'He did evil because he did not set his heart to seek the LORD.' (2 Chronicles 12:14)
The path is narrow and the focus of our heart drives our walk along that path.
Just as Rehoboam let his focus drift from the Lord as he became 'established and strong' so in our day we have so many distractions as we attempt to control our daily lives that we lose our focus and drift. And when we drift we are apt to 'do evil' - which is to make idols in our lives that replace God. Those 'idols' can be as seemingly innocent as fighting for 'social injustice' which can become a passion that replaces our first love. Any cause that removes God from the throne of our hearts leads us a drift. If we do not, first of all love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and secondly love our neighbors, we will not have the proper focus in our lives.
Lest we not forget - loving our neighbor entails reflecting the lovingkindness of God in and through our daily lives (vessels filled with His Spirit) by sharing His grace and truth !
Is your heart set to seek the Lord ?
Friday, November 6, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
hope and change
'O sons of men, how long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception?'
What a telling question for us to dwell upon from the fourth Psalm. We are taught to believe the wisdom of the world that says that man is getting better and better as we 'evolve' yet where is the evidence ? Has the heart of man changed at all since this Psalm was written ? Don't we still love what is worthless and aim at deception ?
The materialistic, man-centric focus that drives the daily lives of man (loving what is worthless) has not changed. The desire, the drive, to have more has reached a level where we need to have storage units to hold the stuff that we don't have room for in our homes! We even have air conditioned storage units that are better than most living spaces in other parts of the world ! And we are not above using deception as a device to accomplish our materialistic goals (why do we need so many consumer protection laws ?).
Don't get me wrong, the Lord is not against prosperity for His children. The issue is where is our devotion - is our energy, our drive, our heart focused on the pursuit of the world or the kingdom of God - upon loving what is worthless or loving the Lord ?
The love of self, the love of power along with the love of money are still as strong as ever in the heart of man. And it is only an extraordinary measure that can change that - and the answer is NOT the wisdom of this world nor is it the evolution of man.
'But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself.'
Here is the hope that we have - the extraordinary measure that brings about change.
We can most assuredly know that our Lord has provided us with a hope, with a way to change our heart of stone, to overcome the desires of our flesh, to defeat the ways of this world (materialistic, man-centric) that so ensnare us - it is found only in the lovingkindness of God that was displayed on Calvary and made complete in the resurrected Lord. The Lord God has Himself taken the extraordinary measure that we might be set apart - our real hope and change - for Himself.
What a telling question for us to dwell upon from the fourth Psalm. We are taught to believe the wisdom of the world that says that man is getting better and better as we 'evolve' yet where is the evidence ? Has the heart of man changed at all since this Psalm was written ? Don't we still love what is worthless and aim at deception ?
The materialistic, man-centric focus that drives the daily lives of man (loving what is worthless) has not changed. The desire, the drive, to have more has reached a level where we need to have storage units to hold the stuff that we don't have room for in our homes! We even have air conditioned storage units that are better than most living spaces in other parts of the world ! And we are not above using deception as a device to accomplish our materialistic goals (why do we need so many consumer protection laws ?).
Don't get me wrong, the Lord is not against prosperity for His children. The issue is where is our devotion - is our energy, our drive, our heart focused on the pursuit of the world or the kingdom of God - upon loving what is worthless or loving the Lord ?
The love of self, the love of power along with the love of money are still as strong as ever in the heart of man. And it is only an extraordinary measure that can change that - and the answer is NOT the wisdom of this world nor is it the evolution of man.
'But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself.'
Here is the hope that we have - the extraordinary measure that brings about change.
We can most assuredly know that our Lord has provided us with a hope, with a way to change our heart of stone, to overcome the desires of our flesh, to defeat the ways of this world (materialistic, man-centric) that so ensnare us - it is found only in the lovingkindness of God that was displayed on Calvary and made complete in the resurrected Lord. The Lord God has Himself taken the extraordinary measure that we might be set apart - our real hope and change - for Himself.
Friday, October 23, 2009
adopted other gods
Have we forsaken the Lord ? Have we adopted other gods and worshiped and served them ?
When we look at the modern church in America today what do we see ? Do we see a people for God's own possession or a people who want to own God ? Do we see a people who complain and murmur and have become hard of heart or do we see a people who rejoice and are happy of heart because of the goodness of the Lord ? Is the church (which is the body of Christ) more focused on the affairs of man or upon the grace of God and His truth? Has the spirit of this world overshadowed the Spirit of Truth in the activities of our daily lives? Does God's call to repentance and sanctification take a back seat to the modern idols of self fulfillment and personal gratification and comfort ?
We have a tendency in the church, so it seems, to seek closely after the wisdom of the world and its trappings while leaving behind the simplicity and purity of scripture's admonitions. And in so doing we end up forsaking the Lord and adopting other gods - whether we realize it or not !
Might we begin this very day to focus our thoughts on the lovingkindness of our Lord. May it be our heart's desire to sit at His feet and seek His face so that we might draw close and be renewed in heart and mind and soul. Might we prostrate ourselves in His presence wholeheartedly petitioning for a reviving of our first love. And may we urgently appeal to the Spirit to overflow in our lives that we would truly be living bond servants for Christ. For we have been called to His wonderful grace - may we not forsake Him.
When we look at the modern church in America today what do we see ? Do we see a people for God's own possession or a people who want to own God ? Do we see a people who complain and murmur and have become hard of heart or do we see a people who rejoice and are happy of heart because of the goodness of the Lord ? Is the church (which is the body of Christ) more focused on the affairs of man or upon the grace of God and His truth? Has the spirit of this world overshadowed the Spirit of Truth in the activities of our daily lives? Does God's call to repentance and sanctification take a back seat to the modern idols of self fulfillment and personal gratification and comfort ?
We have a tendency in the church, so it seems, to seek closely after the wisdom of the world and its trappings while leaving behind the simplicity and purity of scripture's admonitions. And in so doing we end up forsaking the Lord and adopting other gods - whether we realize it or not !
Might we begin this very day to focus our thoughts on the lovingkindness of our Lord. May it be our heart's desire to sit at His feet and seek His face so that we might draw close and be renewed in heart and mind and soul. Might we prostrate ourselves in His presence wholeheartedly petitioning for a reviving of our first love. And may we urgently appeal to the Spirit to overflow in our lives that we would truly be living bond servants for Christ. For we have been called to His wonderful grace - may we not forsake Him.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
followers of Jesus Christ
What are we called to do as followers of Jesus Christ?
Really just two things – 1) love the Lord your God and 2) love your neighbor
But what does that look like in our daily life?
1) Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth – our lives should reflect the love and affection that we have for our Heavenly Father - in praising Him, in honoring Him, in glorifying Him - by our desire to be in His presence and please the One who loved us first.
2) We must be willing to wait on the Lord – we live in a microwave world and waiting has become something we are just not good at – but all things are accomplished in His timing – not ours.
3) We are to be His witnesses to this world – as His witness it is His testimony that we are to be reflecting to the world around us – proclaiming the Gospel which is the greatest news man has ever heard or experienced.
4) We are to reflect His love and His grace and His mercy and His righteousness to all those around us – we all fall short of His glory therefore we must be His vessels that reflect His glory – not our own.
5) We are to share the reason for the hope that is within us to all who will listen – what good is your hope if you are not sharing it with others who do not have it ?
6) We are to stay true to our calling – He has gifted all of us with a calling (a ministry) and we need to obey and follow that calling, even in the small things – let us not be swept away with vain ambitions and prideful visions.
7) We are to make sure that we are the ‘vine’ and that Jesus is living through us – if we are not living in and through Him we are not fruitful and all of our efforts shall be as wood, hay and stubble.
8) We are to stand firm in His word - that means we need to be in His word, drawing ever closer to the One who created us, abiding by His truth
9) We are to shed off the wisdom of man – man’s wisdom has grown ever more insidious in the life of the body of Christ, without knowing God’s truth how will you know the difference and only God’s truth will set us free.
10) We are to be humble – true humility is a difficult thing for us in these times but we are called to it – humility is restoring God to His throne in our lives and focusing on worshipping Him not ourselves or others.
11) We are to have integrity – Godly integrity is only achieved when you are a living sacrifice, knowing where truth and honor are found.
12) We are to live a life that includes self-sacrifice and self-control – the actual practice in daily life of dying to self and living for Christ.
13) We must allow the Holy Spirit to lead in all matters – without the Holy Spirit filling us and leading us we may as well not get out of bed – for the works of the flesh are but dust.
14) We are to be a bond servant of Jesus Christ in every part of our life – the voluntary and willing submission of every part our lives to the Great Shepherd and His direction.
15) We must be actively exercising our faith in all aspects of our lives – faith without the accompanying works is dead, faith in action will be the natural occurrence of our submission to the will of Christ in our lives
16) And we must reflect the love of God to a lost and dying world – the ‘bottom line’ as we like to say in our day to our whole purpose on this earth – to share the love of God with all creation.
Really just two things – 1) love the Lord your God and 2) love your neighbor
But what does that look like in our daily life?
1) Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth – our lives should reflect the love and affection that we have for our Heavenly Father - in praising Him, in honoring Him, in glorifying Him - by our desire to be in His presence and please the One who loved us first.
2) We must be willing to wait on the Lord – we live in a microwave world and waiting has become something we are just not good at – but all things are accomplished in His timing – not ours.
3) We are to be His witnesses to this world – as His witness it is His testimony that we are to be reflecting to the world around us – proclaiming the Gospel which is the greatest news man has ever heard or experienced.
4) We are to reflect His love and His grace and His mercy and His righteousness to all those around us – we all fall short of His glory therefore we must be His vessels that reflect His glory – not our own.
5) We are to share the reason for the hope that is within us to all who will listen – what good is your hope if you are not sharing it with others who do not have it ?
6) We are to stay true to our calling – He has gifted all of us with a calling (a ministry) and we need to obey and follow that calling, even in the small things – let us not be swept away with vain ambitions and prideful visions.
7) We are to make sure that we are the ‘vine’ and that Jesus is living through us – if we are not living in and through Him we are not fruitful and all of our efforts shall be as wood, hay and stubble.
8) We are to stand firm in His word - that means we need to be in His word, drawing ever closer to the One who created us, abiding by His truth
9) We are to shed off the wisdom of man – man’s wisdom has grown ever more insidious in the life of the body of Christ, without knowing God’s truth how will you know the difference and only God’s truth will set us free.
10) We are to be humble – true humility is a difficult thing for us in these times but we are called to it – humility is restoring God to His throne in our lives and focusing on worshipping Him not ourselves or others.
11) We are to have integrity – Godly integrity is only achieved when you are a living sacrifice, knowing where truth and honor are found.
12) We are to live a life that includes self-sacrifice and self-control – the actual practice in daily life of dying to self and living for Christ.
13) We must allow the Holy Spirit to lead in all matters – without the Holy Spirit filling us and leading us we may as well not get out of bed – for the works of the flesh are but dust.
14) We are to be a bond servant of Jesus Christ in every part of our life – the voluntary and willing submission of every part our lives to the Great Shepherd and His direction.
15) We must be actively exercising our faith in all aspects of our lives – faith without the accompanying works is dead, faith in action will be the natural occurrence of our submission to the will of Christ in our lives
16) And we must reflect the love of God to a lost and dying world – the ‘bottom line’ as we like to say in our day to our whole purpose on this earth – to share the love of God with all creation.
our walk of faith
Our Walk of Faith, God’s Saving Grace -
I was recently impressed with the analogy that our walk of faith through God’s saving grace is like a funnel – wide at the open end and then it gradually becomes narrow as you proceed (walk) through it.
Our walk of faith begins with God’s saving grace – and His grace, like the open end of a funnel, is wide open, inviting and directional. Once we are born again from above (by grace you have been saved through faith) our walk of faith, like traveling through the funnel, follows the narrow way that leads to life. It is the process of being refined through discipleship, sanctified by the Spirit. And even though the way is narrow His grace and His mercy are always sufficient no matter where we find ourselves within that funnel.
Also, the funnel is pointed upward, not downward. God’s grace always points us, draws us and directs us to Him - drawing us ever nearer – and that is the key to our walk – drawing closer to Him…more of Him and less of us.
So, let us walk boldly and confidently through the funnel as we draw ever closer to Him knowing that He is leading and guiding us through the power of His Spirit – and one day we shall be in His presence forever.
I was recently impressed with the analogy that our walk of faith through God’s saving grace is like a funnel – wide at the open end and then it gradually becomes narrow as you proceed (walk) through it.
Our walk of faith begins with God’s saving grace – and His grace, like the open end of a funnel, is wide open, inviting and directional. Once we are born again from above (by grace you have been saved through faith) our walk of faith, like traveling through the funnel, follows the narrow way that leads to life. It is the process of being refined through discipleship, sanctified by the Spirit. And even though the way is narrow His grace and His mercy are always sufficient no matter where we find ourselves within that funnel.
Also, the funnel is pointed upward, not downward. God’s grace always points us, draws us and directs us to Him - drawing us ever nearer – and that is the key to our walk – drawing closer to Him…more of Him and less of us.
So, let us walk boldly and confidently through the funnel as we draw ever closer to Him knowing that He is leading and guiding us through the power of His Spirit – and one day we shall be in His presence forever.
the wisdom of God
The wisdom of God
As we look at our country today we are ever hastily forsaking the wisdom of God and we are exchanging it for the wisdom of man. We now are ridiculing, slandering and ultimately rejecting His wisdom. This trend is running rampant through all segments of our society, even into the church.
As Proverb 1 indicates:
For those who disregard God’s wisdom -
How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded?
And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;
And you neglected all my counsel and did not want my reproof
When distress and anguish come upon you then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently but they will not find me, because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD
They would not accept my counsel, they spurned all my reproof. So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices.
For the waywardness of the naive will kill them and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
And here is the promise for those who desire and seek after His wisdom -
Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
For he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil.
May we seek after the true source of wisdom and not be lead astray by the wisdom that will ultimately destroy.
For the path is wide that leads to destruction…and man’s wisdom is the road map that provides the directions for that path.
There is a narrow path leads to life and God has promised that He will provide us with the directions if we are willing to listen and obey.
As we look at our country today we are ever hastily forsaking the wisdom of God and we are exchanging it for the wisdom of man. We now are ridiculing, slandering and ultimately rejecting His wisdom. This trend is running rampant through all segments of our society, even into the church.
As Proverb 1 indicates:
For those who disregard God’s wisdom -
How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded?
And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;
And you neglected all my counsel and did not want my reproof
When distress and anguish come upon you then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently but they will not find me, because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD
They would not accept my counsel, they spurned all my reproof. So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices.
For the waywardness of the naive will kill them and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
And here is the promise for those who desire and seek after His wisdom -
Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
For he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil.
May we seek after the true source of wisdom and not be lead astray by the wisdom that will ultimately destroy.
For the path is wide that leads to destruction…and man’s wisdom is the road map that provides the directions for that path.
There is a narrow path leads to life and God has promised that He will provide us with the directions if we are willing to listen and obey.
children of the living God
Children of the living God,
May the word of the Lord enrich you abundantly above and beyond all that you can imagine. May it strengthen your faith and give you hope in this desperate day.
Do not fear the world, nor shall you fear man, and do not become ensnared with the wisdom of this world for it is vain and fleeting.
People of His pasture, we are not of this world we are sojourners walking this earth until we reach our eternal home. And since we are His people we must be about doing His business while we walk in these fleshly tents.
I say this as one who struggles with the wiles of this world - His word says that I do not have to fear. For I must place my faith and trust in Him – in His faithfulness, in His lovingkindness, in His righteousness, in His Holiness – and take up my cross and follow Him. For He has promised His Holy Spirit shall be with us to lead us and guide us if we might surrender all.
As we are the apple of His eye therefore may we focus on the goal set before us, the crown of glory that is His restoration of His creation by His sacrificial atoning work. Let all the earth hear of His glory. Let all the earth praise His wonder. Let all the earth rejoice in His lovingkindness. For we are His witnesses called to proclaim His glory.
Children of the living God it is time that we take our place and fulfill our calling for the harvest is ripe and the workers are few. For in desperate times people call out to the God they do not know and we must be ready and prepared to lead them to the living waters – to the place that is beyond the fear of man and his world.
May His mercy and grace abound to all who call upon His name and may His strength uphold us.
a bondservant seeking after Him,
prb
Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matt 10:28-29
May the word of the Lord enrich you abundantly above and beyond all that you can imagine. May it strengthen your faith and give you hope in this desperate day.
Do not fear the world, nor shall you fear man, and do not become ensnared with the wisdom of this world for it is vain and fleeting.
People of His pasture, we are not of this world we are sojourners walking this earth until we reach our eternal home. And since we are His people we must be about doing His business while we walk in these fleshly tents.
I say this as one who struggles with the wiles of this world - His word says that I do not have to fear. For I must place my faith and trust in Him – in His faithfulness, in His lovingkindness, in His righteousness, in His Holiness – and take up my cross and follow Him. For He has promised His Holy Spirit shall be with us to lead us and guide us if we might surrender all.
As we are the apple of His eye therefore may we focus on the goal set before us, the crown of glory that is His restoration of His creation by His sacrificial atoning work. Let all the earth hear of His glory. Let all the earth praise His wonder. Let all the earth rejoice in His lovingkindness. For we are His witnesses called to proclaim His glory.
Children of the living God it is time that we take our place and fulfill our calling for the harvest is ripe and the workers are few. For in desperate times people call out to the God they do not know and we must be ready and prepared to lead them to the living waters – to the place that is beyond the fear of man and his world.
May His mercy and grace abound to all who call upon His name and may His strength uphold us.
a bondservant seeking after Him,
prb
Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matt 10:28-29
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