natives, looked at all the stuff he had that they had never seen, and one by one they began to ask him for things. He felt he had no choice but to give them what they asked for. Soon he had nothing, and they had everything. It did not take long, until the natives began to talk amongst themselves, and they all agreed that surely this was a man of God, as they had never seen anyone so selfless. They then began to feel guilty for taking all of his prized belongings. So the next morning, the missionary woke up to the entire village waiting at the door to his tent, bringing back everything they had taken from him. They all also wanted to know how to have what he had, the entire village was converted because of this one selfless act. His treasure was in heaven, and not on earth. He did not want to depart with some of his prized possessions, but he did so for the LORD, and was rewarded abundantly.
We are not only told to be giving, and selfless, but we are also told to be discerning. There are so many people out there that will take advantage of our goodness, and we must discern the difference between a real need and a scam, in order to be good stewards. Even, so if we are saved, our treasure should be in heaven. The widow had enough for one meal for her and her son, and yet she fed the man of God first, and was blessed. Elijah was able to take a small cruise of oil and get enough out of it, to fill hundreds, if not thousands of vessels, all because someone was willing to share.
I believe you all know this story, but several years ago, at a time when we were not able to buy groceries and pay our bills, God sent a young man to us that needed a place to live. I did not hesitate to make him move in, I knew the boy and knew that he was a good Christian man that could not live at home with his parents that were drunks, and were always fighting. So with it 20degrees at night he was sleeping in a camper trailer with no heat. Now we have another mouth to feed, and boy could he eat. The next morning I thought about it, and almost got worried, after all I could not make our money go far enough as it was, how could I stretch it any farther. Two days later, Dawn got paid, and I went and bought enough groceries, and then went and paid all the bills, and had money left over. And it was that way the entire time he lived with us. I was faithful to share what God blessed us with, (even if at the time we didn't think we were being blessed), and He blessed our faithfulness. But, I must also mention, that this boy was living with another friend of his. I originally told this boy to stay with us also, but after a couple of weeks I realized that this boy was in the position he was in, because of his own actions. Or, maybe I should say in-actions. You see he was lazy, and wanted to depend on others to take care of him. He wanted to run around and get in trouble, and have fun and live off others. I talked to him about this, and gave him another chance. When he pretended to change, even though he was refusing to change, I told him he had to find somewhere else to live. I was discerning about the boys. Over the years, I helped many people, and refused to help others because I knew they did not want to help themselves.
God gives us the opportunities to serve Him, are we watching for those opportunities so we can serve Him.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Don't Let Them Feel Like a Failure
Good morning on this glorious LORD's Day. I pray that we will all experience the Spirit of God moving in our churches this morning.
Turn to Gal. 6:1-5, this morning we are going to look at what appears to be a contradiction, but we all know the Bible does not contradict itself. The first thing we see in verse 1 is that when a Christian brother or sister makes a mistake, of any size we the church are to come together and crucify them. NO! That is not what it says, it says to restore them. In other words forgive them, and help them get back where they are supposed to be. Here is the thing, don't do this thinking you are so much better than them because you've never done anything that bad. Do this realizing that at any moment we could fall into a temptation of our own. A few years back, a member of our church, who was also a teacher at the churches school, was arrested for being a peeping tom. He was on the news, and it was even told where he taught. This was horrible news for the school, and the church. This was on a Tuesday, Wednesday night the church was packed with both members, and school parents wanting to know what now. As the service started the pastor announced this man was there and had something to say. He humbly came from the back of the church, and proceeded to apologize and ask for our forgiveness. Then went on to say that he understood if we wanted him to leave, but admitted that he, and his family really needed the support of their church family. I was really happy when the meanest person in the church stood up to say that there was no need to apologize because he had already been forgiven, and that we were just waiting for him to show up, so we could began healing. The church then unanimously agreed, and crowded around their family to hug them and support them.
This shows the meaning of both verses 1 & 2. vs 1 "Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (vs2) Bear ye one another burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ". There are different types of burdens, and we are to help each other carry those burdens, whatever they are. Vs 3 tells us that if we are conceited then we are lying to ourselves. It warns us not to think more of ourselves than we should. Vs.4 "But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another". In other words we are to rely on ourselves, instead of expecting handouts from others. That way we can have pride in ourselves. Vs. 5 "For every man shall bear his own burden". Here is the contradiction I spoke of earlier. Verse 2 says bear each others burdens, verse 5 says to bear our own burden. Here is why there is no contradiction, just as with this man there are times when we are not able to carry the burden we are under, it is just too heavy, or to hard. At these times we are to help each other, we are to support each other and help carry part of each others burden. We are to do this until and only until the other person can carry it on their own. Then once we give it back to them, and they are able to survive under it's weight, and even thrive, then at that point he will be able to rejoice knowing that he is able to take care of his own. Instead of getting discouraged because he is crushed by the weight of his life.
Think about this, most people never consider this, after Peter walked on the water, and had to be rescued by Jesus, they were still out on the water and had to make it back to the boat. How did Peter get back to the boat? You see when Peter began to sink, Jesus bore his burden, then I believe (this if found nowhere in Scripture, it is just my own thoughts), I believe that once Jesus plucked him from the waves, they both walked back to the ship. Jesus, holding Peter's hand so he would not sink again. This allowed Peter to help get himself out of the mess. Jesus could have just carried him, or teleported them back to the ship, but I need to believe that instead of Jesus just fixing the situation, He allowed Peter to help bear his own burden. By doing this He allowed Peter the opportunity to overcome his failure, so that he did not feel like a failure. Yes, he failed and he had to live with that, but at least he had a hand in correcting his failure instead of being bailed out.
Turn to Gal. 6:1-5, this morning we are going to look at what appears to be a contradiction, but we all know the Bible does not contradict itself. The first thing we see in verse 1 is that when a Christian brother or sister makes a mistake, of any size we the church are to come together and crucify them. NO! That is not what it says, it says to restore them. In other words forgive them, and help them get back where they are supposed to be. Here is the thing, don't do this thinking you are so much better than them because you've never done anything that bad. Do this realizing that at any moment we could fall into a temptation of our own. A few years back, a member of our church, who was also a teacher at the churches school, was arrested for being a peeping tom. He was on the news, and it was even told where he taught. This was horrible news for the school, and the church. This was on a Tuesday, Wednesday night the church was packed with both members, and school parents wanting to know what now. As the service started the pastor announced this man was there and had something to say. He humbly came from the back of the church, and proceeded to apologize and ask for our forgiveness. Then went on to say that he understood if we wanted him to leave, but admitted that he, and his family really needed the support of their church family. I was really happy when the meanest person in the church stood up to say that there was no need to apologize because he had already been forgiven, and that we were just waiting for him to show up, so we could began healing. The church then unanimously agreed, and crowded around their family to hug them and support them.
This shows the meaning of both verses 1 & 2. vs 1 "Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (vs2) Bear ye one another burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ". There are different types of burdens, and we are to help each other carry those burdens, whatever they are. Vs 3 tells us that if we are conceited then we are lying to ourselves. It warns us not to think more of ourselves than we should. Vs.4 "But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another". In other words we are to rely on ourselves, instead of expecting handouts from others. That way we can have pride in ourselves. Vs. 5 "For every man shall bear his own burden". Here is the contradiction I spoke of earlier. Verse 2 says bear each others burdens, verse 5 says to bear our own burden. Here is why there is no contradiction, just as with this man there are times when we are not able to carry the burden we are under, it is just too heavy, or to hard. At these times we are to help each other, we are to support each other and help carry part of each others burden. We are to do this until and only until the other person can carry it on their own. Then once we give it back to them, and they are able to survive under it's weight, and even thrive, then at that point he will be able to rejoice knowing that he is able to take care of his own. Instead of getting discouraged because he is crushed by the weight of his life.
Think about this, most people never consider this, after Peter walked on the water, and had to be rescued by Jesus, they were still out on the water and had to make it back to the boat. How did Peter get back to the boat? You see when Peter began to sink, Jesus bore his burden, then I believe (this if found nowhere in Scripture, it is just my own thoughts), I believe that once Jesus plucked him from the waves, they both walked back to the ship. Jesus, holding Peter's hand so he would not sink again. This allowed Peter to help get himself out of the mess. Jesus could have just carried him, or teleported them back to the ship, but I need to believe that instead of Jesus just fixing the situation, He allowed Peter to help bear his own burden. By doing this He allowed Peter the opportunity to overcome his failure, so that he did not feel like a failure. Yes, he failed and he had to live with that, but at least he had a hand in correcting his failure instead of being bailed out.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Our Church
This is a hard devotion for me to write. There are emotions here that I want to accurately convey, this is not an easy task. You see, I went to a meeting this morning for a church that had some problems. The members that were there this morning, arrived at church one Sunday morning to find the doors locked, and the pastor nowhere to be found. Now they were faced with the decision of whether to disband, or put in some hard work to get the church back up where it should be. When the members began to talk about that morning, and they began to talk about their beloved church and all that they were doing, even when they were just talking about the building and the condition it is in now, they began to weep. All of them, began to weep. I saw something then that I think many of us tend to forget and take for granted. Turn to Eph. 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it". Christ loved the church, should we do any less? Vs27 "The He might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" I believe that from what I saw this morning that this church will be a glorious church. I believe that these people love their church, because it is where they worship their LORD.
The church is just a building, but it is a building where we worship God, or should be. The church is not supposed to be a social gathering, nor is it supposed to be a place to have worldly things going on. It is the house of God, it is to be a place of worship. Heb. 10:25 tells us not to "forsake the assembling of ourselves together", I believe this verse is so much more than just about skipping church. Let's look at why someone would forsake the assembling of the church, of course there are times when someone is sick, or has to work, or some other commitment that can not be helped, that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about those people who just decide they don't want to go today. Why would someone decide to forsake church? It is because they don't love their church. If they loved the church they would be there every time the doors were open. I know a man, that is a huge football fan, I don't remember what team he likes. But, anyway he got tickets to see his team play, so he drove from Mississippi to Minnesota in January, with a cold. That cold turned into the flu, and yet he still went to the game, sat in the stadium with a fever of 102, and the outside temperature was below zero, wind chill something like 30 below, in the snow. Yet when he was at home, he would skip church for just a small headache. He loved football, but he did not love his church.
In Mt. 16:18 Jesus tells Peter "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". These people I saw this morning, were also the rock that the church is built on. 1 Peter 2:5 "Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ". I am here to tell you this morning I saw lively stones, I saw the Spirit of God in these people, I saw Christ love for the church this morning.
I've got one more verse, in Ezra ch. 3, we see where the foundations of the Temple were being relaid, the nation of Israel was just coming out of captivity in Babylon. So in Ch 3 vs 12 the foundation was finished, and the Bible says, "But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy". These are people that loved their place of worship, they remembered how God had blessed them in the old Temple, and when they saw that it would not be long before they had a new Temple, a new place of worship, they were overcome with joy. They could not contain their emotions. This is how it should be for all of us we should weep when we miss church. We should weep when anything bad happens at our church. If a water line breaks, we should run to the church to clean up the mess before any damage is done. When vandals, desecrate the building, we should weep over it.
Do you love your church this much?
I know the building is just a building, a place to meet, but it is also where we meet, it is where we receive the blessing of the Word of God, it is where we spend time with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is where we are feed spiritually. But, it is more than that, it is the other members, it is the pastor, we should love these things more than the building, the building is just where we are surrounded by church family, our pastor, the Spirit of God dwells there. We should love our church, every part of it. I know I need to pray that God will give me this kind of love for my church, what about you?
The church is just a building, but it is a building where we worship God, or should be. The church is not supposed to be a social gathering, nor is it supposed to be a place to have worldly things going on. It is the house of God, it is to be a place of worship. Heb. 10:25 tells us not to "forsake the assembling of ourselves together", I believe this verse is so much more than just about skipping church. Let's look at why someone would forsake the assembling of the church, of course there are times when someone is sick, or has to work, or some other commitment that can not be helped, that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about those people who just decide they don't want to go today. Why would someone decide to forsake church? It is because they don't love their church. If they loved the church they would be there every time the doors were open. I know a man, that is a huge football fan, I don't remember what team he likes. But, anyway he got tickets to see his team play, so he drove from Mississippi to Minnesota in January, with a cold. That cold turned into the flu, and yet he still went to the game, sat in the stadium with a fever of 102, and the outside temperature was below zero, wind chill something like 30 below, in the snow. Yet when he was at home, he would skip church for just a small headache. He loved football, but he did not love his church.
In Mt. 16:18 Jesus tells Peter "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". These people I saw this morning, were also the rock that the church is built on. 1 Peter 2:5 "Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ". I am here to tell you this morning I saw lively stones, I saw the Spirit of God in these people, I saw Christ love for the church this morning.
I've got one more verse, in Ezra ch. 3, we see where the foundations of the Temple were being relaid, the nation of Israel was just coming out of captivity in Babylon. So in Ch 3 vs 12 the foundation was finished, and the Bible says, "But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy". These are people that loved their place of worship, they remembered how God had blessed them in the old Temple, and when they saw that it would not be long before they had a new Temple, a new place of worship, they were overcome with joy. They could not contain their emotions. This is how it should be for all of us we should weep when we miss church. We should weep when anything bad happens at our church. If a water line breaks, we should run to the church to clean up the mess before any damage is done. When vandals, desecrate the building, we should weep over it.
Do you love your church this much?
I know the building is just a building, a place to meet, but it is also where we meet, it is where we receive the blessing of the Word of God, it is where we spend time with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is where we are feed spiritually. But, it is more than that, it is the other members, it is the pastor, we should love these things more than the building, the building is just where we are surrounded by church family, our pastor, the Spirit of God dwells there. We should love our church, every part of it. I know I need to pray that God will give me this kind of love for my church, what about you?
Friday, August 20, 2010
Is There a Roof on Your House
Good morning, we are going to start this morning in Genesis 12:8. There is a story of a devout Christian went to work for an unsaved farmer, back in the days when it was customary for the farmer to provide a room for the hired hands. Even though the job was easy, and the pay was generous the Christian believer did not stay long at the farm. When he was applying for another job, he was asked why he did not stay any longer than he did. He answered, "there is no roof on the house". "No roof", the surprised farmer said, "I've been in his house and there is a roof, where did he have you sleeping"? In order to explain, he quoted an old saying, "A dwelling in which regular prayer is not offered to God is like a house without a roof. Those who live there cannot have peace, comfort, or safety".
In Genesis we see where Abraham traveled to a far country. All the dangers, and unknown could have filled his days with fear and anxiety, but instead he worshiped God. In chapter 12:8 we see, "And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Hai on east: and there he builded an alter unto the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD." He was showing his complete dependence on, and trust in God.
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil" Eph 5:15-16. VS20 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ". Back when I was taking piano lessons, after a particularly bad lesson, my teacher asked me how often I was practicing. I responded at least one hour after school every day, sometimes more. "Oh, no don't do that". She said, then offered this advice, "Do your practicing in minutes, whenever you can find them. Five or ten minutes before school, 5 minutes before lunch, or in between chores. This way the music becomes part of your life, not just another chore, that requires you to miss out on other things".
John Erskine, wrote his most famous work "The Private Life of Helen of Troy", on streetcars while commuting between his home and the university. Do you carry your Bible, or a devotional book with you when you are out running errands? What about the wait at the doctors office? Do you use those times to pray, what about when standing in line at the grocery store? That is a great time to pray, instead of reading the covers of the smut magazines, talk to God. I have a 15 min. drive down a 4-lane highway every time I go to town, and back home, I use this time to pray. Now when I am in town, I am praying for safety, but it is a little different type of prayer. In town it's more like, "LORD have mercy on me. Keep me safe. Watch that car for me, they are trying to run me over, God make sure I see the cops before they see me". But, out on the highway I take a minute, and a deep breath to let go of all my other thoughts, (other than focusing on driving), and I just have a good conversation with God.
At home, while I am cooking I have a few moments to talk to God, I fall asleep every night talking to God. While others are watching tv, I have no idea what is happening, because I take that time also to pray. This does not include my "prayer time", when I go in the bedroom, close the door and just bask in His glory. But, more on that tomorrow. I never planned on doing these multiple day devotions, but lately that is what God has given me, and I for one am looking forward to what He has planned next.
In Genesis we see where Abraham traveled to a far country. All the dangers, and unknown could have filled his days with fear and anxiety, but instead he worshiped God. In chapter 12:8 we see, "And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Hai on east: and there he builded an alter unto the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD." He was showing his complete dependence on, and trust in God.
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil" Eph 5:15-16. VS20 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ". Back when I was taking piano lessons, after a particularly bad lesson, my teacher asked me how often I was practicing. I responded at least one hour after school every day, sometimes more. "Oh, no don't do that". She said, then offered this advice, "Do your practicing in minutes, whenever you can find them. Five or ten minutes before school, 5 minutes before lunch, or in between chores. This way the music becomes part of your life, not just another chore, that requires you to miss out on other things".
John Erskine, wrote his most famous work "The Private Life of Helen of Troy", on streetcars while commuting between his home and the university. Do you carry your Bible, or a devotional book with you when you are out running errands? What about the wait at the doctors office? Do you use those times to pray, what about when standing in line at the grocery store? That is a great time to pray, instead of reading the covers of the smut magazines, talk to God. I have a 15 min. drive down a 4-lane highway every time I go to town, and back home, I use this time to pray. Now when I am in town, I am praying for safety, but it is a little different type of prayer. In town it's more like, "LORD have mercy on me. Keep me safe. Watch that car for me, they are trying to run me over, God make sure I see the cops before they see me". But, out on the highway I take a minute, and a deep breath to let go of all my other thoughts, (other than focusing on driving), and I just have a good conversation with God.
At home, while I am cooking I have a few moments to talk to God, I fall asleep every night talking to God. While others are watching tv, I have no idea what is happening, because I take that time also to pray. This does not include my "prayer time", when I go in the bedroom, close the door and just bask in His glory. But, more on that tomorrow. I never planned on doing these multiple day devotions, but lately that is what God has given me, and I for one am looking forward to what He has planned next.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Cannibalism
Good morning, I pray all is well with you today. My insomnia was acting up last night, so you may have to overlook some typo's or I may lose my train of thought momentarily, I think I managed to get about two hours and fifteen minutes sleep last night.
Let's start today in Gal. 5:13-15, the key verse is 15, "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another". Years ago, I took Garrett out on a "Dad and Me" day, after running some errands we stopped to get some hamburgers. After getting our order and sitting down, we had gotten about halfway through our meal, when I began to hear some arguing from the booth behind me. At first I could hear them, but could not understand what they were saying, then I heard the old man snarl, "what did you say". A woman shot back, "I said, I'd never come crawling to you. I couldn't get that low." He returned her compliment by calling her a "fat slob, that no other man would put up with", and continued with a lot of cursing, telling her he didn't know why he put up with her. After she said something else he said that he "didn't know why he brought her to such a nice restaurant, it was above her". "I do", she hollered, "you've got a guilty conscience!"
During all of this I noticed Garrett staring over my shoulder, worried I was about to ask him what he was thinking, and if he wanted to leave. But before I could, he said "Dad, I don't think they know Jesus. If they did they would love each other, instead of talking to each other like that". Out of the mouth of a baby, came the truth in the word of God. Christ came into the world to save us from the lust and foolishness of the flesh. Had this couple known the peace and love of Christ, they would not have resorted to the cannibalism they did, instead they would have chewed up their food, instead of each other. We have been forgiven and have received a spirit of love.
Now turn over to James 3:2-13 "...If any man offend not in word,...and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold we put bits in the horses" mouths...and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great...yet are they turned about with a very small helm...Even so the tongue is a little member...Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire...that it defileth the whole body...and it is set on fire of hell...But the tongue can no man tame; it is unruly evil, full of deadly poison...Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree my brethren bear olive berries?...So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom".
The great fire of London in 1666 began in a small shop, but as it spread out of control, it left most of that sprawling city in ashes. The fire of 1871 in Chicago is said to have started in a shed when a kerosene lamp was accidentally overturned. Yet it devastated approximately 2,000 acres, left 90,000 people homeless, and destroyed 196 million dollars' worth of property. A tiny spark can easily cause a raging fire. So too, one small sin of the tongue can start a frightening chain of events that often ends in catastrophe. The preacher and founder of the Radio Bible Class, Dr. M. R. De Haan once said, "The most deadly member in the human body is the tongue. We can kick with our feet and strike with our fist, but neither can do as much damage as a loose tongue. The bruise of a kick will heal, the black eye caused by a blow from a fist will clear up, but the wounds inflicted by unkind words, idle gossip, outright lying, and vicious slandering can never be completely healed."
How many times have you seen someone say something ugly about someone else, and the hurt feelings, and fighting's have lasted for years after? How many times have you seen careless words destroy whole families, and split churches? Are you like me, and try to avoid being around those people that only have negative things to say about other people? Do you listen to rumors, or worse help spread them, under the guise of "finding the truth"? I believe I told you how a while back, before I realized what was happening, I was told a rumor about something that supposedly happened at the church. Instead of going to the people supposedly involved, because of the serious possibility of hurt feelings, I went to the pastor, because he was supposed to know about this. I sat down in his office behind closed doors, and I said, "I was told that about two months ago there was something very bad happened here at the church, something bad enough that if the whole church was to find out, it would split the church. I was also told you know about it. Now I don't want to know any details, nor am I going to give any, I am just here to ask you if you know about anything this serious happening?" He said that right off the top of his head, he did not know what I was talking about, then asked who was supposedly involved, because knowing this might help him know what I was talking about. I responded, "If I tell you that, just that little bit, I feel I would be helping to spread the rumor, so I can't do that." Then I said, "this is serious enough that it could split the church, if anything that serious happened, you would know what I am talking about, I don't care if it did or not as far as that goes, but if it happened, and if it comes out there could be legal repercussions, and I just want to be prepared, so that I can help fight whatever legal battles comes up."
You see, I felt that from a legal standpoint I needed to know the truth, however even though I was talking to the pastor and knew for a fact he would not repeat anything, I still felt it was wrong to tell anything I heard. Because, if he knew which church member was spreading rumors of this magnitude, it could cause hurt feelings between them. If he knew who was supposedly involved (even if this was not true), it could cause hurt feelings there also. But, more importantly we are told in the Bible that we are not too spread rumors, so I could not tell anything, not even "to find the truth".
Whether or not this happened was actually none of my business, I did not need to know. However, once it came to the point that it could cause a church split, and cause legal problems for the church, I needed to know if at some point, whether or not I might be involved in a legal battle was my concern and that I needed to know. When He was unable to think of anything happening that was that serious that told me all I needed to know. Because of how I handled the situation, the only hurt feelings are between me, and the person that told me. However, this is not the first time this person has done something to lose my respect, so really it did not make things any worse, just added to the list of reasons for me to avoid them. The way I handled the situation, I was able to put out the fire, instead of adding fuel to it. I was able to prevent the cannibalism that this person was trying to cause.
The only way I was able to handle the situation correctly, is that as soon as I heard this rumor, I got on my knees (figuratively speaking), and I asked God for wisdom, I asked for guidance, and I asked for Him to be with me, I asked for Him to go with me so that I could go in a spirit of love, and for Him to prepare the pastors heart, and to be with him so that he could accept my questions in the spirit of love I intended them to be asked in.
Let's start today in Gal. 5:13-15, the key verse is 15, "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another". Years ago, I took Garrett out on a "Dad and Me" day, after running some errands we stopped to get some hamburgers. After getting our order and sitting down, we had gotten about halfway through our meal, when I began to hear some arguing from the booth behind me. At first I could hear them, but could not understand what they were saying, then I heard the old man snarl, "what did you say". A woman shot back, "I said, I'd never come crawling to you. I couldn't get that low." He returned her compliment by calling her a "fat slob, that no other man would put up with", and continued with a lot of cursing, telling her he didn't know why he put up with her. After she said something else he said that he "didn't know why he brought her to such a nice restaurant, it was above her". "I do", she hollered, "you've got a guilty conscience!"
During all of this I noticed Garrett staring over my shoulder, worried I was about to ask him what he was thinking, and if he wanted to leave. But before I could, he said "Dad, I don't think they know Jesus. If they did they would love each other, instead of talking to each other like that". Out of the mouth of a baby, came the truth in the word of God. Christ came into the world to save us from the lust and foolishness of the flesh. Had this couple known the peace and love of Christ, they would not have resorted to the cannibalism they did, instead they would have chewed up their food, instead of each other. We have been forgiven and have received a spirit of love.
Now turn over to James 3:2-13 "...If any man offend not in word,...and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold we put bits in the horses" mouths...and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great...yet are they turned about with a very small helm...Even so the tongue is a little member...Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire...that it defileth the whole body...and it is set on fire of hell...But the tongue can no man tame; it is unruly evil, full of deadly poison...Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree my brethren bear olive berries?...So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom".
The great fire of London in 1666 began in a small shop, but as it spread out of control, it left most of that sprawling city in ashes. The fire of 1871 in Chicago is said to have started in a shed when a kerosene lamp was accidentally overturned. Yet it devastated approximately 2,000 acres, left 90,000 people homeless, and destroyed 196 million dollars' worth of property. A tiny spark can easily cause a raging fire. So too, one small sin of the tongue can start a frightening chain of events that often ends in catastrophe. The preacher and founder of the Radio Bible Class, Dr. M. R. De Haan once said, "The most deadly member in the human body is the tongue. We can kick with our feet and strike with our fist, but neither can do as much damage as a loose tongue. The bruise of a kick will heal, the black eye caused by a blow from a fist will clear up, but the wounds inflicted by unkind words, idle gossip, outright lying, and vicious slandering can never be completely healed."
How many times have you seen someone say something ugly about someone else, and the hurt feelings, and fighting's have lasted for years after? How many times have you seen careless words destroy whole families, and split churches? Are you like me, and try to avoid being around those people that only have negative things to say about other people? Do you listen to rumors, or worse help spread them, under the guise of "finding the truth"? I believe I told you how a while back, before I realized what was happening, I was told a rumor about something that supposedly happened at the church. Instead of going to the people supposedly involved, because of the serious possibility of hurt feelings, I went to the pastor, because he was supposed to know about this. I sat down in his office behind closed doors, and I said, "I was told that about two months ago there was something very bad happened here at the church, something bad enough that if the whole church was to find out, it would split the church. I was also told you know about it. Now I don't want to know any details, nor am I going to give any, I am just here to ask you if you know about anything this serious happening?" He said that right off the top of his head, he did not know what I was talking about, then asked who was supposedly involved, because knowing this might help him know what I was talking about. I responded, "If I tell you that, just that little bit, I feel I would be helping to spread the rumor, so I can't do that." Then I said, "this is serious enough that it could split the church, if anything that serious happened, you would know what I am talking about, I don't care if it did or not as far as that goes, but if it happened, and if it comes out there could be legal repercussions, and I just want to be prepared, so that I can help fight whatever legal battles comes up."
You see, I felt that from a legal standpoint I needed to know the truth, however even though I was talking to the pastor and knew for a fact he would not repeat anything, I still felt it was wrong to tell anything I heard. Because, if he knew which church member was spreading rumors of this magnitude, it could cause hurt feelings between them. If he knew who was supposedly involved (even if this was not true), it could cause hurt feelings there also. But, more importantly we are told in the Bible that we are not too spread rumors, so I could not tell anything, not even "to find the truth".
Whether or not this happened was actually none of my business, I did not need to know. However, once it came to the point that it could cause a church split, and cause legal problems for the church, I needed to know if at some point, whether or not I might be involved in a legal battle was my concern and that I needed to know. When He was unable to think of anything happening that was that serious that told me all I needed to know. Because of how I handled the situation, the only hurt feelings are between me, and the person that told me. However, this is not the first time this person has done something to lose my respect, so really it did not make things any worse, just added to the list of reasons for me to avoid them. The way I handled the situation, I was able to put out the fire, instead of adding fuel to it. I was able to prevent the cannibalism that this person was trying to cause.
The only way I was able to handle the situation correctly, is that as soon as I heard this rumor, I got on my knees (figuratively speaking), and I asked God for wisdom, I asked for guidance, and I asked for Him to be with me, I asked for Him to go with me so that I could go in a spirit of love, and for Him to prepare the pastors heart, and to be with him so that he could accept my questions in the spirit of love I intended them to be asked in.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tail Wagging the Dog
Good morning, I pray all is well with you. I want to give you a little poem first this morning, then I'll get into the devotion.
There was a dachshund once, so long/ He hadn't any notion/ How long it took to notify/ His tail of his emotion;/ And so it happened, while his eyes/ Were filled with woe and sadness,/ His little tail went wagging on/ Because of previous gladness.
Now I know you are asking what in the world that poem has to do with a Bible devotion. Let's look at today's passage, Deut. 7:12-19, vs 18 "Thou shalt not be afraid of them; but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt:". Moses was talking to the Israelites about when they actually entered the promised land, and he was describing how they would face enemies that were larger, and more powerful than they were. He said, that when you look at them you will get scared that we will not be able to defeat them, however, remember what God has already done for you. Remember all the ways God has already blessed you, remember all the ways God has already protected you. If you will do this, then there will be no reason for you to be afraid.
If we are facing famine, remember how God has already fed us. If we are facing defeat, remember all the battles He has placed in our hands. If we are facing ridicule remember how many times the tables have turned already. If your bank account is empty remember how many times, and all the ways He has provided for you in the past. No matter what difficulty you are facing, no matter how bad things seem, If you will stop and remember the goodness, greatness, and love of God you will have reason to rejoice over your trouble.
Romans 8:31 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Another way to look at that verse, "If God be for us, what can be against us?" There is power in prayer. Some people say that the most powerful thing on earth is the Atom Bomb, they say that splitting the atom that way produces more power than any other thing possible to exist. And, it is a horrible power, just look at Hiroshima. However, I am here to tell you there is something more powerful, the power of prayer to the one and only, Holy Righteous LORD God.
Look at it this way, "God gave us memories so that we might have roses in January". Roses are very beautiful flowers, probably the most beautiful. Unfortunately they only grow during the summer, but stop and think for a minute, try to remember a rose you saw on your bush, or a friends bush last summer. It is the same way with the blessings of God, just try to remember one time God blessed you. Now I imagine by now, you could probably list somewhere close to 10 times He blessed you. When it comes to remembering God's blessings, you can't stop at just one, if you ever get started you will be there a while. How can you be scared, worried, upset, anything other than joyous when you are remembering all the ways you have been blessed?
There was a dachshund once, so long/ He hadn't any notion/ How long it took to notify/ His tail of his emotion;/ And so it happened, while his eyes/ Were filled with woe and sadness,/ His little tail went wagging on/ Because of previous gladness.
Now I know you are asking what in the world that poem has to do with a Bible devotion. Let's look at today's passage, Deut. 7:12-19, vs 18 "Thou shalt not be afraid of them; but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt:". Moses was talking to the Israelites about when they actually entered the promised land, and he was describing how they would face enemies that were larger, and more powerful than they were. He said, that when you look at them you will get scared that we will not be able to defeat them, however, remember what God has already done for you. Remember all the ways God has already blessed you, remember all the ways God has already protected you. If you will do this, then there will be no reason for you to be afraid.
If we are facing famine, remember how God has already fed us. If we are facing defeat, remember all the battles He has placed in our hands. If we are facing ridicule remember how many times the tables have turned already. If your bank account is empty remember how many times, and all the ways He has provided for you in the past. No matter what difficulty you are facing, no matter how bad things seem, If you will stop and remember the goodness, greatness, and love of God you will have reason to rejoice over your trouble.
Romans 8:31 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Another way to look at that verse, "If God be for us, what can be against us?" There is power in prayer. Some people say that the most powerful thing on earth is the Atom Bomb, they say that splitting the atom that way produces more power than any other thing possible to exist. And, it is a horrible power, just look at Hiroshima. However, I am here to tell you there is something more powerful, the power of prayer to the one and only, Holy Righteous LORD God.
Look at it this way, "God gave us memories so that we might have roses in January". Roses are very beautiful flowers, probably the most beautiful. Unfortunately they only grow during the summer, but stop and think for a minute, try to remember a rose you saw on your bush, or a friends bush last summer. It is the same way with the blessings of God, just try to remember one time God blessed you. Now I imagine by now, you could probably list somewhere close to 10 times He blessed you. When it comes to remembering God's blessings, you can't stop at just one, if you ever get started you will be there a while. How can you be scared, worried, upset, anything other than joyous when you are remembering all the ways you have been blessed?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Still Small Voice pt. 2
Good Tuesday morning to all of you. First thing we see in our passage this morning, in 1 Kg chapter 19, is that an angel ministered to Elijah and prepared him for the journey he was about to take. Then once Elijah arrived at Horeb, the mount of God, the word of the LORD came to him. In verse 11, we see where Elijah was told to "Go stand upon the mount before the LORD". Then the Bible says that the LORD himself passed by, and that a great and strong wind "rent" the mountain. I don't know about you, but if I was to experience a wind strong enough to tear rock, I would probably pass out from fear, either that or forget I was not in the bathroom. But the terror was not over yet, next there was an earthquake, then a fire, each time the Bible says that the LORD was not in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire. Then there was a still small voice. And, God was in the voice, because it was the voice of God. The voice asked "What doest thou here Elijah?"
1.First I want to look at the first three things that happened, the strongest tornado in the history of the world, an earthquake, and a fire. All of these happened after Elijah was told to leave the safety of his cave and stand on the mount. God wanted him in the danger zone, God wanted him where things were happening, where the power of God was going to be made known. He also wants us to leave the safety of the cave and to get out where those things are going on.
2. No matter what happens God will keep us safe, as long as that is His plan. And as long as He still has something for you to do, His plan will be to keep you safe.
3. Despite everything that happened, despite all the danger around him, Elijah did not move. He could have ran for cover, but he stayed put. He stayed right where God wanted him to be.
4. Because Elijah did what he was told to do, because he was where he was supposed to be, he received a great blessing. If you have ever heard that still small voice, then you will understand what I mean about this being a blessing.
There have been several times in my life, I obeyed God and went where He wanted me, and then managed to stay there despite what happened while I was there, until He told me it was time to go somewhere else and I received a blessing because of it. Other times my obedience fell apart at some point along the line. At times, I never obeyed to start with, other times I was doing what I was supposed to be doing, but I got scared, or frustrated, or embarrassed, or whatever emotion, and I stopped obeying. Because of that I either missed out on a blessing, or I had to undergo chastisement due to my disobedience.
What has God asked you to do? Are you doing it? Are you willing to stand in the wind, to stand through an earthquake, or stand the heat of a fire in order to be in the spot God wants you? Elijah was in no danger from any of these occurrences, God was both testing Elijah, and teaching him a lesson. If you remember Jezebel was trying to kill him, and Elijah was scared so bad that he wanted to die. God was telling him, as long as you are where I want you, doing what I want you to do, you have nothing to fear. I have not completely learned this, have you?
Don't get me wrong, bad things happen to God's children, especially those that are doing His will, just remember Job if you don't believe it. However even with Job, Satan could only do what God allowed. As long as you are doing God's will, nothing can happen to you that God does not allow, and He will not allow it, unless He wants it to happen. So what am I afraid of? Why do I find it so hard sometimes to obey what He tells me?
1.First I want to look at the first three things that happened, the strongest tornado in the history of the world, an earthquake, and a fire. All of these happened after Elijah was told to leave the safety of his cave and stand on the mount. God wanted him in the danger zone, God wanted him where things were happening, where the power of God was going to be made known. He also wants us to leave the safety of the cave and to get out where those things are going on.
2. No matter what happens God will keep us safe, as long as that is His plan. And as long as He still has something for you to do, His plan will be to keep you safe.
3. Despite everything that happened, despite all the danger around him, Elijah did not move. He could have ran for cover, but he stayed put. He stayed right where God wanted him to be.
4. Because Elijah did what he was told to do, because he was where he was supposed to be, he received a great blessing. If you have ever heard that still small voice, then you will understand what I mean about this being a blessing.
There have been several times in my life, I obeyed God and went where He wanted me, and then managed to stay there despite what happened while I was there, until He told me it was time to go somewhere else and I received a blessing because of it. Other times my obedience fell apart at some point along the line. At times, I never obeyed to start with, other times I was doing what I was supposed to be doing, but I got scared, or frustrated, or embarrassed, or whatever emotion, and I stopped obeying. Because of that I either missed out on a blessing, or I had to undergo chastisement due to my disobedience.
What has God asked you to do? Are you doing it? Are you willing to stand in the wind, to stand through an earthquake, or stand the heat of a fire in order to be in the spot God wants you? Elijah was in no danger from any of these occurrences, God was both testing Elijah, and teaching him a lesson. If you remember Jezebel was trying to kill him, and Elijah was scared so bad that he wanted to die. God was telling him, as long as you are where I want you, doing what I want you to do, you have nothing to fear. I have not completely learned this, have you?
Don't get me wrong, bad things happen to God's children, especially those that are doing His will, just remember Job if you don't believe it. However even with Job, Satan could only do what God allowed. As long as you are doing God's will, nothing can happen to you that God does not allow, and He will not allow it, unless He wants it to happen. So what am I afraid of? Why do I find it so hard sometimes to obey what He tells me?
Monday, August 16, 2010
I was Ashamed of Myself.
Good Monday morning, once again Mr. Insomnia showed up last night, so you may have to overlook me, if something does not make sense. Once again we will spend two days looking at two different things in the same verse.
You see yesterday morning I was having one of those pity party moments, just wondering why I had not seen God working in my life lately. There have been a lot of different things that I have been praying about, and yet I have not seen that many answers to my prayers. Actually in some of those situations the situation has gotten worse instead of better.
Then as I was getting in the shower to go to church, I heard that still small voice ask me, "what about all the times I have spoken to you lately?". Immediately I was ashamed of myself, you see I have been looking for God to work in some miraculous way, and I completely overlooked all the times that I have heard His voice directing my path. It wasn't that He hasn't worked in my life, it's that I got caught up looking for one thing, when He was doing something else. Then as I was praying, thanking Him for showing me what He has been doing, and asking forgiveness for not seeing what He had been doing, He first gave me today's devotion, and then showed me tomorrow's also. This should be a familiar passage to you, I have used it a couple of times already, but apparently I need it again, and I imagine someone else needs it too.
If your child, or grandchild (as some of you are that old, I'm not yet), comes to you scared, how do you talk to them? If they just come to you, just because they want to show you something, or they just want a moment of attention from you, how do you talk to them? Do you use the same large, booming voice you use when you are trying to stop them from doing something that can hurt them, or do you lower your voice, and try to soften it up to show your love. I know when Aaron comes running up to me saying, "daddydaddydaddydaddy" I always ask softly "what is it?". Usually he just says "see" and holds up one of his toys, and I will softly say "yea, I see". Then he goes back to his room, he just wanted to know that he could still get my attention. In 1 Kings 19:12, after a series of a strong wind, an earthquake, and a fire, the Bible says that God was not in any of those, "and after the fire a still small voice". That is where God was, showing His love for Elijah.
With everything going on around Elijah, God was showing His love by being a comfort, Elijah was expecting God to work in some big extraordinary way, and yet God found it more important to be a comfort to Elijah. However Elijah knew immediately the call of God, I had to be reminded of how many times He has spoken to me, how many times He has directed my path lately, how many times He has shown His love for me, and comforted me lately. I thought I knew how He should be working in my life, but of course He knows more than I do, He knows better than I do what I need. I wanted Him to do something that would ease our financial problems, I was looking for something that would ease my physical problems, I was looking for other problems to be resolved. However, God said, "I'm just going to comfort you, and lead you in the way you should go. My grace is sufficient".
I thank God, for reminding me that I should be thankful for all the times that He has shown His love for me, by being a calming presence in a time of trouble. And for showing me what His will is for my life, after all I want to stay in the center of His will. Sometimes we have to discern what His will is, lately He has told me what He wanted from me. I guess He knew that I probably would not be able to discern correctly, because of the things going on in my life, and rather than have to chastise me for not doing right He made it clear enough that I could understand. I don't know about you, but I love to hear that still small voice. Not only is it the most beautiful sound I've ever heard, but it is so calming, after all it is the voice of my God, making His presence known in my life, how can I be affected by the world, when I know that God is beside me, loving me, when I know that He considers me worthy to hear His voice. I am extremely humbled, knowing that He considers me worthy.
Tomorrow, part two of this, even though I am going to look at something totally different, it does go right along with today's lesson.
You see yesterday morning I was having one of those pity party moments, just wondering why I had not seen God working in my life lately. There have been a lot of different things that I have been praying about, and yet I have not seen that many answers to my prayers. Actually in some of those situations the situation has gotten worse instead of better.
Then as I was getting in the shower to go to church, I heard that still small voice ask me, "what about all the times I have spoken to you lately?". Immediately I was ashamed of myself, you see I have been looking for God to work in some miraculous way, and I completely overlooked all the times that I have heard His voice directing my path. It wasn't that He hasn't worked in my life, it's that I got caught up looking for one thing, when He was doing something else. Then as I was praying, thanking Him for showing me what He has been doing, and asking forgiveness for not seeing what He had been doing, He first gave me today's devotion, and then showed me tomorrow's also. This should be a familiar passage to you, I have used it a couple of times already, but apparently I need it again, and I imagine someone else needs it too.
If your child, or grandchild (as some of you are that old, I'm not yet), comes to you scared, how do you talk to them? If they just come to you, just because they want to show you something, or they just want a moment of attention from you, how do you talk to them? Do you use the same large, booming voice you use when you are trying to stop them from doing something that can hurt them, or do you lower your voice, and try to soften it up to show your love. I know when Aaron comes running up to me saying, "daddydaddydaddydaddy" I always ask softly "what is it?". Usually he just says "see" and holds up one of his toys, and I will softly say "yea, I see". Then he goes back to his room, he just wanted to know that he could still get my attention. In 1 Kings 19:12, after a series of a strong wind, an earthquake, and a fire, the Bible says that God was not in any of those, "and after the fire a still small voice". That is where God was, showing His love for Elijah.
With everything going on around Elijah, God was showing His love by being a comfort, Elijah was expecting God to work in some big extraordinary way, and yet God found it more important to be a comfort to Elijah. However Elijah knew immediately the call of God, I had to be reminded of how many times He has spoken to me, how many times He has directed my path lately, how many times He has shown His love for me, and comforted me lately. I thought I knew how He should be working in my life, but of course He knows more than I do, He knows better than I do what I need. I wanted Him to do something that would ease our financial problems, I was looking for something that would ease my physical problems, I was looking for other problems to be resolved. However, God said, "I'm just going to comfort you, and lead you in the way you should go. My grace is sufficient".
I thank God, for reminding me that I should be thankful for all the times that He has shown His love for me, by being a calming presence in a time of trouble. And for showing me what His will is for my life, after all I want to stay in the center of His will. Sometimes we have to discern what His will is, lately He has told me what He wanted from me. I guess He knew that I probably would not be able to discern correctly, because of the things going on in my life, and rather than have to chastise me for not doing right He made it clear enough that I could understand. I don't know about you, but I love to hear that still small voice. Not only is it the most beautiful sound I've ever heard, but it is so calming, after all it is the voice of my God, making His presence known in my life, how can I be affected by the world, when I know that God is beside me, loving me, when I know that He considers me worthy to hear His voice. I am extremely humbled, knowing that He considers me worthy.
Tomorrow, part two of this, even though I am going to look at something totally different, it does go right along with today's lesson.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Extraordinary Faith Pt. 2
Good Sunday morning to all of you, I pray that as we go to church today we all see the Shekinah glory of God.
Now back to Moses, starting in vs 23, the first thing we notice is that Moses had parents that not only loved and cared about him, but they feared, and loved God more than they feared men. They chanced prison and death in order to protect him from the world, and to set him aside for use by God. If we had more parents today that were willing to do this, then the world could return to the former glory of this country.
In vs 24-25, we see the results of Moses parents work, in that he had grown up and he was willing to suffer the affliction and the "shame" (as far as they were slaves in Egypt at the time) of being called an Israelite, and a child of God. He gave up all the riches of the world, in order to obtain the riches of eternity. This leads us right into vs. 26-27, because of where his treasure was laid up, he followed God into the desert, he was willing to go, and do what and where God wanted him. We are told in vs. 28-29 that he obeyed God through all, and everything in both Egypt and the wilderness. Even down to crossing the Red Sea on dry land, while the waters raged on either side of the Israelites.
Let's go back to vs. 26-27 for just a few moments, there is so much contained in these verse that I wanted to look at them separately.
1. "Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:"
First we need to remember Christ had not yet come. And yet Moses in his faith still considered the service of God to be of greater value than all the riches Egypt had to offer. When we go to work, are we willing to actually live like Christians, are do we "try not to rock the boat", when others start to act like the world? What about when we go to church? Are we real Christians, or do we act the way other people think that Christians are supposed to act?
2. Are we willing to suffer as Moses did? Are we willing to give up the riches of the world, in order to stay true to God? What do we do for entertainment, does it glorify God, or the world? Going to the lake on the weekend is fine, as long as Sunday we are in both church services. Going to the movies, technically is ok, depending on what we are going to watch. (This is getting increasingly more difficult, as even the "childrens" movies have so many innuendo's and references to drugs, alcohol and sex).
3. "for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible". Throughout everything, Moses endured. He endured what? Endured as though he had seen God. Moses faith was so strong, that even through his sin, his exile, and everything else, he kept his eyes on God. He believed God was real so strongly that it was as if he had seen Him in the flesh. I would love to hear someone say my faith was that strong.
I pray that one day, I will hear God tell me that my faith rivaled that of Moses, Paul, Abraham, Noah, Enoch, or any of the other great men and women mentioned in these verses, in the Bible. I pray that I will do as He ask me to do, no matter what it is. What about you, do you want to see miracles like those seen by these men and women? Do you want to see a miracle the size of those mentioned here? We can see miracles this big, and bigger, God is not out of the miracle business. He still has the power, and desire, however He tells us, that first we must have faith in Him, the size of the faith these people had.
I do want to point out that no matter how much faith we have, we are not going to change God's will, or His plan just because we have faith that something is going to happen. For a few years, I had faith I would be healed. I knew I would be healed, not think I might, or hope I might, I knew, I had faith I would be. Then I realized that God's plan was not for me to be healed, but that I have faith that His grace would be sufficient. And it always has been, and always will be. You can have all the faith in the world that your child will get home from school between 3:30-4:00, but that does not mean that they will. They might get home at 3:20, or the might get home at 3:40 or, well let's not go there.
See we have to make sure that what we have faith in is in God's will to be done, for His plan to carried out, and not in what we think should happen. Just like a missionary about to leave on his first deportation must have faith that God will supply his needs, and not that a specific number of churches will give him a specific amount of money each month, we must have faith that God's will, will be done the way He wants it done. Moses prayed that God would rescue them when they were faced with the Red Sea, not that He would supply them with boats.
I know in my life, I have sometimes missed God working in my life, because I was looking for the wrong thing to happen. Instead of looking for whatever He would do, I was looking for what my human mind could come up with. God told me, that I would be changing churches soon, so I took that to mean it was time. So I went looking, trying to make His will happen. When I found what I wanted, I prayed that God would show me if that was where He wanted me, but in my heart I was hoping that it was. So He gave me the desire of my heart. Specifically I was praying, because the church pastor wanted to start a bus ministry, that if God wanted me to join that church and start a ministry that He would show me that is what He wanted. Knowing the whole time that I wanted to do this no matter what. So, after talking with the pastor on Saturday, Monday morning he received a phone call from another church wanting to give away a bus, for free. God gave me the desire of my heart, even though it was not what He had planned for us. I had my faith in the wrong place, in the wrong thing, and for the wrong reason. I wanted to be used by Him in this great big way, so that I could be recognized as a great man of God, instead of being used however He wanted, and being recognized because of my obedience, instead of the type of work I had done.
We are commanded to have faith in Him. He expects us to have faith on the scale of these people. However we are also commanded to make sure the desires of our heart are the same as His desires. The only way to do this is by prayer, and study of His Holy Word. By opening our hearts, and minds, and waiting on Him to tell us what we are too do. Not by telling Him what we want Him to want us to do. We are to discern what His will is. This is done by praying for wisdom, praying that He will clear our hearts and minds of our self, and then filling it with His Spirit.
Now back to Moses, starting in vs 23, the first thing we notice is that Moses had parents that not only loved and cared about him, but they feared, and loved God more than they feared men. They chanced prison and death in order to protect him from the world, and to set him aside for use by God. If we had more parents today that were willing to do this, then the world could return to the former glory of this country.
In vs 24-25, we see the results of Moses parents work, in that he had grown up and he was willing to suffer the affliction and the "shame" (as far as they were slaves in Egypt at the time) of being called an Israelite, and a child of God. He gave up all the riches of the world, in order to obtain the riches of eternity. This leads us right into vs. 26-27, because of where his treasure was laid up, he followed God into the desert, he was willing to go, and do what and where God wanted him. We are told in vs. 28-29 that he obeyed God through all, and everything in both Egypt and the wilderness. Even down to crossing the Red Sea on dry land, while the waters raged on either side of the Israelites.
Let's go back to vs. 26-27 for just a few moments, there is so much contained in these verse that I wanted to look at them separately.
1. "Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:"
First we need to remember Christ had not yet come. And yet Moses in his faith still considered the service of God to be of greater value than all the riches Egypt had to offer. When we go to work, are we willing to actually live like Christians, are do we "try not to rock the boat", when others start to act like the world? What about when we go to church? Are we real Christians, or do we act the way other people think that Christians are supposed to act?
2. Are we willing to suffer as Moses did? Are we willing to give up the riches of the world, in order to stay true to God? What do we do for entertainment, does it glorify God, or the world? Going to the lake on the weekend is fine, as long as Sunday we are in both church services. Going to the movies, technically is ok, depending on what we are going to watch. (This is getting increasingly more difficult, as even the "childrens" movies have so many innuendo's and references to drugs, alcohol and sex).
3. "for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible". Throughout everything, Moses endured. He endured what? Endured as though he had seen God. Moses faith was so strong, that even through his sin, his exile, and everything else, he kept his eyes on God. He believed God was real so strongly that it was as if he had seen Him in the flesh. I would love to hear someone say my faith was that strong.
I pray that one day, I will hear God tell me that my faith rivaled that of Moses, Paul, Abraham, Noah, Enoch, or any of the other great men and women mentioned in these verses, in the Bible. I pray that I will do as He ask me to do, no matter what it is. What about you, do you want to see miracles like those seen by these men and women? Do you want to see a miracle the size of those mentioned here? We can see miracles this big, and bigger, God is not out of the miracle business. He still has the power, and desire, however He tells us, that first we must have faith in Him, the size of the faith these people had.
I do want to point out that no matter how much faith we have, we are not going to change God's will, or His plan just because we have faith that something is going to happen. For a few years, I had faith I would be healed. I knew I would be healed, not think I might, or hope I might, I knew, I had faith I would be. Then I realized that God's plan was not for me to be healed, but that I have faith that His grace would be sufficient. And it always has been, and always will be. You can have all the faith in the world that your child will get home from school between 3:30-4:00, but that does not mean that they will. They might get home at 3:20, or the might get home at 3:40 or, well let's not go there.
See we have to make sure that what we have faith in is in God's will to be done, for His plan to carried out, and not in what we think should happen. Just like a missionary about to leave on his first deportation must have faith that God will supply his needs, and not that a specific number of churches will give him a specific amount of money each month, we must have faith that God's will, will be done the way He wants it done. Moses prayed that God would rescue them when they were faced with the Red Sea, not that He would supply them with boats.
I know in my life, I have sometimes missed God working in my life, because I was looking for the wrong thing to happen. Instead of looking for whatever He would do, I was looking for what my human mind could come up with. God told me, that I would be changing churches soon, so I took that to mean it was time. So I went looking, trying to make His will happen. When I found what I wanted, I prayed that God would show me if that was where He wanted me, but in my heart I was hoping that it was. So He gave me the desire of my heart. Specifically I was praying, because the church pastor wanted to start a bus ministry, that if God wanted me to join that church and start a ministry that He would show me that is what He wanted. Knowing the whole time that I wanted to do this no matter what. So, after talking with the pastor on Saturday, Monday morning he received a phone call from another church wanting to give away a bus, for free. God gave me the desire of my heart, even though it was not what He had planned for us. I had my faith in the wrong place, in the wrong thing, and for the wrong reason. I wanted to be used by Him in this great big way, so that I could be recognized as a great man of God, instead of being used however He wanted, and being recognized because of my obedience, instead of the type of work I had done.
We are commanded to have faith in Him. He expects us to have faith on the scale of these people. However we are also commanded to make sure the desires of our heart are the same as His desires. The only way to do this is by prayer, and study of His Holy Word. By opening our hearts, and minds, and waiting on Him to tell us what we are too do. Not by telling Him what we want Him to want us to do. We are to discern what His will is. This is done by praying for wisdom, praying that He will clear our hearts and minds of our self, and then filling it with His Spirit.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Faith
Good Saturday morning, hope you have a good weekend. We've got a lot of ground to cover this morning so let's get started. In a way I don't like to try to do this much at one time, but I really could not find a better way of doing it. We are going to cover Hebrews chapter 11 this morning, better known as "The Faith Chapter".
The first thing I want to make clear is, just what is faith? Read vs. 1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". Years ago, I heard a missionary tell a story about when he first went into the jungles of Africa, he had been trying to teach the natives about how to have faith in God. After he finished talking one day, the chief of the tribe came to him, and said, I really don't understand the whole idea of this faith, can you explain it better? The missionary thought for a moment, and said, Chief, if you'll come over here and sit down in this chair, I think you will understand. So the chief walked over and sat down, the missionary said, when you sat down you had faith the chair would hold you, you had faith that it would not fall over, faith that you would not fall through, and faith that you would land squarely on it. The chief thought for a moment and said tell me more about your God, I think I can have faith in Him, because I have seen the faith you have in Him.
Starting in vs 4 we see Abel, who obeyed God in the type of sacrifice, Enoch who we saw a few weeks ago was translated because his faith pleased God. Then there was Noah, in the history of the world it had never rained, he did not know what rain was, but God said build an ark, so he did.
Look at vs' 8-19 you see all the ways that Abraham and Sara had faith in God, and were blessed because of it. First they were told to move from their home land into a strange country, they did not even know where they were going, God said He would tell them when they got there. I can't imagine leaving Mississippi, with my family and what few possessions I have, and heading toward Alaska, and just trusting that God would tell me one day to stop traveling. Then of course they were both right at 100 years old, when God told them they would have a child, and they did. But, then one day God told Abraham to take Isaac their only child and place him on an alter and sacrifice him. I don't think I would have the faith Abraham did, because he did as God commanded. Except God stopped him at the last minute.
Then there was Isaac and Jacob, who both showed great faith in God, and all the things they did. Now I am going to skip over Moses and cover him tomorrow, because there is some things I want to bring out that is both going to take a while, and are a little different than today's devotion. So look on down to vs 30, Joshua and Israel in the promised land, Paul mentions the walls of Jericho, but there are so many other times that could have been mentioned. Times when Joshua and nation of Israel showed great faith in God. But, by mentioning Jericho he was able to mention Rahab the harlot, who also believed in God and hid the spies, thereby saving herself and her family. Then there was so many other great examples of faith that Paul just did not have time to cover, but he did mention some of them, but not all of them.
Look at vs' 33-34 "Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword,out waxed valiant in fight turned to flight the armies of the aliens." This was just some of the things that ordinary people did through extraordinary faith. Vs. 39-40 "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Look closely at these verses, all these people showed faith that is just not seen these days, and yet they knew that they were not able to know God in the way that we are able to know Him today. The Messiah had not yet appeared, Christ had not made His sacrifice, they could not know the second birth. They knew this, and yet they still had more faith in God than anyone I know today.
Now I want to go one step farther and look at ch12 vs 1-2, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God". Paul said, the whole world is watching us, so let's forget about all the problems, and avoid all the sin that can hold us back. And, let us live our life, depending on Jesus, who is the creator and perfecter of our faith in Him. After all, He was happy to go to the cross and suffer the physical pain, and the pain of sin so that we might have eternal life with Him. But, He is not dead, he arose again, and is now sitting at the right hand of God. So if He could die for us, we should be able to live for Him.
Be sure to check back tomorrow for the lesson on Moses.
The first thing I want to make clear is, just what is faith? Read vs. 1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". Years ago, I heard a missionary tell a story about when he first went into the jungles of Africa, he had been trying to teach the natives about how to have faith in God. After he finished talking one day, the chief of the tribe came to him, and said, I really don't understand the whole idea of this faith, can you explain it better? The missionary thought for a moment, and said, Chief, if you'll come over here and sit down in this chair, I think you will understand. So the chief walked over and sat down, the missionary said, when you sat down you had faith the chair would hold you, you had faith that it would not fall over, faith that you would not fall through, and faith that you would land squarely on it. The chief thought for a moment and said tell me more about your God, I think I can have faith in Him, because I have seen the faith you have in Him.
Starting in vs 4 we see Abel, who obeyed God in the type of sacrifice, Enoch who we saw a few weeks ago was translated because his faith pleased God. Then there was Noah, in the history of the world it had never rained, he did not know what rain was, but God said build an ark, so he did.
Look at vs' 8-19 you see all the ways that Abraham and Sara had faith in God, and were blessed because of it. First they were told to move from their home land into a strange country, they did not even know where they were going, God said He would tell them when they got there. I can't imagine leaving Mississippi, with my family and what few possessions I have, and heading toward Alaska, and just trusting that God would tell me one day to stop traveling. Then of course they were both right at 100 years old, when God told them they would have a child, and they did. But, then one day God told Abraham to take Isaac their only child and place him on an alter and sacrifice him. I don't think I would have the faith Abraham did, because he did as God commanded. Except God stopped him at the last minute.
Then there was Isaac and Jacob, who both showed great faith in God, and all the things they did. Now I am going to skip over Moses and cover him tomorrow, because there is some things I want to bring out that is both going to take a while, and are a little different than today's devotion. So look on down to vs 30, Joshua and Israel in the promised land, Paul mentions the walls of Jericho, but there are so many other times that could have been mentioned. Times when Joshua and nation of Israel showed great faith in God. But, by mentioning Jericho he was able to mention Rahab the harlot, who also believed in God and hid the spies, thereby saving herself and her family. Then there was so many other great examples of faith that Paul just did not have time to cover, but he did mention some of them, but not all of them.
Look at vs' 33-34 "Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword,out waxed valiant in fight turned to flight the armies of the aliens." This was just some of the things that ordinary people did through extraordinary faith. Vs. 39-40 "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Look closely at these verses, all these people showed faith that is just not seen these days, and yet they knew that they were not able to know God in the way that we are able to know Him today. The Messiah had not yet appeared, Christ had not made His sacrifice, they could not know the second birth. They knew this, and yet they still had more faith in God than anyone I know today.
Now I want to go one step farther and look at ch12 vs 1-2, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God". Paul said, the whole world is watching us, so let's forget about all the problems, and avoid all the sin that can hold us back. And, let us live our life, depending on Jesus, who is the creator and perfecter of our faith in Him. After all, He was happy to go to the cross and suffer the physical pain, and the pain of sin so that we might have eternal life with Him. But, He is not dead, he arose again, and is now sitting at the right hand of God. So if He could die for us, we should be able to live for Him.
Be sure to check back tomorrow for the lesson on Moses.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Mine Unbelief
Good morning, this morning let's finish the lesson we started yesterday. We are going to be back in Mark ch 9 starting at verse 23. "Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. (vs24) And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, LORD I believe, help thou mine unbelief." Then of course, Jesus cast out the demon. Then later on the disciples in verse 28 asked why they could not cast out the demon, and verse 29 again, "This kind can come forth by nothing, buy by prayer and fasting". In other words the disciples had not been doing what they were supposed to be doing, and their faith had gotten weak, and they did not ask for God to help their unbelief.
What I am about to tell you is probably going to cause some controversy, but that's ok. I always hear about how in order to have God's power in our lives we have to believe that He is going to be there, and He is going to work in some way. But, I don't believe that, I believe that if you go to God, and you tell Him that you are trying to believe, but because you are human, you are having trouble understanding, which is causing you trouble in believing, and that you want Him to help you believe, you want Him to increase your belief, you want Him to give you a desire to believe, then I really believe that He will do just that. Then despite your unbelief, He will bless you, and answer your prayer so that you are able to believe. You see I don't think it's so much our ability to believe that God rewards as it is our desire to believe. We are human after all, it is not humanly possible for us to believe everything that is possible with God. We have a finite mind, His is infinite. His abilities are infinite, everything about Him is infinite, and yet we are still finite. It is not possible for us to believe everything He is able to do. But, if we express to Him a desire to understand, and believe that something is possible with Him, He will honor that desire, and He will give us the ability to believe. Sometimes we get the ability before He acts, sometimes after everything is over, but He will honor our desire, and give us what our heart desires.
Turn over to Eph. 2:8 for a moment, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yoursleves; it is the gift of God". Let's read that again, "Because you believe, you are saved", NO, "For by your belief in everything possible with God" NO, it say's, "For by GRACE,...IT IS THE GIFT of God". Turn back to Jn 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day". "No man can come to me, except by his humanness he believe?" No, it says that "except the Father draw him", translation, except the Father give him a desire to believe.
Look on over at verse 63 "It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing...(vs64)But there are some of you that believe not...(vs65) Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father". Help mine unbelief, help me to understand the things that are spiritual and not of the flesh, help me to believe, give me a desire to understand and believe, send your Spirit to quicken my dead heart so that it may believe.
We all need to pray daily, that God will give us that desire to believe, and that He will help our unbelief. If you want to see God work in your life, just ask Him to help your unbelief, and you will see Him work in ways that you never could have imagined. Without prayer we have no power, without prayer we have no relationship with God, how can we expect to have any standing in His court if we are a stranger to Him. Think about your job, who has the most pull with the boss, the person who comes to work and goes to their station and stays there all day, never speaking to anyone, or the person that spends as much time talking to the boss as they do working? It's the same with God, we need to spend as much time in prayer as we do in everything else in our life. That way when we say help mine unbelief, He knows that our desire is to believe, and He will help us. Remember the old saying, "God helps those who help them self", praying is helping our self.
Looking at one more verse, Eph. 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,". Praying always, in the Spirit. Well, one more verse Mt 21:22 "And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing ye shall receive". When you pray, you have to believe for it to be answered, but how shall you believe unless God give you the ability because of your desire?
What I am about to tell you is probably going to cause some controversy, but that's ok. I always hear about how in order to have God's power in our lives we have to believe that He is going to be there, and He is going to work in some way. But, I don't believe that, I believe that if you go to God, and you tell Him that you are trying to believe, but because you are human, you are having trouble understanding, which is causing you trouble in believing, and that you want Him to help you believe, you want Him to increase your belief, you want Him to give you a desire to believe, then I really believe that He will do just that. Then despite your unbelief, He will bless you, and answer your prayer so that you are able to believe. You see I don't think it's so much our ability to believe that God rewards as it is our desire to believe. We are human after all, it is not humanly possible for us to believe everything that is possible with God. We have a finite mind, His is infinite. His abilities are infinite, everything about Him is infinite, and yet we are still finite. It is not possible for us to believe everything He is able to do. But, if we express to Him a desire to understand, and believe that something is possible with Him, He will honor that desire, and He will give us the ability to believe. Sometimes we get the ability before He acts, sometimes after everything is over, but He will honor our desire, and give us what our heart desires.
Turn over to Eph. 2:8 for a moment, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yoursleves; it is the gift of God". Let's read that again, "Because you believe, you are saved", NO, "For by your belief in everything possible with God" NO, it say's, "For by GRACE,...IT IS THE GIFT of God". Turn back to Jn 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day". "No man can come to me, except by his humanness he believe?" No, it says that "except the Father draw him", translation, except the Father give him a desire to believe.
Look on over at verse 63 "It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing...(vs64)But there are some of you that believe not...(vs65) Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father". Help mine unbelief, help me to understand the things that are spiritual and not of the flesh, help me to believe, give me a desire to understand and believe, send your Spirit to quicken my dead heart so that it may believe.
We all need to pray daily, that God will give us that desire to believe, and that He will help our unbelief. If you want to see God work in your life, just ask Him to help your unbelief, and you will see Him work in ways that you never could have imagined. Without prayer we have no power, without prayer we have no relationship with God, how can we expect to have any standing in His court if we are a stranger to Him. Think about your job, who has the most pull with the boss, the person who comes to work and goes to their station and stays there all day, never speaking to anyone, or the person that spends as much time talking to the boss as they do working? It's the same with God, we need to spend as much time in prayer as we do in everything else in our life. That way when we say help mine unbelief, He knows that our desire is to believe, and He will help us. Remember the old saying, "God helps those who help them self", praying is helping our self.
Looking at one more verse, Eph. 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,". Praying always, in the Spirit. Well, one more verse Mt 21:22 "And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing ye shall receive". When you pray, you have to believe for it to be answered, but how shall you believe unless God give you the ability because of your desire?
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Do you annoy God
Good Thursday morning to you. I want to you to know how much I appreciate my faithful readers, and the feedback I get from them. But, I especially want to say thanks for all the prayers you give for me.
This morning we are going to be in the New Testament, and this is actually going to be a two part devotion, there is just to much to cover in one day. Let's start this morning in Luke ch. 9 vs. 37-43. A little background on this setting, Jesus has sent the twelve out to preach, and they have returned. The disciples have just witnessed the 5000 fed, Peter has made the great confession that Christ is the Son of God. And then the three disciples saw the transfiguration. Then immediately as they came down off the mountain there was a man who had brought his son to them, because the child was possessed by a demon. Unfortunately they could not cast out this demon, then Jesus arrived. In verse 41 we see His response to their weakness, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you?" Translated "You have no faith, you are perverted, how long do I have to put up with you?"
Jesus was annoyed with them. After all the things they had seen and experienced, after they themselves had cast out demons, they were unable to cast out this one. They did not have enough faith to cast out this demon. Like most of us, anytime there is a great victory of faith, it will immediately followed by a great defeat. Why? Why is there always a defeat that follows a victory? It is because we get complaisant.
Look at Mk. 9:29, here we see Marks account of the story, and he tells more of what happened after the father and son had left. At this time the disciples asked why they could not cast out the demon. (vs29) And He said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting". The disciples had experienced all this great stuff, and had failed to remember to spend time in prayer, so they had gotten weak in faith.
I know in my life there have been times in my life when I went through a battle, and had learned how to pray without ceasing, taking everything to God with prayer and supplication (to ask for humbly). To ask for humbly, key word humbly. How many times have we had a great victory and then gotten proud of our self. Then the next thing to happen we thought to ourselves, I can handle this all by myself, no need to bother God with this? So we did not pray about it, we did not seek His will, and His direction, and His help, and as a result we failed miserably.
How many times has God asked "How long do I have to put up with you"? How many more times are we going to make the same mistake? If we want God's power, and we want His victories in our lives, we have to remember to stay in His word, we have to pray about everything. Don't forget, when you pick up your Bible, always pray for Him to open your heart, and mind, and ask Him to show you what He wants you to see. Otherwise, you are reading and studying under your own power, and are not receiving the blessings He has in store for you.
This morning we are going to be in the New Testament, and this is actually going to be a two part devotion, there is just to much to cover in one day. Let's start this morning in Luke ch. 9 vs. 37-43. A little background on this setting, Jesus has sent the twelve out to preach, and they have returned. The disciples have just witnessed the 5000 fed, Peter has made the great confession that Christ is the Son of God. And then the three disciples saw the transfiguration. Then immediately as they came down off the mountain there was a man who had brought his son to them, because the child was possessed by a demon. Unfortunately they could not cast out this demon, then Jesus arrived. In verse 41 we see His response to their weakness, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you?" Translated "You have no faith, you are perverted, how long do I have to put up with you?"
Jesus was annoyed with them. After all the things they had seen and experienced, after they themselves had cast out demons, they were unable to cast out this one. They did not have enough faith to cast out this demon. Like most of us, anytime there is a great victory of faith, it will immediately followed by a great defeat. Why? Why is there always a defeat that follows a victory? It is because we get complaisant.
Look at Mk. 9:29, here we see Marks account of the story, and he tells more of what happened after the father and son had left. At this time the disciples asked why they could not cast out the demon. (vs29) And He said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting". The disciples had experienced all this great stuff, and had failed to remember to spend time in prayer, so they had gotten weak in faith.
I know in my life there have been times in my life when I went through a battle, and had learned how to pray without ceasing, taking everything to God with prayer and supplication (to ask for humbly). To ask for humbly, key word humbly. How many times have we had a great victory and then gotten proud of our self. Then the next thing to happen we thought to ourselves, I can handle this all by myself, no need to bother God with this? So we did not pray about it, we did not seek His will, and His direction, and His help, and as a result we failed miserably.
How many times has God asked "How long do I have to put up with you"? How many more times are we going to make the same mistake? If we want God's power, and we want His victories in our lives, we have to remember to stay in His word, we have to pray about everything. Don't forget, when you pick up your Bible, always pray for Him to open your heart, and mind, and ask Him to show you what He wants you to see. Otherwise, you are reading and studying under your own power, and are not receiving the blessings He has in store for you.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Bruise his Head
Once again, I have been reminded that "All Scripture is given by inspiration, and is profitable". You see, I have a habit of just skipping over the genealogies, and a real bad habit of getting to the end of a New Testament book, and skipping over the closing formalities, and good by's and such. However, yesterday I read all the way through the end of the 16th chapter of Romans, and found a uplifting passage.
Let's start at verse 17, and I am going to highlight a few important phrases, and verses. "Now I beseech you, brethren mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they are such serve not our LORD Jesus Christ, but their own belly;...I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. (vs20) And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly."
The first thing we need to notice, is that we are too avoid people that cause problems within the church. We see other places that the church was told to "put away" someone who was causing problems, or sinning within the church. In other words they were supposed to ask that person to leave the church. Now we see that we are not to keep company with someone who is what I call two-faced, or a gossiper, or just causes problems in any other way. Especially if they are trying to teach something other than the Gospel of Christ. Because they are not of Christ, but Satan is using them to try to destroy the church. The person them self may not be "evil", but they could have been tricked by Satan into believing an untruth, but they will destroy the church just the same, if they are allowed to remain.
Then we are told something that almost seems contrary to Genesis where God told Eve that Jesus would bruise the head of Satan. But, what Paul is saying is that Christ, through the church of true Christians would bruise Satan. God would use the church, if they kept them self pure, and kept out those agents of Satan that would seek to destroy the church.
We see this so much today, not only in those churches that teach false doctrine, but in our good old fashioned Bible believing, God fearing churches, when someone starts to spread rumors, and causing strife between members and then there is a church split. Not only is the church not as effective because of the problems, but the testimony of all the members is also affected. So we must keep our churches pure, even if that means making someone mad, when we ask them to leave the church because of the problems they are causing. But, before that step we need to pray for God's intervention and guidance.
Let's start at verse 17, and I am going to highlight a few important phrases, and verses. "Now I beseech you, brethren mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they are such serve not our LORD Jesus Christ, but their own belly;...I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. (vs20) And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly."
The first thing we need to notice, is that we are too avoid people that cause problems within the church. We see other places that the church was told to "put away" someone who was causing problems, or sinning within the church. In other words they were supposed to ask that person to leave the church. Now we see that we are not to keep company with someone who is what I call two-faced, or a gossiper, or just causes problems in any other way. Especially if they are trying to teach something other than the Gospel of Christ. Because they are not of Christ, but Satan is using them to try to destroy the church. The person them self may not be "evil", but they could have been tricked by Satan into believing an untruth, but they will destroy the church just the same, if they are allowed to remain.
Then we are told something that almost seems contrary to Genesis where God told Eve that Jesus would bruise the head of Satan. But, what Paul is saying is that Christ, through the church of true Christians would bruise Satan. God would use the church, if they kept them self pure, and kept out those agents of Satan that would seek to destroy the church.
We see this so much today, not only in those churches that teach false doctrine, but in our good old fashioned Bible believing, God fearing churches, when someone starts to spread rumors, and causing strife between members and then there is a church split. Not only is the church not as effective because of the problems, but the testimony of all the members is also affected. So we must keep our churches pure, even if that means making someone mad, when we ask them to leave the church because of the problems they are causing. But, before that step we need to pray for God's intervention and guidance.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Hey Dummy
This morning we are back in Malachi, and might be there another day or two, just depending on what God tells me. Turn to ch. 3 of Malachi the text is vs. 7-15. However I am going to start in vs 8 "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say wherein have we robbed thee? In thithes and offerings. (vs9) Ye are cursed with a curse for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (vs10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
Let's go back to the beginning of vs 10, and I want you to write this in the margin of your Bible, vs 10 "(Dummy) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse...". The choice is rob God, or have the windows of heaven opened to you. Sin, or riches beyond comprehension. The choice is yours, what will your choice be.
A few weeks ago I opened my wallet to get my tithe to put in the plate, I had a $20, and a $10, that $30 had to last us until Friday. So I pulled the $20 out and prayed and said "God, I need this back, because that is the only way I am going to support my family this week.", then dropped it in the plate. On the way home, I stopped to get some gas, pulled up to the only open pump, opened my door, and there lay a $20 dollar bill. I said Thank you LORD. Then Tuesday, while going to the doctor's office, I ran into a friend, while we were talking, all of a sudden he reached in his back pocket, grabbed his wallet, and said "I almost forget again, here is that $20 I borrowed a few months ago".
This is not the first time something like this has happened to me, or to someone I know. When you give your tithe, and especially when you go above what is required, and give an offering, God will open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing. He says, give it to me, so I can double, even triple it, and then give it all back to you.
As many times as I have been blessed, and as many times as I have seen others blessed, you would think I would have great faith when it comes to the tithe. However, I have to admit that when it comes to money, even with all that I have seen and experienced, my faith is not that strong, actually it is almost non-existent. I have no problem having faith about the tithe when I have enough money for the week, but when I am already short, I have real problems handing over that money.
With almost anything else I can have faith that moves mountains. However, even though when it comes time to hand over the thithe, I can tell myself and everyone else just how faithful God is, and how He will bless us, I just don't have enough faith to actually obey.
We are commanded by God to give a tenth of our gross income back to Him, through the church. In other words, don't look at your paycheck, look at your paystub, it is the amount before taxes or any other deductions. That is the law of God. If you remember several weeks ago I told you about a time that we did not have money for your light bill, and I had faith that He was going to provide the money. My faith never actually wavered. That last day, I had doubts come into my head, but I never doubted, and there is a difference in the two. There have been many other times, I was able to depend on Him to take care of us financially. I had faith in Him. But, when it comes to the tithe, I have not been able to have the victory.
I have never admitted this to anyone before, and I hope that by doing so, it will no longer be a secret sin, it will be out in the open, and I will be able to find that faith I need. I have given myself all the excuses, and He has shown me where all those excuses are worthless. I believe that our current financial situation is due to the fact that we have robbed God of His tithe. I believe that if I start giving my tithes, then He will bless us so that we are not running out of money before payday, and wondering how we are going to feed our family, or buy new clothes for the baby, or pay our light bill. I believe that I have been under His chastisement for a while, and I am just now getting the desire to have enough faith in Him to obey His command. As you can see, I do not plan on shying away from the subjects that condemn me, or bring out my sins, after all that is what we are supposed to do in our devotions. I thank God, that He has given me this opportunity to repent, and follow what He has commanded.
Let's go back to the beginning of vs 10, and I want you to write this in the margin of your Bible, vs 10 "(Dummy) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse...". The choice is rob God, or have the windows of heaven opened to you. Sin, or riches beyond comprehension. The choice is yours, what will your choice be.
A few weeks ago I opened my wallet to get my tithe to put in the plate, I had a $20, and a $10, that $30 had to last us until Friday. So I pulled the $20 out and prayed and said "God, I need this back, because that is the only way I am going to support my family this week.", then dropped it in the plate. On the way home, I stopped to get some gas, pulled up to the only open pump, opened my door, and there lay a $20 dollar bill. I said Thank you LORD. Then Tuesday, while going to the doctor's office, I ran into a friend, while we were talking, all of a sudden he reached in his back pocket, grabbed his wallet, and said "I almost forget again, here is that $20 I borrowed a few months ago".
This is not the first time something like this has happened to me, or to someone I know. When you give your tithe, and especially when you go above what is required, and give an offering, God will open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing. He says, give it to me, so I can double, even triple it, and then give it all back to you.
As many times as I have been blessed, and as many times as I have seen others blessed, you would think I would have great faith when it comes to the tithe. However, I have to admit that when it comes to money, even with all that I have seen and experienced, my faith is not that strong, actually it is almost non-existent. I have no problem having faith about the tithe when I have enough money for the week, but when I am already short, I have real problems handing over that money.
With almost anything else I can have faith that moves mountains. However, even though when it comes time to hand over the thithe, I can tell myself and everyone else just how faithful God is, and how He will bless us, I just don't have enough faith to actually obey.
We are commanded by God to give a tenth of our gross income back to Him, through the church. In other words, don't look at your paycheck, look at your paystub, it is the amount before taxes or any other deductions. That is the law of God. If you remember several weeks ago I told you about a time that we did not have money for your light bill, and I had faith that He was going to provide the money. My faith never actually wavered. That last day, I had doubts come into my head, but I never doubted, and there is a difference in the two. There have been many other times, I was able to depend on Him to take care of us financially. I had faith in Him. But, when it comes to the tithe, I have not been able to have the victory.
I have never admitted this to anyone before, and I hope that by doing so, it will no longer be a secret sin, it will be out in the open, and I will be able to find that faith I need. I have given myself all the excuses, and He has shown me where all those excuses are worthless. I believe that our current financial situation is due to the fact that we have robbed God of His tithe. I believe that if I start giving my tithes, then He will bless us so that we are not running out of money before payday, and wondering how we are going to feed our family, or buy new clothes for the baby, or pay our light bill. I believe that I have been under His chastisement for a while, and I am just now getting the desire to have enough faith in Him to obey His command. As you can see, I do not plan on shying away from the subjects that condemn me, or bring out my sins, after all that is what we are supposed to do in our devotions. I thank God, that He has given me this opportunity to repent, and follow what He has commanded.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)