Psalm 55:16-21
David was going through intense difficulty. Some of his friends, including
his most familiar friend, were turning against him, and it was painful.
How did David solve this problem?
First, he called upon the Lord. "As for me [no matter what they may do],
I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me. Evening and morning
and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice" (vv. 16,17).
Apparently, David had a systematic prayer life.
He called upon God and told Him his troubles.
Second, he let God do the judging. "God will hear, and afflict them, even
He who abides from of old" (v. 19). David believed God would resolve the
problem. We should do the same. Let God give you the friends you need to
help you in your ministry, and let Him take care of your enemies. Don't
treat others the way they treat you. Instead, treat them the way you would
want to be treated. Don't return evil for evil.
Third, David was determined to learn from this experience. "Because they
do not change, therefore they do not fear God" (v. 19). David was going
through a change of friends, and this was helping him to fear God more. We
usually don't like changes. But whenever God brings change to our lives,
we can learn from it. Let's not get so comfortable, so settled, that God
can't do anything new in our lives.
Determine to learn from difficult experiences. God has a purpose for
allowing every difficulty and problem. Let Him teach you new truths and
work in your life in new ways.
FATHER'S DAY IS JUNE 19.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friends....
Psalm 55:9-15
Perhaps the greatest trial is when someone you really love--a friend, a
family member--betrays you. David wrote: "For it is not an enemy who
reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has
exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a
man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance" (vv. 12,13). It takes a
diamond to cut a diamond, and sometimes our friends can hurt us deeply.
And we can deeply hurt them. David said about his friend, "The words of
his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words
were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords" (v. 21).
Jesus could have applied these words to Judas. He could have said, "Yes,
my own familiar friend, the one who walked with me, the one who ate with
me--he is the one who betrayed me."
"We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the
throng" (v. 14). How sad it is when church members, people we fellowship
with in the house of God, turn against us and hurt us. But we must do what
David did. He simply said, "Lord, you are the only One who can take care
of this. I don't understand it. I'm not going to return evil for evil. I'm
just going to leave it with You." God met David's needs. He magnified him
and healed his wounds.
We find two lessons here. First, all of us are human. Others will hurt you
sometimes. But leave your hurt with the Lord and don't fight back. Second,
be careful not to hurt others. Be a friend who blesses, not betrays.
Betrayed trust is one of life's most difficult pills to swallow. How you
respond to those who hurt you is a true test of your faith. When someone
hurts you, do you live on the divine level and return good for evil? When
others do their worst, leave it with God. He will meet your needs and use
you to glorify Himself.
Perhaps the greatest trial is when someone you really love--a friend, a
family member--betrays you. David wrote: "For it is not an enemy who
reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has
exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a
man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance" (vv. 12,13). It takes a
diamond to cut a diamond, and sometimes our friends can hurt us deeply.
And we can deeply hurt them. David said about his friend, "The words of
his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words
were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords" (v. 21).
Jesus could have applied these words to Judas. He could have said, "Yes,
my own familiar friend, the one who walked with me, the one who ate with
me--he is the one who betrayed me."
"We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the
throng" (v. 14). How sad it is when church members, people we fellowship
with in the house of God, turn against us and hurt us. But we must do what
David did. He simply said, "Lord, you are the only One who can take care
of this. I don't understand it. I'm not going to return evil for evil. I'm
just going to leave it with You." God met David's needs. He magnified him
and healed his wounds.
We find two lessons here. First, all of us are human. Others will hurt you
sometimes. But leave your hurt with the Lord and don't fight back. Second,
be careful not to hurt others. Be a friend who blesses, not betrays.
Betrayed trust is one of life's most difficult pills to swallow. How you
respond to those who hurt you is a true test of your faith. When someone
hurts you, do you live on the divine level and return good for evil? When
others do their worst, leave it with God. He will meet your needs and use
you to glorify Himself.
Friday, May 28, 2010
TRUST GOD! TRUST GOD! TRUST GOD!
"You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."
Psalm 142:5 NKJV
Hard times energize some people, yet paralyze others. Look at David. Everything he touched turned to gold: Samuel anointed him to be king; he defeated Goliath; Saul chose him as a musician and warrior; the army loved him and wrote songs about him. Then his life fell apart. He lost his job and his marriage failed; Samuel his old mentor died; his best friend Jonathan couldn't help him, and Saul's soldiers hounded him until he had to hide in a cave. At some point we all do time in the cave! It's where you end up when all your earthy supports are gone. It's where you learn important things about yourself that you can't learn anywhere else. It's where God does some of His best work in molding you into the likeness of Christ. It's where your worst inadequacies confirm that you're out of your depth, and where God sends His power to flow through your weakness. When David prayed, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living," he'd no way of knowing there was a crown in his future, or that he wasn't going to die in hiding. For all he knew, this cave he was in right now might be as good as it gets. When you're in a situation you can't fix, can't change and can't escape, trust God! Trust God! Trust God! As long as your sense of security is tied solely to your success, it'll always be fragile. But when you know that God is with you even at your lowest point, you can handle the cave and come out stronger!
Psalm 142:5 NKJV
Hard times energize some people, yet paralyze others. Look at David. Everything he touched turned to gold: Samuel anointed him to be king; he defeated Goliath; Saul chose him as a musician and warrior; the army loved him and wrote songs about him. Then his life fell apart. He lost his job and his marriage failed; Samuel his old mentor died; his best friend Jonathan couldn't help him, and Saul's soldiers hounded him until he had to hide in a cave. At some point we all do time in the cave! It's where you end up when all your earthy supports are gone. It's where you learn important things about yourself that you can't learn anywhere else. It's where God does some of His best work in molding you into the likeness of Christ. It's where your worst inadequacies confirm that you're out of your depth, and where God sends His power to flow through your weakness. When David prayed, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living," he'd no way of knowing there was a crown in his future, or that he wasn't going to die in hiding. For all he knew, this cave he was in right now might be as good as it gets. When you're in a situation you can't fix, can't change and can't escape, trust God! Trust God! Trust God! As long as your sense of security is tied solely to your success, it'll always be fragile. But when you know that God is with you even at your lowest point, you can handle the cave and come out stronger!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
SETTLE YOUR DISAGREEMENT
"Please...settle your disagreement."
Php 4:2 NLT
Euodia and Syntyche were two women who worked hand in hand with Paul in building the church. Yet sadly, the only mention of them in Scripture is that they couldn't get along with one another. That's not good, because God's blessing is predicated upon our willingness to forgive, and to love one another. Jesus said: "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses" (Mk 11:24-25 NKJV). You can't pray effectively when you have "anything against anyone." Even if the other person is wrong, let God use you as a paramedic of His mercy. Tell them you want to see the relationship healed, apologize and be reconciled. It may take more than a U-turn to make up the distance between you, but each step you take will make the road shorter, and if you stay on course you'll get to where you ought to be on time.
Don't argue over "who did what to whom." Be bigger than that! Show grace! You've been asking God to restore things; well, this is part of it. Yes, your ego will rebel. And if you let it, fear of rejection will stop you dead in your tracks. But do it anyway and see what happens. Remember, when you forgive someone, you position yourself beyond condemnation; at that point God can bless you. Can you afford to live without His blessing?
Php 4:2 NLT
Euodia and Syntyche were two women who worked hand in hand with Paul in building the church. Yet sadly, the only mention of them in Scripture is that they couldn't get along with one another. That's not good, because God's blessing is predicated upon our willingness to forgive, and to love one another. Jesus said: "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses" (Mk 11:24-25 NKJV). You can't pray effectively when you have "anything against anyone." Even if the other person is wrong, let God use you as a paramedic of His mercy. Tell them you want to see the relationship healed, apologize and be reconciled. It may take more than a U-turn to make up the distance between you, but each step you take will make the road shorter, and if you stay on course you'll get to where you ought to be on time.
Don't argue over "who did what to whom." Be bigger than that! Show grace! You've been asking God to restore things; well, this is part of it. Yes, your ego will rebel. And if you let it, fear of rejection will stop you dead in your tracks. But do it anyway and see what happens. Remember, when you forgive someone, you position yourself beyond condemnation; at that point God can bless you. Can you afford to live without His blessing?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
IN HARNESS WITH JESUS
"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me."
Matthew 11:29 NKJV
Some of us find it easy to trust God for health, yet we stay awake all night worrying about finances. Or we trust Him for finances, but not to direct our steps. Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me." You say, "Learn what?" Learn that if you want to lighten your load don't take on more-take on a partner. Get in harness with the Lord and take your lead from Him. Working with God will restore your strength, not deplete it!
Richard Mylander writes: "On my way to a conference in Colorado I was driving uphill along a major interstate, when I overtook a freight train going the same direction at a slower speed. The train was being pushed uphill by two locomotives that sounded as if they were straining at full power. I'm a flatlander from the mid west. ‘Is this how trains move in mountainous terrain?' I wondered. I gradually came alongside the front of the nearly mile-long string of cars. There I found five more locomotives pulling the train. Seven engines in all! Where I come from, I rarely see more than two or three. That train was a lesson for me. I had been under serious strain for some time. I was feeling tired and was wondering whether I could persevere under the pressure. How like God, I thought. When I am pushing a load uphill with all the strength I have and feel like my energy level is depleted, He wants me to know that He is in the lead, pulling with power far greater than mine."
Think about it, not only is He helping you, the Holy Spirit is coaching you and he often sends co-laborers to you to help and a church family that loves you. That's why He said "foresake not the assembling together...". Church encourages you. Despite what you might feel or think.... You are not alone.
Matthew 11:29 NKJV
Some of us find it easy to trust God for health, yet we stay awake all night worrying about finances. Or we trust Him for finances, but not to direct our steps. Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me." You say, "Learn what?" Learn that if you want to lighten your load don't take on more-take on a partner. Get in harness with the Lord and take your lead from Him. Working with God will restore your strength, not deplete it!
Richard Mylander writes: "On my way to a conference in Colorado I was driving uphill along a major interstate, when I overtook a freight train going the same direction at a slower speed. The train was being pushed uphill by two locomotives that sounded as if they were straining at full power. I'm a flatlander from the mid west. ‘Is this how trains move in mountainous terrain?' I wondered. I gradually came alongside the front of the nearly mile-long string of cars. There I found five more locomotives pulling the train. Seven engines in all! Where I come from, I rarely see more than two or three. That train was a lesson for me. I had been under serious strain for some time. I was feeling tired and was wondering whether I could persevere under the pressure. How like God, I thought. When I am pushing a load uphill with all the strength I have and feel like my energy level is depleted, He wants me to know that He is in the lead, pulling with power far greater than mine."
Think about it, not only is He helping you, the Holy Spirit is coaching you and he often sends co-laborers to you to help and a church family that loves you. That's why He said "foresake not the assembling together...". Church encourages you. Despite what you might feel or think.... You are not alone.
Monday, May 24, 2010
SPIRITUAL DISTANCE
"The people stood afar off, but Moses drew near...where God was."
Ex 20:21 NKJV
Moses alone knew what God's presence felt like, what His voice sounded like, and what His radiant glory looked like. And apparently the people of Israel were happy to leave it that way. They said to Moses, "You tell us what God says...but don't let God speak directly to us" (Ex 20:19). What were they afraid of, that God might tell them something they didn't want to hear? Hello? When you haven't carried out God's last set of instructions it's hard to get excited about His next set. John writes: "We can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, ‘I know God,' but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God's word truly...love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did" (1Jn 2:3-6 NLT).
So, are you content to be an onlooker, watching God move in the lives of others instead of accepting the discipline required to have a personal relationship with Him yourself? Do you want His gifts and His favor, but not the commitment that goes with them? God doesn't want you to be infatuated with the Bible, or the church, or His blessings. No, He wants you to fall in love with Him. He's not looking for a date, He's looking for a bride! He wants someone who'll stick with Him when the going gets tough. Are you ready to put on the ring of commitment today?
Ex 20:21 NKJV
Moses alone knew what God's presence felt like, what His voice sounded like, and what His radiant glory looked like. And apparently the people of Israel were happy to leave it that way. They said to Moses, "You tell us what God says...but don't let God speak directly to us" (Ex 20:19). What were they afraid of, that God might tell them something they didn't want to hear? Hello? When you haven't carried out God's last set of instructions it's hard to get excited about His next set. John writes: "We can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, ‘I know God,' but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God's word truly...love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did" (1Jn 2:3-6 NLT).
So, are you content to be an onlooker, watching God move in the lives of others instead of accepting the discipline required to have a personal relationship with Him yourself? Do you want His gifts and His favor, but not the commitment that goes with them? God doesn't want you to be infatuated with the Bible, or the church, or His blessings. No, He wants you to fall in love with Him. He's not looking for a date, He's looking for a bride! He wants someone who'll stick with Him when the going gets tough. Are you ready to put on the ring of commitment today?
Friday, May 21, 2010
ARE YOU FEELING INADEQUATE?
"Our sufficiency is from God."
2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV
God will never give you an assignment that does not require His involvement. He calls us: "Not according to our works [ability], but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus" (2Ti 1:9 NKJV). When God gives you a job to do, He gives you the grace to do it. But don't expect it to be easy. God called Moses to instruct Pharaoh to let His work force leave, to go worship a God Pharaoh didn't even believe in. He told Jonah to go to Nineveh, the most corrupt city in the world, and say to its population, "Repent or die!" When He called Jeremiah to preach to a hard-edged, self-centered people who refused to listen, he cried so hard that he became known as "the weeping prophet."
So if you're feeling inadequate today, without God-you are! The heroes in the Bible didn't jump up and say, "No problem, I can handle that!" But here's the good news: God doesn't call us to work for Him but with Him, and that guarantees your success.
You say, "But I don't have the ability." No problem: "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves...our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient." You say, "But I don't have the finances." No problem: "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work" (2Co 9:8 NIV). You say, "But I don't have the strength." No problem: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Php 4:13 NIV).
2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV
God will never give you an assignment that does not require His involvement. He calls us: "Not according to our works [ability], but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus" (2Ti 1:9 NKJV). When God gives you a job to do, He gives you the grace to do it. But don't expect it to be easy. God called Moses to instruct Pharaoh to let His work force leave, to go worship a God Pharaoh didn't even believe in. He told Jonah to go to Nineveh, the most corrupt city in the world, and say to its population, "Repent or die!" When He called Jeremiah to preach to a hard-edged, self-centered people who refused to listen, he cried so hard that he became known as "the weeping prophet."
So if you're feeling inadequate today, without God-you are! The heroes in the Bible didn't jump up and say, "No problem, I can handle that!" But here's the good news: God doesn't call us to work for Him but with Him, and that guarantees your success.
You say, "But I don't have the ability." No problem: "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves...our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient." You say, "But I don't have the finances." No problem: "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work" (2Co 9:8 NIV). You say, "But I don't have the strength." No problem: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Php 4:13 NIV).
Thursday, May 20, 2010
LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS (PART 3)
Thirdly, Make sure of your salvation. (John 6:22-71)
The crowd finds Jesus again and their motive for finding HIM is not pure. It is for selfish reasons, so He will feed them. Jesus tell them that instead of seeking perishable food, they should be seeking eternal life. The Lord instructs them that God sent HIM for that purpose. The people asked, “What does God want us to do”. Jesus tells them they must believe in the ONE the Father has sent. The crowd then asks Jesus for a miracle remembering the manna to their ancestors. Jesus tells them it was not Moses but HIS Father who performed the miracle in the wilderness. Jesus tells them the bread of God has come down from heaven and gives life to the world. So the crowd asked, Jesus for that bread.
Jesus responded, “I am the bread of Life”. To make this statement clearer, you have a desire to come to Jesus for salvation. He continues to explain that He is the living bread who gives life to the world, and whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. The disciples and others did not understand. Some decided not to follow Jesus any longer and left him. Jesus turns to the twelve disciples and asks if they are going to go away also. Simon Peter’s response was, “Lord to whom shall we go? Thou hath the words of eternal life”. Judas in the last part of this chapter betrays Jesus. Like crowds then and the crowds now, many follow HIM for what HE can do for them.
The greatest problem in our life is sin. The Bread of Life (Jesus) solves our greatest problem, sin, to ourselves and others. Sin brings death to our lives. Jesus, through HIS shed blood brings life and life more abundantly. Jesus paid a debt we could not pay. We must believe that Jesus Christ shed HIS blood on the cross for our sin. We must believe when HE died that we died, and receive HIS resurrection as our resurrection (a new creation), is a sure salvation.
Romans 10:10
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
The crowd finds Jesus again and their motive for finding HIM is not pure. It is for selfish reasons, so He will feed them. Jesus tell them that instead of seeking perishable food, they should be seeking eternal life. The Lord instructs them that God sent HIM for that purpose. The people asked, “What does God want us to do”. Jesus tells them they must believe in the ONE the Father has sent. The crowd then asks Jesus for a miracle remembering the manna to their ancestors. Jesus tells them it was not Moses but HIS Father who performed the miracle in the wilderness. Jesus tells them the bread of God has come down from heaven and gives life to the world. So the crowd asked, Jesus for that bread.
Jesus responded, “I am the bread of Life”. To make this statement clearer, you have a desire to come to Jesus for salvation. He continues to explain that He is the living bread who gives life to the world, and whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. The disciples and others did not understand. Some decided not to follow Jesus any longer and left him. Jesus turns to the twelve disciples and asks if they are going to go away also. Simon Peter’s response was, “Lord to whom shall we go? Thou hath the words of eternal life”. Judas in the last part of this chapter betrays Jesus. Like crowds then and the crowds now, many follow HIM for what HE can do for them.
The greatest problem in our life is sin. The Bread of Life (Jesus) solves our greatest problem, sin, to ourselves and others. Sin brings death to our lives. Jesus, through HIS shed blood brings life and life more abundantly. Jesus paid a debt we could not pay. We must believe that Jesus Christ shed HIS blood on the cross for our sin. We must believe when HE died that we died, and receive HIS resurrection as our resurrection (a new creation), is a sure salvation.
Romans 10:10
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS (PART 2)
Shelia Loevenguth
Associate Pastor
John 6:16-21
Throughout the Bible there are stories of God the Creator, about the coming Messiah and the Holy Spirit, our promised Comforter. How many times must we read or experience HIS WORD....till we believe?
As many as needed, until we know the character, love and faithfulness of God. For me, I'm still learning, still believing and receiving His love love each day.
God is an awesome friend who when you mess up does not kick you to the curb as some people would do. When I am bombarded with problems and get off track, there are three (3) things I try to remember from John 6:
Secondly, Be ready for the examination of your heart. (John 6:16-21)
Jesus then withdraws to a mountain alone, and the disciples get into a boat and set out for Capernaum. It’s now time for an examination of the hearts to see if the disciples understood the lesson of feeding those 5,000.
As the disciples were in the boat, strong winds start to blow and toss the vessel around, causing the waves to break over into the boat. I have had that happen to me and it is no fun. But back to our lesson, they are in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, about seven miles across and about 15 miles long, north to south. In the middle of this terrible storm, the disciples see someone coming toward them walking on the water. This happened about the fourth watch of the night according to Mark 6:48, between four and six in the morning. So you know they are exhausted from toiling over this storm. Then they see someone (Jesus) walking on the water, thinking Jesus is a ghost. Jesus says to them, “It is I; be not afraid. They took Jesus into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading”. It is amazing when you trust Jesus to enter the boat of your life, there is PEACE.
Jesus can calm the storm in you and/or calm the storm around you. Either one, He can do.
Associate Pastor
John 6:16-21
Throughout the Bible there are stories of God the Creator, about the coming Messiah and the Holy Spirit, our promised Comforter. How many times must we read or experience HIS WORD....till we believe?
As many as needed, until we know the character, love and faithfulness of God. For me, I'm still learning, still believing and receiving His love love each day.
God is an awesome friend who when you mess up does not kick you to the curb as some people would do. When I am bombarded with problems and get off track, there are three (3) things I try to remember from John 6:
Secondly, Be ready for the examination of your heart. (John 6:16-21)
Jesus then withdraws to a mountain alone, and the disciples get into a boat and set out for Capernaum. It’s now time for an examination of the hearts to see if the disciples understood the lesson of feeding those 5,000.
As the disciples were in the boat, strong winds start to blow and toss the vessel around, causing the waves to break over into the boat. I have had that happen to me and it is no fun. But back to our lesson, they are in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, about seven miles across and about 15 miles long, north to south. In the middle of this terrible storm, the disciples see someone coming toward them walking on the water. This happened about the fourth watch of the night according to Mark 6:48, between four and six in the morning. So you know they are exhausted from toiling over this storm. Then they see someone (Jesus) walking on the water, thinking Jesus is a ghost. Jesus says to them, “It is I; be not afraid. They took Jesus into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading”. It is amazing when you trust Jesus to enter the boat of your life, there is PEACE.
Jesus can calm the storm in you and/or calm the storm around you. Either one, He can do.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS
by Shelia Loevenguth
Associate Pastor
John 6:1-71 (NKJV)
Throughout the Bible there are stories of God the Creator, about the coming Messiah and the Holy Spirit, our promised Comforter. How many times must we read or experience HIS WORD....till we believe?
As many as needed, until we know the character, love and faithfulness of God. For me, I'm still learning, still believing and receiving His love love each day.
God is an awesome friend who when you mess up does not kick you to the curb as some people would do. When I am bombarded with problems and get off track, there are three (3) things I try to remember from John 6
First, Always include God in your daily life. (John 6:5-15)
Many people followed Jesus because of His miracles. In this chapter of John, a great crowd of people, about 5000, followed Jesus up a mountain side. It is getting late in the day and He knows the people are hungry. He asks Philip where they can buy bread for the people to eat. Philips response "Two hundred penny worth of bread is not sufficient for them". Philip had Jesus the miracle worker with him, but failed to include Jesus in the situation. Jesus asked Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these...." Notice Jesus didn't ask how much would it cost.
After all the miracles Philip witnessed, he did not include Jesus in the situation....in finding the answer. Philip failed to remember that when he couldn't or didn't have the answer....Jesus would. Remember the words in Luke 18:27 “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” All things were possible that day when Jesus used a little boys lunch of five (5) small barley loaves and two (2) small fish. Jesus blessed it, the people were fed and there were twelve (12) baskets of pieces left over.....
a basket for each disciple. Praise God!
Associate Pastor
John 6:1-71 (NKJV)
Throughout the Bible there are stories of God the Creator, about the coming Messiah and the Holy Spirit, our promised Comforter. How many times must we read or experience HIS WORD....till we believe?
As many as needed, until we know the character, love and faithfulness of God. For me, I'm still learning, still believing and receiving His love love each day.
God is an awesome friend who when you mess up does not kick you to the curb as some people would do. When I am bombarded with problems and get off track, there are three (3) things I try to remember from John 6
First, Always include God in your daily life. (John 6:5-15)
Many people followed Jesus because of His miracles. In this chapter of John, a great crowd of people, about 5000, followed Jesus up a mountain side. It is getting late in the day and He knows the people are hungry. He asks Philip where they can buy bread for the people to eat. Philips response "Two hundred penny worth of bread is not sufficient for them". Philip had Jesus the miracle worker with him, but failed to include Jesus in the situation. Jesus asked Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these...." Notice Jesus didn't ask how much would it cost.
After all the miracles Philip witnessed, he did not include Jesus in the situation....in finding the answer. Philip failed to remember that when he couldn't or didn't have the answer....Jesus would. Remember the words in Luke 18:27 “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” All things were possible that day when Jesus used a little boys lunch of five (5) small barley loaves and two (2) small fish. Jesus blessed it, the people were fed and there were twelve (12) baskets of pieces left over.....
a basket for each disciple. Praise God!
Monday, May 17, 2010
WHAT PLEASES GOD?
Psalm 51:18-19
We can live to please ourselves. We can live to please others. But above
all we should live to please the Lord. David closes his prayer of
confession, "Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of
righteousness" (v. 19). Everything we do should please the Lord.
A. W. Tozer used to say, "God is not hard to get along with." And this is
true. One day David said, "Let [me] fall into the hand of the Lord, for
His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man" (II
Sam. 24:14). God knows us, loves us and is patient with us. Everything He
plans for us is for our good, our enjoyment and His glory. So what pleases
Him the most? An obedient walk, not sacrifices. David says, "If I brought
sacrifices without repentance, You wouldn't accept them. But if I repent
and bring you a broken and a contrite heart, then you will accept my
sacrifice and my service."
It's interesting how David ends this psalm. "Do good in Your good pleasure
to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem" (v. 18). David in his sin had been
tearing down, not building up. He had given opportunity to the enemies of
Israel to blaspheme God. The word got out. Soon everyone knew what David
had done. So he says, "O God, when I was sinning, I was tearing down. I
was not pleasing You. Now I want to please You. And because I'm pleasing
You, I will be building up. And the walls of Jerusalem, walls of
protection, will be strong." Are you tearing down or building up?
God plans everything for your good, your enjoyment and His glory. As His
child, strive to please and honor Him in all you do. Is your walk with God
one of obedience? Make your life the kind that pleases Him.
We can live to please ourselves. We can live to please others. But above
all we should live to please the Lord. David closes his prayer of
confession, "Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of
righteousness" (v. 19). Everything we do should please the Lord.
A. W. Tozer used to say, "God is not hard to get along with." And this is
true. One day David said, "Let [me] fall into the hand of the Lord, for
His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man" (II
Sam. 24:14). God knows us, loves us and is patient with us. Everything He
plans for us is for our good, our enjoyment and His glory. So what pleases
Him the most? An obedient walk, not sacrifices. David says, "If I brought
sacrifices without repentance, You wouldn't accept them. But if I repent
and bring you a broken and a contrite heart, then you will accept my
sacrifice and my service."
It's interesting how David ends this psalm. "Do good in Your good pleasure
to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem" (v. 18). David in his sin had been
tearing down, not building up. He had given opportunity to the enemies of
Israel to blaspheme God. The word got out. Soon everyone knew what David
had done. So he says, "O God, when I was sinning, I was tearing down. I
was not pleasing You. Now I want to please You. And because I'm pleasing
You, I will be building up. And the walls of Jerusalem, walls of
protection, will be strong." Are you tearing down or building up?
God plans everything for your good, your enjoyment and His glory. As His
child, strive to please and honor Him in all you do. Is your walk with God
one of obedience? Make your life the kind that pleases Him.
Friday, May 14, 2010
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME, LORD (Part 2)
"Abide in My love."
John 15:9 NKJV
To make yourself at home in God's love you must: (1) Give Him the first part of your day. The Psalmist wrote, "Early will I seek thee" (Ps 63:1). If you don't learn to give God the first part of your day you're unlikely to break through to a deeper relationship with Him. You must set aside a specific time and place each morning where you can read and write comfortably, think, study, talk to God out loud, and yes, weep if you need to. (2) Relish His every word to you. Receive what He says like food, like treasure, like a love letter. Remember, you're reading in order to meet someone. Your goal is not information, it's intimacy. Stop and ponder what you've read. Let it go down into the core of your being and expect Him to interact with you. He will! (3) Talk and listen to a person-not an invisible force. We treat God as if He were some mystical force "out there." No, He wants you to talk to Him like you would a friend; to hear your requests, your worries, and your thanks. Go ahead, risk being honest and expect His insight in return. Take time to be still before Him. Stay there until you "connect" with Him. (4) Write down your thoughts and impressions. Not a diary of your day or an attempt at literature, but a record of your personal walk with God. Share with Him your disappointments. Ask for His wisdom. Leave your request on the page until you receive guidance. Keep track of His answers. These simple practices are called "disciplines" because they take effort-but the reward is worth it.
John 15:9 NKJV
To make yourself at home in God's love you must: (1) Give Him the first part of your day. The Psalmist wrote, "Early will I seek thee" (Ps 63:1). If you don't learn to give God the first part of your day you're unlikely to break through to a deeper relationship with Him. You must set aside a specific time and place each morning where you can read and write comfortably, think, study, talk to God out loud, and yes, weep if you need to. (2) Relish His every word to you. Receive what He says like food, like treasure, like a love letter. Remember, you're reading in order to meet someone. Your goal is not information, it's intimacy. Stop and ponder what you've read. Let it go down into the core of your being and expect Him to interact with you. He will! (3) Talk and listen to a person-not an invisible force. We treat God as if He were some mystical force "out there." No, He wants you to talk to Him like you would a friend; to hear your requests, your worries, and your thanks. Go ahead, risk being honest and expect His insight in return. Take time to be still before Him. Stay there until you "connect" with Him. (4) Write down your thoughts and impressions. Not a diary of your day or an attempt at literature, but a record of your personal walk with God. Share with Him your disappointments. Ask for His wisdom. Leave your request on the page until you receive guidance. Keep track of His answers. These simple practices are called "disciplines" because they take effort-but the reward is worth it.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME, LORD
"Abide in My love."
John 15:9 NKJV
If our need for a relationship with God is so deep and constant, why do we fail to pursue it? One reason is, we're convinced He remembers all the bad we've done and is quick to judge us for how we're doing now. That's not so. Think of the qualities of a best friend: they accept you and make time for you; you always leave their presence feeling better. What you appreciate in a best friend is exactly what God offers you today. He wants to abide with you even more than you want to abide with Him. "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." If we were really abiding in His love we'd come away feeling so cherished that we'd rush back to Him each day.
The word abiding means to "be at home" in God's love, to be convinced of your acceptance as a member of His family in good standing, to be at peace there, to be fed and nurtured by His presence, to feel protected knowing it's the safest place on earth you'll ever be. Abiding is all about the most important relationship in your life. In abiding you seek, long for, thirst for, wait for, see, know, love, hear and respond to Him. Abiding means more of Him in your activities, thoughts and desires. Too often in our rush to perform for God we simply fail to enjoy His company. Yet we were created to be incomplete with anything less. That's why David wrote, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God" (Ps 42:1 NAS).
John 15:9 NKJV
If our need for a relationship with God is so deep and constant, why do we fail to pursue it? One reason is, we're convinced He remembers all the bad we've done and is quick to judge us for how we're doing now. That's not so. Think of the qualities of a best friend: they accept you and make time for you; you always leave their presence feeling better. What you appreciate in a best friend is exactly what God offers you today. He wants to abide with you even more than you want to abide with Him. "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." If we were really abiding in His love we'd come away feeling so cherished that we'd rush back to Him each day.
The word abiding means to "be at home" in God's love, to be convinced of your acceptance as a member of His family in good standing, to be at peace there, to be fed and nurtured by His presence, to feel protected knowing it's the safest place on earth you'll ever be. Abiding is all about the most important relationship in your life. In abiding you seek, long for, thirst for, wait for, see, know, love, hear and respond to Him. Abiding means more of Him in your activities, thoughts and desires. Too often in our rush to perform for God we simply fail to enjoy His company. Yet we were created to be incomplete with anything less. That's why David wrote, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God" (Ps 42:1 NAS).
LOST
"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your generous Spirit"
Psalm 51:12
When David sinned, he lost the joy of his salvation. It's interesting to see how much David said about joy in the Psalms. Joy is essential in the Christian life. It is the evidence that we are truly born again. Jesus said, "Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). Whatever your circumstances today, you can rejoice in the salvation of the Lord.
Nehemiah 8:10 says that the joy of the Lord is our strength. When you enjoy doing something, the enjoyment gives you sufficient strength to do the task. On the other hand, all of us have tasks to perform that we don't enjoy. We do them out of duty and because it's the right thing to do, but they don't provide the strength that comes from joy.
We need the joy of the Lord to witness for Him. Joy shows unsaved people that it is worthwhile to know Jesus. He is the Power for our service.
David lost that joy, so he prayed, "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your generous Spirit" (v. 12). Joy and willing obedience go together. When you enjoy doing something or when you enjoy the person for whom you are doing it, you serve willingly. David is saying, "I have been in bondage because I have not confessed my sin. Therefore, I lost my joy and my willing spirit. I lost that real delight that comes from obeying God."
How can you restore joy? Confess your sin. Then look to Jesus Christ, not yourself. If you look at yourself, you won't rejoice. But if you look to Him, you will rediscover the joy of His salvation.
God intends that you rejoice in your salvation. Have you lost the joy of your salvation? Do you miss the delight that comes from obeying the Lord? Make sure your life is free from sin, and then ask Him to restore your joy.
Psalm 51:12
When David sinned, he lost the joy of his salvation. It's interesting to see how much David said about joy in the Psalms. Joy is essential in the Christian life. It is the evidence that we are truly born again. Jesus said, "Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). Whatever your circumstances today, you can rejoice in the salvation of the Lord.
Nehemiah 8:10 says that the joy of the Lord is our strength. When you enjoy doing something, the enjoyment gives you sufficient strength to do the task. On the other hand, all of us have tasks to perform that we don't enjoy. We do them out of duty and because it's the right thing to do, but they don't provide the strength that comes from joy.
We need the joy of the Lord to witness for Him. Joy shows unsaved people that it is worthwhile to know Jesus. He is the Power for our service.
David lost that joy, so he prayed, "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your generous Spirit" (v. 12). Joy and willing obedience go together. When you enjoy doing something or when you enjoy the person for whom you are doing it, you serve willingly. David is saying, "I have been in bondage because I have not confessed my sin. Therefore, I lost my joy and my willing spirit. I lost that real delight that comes from obeying God."
How can you restore joy? Confess your sin. Then look to Jesus Christ, not yourself. If you look at yourself, you won't rejoice. But if you look to Him, you will rediscover the joy of His salvation.
God intends that you rejoice in your salvation. Have you lost the joy of your salvation? Do you miss the delight that comes from obeying the Lord? Make sure your life is free from sin, and then ask Him to restore your joy.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
THE GREATEST LOSS
"Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me"
Psalm 51:11
Many sad consequences occur when a believer sins, but the worst is the loss of close fellowship with the Lord. No wonder David prayed, "Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me" (v. 11). David was remembering what had happened to his predecessor, King Saul. Saul turned against the Lord and became rebellious. So God took His Spirit from him and gave the power of His Spirit to David.
God does not remove His Holy Spirit from us today. Jesus told His disciples that the Spirit of God would abide with them forever. When the Holy Spirit comes into your life at conversion, He seals your salvation. He is the witness that you are a child of God and assures you that you belong to Christ.
But when we sin against the Lord, we lose that closeness of the Holy Spirit, the source of our blessing. Everything in the Christian life depends on our fellowship with the Lord. David constantly depended on God's presence, whether he was writing a psalm or leading an army. Therefore, he was anguished about losing the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit.
Fellowship is the New Testament word for the presence of the Lord. Sonship and fellowship are two different things. Sonship comes from our faith in Jesus Christ--we are born into the family of God. Fellowship is the result of our faithfulness to Him. We keep our lives clean. We obey Him. We talk to Him in prayer. And He talks to us in His Word. Don't lose this by sinning.
God's love for us is unconditional....our fellowship with God is conditional. If we have sin in our lives, we cannot have fellowship with Him, but He still loves us. Do you take care to walk with the Lord daily? If you're not careful, the Enemy will gain a foothold in your life. Avoid sin, obey the Word of God and maintain a prayer time with Him. Make walking with the Lord a priority.
Psalm 51:11
Many sad consequences occur when a believer sins, but the worst is the loss of close fellowship with the Lord. No wonder David prayed, "Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me" (v. 11). David was remembering what had happened to his predecessor, King Saul. Saul turned against the Lord and became rebellious. So God took His Spirit from him and gave the power of His Spirit to David.
God does not remove His Holy Spirit from us today. Jesus told His disciples that the Spirit of God would abide with them forever. When the Holy Spirit comes into your life at conversion, He seals your salvation. He is the witness that you are a child of God and assures you that you belong to Christ.
But when we sin against the Lord, we lose that closeness of the Holy Spirit, the source of our blessing. Everything in the Christian life depends on our fellowship with the Lord. David constantly depended on God's presence, whether he was writing a psalm or leading an army. Therefore, he was anguished about losing the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit.
Fellowship is the New Testament word for the presence of the Lord. Sonship and fellowship are two different things. Sonship comes from our faith in Jesus Christ--we are born into the family of God. Fellowship is the result of our faithfulness to Him. We keep our lives clean. We obey Him. We talk to Him in prayer. And He talks to us in His Word. Don't lose this by sinning.
God's love for us is unconditional....our fellowship with God is conditional. If we have sin in our lives, we cannot have fellowship with Him, but He still loves us. Do you take care to walk with the Lord daily? If you're not careful, the Enemy will gain a foothold in your life. Avoid sin, obey the Word of God and maintain a prayer time with Him. Make walking with the Lord a priority.
THE OIL FLOWS DOWN
"It is like the...oil...running down."
Ps 133:2 NKJV
If people lift you up, they can also bring you down. In April 1993, after Steve Morrow scored the goal that gave the Arsenal Football Club England's championship cup, his teammates tossed him into the air in ritual celebration. But they failed to catch him when he came down, and an embarrassed Morrow was carried off the field on a stretcher with a broken arm and an oxygen mask over his face.
The Psalmist writes: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard...of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing" (vv. 1-3 NKJV). God works through structure. The oil flows down, not up! It doesn't matter if those under you think you're wonderful, unless those above you agree. Until you understand that you'll be susceptible to those who, for their own reasons, want to tell you how wonderful you are and how you should be running the show. In God's kingdom, you're not approved until He approves you: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" (Mt 17:5).
To do anything significant for God you must first submit to leadership that can inspire you, instruct you, and when the time is right, release you into your calling. Learn the protocol that goes with the position.
The oil flows down!
Ps 133:2 NKJV
If people lift you up, they can also bring you down. In April 1993, after Steve Morrow scored the goal that gave the Arsenal Football Club England's championship cup, his teammates tossed him into the air in ritual celebration. But they failed to catch him when he came down, and an embarrassed Morrow was carried off the field on a stretcher with a broken arm and an oxygen mask over his face.
The Psalmist writes: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard...of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing" (vv. 1-3 NKJV). God works through structure. The oil flows down, not up! It doesn't matter if those under you think you're wonderful, unless those above you agree. Until you understand that you'll be susceptible to those who, for their own reasons, want to tell you how wonderful you are and how you should be running the show. In God's kingdom, you're not approved until He approves you: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" (Mt 17:5).
To do anything significant for God you must first submit to leadership that can inspire you, instruct you, and when the time is right, release you into your calling. Learn the protocol that goes with the position.
The oil flows down!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
ACCEPT YOUR LIMITS
"You have [circled] this mountain long enough; turn."
Deuteronomy 2:3 NKJV
Do you live overloaded and overwhelmed? Like a driver who's lost his way, instead of stopping to ask for direction you increase your speed until you run out of fuel and end up on the side of the road. We quote the promise: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Php 4:13 NIV). But God doesn't promise we can do everything we want to do, or everything people expect us to do, or everything others do. God will only give us grace to do what He calls us to do. Isaiah writes: "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength" (Isa 40:30-31 NKJV). Few things humble us like failure. God will let us circle the same mountain over and over until the scenery becomes so familiar that we're forced to stop and ask for direction-especially when we know in our heart that we're not where God wants us to be. In Let Your Life Speak, Parker Palmer writes: "I was raised in a culture that insisted I could do anything; that I was without limits, given enough energy and commitment on my part; that God made things that way, and all I had to do was get with the program. My troubles began when I started to slam into my limitations...in the form of failure."
What's your most painful limitation? The one you won't admit? The one you don't want anybody to see? Acknowledge it. Seek honest feedback. Ask God for direction, ask for His help in accepting the limits He's placed on you for your own protection.
Deuteronomy 2:3 NKJV
Do you live overloaded and overwhelmed? Like a driver who's lost his way, instead of stopping to ask for direction you increase your speed until you run out of fuel and end up on the side of the road. We quote the promise: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Php 4:13 NIV). But God doesn't promise we can do everything we want to do, or everything people expect us to do, or everything others do. God will only give us grace to do what He calls us to do. Isaiah writes: "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength" (Isa 40:30-31 NKJV). Few things humble us like failure. God will let us circle the same mountain over and over until the scenery becomes so familiar that we're forced to stop and ask for direction-especially when we know in our heart that we're not where God wants us to be. In Let Your Life Speak, Parker Palmer writes: "I was raised in a culture that insisted I could do anything; that I was without limits, given enough energy and commitment on my part; that God made things that way, and all I had to do was get with the program. My troubles began when I started to slam into my limitations...in the form of failure."
What's your most painful limitation? The one you won't admit? The one you don't want anybody to see? Acknowledge it. Seek honest feedback. Ask God for direction, ask for His help in accepting the limits He's placed on you for your own protection.
Monday, May 10, 2010
WHAT DO YOU HEAR?
Psalm 51:7-9
When we sin, it does terrible damage to our spiritual life. David's sin affected his eyes, but it also affected his ears.
"Make me hear joy and gladness" (v. 8). Keep in mind that David was not only a soldier but also a singer. He would come back from the battlefield, put down his sword and pick up his harp. He played it and sang praises to God. He listened to the choirs in God's house as they sang praises to Him. David's ears were open to the music of heaven--but not in this psalm.
David heard sorrow and sadness. The choir was off-key. Everything he heard was wrong. We, too, have days like that. When we are not right on the inside, nothing is going to be right on the outside. The good news will be bad news, and the bad news will be worse news. No wonder David prays, "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow" (v. 7). He also asks to be purged with hyssop, the little shrub the Jews used to put blood on the doorposts at Passover. "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (I John 1:7), if we confess our sins.
If your ears have not been hearing joy and gladness, perhaps the problem is not around you but within you. Perhaps your heart needs to be cleansed. When your heart is tuned to the music of God and the harmony of heaven, then everything around you will remind you of the Lord.
Unconfessed sin leaves you with a dirty heart. When your heart is not right, you don't hear joy and gladness--the music of God. Confess your sin to the Lord, and He will forgive you and restore you.
When we sin, it does terrible damage to our spiritual life. David's sin affected his eyes, but it also affected his ears.
"Make me hear joy and gladness" (v. 8). Keep in mind that David was not only a soldier but also a singer. He would come back from the battlefield, put down his sword and pick up his harp. He played it and sang praises to God. He listened to the choirs in God's house as they sang praises to Him. David's ears were open to the music of heaven--but not in this psalm.
David heard sorrow and sadness. The choir was off-key. Everything he heard was wrong. We, too, have days like that. When we are not right on the inside, nothing is going to be right on the outside. The good news will be bad news, and the bad news will be worse news. No wonder David prays, "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow" (v. 7). He also asks to be purged with hyssop, the little shrub the Jews used to put blood on the doorposts at Passover. "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (I John 1:7), if we confess our sins.
If your ears have not been hearing joy and gladness, perhaps the problem is not around you but within you. Perhaps your heart needs to be cleansed. When your heart is tuned to the music of God and the harmony of heaven, then everything around you will remind you of the Lord.
Unconfessed sin leaves you with a dirty heart. When your heart is not right, you don't hear joy and gladness--the music of God. Confess your sin to the Lord, and He will forgive you and restore you.
BORN TO SOAR
"Her children rise up and call her blessed."
Proverbs 31:28 NKJV
Our children are born to soar, not settle. "As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young...taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the Lord alone led him" (Dt 32:11-12 NKJV). When it's time for her young to leave the nest, a mother eagle will push them out if they're reluctant to go. That's because they weren't born for the comfort of the nest but the conquest of the skies.
Billy Graham's wife, Ruth, wrote: "I dreaded returning to the empty house. Then suddenly as I walked down the length of the hall leading to the children's rooms-they weren't empty. In that moment I was greeted by a living presence and I realized anew his last words, ‘Surely I am with you always' (Mt 28:20 NIV). From this vantage point I can look back on circumstances involving our children, situations I once felt were hopeless, and watch in amazement as God brought order out of chaos and light out of darkness. Now as each of my children build their own nest, I shall be watching with interest and love; concern at times, but concern undergirded with confidence, knowing a loving God is in control." Parent, you've been granted stewardship but denied ownership. Before you know it, you'll be holding your memories and releasing your child. Watching them leave will test your faith. It's easier to trust God with our own lives than with the lives of our children. Nevertheless, school's out! It's time to see how well the pupil and the teacher do. If you've done your job right, your children will rise up and call you "blessed."
Proverbs 31:28 NKJV
Our children are born to soar, not settle. "As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young...taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the Lord alone led him" (Dt 32:11-12 NKJV). When it's time for her young to leave the nest, a mother eagle will push them out if they're reluctant to go. That's because they weren't born for the comfort of the nest but the conquest of the skies.
Billy Graham's wife, Ruth, wrote: "I dreaded returning to the empty house. Then suddenly as I walked down the length of the hall leading to the children's rooms-they weren't empty. In that moment I was greeted by a living presence and I realized anew his last words, ‘Surely I am with you always' (Mt 28:20 NIV). From this vantage point I can look back on circumstances involving our children, situations I once felt were hopeless, and watch in amazement as God brought order out of chaos and light out of darkness. Now as each of my children build their own nest, I shall be watching with interest and love; concern at times, but concern undergirded with confidence, knowing a loving God is in control." Parent, you've been granted stewardship but denied ownership. Before you know it, you'll be holding your memories and releasing your child. Watching them leave will test your faith. It's easier to trust God with our own lives than with the lives of our children. Nevertheless, school's out! It's time to see how well the pupil and the teacher do. If you've done your job right, your children will rise up and call you "blessed."
Friday, May 7, 2010
EVEN IF I DIDN'T NOTICE
by –Megan Breedlove
The morning had been productive. I had gotten myself and the kids up and dressed, made sure everybody had breakfast, and gotten us out the door to the YMCA. I’d also gotten in a good workout. Treadmill? Check. Lifting weights? Check. Drinking enough water? Check.
Now, we were home eating lunch. Ellie, six years old at the time, wanted to tell me about her morning. “At the Y,” she said, “there was this boy, and I kept having to tell the teacher that he was bothering me.”
From the chair next to her sister, three-year-old Lindsey piped up helpfully and earnestly, “Yeah, and I had to keep saving you.” She nodded for emphasis.
I was proud of Lindsey’s loving initiative toward her sister. Ellie didn’t seem as impressed as I was, but at least, she was polite. “Thank you for saving me,” Ellie said, “even if I didn’t notice.”
Ouch!
Ellie’s words made me cringe inside, not only because I was afraid Lindsey’s feelings would be hurt, but because I realized something.You and I do the same thing to God on a regular basis.We benefit from His help every single moment of our lives, yet most of the time, we’re oblivious to the fact that if it weren’t for Him, we wouldn’t even take our next breath. We don’t pay particular attention to God’s assistance unless it comes in the form of something miraculous or massive. When it’s “everyday” assistance, we pay it no more attention than we pay to the people who provide the electricity to our homes.
We simply expect His assistance to be there.
I wonder how God feels when we continually fail to acknowledge His interventions and provisions for us.
Even more than that, I wonder why He continues to provide for us when we take Him so much for granted.
On one hand, I know that He continues to sustain us because He loves us and because He has promised that He will. But from an earthly perspective, I simply can’t understand His ways.
If Ellie never noticed Lindsey’s assistance and rarely thanked her, or only mumbled obligatory, meaningless thank-you’s right before she took advantage of what Lindsey had done for her, I’m certain Lindsey would be tempted to stop helping. I know I would, and I’m an adult. But despite the fact that we rarely give God the appreciation He deserves, He continues to lavish His love and care upon us.
That is truly amazing.
How God must long to see His children become aware of all He does for them and to hear them rise up in gratitude.
Sunday is Mother's Day and it's the first day of the week. A brand new day, a brand new week....that we won't experience or have again...ever! But we can do something, start something that will affect tomorrow. Let’s ask God to open the eyes of our hearts to see everything He does for us. As we move through our days, may He cause us to realize how much we need Him every moment.
When He has been gracious to do that, may we realize how incredibly much He has done for us already and is continuing to do every second. May we repent of every single time we failed to recognize His hand or took it for granted.
And just as our hearts are glad when our children express their thanks to us, may we bring joy the Father’s heart by pouring out our gratitude from hearts that overflow.
John 1:16—From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
Hebrews 13:15—Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.
The morning had been productive. I had gotten myself and the kids up and dressed, made sure everybody had breakfast, and gotten us out the door to the YMCA. I’d also gotten in a good workout. Treadmill? Check. Lifting weights? Check. Drinking enough water? Check.
Now, we were home eating lunch. Ellie, six years old at the time, wanted to tell me about her morning. “At the Y,” she said, “there was this boy, and I kept having to tell the teacher that he was bothering me.”
From the chair next to her sister, three-year-old Lindsey piped up helpfully and earnestly, “Yeah, and I had to keep saving you.” She nodded for emphasis.
I was proud of Lindsey’s loving initiative toward her sister. Ellie didn’t seem as impressed as I was, but at least, she was polite. “Thank you for saving me,” Ellie said, “even if I didn’t notice.”
Ouch!
Ellie’s words made me cringe inside, not only because I was afraid Lindsey’s feelings would be hurt, but because I realized something.You and I do the same thing to God on a regular basis.We benefit from His help every single moment of our lives, yet most of the time, we’re oblivious to the fact that if it weren’t for Him, we wouldn’t even take our next breath. We don’t pay particular attention to God’s assistance unless it comes in the form of something miraculous or massive. When it’s “everyday” assistance, we pay it no more attention than we pay to the people who provide the electricity to our homes.
We simply expect His assistance to be there.
I wonder how God feels when we continually fail to acknowledge His interventions and provisions for us.
Even more than that, I wonder why He continues to provide for us when we take Him so much for granted.
On one hand, I know that He continues to sustain us because He loves us and because He has promised that He will. But from an earthly perspective, I simply can’t understand His ways.
If Ellie never noticed Lindsey’s assistance and rarely thanked her, or only mumbled obligatory, meaningless thank-you’s right before she took advantage of what Lindsey had done for her, I’m certain Lindsey would be tempted to stop helping. I know I would, and I’m an adult. But despite the fact that we rarely give God the appreciation He deserves, He continues to lavish His love and care upon us.
That is truly amazing.
How God must long to see His children become aware of all He does for them and to hear them rise up in gratitude.
Sunday is Mother's Day and it's the first day of the week. A brand new day, a brand new week....that we won't experience or have again...ever! But we can do something, start something that will affect tomorrow. Let’s ask God to open the eyes of our hearts to see everything He does for us. As we move through our days, may He cause us to realize how much we need Him every moment.
When He has been gracious to do that, may we realize how incredibly much He has done for us already and is continuing to do every second. May we repent of every single time we failed to recognize His hand or took it for granted.
And just as our hearts are glad when our children express their thanks to us, may we bring joy the Father’s heart by pouring out our gratitude from hearts that overflow.
John 1:16—From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
Hebrews 13:15—Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.
THE IMPORTANCE OF WORSHIP
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."
Psalm 150:6 NKJV
A woman in Kansas City entered a Häagen-Dazs store for an ice cream cone. After getting it she turned around and found herself face-to-face with Paul Newman, who was in town filming Mr. & Mrs. Bridge. He said "hello." His radiant blue eyes caused her knees to shake. She managed to pay for her cone, then left the shop, heart pounding. When she regained her composure she realized she didn't have her ice cream cone. She started back into the store and met Newman at the door. "Are you looking for your ice cream?" he asked. She nodded, unable to speak. "You put it in your purse with your change," he said, smiling.
When was the last time your knees went weak, your pulse quickened and your heart was overwhelmed with praise to God? If you can't remember, self-interest, busyness, or spiritual complacency may have seduced you into seeking fulfillment in lesser things. The hymn writer defines worship as "Lost in wonder, love and praise." The Psalmist writes about the whole gamut of human emotion, but he focuses on one theme above all others: praise. In his last psalm he writes: "Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" (vv. 1-6 NKJV).
Psalm 150:6 NKJV
A woman in Kansas City entered a Häagen-Dazs store for an ice cream cone. After getting it she turned around and found herself face-to-face with Paul Newman, who was in town filming Mr. & Mrs. Bridge. He said "hello." His radiant blue eyes caused her knees to shake. She managed to pay for her cone, then left the shop, heart pounding. When she regained her composure she realized she didn't have her ice cream cone. She started back into the store and met Newman at the door. "Are you looking for your ice cream?" he asked. She nodded, unable to speak. "You put it in your purse with your change," he said, smiling.
When was the last time your knees went weak, your pulse quickened and your heart was overwhelmed with praise to God? If you can't remember, self-interest, busyness, or spiritual complacency may have seduced you into seeking fulfillment in lesser things. The hymn writer defines worship as "Lost in wonder, love and praise." The Psalmist writes about the whole gamut of human emotion, but he focuses on one theme above all others: praise. In his last psalm he writes: "Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" (vv. 1-6 NKJV).
Thursday, May 6, 2010
WHAT GOD WANTS
Psalm 50:7-15
"Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon
Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me"
(vv. 14,15). The people had come to God's court and said, "You can't judge
us. We have been offering You sacrifices." And God replied, "I will not
rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are
continually before Me. I will not take a bull from your house, nor goats
out of your folds" (vv. 8,9). He also said, "If I were hungry, I would not
tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness" (v. 12). He was
saying, "When you bring Me these sacrifices, you are only giving to Me
what I have already given to you.'
Think about that. When you put your offering in the plate, are you giving
God something that isn't already His? Who gives you the strength to work?
God. Who protects you to and from work? God. Who gives you the skills to
work? God. Therefore, when we bring material offerings to Him (and He
wants us to do this), we are only bringing what He already has given us.
God wants us to give Him what He has not given us: "Offer to God
thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High" (v. 14).
The sacrifices God wants most from us originate in our hearts--calling
upon Him, thanking Him and obeying Him. Bring to Him thanksgiving and
praise. God does not give us thanksgiving and then say, "Give it back to
Me." No, He waits for us to praise Him. Bring to Him obedience: "Pay your
vows to the Most High" (v. 14). Bring to Him prayer: "Call upon Me in the
day of trouble" (v. 15). When we bring these sacrifices, we glorify the
Lord.
God wants your sacrifices to be from the heart. So often we receive from
Him without returning thanks and praise. Do you want to bring glory to God
this day? Thank Him for what He is doing for you. Obey His Word. Bring
your problems to Him. These are all opportunities He can use to bring
glory to Himself.
"Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon
Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me"
(vv. 14,15). The people had come to God's court and said, "You can't judge
us. We have been offering You sacrifices." And God replied, "I will not
rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are
continually before Me. I will not take a bull from your house, nor goats
out of your folds" (vv. 8,9). He also said, "If I were hungry, I would not
tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness" (v. 12). He was
saying, "When you bring Me these sacrifices, you are only giving to Me
what I have already given to you.'
Think about that. When you put your offering in the plate, are you giving
God something that isn't already His? Who gives you the strength to work?
God. Who protects you to and from work? God. Who gives you the skills to
work? God. Therefore, when we bring material offerings to Him (and He
wants us to do this), we are only bringing what He already has given us.
God wants us to give Him what He has not given us: "Offer to God
thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High" (v. 14).
The sacrifices God wants most from us originate in our hearts--calling
upon Him, thanking Him and obeying Him. Bring to Him thanksgiving and
praise. God does not give us thanksgiving and then say, "Give it back to
Me." No, He waits for us to praise Him. Bring to Him obedience: "Pay your
vows to the Most High" (v. 14). Bring to Him prayer: "Call upon Me in the
day of trouble" (v. 15). When we bring these sacrifices, we glorify the
Lord.
God wants your sacrifices to be from the heart. So often we receive from
Him without returning thanks and praise. Do you want to bring glory to God
this day? Thank Him for what He is doing for you. Obey His Word. Bring
your problems to Him. These are all opportunities He can use to bring
glory to Himself.
KNOW YOUR ENEMY
"Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."
Eph 6:10 NIV
In 1917 Aqaba seemed impregnable. Any army approaching its port would have to face huge naval guns. Behind it in every direction lay barren, waterless, inhospitable desert. To the east lay the deadly "anvil of the sun," the hot sands along what is now the border between Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The Turks believed Aqaba to be immune to attack, but they were wrong. Lawrence of Arabia led a force of irregular Arab cavalry across the "anvil of the sun." Together they rallied support among the local people. On July 6, 1917, they swept into Aqaba from the north, from the blind side. A climactic moment of the film Lawrence of Arabia is the long, panning shot of the Arabs, their camels and horses, with Lawrence at their head, galloping past the gigantic naval guns that are completely powerless to stop them. Why? Because the guns were facing the wrong way! Aqaba fell and the Turkish hold on Palestine was broken, to be replaced by British mandate and eventually by the nation of Israel. The Turks failed to defend Aqaba because they made three mistakes: they did not know their enemy; they did not know their weakest points; they did not have the right weapons.
There's a lesson here:
(1) You must know your enemy. Satan will downplay, or even deny his own existence to convince you that "you" are the problem. That way you'll fight the flesh in the power of the flesh and lose every time. (2) You must know your weakest points. Be honest. Fortify yourself before the attack comes. (3) Know your weapons. Armed with God's Word, protective prayer and Christian fellowship, you're more than a match for the enemy.
Eph 6:10 NIV
In 1917 Aqaba seemed impregnable. Any army approaching its port would have to face huge naval guns. Behind it in every direction lay barren, waterless, inhospitable desert. To the east lay the deadly "anvil of the sun," the hot sands along what is now the border between Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The Turks believed Aqaba to be immune to attack, but they were wrong. Lawrence of Arabia led a force of irregular Arab cavalry across the "anvil of the sun." Together they rallied support among the local people. On July 6, 1917, they swept into Aqaba from the north, from the blind side. A climactic moment of the film Lawrence of Arabia is the long, panning shot of the Arabs, their camels and horses, with Lawrence at their head, galloping past the gigantic naval guns that are completely powerless to stop them. Why? Because the guns were facing the wrong way! Aqaba fell and the Turkish hold on Palestine was broken, to be replaced by British mandate and eventually by the nation of Israel. The Turks failed to defend Aqaba because they made three mistakes: they did not know their enemy; they did not know their weakest points; they did not have the right weapons.
There's a lesson here:
(1) You must know your enemy. Satan will downplay, or even deny his own existence to convince you that "you" are the problem. That way you'll fight the flesh in the power of the flesh and lose every time. (2) You must know your weakest points. Be honest. Fortify yourself before the attack comes. (3) Know your weapons. Armed with God's Word, protective prayer and Christian fellowship, you're more than a match for the enemy.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD?!
Psalm 50:16-23
"Whoever offers praise glorifies Me" (v. 23). Today we don't sacrifice
bulls and goats and lambs. We don't have a literal altar to which we bring
literal sacrifices. The sacrifices God wants from us come from our hearts.
Even when we bring money--which is a literal and real sacrifice--it must
be given from a heart of love, sincerity and faith. Our purpose for living
is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
The more you glorify God, the more you delight in Him. The more you
delight in Him, the more you enjoy Him. Your life becomes enriched as you
glorify God.
Is God selfish when He wants us to glorify Him? If I walked up to you and
said, "I want you to glorify me by praising me," it would sound terribly
proud. But God is the greatest Being in the universe. None is greater.
None is higher. God is sovereign. So when He asks us to praise Him, He
wants us to experience the highest thing possible--the praise and worship
of God.
One way we praise God is by doing good works. "Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in
heaven" (Matt. 5:16). We praise Him through worship. We praise Him through
an orderly, godly lifestyle. "And to him who orders his conduct aright I
will show the salvation of God" (v. 23). We have something to offer, and
we have something to order. We offer praise by faith. We order our lives
by obedience. Verse 23 is simply saying what the well-known hymn "Trust
and Obey" says:
Trust and obey,
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
There's another song that I am reminded of here, and that is "How great is our God".
(see the words below)
"God deserves to be glorified. And He gives us the privilege of worshipping
Him. Do you delight in the Lord? Live in obedience to His Word and start
enjoying Him.
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God.
"Whoever offers praise glorifies Me" (v. 23). Today we don't sacrifice
bulls and goats and lambs. We don't have a literal altar to which we bring
literal sacrifices. The sacrifices God wants from us come from our hearts.
Even when we bring money--which is a literal and real sacrifice--it must
be given from a heart of love, sincerity and faith. Our purpose for living
is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
The more you glorify God, the more you delight in Him. The more you
delight in Him, the more you enjoy Him. Your life becomes enriched as you
glorify God.
Is God selfish when He wants us to glorify Him? If I walked up to you and
said, "I want you to glorify me by praising me," it would sound terribly
proud. But God is the greatest Being in the universe. None is greater.
None is higher. God is sovereign. So when He asks us to praise Him, He
wants us to experience the highest thing possible--the praise and worship
of God.
One way we praise God is by doing good works. "Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in
heaven" (Matt. 5:16). We praise Him through worship. We praise Him through
an orderly, godly lifestyle. "And to him who orders his conduct aright I
will show the salvation of God" (v. 23). We have something to offer, and
we have something to order. We offer praise by faith. We order our lives
by obedience. Verse 23 is simply saying what the well-known hymn "Trust
and Obey" says:
Trust and obey,
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
There's another song that I am reminded of here, and that is "How great is our God".
(see the words below)
"God deserves to be glorified. And He gives us the privilege of worshipping
Him. Do you delight in the Lord? Live in obedience to His Word and start
enjoying Him.
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God.
THE REFINERS FIRE
"He will sit like a refiner of silver."
Malachi 3:3 NLT
Are you in the refiner's fire today? If you are don't rebel or try to run away, just sit still and let the refiner do His work. The Bible says: "He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify [them], refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord." A woman who read this verse at a Bible study wanted to know how it related to her walk with God, so she made an appointment with the silversmith. Without mentioning anything other than a general interest in the process, she sat and observed him work. She watched as he held the silver over the fire, explaining that in order to burn away every impurity he had to keep it in the middle where it was hottest. She asked him if he usually sat in front of the fire the entire time. "Yes," he replied, "not only do I have to hold it, I must watch it. If I leave it there too long it will be destroyed." After thinking about that for awhile she asked, "How do you know when the process is complete?" Smiling, he replied, "That's easy; I see my face reflected in it."
If you're in the refiner's fire today, remember: (a) He knows what He's doing, so trust Him. (b) He won't allow you to be destroyed by the circumstances, or take His eye off you. (c) When the process is complete, you'll be more like Jesus and less like your old self. Isn't that what you want? Isn't that what you've prayed for?
Malachi 3:3 NLT
Are you in the refiner's fire today? If you are don't rebel or try to run away, just sit still and let the refiner do His work. The Bible says: "He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify [them], refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord." A woman who read this verse at a Bible study wanted to know how it related to her walk with God, so she made an appointment with the silversmith. Without mentioning anything other than a general interest in the process, she sat and observed him work. She watched as he held the silver over the fire, explaining that in order to burn away every impurity he had to keep it in the middle where it was hottest. She asked him if he usually sat in front of the fire the entire time. "Yes," he replied, "not only do I have to hold it, I must watch it. If I leave it there too long it will be destroyed." After thinking about that for awhile she asked, "How do you know when the process is complete?" Smiling, he replied, "That's easy; I see my face reflected in it."
If you're in the refiner's fire today, remember: (a) He knows what He's doing, so trust Him. (b) He won't allow you to be destroyed by the circumstances, or take His eye off you. (c) When the process is complete, you'll be more like Jesus and less like your old self. Isn't that what you want? Isn't that what you've prayed for?
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
WHAT GOD WANTS
Psalm 50:7-15
"Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me" (vv. 14,15). The people had come to God's court and said, "You can't judge us. We have been offering You sacrifices." And God replied, "I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are continually before Me. I will not take a bull from your house, nor goats out of your folds" (vv. 8,9). He also said, "If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness" (v. 12). He was saying, "When you bring Me these sacrifices, you are only giving to Me what I have already given to you.'
Think about that. When you put your offering in the plate, are you giving God something that isn't already His? Who gives you the strength to work? God. Who protects you to and from work? God. Who gives you the skills to work? God. Therefore, when we bring material offerings to Him (and He wants us to do this), we are only bringing what He already has given us. God wants us to give Him what He has not given us: "Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High" (v. 14).
The sacrifices God wants most from us originate in our hearts--calling upon Him, thanking Him and obeying Him. Bring to Him thanksgiving and praise. God does not give us thanksgiving and then say, "Give it back to Me." No, He waits for us to praise Him. Bring to Him obedience: "Pay your vows to the Most High" (v. 14). Bring to Him prayer: "Call upon Me in the day of trouble" (v. 15). When we bring these sacrifices, we glorify the Lord.
God wants your sacrifices to be from the heart. So often we receive from Him without returning thanks and praise. Do you want to bring glory to God this day? Thank Him for what He is doing for you. Obey His Word. Bring your problems to Him. These are all opportunities He can use to bring glory to Himself.
"Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me" (vv. 14,15). The people had come to God's court and said, "You can't judge us. We have been offering You sacrifices." And God replied, "I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are continually before Me. I will not take a bull from your house, nor goats out of your folds" (vv. 8,9). He also said, "If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness" (v. 12). He was saying, "When you bring Me these sacrifices, you are only giving to Me what I have already given to you.'
Think about that. When you put your offering in the plate, are you giving God something that isn't already His? Who gives you the strength to work? God. Who protects you to and from work? God. Who gives you the skills to work? God. Therefore, when we bring material offerings to Him (and He wants us to do this), we are only bringing what He already has given us. God wants us to give Him what He has not given us: "Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High" (v. 14).
The sacrifices God wants most from us originate in our hearts--calling upon Him, thanking Him and obeying Him. Bring to Him thanksgiving and praise. God does not give us thanksgiving and then say, "Give it back to Me." No, He waits for us to praise Him. Bring to Him obedience: "Pay your vows to the Most High" (v. 14). Bring to Him prayer: "Call upon Me in the day of trouble" (v. 15). When we bring these sacrifices, we glorify the Lord.
God wants your sacrifices to be from the heart. So often we receive from Him without returning thanks and praise. Do you want to bring glory to God this day? Thank Him for what He is doing for you. Obey His Word. Bring your problems to Him. These are all opportunities He can use to bring glory to Himself.
THREE STAGES IN YOUR WALK WITH GOD
"Abraham lifted his eyes."
Genesis 22:4 NKJV
Three times the Bible says, "Abraham lifted his eyes." They represent three stages in your walk with God: (1) When God reveals Himself to you. "Then the Lord appeared to him...as he was sitting in the tent door...So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men [angels] were standing by him; and when he saw them, he...bowed himself to the ground, and said...‘do not pass on by Your servant'" (Ge 18:1-3 NKJV). There must be a moment in your life when you meet the Lord, fall at His feet and say, "I need you. Do not pass me by." (2) When God points you in the right direction. "Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place [of sacrifice]" (Ge 22:4 NLT). God was calling on him to offer up Isaac, the son he loved dearly. What is God asking of you today? Say "yes," and you'll never regret it. (3) When God provides in ways that amaze you. "Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there...was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham...offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son" (Ge 22:13 NKJV). Notice, Abraham didn't call God "Jehovah Jireh" when the ram suddenly showed up. No, before there was a ram in sight, before they reached the place of sacrifice, Abraham said, "God will provide" (Ge 22:8). Faith declares, "Before I have a need, God has already put in place a divine supply." Note what Abraham said: "In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided" (Ge 22:14 NKJV). When you're where God wants you to be, He will meet your every need.
Genesis 22:4 NKJV
Three times the Bible says, "Abraham lifted his eyes." They represent three stages in your walk with God: (1) When God reveals Himself to you. "Then the Lord appeared to him...as he was sitting in the tent door...So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men [angels] were standing by him; and when he saw them, he...bowed himself to the ground, and said...‘do not pass on by Your servant'" (Ge 18:1-3 NKJV). There must be a moment in your life when you meet the Lord, fall at His feet and say, "I need you. Do not pass me by." (2) When God points you in the right direction. "Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place [of sacrifice]" (Ge 22:4 NLT). God was calling on him to offer up Isaac, the son he loved dearly. What is God asking of you today? Say "yes," and you'll never regret it. (3) When God provides in ways that amaze you. "Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there...was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham...offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son" (Ge 22:13 NKJV). Notice, Abraham didn't call God "Jehovah Jireh" when the ram suddenly showed up. No, before there was a ram in sight, before they reached the place of sacrifice, Abraham said, "God will provide" (Ge 22:8). Faith declares, "Before I have a need, God has already put in place a divine supply." Note what Abraham said: "In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided" (Ge 22:14 NKJV). When you're where God wants you to be, He will meet your every need.
Monday, May 3, 2010
COURT IS NOW IN SESSION
Psalm 50:1-6
The psalmist is describing God's arrival at the court He is convening.
"From the rising of the sun [the east] to its going down [the west]" (v.1),
God calls everyone together and says, "I am going to have a judgment."
We don't usually think of God as the Judge, but He is. "He shall call to
the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people"(v. 4).
Why does God judge His people? Shouldn't the wicked be judged instead?
Peter tells us that judgment begins at the house of the Lord (I Pet.4:17).
Our sins were judged at Calvary. "There is therefore now no condemnation
to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1).
But our works will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
God does this because He's concerned about His glory. "Out of Zion . . .
God will shine" (v. 2). He wants us to glorify Him. He wants us to do His
will. Also, God wants to reward His faithful servants. If you need a
motivation for faithful service, remember that God will judge and will
reward those who are faithful. If you are obeying Him today, you won't
have to fear your court summons.
God will one day judge all His saints. Have you been faithful to the Lord?
Have you glorified Him with your life? Make your "court appearance" a time
that will glorify Him.
The psalmist is describing God's arrival at the court He is convening.
"From the rising of the sun [the east] to its going down [the west]" (v.1),
God calls everyone together and says, "I am going to have a judgment."
We don't usually think of God as the Judge, but He is. "He shall call to
the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people"(v. 4).
Why does God judge His people? Shouldn't the wicked be judged instead?
Peter tells us that judgment begins at the house of the Lord (I Pet.4:17).
Our sins were judged at Calvary. "There is therefore now no condemnation
to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1).
But our works will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
God does this because He's concerned about His glory. "Out of Zion . . .
God will shine" (v. 2). He wants us to glorify Him. He wants us to do His
will. Also, God wants to reward His faithful servants. If you need a
motivation for faithful service, remember that God will judge and will
reward those who are faithful. If you are obeying Him today, you won't
have to fear your court summons.
God will one day judge all His saints. Have you been faithful to the Lord?
Have you glorified Him with your life? Make your "court appearance" a time
that will glorify Him.
IS GOD DISCIPLINING YOU?
"The Lord disciplines those he loves."
Hebrews 12:6 NIV
God's correction is not rejection. His disapproval of your actions is not disapproval of you. To grow spiritually you must understand that sometimes He will discipline you. During those times you must hold firmly to the truth that He loves you, otherwise you'll keep trying to change yourself in an attempt to earn His love. The problem with that is, you already have it, and you just don't know it! Nothing can separate us from the love of God (See Romans 8:38-39). So:
(1) How does God discipline us? "Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love...I tell their faults...convict and convince...reprove and chasten" (Rev 3:19 AMP). Note the words "I tell their faults." God will let you know when you're out of line. (2) Why does God discipline us? "As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Strong use of words, but it's true.
Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn't we submit even more to the discipline of the Father...and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it is painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way" (Heb 12:7-11 NLT).
Hebrews 12:6 NIV
God's correction is not rejection. His disapproval of your actions is not disapproval of you. To grow spiritually you must understand that sometimes He will discipline you. During those times you must hold firmly to the truth that He loves you, otherwise you'll keep trying to change yourself in an attempt to earn His love. The problem with that is, you already have it, and you just don't know it! Nothing can separate us from the love of God (See Romans 8:38-39). So:
(1) How does God discipline us? "Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love...I tell their faults...convict and convince...reprove and chasten" (Rev 3:19 AMP). Note the words "I tell their faults." God will let you know when you're out of line. (2) Why does God discipline us? "As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Strong use of words, but it's true.
Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn't we submit even more to the discipline of the Father...and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it is painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way" (Heb 12:7-11 NLT).
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