Toward the beginning of His ministry, Jesus told Peter to go back out on the sea and to throw his nets in the water for a catch of fish. Peter did not really want too but he obeyed. The Bible tells us that when he pulled the nets back in, he had so many fish that he had to signal for help. Peter then turns to Jesus and says, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” Jesus tells Peter not to be afraid but that he would now be a fisher for men.
Later in His ministry, Jesus comes upon a man who has been possessed by many demons. Jesus commands the demons to come out. They leave the man only to go into a flock of pigs which then run into the sea and drown. Those from the town, hearing about the pigs and the possessed man, come out to see what is going on. They see the man, no longer possessed and they see the shepherds standing there with no pigs. They become afraid so they turn to Jesus and beg Him to leave. Jesus turns to get back in His boat, but the man who had been freed of demons begs to come along. Jesus denied his request but tells him to return home and to tell everyone about all that God had done.
Two times Jesus was asked to leave by people who were afraid of their situation, once by Peter and once by the people of the town. The first time Jesus did not leave, the second time He got back in His boat and sailed away. So what is the lesson? What is Jesus teaching? Peter saw the greatness of God and was afraid because he knew he did not measure up. The people of the town saw the greatness of God but were afraid because they had to change their lifestyle. Peter feared the Lord, the people were afraid to make Him Lord! To Peter, He calls Him to serve. To the people of the town, He leaves. BUT NOT UNTIL HE EMPLOYEES A MISSIONARY. The man who had been freed was more than happy to OVERFLOW about the greatness of God!
All too often I find myself asking God to leave certain areas of my life. Sometimes it is because I do not measure up to His greatness, but other times it is because I do not want to change my lifestyle. Sometimes Jesus stays and other times Jesus will leave that area, but not until He has employed someone to OVERFLOW in my life and to encourage me to life-change! What about you? Do you fear and reverence God because He is so great? Or are you afraid of God because He is asking you to change? Are you willing to OVERFLOW into the lives of those around you? There is not greater calling!
Smile Always,
jason
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
A Overflow of Unconquered Territory
Joshua 13:1 (NIV) - When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the LORD said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.”
Although the majority of Canaan was conquered, there was still a lot of land left that God intended for Israel to take. God knew that Israel could take it - - because He would get the victory for them. He had promised the victories so - - - They WOULD have the victories!
God sees the victories that lie ahead for you and me. Although we may only see the battles, He sees the victories… because He has already won the battles for us, just as He did for Israel. And, just as Israel still had unconquered territory, so do you and I. Just as Israel had a promised inheritance, so do you and I.
What is our unconquered territory? As a group - as the Body of believers and followers of Christ – our largest unconquered territory is a lost and unbelieving world. There are an infinite number of mission fields, from our own neighborhoods to the remote jungles of the Amazon to those countries where Bibles are against the law and Christians are imprisoned or killed. There are still numerous languages into which the Bible needs to be translated. There are moral and ethical wrongs being committed right here in this country that need to be defeated. And in our own personal lives - - we all have unresolved conflicts - - unconquered territories - - Sins that remain unconfessed… scars that remain unhealed… fears that continue to cripple us… lives that remain in turmoil. The list goes on and on.
Just as the list of unconquered territories goes on and on, so is the list of victories the Lord has for you in your life. Pray for guidance into your personal unconquered territories. Ask Him to show you the way He would have you go. Pray for our church and for other churches around us. Pray that Christ followers all over the world will press on to victory! Pray - - and take action - - walk with Christ into victory today!
Praying for more, Jeff Doss
Although the majority of Canaan was conquered, there was still a lot of land left that God intended for Israel to take. God knew that Israel could take it - - because He would get the victory for them. He had promised the victories so - - - They WOULD have the victories!
God sees the victories that lie ahead for you and me. Although we may only see the battles, He sees the victories… because He has already won the battles for us, just as He did for Israel. And, just as Israel still had unconquered territory, so do you and I. Just as Israel had a promised inheritance, so do you and I.
What is our unconquered territory? As a group - as the Body of believers and followers of Christ – our largest unconquered territory is a lost and unbelieving world. There are an infinite number of mission fields, from our own neighborhoods to the remote jungles of the Amazon to those countries where Bibles are against the law and Christians are imprisoned or killed. There are still numerous languages into which the Bible needs to be translated. There are moral and ethical wrongs being committed right here in this country that need to be defeated. And in our own personal lives - - we all have unresolved conflicts - - unconquered territories - - Sins that remain unconfessed… scars that remain unhealed… fears that continue to cripple us… lives that remain in turmoil. The list goes on and on.
Just as the list of unconquered territories goes on and on, so is the list of victories the Lord has for you in your life. Pray for guidance into your personal unconquered territories. Ask Him to show you the way He would have you go. Pray for our church and for other churches around us. Pray that Christ followers all over the world will press on to victory! Pray - - and take action - - walk with Christ into victory today!
Praying for more, Jeff Doss
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Putting the Right Things In
A teacher stood before his class with a large open-mouthed jar. Next, he put seven or eight rocks into the jar until they reached the top of the jar. “Is the jar full?” he asked. Everyone nods. Then he took pebbles and filled up the jar with the small rocks until they reached the rim. “Is the jar full?” By now, they didn’t answer. So, he poured sand in till it reached the brim of the jar. “Is the jar full?” Some nodded. He proceeded to take a pitcher of water and filled up the jar. What is the lesson in this example? There are many but one is: unless you put the big rocks in first, they never will fit in. What are the “big rocks” in your life? Your fishing or golf games, your next meal, your hobbies, your job, your family, your church or your relationship with the Lord? Many of the big rocks in our lives crowd out what is really important and prevent our lives from “overflowing”. No matter how much we try to stuff in, our lives lack the satisfaction that can only come when the “biggest rock” –the one put in first is our relationship with the Lord. Jesus talked a lot about thirst. He reminded the woman at the well that whoever drinks of well water will thirst again but whoever drinks of the water that I [Jesus] will give him shall never thirst, but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life. (John 4:14). Just a couple of chapters later Jesus stood in the temple and cried out “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink….From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water. (John 7:37-38) Is your life “overflowing” from the Lord filling your life or are you constantly “thirsty”? Jesus is the only one who can quench your thirst. Examine the “rocks” in your “jar” and reprioritize if you want to “overflow”.
Desiring overflow,
Paul Marth
Desiring overflow,
Paul Marth
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
An Overflow of Love
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8 NKJ)
February is fast approaching and has its share of holidays to offer. The first (and my favorite!) is Groundhogs day! This somewhat obscure celebration features a large yet amiable rodent known as, what else, a groundhog! Early in the morning of Feb. 2 before the sun arises people with nothing better to do stand around the home of the groundhog, which is nothing but a hole in the ground, and wait to see if he will emerge. Legend has it that if the groundhog appears and does not see his shadow he will wander off into the woods to greet an early spring. However, if he should arise and sneak a peak of his shadowy self then he will immediately return to his nice warm cozy burrow, spring will be delayed and winter will persist for another six weeks! I don't know if groundhogs are politically correct and up to speed on all the global warming propaganda or not but my bet for Groundhogs Day would be a tap on the snooze button and a quick return to sleep! Who would want to leave a perfectly cozy and warm burrow on a cold winter morning anyway?
Following Groundhogs Day are Lincoln's Birthday (Feb. 12), Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), President's Day (Feb. 15), Mardi Gras (Feb. 16), Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17), Washington's Birthday (Feb. 22) and Purim (Feb. 27). Bet you didn't know that February had so much to offer! I would also venture to say that out of all these holidays most of us only take notice of Valentine's Day! If you have a wife, husband, sweetheart, children, grandchildren or simply need an excuse to satisfy your chocolate addiction you probably either give or receive some type of candy on this day. If you don't, let me know and I will show you where Pastor Michael keeps his secret stash of chocolate!
Valentine's Day has come to be known and celebrated as the Day of Love! But what is real love? Is it pledging undying devotion to another? Is it a warm and fuzzy feeling that makes you light headed? Is it a 2 pound Hershey Chocolate Bar? I don't think so. Although, consuming that much chocolate could make you light headed!
If you want to know what love is, real love, true love then you must look at the author of love and that is God. God's love is an unfailing goodwill demonstrated towards us for our benefit. Let's look at that definition of God's love bit by bit. God's love never fails. It always comes through. It is always for our good. It is a matter of His will which means it is by choice, not by feeling. It results in action. That action is always intended for our benefit.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Talk about a great love! That is an overflowing love! That is the type of love that God shows us and calls us to show others! That is the type of love it is impossible to show others unless you are filled to overflowing with the love of God!
This Valentine's Month ask God who He would have you to love with an unfailing goodwill demonstrated towards them for their benefit! If you like, you can include chocolate!
Seeking to love like Him!
Larry
February is fast approaching and has its share of holidays to offer. The first (and my favorite!) is Groundhogs day! This somewhat obscure celebration features a large yet amiable rodent known as, what else, a groundhog! Early in the morning of Feb. 2 before the sun arises people with nothing better to do stand around the home of the groundhog, which is nothing but a hole in the ground, and wait to see if he will emerge. Legend has it that if the groundhog appears and does not see his shadow he will wander off into the woods to greet an early spring. However, if he should arise and sneak a peak of his shadowy self then he will immediately return to his nice warm cozy burrow, spring will be delayed and winter will persist for another six weeks! I don't know if groundhogs are politically correct and up to speed on all the global warming propaganda or not but my bet for Groundhogs Day would be a tap on the snooze button and a quick return to sleep! Who would want to leave a perfectly cozy and warm burrow on a cold winter morning anyway?
Following Groundhogs Day are Lincoln's Birthday (Feb. 12), Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), President's Day (Feb. 15), Mardi Gras (Feb. 16), Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17), Washington's Birthday (Feb. 22) and Purim (Feb. 27). Bet you didn't know that February had so much to offer! I would also venture to say that out of all these holidays most of us only take notice of Valentine's Day! If you have a wife, husband, sweetheart, children, grandchildren or simply need an excuse to satisfy your chocolate addiction you probably either give or receive some type of candy on this day. If you don't, let me know and I will show you where Pastor Michael keeps his secret stash of chocolate!
Valentine's Day has come to be known and celebrated as the Day of Love! But what is real love? Is it pledging undying devotion to another? Is it a warm and fuzzy feeling that makes you light headed? Is it a 2 pound Hershey Chocolate Bar? I don't think so. Although, consuming that much chocolate could make you light headed!
If you want to know what love is, real love, true love then you must look at the author of love and that is God. God's love is an unfailing goodwill demonstrated towards us for our benefit. Let's look at that definition of God's love bit by bit. God's love never fails. It always comes through. It is always for our good. It is a matter of His will which means it is by choice, not by feeling. It results in action. That action is always intended for our benefit.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Talk about a great love! That is an overflowing love! That is the type of love that God shows us and calls us to show others! That is the type of love it is impossible to show others unless you are filled to overflowing with the love of God!
This Valentine's Month ask God who He would have you to love with an unfailing goodwill demonstrated towards them for their benefit! If you like, you can include chocolate!
Seeking to love like Him!
Larry
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Does God Hate Haiti?
With the recent disaster in Haiti come the inevitable questions of why. Christians wonder why God allows such things to happen, atheists often use such events as evidence against God, and then other public figures often add their own thoughts that simply confuse the whole problem even more. You may have heard the comments of Pat Robertson, host of The 700 Club, recently where he expressed his view that the earthquake was one of many judgements from God on the Haitian people for allegedly making a pact with the devil years ago to earn their freedom from France. Is this true? Is God judging the people of Haiti for sin or is the earthquake simply another sign that this world still suffers from the effects of the fall? Dr. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, offers a very well-reasoned and thoughtful response. Please take a few moments and read his response HERE.
For His glory,
Adam Tucker
For His glory,
Adam Tucker
Monday, January 25, 2010
Overflowing Love in Family Life
1 Peter 4:8-11
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Keeping passion, determination and being intentional toward loving one another in family life is critical to the health of each home. So often we allow our God created differences and our unmet expectations to get in the way of portraying that fervent love Peter is writing about in this passage. His words “above all” stand in the context of his exhortation to believers as to how to live out Christ in their lives…and he states “above all keep fervent in your love”. “Fervent” denotes stretching or straining and pictures a person running with taut muscles, exerting maximum effort. Ancient Greek literature used the word to describe a horse stretching out and running at full speed. Fervent in love embodies what is needed in believers homes today…that above all else we are to “keep being determined”, “keep being passionate”, “stay in stride with maximum effort” in loving. So often today’s love is too dependent and the quick and easy rather than determination.
It is that kind of love that has the ability to give and receive forgiveness of wrongs, and it is also that kind of love that seeks restoration and reconciliation that includes life change. Notice Peter also states in a loving home, hospitality and the act of grace and meeting needs is to be offered without complaining. Parents, this one is huge…we must make sure that we model this attribute for our children. If they observe our constant complaints in carrying out the ministry of hospitality in meeting needs in the household, there is good chance they will complain about the chores and responsibilities laid out before them. To be true to the principle of offering hospitality to others we must first learn to offer it to our family.
Finally, Peter addresses the need of each family to use the special gift that each has received to serve one another as good stewards of the grace God has extended to us. He points out that the giftedness of each person is to serve one another not self and that our serving is to be done as one who is serving not in our own giftedness or strength but by the strength which God Himself supplies. Many times our weariness comes from our attempting to serve and love those in our home and around us in our abilities, strength and with our love. It is only when we truly receive His strength; love and grace are we able to be fervent in our love and hospitable without complaint.
Prayer – Father, teach and remind me daily as you pursue me and I seek after you, of my need to die to self daily, to keep fervent in my love for you that your love may permeate my heart, soul and mind. Enable me that my love might be fervent for others, especially my family and that my service to my home will come from your strength.
Grateful,
Marty
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Keeping passion, determination and being intentional toward loving one another in family life is critical to the health of each home. So often we allow our God created differences and our unmet expectations to get in the way of portraying that fervent love Peter is writing about in this passage. His words “above all” stand in the context of his exhortation to believers as to how to live out Christ in their lives…and he states “above all keep fervent in your love”. “Fervent” denotes stretching or straining and pictures a person running with taut muscles, exerting maximum effort. Ancient Greek literature used the word to describe a horse stretching out and running at full speed. Fervent in love embodies what is needed in believers homes today…that above all else we are to “keep being determined”, “keep being passionate”, “stay in stride with maximum effort” in loving. So often today’s love is too dependent and the quick and easy rather than determination.
It is that kind of love that has the ability to give and receive forgiveness of wrongs, and it is also that kind of love that seeks restoration and reconciliation that includes life change. Notice Peter also states in a loving home, hospitality and the act of grace and meeting needs is to be offered without complaining. Parents, this one is huge…we must make sure that we model this attribute for our children. If they observe our constant complaints in carrying out the ministry of hospitality in meeting needs in the household, there is good chance they will complain about the chores and responsibilities laid out before them. To be true to the principle of offering hospitality to others we must first learn to offer it to our family.
Finally, Peter addresses the need of each family to use the special gift that each has received to serve one another as good stewards of the grace God has extended to us. He points out that the giftedness of each person is to serve one another not self and that our serving is to be done as one who is serving not in our own giftedness or strength but by the strength which God Himself supplies. Many times our weariness comes from our attempting to serve and love those in our home and around us in our abilities, strength and with our love. It is only when we truly receive His strength; love and grace are we able to be fervent in our love and hospitable without complaint.
Prayer – Father, teach and remind me daily as you pursue me and I seek after you, of my need to die to self daily, to keep fervent in my love for you that your love may permeate my heart, soul and mind. Enable me that my love might be fervent for others, especially my family and that my service to my home will come from your strength.
Grateful,
Marty
Friday, January 22, 2010
Playing Catch-Up With God
Last week, I was sick for a few days and out of the office. When I came back, I had some catching-up to do - phone calls, emails, notes, etc.
In Genesis 35, Jacob is invited by God to “get up” or “catch-up” with Him. God is simply re-instructing Jacob to do what he’s already been told to do. Genesis 35:1 tells us that God said, “Get up! Go to Bethel and settle there.” He is really saying, “Hello Jacob… You want to get out of the mess you’re in there in Shechem where I didn’t tell you to go? Then, pick up the mess you’ve made of your life and your family by your disobedience…..clean up your act…..tell your family they need to clean up their act……and come back to Bethel. Remember, I told you that’s where I’d be waiting. Jacob…..come on…..catch-up!” (Gen. 31:13).
This chapter of Genesis is so full of life lessons for us. Today, just think for a minute….do you need to catch up with God or His will for your life?
Is there something you know God told you to do but you didn’t do it? It’s not too late – you have this moment. Perhaps it’s to reach out to someone. Come on…….catch up!
Did life get so overwhelming you just stopped doing things God’s way and took control of your own life? Do you think you did a better job with your life than God did? Today could be the day you return to Him and to doing things His way. Come on…..catch up!
In Genesis 31:13, God said, “I am the God of Bethel”.
In Genesis 28:13-15, listen to the words God had spoken to Jacob when they first met at Bethel more than 20 years before. The Lord was standing there beside him saying, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your offspring the land you are now sleeping on…..Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land and will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
God was just waiting for Jacob to catch up with Him so He could bless him, fulfill His promises. He does the same thing for us when we lag behind. He waits for us to catch-up with Him and His plans for us. Yes, we lose some things in the process. We all have Uncle Laban’s who abuse our goodness. We all are deceived by people in life. None of us are excused from situations that challenge our faith. But God has an individual plan for each of us. He bids us to return to Him – to catch up!
It’s a new week
It’s a new month.
It’s a new opportunity.
It’s time to catch-up with God – You know where He is – now head on to meet Him! You know where your Bethel is – He’s waiting there for you!
Then reach out to someone else and share how God’s love has overflowed in your life!
Blessed,
Tricia
In Genesis 35, Jacob is invited by God to “get up” or “catch-up” with Him. God is simply re-instructing Jacob to do what he’s already been told to do. Genesis 35:1 tells us that God said, “Get up! Go to Bethel and settle there.” He is really saying, “Hello Jacob… You want to get out of the mess you’re in there in Shechem where I didn’t tell you to go? Then, pick up the mess you’ve made of your life and your family by your disobedience…..clean up your act…..tell your family they need to clean up their act……and come back to Bethel. Remember, I told you that’s where I’d be waiting. Jacob…..come on…..catch-up!” (Gen. 31:13).
This chapter of Genesis is so full of life lessons for us. Today, just think for a minute….do you need to catch up with God or His will for your life?
Is there something you know God told you to do but you didn’t do it? It’s not too late – you have this moment. Perhaps it’s to reach out to someone. Come on…….catch up!
Did life get so overwhelming you just stopped doing things God’s way and took control of your own life? Do you think you did a better job with your life than God did? Today could be the day you return to Him and to doing things His way. Come on…..catch up!
In Genesis 31:13, God said, “I am the God of Bethel”.
In Genesis 28:13-15, listen to the words God had spoken to Jacob when they first met at Bethel more than 20 years before. The Lord was standing there beside him saying, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your offspring the land you are now sleeping on…..Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land and will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
God was just waiting for Jacob to catch up with Him so He could bless him, fulfill His promises. He does the same thing for us when we lag behind. He waits for us to catch-up with Him and His plans for us. Yes, we lose some things in the process. We all have Uncle Laban’s who abuse our goodness. We all are deceived by people in life. None of us are excused from situations that challenge our faith. But God has an individual plan for each of us. He bids us to return to Him – to catch up!
It’s a new week
It’s a new month.
It’s a new opportunity.
It’s time to catch-up with God – You know where He is – now head on to meet Him! You know where your Bethel is – He’s waiting there for you!
Then reach out to someone else and share how God’s love has overflowed in your life!
Blessed,
Tricia
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A Personal "Experiencing God" Story
In the wonderful study Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby and Claude King, they describe seven “realities” involved in learning to experience God:
1) God is always at work around you.
2) God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal.
3) God invites you to become involved with Him in His work.
4) God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.
5) God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.
6) You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing.
7) You come to know God by experience as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you.
My journey to become involved with God’s work on a full time basis came in 1998 when I was sitting at a music conference in Spartanburg, SC. But let me go back a few years. During my junior year of college at Wake Forest, I was asked to direct the choral group for the Baptist Student Union. I had sung in choirs since I was a child and, although I had no formal musical training, (then or now) I figured I could put together a few songs with the group. We would go out on Sunday evenings and present a musical service at area churches. One service was at a small church in Clemmons, NC. Following that service the pastor asked if I would consider directing their church choir which consisted of around 7 persons, 6 who were over 70 years of age. Needing the $25 per week salary to keep my car running, I agreed. For the next 35+ years, I directed church choirs at a variety of churches on a bi-vocational basis as I began and established a law practice.
That brings me back to August, 1998. Jim Cymbala, the Pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle, was sharing a devotional at a music conference I was attending. I have no recollection about what he said but during that devotion the Lord spoke to me like never before or never since. It was as close to the audible voice of God as I have ever been. The voice said “I want more of your time. I want you in full-time Christian service.” It was as clear a direction as I have ever had in my life. What was I to do? (See no. 5 and 6 above). We had a mortgage that I could pay comfortably on my lawyer salary but it would be a problem on a church salary. Could I sell the house quickly and find something more in line with a church salary? Would I need to change churches since Pleasant Garden had never had a full time minister doing music? What would my law clients and partners think? I had learned two things in my life prior to this event in 1998. The first one is that you can only be truly happy when you are doing the Lord’s will. Secondly, if you take a step of faith and action, the Lord will provide for your needs.
I came back from the conference and spoke to Pastor Mike about “my calling”. I also shared with my law partners. Mike talked with the appropriate committees and agreed that I should transition over a two year period adding more hours of work at the church each year. He also suggested that I add senior adult ministries to justify a full time employment status. That was another step of faith especially on the part of the church since I had no experience or training in that area other than the years I had directed the senior adult choir here. Just before leaving the full time practice of law, I settled a law suit for the largest amount in my 25 years of practicing law and was able to pay off my mortgage. I entered the ministry full time debt free on July 1, 2000. Isn’t God good! People ask me why I left the full time law practice. Was I unhappy? Absolutely not. I enjoyed practicing law and still enjoy going to the law office one day a week on my day off from the church. I did it because I had no other option if I wanted to be truly happy. The Lord has truly blessed me and my family as a result of following the Lord’s will. God does not call each of us to full time ministry but He does call each of us to be in His will for our lives. Have you sought what He wants you to do? Have you rejected His call on your life to move in a certain direction? You will never experience a life that is overflowing unless you are in the Lord’s will. Is it always easy to take those steps? No but you will never regret it when you recognize that your life is not your own and turn it over to your Creator to be used as He directs.
Paul Marth
1) God is always at work around you.
2) God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal.
3) God invites you to become involved with Him in His work.
4) God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.
5) God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.
6) You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing.
7) You come to know God by experience as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you.
My journey to become involved with God’s work on a full time basis came in 1998 when I was sitting at a music conference in Spartanburg, SC. But let me go back a few years. During my junior year of college at Wake Forest, I was asked to direct the choral group for the Baptist Student Union. I had sung in choirs since I was a child and, although I had no formal musical training, (then or now) I figured I could put together a few songs with the group. We would go out on Sunday evenings and present a musical service at area churches. One service was at a small church in Clemmons, NC. Following that service the pastor asked if I would consider directing their church choir which consisted of around 7 persons, 6 who were over 70 years of age. Needing the $25 per week salary to keep my car running, I agreed. For the next 35+ years, I directed church choirs at a variety of churches on a bi-vocational basis as I began and established a law practice.
That brings me back to August, 1998. Jim Cymbala, the Pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle, was sharing a devotional at a music conference I was attending. I have no recollection about what he said but during that devotion the Lord spoke to me like never before or never since. It was as close to the audible voice of God as I have ever been. The voice said “I want more of your time. I want you in full-time Christian service.” It was as clear a direction as I have ever had in my life. What was I to do? (See no. 5 and 6 above). We had a mortgage that I could pay comfortably on my lawyer salary but it would be a problem on a church salary. Could I sell the house quickly and find something more in line with a church salary? Would I need to change churches since Pleasant Garden had never had a full time minister doing music? What would my law clients and partners think? I had learned two things in my life prior to this event in 1998. The first one is that you can only be truly happy when you are doing the Lord’s will. Secondly, if you take a step of faith and action, the Lord will provide for your needs.
I came back from the conference and spoke to Pastor Mike about “my calling”. I also shared with my law partners. Mike talked with the appropriate committees and agreed that I should transition over a two year period adding more hours of work at the church each year. He also suggested that I add senior adult ministries to justify a full time employment status. That was another step of faith especially on the part of the church since I had no experience or training in that area other than the years I had directed the senior adult choir here. Just before leaving the full time practice of law, I settled a law suit for the largest amount in my 25 years of practicing law and was able to pay off my mortgage. I entered the ministry full time debt free on July 1, 2000. Isn’t God good! People ask me why I left the full time law practice. Was I unhappy? Absolutely not. I enjoyed practicing law and still enjoy going to the law office one day a week on my day off from the church. I did it because I had no other option if I wanted to be truly happy. The Lord has truly blessed me and my family as a result of following the Lord’s will. God does not call each of us to full time ministry but He does call each of us to be in His will for our lives. Have you sought what He wants you to do? Have you rejected His call on your life to move in a certain direction? You will never experience a life that is overflowing unless you are in the Lord’s will. Is it always easy to take those steps? No but you will never regret it when you recognize that your life is not your own and turn it over to your Creator to be used as He directs.
Paul Marth
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
An Overflow of Praise
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-- the fruit of lips that confess his name.” (Heb 13:15 NIV)
It seems as though there is a never ceasing flow of conversation and words that we are bombarded with each and every day. Opinions abound and they are shared almost without reservation! Talk shows and talk radio are accessible 24/7 on just about any subject fit and unfit for human consumption. With all the chatter going on it seems that the voices behind the words fall into one of three categories: Talkers, Squawkers, and Exalters!
Talkers are excitable and outgoing individuals that never seem to be at a loss for words. They make great conversationalists; if you like one sided conversations! You can merely nod your head and grunt “um-hum” every now and then and suddenly after half an hour you have covered the issues of the day! They are able to expound on any subject with conviction and insight. They may be wrong, but they are never in doubt! Words flow with ease and regularity!
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good conversation as much as the next person. I even appreciate those who can carry a conversation into interesting and enjoyable areas. But talk just for the sake of talk can be dangerous! Solomon warns us in Proverbs 10:19, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” There is a time to speak and a time not too! I try and follow the old saying, “Let them think you are stupid rather than opening your mouth and removing all doubt!” Our conversation is important but it must he purposeful and honoring to God.
Squawkers are critical individuals who always seem to have something negative to say. Regardless of the circumstances their comments tend to take a downward turn and a complaining tone. Contentment is illusive and satisfaction seems to be unattainable. After a short conversation with a Squawker you either feel extremely depressed or extremely thankful that you are not them!
All of us face difficulties and find ourselves dealing with negative circumstances. We need friends with whom we can share our struggles and feelings. But in doing so do we fall into the trap of being negative and complaining or trust God with a heart of gratitude? King David, who was greatly persecuted, responded to negative circumstances by praying, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Ps 19:14 NIV) No room for squawking when we are seeking to please God!
Exalters are focused on God and not on themselves. They always have a word of praise for who God is and a word of thanks for what God has done. Their conversation springs forth from a heart condition. Jesus taught us that, “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matt 12:34 NIV) When I find myself guilty of Talking and Squawking I have to check my heart and see what is “overflowing” from it.
King David reminds us of where our heart, thoughts and conversation should be centered. He writes in Psalm 40:4-5, “How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which you have done, and your thoughts toward us; there is none to compare with you. If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count.” As the old hymn says,
“Count your blessings, name them one by one:
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done!”
Good advice that will lead to an Overflow of Praise! Praising with you!
Larry
It seems as though there is a never ceasing flow of conversation and words that we are bombarded with each and every day. Opinions abound and they are shared almost without reservation! Talk shows and talk radio are accessible 24/7 on just about any subject fit and unfit for human consumption. With all the chatter going on it seems that the voices behind the words fall into one of three categories: Talkers, Squawkers, and Exalters!
Talkers are excitable and outgoing individuals that never seem to be at a loss for words. They make great conversationalists; if you like one sided conversations! You can merely nod your head and grunt “um-hum” every now and then and suddenly after half an hour you have covered the issues of the day! They are able to expound on any subject with conviction and insight. They may be wrong, but they are never in doubt! Words flow with ease and regularity!
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good conversation as much as the next person. I even appreciate those who can carry a conversation into interesting and enjoyable areas. But talk just for the sake of talk can be dangerous! Solomon warns us in Proverbs 10:19, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” There is a time to speak and a time not too! I try and follow the old saying, “Let them think you are stupid rather than opening your mouth and removing all doubt!” Our conversation is important but it must he purposeful and honoring to God.
Squawkers are critical individuals who always seem to have something negative to say. Regardless of the circumstances their comments tend to take a downward turn and a complaining tone. Contentment is illusive and satisfaction seems to be unattainable. After a short conversation with a Squawker you either feel extremely depressed or extremely thankful that you are not them!
All of us face difficulties and find ourselves dealing with negative circumstances. We need friends with whom we can share our struggles and feelings. But in doing so do we fall into the trap of being negative and complaining or trust God with a heart of gratitude? King David, who was greatly persecuted, responded to negative circumstances by praying, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Ps 19:14 NIV) No room for squawking when we are seeking to please God!
Exalters are focused on God and not on themselves. They always have a word of praise for who God is and a word of thanks for what God has done. Their conversation springs forth from a heart condition. Jesus taught us that, “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matt 12:34 NIV) When I find myself guilty of Talking and Squawking I have to check my heart and see what is “overflowing” from it.
King David reminds us of where our heart, thoughts and conversation should be centered. He writes in Psalm 40:4-5, “How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which you have done, and your thoughts toward us; there is none to compare with you. If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count.” As the old hymn says,
“Count your blessings, name them one by one:
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done!”
Good advice that will lead to an Overflow of Praise! Praising with you!
Larry
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
An Overflow of Contradictions
Last week I talked about the nature of truth. If you recall, I said that truth, by its very nature, is absolute. Truth is telling it like it is, and if something is true then it's true for all people, in all places, at all times. God has created us as reasonable beings with the ability to think and recognize truth and error. Unfortunately, far too many of us, Christians included, don't know how to think rightly. Our culture has an overflow of contradictions. The comments about the Baptist Press article I mentioned last week were chocked full of them. In fact, some Christians believe our faith is built on contradictions, and that's just how God operates. Nothing could be further from the truth.
You see, a contradiction, by its very nature, MUST be false. Let's quickly have a mini crash-course in logic. Logic is the study of how to think rightly, and it is built on three self-evident laws of thought. One of these laws is called the Law of Noncontradiction. It says that A cannot be non-A at the same time and in the same sense. What does that mean? It means, for example, I cannot be a married bachelor. Do you see the contradiction? A person cannot be both married and a bachelor. This is called a self-defeating statement. It fails to meet its own criteria. It's like if I said, "I can't type a word of English." Well, I just did didn't I? That's a contradiction. If you can grasp this one simple concept of right thinking, you will be well on your way to recognizing so many errors in the mindset of the culture we live in. The trick to recognizing these types of statements is to apply the claim to itself. And remember, if there's a contradiction then the claim MUST be false. There's simply no way around it. Let's look at some examples.
John 3:16 used to be the most quoted Bible verse. Now, it is probably Matt. 7:1. I'm sure you've heard it. You may make a claim to absolute truth and then you're met with the reply, "Who are you to judge. You shouldn't be so judgmental." Without getting into the proper understanding of Matt. 7:1, it's obvious that Jesus was not making a blanket statement about making judgments. How do we know? Apply the claim to itself. Simply ask the objector, "So why are you judging me for judging?" Do you see the contradiction? Another popular one today is, "No one can really know the truth." What would you say to that? How about, "Well how do you know THAT'S true?" Some will say, "Truth is relative, there is no absolute truth." Apply the claim to itself. Ask, "Are you ABSOLUTELY sure about that?" I hope you're getting the picture here.
I also hope you see that if Christianity is indeed built on contradictions then Christianity must necessarily be false. Thankfully Christianity is NOT built on contradictions. There are times when it seems a contradiction may arise in the Bible or within some essential Christian doctrine. But the fact is, the contradiction is in our understanding not in the verse or doctrine itself. For example, many people think the Trinity involves a contradiction. They simply write it off as "God's ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts." Contradictions are not actual possibilities. It would be like having a square circle. That's just not possible. But God can do the impossible can't He? Yes, God can do what is logically possible. Logic flows from God's very nature, and God cannot violate His own nature. God could not be illogical anymore than He could be unloving. It's who He is. So the seeming contradiction in the Trinity is a result of a misunderstanding of the Trinity. The Trinity is one God in three Persons. One God in three gods or one person in three persons would be contradictions, and hence, would be necessarily false.
I realize this is not a typical "devotional" post, but I do hope you see the importance of right thinking. In a culture overflowing with wrong thinking, we MUST, as stewards of truth, be equipped to think rightly and to properly engage the ideas surrounding us. Believing that our faith is built on contradictions simply fuels the cause of the unbeliever and does nothing to promote the kingdom of God. I pray we will overflow with right thinking and with love to a lost and confused world.
For His glory,
Adam Tucker
Monday, January 18, 2010
Overflowing Love in Family Life
There are often many things overflowing in our family life and too often it isn’t love that is overflowing…it is frustration, irritability, impatience and self. These arise from many different facets of life: hurt, disappointment and expectations play a role, but many times it is because we try to squeeze too much in an already busy life and we end up neglecting the most important things in life.
If not attentive, we neglect our personal relationship with God, we seek not His counsel nor His strength and wisdom and we begin to face the world and our family with our strength and wisdom. We are then weary and lack the energy and time it takes to develop that quality and connecting relationship with our spouse and children. Therefore, we aren’t well equipped to deal with the frustrations that come our way and lack the ability to communicate in a positive manner that encourages our family rather than deflate them.
Michael’s challenge to us yesterday from 1 John 4:7-12 must first begin at home. Learning to celebrate together in family life brings about an oneness of worship. To care for one another in carrying one another’s burdens and exhorting another will build a solid foundation of trust and honor. We have the opportunity to listen for God’s direction and look for God moments to minister and meet needs in the family unit. Families who have learned to minister within the home are quick to notice the needs of those outside the home.
In order for all of that to happen , it will demand us prioritizing our life to the important and not the urgent…there will always be things that scream for your attention and you will find yourself empty before the day is done if there is not a filling of God’s presence and His love continually in your life.
Last week I heard a definition of love that stuck with me: “Love is giving another what they need the most, when they deserve it the least at great personal cost.” That is exactly what Jn 3:16 states….God giving salvation to you and me (what we need the most) and Romans 5:6-8 stating “while we were yet sinners” (when we deserve it the least), Christ died for us (at great personal cost).
As Paul stated, we also pray: “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” – 1 Thess. 3:12 . Take time this week to allow God to pour His love into your life that you might be able to give your family what they need most, when they deserve it the least, realizing it will cost you something.
Grateful,
Marty
If not attentive, we neglect our personal relationship with God, we seek not His counsel nor His strength and wisdom and we begin to face the world and our family with our strength and wisdom. We are then weary and lack the energy and time it takes to develop that quality and connecting relationship with our spouse and children. Therefore, we aren’t well equipped to deal with the frustrations that come our way and lack the ability to communicate in a positive manner that encourages our family rather than deflate them.
Michael’s challenge to us yesterday from 1 John 4:7-12 must first begin at home. Learning to celebrate together in family life brings about an oneness of worship. To care for one another in carrying one another’s burdens and exhorting another will build a solid foundation of trust and honor. We have the opportunity to listen for God’s direction and look for God moments to minister and meet needs in the family unit. Families who have learned to minister within the home are quick to notice the needs of those outside the home.
In order for all of that to happen , it will demand us prioritizing our life to the important and not the urgent…there will always be things that scream for your attention and you will find yourself empty before the day is done if there is not a filling of God’s presence and His love continually in your life.
Last week I heard a definition of love that stuck with me: “Love is giving another what they need the most, when they deserve it the least at great personal cost.” That is exactly what Jn 3:16 states….God giving salvation to you and me (what we need the most) and Romans 5:6-8 stating “while we were yet sinners” (when we deserve it the least), Christ died for us (at great personal cost).
As Paul stated, we also pray: “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” – 1 Thess. 3:12 . Take time this week to allow God to pour His love into your life that you might be able to give your family what they need most, when they deserve it the least, realizing it will cost you something.
Grateful,
Marty
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Overflow, Overcome, Overshadow
Ps. 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God…”
Song of Songs 2:3 “Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down…”
To experience an “overflow” you must be ‘overcome.’ To be overcome you must be ‘overshadowed.’ What do I mean by this? Well answer this question, when was the last time you were so enthralled with the greatness and majesty of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords that you were late for work? Not because you were worshiping to long at Bedside Baptist with pastor Sheets, but because you were paralyzed by the splendor of God.
I have often wondered what it must have been like for John, “The disciple whom Jesus loved,” when he was reclining at the table with Jesus and the other disciples. There he rested with his head against Jesus’ chest. I wonder what he heard, what he smelled, what he was feeling? To know that you are resting against the Son of God, that the beating you hear in your ears, is His heart pumping the blood that would soon be your salvation and forgiveness. He was simply still, knowing that this was God! Just thinking about this, I am overcome with a sense of awe. He is God and I am not, He holds my life in the palm of His hand and I am secure for eternity, and it is on His chest that I am resting! I wonder if John ever thought about that moment when he was receiving the Revelation on the island of Patmos. I wonder if he ever thought, “Hard times are coming but I have rested on the chest of God!” He was overcome!
I have also wondered what it must have been like for Mary, to be working around the house only to find that an angel stands in front of her with the message that she was going to be the mother of the Son of God. Can you imagine the insurmountable questions that must have raced through her head? Yet only one question made it out of her mouth, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” She spoke of the physical impossibility of this divine message only to hear the response, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” What fearful, excitement there must be to know that the power of God is going to overshadow you! Mary’s questions ceased and she simply said, “May it be done to me according to your word.” That was all she needed to know, that she was going to be overshadowed by God’s power. What else is needed? She was overshadowed!
So once again I ask the question, when was the last time you simply rested in the Overcoming presence of the Almighty, to the point you Overflowed with worship for His Overshadowing greatness? When was the last time you took great delight in His shadow, and sat down?
Smile Always,
jason
Song of Songs 2:3 “Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down…”
To experience an “overflow” you must be ‘overcome.’ To be overcome you must be ‘overshadowed.’ What do I mean by this? Well answer this question, when was the last time you were so enthralled with the greatness and majesty of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords that you were late for work? Not because you were worshiping to long at Bedside Baptist with pastor Sheets, but because you were paralyzed by the splendor of God.
I have often wondered what it must have been like for John, “The disciple whom Jesus loved,” when he was reclining at the table with Jesus and the other disciples. There he rested with his head against Jesus’ chest. I wonder what he heard, what he smelled, what he was feeling? To know that you are resting against the Son of God, that the beating you hear in your ears, is His heart pumping the blood that would soon be your salvation and forgiveness. He was simply still, knowing that this was God! Just thinking about this, I am overcome with a sense of awe. He is God and I am not, He holds my life in the palm of His hand and I am secure for eternity, and it is on His chest that I am resting! I wonder if John ever thought about that moment when he was receiving the Revelation on the island of Patmos. I wonder if he ever thought, “Hard times are coming but I have rested on the chest of God!” He was overcome!
I have also wondered what it must have been like for Mary, to be working around the house only to find that an angel stands in front of her with the message that she was going to be the mother of the Son of God. Can you imagine the insurmountable questions that must have raced through her head? Yet only one question made it out of her mouth, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” She spoke of the physical impossibility of this divine message only to hear the response, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” What fearful, excitement there must be to know that the power of God is going to overshadow you! Mary’s questions ceased and she simply said, “May it be done to me according to your word.” That was all she needed to know, that she was going to be overshadowed by God’s power. What else is needed? She was overshadowed!
So once again I ask the question, when was the last time you simply rested in the Overcoming presence of the Almighty, to the point you Overflowed with worship for His Overshadowing greatness? When was the last time you took great delight in His shadow, and sat down?
Smile Always,
jason
Friday, January 15, 2010
GARNERING WISDOM
None of us has what it takes when we begin! And what is it we must garner along the way? Wisdom. We don’t have what it takes to connect all the dots that would enable us to apprehend all the promises God has given to us, potent promises that we can walk into and see fulfilled in our lives. We may have dreams and visions, but we don’t’ have the wisdom necessary to navigate the highs and lows we will most certainly encounter.
A choice of instructors
Life has given us two very effective teachers. Both are top flight instructors, but neither comes cheap. While both are effective, both require something of us. We have to choose one or the other, and if we choose neither, the second will be chosen for us.
The teachers are Wisdom and Consequences.
We can learn a great deal from either teacher. I should warn you, however, of the huge difference in their instructional styles. While Wisdom will amaze and delight us with her lessons, Consequences is by far the tougher teacher of the two.
For one thing, Consequences’ enrollment cost and ongoing tuition are sky-high. Oh, she’ll teach us well, all right – but by the time we learn her lessons, her instruction may have cost us years. It may have cost us our marriage, our family, our job, perhaps even our life. Consequences has a huge back-end cost.
Suppose you run full blast into a wall, and bang, you break your nose. What did you learn? Wall hard, nose soft; wall win, nose lose. Good! You are wiser now. What’s the lesson? Don’t run into walls that don’t move right along with you. Congratulations. You’ve garnered a pearl of wisdom from a personal experience that included some suffering and pain.
So now you’ve got your pearl. It’s pleasing. It’s valuable. But that’s just one pearl…one nugget, one bit of treasure. Becoming the husband or wife or teacher or leader you want to be – the person you were created to be – will require a whole bag full of these gems.
How else will you know how to navigate life’s twists and turns? To get where you want to go, you’ll need far more wisdom than what you’ve gained from your unfortunate experience with the wall.
Oh, you’ll learn, on the path of Consequences. You’ll even learn a few things about God, as the psalmist did: ‘Before I was afflicted, I went astray, But now I keep Your word…It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statues.’
In the school of wisdom
Wisdom has a front-end price. It requires discipline, obedience, consistency, and above all else, time. Then it gladly pours on you its promised tremendous riches. Do you want to know the biggest difference between Consequences and Wisdom? Wisdom teaches you the lesson before you make the mistake. On the other hand, consequences demand that you make the mistake first. Only then will it teach you the lesson.
Solomon put it like this: “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” That, in the proverbial nutshell, is the difference between Wisdom and Consequences.
Two pains
Just as there are two teachers in life, so are their two pains. Both can cause suffering, but one moves you forward while the other sets you back. The two pains have names. They are Discipline and Regret.
The kind of wisdom the Bible offers us takes discipline to extract; again, discipline can cause some pain. Spending time in the Bible is not always convenient or comfortable, nor does it always yield immediate or obvious benefits. Some days it may feel like a drag. Other days it may seem like the last thing you want to do.
What’s the alternative? I would simply remind you: The pain of discipline costs far less than the pain of regret.
If the pain of discipline can gain for us the wisdom of others – men and women who had to suffer through a great deal of regret – then isn’t the pain of discipline worth it? In 1 Corinthians, Paul recalls the experience of some ancient Hebrews from Moses’ day: “[Don’t] grumble as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”
It is as if Paul is saying to his friends, “Look, you appear to be in danger of heading down the same road that destroyed your ancestors. Don’t you remember, traveling that way brings regret and death? You have a choice here: Either learn from their pain and get back on the right road, or follow their example and end up as they did.”
James says it even more plainly. He tells us that we can get wisdom from two primary sources – and that we don’t want it from the first! He speaks initially of a wisdom that comes from below: street wisdom. This wisdom from beneath is “earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” That kind of wisdom will get you nowhere in the long run; it will only bring you oceans of regret.
Instead choose the alternative: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits.”
If you and I don’t put together a package of godly wisdom to chart a course through our current season of life, we will go through the season and come out the other end to find nothing but a brown, barren landscape. It won’t be a fruitful season. I may even feel like a waste.
Praying for the Overflow,
Michael
A choice of instructors
Life has given us two very effective teachers. Both are top flight instructors, but neither comes cheap. While both are effective, both require something of us. We have to choose one or the other, and if we choose neither, the second will be chosen for us.
The teachers are Wisdom and Consequences.
We can learn a great deal from either teacher. I should warn you, however, of the huge difference in their instructional styles. While Wisdom will amaze and delight us with her lessons, Consequences is by far the tougher teacher of the two.
For one thing, Consequences’ enrollment cost and ongoing tuition are sky-high. Oh, she’ll teach us well, all right – but by the time we learn her lessons, her instruction may have cost us years. It may have cost us our marriage, our family, our job, perhaps even our life. Consequences has a huge back-end cost.
Suppose you run full blast into a wall, and bang, you break your nose. What did you learn? Wall hard, nose soft; wall win, nose lose. Good! You are wiser now. What’s the lesson? Don’t run into walls that don’t move right along with you. Congratulations. You’ve garnered a pearl of wisdom from a personal experience that included some suffering and pain.
So now you’ve got your pearl. It’s pleasing. It’s valuable. But that’s just one pearl…one nugget, one bit of treasure. Becoming the husband or wife or teacher or leader you want to be – the person you were created to be – will require a whole bag full of these gems.
How else will you know how to navigate life’s twists and turns? To get where you want to go, you’ll need far more wisdom than what you’ve gained from your unfortunate experience with the wall.
Oh, you’ll learn, on the path of Consequences. You’ll even learn a few things about God, as the psalmist did: ‘Before I was afflicted, I went astray, But now I keep Your word…It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statues.’
In the school of wisdom
Wisdom has a front-end price. It requires discipline, obedience, consistency, and above all else, time. Then it gladly pours on you its promised tremendous riches. Do you want to know the biggest difference between Consequences and Wisdom? Wisdom teaches you the lesson before you make the mistake. On the other hand, consequences demand that you make the mistake first. Only then will it teach you the lesson.
Solomon put it like this: “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” That, in the proverbial nutshell, is the difference between Wisdom and Consequences.
Two pains
Just as there are two teachers in life, so are their two pains. Both can cause suffering, but one moves you forward while the other sets you back. The two pains have names. They are Discipline and Regret.
The kind of wisdom the Bible offers us takes discipline to extract; again, discipline can cause some pain. Spending time in the Bible is not always convenient or comfortable, nor does it always yield immediate or obvious benefits. Some days it may feel like a drag. Other days it may seem like the last thing you want to do.
What’s the alternative? I would simply remind you: The pain of discipline costs far less than the pain of regret.
If the pain of discipline can gain for us the wisdom of others – men and women who had to suffer through a great deal of regret – then isn’t the pain of discipline worth it? In 1 Corinthians, Paul recalls the experience of some ancient Hebrews from Moses’ day: “[Don’t] grumble as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”
It is as if Paul is saying to his friends, “Look, you appear to be in danger of heading down the same road that destroyed your ancestors. Don’t you remember, traveling that way brings regret and death? You have a choice here: Either learn from their pain and get back on the right road, or follow their example and end up as they did.”
James says it even more plainly. He tells us that we can get wisdom from two primary sources – and that we don’t want it from the first! He speaks initially of a wisdom that comes from below: street wisdom. This wisdom from beneath is “earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” That kind of wisdom will get you nowhere in the long run; it will only bring you oceans of regret.
Instead choose the alternative: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits.”
If you and I don’t put together a package of godly wisdom to chart a course through our current season of life, we will go through the season and come out the other end to find nothing but a brown, barren landscape. It won’t be a fruitful season. I may even feel like a waste.
Praying for the Overflow,
Michael
Over-flowing Onto Others
Happy Friday! Do you ever get tired of serving God? Be honest! Do you ever think to yourself, “I’m exhausted and just need a break - - God can handle things on his own today.” Do you ever get tired of waiting on God to DO something? Tired of waiting on the “reward”?
Take a look at Joshua 14:6-12 (NLT):
“A delegation from the tribe of Judah, led by Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, came to Joshua at Gilgal. Caleb said to Joshua, “Remember what the LORD said to Moses, the man of God, about you and me when we were at Kadesh-barnea. I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the LORD, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land of Canaan. I returned and gave an honest report, but my brothers who went with me frightened the people from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I wholeheartedly followed the LORD my God. So that day Moses solemnly promised me, ‘The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the LORD my God.’
“Now, as you can see, the LORD has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise—even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then. So give me the hill country that the LORD promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the LORD is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the LORD said.”
Caleb understood just how long it can take for God to accomplish His purpose. He was forty years old when he first went into the Promised Land as a spy along with Joshua and the other ten. Because of his faithfulness to God - - because he had refused to back down - - because he had followed the Lord wholeheartedly - - he had been promised a personal inheritance when the Promised Land was conquered! Now, forty-five years later, he was given his reward.
Caleb was still following the Lord wholeheartedly when he received his reward. He had gone through the wilderness with the rest of them. He had eaten manna day in and day out for forty years. And Caleb was one of the only two adults who were alive at the beginning of the wilderness journey to still be alive when Israel entered the Promised Land. Caleb followed the Lord wholeheartedly, all the days of his life. And, at the age of 85, he was still doing the same thing. He was so strong in the Lord that he had no fear of the giants that inhabited the land God was giving him. He knew God would defeat the giants for him! He was filled with wholehearted faith that had not wavered or slipped away since his youth.
How about you and me? Remember when you first understood that God loved you and had a plan for your life? Remember when you first asked Jesus to be your Savior? Remember your joy and your enthusiasm, your commitment to doing things His way? Remember how wholeheartedly in love with Him you were? How about today? Is your commitment weaker, or is it just as strong or stronger? Is your service to Him more or less active? Is there an over-flow of Jesus from your life onto others? Can people around you see it? Can strangers who meet you sense it? How much are you doing at PGBC or in another church to make a difference? What are you giving to your community to impact the future? Do you wake up each day and understand the opportunity God has given us to serve Him and bring glory to the name of Jesus? How wholehearted are you now?
Just like Caleb, our commitment should grow stronger, more constant, more intense as each day passes rather than slowly slipping away with the passing of time. Just like Caleb, God wants us to spend our entire lives wholeheartedly serving Him. “Over-flowing” onto others!
Take a look at Joshua 14:6-12 (NLT):
“A delegation from the tribe of Judah, led by Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, came to Joshua at Gilgal. Caleb said to Joshua, “Remember what the LORD said to Moses, the man of God, about you and me when we were at Kadesh-barnea. I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the LORD, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land of Canaan. I returned and gave an honest report, but my brothers who went with me frightened the people from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I wholeheartedly followed the LORD my God. So that day Moses solemnly promised me, ‘The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the LORD my God.’
“Now, as you can see, the LORD has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise—even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then. So give me the hill country that the LORD promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the LORD is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the LORD said.”
Caleb understood just how long it can take for God to accomplish His purpose. He was forty years old when he first went into the Promised Land as a spy along with Joshua and the other ten. Because of his faithfulness to God - - because he had refused to back down - - because he had followed the Lord wholeheartedly - - he had been promised a personal inheritance when the Promised Land was conquered! Now, forty-five years later, he was given his reward.
Caleb was still following the Lord wholeheartedly when he received his reward. He had gone through the wilderness with the rest of them. He had eaten manna day in and day out for forty years. And Caleb was one of the only two adults who were alive at the beginning of the wilderness journey to still be alive when Israel entered the Promised Land. Caleb followed the Lord wholeheartedly, all the days of his life. And, at the age of 85, he was still doing the same thing. He was so strong in the Lord that he had no fear of the giants that inhabited the land God was giving him. He knew God would defeat the giants for him! He was filled with wholehearted faith that had not wavered or slipped away since his youth.
How about you and me? Remember when you first understood that God loved you and had a plan for your life? Remember when you first asked Jesus to be your Savior? Remember your joy and your enthusiasm, your commitment to doing things His way? Remember how wholeheartedly in love with Him you were? How about today? Is your commitment weaker, or is it just as strong or stronger? Is your service to Him more or less active? Is there an over-flow of Jesus from your life onto others? Can people around you see it? Can strangers who meet you sense it? How much are you doing at PGBC or in another church to make a difference? What are you giving to your community to impact the future? Do you wake up each day and understand the opportunity God has given us to serve Him and bring glory to the name of Jesus? How wholehearted are you now?
Just like Caleb, our commitment should grow stronger, more constant, more intense as each day passes rather than slowly slipping away with the passing of time. Just like Caleb, God wants us to spend our entire lives wholeheartedly serving Him. “Over-flowing” onto others!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
SEEKING OVERFLOW THROUGH WORSHIP
Psalm 14:2 “The Lord looks down from heaven to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.”
John 4:23 An hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him.”
There are many different forms and styles of worship services. For many years there have been “worship wars” in churches which have related to styles of music used in services. The confusion and division that has resulted from these “wars” is clearly not from the Lord. God’s word reminds us the Lord is never the author of confusion. Maybe part of the problem is our lack of understanding as to what constitutes “worship”. Worship is simply the overflow of celebration, thanksgiving and praise in response to God’s work in our lives. How you choose to “express” this overflow may differ and that is OK but as you increase your understanding of what God has done, is doing and will do in your life, your natural response is to worship the one who is worthy of adoration and praise. Worship is not something we do for a 10 minute music segment on Sunday. Rather God desires that we develop a lifestyle of worship where God will impact our lives and inhabit our praise. Styles change and opinions vary but our God looks at the heart for those who are truly seeking Him. As one writer has put it:
Don’t follow fads-follow God.
Don’t seek trends-seek God.
Don’t covet the opinion of others-covet God’s blessing.
Don’t pray for people’s approval-pray for God’s anointing.
Paul Marth
John 4:23 An hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him.”
There are many different forms and styles of worship services. For many years there have been “worship wars” in churches which have related to styles of music used in services. The confusion and division that has resulted from these “wars” is clearly not from the Lord. God’s word reminds us the Lord is never the author of confusion. Maybe part of the problem is our lack of understanding as to what constitutes “worship”. Worship is simply the overflow of celebration, thanksgiving and praise in response to God’s work in our lives. How you choose to “express” this overflow may differ and that is OK but as you increase your understanding of what God has done, is doing and will do in your life, your natural response is to worship the one who is worthy of adoration and praise. Worship is not something we do for a 10 minute music segment on Sunday. Rather God desires that we develop a lifestyle of worship where God will impact our lives and inhabit our praise. Styles change and opinions vary but our God looks at the heart for those who are truly seeking Him. As one writer has put it:
Don’t follow fads-follow God.
Don’t seek trends-seek God.
Don’t covet the opinion of others-covet God’s blessing.
Don’t pray for people’s approval-pray for God’s anointing.
Paul Marth
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Only One Thing is Necessary!
(Luke 10:38-42)
What if your grocery shopping list was only one item because that's all you needed? What if your recent Christmas gift list; either the "I need to get" or "I hope to get" list, consisted of only one thing? How much easier (and cheaper!) would that whole process have been?! How long is your "TO DO" list? A friend of mine follows this rule each day: make your "TO DO" list only two items long. If you get them both done you can feel great and say, "I completed all the things on my list!" If you only get one item finished you can still feel good and say, "I finished half the items on my list!" If you don't get anything done you can always say, "It was only two items anyway! What's the big deal?" He almost has it right. If he whittled his list down to only one thing then he would be on target.
"Are you nuts?" might be your response! "Do you know how much I have to do each day? Are you aware of how many people I had to buy Christmas presents for (and how many presents I had to get!)? Do you think I can feed my household on just one thing? We can't even agree on whole milk, 2%, or that watery stuff they label as non-fat!"
I understand your reaction. Each day brings a flood of activity that seeks to overwhelm us. In fact, the pace of life and the associated responsibilities seem to be growing at an exponential rate. We can hardly get one thing done before two more take its place! In the midst of this pace of life, what am I supposed to do with Jesus' statement, "only one thing is necessary."?
As we focus on Overflow I can promise you this; you and I will get one. The question is which one? We will either get an Overflow that makes us "worried and bothered about so many things" or we will Overflow from recognizing "only one thing is necessary." That one thing is a consistent and intimate connection with Jesus. When we make that connection then we are supplied by the Source to Overflow into all the other areas of life. Why not complete your "TO DO" list right now? Remember, "only one thing is necessary!"
Overflowing,
Larry
What if your grocery shopping list was only one item because that's all you needed? What if your recent Christmas gift list; either the "I need to get" or "I hope to get" list, consisted of only one thing? How much easier (and cheaper!) would that whole process have been?! How long is your "TO DO" list? A friend of mine follows this rule each day: make your "TO DO" list only two items long. If you get them both done you can feel great and say, "I completed all the things on my list!" If you only get one item finished you can still feel good and say, "I finished half the items on my list!" If you don't get anything done you can always say, "It was only two items anyway! What's the big deal?" He almost has it right. If he whittled his list down to only one thing then he would be on target.
"Are you nuts?" might be your response! "Do you know how much I have to do each day? Are you aware of how many people I had to buy Christmas presents for (and how many presents I had to get!)? Do you think I can feed my household on just one thing? We can't even agree on whole milk, 2%, or that watery stuff they label as non-fat!"
I understand your reaction. Each day brings a flood of activity that seeks to overwhelm us. In fact, the pace of life and the associated responsibilities seem to be growing at an exponential rate. We can hardly get one thing done before two more take its place! In the midst of this pace of life, what am I supposed to do with Jesus' statement, "only one thing is necessary."?
As we focus on Overflow I can promise you this; you and I will get one. The question is which one? We will either get an Overflow that makes us "worried and bothered about so many things" or we will Overflow from recognizing "only one thing is necessary." That one thing is a consistent and intimate connection with Jesus. When we make that connection then we are supplied by the Source to Overflow into all the other areas of life. Why not complete your "TO DO" list right now? Remember, "only one thing is necessary!"
Overflowing,
Larry
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Who Are You to Say?
As we seek to allow God's love to overflow from us to others, what better way to do that than for us to know the truth and to share that truth with others? I'll be the first to admit that I don't do that as well or as often as I should. But I hope you'll join me as we discuss issues of faith and truth each Tuesday from an apologetics standpoint. For those who don't know, "apologetics" comes from the Greek word apologia, and simply means to give a defense. In other words, we use apologetics so that we can know what we believe and why we believe it, and that by doing so, we can be better equipped to share that with others.
Our culture tells us that it doesn’t matter what we believe as long as we are sincere. Many people believe that all roads lead to God and your faith is subjective. They believe absolute truth does not exist. This was illustrated recently on USA Today's religion section of their website. Last Thursday, the Baptist Press wrote an article about a four page insert the Nashville branch of the Church of Scientology had published in the Tennessean, Nashville's largest newspaper, offering a "free personality test." The Baptist Press article warned about the deceptive practices of Scientology and dangers and non-Christian doctrines they teach. Cathy Lynn Grossmans' Faith and Reason blog on the USA Today website had a response. Her post began, "This must be in-your-face month on the faith front. First, Brit Hume takes on Tiger Woods' soul. Now, folks at the top of the Southern Baptist Convention are riled up over a direct frontal recruitment campaign from Scientology in the SBC's hometown." She proceeded to recount the article in question as well as include a brief response from a Scientology spokesperson. Her question to promote discussion was, "How is Scientology's conversion campaign different than fairs and festivals that Christians hold to spread word of their vision of faith? Or Brit Hume telling Tiger Woods that Christianity is his best choice?" In case you're unfamiliar with Brit Hume, he is the Fox News anchor who recently expressed his opinion that Tiger should turn from Buddhism to Christianity in order to find forgiveness and restoration.
After some 309 comments to Grossman's blog post, the overall view of truth in our culture is apparent. Many comments harped on the rights of all religions to promote their beliefs. I couldn't agree more. The right to believe what one wishes is a fundamental human right. Not to mention, the Baptist Press article in question made no comments whatsoever about denying the Church of Scientology their rights. Many comments also spoke negatively of the Southern Baptist Convention for being "hate mongers," and some posters simply questioned who are we to say who is right and who is wrong. It was obvious that the overall mindset of posters was one that claimed something is true for you if you have faith and sincerely believe in it. In other words, all beliefs should be equally valid, and therefore true.
To answer Grossman's question we must first decide what truth actually is. Grossman's question is really not one of rights, but one of truth. Truth is simply telling it like it is. In other words, truth corresponds to its object. If I say snow is cold, then that is true. If I say ice is warm, then that is false. It’s pretty simple stuff. But truth, by its very nature is absolute, that is, it’s true for all people in all places at all times. If I say I’m cold right now, the fact that I’m cold right now is true for all people in all places at all times. Carry that logic to the realm of religion and God however, and suddenly truth is no longer true in the eyes of many. Let me explain what I mean.
The Bible says that Jesus is the Savior of the world who died on the cross and was raised from the dead to pay the penalty of our sin debt (I would agree). Others, however, believe some other faith or “god” is the correct way to live and believe. These two different beliefs cannot both be true no matter how sincere the belief. Christianity says Jesus is THE truth, while other religions say He is not. They may both be wrong, but they cannot both be right. The problem is that IF Christianity is true, and Jesus IS the only way to God, we need to know that we’re on His side. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” There is an abundance of evidence that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Jesus is indeed THE way. We’ll explore some of that evidence in this blog in the coming weeks.
So what's the difference between the Christian promoting their beliefs and the Scientologist promoting his? As a matter of religious freedom, none. As a matter of truth, everything. If Christianity is true, then the Scientology ad, or any other belief system's ad, would be equivalent of someone who believes asbestos is healthy running an ad encouraging people to inhale asbestos. What would be the most loving thing for those who know asbestos is deadly to do? WARN THOSE WHO MAY BE DECEIVED BY THE AD! That's exactly what happened in this case, and that's exactly what you and I should be doing.
For His glory,
Adam Tucker
Our culture tells us that it doesn’t matter what we believe as long as we are sincere. Many people believe that all roads lead to God and your faith is subjective. They believe absolute truth does not exist. This was illustrated recently on USA Today's religion section of their website. Last Thursday, the Baptist Press wrote an article about a four page insert the Nashville branch of the Church of Scientology had published in the Tennessean, Nashville's largest newspaper, offering a "free personality test." The Baptist Press article warned about the deceptive practices of Scientology and dangers and non-Christian doctrines they teach. Cathy Lynn Grossmans' Faith and Reason blog on the USA Today website had a response. Her post began, "This must be in-your-face month on the faith front. First, Brit Hume takes on Tiger Woods' soul. Now, folks at the top of the Southern Baptist Convention are riled up over a direct frontal recruitment campaign from Scientology in the SBC's hometown." She proceeded to recount the article in question as well as include a brief response from a Scientology spokesperson. Her question to promote discussion was, "How is Scientology's conversion campaign different than fairs and festivals that Christians hold to spread word of their vision of faith? Or Brit Hume telling Tiger Woods that Christianity is his best choice?" In case you're unfamiliar with Brit Hume, he is the Fox News anchor who recently expressed his opinion that Tiger should turn from Buddhism to Christianity in order to find forgiveness and restoration.
After some 309 comments to Grossman's blog post, the overall view of truth in our culture is apparent. Many comments harped on the rights of all religions to promote their beliefs. I couldn't agree more. The right to believe what one wishes is a fundamental human right. Not to mention, the Baptist Press article in question made no comments whatsoever about denying the Church of Scientology their rights. Many comments also spoke negatively of the Southern Baptist Convention for being "hate mongers," and some posters simply questioned who are we to say who is right and who is wrong. It was obvious that the overall mindset of posters was one that claimed something is true for you if you have faith and sincerely believe in it. In other words, all beliefs should be equally valid, and therefore true.
To answer Grossman's question we must first decide what truth actually is. Grossman's question is really not one of rights, but one of truth. Truth is simply telling it like it is. In other words, truth corresponds to its object. If I say snow is cold, then that is true. If I say ice is warm, then that is false. It’s pretty simple stuff. But truth, by its very nature is absolute, that is, it’s true for all people in all places at all times. If I say I’m cold right now, the fact that I’m cold right now is true for all people in all places at all times. Carry that logic to the realm of religion and God however, and suddenly truth is no longer true in the eyes of many. Let me explain what I mean.
The Bible says that Jesus is the Savior of the world who died on the cross and was raised from the dead to pay the penalty of our sin debt (I would agree). Others, however, believe some other faith or “god” is the correct way to live and believe. These two different beliefs cannot both be true no matter how sincere the belief. Christianity says Jesus is THE truth, while other religions say He is not. They may both be wrong, but they cannot both be right. The problem is that IF Christianity is true, and Jesus IS the only way to God, we need to know that we’re on His side. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” There is an abundance of evidence that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Jesus is indeed THE way. We’ll explore some of that evidence in this blog in the coming weeks.
So what's the difference between the Christian promoting their beliefs and the Scientologist promoting his? As a matter of religious freedom, none. As a matter of truth, everything. If Christianity is true, then the Scientology ad, or any other belief system's ad, would be equivalent of someone who believes asbestos is healthy running an ad encouraging people to inhale asbestos. What would be the most loving thing for those who know asbestos is deadly to do? WARN THOSE WHO MAY BE DECEIVED BY THE AD! That's exactly what happened in this case, and that's exactly what you and I should be doing.
For His glory,
Adam Tucker
Monday, January 11, 2010
Overflowing Love in Family Life
Isaiah 58
Today begins our daily journey together discussing our theme and God's Word as it relates to the Overflowing Love of God in and through our lives. Each Monday we will be looking at how the Indescribable Love of God is to manifested in our families.
Yesterday, Pastor Michael brought a challenging message from Isaiah 58 with the major point being that God accepts worship not when it is "outwardly" correct but when it is "inwardly" pure. I love the last 2 verses in that chapter, And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters to not fail. Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell."
God says to His family and to each of our families: I will guide you and in the midst of difficult places...I will satisfy you, if only we sought the Lord for our satisfaction instead of people and things around us. "I will be strength to your bones", it is the Lord that provides purpose, power, peace and protection and it is in Him we must place our trust. Verse 12 makes it clear that when our Worship is inwardly pure that rebuilding and restoration can take place. Many homes and marriages are in desperate need of rebuilding and restoration...this verse speaks to the fact indeed that it can happen: that foundations can be raised, that breaches can be repaired, that which was ruined can be rebuilt and the dwelling place can be restored...to God be praised.
However...we find that God gets involved and begins this process, not because we outwardly go through the proper motions, but that our heart is pure and that according to verse 9 that "we remove the yoke (of sin) from our midst, that we stop pointing the finger (blaming others), and we stop speaking evil toward others".
And when that happens, the Light comes forth and returns to our homes, brightly enough for others to see.
We are excited about what God is going to do in our midst in the days ahead...may we prepare taking to heart Isaiah 58 and bringing to God pure Worship....7 days a week in our homes. May you have a blessed day and may each of us be seekers of God's Face, His Heart, His Purpose and His presence.
Blessed,
Marty
Today begins our daily journey together discussing our theme and God's Word as it relates to the Overflowing Love of God in and through our lives. Each Monday we will be looking at how the Indescribable Love of God is to manifested in our families.
Yesterday, Pastor Michael brought a challenging message from Isaiah 58 with the major point being that God accepts worship not when it is "outwardly" correct but when it is "inwardly" pure. I love the last 2 verses in that chapter, And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters to not fail. Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell."
God says to His family and to each of our families: I will guide you and in the midst of difficult places...I will satisfy you, if only we sought the Lord for our satisfaction instead of people and things around us. "I will be strength to your bones", it is the Lord that provides purpose, power, peace and protection and it is in Him we must place our trust. Verse 12 makes it clear that when our Worship is inwardly pure that rebuilding and restoration can take place. Many homes and marriages are in desperate need of rebuilding and restoration...this verse speaks to the fact indeed that it can happen: that foundations can be raised, that breaches can be repaired, that which was ruined can be rebuilt and the dwelling place can be restored...to God be praised.
However...we find that God gets involved and begins this process, not because we outwardly go through the proper motions, but that our heart is pure and that according to verse 9 that "we remove the yoke (of sin) from our midst, that we stop pointing the finger (blaming others), and we stop speaking evil toward others".
And when that happens, the Light comes forth and returns to our homes, brightly enough for others to see.
We are excited about what God is going to do in our midst in the days ahead...may we prepare taking to heart Isaiah 58 and bringing to God pure Worship....7 days a week in our homes. May you have a blessed day and may each of us be seekers of God's Face, His Heart, His Purpose and His presence.
Blessed,
Marty
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