"They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Acts 2:46b&47
Every time I read the book of Acts, I am impressed by the passion of the early church. I see them as little children with wide eyed expectation of what God was going to do in and through them. They were zealous for God and nothing would stop them from sharing the good news with all. Even if it meant their deaths, they would still move forward with the declaration of the gospel. Many were beaten, tortured, and killed. Yet they were full of joy for God. It seems that there are things we should learn about how they lived.
I think it is very important that they spent time together. In today's world, we have lost sight of the importance of being together and enjoying the things of God. I heard it said once this way: "Fellowship is two or more fellows in the same ship." We have a common love for God. We want to learn more about him and the best way to do that is to spend time with each other talking about what he has done in each of our lives. There is something special about eating a meal together and talking about the things of God. We all live such busy lives that it is difficult to find the time, but it is critical that we fellowship with one another.
When the early church ate together in their homes, they did so with glad and sincere hearts. If there is one thing I often see missing in Christians these days, it is glad hearts. We never have enough time, money, or freedom. We are so caught up in daily life that somehow gladness has taken a back seat to the somber realities of life in this world. Perhaps this is why king David said, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation." How critical it is that we be joyful people with glad hearts for what our God has done for us. It is not merely putting on a happy face, it is experiencing and sharing that deep joy that only comes from a heart that is full of God. It is with sincerity that we enjoy the presence of God and choose to live within his blessing.
The result of living lives the way the early church did is this: People will be added to our number. I sometimes think about what I might think of Christians if I was an outsider. I'm not sure if I would see an infectious joy that would draw me into their crowd. Sometimes, Christians are the most negative, discontent, angry or sad people around. I think we should check our own hearts. Are we really joyful, glad people? Do we spend time together rejoicing and praising God for his greatness? Do we present something to unbelievers that draws them to God? Don't go out and plaster on a fake smile. Instead, ask God to restore joy and gladness to your life. It will definitely change you, and it will draw others to God.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Take Heart!
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
This verse has been on my heart today. I feel God speaking this word to me today and encouraging me to share it with you. I don't know all of the difficulties that everyone is facing, but I do know that we all deal with the struggles of the world. Sometimes they seem so overwhelming that we can't gain any victory over the situation. But the glorious truth that we all need to hear is this: Jesus has overcome the world.
It is guaranteed that in this world, we will have trouble. It comes in the form of persecution, financial struggles, marital issues, employment problems and more. Some of the seasons of life involve troubles. The real question is: How will we deal with the trouble? Human nature often leads us to feel rejected or abandoned by God. But he promises that he will never leave us nor forsake us. So when we feel abandoned, we need to counter with faith that says, "I know my God is with me." Trouble comes because we live in the world. It is a byproduct of the sin and corruption that exists here. Even though we are covered by God's hand, we are not immune to the affects. We may have troubles, but God is with us. He is attentive to us and he promises to deliver us.
Take heart! This is the necessary response to the issue of troubles. To take heart, means to have courage. We know that it is not possible for us to work up courage within ourselves. It only comes from God. As we lean on him in our troubles instead of trying to shoulder them ourselves, we will find the courage we need. There is a peace that comes from God that will permeate our souls and overcome our distress. God is watching to see how we will deal with troubles. If we run to him and depend on his strength, we will overcome depression, sadness and anger as we go through the trouble. I know that these are easy words to write, but much more difficult to live. The promise of God, utter3ed through Jesus is the knowledge that he has overcome the world. This is our victory.
Today, let's take comfort in knowing that Jesus has overcome the world. The troubles that we face are no different than the ones he faced when he lived here. He has gone before us, he has carried our burdens, he has brought peace, and he will deliver us. This is the hope we have in God. We must go through trouble, but he has never asked us to do it on our own. He is with us. So take heart! Believe the promise of God and lean on him when you cannot stand on your own. He is strong, loving, and fully able to bring you through the troubles of this world.
John 16:33
This verse has been on my heart today. I feel God speaking this word to me today and encouraging me to share it with you. I don't know all of the difficulties that everyone is facing, but I do know that we all deal with the struggles of the world. Sometimes they seem so overwhelming that we can't gain any victory over the situation. But the glorious truth that we all need to hear is this: Jesus has overcome the world.
It is guaranteed that in this world, we will have trouble. It comes in the form of persecution, financial struggles, marital issues, employment problems and more. Some of the seasons of life involve troubles. The real question is: How will we deal with the trouble? Human nature often leads us to feel rejected or abandoned by God. But he promises that he will never leave us nor forsake us. So when we feel abandoned, we need to counter with faith that says, "I know my God is with me." Trouble comes because we live in the world. It is a byproduct of the sin and corruption that exists here. Even though we are covered by God's hand, we are not immune to the affects. We may have troubles, but God is with us. He is attentive to us and he promises to deliver us.
Take heart! This is the necessary response to the issue of troubles. To take heart, means to have courage. We know that it is not possible for us to work up courage within ourselves. It only comes from God. As we lean on him in our troubles instead of trying to shoulder them ourselves, we will find the courage we need. There is a peace that comes from God that will permeate our souls and overcome our distress. God is watching to see how we will deal with troubles. If we run to him and depend on his strength, we will overcome depression, sadness and anger as we go through the trouble. I know that these are easy words to write, but much more difficult to live. The promise of God, utter3ed through Jesus is the knowledge that he has overcome the world. This is our victory.
Today, let's take comfort in knowing that Jesus has overcome the world. The troubles that we face are no different than the ones he faced when he lived here. He has gone before us, he has carried our burdens, he has brought peace, and he will deliver us. This is the hope we have in God. We must go through trouble, but he has never asked us to do it on our own. He is with us. So take heart! Believe the promise of God and lean on him when you cannot stand on your own. He is strong, loving, and fully able to bring you through the troubles of this world.
Monday, September 24, 2012
The Upright
"Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man."
Psalm 112:4
Psalm 112 is full of blessings for the righteous person. The Psalms are comforting and encouraging to us. Even when they speak of difficult times, there is always a word of encouragement for us. This particular psalm is written to encourage those who are righteous and upright. Even though it was written over a thousand years before the age of grace appeared, the Psalmist assured us of the blessings that would follow.
We are blessed because we are righteous. When Jesus died, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, he guaranteed us the opportunity to participate in his righteousness. When we choose to receive him and the work of the cross, we have his right standing with God. Righteousness is not something we can ever earn. Religious people have been trying to attain righteousness for as long as humankind has existed. But it is impossible. The only way to have right standing with God is through his Son, Jesus Christ. There is blessing that comes along with righteousness. The greatest blessing of all is the eternal life we have in Christ. We are assured of our future. There is nothing that can take that away from us.
There is still the issue of the "Upright." This is different than our guaranteed righteousness. The upright person is one who is growing in their relationship with God and perfecting holiness here on earth. Notice that the blessings guaranteed the upright are not things promised for the next life, but this one. As we grow in our relationship with God and become more like him, we are given blessings in this lifetime. When we are gracious and compassionate as God is, we can expect blessing to overflow in our lives. There is no darkness where the Upright live. The light of heaven is all around and blessing flows in abundance.
Today, we must understand that we have righteousness, and the blessings associated with it are beyond our comprehension. But we must also recognize our need to be upright. There should never be a day, an hour, or a minute that we are not moving toward the holiness of God. Apart from him, we have no chance, but in Christ with the counsel of the Holy Spirit, we can choose to live a pure and upright life before God. It is a growing process that is sometimes difficult, perhaps even painful, but the reward is great. God promises blessing in this life and the next for the righteous and upright. You are one of the righteous, now choose to become one of the Upright.
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man."
Psalm 112:4
Psalm 112 is full of blessings for the righteous person. The Psalms are comforting and encouraging to us. Even when they speak of difficult times, there is always a word of encouragement for us. This particular psalm is written to encourage those who are righteous and upright. Even though it was written over a thousand years before the age of grace appeared, the Psalmist assured us of the blessings that would follow.
We are blessed because we are righteous. When Jesus died, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, he guaranteed us the opportunity to participate in his righteousness. When we choose to receive him and the work of the cross, we have his right standing with God. Righteousness is not something we can ever earn. Religious people have been trying to attain righteousness for as long as humankind has existed. But it is impossible. The only way to have right standing with God is through his Son, Jesus Christ. There is blessing that comes along with righteousness. The greatest blessing of all is the eternal life we have in Christ. We are assured of our future. There is nothing that can take that away from us.
There is still the issue of the "Upright." This is different than our guaranteed righteousness. The upright person is one who is growing in their relationship with God and perfecting holiness here on earth. Notice that the blessings guaranteed the upright are not things promised for the next life, but this one. As we grow in our relationship with God and become more like him, we are given blessings in this lifetime. When we are gracious and compassionate as God is, we can expect blessing to overflow in our lives. There is no darkness where the Upright live. The light of heaven is all around and blessing flows in abundance.
Today, we must understand that we have righteousness, and the blessings associated with it are beyond our comprehension. But we must also recognize our need to be upright. There should never be a day, an hour, or a minute that we are not moving toward the holiness of God. Apart from him, we have no chance, but in Christ with the counsel of the Holy Spirit, we can choose to live a pure and upright life before God. It is a growing process that is sometimes difficult, perhaps even painful, but the reward is great. God promises blessing in this life and the next for the righteous and upright. You are one of the righteous, now choose to become one of the Upright.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Where Never is Heard a Discouraging Word
"But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort."
1 Corinthians 14:3
It's time to be honest about the prophets. There is a stark difference between the prophets of the Old Testament and the ones in the New Testament. The dispensation of grace has changed the way prophets operate. In the Old Testament, prophets were often used to bring rebuke to nations and men. If they weren't obeying the laws, they were called on it. Even then, there were amazing encouragements brought to us through them. It is indeed profitable to us to read and take to heart the words of the old prophets. But in the church today, there are prophets who speak different kinds of words from God. These are words of encouragement that bring life and strength.
I have often struggled with the role of a prophet in the church. There is a certain amount of prophet in me and I sometimes did not understand how to release that gift without hurting or offending people. But as I have walked in the ways of the New Testament prophets, I have come to understand that my role is to encourage and strengthen people. The words I speak should comfort them, not harm them. Too many people have been hurt by out of control people who claim to be prophets, but speak words of impending doom or negativity. The prophet today is called to build up the church in the same way pastors, teachers, evangelists and apostles do. Ephesians 4:11 tells us that these different offices of ministry are to: "Prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." This is accomplished by delivering grace-filled words of encouragement to all.
Don't get me wrong. I believe that there is a time for correction. But the pattern of the New Testament is to correct the ones who have done something wrong, and then release them back into the work of the ministry. Never did the New Testament church squash someone and stop them from serving. The prophet may see danger approaching long before it ever arrives, but his or her primary responsibility is to pray, warring in the Spirit to bring change to the situation.
So I say, "Church, release the prophets!" But I also say to the prophets, "Choose your words carefully, for you are God's instrument and you speak his words." He is a God of love, grace and mercy. He extends it to all. How dare we misrepresent him to his people! There is no greater joy to the prophet than to see the face of a person who has received an encouraging, God-inspired word. I've seen it and it is the greatest joy of my life. Arise prophets! Strengthen and encourage the church!
1 Corinthians 14:3
It's time to be honest about the prophets. There is a stark difference between the prophets of the Old Testament and the ones in the New Testament. The dispensation of grace has changed the way prophets operate. In the Old Testament, prophets were often used to bring rebuke to nations and men. If they weren't obeying the laws, they were called on it. Even then, there were amazing encouragements brought to us through them. It is indeed profitable to us to read and take to heart the words of the old prophets. But in the church today, there are prophets who speak different kinds of words from God. These are words of encouragement that bring life and strength.
I have often struggled with the role of a prophet in the church. There is a certain amount of prophet in me and I sometimes did not understand how to release that gift without hurting or offending people. But as I have walked in the ways of the New Testament prophets, I have come to understand that my role is to encourage and strengthen people. The words I speak should comfort them, not harm them. Too many people have been hurt by out of control people who claim to be prophets, but speak words of impending doom or negativity. The prophet today is called to build up the church in the same way pastors, teachers, evangelists and apostles do. Ephesians 4:11 tells us that these different offices of ministry are to: "Prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." This is accomplished by delivering grace-filled words of encouragement to all.
Don't get me wrong. I believe that there is a time for correction. But the pattern of the New Testament is to correct the ones who have done something wrong, and then release them back into the work of the ministry. Never did the New Testament church squash someone and stop them from serving. The prophet may see danger approaching long before it ever arrives, but his or her primary responsibility is to pray, warring in the Spirit to bring change to the situation.
So I say, "Church, release the prophets!" But I also say to the prophets, "Choose your words carefully, for you are God's instrument and you speak his words." He is a God of love, grace and mercy. He extends it to all. How dare we misrepresent him to his people! There is no greater joy to the prophet than to see the face of a person who has received an encouraging, God-inspired word. I've seen it and it is the greatest joy of my life. Arise prophets! Strengthen and encourage the church!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Handiwork
"So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God’s hands."
Ecclesiastes 9:1
If I could give you one encouraging word today, it would be this: You are God's handiwork. I talk to Christians in different places all the time. Some I know, but many I have never met. I find that when we really talk and share what God is saying, we find that it is very similar. This is one way that I know God is alive and real. The Holy Spirit is speaking the same things to people everywhere. One of the things he is saying is: "Find out who you are."
The problem with religion is that it has left us with ideas of how we should conform to it. We have followed rules, regulations, and philosophies that often cause us to lose our own identities in Christ. I have said it before; The great strength of the church is the fact that it is built on individuals who are being exactly who God created them to be. You see, everyone is different. God made each of us uniquely and he expects us to live the way he created us. he has called us uniquely as well. We cannot expect everyone to be a missionary or a pastor. Each person is called to a specific purpose that can only be fulfilled by that person. The worst thing the church can do is attempt to make everyone conform to its own ideas about ministry. We must release people to be who God created them to be.
When we realize that who we are and what we do is the handiwork of God, there will be a release in our lives. Some must be released to the ministry of being a mother or grandmother. Some are salesmen, mechanics, teachers, or business managers. Are these things any less valuable than the call of a pastor? Should we look down on those who are fulfilling their call in these ways? Obviously, the answer is no. In the eyes of God, all are the same. The key for us is realizing that whatever we do is done for a kingdom purpose. If you are a stay at home mom, you have been called for a purpose and the kingdom is being strengthened by your life. The same is true of all people who know who they are in Christ and fulfill the call he has given.
We can rest in the fact that who we are, the righteous ones of God, and what we do, is in the hands of God. In fact, before the universe or the earth were created, he had already knit your life together in his thoughts. It is too marvelous to comprehend, but it is true. So rest easy, child of God. Be who He created you to be. Be comfortable in your own skin, for God made you to be you. Be careful however, to never use it as a license for selfishness. He has created you and called you to bring glory to his name and build the kingdom of heaven. Always remember that your life exists for those purposes. Remember, you are God's handiwork!
Ecclesiastes 9:1
If I could give you one encouraging word today, it would be this: You are God's handiwork. I talk to Christians in different places all the time. Some I know, but many I have never met. I find that when we really talk and share what God is saying, we find that it is very similar. This is one way that I know God is alive and real. The Holy Spirit is speaking the same things to people everywhere. One of the things he is saying is: "Find out who you are."
The problem with religion is that it has left us with ideas of how we should conform to it. We have followed rules, regulations, and philosophies that often cause us to lose our own identities in Christ. I have said it before; The great strength of the church is the fact that it is built on individuals who are being exactly who God created them to be. You see, everyone is different. God made each of us uniquely and he expects us to live the way he created us. he has called us uniquely as well. We cannot expect everyone to be a missionary or a pastor. Each person is called to a specific purpose that can only be fulfilled by that person. The worst thing the church can do is attempt to make everyone conform to its own ideas about ministry. We must release people to be who God created them to be.
When we realize that who we are and what we do is the handiwork of God, there will be a release in our lives. Some must be released to the ministry of being a mother or grandmother. Some are salesmen, mechanics, teachers, or business managers. Are these things any less valuable than the call of a pastor? Should we look down on those who are fulfilling their call in these ways? Obviously, the answer is no. In the eyes of God, all are the same. The key for us is realizing that whatever we do is done for a kingdom purpose. If you are a stay at home mom, you have been called for a purpose and the kingdom is being strengthened by your life. The same is true of all people who know who they are in Christ and fulfill the call he has given.
We can rest in the fact that who we are, the righteous ones of God, and what we do, is in the hands of God. In fact, before the universe or the earth were created, he had already knit your life together in his thoughts. It is too marvelous to comprehend, but it is true. So rest easy, child of God. Be who He created you to be. Be comfortable in your own skin, for God made you to be you. Be careful however, to never use it as a license for selfishness. He has created you and called you to bring glory to his name and build the kingdom of heaven. Always remember that your life exists for those purposes. Remember, you are God's handiwork!
Monday, September 17, 2012
The Blessing of Blessing
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
1 Peter 3:9
Recently I was speaking at a church in another state. I did not know any of the people there except for the pastor and friend who had invited me. After the meeting, a man approached me to talk about what I had shared and to tell me what God had been speaking to him. At the end of the conversation, he spoke a powerful blessing over me. It was so strong that I heard the Holy Spirit say, "Listen to this." It was as if God was speaking audibly to me through this man. I could feel the chills in my body from being in the presence of the Lord.
Today, I'm thinking about the idea of blessing. In the Old Testament and throughout Jewish culture, blessing was very important. When a father was near death, they would always bless their sons and family. They actually spoke words of blessing over them. In the New Testament, the apostles always made sure they spoke blessing over those they visited. They often spoke of being refreshed themselves by those they had visited. This means that they too had received blessing.
We know that it is God who blesses. Everything that is good comes from him. But while we are here on the earth, words of blessing often come from our brothers and sisters in Christ. I was refreshed in my spirit because of the things this man spoke over me. It settled like the calm of the morning dew on a cool morning. It is difficult to express how much receiving a word of blessing touches one's heart, but it does. Not only is the recipient blessed and refreshed, but the one who speaks the blessing is also refreshed by the Holy Spirit.
We are to speak blessing, not curses. We are called to build up others in the faith, not to insult them. The verse above tells us that we are called to repay insults and evil with blessing. Speaking a blessing will neutralize the insult and push back evil. In return, God promises to bless us. How often do we pay back insults with insults? It is an easy habit to form and doing this conforms to the ways of the world. But when we speak blessing, something supernatural happens. Who knows but that one to whom you speak a blessing will come to the saving grace of Jesus. Our own church families can and will be blessed by God as we develop an atmosphere of blessing. When we choose to bless others, it is infectious. Soon a new culture of blessing and grace emerges. This is what God has always intended for his people. Because He blesses us, we choose to bless others. Speak words of blessing over those you come in contact with. Allow the Holy Spirit to use you to bless others. The joy of the Lord will rest on us and we will experience the blessing of blessing.
1 Peter 3:9
Recently I was speaking at a church in another state. I did not know any of the people there except for the pastor and friend who had invited me. After the meeting, a man approached me to talk about what I had shared and to tell me what God had been speaking to him. At the end of the conversation, he spoke a powerful blessing over me. It was so strong that I heard the Holy Spirit say, "Listen to this." It was as if God was speaking audibly to me through this man. I could feel the chills in my body from being in the presence of the Lord.
Today, I'm thinking about the idea of blessing. In the Old Testament and throughout Jewish culture, blessing was very important. When a father was near death, they would always bless their sons and family. They actually spoke words of blessing over them. In the New Testament, the apostles always made sure they spoke blessing over those they visited. They often spoke of being refreshed themselves by those they had visited. This means that they too had received blessing.
We know that it is God who blesses. Everything that is good comes from him. But while we are here on the earth, words of blessing often come from our brothers and sisters in Christ. I was refreshed in my spirit because of the things this man spoke over me. It settled like the calm of the morning dew on a cool morning. It is difficult to express how much receiving a word of blessing touches one's heart, but it does. Not only is the recipient blessed and refreshed, but the one who speaks the blessing is also refreshed by the Holy Spirit.
We are to speak blessing, not curses. We are called to build up others in the faith, not to insult them. The verse above tells us that we are called to repay insults and evil with blessing. Speaking a blessing will neutralize the insult and push back evil. In return, God promises to bless us. How often do we pay back insults with insults? It is an easy habit to form and doing this conforms to the ways of the world. But when we speak blessing, something supernatural happens. Who knows but that one to whom you speak a blessing will come to the saving grace of Jesus. Our own church families can and will be blessed by God as we develop an atmosphere of blessing. When we choose to bless others, it is infectious. Soon a new culture of blessing and grace emerges. This is what God has always intended for his people. Because He blesses us, we choose to bless others. Speak words of blessing over those you come in contact with. Allow the Holy Spirit to use you to bless others. The joy of the Lord will rest on us and we will experience the blessing of blessing.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
The Good Shepherd
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
John 10:14-16
The Bible gives us several different pictures of the relationship between Jesus and us, his people. He is our Savior, our brother, our husband, and our King. But one that we don't often talk about is this; He is our good shepherd. Jesus spoke these words himself and the things he said give us insight into his heart for us, his sheep.
Jesus said that the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. In John 10:11-13, he speaks of the difference between the good shepherd and the hired hand. He said that the hired hand, when confronted by a ferocious animal, will run and leave the sheep to fend for themselves. Obviously, this results in the loss of sheep. But the good shepherd will never leave the sheep. He will give up his own life for the sake of the flock...and that is exactly what Jesus did. But this picture of the good shepherd is a different look at our relationship with him. It is more than the fact that he died for us. This is a picture of a protector. Jesus takes care of us. He will never allow the enemy to destroy us. This resulted in his death, but he conquered even that. Now he lives to protect the sheep at all costs. You and I are under his watchful eye, his tender care, and his strong arm of protection.
We the sheep, know the voice of the good shepherd. I know there are many times when we don't think we hear the voice of God very well. But when we really look at our lives and examine the input of the Holy Spirit into our thinking, we must understand that we do know his voice. It's called discernment. Every one of us has a sense within us that warns us if we are listening to the wrong voice. This is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus the good shepherd, at work within us. We know it and the only way we don't accept it is if we choose to ignore it. We are sheep and we do know the voice of our good shepherd.
There is only one flock. Jesus said that he has more than just one flock. The reference here was to the gentiles. He was speaking to the Jews, but all the gentile nations would later be invited into the blessed salvation offered by Jesus. All are now included, there is only one flock. I think this is important because we have tried to be separate flocks. There is the Catholic flock, the fundamental flock, the evangelical flock, the pentecostal flock, the charismatic flock, and others. But the reality is that in the eyes of the good shepherd, there is only one flock and it is made up of sheep who recognize his voice. If we know Jesus, we know his voice, for he is the good shepherd. What a blessing it is to be a sheep in the flock of the good shepherd. We are well protected by the One who will never leave us or forsake us.
John 10:14-16
The Bible gives us several different pictures of the relationship between Jesus and us, his people. He is our Savior, our brother, our husband, and our King. But one that we don't often talk about is this; He is our good shepherd. Jesus spoke these words himself and the things he said give us insight into his heart for us, his sheep.
Jesus said that the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. In John 10:11-13, he speaks of the difference between the good shepherd and the hired hand. He said that the hired hand, when confronted by a ferocious animal, will run and leave the sheep to fend for themselves. Obviously, this results in the loss of sheep. But the good shepherd will never leave the sheep. He will give up his own life for the sake of the flock...and that is exactly what Jesus did. But this picture of the good shepherd is a different look at our relationship with him. It is more than the fact that he died for us. This is a picture of a protector. Jesus takes care of us. He will never allow the enemy to destroy us. This resulted in his death, but he conquered even that. Now he lives to protect the sheep at all costs. You and I are under his watchful eye, his tender care, and his strong arm of protection.
We the sheep, know the voice of the good shepherd. I know there are many times when we don't think we hear the voice of God very well. But when we really look at our lives and examine the input of the Holy Spirit into our thinking, we must understand that we do know his voice. It's called discernment. Every one of us has a sense within us that warns us if we are listening to the wrong voice. This is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus the good shepherd, at work within us. We know it and the only way we don't accept it is if we choose to ignore it. We are sheep and we do know the voice of our good shepherd.
There is only one flock. Jesus said that he has more than just one flock. The reference here was to the gentiles. He was speaking to the Jews, but all the gentile nations would later be invited into the blessed salvation offered by Jesus. All are now included, there is only one flock. I think this is important because we have tried to be separate flocks. There is the Catholic flock, the fundamental flock, the evangelical flock, the pentecostal flock, the charismatic flock, and others. But the reality is that in the eyes of the good shepherd, there is only one flock and it is made up of sheep who recognize his voice. If we know Jesus, we know his voice, for he is the good shepherd. What a blessing it is to be a sheep in the flock of the good shepherd. We are well protected by the One who will never leave us or forsake us.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Adjusting the Attitude
"Then they despised the pleasant land;
they did not believe his promise.
They grumbled in their tents
and did not obey the Lord."
Psalm 106:24&25
God had done amazing things when he delivered the Israelites from Egypt. He had caused Pharaoh to let them go, parted the Red Sea for them to cross, drowned all of the Egyptian army in the waters, fed them with manna, provided water, and guided them. But after they had received the promised land, they still were angry at God because there were other nations in the land. They had to take it from them. So the promise God had given them didn't look as good as they had hoped. So they responded in a negative way. I wonder if we act the same way toward God sometimes?
The Israelites despised the promised land. When we receive a promise from God and it comes to fulfillment, it sometimes looks a lot different than what we were expecting. But it remains the promise of God. If we despise it, we are taking up an offense against God. We may lose sight of the fact that God's will is always perfect, ours is not. These two wills collide and we don't necessarily get our own way. The correct response is to submit to God's will and not despise it. If the Israelites would have done this, they would have been spared much grief.
Equally as bad, the Israelites did not believe the promise of God, even though he had done exactly what he had said. They were given the land. But it seems that they expected it to be handed to them with no effort on their parts. When they saw the formidable armies they would have to defeat, they thought God had backed out on his promise. They were blind to the fact that they were already living within the promise. All of us have promises from God. We wait for them and when they come, we may say, "Surely this is not the promise God made." By this, we are telling God that we don't believe him. In effect, we are calling him a liar. But his promises are true and his will is perfect.
Like the Israelites, we grumble and disobey God. What if we changed our attitude toward God? What if we didn't take offense at him? What if we received his promises with joy and praised him for them? I am feeling the need to check my attitude toward God. I need to renew my faith in his promises. I need to accept his will with joy and submit to his plan for my life. I think that this will spare me much pain and hardship. Maybe you find yourself living with a bad attitude toward God. If so, it's simply a matter of changing your mind about him, submitting to him, and praising him for all he has done for you. When you reflect on what he has done and the promises he has kept, the result can only be thankfulness and praise for God. We all might need an attitude adjustment.
they did not believe his promise.
They grumbled in their tents
and did not obey the Lord."
Psalm 106:24&25
God had done amazing things when he delivered the Israelites from Egypt. He had caused Pharaoh to let them go, parted the Red Sea for them to cross, drowned all of the Egyptian army in the waters, fed them with manna, provided water, and guided them. But after they had received the promised land, they still were angry at God because there were other nations in the land. They had to take it from them. So the promise God had given them didn't look as good as they had hoped. So they responded in a negative way. I wonder if we act the same way toward God sometimes?
The Israelites despised the promised land. When we receive a promise from God and it comes to fulfillment, it sometimes looks a lot different than what we were expecting. But it remains the promise of God. If we despise it, we are taking up an offense against God. We may lose sight of the fact that God's will is always perfect, ours is not. These two wills collide and we don't necessarily get our own way. The correct response is to submit to God's will and not despise it. If the Israelites would have done this, they would have been spared much grief.
Equally as bad, the Israelites did not believe the promise of God, even though he had done exactly what he had said. They were given the land. But it seems that they expected it to be handed to them with no effort on their parts. When they saw the formidable armies they would have to defeat, they thought God had backed out on his promise. They were blind to the fact that they were already living within the promise. All of us have promises from God. We wait for them and when they come, we may say, "Surely this is not the promise God made." By this, we are telling God that we don't believe him. In effect, we are calling him a liar. But his promises are true and his will is perfect.
Like the Israelites, we grumble and disobey God. What if we changed our attitude toward God? What if we didn't take offense at him? What if we received his promises with joy and praised him for them? I am feeling the need to check my attitude toward God. I need to renew my faith in his promises. I need to accept his will with joy and submit to his plan for my life. I think that this will spare me much pain and hardship. Maybe you find yourself living with a bad attitude toward God. If so, it's simply a matter of changing your mind about him, submitting to him, and praising him for all he has done for you. When you reflect on what he has done and the promises he has kept, the result can only be thankfulness and praise for God. We all might need an attitude adjustment.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Majesty
"Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
Isaiah 53:1-3
Today, i am overwhelmed by the majesty of God. Majesty by definition is: Sovereignty, power, supreme authority and grandeur.* All these things are attributes of God. Often times, I run out of words to say when I praise God. There don't seem to be enough words in our language to adequately express the magnificence of God. But I think the word 'majesty' is perhaps the best one. It is an all inclusive word that describes our amazing God. But I am struck by one unthinkable truth: There came a point in time when God chose to give up his majesty to become a lowly man.
When God sent his son to earth, born of a virgin, completely human, he did not make him spectacular. People were not attracted to him because he was incredibly handsome. He was in appearance, average. When he began to speak the words of God, many people despised him, rejected him, and ultimately murdered him. While he lived among men, he was poor and homeless. He suffered beyond what any of us have had to endure. He lived a life of sorrow. This doesn't sound much like a majestic God, does it? In fact, he chose to leave his own majesty and become like us. This is just one great aspect of the incarnation of Jesus. We must realize that it is not only what he did for us that is amazing, but also what he gave up to do it.
Hebrews 8:1 tells us: "We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of majesty in heaven." Although he left his majesty behind to become one of us, he regained it in an even more powerful way because of his work here on earth. In the eyes of men, our God is even more majestic than those who lived before the time of Christ could imagine. God proved his majesty by his willingness to give it up and become like us. This is praiseworthy!
So today, I am choosing to celebrate the majesty of God by praising him for it. There is nothing else I can say to him that comes close to describing how grateful, thankful, and awestruck I am. I can say the words, but it is my heart that really speaks the praise. We should delight in the majesty of God. We should praise him for it. When in the presence of a king, we would call him, "Your Majesty." How much more should we declare our God as the Majestic One? For who he is, for what he's done, let's crown him with praise and declare his majesty!
*American Heritage Dictionary
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
Isaiah 53:1-3
Today, i am overwhelmed by the majesty of God. Majesty by definition is: Sovereignty, power, supreme authority and grandeur.* All these things are attributes of God. Often times, I run out of words to say when I praise God. There don't seem to be enough words in our language to adequately express the magnificence of God. But I think the word 'majesty' is perhaps the best one. It is an all inclusive word that describes our amazing God. But I am struck by one unthinkable truth: There came a point in time when God chose to give up his majesty to become a lowly man.
When God sent his son to earth, born of a virgin, completely human, he did not make him spectacular. People were not attracted to him because he was incredibly handsome. He was in appearance, average. When he began to speak the words of God, many people despised him, rejected him, and ultimately murdered him. While he lived among men, he was poor and homeless. He suffered beyond what any of us have had to endure. He lived a life of sorrow. This doesn't sound much like a majestic God, does it? In fact, he chose to leave his own majesty and become like us. This is just one great aspect of the incarnation of Jesus. We must realize that it is not only what he did for us that is amazing, but also what he gave up to do it.
Hebrews 8:1 tells us: "We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of majesty in heaven." Although he left his majesty behind to become one of us, he regained it in an even more powerful way because of his work here on earth. In the eyes of men, our God is even more majestic than those who lived before the time of Christ could imagine. God proved his majesty by his willingness to give it up and become like us. This is praiseworthy!
So today, I am choosing to celebrate the majesty of God by praising him for it. There is nothing else I can say to him that comes close to describing how grateful, thankful, and awestruck I am. I can say the words, but it is my heart that really speaks the praise. We should delight in the majesty of God. We should praise him for it. When in the presence of a king, we would call him, "Your Majesty." How much more should we declare our God as the Majestic One? For who he is, for what he's done, let's crown him with praise and declare his majesty!
*American Heritage Dictionary
Thursday, September 6, 2012
The Blessed Ones
"Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers."
Psalm 1:1-3
My intention today, was to write about the changing seasons of life. I sense the change of seasons in the air, and I also sense a new spiritual season is upon us. Change is imminent. But as I read the passage above, I discovered that the blessing of the Lord is for all seasons. In our lives, there are productive seasons and seasons of struggle. But we must understand that God is blessing us in all of them. So the word today is for the blessed, the righteous ones.
I suppose it's obvious how the blessed ones act, but it's important for us to think about. All of us fall prey to the predatory ways of the world from time to time. God assures us that we are blessed by him, but it seems to be contingent on our choices. If we want to be fully blessed, we are not to receive counsel from the wicked. This means that a lot of the advice we receive that comes from the world system is counterproductive to our Christian lives and our relationship with God. The ways of his Kingdom are opposed to the world, yet we often find ourselves following the familiar ways and methods of the world. We sometimes fall victim to sin. It is inevitable since we are still sinful beings, but the key here is; don't follow the way of sinners. The application is obvious, we are not to take the sinful road modeled by the world. Notice that the blessing doesn't prohibit us from being with 'sinners,' but we are not to allow ourselves to be drug into sin by them. So we are not to be wicked, sinners, or mockers.
The blessings of God are reserved for the righteous. We have this righteousness through Christ, but living a life of holiness is our own choice. We must choose to uphold the "do nots" so we can receive the full blessing. But enough about the negatives. The blessed ones are those who delight themselves in the Lord and in his word. The blessed ones have a different focus. We don't have to worry so much about the "do nots" because we are so focused on being delighted in God. If we fall occasionally, we are picked up through the grace of God and set on the path of blessing again.
The blessed ones are not those who said 'yes' to Jesus one time and then returned to live the same old life. The blessed ones are those who are so delighted with God that they forsake the old things and live in the new. They are solid, they are fruitful, they don't fall away, and they are prosperous. I choose to be one of the blessed ones. Do you? It is really a matter of choice and we must make the correct ones in every area of our lives. We may be blessed in one area because we delight in God, but we may be struggling in another because we are taking counsel from the wicked. It is a growth process. The key is recognizing it and chossing God's path in every area. It is so good, so refreshing, so productive, to be one of the blessed.
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers."
Psalm 1:1-3
My intention today, was to write about the changing seasons of life. I sense the change of seasons in the air, and I also sense a new spiritual season is upon us. Change is imminent. But as I read the passage above, I discovered that the blessing of the Lord is for all seasons. In our lives, there are productive seasons and seasons of struggle. But we must understand that God is blessing us in all of them. So the word today is for the blessed, the righteous ones.
I suppose it's obvious how the blessed ones act, but it's important for us to think about. All of us fall prey to the predatory ways of the world from time to time. God assures us that we are blessed by him, but it seems to be contingent on our choices. If we want to be fully blessed, we are not to receive counsel from the wicked. This means that a lot of the advice we receive that comes from the world system is counterproductive to our Christian lives and our relationship with God. The ways of his Kingdom are opposed to the world, yet we often find ourselves following the familiar ways and methods of the world. We sometimes fall victim to sin. It is inevitable since we are still sinful beings, but the key here is; don't follow the way of sinners. The application is obvious, we are not to take the sinful road modeled by the world. Notice that the blessing doesn't prohibit us from being with 'sinners,' but we are not to allow ourselves to be drug into sin by them. So we are not to be wicked, sinners, or mockers.
The blessings of God are reserved for the righteous. We have this righteousness through Christ, but living a life of holiness is our own choice. We must choose to uphold the "do nots" so we can receive the full blessing. But enough about the negatives. The blessed ones are those who delight themselves in the Lord and in his word. The blessed ones have a different focus. We don't have to worry so much about the "do nots" because we are so focused on being delighted in God. If we fall occasionally, we are picked up through the grace of God and set on the path of blessing again.
The blessed ones are not those who said 'yes' to Jesus one time and then returned to live the same old life. The blessed ones are those who are so delighted with God that they forsake the old things and live in the new. They are solid, they are fruitful, they don't fall away, and they are prosperous. I choose to be one of the blessed ones. Do you? It is really a matter of choice and we must make the correct ones in every area of our lives. We may be blessed in one area because we delight in God, but we may be struggling in another because we are taking counsel from the wicked. It is a growth process. The key is recognizing it and chossing God's path in every area. It is so good, so refreshing, so productive, to be one of the blessed.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Taking God at His Word
"When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.
'Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,' Jesus told him, 'you will never believe.' The royal official said, 'Sir, come down before my child dies.'
Jesus replied, 'You may go. Your son will live.'
The man took Jesus at his word and departed."
John 4:47-50
Sometimes we have to tackle tough subjects. We need to be honest about the things we struggle with when it comes to God's will. We all have questions like: Why hasn't God healed me? Why hasn't God provided for me? Why did my loved one die? Why doesn't my circumstance ever seem to get better? I doubt that there is one person who hasn't had these kinds of questions. I have asked them myself. I know God has the answers, but they don't always seem to match mine. I'm not sure we will ever fully understand the answers in this age, but there is a solid rock that we can hang onto.
The man in the story above was about to lose his son. He was near death and the last possibility was for him to receive a touch from Jesus. It took a measure of faith for the man to go to Jesus. After all, he had only heard about him and Jesus had only performed one other miracle. So it was a final effort on his part to attempt to save his son. The man had expectations. He felt that if Jesus could heal his son, he would have to go to his house, lay hands on the boy and raise him up before he died. This was the measure of faith the man had. To him, it was big faith, but Jesus had the power to heal the child in any way he chose. Even if the boy died, Jesus could raise him up.
It must have been a disappointment when Jesus did not go with him to touch his son. He may have felt that his faith had let him down. But Jesus chose to heal the boy in a different way than the man expected. Jesus simply told him to go home, for his child was made well. So the man never saw Jesus lay his hands on his son. He never experienced the joy that experience would have brought to him. But he was willing to receive anything Jesus had for him, even if it looked different than he expected. And so he took Jesus at his word and went home. While he was still on his way home, his servant ran to meet him with the news that the boy was well. He had been healed at the very hour Jesus had told the man his son would live.
So when we ask the tough questions, we need to be able to receive answers that may be outside our level of faith. God can do all things and it may look completely different than what we expect. We are forced to, "Take him at his word." I think we miss receiving the healing, deliverance, and blessings of God sometimes because we simply don't take God at his word. We lack the faith to believe that he will do what his Word tells us he will do. I don't think it matters if you forcefully claim his word, or you beg him. There is no formula. The man who came to Jesus begged him for his son's life. Maybe that's what you must do. Maybe you should just command it to be done. Whatever method you choose is not the issue. Taking God at his word is the issue. If you will simply believe what God promises, act on that faith by asking, and receive the answer in whatever way God chooses, you will receive what you ask. If we stop questioning God's power and start taking him at his word, we will have whatever we ask.
'Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,' Jesus told him, 'you will never believe.' The royal official said, 'Sir, come down before my child dies.'
Jesus replied, 'You may go. Your son will live.'
The man took Jesus at his word and departed."
John 4:47-50
Sometimes we have to tackle tough subjects. We need to be honest about the things we struggle with when it comes to God's will. We all have questions like: Why hasn't God healed me? Why hasn't God provided for me? Why did my loved one die? Why doesn't my circumstance ever seem to get better? I doubt that there is one person who hasn't had these kinds of questions. I have asked them myself. I know God has the answers, but they don't always seem to match mine. I'm not sure we will ever fully understand the answers in this age, but there is a solid rock that we can hang onto.
The man in the story above was about to lose his son. He was near death and the last possibility was for him to receive a touch from Jesus. It took a measure of faith for the man to go to Jesus. After all, he had only heard about him and Jesus had only performed one other miracle. So it was a final effort on his part to attempt to save his son. The man had expectations. He felt that if Jesus could heal his son, he would have to go to his house, lay hands on the boy and raise him up before he died. This was the measure of faith the man had. To him, it was big faith, but Jesus had the power to heal the child in any way he chose. Even if the boy died, Jesus could raise him up.
It must have been a disappointment when Jesus did not go with him to touch his son. He may have felt that his faith had let him down. But Jesus chose to heal the boy in a different way than the man expected. Jesus simply told him to go home, for his child was made well. So the man never saw Jesus lay his hands on his son. He never experienced the joy that experience would have brought to him. But he was willing to receive anything Jesus had for him, even if it looked different than he expected. And so he took Jesus at his word and went home. While he was still on his way home, his servant ran to meet him with the news that the boy was well. He had been healed at the very hour Jesus had told the man his son would live.
So when we ask the tough questions, we need to be able to receive answers that may be outside our level of faith. God can do all things and it may look completely different than what we expect. We are forced to, "Take him at his word." I think we miss receiving the healing, deliverance, and blessings of God sometimes because we simply don't take God at his word. We lack the faith to believe that he will do what his Word tells us he will do. I don't think it matters if you forcefully claim his word, or you beg him. There is no formula. The man who came to Jesus begged him for his son's life. Maybe that's what you must do. Maybe you should just command it to be done. Whatever method you choose is not the issue. Taking God at his word is the issue. If you will simply believe what God promises, act on that faith by asking, and receive the answer in whatever way God chooses, you will receive what you ask. If we stop questioning God's power and start taking him at his word, we will have whatever we ask.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Our Father
"Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name..."
Matthew 6:9b
Realizing that my last post was called, "Children of God," I have felt it important to share a few things about our Father. There are so many ways to view him, and all are filtered through our own experiences with earthly fathers. Because of our limited understanding, it may be difficult to receive all the truths the Bible teaches about our heavenly Father. But whether we can understand or not, the reality is God is our Father and he is perfect.
There are many aspects to the character of God. He is the Creator, the Savior, the Almighty, the Only True God. He is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Healer and Deliverer. Al of these are lofty things. It is difficult to comprehend One who is all of these things. But today God wants us to know that he is our Father. There is a personal relationship with him that all of us can and do have. So it is vital to us that we perceive him as our Father. If there is anything that keeps us from accepting this, we must break through.
Let's face it, some have had bad earthly fathers. They may have left you, been abusive to you, not protected you, or not loved you in a nurturing way. It's true and it hurts. The memories of those difficult things may have caused seemingly unrepairable damage. But God is the Father of us all. Everything the Bible says about him is true. He loves you perfectly. He cares for you beyond measure. He is absolutely good. We cannot view our heavenly Father through the experiences we had with our earthly ones. Even good fathers on earth cannot measure up to our God. In fact, our Father is so good that he can and will restore you and deliver you from the destructive things men may have done. He is the Father to the fatherless, our Daddy, Papa God.
I feel it in my Spirit: Some need to hear the truth that God is their Father. Let him restore you and bless you with his love. He is our Father, his name is hallowed. This means that he is holy. We cannot find fault in him. Be encouraged that God is your Father and he loves you with a passion. He cares for you and watches you as a parent would watch their children. He protects you, helps you, directs you, feeds you, clothes and shelters you. All this because he has chosen to be an involved parent. Yes, he is holy, but he is also available. You don't have to make an appointment or wait till he gets home from work. You don't have to fear asking him for anything. He will never leave you. He will never abandon or hurt you. He is good. This is our Father!
hallowed be your name..."
Matthew 6:9b
Realizing that my last post was called, "Children of God," I have felt it important to share a few things about our Father. There are so many ways to view him, and all are filtered through our own experiences with earthly fathers. Because of our limited understanding, it may be difficult to receive all the truths the Bible teaches about our heavenly Father. But whether we can understand or not, the reality is God is our Father and he is perfect.
There are many aspects to the character of God. He is the Creator, the Savior, the Almighty, the Only True God. He is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Healer and Deliverer. Al of these are lofty things. It is difficult to comprehend One who is all of these things. But today God wants us to know that he is our Father. There is a personal relationship with him that all of us can and do have. So it is vital to us that we perceive him as our Father. If there is anything that keeps us from accepting this, we must break through.
Let's face it, some have had bad earthly fathers. They may have left you, been abusive to you, not protected you, or not loved you in a nurturing way. It's true and it hurts. The memories of those difficult things may have caused seemingly unrepairable damage. But God is the Father of us all. Everything the Bible says about him is true. He loves you perfectly. He cares for you beyond measure. He is absolutely good. We cannot view our heavenly Father through the experiences we had with our earthly ones. Even good fathers on earth cannot measure up to our God. In fact, our Father is so good that he can and will restore you and deliver you from the destructive things men may have done. He is the Father to the fatherless, our Daddy, Papa God.
I feel it in my Spirit: Some need to hear the truth that God is their Father. Let him restore you and bless you with his love. He is our Father, his name is hallowed. This means that he is holy. We cannot find fault in him. Be encouraged that God is your Father and he loves you with a passion. He cares for you and watches you as a parent would watch their children. He protects you, helps you, directs you, feeds you, clothes and shelters you. All this because he has chosen to be an involved parent. Yes, he is holy, but he is also available. You don't have to make an appointment or wait till he gets home from work. You don't have to fear asking him for anything. He will never leave you. He will never abandon or hurt you. He is good. This is our Father!
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