Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:12 - "Everything is permissible for me" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me" - but I will not be mastered by anything.
He also repeats this in 1 Corinthians 10:23 - "Everything is permissible for me" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me" - but not everything is constructive.
Another translation says "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful"
For the last few weeks I've had a recurring thought in my head. A thought that I have really appreciated, because I know that it's for my benefit. In many occasions I have had the thought "not helpful" come to mind. I've had this thought while watching television, and realize that what I was watching was "not helpful". I've had this thought while walking down the street or in the grocery store and noticing attractive ladies..."not helpful". I've had this thought when I've been searching the kitchen for something to eat...even though I just ate a short time ago..."not helpful". There have been many more.
This recurring thought has helped me to identify things in my life that are permissible, but not beneficial, or not helpful in my walk with the Lord. It's helped me to identify things in my life that are precursor to sinful thoughts and actions. I know the thought has been from the Holy Spirit working in my life, transforming me from the inside out.
So what things are permissible or lawful that are not helpful to you? What things do you do; that take your focus off of God? What things move you just a bit further from Him when you watch or do them? I imagine this list is different in some aspects (depending our our weakness) but the same in many others for all of us. What are your idols?
1 Corinthians 10:31 - So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God
Lord I pray that you will reveal to us the things in our life that are permissible, that are lawful, that are fully in our rights that are not helpful or beneficial to us. I pray that you would place that still small voice in each and everyone of us, pointing out each as we go through our days. Then I pray that we would have the ears to hear you, and the strength to walk away from those things and to walk closer to you. I pray that in all that we do, that we do it for Your glory Jesus...not ours. Amen!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Forgiveness needed...
As Christians I think we sometimes take the forgiveness of our sins for granted and often forget that we are called to forgive just as we have been forgiven.
Matthew 6:14-15 - For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
As we read this and other verses in the Word, we are reminded that our forgiveness is conditional on our ability to forgive those who have sinned against us. Have you ever said or heard something like "I could never forgive what they did to me!" Have you ever struggled with the concept of forgiveness because in your mind it excuses someone from something...that is just to inexcusable? I am pretty sure we have all been there and many may still be there today. So I wonder...is forgiveness about you, or is forgiveness about the person who wronged you? If me being forgiven for my sins is dependent on me being able to forgive...then forgiveness has to be more for me than the other person.
Since the Words in Matthew 6 are true...aren't we only hurting ourselves when we don't forgive?
2 Corinthians 2:10-11 - Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven - if there was anything to forgive - I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Paul is telling the church of Corinth, that anyone they forgive that he also forgives. That seems strange doesn't it? What's the point? I think this is a perfect example regarding something we see much to often today. Have you ever taken on someone else's wounds, ever experienced someone being hurt and then become a champion for them in the hate and discontent department? Only to be confused at their lack of concern and being angered at their ability to forgive? I have...and what Paul is saying here is that he isn't going to do that...that if they forgive...he forgives.
But Paul goes on..."in order that Satan might not outwit us"... You see, our inability to forgive not only hinders our ability to be forgiven, it also gives our enemy a stronghold in our life. The longer we let it go, the worse our thoughts can get. We start imagining getting even, maybe even harm coming to the person...Satan goes to work on us...and because of our inability to forgive; we move away from God.
Are there hurts in your life that you need to forgive? Are their people in your past that wronged you that you need to forgive today? Is your spiritual life being hindered by unforgiveness?
Lord I pray that you would show us today those places in our heart that need forgiveness. Reveal to us those who we need to forgive...some might be fresh and on our minds now, but some may have happened years ago, maybe we have forgotten. Lord I pray you reveal those to use now and I pray that we would have the ability to let it go, to forgive and come closer to You. Amen!
Matthew 6:14-15 - For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
As we read this and other verses in the Word, we are reminded that our forgiveness is conditional on our ability to forgive those who have sinned against us. Have you ever said or heard something like "I could never forgive what they did to me!" Have you ever struggled with the concept of forgiveness because in your mind it excuses someone from something...that is just to inexcusable? I am pretty sure we have all been there and many may still be there today. So I wonder...is forgiveness about you, or is forgiveness about the person who wronged you? If me being forgiven for my sins is dependent on me being able to forgive...then forgiveness has to be more for me than the other person.
Since the Words in Matthew 6 are true...aren't we only hurting ourselves when we don't forgive?
2 Corinthians 2:10-11 - Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven - if there was anything to forgive - I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Paul is telling the church of Corinth, that anyone they forgive that he also forgives. That seems strange doesn't it? What's the point? I think this is a perfect example regarding something we see much to often today. Have you ever taken on someone else's wounds, ever experienced someone being hurt and then become a champion for them in the hate and discontent department? Only to be confused at their lack of concern and being angered at their ability to forgive? I have...and what Paul is saying here is that he isn't going to do that...that if they forgive...he forgives.
But Paul goes on..."in order that Satan might not outwit us"... You see, our inability to forgive not only hinders our ability to be forgiven, it also gives our enemy a stronghold in our life. The longer we let it go, the worse our thoughts can get. We start imagining getting even, maybe even harm coming to the person...Satan goes to work on us...and because of our inability to forgive; we move away from God.
Are there hurts in your life that you need to forgive? Are their people in your past that wronged you that you need to forgive today? Is your spiritual life being hindered by unforgiveness?
Lord I pray that you would show us today those places in our heart that need forgiveness. Reveal to us those who we need to forgive...some might be fresh and on our minds now, but some may have happened years ago, maybe we have forgotten. Lord I pray you reveal those to use now and I pray that we would have the ability to let it go, to forgive and come closer to You. Amen!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Do you love as Jesus would want you to?
Do you love as Jesus would want you to love? I've been reading the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan and found it challenging me in some very good ways. One exercise was to look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 in a different way. Read the passage again...
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
Now replace the word Love with your name and read it again.
It changes things doesn't it.
Am I patient? Am I kind? Do I envy? Do I boast? Am I arrogant and proud? Am I rude or self-seeking? Am I easily angered? Do I keep a record of wrongs? Do I rejoice in wrong doing? Do I rejoice in the truth? Do I always protect those I love? Do I always persevere?
We are called to love one another by Jesus. If this passage is the definition of what love is, how are YOU doing?
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Have you deceived yourself?
Psalms 36:2-3 - For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. The words of his mouth are are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good.
Have you ever known someone who told a lie so well and so often that it became truth to them? Do you know someone right now that believes something about themselves or God that is incorrect or un-truthful?
Now look inward...have you deceived yourself? Have you spent so much time justifying or hiding sin in your life that you no longer detect or hate it? We can easily be deceived by our thoughts, our flesh, by others, by the world or by our enemy. We can become completely unaware of our sin, or we can become convinced that we are justified in our sin thus making it "ok" to continue our behavior.
So if we are deceived, how do we know where we are deceived? That's the big question...because if we are deceived we probably don't know we are deceived. We pray and listen.
We start by praying as David did in Psalms 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting".
Then we listen. We listen as we read the Bible, we listen to our loved ones, we listen to ourselves and be aware of what we are hearing.
Proverbs 15:31-32 - He who listens to a life giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
What is God trying to show you? What is God using others, to show you about your life?
Lord I pray that you would search us, know our thoughts, test us and lead us to the everlasting by convicting us where we are deceived, where we are justifying our sin. Help us to see our sin, help us to hate our sin. Send loved ones, brothers to show us our sin. Lord we pray that you would bother us, nag us and not let us stay where we are at. Push us Lord to become more and more like you each and everyday. Amen.
Have you ever known someone who told a lie so well and so often that it became truth to them? Do you know someone right now that believes something about themselves or God that is incorrect or un-truthful?
Now look inward...have you deceived yourself? Have you spent so much time justifying or hiding sin in your life that you no longer detect or hate it? We can easily be deceived by our thoughts, our flesh, by others, by the world or by our enemy. We can become completely unaware of our sin, or we can become convinced that we are justified in our sin thus making it "ok" to continue our behavior.
So if we are deceived, how do we know where we are deceived? That's the big question...because if we are deceived we probably don't know we are deceived. We pray and listen.
We start by praying as David did in Psalms 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting".
Then we listen. We listen as we read the Bible, we listen to our loved ones, we listen to ourselves and be aware of what we are hearing.
Proverbs 15:31-32 - He who listens to a life giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
What is God trying to show you? What is God using others, to show you about your life?
Lord I pray that you would search us, know our thoughts, test us and lead us to the everlasting by convicting us where we are deceived, where we are justifying our sin. Help us to see our sin, help us to hate our sin. Send loved ones, brothers to show us our sin. Lord we pray that you would bother us, nag us and not let us stay where we are at. Push us Lord to become more and more like you each and everyday. Amen.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Is God a concept or is God your reality?
If God decided to commission a new version of the Bible set in our time; what would be your role; based on how you are living your life right now?
Would you the the legalistic pharisee who embraces the laws and concepts to the point of making others miserable. Or maybe the person who believes the concepts, goes to church each weekend...but has yet to embrace God and make Him the reality in your world. Or maybe, you would be like the disciples, knowing there is a significance, a weight to the Lord...learning and growing daily...not perfect but wanting so much to be like Him, wanting to live your life for His glory and not yours.
Based on how you are living your life today...where would you be?
Is God still a concept to you? Or has God become your reality? Do you live your life as if you are living it for the glory of God? To live your life for the glory of God is to live a life where you place the weight of God into each decision, into each action you take.
Galatians 1:10 - Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
If you are trying to win the approval of men, you are living a worldly life...not a Godly life. If you are trying to win the approval of men...you are not a servant of Christ. Is it for your glory or His? I've got to be honest, each and every thing I write...I want it to have an impact on those that I write it for. So I struggle with the question "Is it for my glory or God's?" constantly. When I've stopped asking, I've probably lost the battle.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.
That is a big list, and I'm guessing that if we are honest, nearly all of us fall into that list somewhere. But I want to focus on what is said after the list. Paul is writing to the the churches he founded in Galatia...he is writing to a church and he uses the words "And that is what some of you were." - What some of you were...meaning that some are still there? That some in the church are still those things? YES...some of you are still there.
Is the reason...that you still only know the concept of God, and not the reality?
But you were washed, you were sanctified, justified....not by anything you did...but by and in the name of Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God. Let Jesus become your reality and be washed, sanctified and justified by Him. It's time you let your life be transformed by the love, mercy and grace that is Jesus Christ our Savior.
Would you the the legalistic pharisee who embraces the laws and concepts to the point of making others miserable. Or maybe the person who believes the concepts, goes to church each weekend...but has yet to embrace God and make Him the reality in your world. Or maybe, you would be like the disciples, knowing there is a significance, a weight to the Lord...learning and growing daily...not perfect but wanting so much to be like Him, wanting to live your life for His glory and not yours.
Based on how you are living your life today...where would you be?
Is God still a concept to you? Or has God become your reality? Do you live your life as if you are living it for the glory of God? To live your life for the glory of God is to live a life where you place the weight of God into each decision, into each action you take.
Galatians 1:10 - Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
If you are trying to win the approval of men, you are living a worldly life...not a Godly life. If you are trying to win the approval of men...you are not a servant of Christ. Is it for your glory or His? I've got to be honest, each and every thing I write...I want it to have an impact on those that I write it for. So I struggle with the question "Is it for my glory or God's?" constantly. When I've stopped asking, I've probably lost the battle.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.
That is a big list, and I'm guessing that if we are honest, nearly all of us fall into that list somewhere. But I want to focus on what is said after the list. Paul is writing to the the churches he founded in Galatia...he is writing to a church and he uses the words "And that is what some of you were." - What some of you were...meaning that some are still there? That some in the church are still those things? YES...some of you are still there.
Is the reason...that you still only know the concept of God, and not the reality?
But you were washed, you were sanctified, justified....not by anything you did...but by and in the name of Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God. Let Jesus become your reality and be washed, sanctified and justified by Him. It's time you let your life be transformed by the love, mercy and grace that is Jesus Christ our Savior.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Gospel Community
Do you realize the importance of community in your walk with the Lord? Most of us really don't understand how important community is. In fact, if we look at our culture, it almost seems like the best thing we can do for our spirituality is to go into hiding; where we can't be touched by the things going on around us.
But that is opposite of what the Word of God teaches us...
Acts 2:42-47 - They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
The idea of community, taking part in a community is biblical. We are called to do it...
Why? It's in community where we learn and grow...it's in community we learn to forgive, show mercy and grace, to love one another. It's in community that we develop friendships and bonds. It's in community where we sharpen one another (Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.), where we teach, rebuke, correct and train one another. (Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:2, Titus 2:2-8)
The idea of gospel community is not just showing up for church on Sundays. Gospel community is doing life together, it's includes church, small groups, gatherings, your marriage, breaking bread together, celebrating together, mourning together, supporting each other in time of need...
So what's going through your head right now? I'm guessing it's the lies of the enemy. Probably statements like: 'No one likes you.', 'You won't be accepted.', You will just be hurt again.', 'They don't care about you.'... Satan would like nothing more than to keep you isolated, keep you on the outside...keep you away from feeling the love of Christ through others. If it's something he is opposed to, what do you think we need to do? Engage!
Lord, I pray that you would help us to see how important gospel community is in our walk with you. I ask that you would place a desire for true gospel community in our hearts and that we would respond, that we would engage. Lord we pray against the spiritual warfare, the war that the enemy is raging in our thought life that keeps us from engaging in gospel community. Lord let us learn from your example of community and see that through community we come closer and closer to you. Amen.
But that is opposite of what the Word of God teaches us...
Acts 2:42-47 - They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
The idea of community, taking part in a community is biblical. We are called to do it...
Why? It's in community where we learn and grow...it's in community we learn to forgive, show mercy and grace, to love one another. It's in community that we develop friendships and bonds. It's in community where we sharpen one another (Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.), where we teach, rebuke, correct and train one another. (Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:2, Titus 2:2-8)
The idea of gospel community is not just showing up for church on Sundays. Gospel community is doing life together, it's includes church, small groups, gatherings, your marriage, breaking bread together, celebrating together, mourning together, supporting each other in time of need...
So what's going through your head right now? I'm guessing it's the lies of the enemy. Probably statements like: 'No one likes you.', 'You won't be accepted.', You will just be hurt again.', 'They don't care about you.'... Satan would like nothing more than to keep you isolated, keep you on the outside...keep you away from feeling the love of Christ through others. If it's something he is opposed to, what do you think we need to do? Engage!
Lord, I pray that you would help us to see how important gospel community is in our walk with you. I ask that you would place a desire for true gospel community in our hearts and that we would respond, that we would engage. Lord we pray against the spiritual warfare, the war that the enemy is raging in our thought life that keeps us from engaging in gospel community. Lord let us learn from your example of community and see that through community we come closer and closer to you. Amen.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Time in the Word...
2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
How much time are you spending in the Word? Are you spending time in the Word daily? The scriptures are "God-breathed", the scriptures are the written Word of God. The scriptures teach us, rebuke and correct us.
Matthew 4:4 - Jesus answered, "It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God"
The Word is a vital nutrient in our spiritual lives. The Bible is the words that came from the mouth of God. Reading and studying on the Word is where we find His truth.
John 8:31-32 - To the Jews who believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Where else do we find truth? If we rely solely on what others tell us about the Word, we open ourselves up to the possibility of false teaching. We must spend time in the Word for ourselves. We need to be studying and memorizing key verses that give us strength in time of need. We need to be testing what we are told by others against the Word and Spirit.
We need to be taking time to allow God to speak to us...and His written Word is the best place to start.
Lord, I pray that we would learn to turn to you always as a first resort and not the last. That we would find daily reading of your Word refreshing and useful. Lord, remove any barriers, any opposition to our time with you. Open our minds and fill us with "every word that comes from the mouth of God". Amen.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
We are loved!
Romans 8:31-38 - What, then shall we say in regard to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raise to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of God? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anythings else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
For me this is a powerful verse because it tells me that nothing, nothing will separate us from the love of God. God loves us! Did you get that? Do you believe it?
I don't mean just believe it as in you read it and have a head knowledge of it. I mean do you accept it as truth in your heart of hearts? I mean down deep in your soul. Do you own it? Do you believe it?
John 8:32 - You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free
That Jesus loves you is a truth that can set you free. Romans 8:1 - Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus. Because we are loved there is now no condemnation. Then why do we feel so guilty, why do we beat ourselves up when we sin? Because we don't own that fact that we are loved.
Colossians 3:12 - Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
As God's chosen, holy and dearly loved!!
A mark of Christian maturity is that when we mess up...that we turn to God instead of running from Him. We cannot make ourselves right, we cannot fix ourselves; but God can. When we understand the power in His love for us...we run to Him, not away.
Lord Father, I pray today that you will open our hearts and place the truth of your love deep into us, so that we would not only have the knowledge, but that it would be in our nature and in our responses to all that happens in our lives. Thank you Lord for your unbound love; your unending mercy and grace. May our lives be a living sacrifice that brings you glory. Amen.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Learn It, Live It - Ephesians 6:13-17 (Part 7)
Ephesians 6:13-17 - Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breast plate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
"...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
The Roman soldier always had a sword with him. Not a heavy long sword, but a short two foot sword that was very effective in hand to hand combat. He would have spent hours and hours working with it, learning to be very efficient in it's use. His life would depend on his readiness to use the sword.
Paul tells us that our sword is the word of God. In most cases "word" is translated in the Greek as "logos" which references the written word of God. In this case it is translated as "rhema" which references the spoken word of God. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God comes from our knowledge of the written word and the guidance of the Spirit in how we apply and use it.
Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
How do we become efficient in it's use? First of all it requires us to spend time in the word and second it requires us to have a relationship with the Spirit of God. How are you doing in these areas? Are you spending time in the word? How is your relationship with the Lord?
How much does our life (our spiritual being) depend on us being able to wield this sword in a timely and effective way? How about others in our life; how does our effectiveness affect others? Our spiritual lives depend on our ability to defend ourselves from the attacks of Satan. We must know the truth from the lies, we must know the Word to know truth and we have to rely on the Spirit to defend it. We are to be prepared in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2) to correct, rebuke and encourage... Our effectiveness has a direct affect on those around us.
Lord please guide us and direct us as we apply the full armor of God in our lives. Show us the steps we should take and the things we should do. Help us to see how the full armor of God can help us and guide us to eternity with you. Amen!
"...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
The Roman soldier always had a sword with him. Not a heavy long sword, but a short two foot sword that was very effective in hand to hand combat. He would have spent hours and hours working with it, learning to be very efficient in it's use. His life would depend on his readiness to use the sword.
Paul tells us that our sword is the word of God. In most cases "word" is translated in the Greek as "logos" which references the written word of God. In this case it is translated as "rhema" which references the spoken word of God. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God comes from our knowledge of the written word and the guidance of the Spirit in how we apply and use it.
Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
How do we become efficient in it's use? First of all it requires us to spend time in the word and second it requires us to have a relationship with the Spirit of God. How are you doing in these areas? Are you spending time in the word? How is your relationship with the Lord?
How much does our life (our spiritual being) depend on us being able to wield this sword in a timely and effective way? How about others in our life; how does our effectiveness affect others? Our spiritual lives depend on our ability to defend ourselves from the attacks of Satan. We must know the truth from the lies, we must know the Word to know truth and we have to rely on the Spirit to defend it. We are to be prepared in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2) to correct, rebuke and encourage... Our effectiveness has a direct affect on those around us.
Lord please guide us and direct us as we apply the full armor of God in our lives. Show us the steps we should take and the things we should do. Help us to see how the full armor of God can help us and guide us to eternity with you. Amen!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Learn It, Live It - Ephesians 6:13-17 (Part 6)
Ephesians 6:13-17 - Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breast plate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
"Take the helmet of salvation..."
In a physical battle the purpose of the helment is pretty obvious. Protect your head! If you get knocked out your done. If you take a blow to the head you can be disorientated, confused and forget where you are. To a Christian the helmet of salvation is all about protecting our minds.
For most of us, the first thing that comes to mind when we think about "salvation" is that through Jesus, our sins are forgiven and the penalty is paid. But most of us think of salvation in the past tense. In what has been done for us. Salvation is the deliverance from the power and penalty of sin. Which means it's not just something that happened when we accepted Jesus; it's something that is ongoing in our lives. It's about renewing of our minds...
Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...
Colossians 3:10 - ...and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
2 Corinthians 4:16 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Titus 3:5 - ...he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Where is your battle? Where does sin start in your life? For most of us, it's in our minds. It's starts with what we let in, what we watch, what we read, look at...what we think. The thoughts we entertain. The battle is primarily won or lost in our minds.
2 Corinthians 10:5 - We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
If you are in Jesus, if you have accepted Jesus; your freely given gift is salvation. You must know that and own that. You are forgiven, the power and penalty of sin no longer applies to you. This is what you need to put on and remember each day. Without that knowledge, its impossible to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. Without that knowledge, the power of sin remains in your life and Satan convinces you that you are bad and not worthy...
Lord I pray for a complete understanding of salvation in our lives. Not just in that we have been saved, but that you are continually saving each and every one of us. I pray that you will continue to renew our minds through the knowledge of God which is the Word. Lord, thank you for all you do and continue to do in our lives. Amen!
"Take the helmet of salvation..."
In a physical battle the purpose of the helment is pretty obvious. Protect your head! If you get knocked out your done. If you take a blow to the head you can be disorientated, confused and forget where you are. To a Christian the helmet of salvation is all about protecting our minds.
For most of us, the first thing that comes to mind when we think about "salvation" is that through Jesus, our sins are forgiven and the penalty is paid. But most of us think of salvation in the past tense. In what has been done for us. Salvation is the deliverance from the power and penalty of sin. Which means it's not just something that happened when we accepted Jesus; it's something that is ongoing in our lives. It's about renewing of our minds...
Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...
Colossians 3:10 - ...and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
2 Corinthians 4:16 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Titus 3:5 - ...he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Where is your battle? Where does sin start in your life? For most of us, it's in our minds. It's starts with what we let in, what we watch, what we read, look at...what we think. The thoughts we entertain. The battle is primarily won or lost in our minds.
2 Corinthians 10:5 - We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
If you are in Jesus, if you have accepted Jesus; your freely given gift is salvation. You must know that and own that. You are forgiven, the power and penalty of sin no longer applies to you. This is what you need to put on and remember each day. Without that knowledge, its impossible to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. Without that knowledge, the power of sin remains in your life and Satan convinces you that you are bad and not worthy...
Lord I pray for a complete understanding of salvation in our lives. Not just in that we have been saved, but that you are continually saving each and every one of us. I pray that you will continue to renew our minds through the knowledge of God which is the Word. Lord, thank you for all you do and continue to do in our lives. Amen!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Learn It, Live It - Ephesians 6:13-17 (Part 5)
Ephesians 6:13-17 - Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breast plate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."
Now that we have put on our base armor, Paul tells us "In addition to all this", take up the shield of faith. The "shield" that Paul refers to is a big shield, about four feet tall and made to connect to one to another. Made with iron, wood, linen and leather; the shield would have multiple layers (with a gap between) of wood wrapped in linen and then covered with leather. The shield was design to absorb flaming arrows from the enemy.
But our shield, is the shield of faith and the flaming arrows we face daily are the schemes of our enemy. Each lie, doubt, temptation and attack are a flaming arrow. How do we put out those flaming arrows? Through our faith and trust in God's character, promises and timing.
Jeremiah 28:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Romans 8:32 - He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Numbers 23:19 - God is not a man, that he should lie, not a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Philippians 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
His promises are good and he doesn't lie. Where are you in "faith" right now? Are you trusting God? Are you putting faith in what he has done and will continue to do in your life? Or are there areas of your life where you lack faith and trust? What are those areas? Take them to Him in prayer.
Lord we come to you now and ask that you would increase our faith. Help us to trust you more and to trust you in all things. Lord show us how to give it all up to you. Lord we admit we struggle and that we need You. Please guide us to faith and trust in you. Amen.
"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."
Now that we have put on our base armor, Paul tells us "In addition to all this", take up the shield of faith. The "shield" that Paul refers to is a big shield, about four feet tall and made to connect to one to another. Made with iron, wood, linen and leather; the shield would have multiple layers (with a gap between) of wood wrapped in linen and then covered with leather. The shield was design to absorb flaming arrows from the enemy.
But our shield, is the shield of faith and the flaming arrows we face daily are the schemes of our enemy. Each lie, doubt, temptation and attack are a flaming arrow. How do we put out those flaming arrows? Through our faith and trust in God's character, promises and timing.
Jeremiah 28:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Romans 8:32 - He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Numbers 23:19 - God is not a man, that he should lie, not a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Philippians 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
His promises are good and he doesn't lie. Where are you in "faith" right now? Are you trusting God? Are you putting faith in what he has done and will continue to do in your life? Or are there areas of your life where you lack faith and trust? What are those areas? Take them to Him in prayer.
Lord we come to you now and ask that you would increase our faith. Help us to trust you more and to trust you in all things. Lord show us how to give it all up to you. Lord we admit we struggle and that we need You. Please guide us to faith and trust in you. Amen.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Learn It, Live It - Ephesians 6:13-17 (Part 4)
Ephesians 6:13-17 - Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breast plate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
"...and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."
No matter how much armor you have on, no matter how much you have prepared to wield your weapons...if when the battle starts you cannot keep your footing, you cannot stand in your position and you will be taken out. Roman sandals were a vital component to the soldier. A soldiers sandals were tightly strapped to their leg up to the knee and in some cases were fitted with nails to act similar to modern day cleats. Many victorious battles were credited to the fact that they had firm footing and could stand their ground.
Can you stand your ground? Have you fitted your feet "with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace"? Our foundation, our strong footing comes from knowing, understanding and applying the gospel in our lives and in the ability share that gospel with others?
Have you established a firm foundation in the gospel? What happens when we don't?
Galatians 1:6-7 - I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all...
When we don't have a firm foundation in the gospel we are easily deceived. We become convinced of untruths; all the while believing we are living the life that Jesus has called us to.
Read: 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 and Ephesians 2:1-9
Do you have a firm understanding of the gospel? Do you find peace in the gospel?
Lord I pray that we can fully know, understand and apply the gospel in our lives. I pray that we would be ready in all circumstances to share the good news of Jesus and all he did for us. Lord continue to work in us, continue to walk with us and show us what it takes to fit our feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Amen!
"...and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."
No matter how much armor you have on, no matter how much you have prepared to wield your weapons...if when the battle starts you cannot keep your footing, you cannot stand in your position and you will be taken out. Roman sandals were a vital component to the soldier. A soldiers sandals were tightly strapped to their leg up to the knee and in some cases were fitted with nails to act similar to modern day cleats. Many victorious battles were credited to the fact that they had firm footing and could stand their ground.
Can you stand your ground? Have you fitted your feet "with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace"? Our foundation, our strong footing comes from knowing, understanding and applying the gospel in our lives and in the ability share that gospel with others?
Have you established a firm foundation in the gospel? What happens when we don't?
Galatians 1:6-7 - I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all...
When we don't have a firm foundation in the gospel we are easily deceived. We become convinced of untruths; all the while believing we are living the life that Jesus has called us to.
Read: 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 and Ephesians 2:1-9
Do you have a firm understanding of the gospel? Do you find peace in the gospel?
Lord I pray that we can fully know, understand and apply the gospel in our lives. I pray that we would be ready in all circumstances to share the good news of Jesus and all he did for us. Lord continue to work in us, continue to walk with us and show us what it takes to fit our feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Amen!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Learn It, Live It - Ephesians 6:13-17 (Part 3)
Ephesians 6:13-17 - Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breast plate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
"...with the breast plate of righteousness in place..."
Last week I reviewed the belt of truth, this week I am looking into the "breast plate of righteousness".
To a Roman soldier, the breast plate would cover his heart and all his vital organs. A very important tool in the battle. How does this translate to us? The breast plate is all about protecting our HEART!
Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard you heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Our heart is so important. Out heart is our source for life, from it everything else flows. Our heart is our connection to God.
So what does he mean by "righteousness"? We know that we cannot be righteous in God's eyes on our own accord, that is why we need Jesus. It's only by the work of Christ that we are righteous with God.
But we are called to a righteous living. Meaning we are called to right living, integrity, good character and submission to our Lord; called to bend our will to His. We do this based in the righteousness gained from Jesus. Righteousness then is the practical application of the truth we learn from the Word of God.
When we don't live the righteous life we are called to we let things get to our heart. What do you have in your heart? Do you have anger, resentment, forgiveness not yet given? Are there truths that God has spoken to you through His Word that you have not applied to your life? What does these lead to? Guilt, shame or condemnation?
Lord I pray that you will reveal to us what is in our hearts. Show us those places in our hearts that need healing and forgiveness. Show us your truth and what it means to live a righteous life. Help us to discern your will and then apply it to our lives. Help us to bend our will to yours. Amen.
God Bless!
"...with the breast plate of righteousness in place..."
Last week I reviewed the belt of truth, this week I am looking into the "breast plate of righteousness".
To a Roman soldier, the breast plate would cover his heart and all his vital organs. A very important tool in the battle. How does this translate to us? The breast plate is all about protecting our HEART!
Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard you heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Our heart is so important. Out heart is our source for life, from it everything else flows. Our heart is our connection to God.
So what does he mean by "righteousness"? We know that we cannot be righteous in God's eyes on our own accord, that is why we need Jesus. It's only by the work of Christ that we are righteous with God.
But we are called to a righteous living. Meaning we are called to right living, integrity, good character and submission to our Lord; called to bend our will to His. We do this based in the righteousness gained from Jesus. Righteousness then is the practical application of the truth we learn from the Word of God.
When we don't live the righteous life we are called to we let things get to our heart. What do you have in your heart? Do you have anger, resentment, forgiveness not yet given? Are there truths that God has spoken to you through His Word that you have not applied to your life? What does these lead to? Guilt, shame or condemnation?
Lord I pray that you will reveal to us what is in our hearts. Show us those places in our hearts that need healing and forgiveness. Show us your truth and what it means to live a righteous life. Help us to discern your will and then apply it to our lives. Help us to bend our will to yours. Amen.
God Bless!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Learn It, Live It - Ephesians 6:13-17 (Part 2)
Ephesians 6:13-17 - Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breast plate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
"so that...you may be able to stand your ground"
Giving up ground should not be an option. Why? In battle the worst thing that can happen is to give up ground to the enemy. Especially ground gained for us by Jesus. When Jesus sacrificed his life on the cross so that his blood could make us white as snow; he gained ground for all of us who accept him as our Lord and Savior. The cost to gain that ground was great. We have got to stand our ground so that we don't give up what we gained through our relationship with Jesus.
Verse 14 - "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth around your waist..."
To the Roman soldier the belt was key, the belt was the center piece to the armor he wore in battle. The belt holds it all together. What is our belt? Our belt is knowing and living in "truth". First, we must know the truth, we must know the truth as it pertains to God's Word. Second we must live truthfully and honestly, we must be honest with God, ourselves and others.
Knowing and living in truth is so important because one of the Satan's most important tools is deception. The first example of deception in the Bible is in Genesis when he deceives Eve. He offers lies and the counter is the belt of truth.
How have you been deceived? Do you live any false truths? Has Satan gotten you to believe something that is not quite right, close...but not right about your relationship with Jesus?
How have you been less than honest? Have you blamed others for you sin, or justified sin because of how others have treated or sinned against you?
Lord I pray that you would reveal to us those areas where we have been deceived, where we haven't been honest with You, ourselves or others. Lord help us to come clean in these areas so that we can be firmly planted in Your truth, that we can be completely honest and truthful with You, ourselves and others at all time. Lord help us to put on the belt of truth daily and live it. In Jesus name. Amen!
God Bless!
"so that...you may be able to stand your ground"
Giving up ground should not be an option. Why? In battle the worst thing that can happen is to give up ground to the enemy. Especially ground gained for us by Jesus. When Jesus sacrificed his life on the cross so that his blood could make us white as snow; he gained ground for all of us who accept him as our Lord and Savior. The cost to gain that ground was great. We have got to stand our ground so that we don't give up what we gained through our relationship with Jesus.
Verse 14 - "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth around your waist..."
To the Roman soldier the belt was key, the belt was the center piece to the armor he wore in battle. The belt holds it all together. What is our belt? Our belt is knowing and living in "truth". First, we must know the truth, we must know the truth as it pertains to God's Word. Second we must live truthfully and honestly, we must be honest with God, ourselves and others.
Knowing and living in truth is so important because one of the Satan's most important tools is deception. The first example of deception in the Bible is in Genesis when he deceives Eve. He offers lies and the counter is the belt of truth.
How have you been deceived? Do you live any false truths? Has Satan gotten you to believe something that is not quite right, close...but not right about your relationship with Jesus?
How have you been less than honest? Have you blamed others for you sin, or justified sin because of how others have treated or sinned against you?
Lord I pray that you would reveal to us those areas where we have been deceived, where we haven't been honest with You, ourselves or others. Lord help us to come clean in these areas so that we can be firmly planted in Your truth, that we can be completely honest and truthful with You, ourselves and others at all time. Lord help us to put on the belt of truth daily and live it. In Jesus name. Amen!
God Bless!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Learn It, Live It - Ephesians 6:13-17
Ephesians 6:13-17 - Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breast plate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
I can't tell you how many times I have read these lines and been inspired in my personal battles. How many times I've come back to this verse when I was feeling beat up and lost.
There is so much information in this passage, and I for one have really not gotten past the metaphor Paul used and gotten into the practical application of the verse and what it teaches regarding how we should live our lives so that we are prepared for the battle we live in.
Verse 13 - Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes
So that when the day of evil comes...not in case the day of evil comes...so that when it comes.
1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
When does the day of evil come? It's most likely to come when we are at our weakest. When we are tired, when we have suffered loss, when we are least prepared to deal with it. No matter when, it will come and the point of putting on the full armor of God is so that we are prepared for it. We don't pull out the armor of God on that day...we put it on now and live it. So that when that day comes we are prepared.
My plan is to dig deeper into each of these verses over the next few weeks. God Bless
I can't tell you how many times I have read these lines and been inspired in my personal battles. How many times I've come back to this verse when I was feeling beat up and lost.
There is so much information in this passage, and I for one have really not gotten past the metaphor Paul used and gotten into the practical application of the verse and what it teaches regarding how we should live our lives so that we are prepared for the battle we live in.
Verse 13 - Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes
So that when the day of evil comes...not in case the day of evil comes...so that when it comes.
1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
When does the day of evil come? It's most likely to come when we are at our weakest. When we are tired, when we have suffered loss, when we are least prepared to deal with it. No matter when, it will come and the point of putting on the full armor of God is so that we are prepared for it. We don't pull out the armor of God on that day...we put it on now and live it. So that when that day comes we are prepared.
My plan is to dig deeper into each of these verses over the next few weeks. God Bless
Monday, August 16, 2010
"...and developing..."
Last week I ended with the Warrior at Heart Ministry vision statement. This week I want to start with it:
"Battling to heal and free men's hearts by inspiring and developing men to be the leaders and stewards God intended us to be...through the power of Christ's love."
As most of you know, we have recently added the words "and developing" to this statement. To be honest, as a leader in WAHM these new words have lots of things rumbling around in my head. I'm more of a detail kind of guy and the "how do we do that?" question has been loud and echoing in my head since we were "inspired" to add those words.
If I'm really being honest, I've been fearful of the consequences of "and developing". The immediate consequences have been spiritual warfare, the future consequences might mean more time requirements on leadership, more commitment, etc...
But as I was reading the vision statement this morning, I felt the Lord was telling me to not be afraid. He inspired "and developing" and He would handle the "how do we do that?". Then I also noticed something I hadn't before. The statement is cyclical, as we "...battle to heal and free men's hearts by inspiring and developing men to be the leaders and stewards God intended..." we are creating more men to do the same.
Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
If God is with us...who can be against us...
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
It's time to become "thoroughly equipped for every good work".
"Battling to heal and free men's hearts by inspiring and developing men to be the leaders and stewards God intended us to be...through the power of Christ's love."
As most of you know, we have recently added the words "and developing" to this statement. To be honest, as a leader in WAHM these new words have lots of things rumbling around in my head. I'm more of a detail kind of guy and the "how do we do that?" question has been loud and echoing in my head since we were "inspired" to add those words.
If I'm really being honest, I've been fearful of the consequences of "and developing". The immediate consequences have been spiritual warfare, the future consequences might mean more time requirements on leadership, more commitment, etc...
But as I was reading the vision statement this morning, I felt the Lord was telling me to not be afraid. He inspired "and developing" and He would handle the "how do we do that?". Then I also noticed something I hadn't before. The statement is cyclical, as we "...battle to heal and free men's hearts by inspiring and developing men to be the leaders and stewards God intended..." we are creating more men to do the same.
Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
If God is with us...who can be against us...
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
It's time to become "thoroughly equipped for every good work".
Monday, August 9, 2010
A Transformed Life
Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Are you living a transformed life or are you still conforming to the pattern of this world?
"...but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is..."
Living a transformed life helps us to know what God's will is.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come!
Are you living as the new creation that Christ made you?
2 Corinthians 3:18 - And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Are you reflecting the Lord's glory? Are you being transformed into the likeness of Jesus?
James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
It's time to listen to the word, listen to and embrace the gospel. It's time to stop conforming to this world and start conforming to His. He is waiting on us all to become the men, the leaders he intend us to be.
The Warrior at Heart Vision Statement: "Battling to heal and free mens hearts by inspiring and developing men to be the leaders and stewards God intended us to be...through the power of Christ's love."
Are you living a transformed life or are you still conforming to the pattern of this world?
"...but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is..."
Living a transformed life helps us to know what God's will is.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come!
Are you living as the new creation that Christ made you?
2 Corinthians 3:18 - And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Are you reflecting the Lord's glory? Are you being transformed into the likeness of Jesus?
James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
It's time to listen to the word, listen to and embrace the gospel. It's time to stop conforming to this world and start conforming to His. He is waiting on us all to become the men, the leaders he intend us to be.
The Warrior at Heart Vision Statement: "Battling to heal and free mens hearts by inspiring and developing men to be the leaders and stewards God intended us to be...through the power of Christ's love."
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Colossians 3:12-14
Colossians 3:12 - Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
As God's chosen people how do you clothe yourselves? Sure I clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, but I also tend to put on other things as well. I often put on things that aren't in agreement with this list. I sometimes am unkind, intolerant, inpatient and not compassionate. How about you?
Colossians 3:13 - Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
I find when I've clothed myself with the wrong things that it's difficult to bear with others and the things they do. I find it hard to forgive.
Colossians 3:14 - And over all of these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Wow...on top of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience I also need to put on love?
To be honest I all to often find it easier to show myself as compassionate, kind, humble and patient with those that I don't love. I seem to lose these things when dealing with the people I love most. Do you?
Today I pray that God helps us clothe ourselves with the right stuff. I pray that He gives us compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience for all people we encounter, but especially for those who we tend to take for granted. I pray he shows us the grievances we are carrying and how to lay them down and forgive. I pray Jesus shows us the guilt we are carrying and how to lay it down at the foot of his cross.
God bless!
As God's chosen people how do you clothe yourselves? Sure I clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, but I also tend to put on other things as well. I often put on things that aren't in agreement with this list. I sometimes am unkind, intolerant, inpatient and not compassionate. How about you?
Colossians 3:13 - Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
I find when I've clothed myself with the wrong things that it's difficult to bear with others and the things they do. I find it hard to forgive.
Colossians 3:14 - And over all of these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Wow...on top of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience I also need to put on love?
To be honest I all to often find it easier to show myself as compassionate, kind, humble and patient with those that I don't love. I seem to lose these things when dealing with the people I love most. Do you?
Today I pray that God helps us clothe ourselves with the right stuff. I pray that He gives us compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience for all people we encounter, but especially for those who we tend to take for granted. I pray he shows us the grievances we are carrying and how to lay them down and forgive. I pray Jesus shows us the guilt we are carrying and how to lay it down at the foot of his cross.
God bless!
Monday, July 19, 2010
We were born to embrace not accept it
The first line in "Let Us Love" by Need to Breathe is:
We were born to embrace not accept it
When I really focused on these words; it really got me thinking about how often our Christianity is based merely on acceptance of Jesus.
When I looked up the definition of the word "accept" I found these words: "take something offered", "say yes to an invitation", "come to terms with something", "believe in something".
It strikes me that we can "believe in something" and not embrace that something.
When I looked up the definition of the word "embrace" I found these words: "to clasp in arms with affection", "to cling to, to cherish, to love", "to seize eagerly", "to submit to".
Could the difference be any more stark?
Would you define your relationship with Jesus as one of taking what has been offered, one of mere belief? Or would you define your relationship with Jesus as one of love, affection and submission?
We were born to embrace not accept it
The difference between embracing and accepting is a matter of heart. Where is your heart today?
I pray you "seize eagerly" the One who loves you, who gave it all up for you.
We were born to embrace not accept it
When I really focused on these words; it really got me thinking about how often our Christianity is based merely on acceptance of Jesus.
When I looked up the definition of the word "accept" I found these words: "take something offered", "say yes to an invitation", "come to terms with something", "believe in something".
It strikes me that we can "believe in something" and not embrace that something.
When I looked up the definition of the word "embrace" I found these words: "to clasp in arms with affection", "to cling to, to cherish, to love", "to seize eagerly", "to submit to".
Could the difference be any more stark?
Would you define your relationship with Jesus as one of taking what has been offered, one of mere belief? Or would you define your relationship with Jesus as one of love, affection and submission?
We were born to embrace not accept it
The difference between embracing and accepting is a matter of heart. Where is your heart today?
I pray you "seize eagerly" the One who loves you, who gave it all up for you.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
How is your foundation?
Luke 6:46-49 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and it's destruction was complete."
The Lord's grace and mercy abounds and is plentiful; and His work on the cross is more than sufficient for our salvation. But His words in Luke give us a stark warning. If we accept His grace, but not His word...we are like the one building our house without a foundation. We have to not only listen and read his word, we have to put it to practice in our lives daily.
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
When we don't put what the Lord tells us to practice in our lives daily we leave ourselves open. The storms and struggles of this life will push us, they will shake our faith. We become vulnerable to the enemy and he will pick our weakest point and pounce. If we are not doing what the Lord tells us, how can we resist him? How can we stand firm in the faith?
He says about the house with no foundation...that "it collapsed and it's destruction was complete"
If we "hear" and "put them into practice"...we can stand tall in the face of the storms and struggles. Our foundation built on our Lord will hold and we will not be shaken.
How is your foundation today?
The Lord's grace and mercy abounds and is plentiful; and His work on the cross is more than sufficient for our salvation. But His words in Luke give us a stark warning. If we accept His grace, but not His word...we are like the one building our house without a foundation. We have to not only listen and read his word, we have to put it to practice in our lives daily.
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
When we don't put what the Lord tells us to practice in our lives daily we leave ourselves open. The storms and struggles of this life will push us, they will shake our faith. We become vulnerable to the enemy and he will pick our weakest point and pounce. If we are not doing what the Lord tells us, how can we resist him? How can we stand firm in the faith?
He says about the house with no foundation...that "it collapsed and it's destruction was complete"
If we "hear" and "put them into practice"...we can stand tall in the face of the storms and struggles. Our foundation built on our Lord will hold and we will not be shaken.
How is your foundation today?
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Do you have a seriousness about following God?
Colossians 3:1 - Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,...
Have you been raised in Christ? It's important to know that what comes through the rest of Colossians 3 is directed to those who have been raised in Christ. So what does it mean to "have been raised in Christ"?
Do you believe that you are a sinner? Do you believe that you have rebelled against God? If not, then you haven't been raised in Christ.
1 John 1:8 - If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:10 - If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
Further, do you believe that Jesus is God in the flesh, sent as the wrath absorbing sacrifice for your sins? Do you believe that Christ was crucified for your sin and raised again on the third day?
If you say no to any of these questions then you probably haven't been raised in Christ. But if you have been raised in Christ, what are you to do?
Colossians 3:1 (continued) - set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Do you have a genuine affection for God? I mean a true deep love for God? Are you serious about following God? Do you have a desire to submit and humbly walk with Him?
Colossians 3:2-4 - Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
What should we be doing if we have a seriousness about following God?
Colossians 3:5-10 - Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature; sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourself of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Do you have a seriousness about following God?
God Bless!
Have you been raised in Christ? It's important to know that what comes through the rest of Colossians 3 is directed to those who have been raised in Christ. So what does it mean to "have been raised in Christ"?
Do you believe that you are a sinner? Do you believe that you have rebelled against God? If not, then you haven't been raised in Christ.
1 John 1:8 - If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:10 - If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
Further, do you believe that Jesus is God in the flesh, sent as the wrath absorbing sacrifice for your sins? Do you believe that Christ was crucified for your sin and raised again on the third day?
If you say no to any of these questions then you probably haven't been raised in Christ. But if you have been raised in Christ, what are you to do?
Colossians 3:1 (continued) - set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Do you have a genuine affection for God? I mean a true deep love for God? Are you serious about following God? Do you have a desire to submit and humbly walk with Him?
Colossians 3:2-4 - Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
What should we be doing if we have a seriousness about following God?
Colossians 3:5-10 - Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature; sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourself of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Do you have a seriousness about following God?
God Bless!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Looking for that Saul-Paul moment?
Acts 9 is where you find the story of Saul and how Jesus encountered him. It's a story worth reading if you haven't before and worth reading again if you have. It's a story of a un-deniable (especially to those involved) interaction between Jesus and Saul which completely converts a religous zealout who hated and persecuted Christians to a Christian himself. The conversion is so complete that Paul spends the rest of his days spreading the word of Jesus enduring beatings, stoning, shipwrecks, imprisonment and finally death.
Are you waiting for that Saul-Paul moment in your life? I think there are a lot of people who are. Are you looking for the un-deniable interaction; a moment that once happens; you know would change your life?
Would we recognize it if we saw it? Would I, would you?
2 Samuel 22:26 and Psalms 18:25 both state "To the faithful you show yourself faithful..."
Remember that Saul was very faithful to God; he followed all the rules, he knew the Bible (the first five books of the Bible) like the back of his hand. What Saul didn't know, what he didn't understand was that Jesus was God. It took a very impressive show of God to show Saul the error of his ways.
What are you doing with your life while you wait for that moment? Are you showing yourself faithful?
Are you waiting for that Saul-Paul moment in your life? I think there are a lot of people who are. Are you looking for the un-deniable interaction; a moment that once happens; you know would change your life?
Would we recognize it if we saw it? Would I, would you?
2 Samuel 22:26 and Psalms 18:25 both state "To the faithful you show yourself faithful..."
Remember that Saul was very faithful to God; he followed all the rules, he knew the Bible (the first five books of the Bible) like the back of his hand. What Saul didn't know, what he didn't understand was that Jesus was God. It took a very impressive show of God to show Saul the error of his ways.
What are you doing with your life while you wait for that moment? Are you showing yourself faithful?
Monday, May 10, 2010
Hebrews 12:2-7
Hebrews 12:2-3 - Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:4-7 - In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
The other day I heard the concept of the "passive wrath of God" for the first time. The passive wrath of God would look something like this: You are born, without blemish, perfect in every way. You have an amazing life with no hunger, no pain, no struggles with sin, no sickness, no un-met needs, no wants and no untimely death or sorrow. Basically the world at your finger tips, you appear to be blessed. You die and when judged, the Lord says I knew you NOT and you are cast into the firey pit. You went through life with no need to turn to God, no need to rely on Him. This would be the passive wrath of God.
Foruntately for us He loves us and wants us to learn to rely on Him. He places opportunities in our lives to come closer to Him, to learn to depend on Him and to love him. Opportunities you say? Yes!
In our hardships he is perfecting our faith, in our struggles with sin, the pain we endure from a lost love one, from what ever is going on in your life, He is teaching us to rely soley on Him and not our own devices. He is calling us closer and closer to Him.
Romans 8:18 - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Don't let your suffering get you down, rejoice in it knowing that it's bringing you closer to God and that none of it will compare with the glory of God.
Hebrews 12:4-7 - In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
The other day I heard the concept of the "passive wrath of God" for the first time. The passive wrath of God would look something like this: You are born, without blemish, perfect in every way. You have an amazing life with no hunger, no pain, no struggles with sin, no sickness, no un-met needs, no wants and no untimely death or sorrow. Basically the world at your finger tips, you appear to be blessed. You die and when judged, the Lord says I knew you NOT and you are cast into the firey pit. You went through life with no need to turn to God, no need to rely on Him. This would be the passive wrath of God.
Foruntately for us He loves us and wants us to learn to rely on Him. He places opportunities in our lives to come closer to Him, to learn to depend on Him and to love him. Opportunities you say? Yes!
In our hardships he is perfecting our faith, in our struggles with sin, the pain we endure from a lost love one, from what ever is going on in your life, He is teaching us to rely soley on Him and not our own devices. He is calling us closer and closer to Him.
Romans 8:18 - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Don't let your suffering get you down, rejoice in it knowing that it's bringing you closer to God and that none of it will compare with the glory of God.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Are you following your calling?
Matthew 3:15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fullfill all righteousness"
I'm not sure about your Bible, but in my Bible these are the first words in RED. This is the first direct quote from Jesus (at least in the ordering of the books of the Bible) in the Bible.
Jesus came to be baptized by John the Baptizer and John said "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" John's calling was to prepare the way for the Lord (Isaiah 40:3) and part of that calling included baptizing Jesus.
Are you pursuing your calling or your potential? There are so many things each of us have the potential to do in this lifetime. The number of things we can do, that we can pursue are endless. We can get so caught up in that "keeping up with the Jones'" pursuit of our potential that we forget to pursue our calling.
I think it's very fitting that the first words in red are Jesus telling John to continue in his calling to prepare the way of the Lord. Now if John wouldn't have pursued his calling, I'm sure that God would have figured something else out, someone else would have baptized Jesus. So He doesn't need us to pursue our calling to accomplish his work, but he wants us to pursue our calling to accomplish his work.
How much more fruitfull would be pursuing your calling versus your potential? How much more happy would you be?
Are you following your calling?
"Let it be so now..."
I'm not sure about your Bible, but in my Bible these are the first words in RED. This is the first direct quote from Jesus (at least in the ordering of the books of the Bible) in the Bible.
Jesus came to be baptized by John the Baptizer and John said "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" John's calling was to prepare the way for the Lord (Isaiah 40:3) and part of that calling included baptizing Jesus.
Are you pursuing your calling or your potential? There are so many things each of us have the potential to do in this lifetime. The number of things we can do, that we can pursue are endless. We can get so caught up in that "keeping up with the Jones'" pursuit of our potential that we forget to pursue our calling.
I think it's very fitting that the first words in red are Jesus telling John to continue in his calling to prepare the way of the Lord. Now if John wouldn't have pursued his calling, I'm sure that God would have figured something else out, someone else would have baptized Jesus. So He doesn't need us to pursue our calling to accomplish his work, but he wants us to pursue our calling to accomplish his work.
How much more fruitfull would be pursuing your calling versus your potential? How much more happy would you be?
Are you following your calling?
"Let it be so now..."
Monday, April 26, 2010
Psalm 139:1-18
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
Monday, April 5, 2010
You are a new creation...
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Ephesians 4:22-24 - You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
1 Peter 1:3 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Corinthians 5:7 - Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast-as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
Romans 6:4 - We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Are you getting the picture? This last weekend is all about Jesus giving us new life, making us a new creation, making us righteous through his gift of sacrifice.
ARE YOU LIVING IT?
Are you living a life worthy of the sacrifice? Now don't think that this means living a perfect life. There is only one who lived a perfect life; and He died on the cross for you and me.
Are you living a new life? Are you stiving to be more and more like Jesus everyday?
We need to claim and live in our new identity which is a new creation through the savior Jesus Christ our Lord! Know who you are, embrace it...live it!
God Bless.
Ephesians 4:22-24 - You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
1 Peter 1:3 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Corinthians 5:7 - Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast-as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
Romans 6:4 - We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Are you getting the picture? This last weekend is all about Jesus giving us new life, making us a new creation, making us righteous through his gift of sacrifice.
ARE YOU LIVING IT?
Are you living a life worthy of the sacrifice? Now don't think that this means living a perfect life. There is only one who lived a perfect life; and He died on the cross for you and me.
Are you living a new life? Are you stiving to be more and more like Jesus everyday?
We need to claim and live in our new identity which is a new creation through the savior Jesus Christ our Lord! Know who you are, embrace it...live it!
God Bless.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Just imagine...
Imagine the despair of those around Him. Those who walked with Him followed Him. Imagine what they must have been feeling and thinking…the devastation they felt. We know the rest of the story, those who loved Him then…did not.
Imagine how Peter felt…he had just denied loving Jesus three times; and now he could not make amends… Do you feel this way? That what you have done was too costly, that you cannot make amends? I pray you find freedom in the gift that was freely given by Him, by freely accepting it. We don’t have to feel the despair, the hopelessness or the fear that our mistakes have been too great. We just need to believe in and accept Him.
John 8:36 - So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Imagine how Peter felt…he had just denied loving Jesus three times; and now he could not make amends… Do you feel this way? That what you have done was too costly, that you cannot make amends? I pray you find freedom in the gift that was freely given by Him, by freely accepting it. We don’t have to feel the despair, the hopelessness or the fear that our mistakes have been too great. We just need to believe in and accept Him.
John 8:36 - So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Do you have a contrite heart?
Isaiah 57:15 - For this is what the high and lofty One says - he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."
Do you have a contrite heart? Do you even know what it means to have a contrite heart?
Contrite - feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming. The origins of the word come from Latin contritus, lit. "worn out, ground to pieces,"
Psalms 51:17 - The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart. O God you will not despise.
Isaiah 66:2 - "Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came in to being?" declares the Lord, "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word."
These words provide so much hope...that He lives in a high and holy place, but also with those of us who are contrite and lowly in spirit. He esteems the humble and contrite in spirit.
Do you have a contrite heart? You should, we all should.
God bless!
Do you have a contrite heart? Do you even know what it means to have a contrite heart?
Contrite - feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming. The origins of the word come from Latin contritus, lit. "worn out, ground to pieces,"
Psalms 51:17 - The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart. O God you will not despise.
Isaiah 66:2 - "Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came in to being?" declares the Lord, "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word."
These words provide so much hope...that He lives in a high and holy place, but also with those of us who are contrite and lowly in spirit. He esteems the humble and contrite in spirit.
Do you have a contrite heart? You should, we all should.
God bless!
Monday, March 22, 2010
What has mastered you?
1 Corinthians 6:12 - "Everything is permissible for me" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me" - but I will not be mastered by anything.
In context these words come just before a lecture on sexual immorality; but they apply to so much in our lives. In a culture where we have so many things we can do; the questions we should really be asking ourselves continually are:
Is this beneficial?
Is this mastering me?
How often have you asked these questions about the things you are doing in your life? If you're like me it's not very often and probably while your feeling guilty about something. Usually we only think about things like this when we are outside of our normal routine or have experienced something in our life to make us consider where we are at in life.
But we should be considering this all the time in our lives. When we are watching TV, when we are shopping, when we are doing what ever we are doing...is this beneficial? Is this mastering me?
Is what I'm doing truly beneficial in my life? Does it bring me closer to the Lord? Is it the right thing for me to be doing? How does it affect my family? How does it affect others around me who know I'm a Christian? What else could I be doing?
Am I addicted to it? Does this dictate my schedule, how I spend my money, etc...? Does doing this create a hardship in other areas of my life?
Let's make sure we are spending our time on things beneficial and focus on breaking the chains of bondage where they exist in our lives.
John 8:36 - So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Let's live like we believe...that we are free. God bless!
In context these words come just before a lecture on sexual immorality; but they apply to so much in our lives. In a culture where we have so many things we can do; the questions we should really be asking ourselves continually are:
Is this beneficial?
Is this mastering me?
How often have you asked these questions about the things you are doing in your life? If you're like me it's not very often and probably while your feeling guilty about something. Usually we only think about things like this when we are outside of our normal routine or have experienced something in our life to make us consider where we are at in life.
But we should be considering this all the time in our lives. When we are watching TV, when we are shopping, when we are doing what ever we are doing...is this beneficial? Is this mastering me?
Is what I'm doing truly beneficial in my life? Does it bring me closer to the Lord? Is it the right thing for me to be doing? How does it affect my family? How does it affect others around me who know I'm a Christian? What else could I be doing?
Am I addicted to it? Does this dictate my schedule, how I spend my money, etc...? Does doing this create a hardship in other areas of my life?
Let's make sure we are spending our time on things beneficial and focus on breaking the chains of bondage where they exist in our lives.
John 8:36 - So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Let's live like we believe...that we are free. God bless!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Are you shining like a star?
Philippians 2:12-15 - Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe...
Do you shine like a star in this crooked and depraved generation? Not many of us do. Most of us are busy just trying to survive in this crooked and depraved world. But we are called to do much more then survive. We are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, to let God work in us, to act according to His will and good purpose, to do everything without complaining or arguing...so that we can shine amid all of the depravity of this world.
Why should we shine?
Daniel 12:3 - Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
We are called to shine so that we are different. So that others will see us as shining examples, so that others will be lead to righteousness because they want to have what we have found.
Do you shine like a star in this crooked and depraved generation? Or are you sitting back and riding the fence between this world and His world? Do you blend in so well that those caught up in this world don't know you are different?
He is calling you and leading you to more...will you follow Him?
God Bless!
Do you shine like a star in this crooked and depraved generation? Not many of us do. Most of us are busy just trying to survive in this crooked and depraved world. But we are called to do much more then survive. We are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, to let God work in us, to act according to His will and good purpose, to do everything without complaining or arguing...so that we can shine amid all of the depravity of this world.
Why should we shine?
Daniel 12:3 - Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
We are called to shine so that we are different. So that others will see us as shining examples, so that others will be lead to righteousness because they want to have what we have found.
Do you shine like a star in this crooked and depraved generation? Or are you sitting back and riding the fence between this world and His world? Do you blend in so well that those caught up in this world don't know you are different?
He is calling you and leading you to more...will you follow Him?
God Bless!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Be Trained, Be Ready
There are two verses that have been strongly laid on my heart since before the first of they year.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righeousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season, correct rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.
"...so the man of God may be..."
Isn't this what we are striving for as a Christian? To be a man of God? It's what I am striving for. To not just be known as a man of God, but to live the life that a man of God would live. To me these verses are key. The scripture is so useful. I see more and more relevance in scripture to my life and the lives around me the more I focus on and study it. There doesn't seem to be a situation where the scripture doesn't have something to say.
We need training to be a man of God and we need to be ready at all times. I learned just this last week that I can't take time away from my training and my preparation. I did and I wasn't ready when a brother needed help. I need to be ready at all times, I must be ready at all times if others are going to be looking to me for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training.
Pressing into Jesus, learning and studying are things we must continue to do. It needs to not become something we do in this life, but how we live in this life. It needs to become second nature; that is when we will be ready both in and out of season. God bless!
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righeousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season, correct rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.
"...so the man of God may be..."
Isn't this what we are striving for as a Christian? To be a man of God? It's what I am striving for. To not just be known as a man of God, but to live the life that a man of God would live. To me these verses are key. The scripture is so useful. I see more and more relevance in scripture to my life and the lives around me the more I focus on and study it. There doesn't seem to be a situation where the scripture doesn't have something to say.
We need training to be a man of God and we need to be ready at all times. I learned just this last week that I can't take time away from my training and my preparation. I did and I wasn't ready when a brother needed help. I need to be ready at all times, I must be ready at all times if others are going to be looking to me for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training.
Pressing into Jesus, learning and studying are things we must continue to do. It needs to not become something we do in this life, but how we live in this life. It needs to become second nature; that is when we will be ready both in and out of season. God bless!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Valentine's Day - Or how we should be everyday?
In Ephesians 5 in the context of "Be imitators of God" Paul instructs wives and husbands regarding how they should treat each other. I think that we too often overlook everything in Ephesians 5 prior to the part about wives and husbands, but it adds so much significance to what he is telling us.
Ephesians 5:1-2 - Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
To start in this way is huge. In fact if we were to live out these verses would we need any of the rest? To love as Christ loved us means that we love unconditionally, with all of our heart.
In verses 3-20 Paul then gives instructions on what not to be and what we should be. Examples include: no hint of sexual immorality, no hint of greed, no obscenity, no foolish talk or coarse joking, live wise, don't be a fool, sing and make music in your heart, give thanks to God for everything, etc... Please read it for yourself.
Then...
Ephesians 5:21 - Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
This is important, because no matter what follows...we know that we are to submit to one another out of our deep love (our reverence) for Christ. At this point is there any reason to go on? This is what we have got to do marriage. In this context please read for yourselfs the remaining verses which ends with:
Ephesians 5:33 - However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself and the wife must respect her husband.
This statement is so tied to how we are wired. Men you need to love your wives, wives you need to respect your husband. Men if you don't love your wife and be considerate of her she will not repect you. Women, if you don't respect your husbands he will not truely love you. This is the point of submission...we need to offer the other what it is they need...in order to get what we need.
So should we wait for Valentine's each year to show our love for each other? Should Valentine's day be the only day we submit to the needs of our wives and husbands? No. We should be be serving, loving and submitting to each other daily in our reverence of Christ and what he did so unselfishly for us all. Valentine's day should be the day when we push that which we should do every day over the top!
Ephesians 5:1-2 - Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
To start in this way is huge. In fact if we were to live out these verses would we need any of the rest? To love as Christ loved us means that we love unconditionally, with all of our heart.
In verses 3-20 Paul then gives instructions on what not to be and what we should be. Examples include: no hint of sexual immorality, no hint of greed, no obscenity, no foolish talk or coarse joking, live wise, don't be a fool, sing and make music in your heart, give thanks to God for everything, etc... Please read it for yourself.
Then...
Ephesians 5:21 - Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
This is important, because no matter what follows...we know that we are to submit to one another out of our deep love (our reverence) for Christ. At this point is there any reason to go on? This is what we have got to do marriage. In this context please read for yourselfs the remaining verses which ends with:
Ephesians 5:33 - However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself and the wife must respect her husband.
This statement is so tied to how we are wired. Men you need to love your wives, wives you need to respect your husband. Men if you don't love your wife and be considerate of her she will not repect you. Women, if you don't respect your husbands he will not truely love you. This is the point of submission...we need to offer the other what it is they need...in order to get what we need.
So should we wait for Valentine's each year to show our love for each other? Should Valentine's day be the only day we submit to the needs of our wives and husbands? No. We should be be serving, loving and submitting to each other daily in our reverence of Christ and what he did so unselfishly for us all. Valentine's day should be the day when we push that which we should do every day over the top!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Psalm 27
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/index.php?q=psalm27&niv=yes
2 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/index.php?q=psalm27&niv=yes
Sunday, January 31, 2010
What kind of life do you want to live?
What kind of life do you want to live? How does that compare to the life you are called to live? Is there a difference? If so, why?
I think our earthly beings long to be known, we long to live a life where our legacy lives on long after we are gone. We long to be part of an epic, to not only be part of it...but to be the center of it. To be the hero, the one remembered and talked about for ages to come.
Is that the life your being called to? Maybe.
The problem with wanting to leave a legacy, wanting to be remembered for ages...is that in the end it's not likely to happen. Some people get rich enough to donate to colleges and get a building with their name. Some people attain high positiions and get into history books. But for the rest of us; when it's all said and done, we may only be remembered for a generation or two at the most. Eventually all the people who we affect in this life will pass...who will remember us then?
I think that most of us are called to do the simple work. The work that simply is to be done for the glory of God. We are called to lead and raise up our families. We are called to do His work in our community. We are called to help and feed the poor, the orphans and the children. Each of us have something, some holy discontent that we are called to in this life.
If there is a legacy we can leave that will last it's with our family. A legacy that comes from our children seeing us knowing, loving and serving the Lord to the extent; that they do it as an example to their children; and they do it as an example to their children and so on. Something that becomes a family tradition...
In the end we are called to do little things in His great big story. A story He has lovingly invited us into. Go live your part well and teach your children to do the same. God Bless!
I think our earthly beings long to be known, we long to live a life where our legacy lives on long after we are gone. We long to be part of an epic, to not only be part of it...but to be the center of it. To be the hero, the one remembered and talked about for ages to come.
Is that the life your being called to? Maybe.
The problem with wanting to leave a legacy, wanting to be remembered for ages...is that in the end it's not likely to happen. Some people get rich enough to donate to colleges and get a building with their name. Some people attain high positiions and get into history books. But for the rest of us; when it's all said and done, we may only be remembered for a generation or two at the most. Eventually all the people who we affect in this life will pass...who will remember us then?
I think that most of us are called to do the simple work. The work that simply is to be done for the glory of God. We are called to lead and raise up our families. We are called to do His work in our community. We are called to help and feed the poor, the orphans and the children. Each of us have something, some holy discontent that we are called to in this life.
If there is a legacy we can leave that will last it's with our family. A legacy that comes from our children seeing us knowing, loving and serving the Lord to the extent; that they do it as an example to their children; and they do it as an example to their children and so on. Something that becomes a family tradition...
In the end we are called to do little things in His great big story. A story He has lovingly invited us into. Go live your part well and teach your children to do the same. God Bless!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Do you know your identity and purpose?
You need to know who you are. You need to know your identity. It's key in this life as the attacks you face are almost always set square against your identity and purpose.
Jesus knew his identity: Luke 3:21-22 - When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
Jesus knew he was the Son of God, that he was loved by God. He was then led into the desert and was tempted...what was the devil attacking? His identity...
Luke 4:3 - The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread"
Luke 4:9 - The devil lead him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said"throw yourself down from here."
If you are the Son of God? Do you see where Satan attacked? If this is your identity then do this! But Jesus was secure in his identity, Jesus did not need to prove who he was.
Look at your life. Where does the attack come from in your life? It comes against your identity. You are not lovable, nobody likes you, you are a loser, you will never make it, you are a failure, you can't handle it, you are nobody, you are this, you are not that.... It comes, and unless we are secure in our identity; we begin to question...and before too long we begin to believe.
Be secure in your identity. You are a child of God, you were placed in this world for a purpose. He knew you before you were born and he made you as you are. If you ask Him, he will show you your identity and purpose.
You see Jesus was secure in His identity, His purpose and He was secure in His knowledge of the Word. He used them to deflect that attack of Satan. You need them as well. God Bless!
Jesus knew his identity: Luke 3:21-22 - When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
Jesus knew he was the Son of God, that he was loved by God. He was then led into the desert and was tempted...what was the devil attacking? His identity...
Luke 4:3 - The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread"
Luke 4:9 - The devil lead him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said"throw yourself down from here."
If you are the Son of God? Do you see where Satan attacked? If this is your identity then do this! But Jesus was secure in his identity, Jesus did not need to prove who he was.
Look at your life. Where does the attack come from in your life? It comes against your identity. You are not lovable, nobody likes you, you are a loser, you will never make it, you are a failure, you can't handle it, you are nobody, you are this, you are not that.... It comes, and unless we are secure in our identity; we begin to question...and before too long we begin to believe.
Be secure in your identity. You are a child of God, you were placed in this world for a purpose. He knew you before you were born and he made you as you are. If you ask Him, he will show you your identity and purpose.
You see Jesus was secure in His identity, His purpose and He was secure in His knowledge of the Word. He used them to deflect that attack of Satan. You need them as well. God Bless!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Are you living a reconciled life? - Part 2
I wanted to finish up 2 Corinthians 5 so in this post I'm going through verses 11-21 which in my bible is titled "The Ministry of Reconciliation"
Verse 11: Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.
In the previous verse we learned that we will sit on the judgement seat of Christ and be held accountable for what we do in this life...good or bad. But is that what the "fear of the Lord" is? I think it's deeper than what we consider "fear" these days. To have a fear for the Lord is to have reverence for Him.
Verses 12-15: We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
What I take from these verses is that Paul and those with him were living a life different or apart from others. A life that because of Christ's love in which he died and was raised for us, doesn't make since to others. A life where He would seem not in his right mind for the sake of God. A life of glorifying God, having pride in Christ (who is in his/our heart) where others couldn't see. Couldn't understand.
Verse 16: So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Paul is saying that he doesn't look at people as the world does anymore. Paul has gained an eternal perspective. He no longer looks at Christ from a worldly point of view, he now sees him as Lord.
Verses 17-19: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
This is the good news! Do you know what it means to be reconciled? Some synonyms I found for reconcile: settle, put to rights, bring together, reunite, resolve, merge, patch up, square, join.
The idea of reconciliation is huge. It means he no longer counts our sins against us. It means that we can know through Christ come before our Father. That through Christ we are new again and the the Father has committed this to us.
Verses 20-21: We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God, God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Are you living a reconciled life? God through Christ has reconciled himself to you. Have you reconciled yourself to Him? Are you Christ's ambassador? Do you give yourself as a living sacrifice, a living example worthy of His sacrifice? Don't get me wrong here, we are not called to be perfect...but we are called to be different. We will mess up, we will have struggles...but as ambassadors of Christ, it's how we respond that shows others we are different.
Verse 11: Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.
In the previous verse we learned that we will sit on the judgement seat of Christ and be held accountable for what we do in this life...good or bad. But is that what the "fear of the Lord" is? I think it's deeper than what we consider "fear" these days. To have a fear for the Lord is to have reverence for Him.
Verses 12-15: We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
What I take from these verses is that Paul and those with him were living a life different or apart from others. A life that because of Christ's love in which he died and was raised for us, doesn't make since to others. A life where He would seem not in his right mind for the sake of God. A life of glorifying God, having pride in Christ (who is in his/our heart) where others couldn't see. Couldn't understand.
Verse 16: So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Paul is saying that he doesn't look at people as the world does anymore. Paul has gained an eternal perspective. He no longer looks at Christ from a worldly point of view, he now sees him as Lord.
Verses 17-19: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
This is the good news! Do you know what it means to be reconciled? Some synonyms I found for reconcile: settle, put to rights, bring together, reunite, resolve, merge, patch up, square, join.
The idea of reconciliation is huge. It means he no longer counts our sins against us. It means that we can know through Christ come before our Father. That through Christ we are new again and the the Father has committed this to us.
Verses 20-21: We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God, God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Are you living a reconciled life? God through Christ has reconciled himself to you. Have you reconciled yourself to Him? Are you Christ's ambassador? Do you give yourself as a living sacrifice, a living example worthy of His sacrifice? Don't get me wrong here, we are not called to be perfect...but we are called to be different. We will mess up, we will have struggles...but as ambassadors of Christ, it's how we respond that shows others we are different.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Are you living a reconciled life? - Part 1
Today I'm focusing on 2 Corinthians 5: 1-10
Verses 1-4 - Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
Are you longing for your heavenly dwelling? Do you groan and are you burdened because you want what is waiting for you in heaven? Be honest! Or would you prefer to stay in this life with your loved ones? Or do you groan and are you burdened at the thought of your mortal death?
Verses 5 - 8 - Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
We live by faith, not by sight. We cannot see him while in our earthly body. We can communicate with him through the Spirit; the Spirit he gave us as a deposit against what we will have when we enter our heavenly home. How is your faith?
Verses 9-10 - So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Are you making it your goal to please him? Are you living a life that would be pleasing to Jesus? A life worthy of the sacrifice he made for you and me? Even though we are reconciled to God through Jesus, we will still be judged for what we do in this life, whether good or bad.
I ask again, do you groan and are you burdened at the thought of your mortal death? Is it because your not living the life worthy of the sacrifice? Is it because your not living a life that honors and glorifies Jesus? If so, maybe it's time to change...
I pray that today you turn to Jesus and ask him to renew you so that you can live freely in the confidence of His grace and love. That you would live a reconciled life that brings honor and glory to the one who gave it all up for you. God bless!
Verses 1-4 - Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
Are you longing for your heavenly dwelling? Do you groan and are you burdened because you want what is waiting for you in heaven? Be honest! Or would you prefer to stay in this life with your loved ones? Or do you groan and are you burdened at the thought of your mortal death?
Verses 5 - 8 - Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
We live by faith, not by sight. We cannot see him while in our earthly body. We can communicate with him through the Spirit; the Spirit he gave us as a deposit against what we will have when we enter our heavenly home. How is your faith?
Verses 9-10 - So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Are you making it your goal to please him? Are you living a life that would be pleasing to Jesus? A life worthy of the sacrifice he made for you and me? Even though we are reconciled to God through Jesus, we will still be judged for what we do in this life, whether good or bad.
I ask again, do you groan and are you burdened at the thought of your mortal death? Is it because your not living the life worthy of the sacrifice? Is it because your not living a life that honors and glorifies Jesus? If so, maybe it's time to change...
I pray that today you turn to Jesus and ask him to renew you so that you can live freely in the confidence of His grace and love. That you would live a reconciled life that brings honor and glory to the one who gave it all up for you. God bless!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
What do we really "deserve"?
Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one"
How many times do we get caught up in thinking things like "I'm basically a good person" or "that person is good, I hope he gets what he deserves"? I do, I think we all do at some point.
But "there is no one righteous, not even one"; no matter how good we think we or someone else is, we have to remember that our definition of good comes in comparison to others in this world and not based on God's laws and God's expectations.
Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
I don't want what I deserve; because of my sin I only deserve hell. But by the Grace of God...
Romans 3:24 - and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.
Through Jesus Christ I am freely gifted salvation and forgiveness of my sin; through faith in Jesus I won't get what I deserve. Through faith we are justified...
Romans 5:1-5 - Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace which we now stand. And we rejoice in the the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
The good news is that we won't get what we deserve...that we don't have to do anymore than place our faith in Jesus.
I pray today that you will find peace and rejoice in His free gift of grace.
How many times do we get caught up in thinking things like "I'm basically a good person" or "that person is good, I hope he gets what he deserves"? I do, I think we all do at some point.
But "there is no one righteous, not even one"; no matter how good we think we or someone else is, we have to remember that our definition of good comes in comparison to others in this world and not based on God's laws and God's expectations.
Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
I don't want what I deserve; because of my sin I only deserve hell. But by the Grace of God...
Romans 3:24 - and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.
Through Jesus Christ I am freely gifted salvation and forgiveness of my sin; through faith in Jesus I won't get what I deserve. Through faith we are justified...
Romans 5:1-5 - Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace which we now stand. And we rejoice in the the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
The good news is that we won't get what we deserve...that we don't have to do anymore than place our faith in Jesus.
I pray today that you will find peace and rejoice in His free gift of grace.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Paul's Instruction
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.
First of all do you believe what Paul is writing here? That all Scripture is God breathed and is useful?
Paul is pointing out that the Scripture, the Word, your Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. So that we can be equipped for the good work he has in mind for us. He goes on to say to be prepared in season and out of season. That when we correct, rebuke and encourage...to do so in great patience and careful instruction.
We need to know our Bible, our Scriptures. They are the road map, the blue print to how to do all that we every really need to do.
As leaders (we are all leaders and have influence) we need to know our Bible to preach and teach, to rebuke and correct, to train. We need to be prepared always and in every season. We need to do all of this in great patience and careful instruction.
How are you leading at home? Your wife, your kids?
How are you leading at work?
How are you leading in your Church?
How are you leading yourself?
Is it as Paul describes? Are you in your Bible daily? Are you using it to determine how to live your life?
2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.
First of all do you believe what Paul is writing here? That all Scripture is God breathed and is useful?
Paul is pointing out that the Scripture, the Word, your Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. So that we can be equipped for the good work he has in mind for us. He goes on to say to be prepared in season and out of season. That when we correct, rebuke and encourage...to do so in great patience and careful instruction.
We need to know our Bible, our Scriptures. They are the road map, the blue print to how to do all that we every really need to do.
As leaders (we are all leaders and have influence) we need to know our Bible to preach and teach, to rebuke and correct, to train. We need to be prepared always and in every season. We need to do all of this in great patience and careful instruction.
How are you leading at home? Your wife, your kids?
How are you leading at work?
How are you leading in your Church?
How are you leading yourself?
Is it as Paul describes? Are you in your Bible daily? Are you using it to determine how to live your life?
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Are you content in all circumstance?
I heard a pastor on the radio say something like: "If we can't be thankful for what we already have, how can we be thankful when we get what we want?" This really nailed me. I spend so much time wondering and day dreaming about what I want, about how things could be...that I usually overlook what I already have. Do you too?
Philippians 4:11-12 - I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Are you content in your current circumstances? Or have you gotten caught up in our culture, trying to keep up with the Jones family?
1 Timothy 6-10 - But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
We live in a culture where there seems to be a fine line between being seen as content and seen as being lazy, seen as being not content and having desire, passion and drive. But is it really one or the other? I think you can be lazy and not content, just as you can be content with what you have and still have desire, passion and drive for improving.
The question really becomes about the heart. Where is your heart? What is your motivation to do what you do? Is it about you or about Him? Is it about your glory or His?
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." - Let's set our heart on Him, let's be content and happy in what He has already blessed us with, let's walk on His path and be blessed in His ways.
Philippians 4:11-12 - I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Are you content in your current circumstances? Or have you gotten caught up in our culture, trying to keep up with the Jones family?
1 Timothy 6-10 - But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
We live in a culture where there seems to be a fine line between being seen as content and seen as being lazy, seen as being not content and having desire, passion and drive. But is it really one or the other? I think you can be lazy and not content, just as you can be content with what you have and still have desire, passion and drive for improving.
The question really becomes about the heart. Where is your heart? What is your motivation to do what you do? Is it about you or about Him? Is it about your glory or His?
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." - Let's set our heart on Him, let's be content and happy in what He has already blessed us with, let's walk on His path and be blessed in His ways.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Show it by your actions.
1 John 3:18 - Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Are you living out your faith, your beliefs, your love with actions and in truth? Or do you merely talk a good game?
Do you talk about what it means to be a Christian and then not live it out?
James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Are you living as the Word tells us to live? If I ask those that work with you, would they know you are a Christian? Do they know you are different?
James 2:14 - What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
James 2:17 - In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by actions, is dead.
If you claim to be saved, if you claim to follow our Lord Jesus; but your actions are not distinguishable from the world around you...are you really saved? Have you really let Jesus take control of your heart? Or are you still just talking about it?
Don't just talk the talk.
It's time to walk the walk!
Are you living out your faith, your beliefs, your love with actions and in truth? Or do you merely talk a good game?
Do you talk about what it means to be a Christian and then not live it out?
James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Are you living as the Word tells us to live? If I ask those that work with you, would they know you are a Christian? Do they know you are different?
James 2:14 - What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
James 2:17 - In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by actions, is dead.
If you claim to be saved, if you claim to follow our Lord Jesus; but your actions are not distinguishable from the world around you...are you really saved? Have you really let Jesus take control of your heart? Or are you still just talking about it?
Don't just talk the talk.
It's time to walk the walk!
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