Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
A very simple concept, but many of us fail at this without realizing it. First of all, the "If it be possible" does not give you license to deal in like with those who aren't peaceable with you; your responsibility is to do everything on your part to be peaceful with others, regardless of how they are with you.
Second, this applies to all men, not just Christians. With this in mind, how is your attitude on the road? How are you with a waiter or waitress who is having a bad day? How are you with the people at the RMV (or DMV)?
As the scripture says, do your best to be at peace with everybody. Are you doing your best?
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Living with the Brethren
Romans 12:9-13
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Jesus told us to love one another and by doing that we would show the world that we were truly His disciples (John 13:35). This portion of Romans gets to the nitty-gritty on how to do this.
• Be real
• Hate evil
• Cling to good
• Love brethren like true family
• Strive to outdo in lifting each other up and doing good to one another
• Don't slack off
• Serve diligently each other and the Lord
• Take joy in our hope (a key to the next point)
• Endure the hard times (with the patience God provides)
• Stay in prayer - constantly
• Take care of those in need
• Keep your heart and home open to others.
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Jesus told us to love one another and by doing that we would show the world that we were truly His disciples (John 13:35). This portion of Romans gets to the nitty-gritty on how to do this.
• Be real
• Hate evil
• Cling to good
• Love brethren like true family
• Strive to outdo in lifting each other up and doing good to one another
• Don't slack off
• Serve diligently each other and the Lord
• Take joy in our hope (a key to the next point)
• Endure the hard times (with the patience God provides)
• Stay in prayer - constantly
• Take care of those in need
• Keep your heart and home open to others.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Combatting Troubles
Psalm 119:50
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
This is a rather short one today - this verse pretty much says it all: if I'm afflicted, God's word gives me life. God's word is the answer if we are facing difficult people, situations, and even sins. Whatever flies at us, we can use God's word not only as a sword to combat, but a shield to protect us. And more times it is often ourselves that we have to protect against. Ps 119:11.
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
This is a rather short one today - this verse pretty much says it all: if I'm afflicted, God's word gives me life. God's word is the answer if we are facing difficult people, situations, and even sins. Whatever flies at us, we can use God's word not only as a sword to combat, but a shield to protect us. And more times it is often ourselves that we have to protect against. Ps 119:11.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Yeilding To The Word
Psalm 119:33-40
Note: If you attended the June 21st Men's Breakfast you will notice this is the same material we discussed.
This section of Psalm 119 should speak to everyone of us. I have divided the three sections that I could apply to my life and to help me remember the application.
The Goal
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Both verses here ask for God to lead the writer (David) in the pursuit of God's word. The result is to follow God's Word with a passion - whole-heartily.
The Warning
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
David was a man after God's own heart, but he was still a man who could mess up. Verse 35 indicates that David needs a guard: he asks God to give him a heart that takes joy in following the word. David asks in 36 that he desires God's word so that he doesn't covet anything (what did David do when he saw Bathsheba?). And finally he asks God to divert his attention from what is worthless and be made alive in following God.
The Result
38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
David then puts the result of yielding to God's word instead of flirting with the world: being grounded in God's word and being in awe and respecting Him. Having no cause for shame in front of the King, but gladly accepting God's correcting us. And finally having a great desire for God's word and being made alive in His righteousness.
Note: If you attended the June 21st Men's Breakfast you will notice this is the same material we discussed.
This section of Psalm 119 should speak to everyone of us. I have divided the three sections that I could apply to my life and to help me remember the application.
The Goal
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Both verses here ask for God to lead the writer (David) in the pursuit of God's word. The result is to follow God's Word with a passion - whole-heartily.
The Warning
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
David was a man after God's own heart, but he was still a man who could mess up. Verse 35 indicates that David needs a guard: he asks God to give him a heart that takes joy in following the word. David asks in 36 that he desires God's word so that he doesn't covet anything (what did David do when he saw Bathsheba?). And finally he asks God to divert his attention from what is worthless and be made alive in following God.
The Result
38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
David then puts the result of yielding to God's word instead of flirting with the world: being grounded in God's word and being in awe and respecting Him. Having no cause for shame in front of the King, but gladly accepting God's correcting us. And finally having a great desire for God's word and being made alive in His righteousness.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Believe and Confess
Romans 10:9-10
9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
I know most of my readers have asked Jesus into their lives, thus I generally write about the daily following of Christ. Today, however, I just want to put up the simplicity of starting that journey with Christ.
Remember that Christianity is a relationship not a religion. The relationship we strive for is that with God through Christ Jesus. "Strive" may not be the best way to describe the relationship - for it was God who took the step to establish the relationship with man (Adam & Eve in Genesis) and to reconcile the relationship when we rejected Him (through Jesus Christ who died for our sins, but rose from the dead, thus conquering sin and death).
If you believe in that substitutionary death of Jesus and His resurrection and confess it with your mouth, you belong to God - you are His child. You are saved - nothing can take that away. And from that day you choose either to obey God or disobey Him - and that's the lifelong journey with Christ.
Romans 6:3-4
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
I know most of my readers have asked Jesus into their lives, thus I generally write about the daily following of Christ. Today, however, I just want to put up the simplicity of starting that journey with Christ.
Remember that Christianity is a relationship not a religion. The relationship we strive for is that with God through Christ Jesus. "Strive" may not be the best way to describe the relationship - for it was God who took the step to establish the relationship with man (Adam & Eve in Genesis) and to reconcile the relationship when we rejected Him (through Jesus Christ who died for our sins, but rose from the dead, thus conquering sin and death).
If you believe in that substitutionary death of Jesus and His resurrection and confess it with your mouth, you belong to God - you are His child. You are saved - nothing can take that away. And from that day you choose either to obey God or disobey Him - and that's the lifelong journey with Christ.
Romans 6:3-4
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Israel's Stumbling Block
Romans 9:30-33
30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written,
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
I think we sometimes look at Israel and forget that we too can make the very same mistakes that they did. The main mistake being a dependence on works and not faith.
I realize that we are told that our salvation is based on faith and not works (Ephesians 2:8-9), but we sometimes need to evaluate our lives and see if we are living by faith and not works.
It may be that I'm susceptible to this being a pastor. Before you question how that can be, realize it is very easy for me to do church work and forget the reason why I'm doing church work: I was called into a ministry because of the love relationship I have with God. (Rev. 2:2-4). One of the new quotes among the leaders at church is "Love the King, not the kingdom."
Okay, so I've shared where I sometimes depend on works, how about you? Is there things you do for the kingdom and forget the King? Do you spend more time: working in the nursery; practicing and performing for worship; preparing for a Sunday School class; anything more than spending time with the King?
Remember, time spent in prayer and Bible study first will have excellent bi-products. This blog in itself is such.
Is serving Jesus' kingdom a stumbling block for you?
30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written,
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
I think we sometimes look at Israel and forget that we too can make the very same mistakes that they did. The main mistake being a dependence on works and not faith.
I realize that we are told that our salvation is based on faith and not works (Ephesians 2:8-9), but we sometimes need to evaluate our lives and see if we are living by faith and not works.
It may be that I'm susceptible to this being a pastor. Before you question how that can be, realize it is very easy for me to do church work and forget the reason why I'm doing church work: I was called into a ministry because of the love relationship I have with God. (Rev. 2:2-4). One of the new quotes among the leaders at church is "Love the King, not the kingdom."
Okay, so I've shared where I sometimes depend on works, how about you? Is there things you do for the kingdom and forget the King? Do you spend more time: working in the nursery; practicing and performing for worship; preparing for a Sunday School class; anything more than spending time with the King?
Remember, time spent in prayer and Bible study first will have excellent bi-products. This blog in itself is such.
Is serving Jesus' kingdom a stumbling block for you?
Monday, June 23, 2008
The Progression of His Word
Psalm 119:15-16
15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Reading Psalm 119 is an awesome way to think about God's word and how important it is to our lives. I've been seeing many of verses written in a "IF-THEN" or "CAUSE-EFFECT" style. With that being said lets look at verses 15 and 16.
Separate verse 15 into IF-THEN or CAUSE-EFFECT; instead of it being "I will meditate on Your word AND focus on following You" it becomes "When I meditate on Your word then I am able to focus on following You."
I am not trying to change God's word at all, but the style throughout Psalm 119 doesn't really use AND's and semicolons to combine simultaneous actions, but rather they are used as a progression to a goal. Just like baking a cake does not mean throwing all the ingredients in the bowl at once, but you add each ingredient at its proper time, you bake it AND you get a cake.
Back to verse 15 and my paraphrase: "When I meditate on Your word then I am able to focus on following You." The only further definition we need is on "meditate." Meditate as it is used here can be as a picture of a cow chewing its cud: chewing, swallowing, regurgitating, repeat... We likewise are go over and over God's word. Reading, dissecting, memorizing - hiding it in our hearts (Ps 119:11). And then when we have assimilated His word we are equipped to apply it (following Him). Do we have to go through this process every time we read the Word? Not exactly; sometimes we understand the application immediately and we just need to do it (the Holy Spirit shortens the meditation process). Either way, the importance is that we assimilate God's word so that we focus on following Him.
16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Finish this phrase: "You do the hokey-pokey, and you turn yourself around..." Were you able to finish it? Did it bring back memories of rainy days during grade school, Friday night at the roller rink, or even a real fun wedding reception? In case you don't remember: "...that's what it's all about." It's a silly song that we associate with having fun in a large group - so we remember the words. Do you see where I'm going with this? If we are delighting in His word, we will not forget it.
Today's challenge is to first delight in His word. How? The Creator of the universe chooses to speak to you through the Bible. That's incredible. The Holy Spirit has taken up permanent residence in you and He understands the Bible completely. Can you delight in those two facts? The ultimate entity, The Lord God, speaks to you and at the same time dwells in you to interpret.
That's cause to remember His word. Even to meditate on His word (the second challenge for today). And the best way to follow up meditation is application. And by this we are following Christ.
15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Reading Psalm 119 is an awesome way to think about God's word and how important it is to our lives. I've been seeing many of verses written in a "IF-THEN" or "CAUSE-EFFECT" style. With that being said lets look at verses 15 and 16.
Separate verse 15 into IF-THEN or CAUSE-EFFECT; instead of it being "I will meditate on Your word AND focus on following You" it becomes "When I meditate on Your word then I am able to focus on following You."
I am not trying to change God's word at all, but the style throughout Psalm 119 doesn't really use AND's and semicolons to combine simultaneous actions, but rather they are used as a progression to a goal. Just like baking a cake does not mean throwing all the ingredients in the bowl at once, but you add each ingredient at its proper time, you bake it AND you get a cake.
Back to verse 15 and my paraphrase: "When I meditate on Your word then I am able to focus on following You." The only further definition we need is on "meditate." Meditate as it is used here can be as a picture of a cow chewing its cud: chewing, swallowing, regurgitating, repeat... We likewise are go over and over God's word. Reading, dissecting, memorizing - hiding it in our hearts (Ps 119:11). And then when we have assimilated His word we are equipped to apply it (following Him). Do we have to go through this process every time we read the Word? Not exactly; sometimes we understand the application immediately and we just need to do it (the Holy Spirit shortens the meditation process). Either way, the importance is that we assimilate God's word so that we focus on following Him.
16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Finish this phrase: "You do the hokey-pokey, and you turn yourself around..." Were you able to finish it? Did it bring back memories of rainy days during grade school, Friday night at the roller rink, or even a real fun wedding reception? In case you don't remember: "...that's what it's all about." It's a silly song that we associate with having fun in a large group - so we remember the words. Do you see where I'm going with this? If we are delighting in His word, we will not forget it.
Today's challenge is to first delight in His word. How? The Creator of the universe chooses to speak to you through the Bible. That's incredible. The Holy Spirit has taken up permanent residence in you and He understands the Bible completely. Can you delight in those two facts? The ultimate entity, The Lord God, speaks to you and at the same time dwells in you to interpret.
That's cause to remember His word. Even to meditate on His word (the second challenge for today). And the best way to follow up meditation is application. And by this we are following Christ.
Friday, June 20, 2008
The Right Desire
Psalm 119:1-3
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
Recently I have tried with a renewed effort to manage my diabetes. This means I have to have diligence on tracking my blood sugar readings. Being consistent with taking my medications. Watching my diet and getting regular exercise.
I take six pills and three shots each day. My ultimate goal is to reduce that. Each medication has it's own side effect. Each medication is needed because of my weight - or at least my abundance of weight.
To achieve this goal it takes diligence. Its just not taking the meds when I get up in the morning - it includes planning my meals; finding physical activities that I enjoy doing and sticking to them; carrying extra insulin and needles when I go out to eat. I also track my exercise and weight. It comes down to the fact that I have to be consumed with healthy living if I want to be healthy.
And there's the conviction. Am I that way with the Lord? Am I consumed by wanting Him? It's more than just reading a little bit of the Bible in the morning and following up with a little bit of prayer. It's being consumed with walking in His ways. Being consumed with learning His Word. Basically, seeking Him with your whole heart.
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
Recently I have tried with a renewed effort to manage my diabetes. This means I have to have diligence on tracking my blood sugar readings. Being consistent with taking my medications. Watching my diet and getting regular exercise.
I take six pills and three shots each day. My ultimate goal is to reduce that. Each medication has it's own side effect. Each medication is needed because of my weight - or at least my abundance of weight.
To achieve this goal it takes diligence. Its just not taking the meds when I get up in the morning - it includes planning my meals; finding physical activities that I enjoy doing and sticking to them; carrying extra insulin and needles when I go out to eat. I also track my exercise and weight. It comes down to the fact that I have to be consumed with healthy living if I want to be healthy.
And there's the conviction. Am I that way with the Lord? Am I consumed by wanting Him? It's more than just reading a little bit of the Bible in the morning and following up with a little bit of prayer. It's being consumed with walking in His ways. Being consumed with learning His Word. Basically, seeking Him with your whole heart.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Nothing to Fear, But the Lord
Psalm 118:5-9
5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
This passage starts with a very profound statement, "out of my distress I called out to the Lord, He answered me and set me free." What this says to me is that worry, like sin, has the ability to put us into bondage (slavery).
We all either have or still tend to worry (fear). Be it over finances, children, relationships or whatever. Some of us take control of the situation to get rid of the worry - while others of us just hold onto that worry, almost taking comfort that we have something to worry about.
Both of these actions are addressed in this passage. To the worrier - "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear..." Plain and simple, if you have put your trust in Christ and now belong to Him who is all-powerful, what is there to fear? Nothing!
And to the take-charge person who conquers their worries: who did you trust to take care of the situation? Did you put your trust in yourself or others (man) or in the Lord?
This brings us to the title of today's devotion, because it may seem a little confusing. Part of fearing the Lord is trusting Him. Fearing the Lord is not being afraid of Him. It's realizing His awesomeness, His power, His love - if we are not putting our trust in Him in all situations, we are not fearing Him. But if we do put our trust in Him we have nothing to fear.
5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
This passage starts with a very profound statement, "out of my distress I called out to the Lord, He answered me and set me free." What this says to me is that worry, like sin, has the ability to put us into bondage (slavery).
We all either have or still tend to worry (fear). Be it over finances, children, relationships or whatever. Some of us take control of the situation to get rid of the worry - while others of us just hold onto that worry, almost taking comfort that we have something to worry about.
Both of these actions are addressed in this passage. To the worrier - "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear..." Plain and simple, if you have put your trust in Christ and now belong to Him who is all-powerful, what is there to fear? Nothing!
And to the take-charge person who conquers their worries: who did you trust to take care of the situation? Did you put your trust in yourself or others (man) or in the Lord?
This brings us to the title of today's devotion, because it may seem a little confusing. Part of fearing the Lord is trusting Him. Fearing the Lord is not being afraid of Him. It's realizing His awesomeness, His power, His love - if we are not putting our trust in Him in all situations, we are not fearing Him. But if we do put our trust in Him we have nothing to fear.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Lost Generation
Judges 2:6-10
6 When Joshua dismissed the people, the people of Israel went each to his inheritance to take possession of the land. 7 And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the Lord had done for Israel. 8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110 years. 9 And they buried him within the boundaries of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain of Gaash. 10 And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.
Did this generation of Israel, the one during Joshua's time, neglect to teach the next generation? Or was this next generation just plain rebellious for rebellion's sake?
And with that question, how are we, as parents, teaching the next generation? Are we giving our children everything they need so they don't rebel out of sheer ignorance?
We can do everything that is needed to teach our children about the Lord, but there is still the issue of free will. Our children may just rebel because they can. Though depressing, we can still have hope. The journey of Israel recorded in Exodus, Judges, Kings & Chronicles shows us that God will forgive, and that He will take His children back after they have wandered off. The story of the Prodigal Son reflects this too.
Though we claim them as "our children" they truly belong to the Lord. All we have to do is love them and teach them about the awesomeness of our Lord.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
6 When Joshua dismissed the people, the people of Israel went each to his inheritance to take possession of the land. 7 And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the Lord had done for Israel. 8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110 years. 9 And they buried him within the boundaries of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain of Gaash. 10 And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.
Did this generation of Israel, the one during Joshua's time, neglect to teach the next generation? Or was this next generation just plain rebellious for rebellion's sake?
And with that question, how are we, as parents, teaching the next generation? Are we giving our children everything they need so they don't rebel out of sheer ignorance?
We can do everything that is needed to teach our children about the Lord, but there is still the issue of free will. Our children may just rebel because they can. Though depressing, we can still have hope. The journey of Israel recorded in Exodus, Judges, Kings & Chronicles shows us that God will forgive, and that He will take His children back after they have wandered off. The story of the Prodigal Son reflects this too.
Though we claim them as "our children" they truly belong to the Lord. All we have to do is love them and teach them about the awesomeness of our Lord.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Driving Out the World
Judges 1
In light of Joshua 1, Judges 1 shows how well Israel did in carrying out the Lord's orders in taking possession of their inheritance.
Some of the inhabitants remained. Either they were powerful or stubborn, but they remained. Some, Israel put under subjection and forced them to serve Israel. But, in any case there was a long term effect that does unfold as the story of Israel plays out in the Old Testament.
What is that long-term effect? It's a slow corruption of who to worship. Israel does eventually start to worship foreign gods. Gods made by hand - empty idols. I'm sure at first there was no toleration for such worship. But eventually it was tolerated, and then it was practiced.
What of the world do we let remain in our lives? The Lord has given us total victory over the world, but yet we hang onto some of it. We think we might have it under subjection to serve us, but over time it corrupts us and it becomes our idol.
Read on to passages from Psalms and Romans today and take a hard look to see if anything has caused you not to live a life of righteousness in the Lord.
In light of Joshua 1, Judges 1 shows how well Israel did in carrying out the Lord's orders in taking possession of their inheritance.
Some of the inhabitants remained. Either they were powerful or stubborn, but they remained. Some, Israel put under subjection and forced them to serve Israel. But, in any case there was a long term effect that does unfold as the story of Israel plays out in the Old Testament.
What is that long-term effect? It's a slow corruption of who to worship. Israel does eventually start to worship foreign gods. Gods made by hand - empty idols. I'm sure at first there was no toleration for such worship. But eventually it was tolerated, and then it was practiced.
What of the world do we let remain in our lives? The Lord has given us total victory over the world, but yet we hang onto some of it. We think we might have it under subjection to serve us, but over time it corrupts us and it becomes our idol.
Read on to passages from Psalms and Romans today and take a hard look to see if anything has caused you not to live a life of righteousness in the Lord.
Becoming Your Idol
Psalm 115:4-8
4 Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.
I've always like this description of idols and those who make them and trust in them. They are basically powerless. They are not God, they have nothing.
Do you have any idols in your life? What lies from the world have you bought into, that take your eyes off the true God and His true power? If you get caught up with these lies, you are basically left powerless, because trusting in them is like trusting in a man-made God. It has no substance. The only substance is in God almighty.
Take this time to search your life to see if you have been seduced by the world into believing that there is any kind of power in money, image, or prestige. Search your life to see if you seek comfort in any thing other that your Lord. Confess it to Him and then rely on the Lord for your comfort, security, and victories.
4 Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.
I've always like this description of idols and those who make them and trust in them. They are basically powerless. They are not God, they have nothing.
Do you have any idols in your life? What lies from the world have you bought into, that take your eyes off the true God and His true power? If you get caught up with these lies, you are basically left powerless, because trusting in them is like trusting in a man-made God. It has no substance. The only substance is in God almighty.
Take this time to search your life to see if you have been seduced by the world into believing that there is any kind of power in money, image, or prestige. Search your life to see if you seek comfort in any thing other that your Lord. Confess it to Him and then rely on the Lord for your comfort, security, and victories.
Let Your Life Reflect Your Lord
Romans 6:12-14; 16-18
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
This part of Romans talks about whom we make ourselves slaves to. In other words - who do we make our lord. If we have trusted in Jesus Christ and believe that He died for our sins and rose again, then we are free from any dominion sin has over us. We do not have to have any lifestyle of sin. We have the choice to be slaves of righteousness. If we reflect righteousness with our lives, then we show who our true Lord is.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
This part of Romans talks about whom we make ourselves slaves to. In other words - who do we make our lord. If we have trusted in Jesus Christ and believe that He died for our sins and rose again, then we are free from any dominion sin has over us. We do not have to have any lifestyle of sin. We have the choice to be slaves of righteousness. If we reflect righteousness with our lives, then we show who our true Lord is.
Friday, June 6, 2008
The Best Defense
Psalm 109:1-5
1 Be not silent, O God of my praise!
2 For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.
3 They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause.
4 In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.
5 So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
I have read this psalm many times and for the first time a phrase stood out. In the midst of David pouring his heart out to God and before asking the Lord to take these people and fix their wagons, he says one thing: "but I give myself to prayer."
Why is this so important? Ask any man what he would do if he was in the same situation as David. The first response would more and likely not be prayer. Some it would be violence others would fight using the same methods that they were attacked with. Personally, I try to cut them off in any way I can to eliminate the attacks.
The important part here is that David devoted himself to prayer in this situation. And though he wanted some brutal vengeance - he asked for it by the Lord's hand, not his own.
Who is in control? Who is all powerful? Who is all knowing? Who do you belong to? Who should you go to in the midst of being attacked? The Lord God. And how do you approach Him? In prayer.
1 Be not silent, O God of my praise!
2 For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.
3 They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause.
4 In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.
5 So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
I have read this psalm many times and for the first time a phrase stood out. In the midst of David pouring his heart out to God and before asking the Lord to take these people and fix their wagons, he says one thing: "but I give myself to prayer."
Why is this so important? Ask any man what he would do if he was in the same situation as David. The first response would more and likely not be prayer. Some it would be violence others would fight using the same methods that they were attacked with. Personally, I try to cut them off in any way I can to eliminate the attacks.
The important part here is that David devoted himself to prayer in this situation. And though he wanted some brutal vengeance - he asked for it by the Lord's hand, not his own.
Who is in control? Who is all powerful? Who is all knowing? Who do you belong to? Who should you go to in the midst of being attacked? The Lord God. And how do you approach Him? In prayer.
Love to Suffer
Romans 5:3-5
3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Alright, "Love to Suffer" wasn't the best title but it did get your attention. This portion of scripture does however give us exactly what it is talking about: HOPE.
First of all, the key to make it through all these stages is relying on the Lord's strength. You will break during sufferings if you are not relying on Him. Your endurance will only last through Him. And any character you possess is only because of the Lord. So it finally ends up, that the HOPE you receive is the HOPE you have in the Lord.
3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Alright, "Love to Suffer" wasn't the best title but it did get your attention. This portion of scripture does however give us exactly what it is talking about: HOPE.
First of all, the key to make it through all these stages is relying on the Lord's strength. You will break during sufferings if you are not relying on Him. Your endurance will only last through Him. And any character you possess is only because of the Lord. So it finally ends up, that the HOPE you receive is the HOPE you have in the Lord.
God's Amazing Love
Romans 5:8
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The title here says it all. While we were wallowing in putrid sewage, God still loved us so much to put Christ in our place; to pluck us out and clean us up; and to share in Christ's victory over the filthiness of this present age.
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The title here says it all. While we were wallowing in putrid sewage, God still loved us so much to put Christ in our place; to pluck us out and clean us up; and to share in Christ's victory over the filthiness of this present age.
Adam & Christ
Romans 5:19
For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
This scripture plainly puts the difference between Adam and Jesus - disobedience and obedience. So which man do you follow? Your actions show it. Do you obey or do you rebel?
For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
This scripture plainly puts the difference between Adam and Jesus - disobedience and obedience. So which man do you follow? Your actions show it. Do you obey or do you rebel?
Thursday, June 5, 2008
The Joy of Loyalty
Psalm 108:1-4
1 My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being! 2 Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! 3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. 4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
I would like to break down this passage like I did with the Psalm yesterday.
Verse 1 in itself has much to consider, especially as we come to the word "steadfast." This word can usually be seen as "unmovable." I don't know about you, but my heart wavers. It's not always unmovable. But, if we consider steadfast to represent "loyal," that is something I can relate to. Though my loyalty wavers every time I sin, that loyalty is restored when I confess it to my Lord. And whenever my heart is in that state - shouldn't I be able to praise the Lord with my whole being? (On a personal note, I saw this happen last night during worship practice - it was an incredible time with the Lord).
The second verse shows that excitement in the Lord - wanting to start the day with praise. Think of being a child on Christmas eve and wanting the next day to be there.
When we find that joy in loyalty to God, we can't keep it to ourselves so we share it with all around us in an excited way. (Verse 3)
Verse 4 is incredible because it starts with the word "for." Huh?
"For" is a short way of saying, "this has all been made possible because..."
Because why? Because of God's steadfast love. It has to be there first so that our hearts can be steadfast towards Him. And God's steadfast love, His unmovable love, His loyal love is so great that it is beyond our greatest imaginations.
Praise be to the Lord, who gives us the ability to be loyal to Him and find joy in that with our entire being.
1 My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being! 2 Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! 3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. 4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
I would like to break down this passage like I did with the Psalm yesterday.
Verse 1 in itself has much to consider, especially as we come to the word "steadfast." This word can usually be seen as "unmovable." I don't know about you, but my heart wavers. It's not always unmovable. But, if we consider steadfast to represent "loyal," that is something I can relate to. Though my loyalty wavers every time I sin, that loyalty is restored when I confess it to my Lord. And whenever my heart is in that state - shouldn't I be able to praise the Lord with my whole being? (On a personal note, I saw this happen last night during worship practice - it was an incredible time with the Lord).
The second verse shows that excitement in the Lord - wanting to start the day with praise. Think of being a child on Christmas eve and wanting the next day to be there.
When we find that joy in loyalty to God, we can't keep it to ourselves so we share it with all around us in an excited way. (Verse 3)
Verse 4 is incredible because it starts with the word "for." Huh?
"For" is a short way of saying, "this has all been made possible because..."
Because why? Because of God's steadfast love. It has to be there first so that our hearts can be steadfast towards Him. And God's steadfast love, His unmovable love, His loyal love is so great that it is beyond our greatest imaginations.
Praise be to the Lord, who gives us the ability to be loyal to Him and find joy in that with our entire being.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Key to Worship
Psalm 105:1-6
(verse by verse observations)
A quick definition of Worship is "declaring the worthiness of God." With that in mind, let's look at the following verses.
1 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Three things here: thankfulness to God, relying on Him, and sharing what He has done with others.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Sing love songs to your Lord: of how wonderful He is and how wonderful His actions are.
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
"Glory in his holy name" is similar to taking a prideful joy in God's name, but more so. And still we are directed to rejoice even more than that. Let your heart well up with the joy the Lord has given you.
4 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
This verse seems to be key to this passage: Seek the Lord, Seek His Strength, and Seek His Presence. This can only be done through prayer and searching His Word - making both an integral part of your day.
5 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
Once again we asked to remember what He has done: both the times where He provided in an impossible situation and also the times where He has rebuked and corrected us - because in both situations we see His extraordinary love.
6 O offspring of Abraham, his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
And just another reason to worship Him is because He chose us. He chose to bless all nations through Abraham. He chose to love all of mankind and offer them redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. He chose us - it's incredible.
(Romans 3:21-26
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.)
(verse by verse observations)
A quick definition of Worship is "declaring the worthiness of God." With that in mind, let's look at the following verses.
1 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Three things here: thankfulness to God, relying on Him, and sharing what He has done with others.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Sing love songs to your Lord: of how wonderful He is and how wonderful His actions are.
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
"Glory in his holy name" is similar to taking a prideful joy in God's name, but more so. And still we are directed to rejoice even more than that. Let your heart well up with the joy the Lord has given you.
4 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
This verse seems to be key to this passage: Seek the Lord, Seek His Strength, and Seek His Presence. This can only be done through prayer and searching His Word - making both an integral part of your day.
5 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
Once again we asked to remember what He has done: both the times where He provided in an impossible situation and also the times where He has rebuked and corrected us - because in both situations we see His extraordinary love.
6 O offspring of Abraham, his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
And just another reason to worship Him is because He chose us. He chose to bless all nations through Abraham. He chose to love all of mankind and offer them redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. He chose us - it's incredible.
(Romans 3:21-26
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.)
Success in the Lord's Plan
Joshua 10:40-42
40 So Joshua struck the whole land, the hill country and the Negeb and the lowland and the slopes, and all their kings. He left none remaining, but devoted to destruction all that breathed, just as the Lord God of Israel commanded. 41 And Joshua struck them from Kadesh-barnea as far as Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, as far as Gibeon. 42 And Joshua captured all these kings and their land at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.
This passage is summing up all Joshua did to "clear out" the promised land for Israel. The key to this passage is two phrases: one in verse 40 and one in verse 42. The first phrase is "just as the Lord God of Israel commanded." And the second one is "because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel."
Oh how smoothly our Christian walk would go if we could use these two statements to begin and end the summary of anything we did. We ventured out on the Lord's leading and the success is because God did it. How often do we take actions based on our initiative and pray that God brings it to fruition? Or how many times have you received clear direction from the Lord, but tried to accomplish it with your own ideas and strength?
Chapter 9 of Joshua already showed us what happens when we rely on our own strength. Today's passage really shows that the best plan is to wait for God's initiative and rely on God's strength.
40 So Joshua struck the whole land, the hill country and the Negeb and the lowland and the slopes, and all their kings. He left none remaining, but devoted to destruction all that breathed, just as the Lord God of Israel commanded. 41 And Joshua struck them from Kadesh-barnea as far as Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, as far as Gibeon. 42 And Joshua captured all these kings and their land at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.
This passage is summing up all Joshua did to "clear out" the promised land for Israel. The key to this passage is two phrases: one in verse 40 and one in verse 42. The first phrase is "just as the Lord God of Israel commanded." And the second one is "because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel."
Oh how smoothly our Christian walk would go if we could use these two statements to begin and end the summary of anything we did. We ventured out on the Lord's leading and the success is because God did it. How often do we take actions based on our initiative and pray that God brings it to fruition? Or how many times have you received clear direction from the Lord, but tried to accomplish it with your own ideas and strength?
Chapter 9 of Joshua already showed us what happens when we rely on our own strength. Today's passage really shows that the best plan is to wait for God's initiative and rely on God's strength.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Don't Rely On Appearances
Joshua 9
14 So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. 15 And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.
I suggest reading all of Joshua 9 to get the whole story, but verses 14 & 15 show the mistake made. Israel was deceived into peace because it acted without consulting the Lord. Joshua relied on his own perception. And that perception was wrong.
I'm learning this lesson more and more every day - how I perceive any situation is nothing compared to what my Lord knows. And that's the difference, I perceive but the Lord knows. Who would you rather rely on?
And not only in a situation like this but every situation, bring it before the Lord.
14 So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. 15 And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.
I suggest reading all of Joshua 9 to get the whole story, but verses 14 & 15 show the mistake made. Israel was deceived into peace because it acted without consulting the Lord. Joshua relied on his own perception. And that perception was wrong.
I'm learning this lesson more and more every day - how I perceive any situation is nothing compared to what my Lord knows. And that's the difference, I perceive but the Lord knows. Who would you rather rely on?
And not only in a situation like this but every situation, bring it before the Lord.
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