This weekend I've been struggling with why we feel we can justify our sin. For years I blamed others for my addiction to porn. I would convince myself that because of this or that, that I deserved it, that I earned those hidden moments. I would convince myself that I wasn't hurting anyone but me. It was all lies.
When I realized that when I stand before God to give an account, that He would not accept my justification...things started to change. When I realized that God was watching me, could see my every move, knew my every thought...as I was doing whatever I was doing...things changed.
Hebrews 4:12-13 - 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. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Jeremiah 16:17- My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.
Luke 12:2-3 - "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear of the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs."
He sees us, knows us...He knows what you are thinking right now. And yet he still loves us, wants the best for us, that's why he sent Jesus! Because we got Jesus, Peter tells us...
1 Peter 1:13-17 - Therefore, prepare you minds for action; be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written "Be holy, because I am holy." Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
"set your hope fully on the grace to be given"
Because we were given that grace, because we were shown that great and amazing love from the One who knows us, has seen us, knows our deepest and most terrible thoughts... Because he LOVES us that much, let's be "as obedient children," no longer "conforming to the evil desires we had when we lived in ignorance."
Lord we confess we are a broken and depraved people, and I pray that we will be transformed by Your amazing grace, unfailing love and mercy. That we would truly be made new in the knowledge of your love and presence in our lives. In the name of Jesus, Amen!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Perseverance
The last few months have been some of the most difficult for me in quite some time, especially with regards to ministry and gospel community. A pattern has emerged the last few months; at the beginning of each weekend something significant has happened. Something different each weekend, that has resulted in consuming time and energy and taking away from what the focus should be.
Last week was no exception as the phone began to ring Friday night around 10:30pm and once again that significant something. As I was sharing what happened on Friday night with a close friend he pointed out that each of these events was working to refine me, to develop my leadership. Then last night as I continued my reading through the new testament, I started reading James.
James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
While the last few months have been difficult in some aspects, they have been incredibly good in others. The last few months I have found myself having more faith, putting my problems in Gods hands and listening for his answer. I have found myself spending more time in the Bible, more time journaling and praying. As I read these words in James I realized just how much I have been praying for perseverance these last few months. I have been praying for strength, perseverance, endurance... And now that I can look back and see what he has been doing in my life...I can see where he is delivering answers to those prayers.
Lord I pray that as we face trials of many kinds in our life, that we would recognize them as opportunities to grow in faith and in perseverance. That in the trials we would turn to You and not lean on our understanding or limited view. Lord my hope is that we would pray for Your guidance and direction to get us through the trials and not merely that we pray that You would remove them from our life. It's in going through them that our faith grows stronger. In Jesus's name, Amen!
Last week was no exception as the phone began to ring Friday night around 10:30pm and once again that significant something. As I was sharing what happened on Friday night with a close friend he pointed out that each of these events was working to refine me, to develop my leadership. Then last night as I continued my reading through the new testament, I started reading James.
James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
While the last few months have been difficult in some aspects, they have been incredibly good in others. The last few months I have found myself having more faith, putting my problems in Gods hands and listening for his answer. I have found myself spending more time in the Bible, more time journaling and praying. As I read these words in James I realized just how much I have been praying for perseverance these last few months. I have been praying for strength, perseverance, endurance... And now that I can look back and see what he has been doing in my life...I can see where he is delivering answers to those prayers.
Lord I pray that as we face trials of many kinds in our life, that we would recognize them as opportunities to grow in faith and in perseverance. That in the trials we would turn to You and not lean on our understanding or limited view. Lord my hope is that we would pray for Your guidance and direction to get us through the trials and not merely that we pray that You would remove them from our life. It's in going through them that our faith grows stronger. In Jesus's name, Amen!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Are you dong YOUR part?
John 16:33 - "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
When I look around today I see a lot of men who have trouble. When I look in the mirror, I see a man who has trouble. It should be no surprise, Jesus himself said that "in this world you will have trouble".
But he also said that "in me you may have peace". Are you finding or living that peace today? Notice the word "may". Now why do you think he used that word instead of "will"?
I decided to look up the definition of "may" and here is what I found:
When I look around today I see a lot of men who have trouble. When I look in the mirror, I see a man who has trouble. It should be no surprise, Jesus himself said that "in this world you will have trouble".
But he also said that "in me you may have peace". Are you finding or living that peace today? Notice the word "may". Now why do you think he used that word instead of "will"?
I decided to look up the definition of "may" and here is what I found:
- to indicate that permission is granted
- to indicate possibility
- to indicate ability or capacity
- to express a strong wish
I think all of these apply. Jesus has given us permission to find peace in Him. Jesus has made it possible to find peace in Him. Jesus has given us the ability to find peace in Him. Jesus wants us, wishes we would find peace in Him.
So why are we not finding or living in that peace today? I'd like to suggest that Jesus has done all He needs to do. The question then; are we doing all we need to do?
Are you guarding your heart? - Proverbs 4:23
Are you confessing your sins? - 1 John 1:9, James 5:16
Have you repented? - Luke 5:32, Matthew 3:8
Are you walking the walk? - 2 John 1:6, Colossians 3:7
Are you dong YOUR part? It's not too late to start.
God Bless!
Monday, January 10, 2011
I stand at the door and knock.
Revelation 3:20 - Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
I'm sure most of us have read or heard these words some where along the way. I'm also guessing that many of us haven't felt like these words applied to us. Always saying something like, "I've already accepted Christ, I've already opened the door."
But what I find interesting is that these words come in a warning to the church in Laodicea. These words are directed toward a church, a body of people who believe. A body of people who have accepted Christ, but according to Christ's own words "I know your deeds, that you were neither cold or hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" (Revelation 3:15)
So even if you have been a believer for a long time, even if you have attended church for your entire life...could Jesus be standing outside your life...knocking and you are not hearing His voice? Or maybe you are hearing His voice and yet...you still are not answering?
Why? What's keeping your door shut? What's keeping you from hearing His voice?
Is it fear, guilt or shame from what you've done or what has been done to you? Is it pride or arrogance? What is it that is keeping you from turning to Jesus?
Jesus loves you just as you are and is calling you back into his arms. He is standing waiting for you to open the door to Him, so that he can make you whole, and turn you lose in this life as He meant for you to be.
Lord I pray that we who already profess to be Your people, will listen and obey Your calling. That we will step out in faith, knowing you have plans to prosper us, plans for our good. Lord I pray today that we would learn to lay down our lives, our worries, our plans, our fears and doubts...and focus on what You have for us. Lord thank You for the many blessings we have already received, may we not take those for granted and turn to You today. Amen!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Elijah was a man just like us...
James 5:13-16 - Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:17-18 - Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
For so many the new year brings an ending and then hope of a new beginning. But changing a digit in the date doesn't change a thing. However, changing your heart does. If you are looking for true change for this new year, start by changing your heart first.
If you are in trouble...pray.
If you are happy...rejoice and praise our Lord.
If you are sick...call on the elders to pray and anoint you.
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
Prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Guess what...if you have accepted Christ as your Lord, no matter where you are right now, no matter what is going on in your life...you are a righteous man. You are made righteous because of the work that Jesus did on the cross.
Elijah was a man..just like us? Have you ever considered that? So many times we forget that many of the men in the Bible who did great and amazing things...were men just like us. Elijah prayed and it did not rain for three and half years? I can't remember any time that my prayers affected the weather at any level.
But I do know that prayer has changed my heart, that prayer has helped me in times of struggle, that prayers have helped me when I was sick and that when I have confessed my sins to others, the prays of those others have brought healing to my heart.
I hope that this new year that you look inwardly, pray and let Jesus change your heart.
Lord we come before you today asking for changed hearts. Lord search us and reveal those areas that need confession and healing. Lead us Lord in our transformation and set in us a desire to become more and more like you each day of our lives. We pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
James 5:17-18 - Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
For so many the new year brings an ending and then hope of a new beginning. But changing a digit in the date doesn't change a thing. However, changing your heart does. If you are looking for true change for this new year, start by changing your heart first.
If you are in trouble...pray.
If you are happy...rejoice and praise our Lord.
If you are sick...call on the elders to pray and anoint you.
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
Prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Guess what...if you have accepted Christ as your Lord, no matter where you are right now, no matter what is going on in your life...you are a righteous man. You are made righteous because of the work that Jesus did on the cross.
Elijah was a man..just like us? Have you ever considered that? So many times we forget that many of the men in the Bible who did great and amazing things...were men just like us. Elijah prayed and it did not rain for three and half years? I can't remember any time that my prayers affected the weather at any level.
But I do know that prayer has changed my heart, that prayer has helped me in times of struggle, that prayers have helped me when I was sick and that when I have confessed my sins to others, the prays of those others have brought healing to my heart.
I hope that this new year that you look inwardly, pray and let Jesus change your heart.
Lord we come before you today asking for changed hearts. Lord search us and reveal those areas that need confession and healing. Lead us Lord in our transformation and set in us a desire to become more and more like you each day of our lives. We pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
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