What is the church in America today perpetuating ?
A work of faith, hope and love or of works, man’s wisdom and worldly success ?
My experience with the last three churches that we have attended is that we are not perpetuating a work of faith, hope and love...What the Bible refers to as the ‘gathering of the believers to be built up in their faith and equipped for ministry’ does not appear to be the vision of our local bodies. And if it is the ‘stated vision’ it is not being lived out in real, everyday life of the church body.
The current state of the body (the local church gathering) is that of a group of indistinguishable people who meet once or twice a week to sing some songs, hear a non-threatening, uplifting and user friendly sermon that uses a few verses of scripture (some from translations that are unworthy to be called the true Word of God), to visit with already established friends and then return to their normal lives for the remainder of the week.
Looking from the outside in the church has lost its focus on its first love and become luke warm. The advent of church growth philosophies and their resultant ‘successes’ have created a leadership dilemma wherein the majority of ‘ministry’ time is spent in dealing with strategic issues related to administration, logistics, business operations and fund raising. These seem a far cry from what the Bible instructs leadership to do – teach, preach, encourage, exhort, rebuke, love, pray for, build up in the faith, equip for ministry…love one another.
We even operate churches like corporations now with executive pastors and pastors of administration, strategic church growth experts, church growth conferences, on ad infinitum so it seems !
And our children suffer (remember they are the future of the church) as they see the apparent disconnects between what we say a living faith is and what the body actually does – the paradox which has become the church. It is no wonder that study after study indicates that upon their coming of age and leaving home our kids ‘leave’ the church in greater number than those who continue to participate.
So, what can be done to reverse this trend ?
1) pray that the church of the living Lord would see where it has stumbled and strayed
2) humble ourselves and seek God’s face for direction and courage to find the narrow path that leads to life
3) hold fast to our faith and live our lives as bond servants
4) exhort leadership to
a. get back to the body’s first love – the Lord Jesus Christ
b. lead the body to repentance and a humbling of our pride
c. stand firm on the foundation which is the Word of God
d. encourage the church to grow in faith, hope and love
e. cast off the tyranny of man’s wisdom that has infiltrated the body
f. live life as a bond-servant
We serve a truly wondrous Lord who loves us with an everlasting love…He desires to be our Shepherd, our Counselor, our Hope…and He longs for His bride (the church) to be faithful and steadfast…to long for its first love…
Saturday, December 13, 2008
What is the church in Amercia perpetuating
Body parts...
Body parts…
As believers, we are all to be a ‘part’ of the body of Christ – some the eyes, some the hands, some the ears. Do you know what part you have been called to and gifted for ?
In our day we seem to have people who are gifted to be one part of the body but they either don’t know what part they are or they want/desire to be some part that they are not gifted to be. The healthy functioning of the body of Christ requires that we all know where the Lord has called us to participate – and He has called all of us. Without this knowledge and the active exercise of each person’s part we are ineffective and our light becomes dim.
I believe that my part is that of the foot – in terms of functionality, the foundation of the body. Without the feet you can not stand firm nor can you move forward. Without the foundation there is no basis on which to build – and the foundation is the Word of God. Those that are called to be the feet are those who earnestly desire that the body be fully equipped with the Word of Truth. As well as encouraging and exhorting (and sometimes rebuking) the body to have a sound biblical basis for living their lives, for performing their ministry, for touching lives. To sum it up we want the body to hunger for God’s truth and live it out loud…
So, what part of the body are you ?
As believers, we are all to be a ‘part’ of the body of Christ – some the eyes, some the hands, some the ears. Do you know what part you have been called to and gifted for ?
In our day we seem to have people who are gifted to be one part of the body but they either don’t know what part they are or they want/desire to be some part that they are not gifted to be. The healthy functioning of the body of Christ requires that we all know where the Lord has called us to participate – and He has called all of us. Without this knowledge and the active exercise of each person’s part we are ineffective and our light becomes dim.
I believe that my part is that of the foot – in terms of functionality, the foundation of the body. Without the feet you can not stand firm nor can you move forward. Without the foundation there is no basis on which to build – and the foundation is the Word of God. Those that are called to be the feet are those who earnestly desire that the body be fully equipped with the Word of Truth. As well as encouraging and exhorting (and sometimes rebuking) the body to have a sound biblical basis for living their lives, for performing their ministry, for touching lives. To sum it up we want the body to hunger for God’s truth and live it out loud…
So, what part of the body are you ?
Sunday, September 21, 2008
living waters
How the beasts groan!
The herds of cattle wander aimlessly
Because there is no pasture for them;
Even the flocks of sheep suffer.
Joel 1:18
Here is a picture of where we appear to be at this time in our history. ‘How the beasts groan!’ – just read the front page of the daily newspaper or listen to the nightly news !
We, as a nation, appear to be wandering aimlessly…we are lost in the confusion of our times…we are anxious and depressed and fretful about what the coming days shall hold…there is no ‘pasture’ for us (meaning a safe and restful place that does not lack provision).
And even the flocks of sheep suffer - that being the church ! The church has gotten caught up with these things just as the world has….our focus on materiality and comfort and a life of ease has not set us apart from the cares of the world. And yet the Lord calls us to trust in Him and He exhorts us to be anxious for nothing, to cast our cares on Him and in all things give thanks.
I was impressed the other morning, as the Holy Spirit sometimes will do, that I have been so concerned and worried about the things of daily life that I have lost focus. My concerns and anxiousness regarding how we will get through all of this, whether it’s the political landscape or the economic landscape, have been weighing me down. The fountains of living waters that refresh and give life have been replaced by the aridness of the desert of fear and concern. And as I meditated upon this I believe the Lord’s exhortation to me was - you are My child, I know the beginning from the end, rest in Me, abide in My leading, let Me shower you with My living waters that you may be refreshed, for your focus should be on Me and what I have called you to do for Me…I will lead you.
As I ponder upon this exhortation I find it hard to move to that place of refreshing. My spirit is willing but my flesh is strong and the struggle continues – but I know that the word of truth tells me that victory is in His hand.
The herds of cattle wander aimlessly
Because there is no pasture for them;
Even the flocks of sheep suffer.
Joel 1:18
Here is a picture of where we appear to be at this time in our history. ‘How the beasts groan!’ – just read the front page of the daily newspaper or listen to the nightly news !
We, as a nation, appear to be wandering aimlessly…we are lost in the confusion of our times…we are anxious and depressed and fretful about what the coming days shall hold…there is no ‘pasture’ for us (meaning a safe and restful place that does not lack provision).
And even the flocks of sheep suffer - that being the church ! The church has gotten caught up with these things just as the world has….our focus on materiality and comfort and a life of ease has not set us apart from the cares of the world. And yet the Lord calls us to trust in Him and He exhorts us to be anxious for nothing, to cast our cares on Him and in all things give thanks.
I was impressed the other morning, as the Holy Spirit sometimes will do, that I have been so concerned and worried about the things of daily life that I have lost focus. My concerns and anxiousness regarding how we will get through all of this, whether it’s the political landscape or the economic landscape, have been weighing me down. The fountains of living waters that refresh and give life have been replaced by the aridness of the desert of fear and concern. And as I meditated upon this I believe the Lord’s exhortation to me was - you are My child, I know the beginning from the end, rest in Me, abide in My leading, let Me shower you with My living waters that you may be refreshed, for your focus should be on Me and what I have called you to do for Me…I will lead you.
As I ponder upon this exhortation I find it hard to move to that place of refreshing. My spirit is willing but my flesh is strong and the struggle continues – but I know that the word of truth tells me that victory is in His hand.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
living streams of water
Though he flourishes among the reeds, an east wind will come,
The wind of the LORD coming up from the wilderness;
And his fountain will become dry, and his spring will be dried up;
It will plunder his treasury of every precious article.
Hosea 13:15
Our country has flourished greatly under the soverign hand of our God....but are we ready for the east wind to come ? As we drift away from the foundation of our faith which was once delivered to all, have we moved away from Him to the extent that He shall remove His hand from upon us ?
Will our fountain become dry and our spring dry up ? We are admondished to not grieve the Holy Spirit, to not forsake our delight in His law, to not relegate His Word to a few verses in a Sunday sermon but to meditate on it day and night...His desire is that we ‘will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither’. It is by standing firm in our faith, surrendering to Him each and every day, holding fast to our testimony that we shall be firmly planted.
Let us begin anew by meditating on -
Psalm 7 verse 17:
I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Psalm 1 verses 1 - 3:
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
The wind of the LORD coming up from the wilderness;
And his fountain will become dry, and his spring will be dried up;
It will plunder his treasury of every precious article.
Hosea 13:15
Our country has flourished greatly under the soverign hand of our God....but are we ready for the east wind to come ? As we drift away from the foundation of our faith which was once delivered to all, have we moved away from Him to the extent that He shall remove His hand from upon us ?
Will our fountain become dry and our spring dry up ? We are admondished to not grieve the Holy Spirit, to not forsake our delight in His law, to not relegate His Word to a few verses in a Sunday sermon but to meditate on it day and night...His desire is that we ‘will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither’. It is by standing firm in our faith, surrendering to Him each and every day, holding fast to our testimony that we shall be firmly planted.
Let us begin anew by meditating on -
Psalm 7 verse 17:
I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Psalm 1 verses 1 - 3:
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
I have been the Lord your God
Yet I have been the LORD your God since the land of Egypt;
And you were not to know any god except Me, for there is no savior besides Me.
I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.
As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, and being satisfied,
their heart became proud; therefore, they forgot Me.
Hosea 13:4‑6
Reading through the book of Hosea really presents a ‘wake up’ call to our country as well as to the believing church. We appear to be no different than the Hebrews of the Old Testament times - we have become satisfied and thus very proud therefore forgetting the Lord ! We have gradually moved from remembering the God who saved us and blessed us abundantly to placing our trust in everything and everyone else thus creating other gods in our lives (and the Lord has told us ‘you were not to know any god except Me’). We even have the ‘church’ saying that we should separate our life of faith from the other components of our lives (our work life, our political life, etc). Without living the life of faith in all facets of our lives we become merely salt without flavor - useful for nothing ! From my understanding of Jesus’ admonition to His followers we are to daily surrender to Him, daily crucify our flesh, daily seek the filling of the Holy Spirit to guide us in all that we do, daily abide in Him so that we might bear fruit...that does not sound to me like dividing our lives into components where our faith does not play a part in all of them !
If we are to be salt and light to this lost and dying world, to preach the gospel in and out of season and to make disciples where ever we go, we truly need to start with the firm foundation that is our daily surrender to Jesus Christ - are you His bond-servant ?
And you were not to know any god except Me, for there is no savior besides Me.
I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.
As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, and being satisfied,
their heart became proud; therefore, they forgot Me.
Hosea 13:4‑6
Reading through the book of Hosea really presents a ‘wake up’ call to our country as well as to the believing church. We appear to be no different than the Hebrews of the Old Testament times - we have become satisfied and thus very proud therefore forgetting the Lord ! We have gradually moved from remembering the God who saved us and blessed us abundantly to placing our trust in everything and everyone else thus creating other gods in our lives (and the Lord has told us ‘you were not to know any god except Me’). We even have the ‘church’ saying that we should separate our life of faith from the other components of our lives (our work life, our political life, etc). Without living the life of faith in all facets of our lives we become merely salt without flavor - useful for nothing ! From my understanding of Jesus’ admonition to His followers we are to daily surrender to Him, daily crucify our flesh, daily seek the filling of the Holy Spirit to guide us in all that we do, daily abide in Him so that we might bear fruit...that does not sound to me like dividing our lives into components where our faith does not play a part in all of them !
If we are to be salt and light to this lost and dying world, to preach the gospel in and out of season and to make disciples where ever we go, we truly need to start with the firm foundation that is our daily surrender to Jesus Christ - are you His bond-servant ?
the word of the Lord
Listen to the word of the LORD,
For the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land,
Because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land.
There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing, and adultery.
They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.
The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame. They feed on the sin of My people, And direct their desire toward their iniquity. And they will eat, but not have enough; They will play the harlot, but not increase, Because they have stopped giving heed to the LORD.
Yet let no one find fault, and let none offer reproof
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest.
Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner's wand informs them;
For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray, and they have played the harlot, departing from their God.
They offer sacrifices on the tops of the mountains and burn incense on the hills, Under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant.
So the people without understanding are ruined.
Hosea 4
Where are the Tozers and the Oswald Chambers and the Charles Spurgeons of our times ?
Where are the teachers of righteousness and holiness and who talk about God's disdain for sin ?
Where are the preachers who preach the need for repentance and how our sin has separated us from our Creator and how His grace and mercy through the atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, have redeemed us from eternal separation from Him ?
Where are those teachers and preachers who balance the teaching of grace with truth?
Where are the teachers and preachers who stand firm on the complete truth of God’s Word ?
Where are the elders who are to edify, exhort, encourage and rebuke the body of Christ ?
Where are we exhorted to follow Christ's command to love the Lord your God with all your heart, your mind your strength AND love your neighbor as yourself (with the love of God NOT man's version of love) ?
Where is the teaching of the Bible (God's Word, the bread of life) from Genesis to Revelation so that the complete Word of God is taught and exhorted to feed the minds and souls of the body of Christ ? If you love me feed my sheep – that is the role of the elders (pastor included)…
The gathering of the believers (the church) is to be a time of equipping the body for their work of ministry - not for seeker sensitive moments to get more people in the doors - the gospel is to be preached to all creation and that means OUTSIDE the doors of the gathering of the body by all who proclaim to be believers by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
No, we in America like the modified version of Christianity. We believe that we know better because we are smarter now and have the ability to 'market' our version of Christianity better.
No, we are more concerned with how many can we get into our church doors, how successful have our business and growth plans become, how many people we can get to like us, how many people can be entertained so that they will come back tomorrow. We don't even talk about sin anymore let alone teach and preach on it ! We dare not even go the way of teaching and preaching the righteousness and holiness of our God - that might scare people away. And sanctification: not that - that takes faith and perseverance and dedication…and complete surrender to the Lord !
Just as the people where in Hosea’s time – so it is in our times:
Because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land…
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…
Because you have rejected knowledge…
So the people without understanding are ruined.
Let us move beyond where we are and get back to where we need to be…
For the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land,
Because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land.
There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing, and adultery.
They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.
The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame. They feed on the sin of My people, And direct their desire toward their iniquity. And they will eat, but not have enough; They will play the harlot, but not increase, Because they have stopped giving heed to the LORD.
Yet let no one find fault, and let none offer reproof
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest.
Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner's wand informs them;
For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray, and they have played the harlot, departing from their God.
They offer sacrifices on the tops of the mountains and burn incense on the hills, Under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant.
So the people without understanding are ruined.
Hosea 4
Where are the Tozers and the Oswald Chambers and the Charles Spurgeons of our times ?
Where are the teachers of righteousness and holiness and who talk about God's disdain for sin ?
Where are the preachers who preach the need for repentance and how our sin has separated us from our Creator and how His grace and mercy through the atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, have redeemed us from eternal separation from Him ?
Where are those teachers and preachers who balance the teaching of grace with truth?
Where are the teachers and preachers who stand firm on the complete truth of God’s Word ?
Where are the elders who are to edify, exhort, encourage and rebuke the body of Christ ?
Where are we exhorted to follow Christ's command to love the Lord your God with all your heart, your mind your strength AND love your neighbor as yourself (with the love of God NOT man's version of love) ?
Where is the teaching of the Bible (God's Word, the bread of life) from Genesis to Revelation so that the complete Word of God is taught and exhorted to feed the minds and souls of the body of Christ ? If you love me feed my sheep – that is the role of the elders (pastor included)…
The gathering of the believers (the church) is to be a time of equipping the body for their work of ministry - not for seeker sensitive moments to get more people in the doors - the gospel is to be preached to all creation and that means OUTSIDE the doors of the gathering of the body by all who proclaim to be believers by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
No, we in America like the modified version of Christianity. We believe that we know better because we are smarter now and have the ability to 'market' our version of Christianity better.
No, we are more concerned with how many can we get into our church doors, how successful have our business and growth plans become, how many people we can get to like us, how many people can be entertained so that they will come back tomorrow. We don't even talk about sin anymore let alone teach and preach on it ! We dare not even go the way of teaching and preaching the righteousness and holiness of our God - that might scare people away. And sanctification: not that - that takes faith and perseverance and dedication…and complete surrender to the Lord !
Just as the people where in Hosea’s time – so it is in our times:
Because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land…
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…
Because you have rejected knowledge…
So the people without understanding are ruined.
Let us move beyond where we are and get back to where we need to be…
For the judgement applies to you
For the judgment applies to you
And the revolters have gone deep in depravity, but I will chastise all of them.
Their deeds will not allow them to return to their God.
For a spirit of harlotry is within them, and they do not know the LORD.
Moreover, the pride of Israel testifies against him,
And Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity;
Judah also has stumbled with them.
They will go...to seek the LORD, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them.
They have dealt treacherously against the LORD,
....On them I will pour out My wrath like water.
Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment,
Because he was determined to follow man's command.
I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face;
In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.
(Excerpted from Hosea chapter 5)
This passage is speaking to the nation of Israel, which included both kingdoms at this time, so these were the people of faith who had moved away from their devotion to the Lord their God. As you look at the parallels to today it is amazing to see that the people of faith, including the church of today, have not changed at all...we still drift away from the Lord and forget about His sovereign hand in our lives…as well as His grace, mercy and provision…
Looking at some of the key points that could be correlated to our day -
1) the revolters have gone deep in depravity - look at what is happening to the church in terms of what is now acceptable today: abortion, homosexual clergy, running the church as if it were a business...the ‘revolters’ have taken much ground !
2) for a spirit of harlotry is within them, and they do not know the LORD - the spirit of harlotry is putting anything above the Lord (not seeking Him and His Word first in our hearts, minds and souls and resting on the things of this world instead of relying upon Him in all things). And how are we doing this: placing a higher emphasis on ‘what’ we are doing instead of Who we are worshipping, how successful we have become based upon our means and methods, how much ‘power’ we have obtained through our efforts and our wisdom, placing silver and gold (ie: material things and our lives of comfort seeking) before the Lord
3) Moreover, the pride of Israel testifies against him, and Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity - pride and iniquity: the issue of pride needs no comment for we have enough of that going around…but I believe it comes back to the three roots of sin - lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life - the church has surely not been immune to these - bigger, better, more and we must be comfortable and well entertained...
4) They have dealt treacherously against the LORD – how have we dealt treacherously ? We have watered down and even in some cases forsaken the powerful Word of the living God and traded it for the wisdom of man. Where are the standard bearers in our day that are calling out from the watchtower saying ‘stand firm, be bold and courageous for the Lord thy God is with you’ …‘do not seek after the things of this world but set your mind on things above’…‘the Lord’s Word is truth, do not stray away from it, do not water it down, hold fast to it’...and finally "love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbor as your self’.
5) Because he was determined to follow man's command - if this does not tell it like it is in our day and age. We would much rather listen to man and his wisdom than sit in the light of God’s Word. We would rather have our ears tickled than be fed the pure milk of the truth of God’s Word. We even promote ‘translations’ (I use the word loosely) that are leading a generation further away from the solid foundation that is the Word of God...
6) I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me. - what will it take for the church to turn and acknowledge our guilt and seek after His face ? We are very good at seeking after His hand in this day and age – focusing on what we can get not what we can give ! What will the affliction have to be before we earnestly seek Him ? ? ?
And the revolters have gone deep in depravity, but I will chastise all of them.
Their deeds will not allow them to return to their God.
For a spirit of harlotry is within them, and they do not know the LORD.
Moreover, the pride of Israel testifies against him,
And Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity;
Judah also has stumbled with them.
They will go...to seek the LORD, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them.
They have dealt treacherously against the LORD,
....On them I will pour out My wrath like water.
Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment,
Because he was determined to follow man's command.
I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face;
In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.
(Excerpted from Hosea chapter 5)
This passage is speaking to the nation of Israel, which included both kingdoms at this time, so these were the people of faith who had moved away from their devotion to the Lord their God. As you look at the parallels to today it is amazing to see that the people of faith, including the church of today, have not changed at all...we still drift away from the Lord and forget about His sovereign hand in our lives…as well as His grace, mercy and provision…
Looking at some of the key points that could be correlated to our day -
1) the revolters have gone deep in depravity - look at what is happening to the church in terms of what is now acceptable today: abortion, homosexual clergy, running the church as if it were a business...the ‘revolters’ have taken much ground !
2) for a spirit of harlotry is within them, and they do not know the LORD - the spirit of harlotry is putting anything above the Lord (not seeking Him and His Word first in our hearts, minds and souls and resting on the things of this world instead of relying upon Him in all things). And how are we doing this: placing a higher emphasis on ‘what’ we are doing instead of Who we are worshipping, how successful we have become based upon our means and methods, how much ‘power’ we have obtained through our efforts and our wisdom, placing silver and gold (ie: material things and our lives of comfort seeking) before the Lord
3) Moreover, the pride of Israel testifies against him, and Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity - pride and iniquity: the issue of pride needs no comment for we have enough of that going around…but I believe it comes back to the three roots of sin - lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life - the church has surely not been immune to these - bigger, better, more and we must be comfortable and well entertained...
4) They have dealt treacherously against the LORD – how have we dealt treacherously ? We have watered down and even in some cases forsaken the powerful Word of the living God and traded it for the wisdom of man. Where are the standard bearers in our day that are calling out from the watchtower saying ‘stand firm, be bold and courageous for the Lord thy God is with you’ …‘do not seek after the things of this world but set your mind on things above’…‘the Lord’s Word is truth, do not stray away from it, do not water it down, hold fast to it’...and finally "love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbor as your self’.
5) Because he was determined to follow man's command - if this does not tell it like it is in our day and age. We would much rather listen to man and his wisdom than sit in the light of God’s Word. We would rather have our ears tickled than be fed the pure milk of the truth of God’s Word. We even promote ‘translations’ (I use the word loosely) that are leading a generation further away from the solid foundation that is the Word of God...
6) I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me. - what will it take for the church to turn and acknowledge our guilt and seek after His face ? We are very good at seeking after His hand in this day and age – focusing on what we can get not what we can give ! What will the affliction have to be before we earnestly seek Him ? ? ?
our daily focus
As a believer in Christ Jesus what should be the focus of our daily lives ?
1) as His bond servant, completely surrender to Him who has redeemed us
2) trust fully in Him believing that He is able to do all that He has said He will do – for nothing is impossible with God
3) remain faithful to His calling in all that we do
4) may it be our heart’s desire to be filled with His Spirit – which is the Spirit of life and of truth
5) abide in Him and He will lead us each day to touch people’s lives – impacting souls for eternity thus fulfilling His will for us
Excerpts from Psalm 25
To Thee, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in Thee I trust… Make me know Thy ways, O LORD; Teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, For Thou art the God of my salvation; For Thee I wait all the day…Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth…To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose…His soul will abide in prosperity...The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him…My eyes are continually toward the LORD…Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for Thee.
1) as His bond servant, completely surrender to Him who has redeemed us
2) trust fully in Him believing that He is able to do all that He has said He will do – for nothing is impossible with God
3) remain faithful to His calling in all that we do
4) may it be our heart’s desire to be filled with His Spirit – which is the Spirit of life and of truth
5) abide in Him and He will lead us each day to touch people’s lives – impacting souls for eternity thus fulfilling His will for us
Excerpts from Psalm 25
To Thee, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in Thee I trust… Make me know Thy ways, O LORD; Teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, For Thou art the God of my salvation; For Thee I wait all the day…Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth…To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose…His soul will abide in prosperity...The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him…My eyes are continually toward the LORD…Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for Thee.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Lord God Almighty
Lord God Almighty,
Without You, Lord, I am a man of little means, without direction, devoid of purpose and wisdom, distracted by the things of this world, a creation unyielding to its creator, lacking grace and mercy, a man who knows not the value of enduring love
Without You, Lord, I am an unfilled vessel anxiously waiting to be filled, a blank canvas yet untouched by the master’s hand, a life unlived to its fullest
Without You, Lord, I am merely a man who is incomplete.
But Your desire, Lord, is that I be filled with life abundant, a man made whole and complete, a yielding creation that lives life to the fullest by the power of Your love, a man of honor whose destiny is already written by Your hand, a man of grace and mercy and truth who abides in the shadow of Your wing.
And You have said to me – come. . .for I am the way, the truth and the life, believe on Me and My Spirit will lead you, My burden is light, My grace is sufficient, My sacrifice complete and My desire for you shall be fulfilled.
prb
Without You, Lord, I am a man of little means, without direction, devoid of purpose and wisdom, distracted by the things of this world, a creation unyielding to its creator, lacking grace and mercy, a man who knows not the value of enduring love
Without You, Lord, I am an unfilled vessel anxiously waiting to be filled, a blank canvas yet untouched by the master’s hand, a life unlived to its fullest
Without You, Lord, I am merely a man who is incomplete.
But Your desire, Lord, is that I be filled with life abundant, a man made whole and complete, a yielding creation that lives life to the fullest by the power of Your love, a man of honor whose destiny is already written by Your hand, a man of grace and mercy and truth who abides in the shadow of Your wing.
And You have said to me – come. . .for I am the way, the truth and the life, believe on Me and My Spirit will lead you, My burden is light, My grace is sufficient, My sacrifice complete and My desire for you shall be fulfilled.
prb
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Spirit of life and the Spirit of truth
The Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of life and the Spirit of truth….
How can one who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ and have within them the Spirit of Christ believe in and support the spirit of death and untruth ?
Abortion is the taking of innocent life which is the spirit of death…
Abortion has been sold to our generation as just a ‘choice’ – that is the spirit of untruth…
We in this nation are coming up against a time when ‘everyone does what is right in their own eyes’ (just as in the time of Judges)…
And we don’t seem to be drawing any lines between the Spirit of life and truth and the spirit of death and lies…
The enemy’s strongholds appear to gaining strength and momentum…
As our war is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities and powers of this world (the spirit of anti-christ) -
we must begin to boldly take our place as aliens in this world and not be of this world,
we must stand firm in our faith and fight the good fight of faith,
we must wage war in the heavenlies using the weapons of faith that have been given to us as believers in Christ,
our focus must be on Christ’s commands to us -
love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength
love (with God’s love not man’s version) your neighbor as yourself
preach the gospel to all creation
make disciples
and the only way we can do these things is by our abiding completely in Him and allowing the Spirit of Truth to leads us
have we surrendered all to Jesus ?
prb
How can one who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ and have within them the Spirit of Christ believe in and support the spirit of death and untruth ?
Abortion is the taking of innocent life which is the spirit of death…
Abortion has been sold to our generation as just a ‘choice’ – that is the spirit of untruth…
We in this nation are coming up against a time when ‘everyone does what is right in their own eyes’ (just as in the time of Judges)…
And we don’t seem to be drawing any lines between the Spirit of life and truth and the spirit of death and lies…
The enemy’s strongholds appear to gaining strength and momentum…
As our war is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities and powers of this world (the spirit of anti-christ) -
we must begin to boldly take our place as aliens in this world and not be of this world,
we must stand firm in our faith and fight the good fight of faith,
we must wage war in the heavenlies using the weapons of faith that have been given to us as believers in Christ,
our focus must be on Christ’s commands to us -
love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength
love (with God’s love not man’s version) your neighbor as yourself
preach the gospel to all creation
make disciples
and the only way we can do these things is by our abiding completely in Him and allowing the Spirit of Truth to leads us
have we surrendered all to Jesus ?
prb
Monday, June 16, 2008
Handwriting on the wall
Our country, which was founded upon the understanding of and guidance by divine providence, is without excuse….just as it was in the book of Daniel so might it be with our country…
Let’s see how we respond to the handwriting on the wall ?
1) has the Lord numbered our country and will He put it to and end
2) have we been weighed and found deficient
3) will we be divided and our independence be given over
As we move through this time of turbulence and uncertainty in our country will the pendulum continue to move further out and find us more deficient, will we become more divided ?
Or is it possible that if we stand firm in our faith and recognize that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind and humble ourselves turning from our self exaltation and the praise of the gods of silver and gold that we can stave off the handwriting on the wall ?
Whatever shall prove to be the sovereign move of the hand of God may we all say as the apostle John did ‘the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all” and “come, Lord Jesus, Amen.”…….
prb
Daniel 5:20-31
"But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became so proud that he behaved arrogantly, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken away from him….until he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind, and that He sets over it whomever He wishes.
"Yet you, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this, but you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven…..and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which do not see, hear or understand. But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and your ways, you have not glorified.
"Then the hand was sent from Him, and this inscription was written out.
"Now this is the inscription that was written out: 'MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.' "This is the interpretation of the message:
'MENE'-- God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it.
"'TEKEL'-- you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.
"'PERES'-- your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians."
That same night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain. So Darius the Mede received the kingdom at about the age of sixty-two.
Let’s see how we respond to the handwriting on the wall ?
1) has the Lord numbered our country and will He put it to and end
2) have we been weighed and found deficient
3) will we be divided and our independence be given over
As we move through this time of turbulence and uncertainty in our country will the pendulum continue to move further out and find us more deficient, will we become more divided ?
Or is it possible that if we stand firm in our faith and recognize that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind and humble ourselves turning from our self exaltation and the praise of the gods of silver and gold that we can stave off the handwriting on the wall ?
Whatever shall prove to be the sovereign move of the hand of God may we all say as the apostle John did ‘the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all” and “come, Lord Jesus, Amen.”…….
prb
Daniel 5:20-31
"But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became so proud that he behaved arrogantly, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken away from him….until he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind, and that He sets over it whomever He wishes.
"Yet you, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this, but you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven…..and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which do not see, hear or understand. But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and your ways, you have not glorified.
"Then the hand was sent from Him, and this inscription was written out.
"Now this is the inscription that was written out: 'MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.' "This is the interpretation of the message:
'MENE'-- God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it.
"'TEKEL'-- you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.
"'PERES'-- your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians."
That same night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain. So Darius the Mede received the kingdom at about the age of sixty-two.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Bring on the Courts
Bring on the Courts and their judicial legislation of socialistic agendas resulting in the loss of our freedoms and condoning a legacy of death….
Let them trample upon the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution…….
Let their decisions continue to wreak havoc upon this country that was founded upon the solid foundation of God’s immutable truths…..
And maybe, just maybe, the true church of Jesus Christ will arise from the shadows to boldly fulfill its mission.
For the church, under persecution, may actually begin to take its ordained place and do what Jesus has called it to do…..
- Love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength
- Love our neighbor (with God’s love) as our selves
The church in America today has been abysmal in following Jesus’ commands….we have not stood firm in our faith.
And the organized church in America has been so worried about numbers and money and prestige and large facilities and entertainment and the various and sundry social issues of the day that we are not even luke warm……
We don’t even show love to one another as we gather together as the body of Christ; how can we expect the world to listen to what we have to share ?
We must take seriously our call as believers to preach the gospel and make disciples – to be the city set on a hill…touching one life at a time…sharing the hope that is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ…and it will probably take persecution to move us to that place….
prb
Let them trample upon the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution…….
Let their decisions continue to wreak havoc upon this country that was founded upon the solid foundation of God’s immutable truths…..
And maybe, just maybe, the true church of Jesus Christ will arise from the shadows to boldly fulfill its mission.
For the church, under persecution, may actually begin to take its ordained place and do what Jesus has called it to do…..
- Love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength
- Love our neighbor (with God’s love) as our selves
The church in America today has been abysmal in following Jesus’ commands….we have not stood firm in our faith.
And the organized church in America has been so worried about numbers and money and prestige and large facilities and entertainment and the various and sundry social issues of the day that we are not even luke warm……
We don’t even show love to one another as we gather together as the body of Christ; how can we expect the world to listen to what we have to share ?
We must take seriously our call as believers to preach the gospel and make disciples – to be the city set on a hill…touching one life at a time…sharing the hope that is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ…and it will probably take persecution to move us to that place….
prb
Sunday, May 18, 2008
the Lord says
The Lord says
I will take you from where you are, My servant
And I shall make you like My Son, My beloved
For I have chosen you for My inheritance, My child
For you are My possession
And My love and My grace and My mercy
shall be to you from everlasting to everlasting
For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13‑14)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession (1 Peter 2:9)
(prb)
I will take you from where you are, My servant
And I shall make you like My Son, My beloved
For I have chosen you for My inheritance, My child
For you are My possession
And My love and My grace and My mercy
shall be to you from everlasting to everlasting
For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13‑14)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession (1 Peter 2:9)
(prb)
let your
Let Your wisdom be upon me
Let Your fullness dwell within me
Let Your peace reign in me
Let Your light shine through me
And the world shall see the beauty of Your presence, the wonder of Your glory, the miracle of Your grace and the awesomeness of Your mercy.
(prb)
Let Your fullness dwell within me
Let Your peace reign in me
Let Your light shine through me
And the world shall see the beauty of Your presence, the wonder of Your glory, the miracle of Your grace and the awesomeness of Your mercy.
(prb)
narrow is the path
Make straight your ways
for the path is narrow that leads to life
Let your heart be prepared for the Lord Jesus
that He would lead you
Let your mind be open to the Holy Spirit
that He would empower you
With all of your soul give thanks to the Father
for all blessings flow from Him
For love and honor and praise and glory are His forever.
(prb)
for the path is narrow that leads to life
Let your heart be prepared for the Lord Jesus
that He would lead you
Let your mind be open to the Holy Spirit
that He would empower you
With all of your soul give thanks to the Father
for all blessings flow from Him
For love and honor and praise and glory are His forever.
(prb)
all things
1 Chronicles 29:9
Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly.
Rejoicing because we have given to the kingdom of God so willingly for our offering was made with our whole heart !
How do you look at giving to the kingdom of God ?
What is the status of your heart as you give unto the Lord ?
I think the first step is understanding where everything comes from to begin with. If we do not believe that all things come from the Lord then we will surely not have the proper perspective on our giving back to Him. One of the few memories that I have from the Methodist church was a teaching on tithing by one of the associate ministers. He asked me the question, if I had ten apples how many of them belonged to me and how many belonged to the Lord - I said all ten were mine ! He asked me again, and again I said that all ten were mine ! It took me quite a while to figure out this biblical truth. As I look back on that conversation it wasn't until later that I realized that all ten apples belonged to the Lord - not just one (or the tithe) for He created them all.
He gives us all good things and the sooner we believe that all things come from Him the sooner will shall be able to worship Him with our offerings while rejoicing with our whole heart.
(prb)
Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly.
Rejoicing because we have given to the kingdom of God so willingly for our offering was made with our whole heart !
How do you look at giving to the kingdom of God ?
What is the status of your heart as you give unto the Lord ?
I think the first step is understanding where everything comes from to begin with. If we do not believe that all things come from the Lord then we will surely not have the proper perspective on our giving back to Him. One of the few memories that I have from the Methodist church was a teaching on tithing by one of the associate ministers. He asked me the question, if I had ten apples how many of them belonged to me and how many belonged to the Lord - I said all ten were mine ! He asked me again, and again I said that all ten were mine ! It took me quite a while to figure out this biblical truth. As I look back on that conversation it wasn't until later that I realized that all ten apples belonged to the Lord - not just one (or the tithe) for He created them all.
He gives us all good things and the sooner we believe that all things come from Him the sooner will shall be able to worship Him with our offerings while rejoicing with our whole heart.
(prb)
lead me
Holy Spirit lead me into the presence of Jesus
Bring me to the place where He is
Let me dwell in His presence and look into His face
For He loves me with a jealous love
He longs for me to be in His presence
Holy Spirit lead me to that place
For that is where I want to be
(prb)
Bring me to the place where He is
Let me dwell in His presence and look into His face
For He loves me with a jealous love
He longs for me to be in His presence
Holy Spirit lead me to that place
For that is where I want to be
(prb)
conformed
Ezekiel 3:10-11 Moreover, He said to me, "Son of man, take into your heart all My words which I shall speak to you, and listen closely. "And go to the exiles, to the sons of your people, and speak to them and tell them, whether they listen or not, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.'"
Isaiah 53:3-7 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.
When we are oppressed and afflicted, how do we handle it ?
The word says that we are being conformed into His image - look at these verses and see what being conformed into His image looks like in real life ! The humble servant who gave His all so that we might have it all - abundant life, a hope, a future......
Isaiah 40:31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
Again, it comes down to our humility before the Lord and others and our obedience to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
"The turning point in our lives is when we stop seeking the God we want and start seeking the God who is." (Patrick Morley)
prb
Isaiah 53:3-7 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.
When we are oppressed and afflicted, how do we handle it ?
The word says that we are being conformed into His image - look at these verses and see what being conformed into His image looks like in real life ! The humble servant who gave His all so that we might have it all - abundant life, a hope, a future......
Isaiah 40:31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
Again, it comes down to our humility before the Lord and others and our obedience to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
"The turning point in our lives is when we stop seeking the God we want and start seeking the God who is." (Patrick Morley)
prb
what are you waiting for
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. . .
For the most part in our day and age we spend so much time dealing and dwelling and planning on the temporal that we neglect the eternal ! But where is our home ? Where will we spend eternity ? How long will our life on this earth last in comparison to eternity ?
I think it comes down to what we really believe about where our hope and future are ? If you are spending all of your time planning for your earthly future you are missing your calling.....
Our hope is in Christ Jesus, our future is in Christ Jesus - what else do you need ? ? ? ?
So what are you waiting for ?
(prb)
For the most part in our day and age we spend so much time dealing and dwelling and planning on the temporal that we neglect the eternal ! But where is our home ? Where will we spend eternity ? How long will our life on this earth last in comparison to eternity ?
I think it comes down to what we really believe about where our hope and future are ? If you are spending all of your time planning for your earthly future you are missing your calling.....
Our hope is in Christ Jesus, our future is in Christ Jesus - what else do you need ? ? ? ?
So what are you waiting for ?
(prb)
sowing
As believers in Christ Jesus, our perspective should be different from the world. And as His children we are to understand that everything was made by Him. He is the creator and owner of all things. We are called to be the good stewards of all His creation. Our responsibility, being led by the Holy Spirit, is to sow to the world - we are to sow the truth of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world, we are to sow the fruit of righteousness all around us, we are to sow blessing to those who are in need, we are to sow to the body of Christ for the work of the kingdom.....where are you sowing ? (prb)
born again from above
What happens when we are born again from above ?
By His grace we are saved from eternal separation from God and we shall spend eternity with Him, all of our sins have been forgiven and we receive the Holy Spirit as His promise.
But what about our daily lives ? What should happen in our lives after we are born again ?
Upon considering this question I have been impressed with the Biblical fact that when we are born again we become new creations - the old has passed away - we have newness of life !
Yes the flesh is still there and we deal with it daily, yet through God’s grace and the power of His Holy Spirit He has provided the victory for us to overcome the flesh - but we must walk in it !
Are we walking in our newness of life each and everyday ?
Might it be that the church in America today is so ineffectual because we have not understood or maybe do not even believe that our new life is now in Jesus Christ ? And that we must walk in it daily ?
It seems that we have millions of people attending churches across our country each Sunday morning and we praise and worship our Lord, we give Him honor and glory, we lift up our hearts to Him and we seek after Him. But then comes Monday morning and we are back to our same old lives !
I do not believe that is what Jesus Christ has for us ..... His desire is that we be His ambassadors, that we are His witnesses every day of the week ! That we walk in the newness of life and serve in newness of Spirit each and everyday of the week.....And He has promised that He will give us His power to serve Him and to give glory to Him in all that we do....I can’t even begin to imagine what a difference that would make for the kingdom of God in our country if God’s people walked daily in newness of life.
So are you walking in newness of life each and everyday ?(prb)
By His grace we are saved from eternal separation from God and we shall spend eternity with Him, all of our sins have been forgiven and we receive the Holy Spirit as His promise.
But what about our daily lives ? What should happen in our lives after we are born again ?
Upon considering this question I have been impressed with the Biblical fact that when we are born again we become new creations - the old has passed away - we have newness of life !
Yes the flesh is still there and we deal with it daily, yet through God’s grace and the power of His Holy Spirit He has provided the victory for us to overcome the flesh - but we must walk in it !
Are we walking in our newness of life each and everyday ?
Might it be that the church in America today is so ineffectual because we have not understood or maybe do not even believe that our new life is now in Jesus Christ ? And that we must walk in it daily ?
It seems that we have millions of people attending churches across our country each Sunday morning and we praise and worship our Lord, we give Him honor and glory, we lift up our hearts to Him and we seek after Him. But then comes Monday morning and we are back to our same old lives !
I do not believe that is what Jesus Christ has for us ..... His desire is that we be His ambassadors, that we are His witnesses every day of the week ! That we walk in the newness of life and serve in newness of Spirit each and everyday of the week.....And He has promised that He will give us His power to serve Him and to give glory to Him in all that we do....I can’t even begin to imagine what a difference that would make for the kingdom of God in our country if God’s people walked daily in newness of life.
So are you walking in newness of life each and everyday ?(prb)
your temple
1 Chronicles 29:1 ..... for the temple is not for man, but for the LORD God
Where is the temple now ? Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Cor 6:18-20)
Do we really believe this ? Especially the part that says ‘we are not our own’ !
Once we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, we are not our own anymore. We have been bought with a price - a very high price. We have been called out of ‘ourselves’ to glorify God - to live as Christ.
So what have you been doing with your temple ?
So easily we get caught up with the things of this world that we don’t even remember why we were redeemed ! Is our focus on glorifying our Lord ? Or is it on our own life ? If it is on our own life then we are not being obedient to the Lord’s call on our life - we are not fulfilling our place as a bond servant of the Lord - we are nullifying the price that was paid for our redemption...... and our temple is for man and not for the LORD God !
(prb)
Where is the temple now ? Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Cor 6:18-20)
Do we really believe this ? Especially the part that says ‘we are not our own’ !
Once we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, we are not our own anymore. We have been bought with a price - a very high price. We have been called out of ‘ourselves’ to glorify God - to live as Christ.
So what have you been doing with your temple ?
So easily we get caught up with the things of this world that we don’t even remember why we were redeemed ! Is our focus on glorifying our Lord ? Or is it on our own life ? If it is on our own life then we are not being obedient to the Lord’s call on our life - we are not fulfilling our place as a bond servant of the Lord - we are nullifying the price that was paid for our redemption...... and our temple is for man and not for the LORD God !
(prb)
salvation is from the LORD
My Salvation is from the LORD
Where does my hope come from ?
Where is my joy found ?
Who is my strength and my shield ?
Where may I find life everlasting ?
Who knows my frame, that it is but dust ?
Who pardons my iniquities and does away with my sin ?
Where does my help come from ?
In Christ and Christ alone
He and He alone is the answer
For God’s mercy and grace have been poured out upon me in full measure
And I can say my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
(prb)
Where does my hope come from ?
Where is my joy found ?
Who is my strength and my shield ?
Where may I find life everlasting ?
Who knows my frame, that it is but dust ?
Who pardons my iniquities and does away with my sin ?
Where does my help come from ?
In Christ and Christ alone
He and He alone is the answer
For God’s mercy and grace have been poured out upon me in full measure
And I can say my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
(prb)
thoughts from Jonah
Some thoughts from the book of Jonah . . . .
Jonah 1:9
......I fear the LORD God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land
When did Jonah say this ? When he was about to get tossed overboard, after the lots had been cast and the crew knew that it was because of him that they were about to perish due to the storm.....When do we ‘willingly’ acknowledge that we fear the Lord God ? It should be a normal part of our everyday life....
Jonah 2:6
But Thou hast brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God
And here is the best picture of God’s grace toward us through Jesus Christ....by His grace and mercy we have been brought up to life (eternal life) from the pit (separation from God)
(Ephesians 1:7‑8 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us; Romans 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life)
Jonah 2:7
While I was fainting away, I remembered the LORD
Just as Jonah did, why do we wait until we are ‘fainting away’ before we remember the Lord ?
Is it our self-reliant nature, our stubbornness, our proud attitude that we can handle everything ourselves, our disobedient nature or a combination of all of these ?
Jonah 2:9
But I will sacrifice to Thee with the voice of thanksgiving.
We are to give our lives as a sacrifice to Him who has ransomed us from the pit with thankful hearts for His indescribable gift
(Romans 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship)
That which I have vowed I will pay
What have we vowed to the Lord ? I would hope that when you were born again from above you (whether knowingly or not) vowed that Jesus Christ would is Savior and your Lord - and that you are His bond-servant....are you, through the power of His Holy Spirit working in you, upholding your vow ?
Salvation is from the LORD
For there is no other way.........for by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast (Ephesians 2:8‑9)
Is this an ever present thought in our minds - that our salvation is from our Lord...or are we too caught up with our own agendas, our own seeking after knowledge, our own accomplishments, our own self gratification ?
The pride of life, the lust of the eye and the lust of the flesh can pull us away from our unceasing acknowledgment that our salvation is from the Lord......but glory be to Him who has given us the ability to stand firm - for I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20)
(prb)
Jonah 1:9
......I fear the LORD God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land
When did Jonah say this ? When he was about to get tossed overboard, after the lots had been cast and the crew knew that it was because of him that they were about to perish due to the storm.....When do we ‘willingly’ acknowledge that we fear the Lord God ? It should be a normal part of our everyday life....
Jonah 2:6
But Thou hast brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God
And here is the best picture of God’s grace toward us through Jesus Christ....by His grace and mercy we have been brought up to life (eternal life) from the pit (separation from God)
(Ephesians 1:7‑8 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us; Romans 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life)
Jonah 2:7
While I was fainting away, I remembered the LORD
Just as Jonah did, why do we wait until we are ‘fainting away’ before we remember the Lord ?
Is it our self-reliant nature, our stubbornness, our proud attitude that we can handle everything ourselves, our disobedient nature or a combination of all of these ?
Jonah 2:9
But I will sacrifice to Thee with the voice of thanksgiving.
We are to give our lives as a sacrifice to Him who has ransomed us from the pit with thankful hearts for His indescribable gift
(Romans 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship)
That which I have vowed I will pay
What have we vowed to the Lord ? I would hope that when you were born again from above you (whether knowingly or not) vowed that Jesus Christ would is Savior and your Lord - and that you are His bond-servant....are you, through the power of His Holy Spirit working in you, upholding your vow ?
Salvation is from the LORD
For there is no other way.........for by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast (Ephesians 2:8‑9)
Is this an ever present thought in our minds - that our salvation is from our Lord...or are we too caught up with our own agendas, our own seeking after knowledge, our own accomplishments, our own self gratification ?
The pride of life, the lust of the eye and the lust of the flesh can pull us away from our unceasing acknowledgment that our salvation is from the Lord......but glory be to Him who has given us the ability to stand firm - for I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20)
(prb)
what greater work
The Word of God says that -
the gift of prophecy will be no more
the gift of tongues will be more
the gift of knowledge will be no more
(1 Corinthians 13:8)
But love shall be forever
For God is love, for He first loved us and He showed us His love in and through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
So, from an eternal perspective (which we are to have as believers) when Jesus Christ said
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father.” (John 14:12‑13)
What is the greatest work of God that we can participate in ?
The saving love of God poured out for people to change their eternal destiny !
We have been invited by the Creator of the universe to join with Him as He shows His love to His creation.....His desire is that we allow the love of His Son to flow through us so that the lost and dying of this world might be saved.
What greater work than this would we want to participate in ?
(prb)
the gift of prophecy will be no more
the gift of tongues will be more
the gift of knowledge will be no more
(1 Corinthians 13:8)
But love shall be forever
For God is love, for He first loved us and He showed us His love in and through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
So, from an eternal perspective (which we are to have as believers) when Jesus Christ said
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father.” (John 14:12‑13)
What is the greatest work of God that we can participate in ?
The saving love of God poured out for people to change their eternal destiny !
We have been invited by the Creator of the universe to join with Him as He shows His love to His creation.....His desire is that we allow the love of His Son to flow through us so that the lost and dying of this world might be saved.
What greater work than this would we want to participate in ?
(prb)
essense of our faith
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift !
(2 Corinthians 9:15)
Here is the essence of our life of faith . . . .
(prb)
(2 Corinthians 9:15)
Here is the essence of our life of faith . . . .
(prb)
how do we trust Him
Amos 5:21-26
"I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. "Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. "But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever‑flowing stream.
"Did you present Me with sacrifices and grain offerings in the wilderness for forty years, O house of Israel? "You also carried along Sikkuth your king and Kiyyun, your images, the star of your gods which you made for yourselves.
It is not in our traditions that we trust in Him. . . . .
Nor is it in our rituals that we walk with Him. . . . . .
Nor is it in our programs that we grow in our faith in Him. . . .
It is only in our personal and intimate relationship with Him, the Lord Jesus Christ, that our trust will grow deeper and our walk will grow stronger and our faith will grow in full measure.......
(prb)
"I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. "Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. "But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever‑flowing stream.
"Did you present Me with sacrifices and grain offerings in the wilderness for forty years, O house of Israel? "You also carried along Sikkuth your king and Kiyyun, your images, the star of your gods which you made for yourselves.
It is not in our traditions that we trust in Him. . . . .
Nor is it in our rituals that we walk with Him. . . . . .
Nor is it in our programs that we grow in our faith in Him. . . .
It is only in our personal and intimate relationship with Him, the Lord Jesus Christ, that our trust will grow deeper and our walk will grow stronger and our faith will grow in full measure.......
(prb)
stand boldly
The essential work of Jesus was to create around him a circle of disciples, whom he inspired with boundless affection, and amongst whom he deposited the germ of his doctrine. To have made himself
beloved, to the degree that after his death they ceased not to love him, was the great work of Jesus, and that which most struck his contemporaries. His doctrine was so little dogmatic, that he never thought of writing it or causing it to be written. People did not become his disciples by believing this thing or that thing, but in being attached to his person and in loving him.
(Ernest Renan, Vie de Jesus (1863))
Although I do believe that people become disciples by growing in our relationship with Jesus, I do take exception to portions of this quote. His doctrine was already written throughout the old testament. He was the fulfillment of the word that had come to His people which preceded His walk on this earth as a man.
He held fast to the truth of God and did not depart from it. He quoted from the scriptures repeatedly and confirmed their authority.
It was the religious leaders that had taken “religious practice” so far away from the truth ! The new testament reflects numerous occasions where he confronted the religious leaders for their wrong motives. He went even so far as to say that they where “hindering” people from the truth.
If we love Him as He has loved us, our desire will be to follow Him, to obey His commands - to seek after His truth (which has been left to us in His word - the Bible).
Our responsibility is to seek to obey the greatest commandment -
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him,"' You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' "This is the great and foremost commandment. "The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
"On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matt 22:36‑40)
Let us stand boldly on His truth - this is why He came for us - For our God is true and His love for us is never ending, His mercies are new every morning, great is His faithfulness. May we practice His truth, empowered by His Holy Spirit to do His will.
John 3:16‑21 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. "And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. "For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. "But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."
(prb)
beloved, to the degree that after his death they ceased not to love him, was the great work of Jesus, and that which most struck his contemporaries. His doctrine was so little dogmatic, that he never thought of writing it or causing it to be written. People did not become his disciples by believing this thing or that thing, but in being attached to his person and in loving him.
(Ernest Renan, Vie de Jesus (1863))
Although I do believe that people become disciples by growing in our relationship with Jesus, I do take exception to portions of this quote. His doctrine was already written throughout the old testament. He was the fulfillment of the word that had come to His people which preceded His walk on this earth as a man.
He held fast to the truth of God and did not depart from it. He quoted from the scriptures repeatedly and confirmed their authority.
It was the religious leaders that had taken “religious practice” so far away from the truth ! The new testament reflects numerous occasions where he confronted the religious leaders for their wrong motives. He went even so far as to say that they where “hindering” people from the truth.
If we love Him as He has loved us, our desire will be to follow Him, to obey His commands - to seek after His truth (which has been left to us in His word - the Bible).
Our responsibility is to seek to obey the greatest commandment -
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him,"' You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' "This is the great and foremost commandment. "The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
"On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matt 22:36‑40)
Let us stand boldly on His truth - this is why He came for us - For our God is true and His love for us is never ending, His mercies are new every morning, great is His faithfulness. May we practice His truth, empowered by His Holy Spirit to do His will.
John 3:16‑21 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. "And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. "For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. "But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."
(prb)
Holy Spirit
The place of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to - to glorify Christ, give us power to be Christ’s witnesses, to empower us to minister for Christ’s sake, to teach us all things about Jesus Christ, to lead us into all truth (and Jesus Christ is the way and the truth and the life).
We receive the indwelling of the Spirit upon our conversion, as a part of our new birth, but we also must seek after the baptsim of the Spirit. The “filling” of the Spirit - so that we are able to minister in His name. The Bible shows us that even Jesus’ public ministry did not start until He had been baptised with the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:22). He says that He will give us the empowering presence of His Spirit if we ask ! We need to be asking for that empowering presence in our lives each and every day so that we may be lead in the path of righteousness. Then shall we have the ability to be His mouth and His hands and His feet to His body and to this lost generation.
Are you allowing the power of His Holy Spirit work in and through you this day ?
Acts 1:8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
Luke 11:13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"
Acts 2:38‑39 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
"For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself."
(prb)
We receive the indwelling of the Spirit upon our conversion, as a part of our new birth, but we also must seek after the baptsim of the Spirit. The “filling” of the Spirit - so that we are able to minister in His name. The Bible shows us that even Jesus’ public ministry did not start until He had been baptised with the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:22). He says that He will give us the empowering presence of His Spirit if we ask ! We need to be asking for that empowering presence in our lives each and every day so that we may be lead in the path of righteousness. Then shall we have the ability to be His mouth and His hands and His feet to His body and to this lost generation.
Are you allowing the power of His Holy Spirit work in and through you this day ?
Acts 1:8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
Luke 11:13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"
Acts 2:38‑39 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
"For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself."
(prb)
comfortable christians
Comfortable Christians ..... a predominant concept in today’s world ! We want our cake and eat it too ! ! ! Do not get me wrong, I fit in the same boat. I have a hard time crossing the street to minister to my neighbor ! Why ? First of all it is an uncomfortable thing to do - to “care” for someone who is not in my circle of “friends” and family.
But, we are commanded to ‘love your neighbor as your self’ !
So how do we get out of the ‘rut’ that we have comfortably moved ourselves into ?
1. Focus daily (actually every minute !) on Jesus Christ
2. Rely totally on the Holy Spirit to lead us in all that we do
3. Study and meditate on His word (the Bible)
4. Seek after His kingdom and its righteousness
5. Seek after His agape love for those around us
6. Do not be afraid to be bold for the sake of the gospel
7. Pray, pray, pray, pray
(prb)
But, we are commanded to ‘love your neighbor as your self’ !
So how do we get out of the ‘rut’ that we have comfortably moved ourselves into ?
1. Focus daily (actually every minute !) on Jesus Christ
2. Rely totally on the Holy Spirit to lead us in all that we do
3. Study and meditate on His word (the Bible)
4. Seek after His kingdom and its righteousness
5. Seek after His agape love for those around us
6. Do not be afraid to be bold for the sake of the gospel
7. Pray, pray, pray, pray
(prb)
a joyful heart
Can we have fun and still be a Christian ? Of course we can and we should. I know in my life the fun that I have with my family is such a wonderful blessing. To laugh with your wife (notice I said “with” not “at”) and with your children is not only great but it is as the Proverb says- a joyful heart is good medicine. I think about the times that the gospels tell of Jesus’ interaction with children - I can just hear them giggling and Jesus having a great time playing with them ! Sometimes (for some people most of the time) we take living too seriously. We focus so much time on what we can accomplish or how to meet “our” goals that we miss the “living” of our lives. Yes there is a time for diligence and reverence but as in all things there must be balance.
Living our lives for the Lord will bring us times of growth, times of reverence and worship, times of trial and tribulation, times of rejoicing, times of work, times of fun and refreshment- let us keep our eyes on Jesus Christ - let us make Him the focus of our lives and the “living” of our lives will bring us (and others) great blessing.
(prb)
Living our lives for the Lord will bring us times of growth, times of reverence and worship, times of trial and tribulation, times of rejoicing, times of work, times of fun and refreshment- let us keep our eyes on Jesus Christ - let us make Him the focus of our lives and the “living” of our lives will bring us (and others) great blessing.
(prb)
real fruit
This life can be a struggle and sometimes we think that it has us beat !
Even in our walk of faith, we can feel like "giving up" . . . .
But, where does our hope come from ?
We must always remember that if our hope is in Jesus Christ, He shall never leave us nor forsake us ‑ for there shall be trials and tribulations ‑ but there will also be times of refreshing and rejoicing and triumph !
Let us keep our eyes on Him for only when our eyes are on Him shall we be able to run the race
and yes it can be a hard and painful race ‑ but the reward is well worth our effort !
In closing, remember ‑
the real fruit of conversion is perseverance . . . . . . . .
(prb)
Even in our walk of faith, we can feel like "giving up" . . . .
But, where does our hope come from ?
We must always remember that if our hope is in Jesus Christ, He shall never leave us nor forsake us ‑ for there shall be trials and tribulations ‑ but there will also be times of refreshing and rejoicing and triumph !
Let us keep our eyes on Him for only when our eyes are on Him shall we be able to run the race
and yes it can be a hard and painful race ‑ but the reward is well worth our effort !
In closing, remember ‑
the real fruit of conversion is perseverance . . . . . . . .
(prb)
my hope
I find my Hope fully in Him
Therefore in Him I can Trust fully
Because He will be Faith fully there by my side
For my desire is to walk Prayer fully
For I have been Wonder fully made in His image
So I will Joy fully exalt Him through out my days
We are hopeful because He is trustful and because He is faithful we can walk prayerfully for we are wonderfully made to joyfully exalt His Holy name.
(prb)
Therefore in Him I can Trust fully
Because He will be Faith fully there by my side
For my desire is to walk Prayer fully
For I have been Wonder fully made in His image
So I will Joy fully exalt Him through out my days
We are hopeful because He is trustful and because He is faithful we can walk prayerfully for we are wonderfully made to joyfully exalt His Holy name.
(prb)
revival
We say in the church that we want ‘revival’, we pray for it, we seek after it, we look for it in any and all places. But are we willing to pay the price that real revival costs ?
You might ask “well, what is the price that is required ?”
1. Deny our selves and take up our cross and follow Him
2. Present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice
3. Do not be conformed to this world
4. Be transformed by the renewing of our minds by the washing of the Word
Components that have been a part of revivals of the past have included:
1. Fervent prayer seeking after His face not His hand
2. Humility of spirit, confession of sin and iniquity, a seeking after His righteousness
3. Bold proclamation of God’s Word to His people
4. A hunger for the truth of His Word in His people
Are we willing to seek after those things that are required for revival to occur ?
Are we willing to put our ‘rights’ aside for the benefit of the gospel ?
Are we willing to ‘pay the price’ ?
I believe that we have a hard time in this country of ours because we are as Revelation 3:15‑18 indicates -
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked
Mark 8:34
"If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Romans 12:1-2
I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
(prb)
You might ask “well, what is the price that is required ?”
1. Deny our selves and take up our cross and follow Him
2. Present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice
3. Do not be conformed to this world
4. Be transformed by the renewing of our minds by the washing of the Word
Components that have been a part of revivals of the past have included:
1. Fervent prayer seeking after His face not His hand
2. Humility of spirit, confession of sin and iniquity, a seeking after His righteousness
3. Bold proclamation of God’s Word to His people
4. A hunger for the truth of His Word in His people
Are we willing to seek after those things that are required for revival to occur ?
Are we willing to put our ‘rights’ aside for the benefit of the gospel ?
Are we willing to ‘pay the price’ ?
I believe that we have a hard time in this country of ours because we are as Revelation 3:15‑18 indicates -
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked
Mark 8:34
"If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Romans 12:1-2
I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
(prb)
impatient people
Numbers 21:4-9
4 Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey.
5 And the people spoke against God and Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food."
6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.
7 So the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you; intercede with the LORD, that He may remove the serpents from us." And Moses interceded for the people.
8 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he shall live."
9 And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.
1) the people became impatient with the journey
a. why – God was not moving the way they expected and wanted Him to
2) the people spoke against God
a. why – they were not getting their way
3) we loathe this miserable food
a. why – God’s grace and provision was not sufficient for them
4) sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people so that many died
a. why – impatience, disobedience and rejecting God’s grace give opening to the wiles of this world (sin) to get a hold on our lives
5) what was their response
a. the people acknowledged their sin (in answer to the consequences they were paying)
b. they sought intercession for forgiveness
c. the Lord provided the ‘standard’ that was lifted up for their salvation
d. their role was to believe by faith that the standard would give them life
How is this story any different than the way things are today ?
We are an impatient people, who speak against the things of the Lord, who ignore His grace and so live in the misery and lifelessness of sin……but we can be redeemed from this rut just as the Hebrews were – acknowledge our sin, seek intercession, ask for forgiveness, look to the one who paid the price – our standard – the Lord Jesus Christ for the joy of our salvation…and live in the abundant life that He has for us…..
Jesus is our standard…..He was lifted up for us……by His grace and mercy perfect intercession is made…..forgiveness is granted….He calls upon us to believe by faith and live………
prb
4 Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey.
5 And the people spoke against God and Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food."
6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.
7 So the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you; intercede with the LORD, that He may remove the serpents from us." And Moses interceded for the people.
8 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he shall live."
9 And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.
1) the people became impatient with the journey
a. why – God was not moving the way they expected and wanted Him to
2) the people spoke against God
a. why – they were not getting their way
3) we loathe this miserable food
a. why – God’s grace and provision was not sufficient for them
4) sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people so that many died
a. why – impatience, disobedience and rejecting God’s grace give opening to the wiles of this world (sin) to get a hold on our lives
5) what was their response
a. the people acknowledged their sin (in answer to the consequences they were paying)
b. they sought intercession for forgiveness
c. the Lord provided the ‘standard’ that was lifted up for their salvation
d. their role was to believe by faith that the standard would give them life
How is this story any different than the way things are today ?
We are an impatient people, who speak against the things of the Lord, who ignore His grace and so live in the misery and lifelessness of sin……but we can be redeemed from this rut just as the Hebrews were – acknowledge our sin, seek intercession, ask for forgiveness, look to the one who paid the price – our standard – the Lord Jesus Christ for the joy of our salvation…and live in the abundant life that He has for us…..
Jesus is our standard…..He was lifted up for us……by His grace and mercy perfect intercession is made…..forgiveness is granted….He calls upon us to believe by faith and live………
prb
where have we fixed our hope
“In pointing out these things...will you be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine….having nothing to do with worldly fables….disciplining yourself for the purpose of godliness, for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come…
Are we laboring and striving because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior…….
And we are called to prescribe and teach these things…..
In speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, are you showing yourself an example to those who believe………
Are you giving attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.
Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all……Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things…..”
(1 Tim 4)
I guess the real question is where have we fixed our hope ?
And how much ‘discomfort’ in the process of disciplining ourselves for the purpose of godliness are we willing to ‘tolerate’?
For we are all called as believers in Christ Jesus to follow the Lord’s command to make disciples and bring His good news to all creation……and to accomplish this we must know where our hope comes from…..constantly being nourished with the words of life….and it is by faith in the One who called us that we strive….for without Him we can do nothing.…
prb
Are we laboring and striving because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior…….
And we are called to prescribe and teach these things…..
In speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, are you showing yourself an example to those who believe………
Are you giving attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.
Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all……Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things…..”
(1 Tim 4)
I guess the real question is where have we fixed our hope ?
And how much ‘discomfort’ in the process of disciplining ourselves for the purpose of godliness are we willing to ‘tolerate’?
For we are all called as believers in Christ Jesus to follow the Lord’s command to make disciples and bring His good news to all creation……and to accomplish this we must know where our hope comes from…..constantly being nourished with the words of life….and it is by faith in the One who called us that we strive….for without Him we can do nothing.…
prb
Faith and trust
How is our faith and trust in the Lord exemplified in America today ?
It has been the American mantra/focus/goal to work your way to a place where you are comfortable – both physically as well as financially (of course we don’t usually take into consideration our spiritual condition). A place where you have no ‘worries’ about today and if you are really ‘successful’ no worries about tomorrow !
By striving for this level of comfort and ‘worry free’ living it appears that we have extremely limited our ability to exercise and totally rely upon our faith and trust in the Lord in our daily lives. For the most part we leave our faith and trust for the ‘really big’ concerns of life (ie: when our own efforts don’t seem to be working !)…..interpersonal trials, health matters, financial struggles, etc…and have not fully surrendered to the Lord and rested in the faith and trust that He calls us to by His grace ….
I believe this excerpt from the writings of Matthew Henry, one of the great commentators and pastors, is worth meditating upon and a very good place to start a revived walk of faith and trust –
Matthew Henry, who died in June 1714; on January 1 of that year wrote:“I, this morning, renewed the dedication of myself to God, my whole self, body, soul, and spirit. Father, I give Thee my heart; use me for Thy glory this year; employ me in Thy service; fit me for Thy will. If this should be a year of sickness and pain; if a year of family affliction; if a year of public trouble; if of silencing and suffering; bonds and banishment; if it be my dying year, welcome the holy will of God. If this is a year of continued health, peace and liberty, Lord I desire to be busy in Thy service, both in study and preaching, in entire dependence upon Your divine grace, without which I am nothing, and can do nothing.”That day, Matthew Henry preached a sermon to young people from Proverbs 23:26: “My son, give me thy heart.” He then added in his diary the following affectionate and devout aspiration, “Lord, take my heart and make it such as it should be.”
Where is our faith and trust in a God who loves us with an everlasting love
Where is our faith and trust in a God who loved us first
Where is our faith and trust in a God who sent His Son to die so that we might live
Where is our faith and trust in a God who showers His grace and mercy upon His children
Where is our faith and trust in a God who is forever faithful even when we are faithless
Where is our faith and trust
prb
It has been the American mantra/focus/goal to work your way to a place where you are comfortable – both physically as well as financially (of course we don’t usually take into consideration our spiritual condition). A place where you have no ‘worries’ about today and if you are really ‘successful’ no worries about tomorrow !
By striving for this level of comfort and ‘worry free’ living it appears that we have extremely limited our ability to exercise and totally rely upon our faith and trust in the Lord in our daily lives. For the most part we leave our faith and trust for the ‘really big’ concerns of life (ie: when our own efforts don’t seem to be working !)…..interpersonal trials, health matters, financial struggles, etc…and have not fully surrendered to the Lord and rested in the faith and trust that He calls us to by His grace ….
I believe this excerpt from the writings of Matthew Henry, one of the great commentators and pastors, is worth meditating upon and a very good place to start a revived walk of faith and trust –
Matthew Henry, who died in June 1714; on January 1 of that year wrote:“I, this morning, renewed the dedication of myself to God, my whole self, body, soul, and spirit. Father, I give Thee my heart; use me for Thy glory this year; employ me in Thy service; fit me for Thy will. If this should be a year of sickness and pain; if a year of family affliction; if a year of public trouble; if of silencing and suffering; bonds and banishment; if it be my dying year, welcome the holy will of God. If this is a year of continued health, peace and liberty, Lord I desire to be busy in Thy service, both in study and preaching, in entire dependence upon Your divine grace, without which I am nothing, and can do nothing.”That day, Matthew Henry preached a sermon to young people from Proverbs 23:26: “My son, give me thy heart.” He then added in his diary the following affectionate and devout aspiration, “Lord, take my heart and make it such as it should be.”
Where is our faith and trust in a God who loves us with an everlasting love
Where is our faith and trust in a God who loved us first
Where is our faith and trust in a God who sent His Son to die so that we might live
Where is our faith and trust in a God who showers His grace and mercy upon His children
Where is our faith and trust in a God who is forever faithful even when we are faithless
Where is our faith and trust
prb
Agents of change
Agents of change…
We are hearing a lot about ‘change’ as we proceed through this election cycle and it seems that the ‘change’ tag line is gathering quite a bit of interest…and in most instances I would say that we, as a nation, are tired and frustrated with the status quo. So, we have campaigns running on their ability to be ‘agents of change’ for our future.
Well these politicos are not the first to seek change…..God sent His Son to fulfill His promise of change. To set us on the narrow path that leads to life…..delivering us from the wide path that leads to destruction. Overcoming our trespasses and restoring the way to His fellowship as well as His throne. But the price for this change was great – the life of a sinless man, God’s own son, Jesus.
And once He has set us upon that narrow path it is His desire that we also become ‘agents of change’….showing all creation His plan for change…
Are we -
- loving our wife, our children, the church (which is His bride), as well as our neighbor as Christ loves us
- making disciples
- encouraging, exhorting and reproofing our brothers and sisters in Christ
- sharing in word and deed the good news of the gospel with the lost
- relying upon God’s wisdom as we address the issues of our daily lives
- resting not on our own understanding but in all things acknowledging Him
- being lead by the Holy Spirit in all that we say and do
- allowing the fruit of the Spirit to emanate from a life that is fully surrendered to our Lord who loves us with an everlasting love
Are we being ‘agents of change’ for God’s truth and His kingdom in our world ?
prb
We are hearing a lot about ‘change’ as we proceed through this election cycle and it seems that the ‘change’ tag line is gathering quite a bit of interest…and in most instances I would say that we, as a nation, are tired and frustrated with the status quo. So, we have campaigns running on their ability to be ‘agents of change’ for our future.
Well these politicos are not the first to seek change…..God sent His Son to fulfill His promise of change. To set us on the narrow path that leads to life…..delivering us from the wide path that leads to destruction. Overcoming our trespasses and restoring the way to His fellowship as well as His throne. But the price for this change was great – the life of a sinless man, God’s own son, Jesus.
And once He has set us upon that narrow path it is His desire that we also become ‘agents of change’….showing all creation His plan for change…
Are we -
- loving our wife, our children, the church (which is His bride), as well as our neighbor as Christ loves us
- making disciples
- encouraging, exhorting and reproofing our brothers and sisters in Christ
- sharing in word and deed the good news of the gospel with the lost
- relying upon God’s wisdom as we address the issues of our daily lives
- resting not on our own understanding but in all things acknowledging Him
- being lead by the Holy Spirit in all that we say and do
- allowing the fruit of the Spirit to emanate from a life that is fully surrendered to our Lord who loves us with an everlasting love
Are we being ‘agents of change’ for God’s truth and His kingdom in our world ?
prb
In your presence
Lord, how I long to be in Your presence
To dwell in Your loving kindness
To be seated before Your graciousness
To be justified by Your holiness
And be restored by Your mercy
But in my unworthiness I retreat
For my frame is but dust
My faith like a sieve
And the power of the world is so great
And sin abounds all around ensnarling me
And yet, You are a shield about me
You are my glory
You are the One who lifts my head
Your loving kindness never fails me
You call me to You by Your grace
With open arms through Your mercy
Come into My peace
Come into My joy
For you are my child
And My love is everlasting
prb
To dwell in Your loving kindness
To be seated before Your graciousness
To be justified by Your holiness
And be restored by Your mercy
But in my unworthiness I retreat
For my frame is but dust
My faith like a sieve
And the power of the world is so great
And sin abounds all around ensnarling me
And yet, You are a shield about me
You are my glory
You are the One who lifts my head
Your loving kindness never fails me
You call me to You by Your grace
With open arms through Your mercy
Come into My peace
Come into My joy
For you are my child
And My love is everlasting
prb
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Here in this verse in Zechariah we find God’s word for us as well as a challenge to us as believers-
.....so I will save you that you may become a blessing (Zech 8:13)
Can you say that you have been saved by grace so that you may bless those that are around you ?
Have you made effectual your being called from out of the darkness and into the light by becoming a blessing to others ?
Has the church of Jesus Christ been a blessing not only to the body of Christ but also to the lost and dying world around us ?
After meditating on these verses in Zechariah I believe that if we truly understood and acted on the fact that we are saved so that we may become a blessing then the proclamation of the gospel would indeed go forth boldly.....
Look at what the Lord says will happen to the people around us after we have become a blessing
1) people will say “let us go and entreat the favor of the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts’ (Zech 8:21)
2) Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you (Zech 8:23)
If we seek after Him with all of our heart, mind and soul,
If we allow our Lord to shine His light through us,
If we truly follow His leading and become His witness,
If we become a blessing to those around us
Then our neighbors, our communities, our state, our country, our world will say ‘we have seen and heard that God is with you, let us go with you and seek after Him’. . . .
The light shining in the darkness is a powerful thing to behold......and what greater light is there then the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ shining forth through our lives bringing blessing to those around us. . . .
(prb)
.....so I will save you that you may become a blessing (Zech 8:13)
Can you say that you have been saved by grace so that you may bless those that are around you ?
Have you made effectual your being called from out of the darkness and into the light by becoming a blessing to others ?
Has the church of Jesus Christ been a blessing not only to the body of Christ but also to the lost and dying world around us ?
After meditating on these verses in Zechariah I believe that if we truly understood and acted on the fact that we are saved so that we may become a blessing then the proclamation of the gospel would indeed go forth boldly.....
Look at what the Lord says will happen to the people around us after we have become a blessing
1) people will say “let us go and entreat the favor of the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts’ (Zech 8:21)
2) Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you (Zech 8:23)
If we seek after Him with all of our heart, mind and soul,
If we allow our Lord to shine His light through us,
If we truly follow His leading and become His witness,
If we become a blessing to those around us
Then our neighbors, our communities, our state, our country, our world will say ‘we have seen and heard that God is with you, let us go with you and seek after Him’. . . .
The light shining in the darkness is a powerful thing to behold......and what greater light is there then the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ shining forth through our lives bringing blessing to those around us. . . .
(prb)
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