Read James 4:1-6
Fights and quarrels - nobody wants them but they often come anyway. James 4 speaks about what causes these fights - it's what's inside us, the natural wants and desires, what we covet but can't have. So we wrestle. We wrestle because what we want, we don't always get. And James tells us it's because of our wrong motives.
What God wants is for us to be humble, not insistent on our way, our wants. Because when we are humble we realize His grace. James 4:6 tells us "he gives us more grace." When we realize the value of grace we recognize something new pouring over us that begins to change us from the inside out because what used to be our ways and our wants changes. It changes to God's ways and God's wants.
What James says next should cause us to pause and take notice. Anytime the Bible says God opposes something we should take notice. He says "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humbe." When God's grace like rain pours over us we realize what a gift it is to receive God's grace. Humbled we respond to begin living with His good and Godly motives and not wrong motives; humbed we respond by investing in our friendship with God instead of friendship with this world. Humbled we respond to His gift of more grace. Allow God's grace to pour over you this week like rain - remembering who we are and who He is so that we might not be among the fights and quarrels, but intead be among the peace makers as ambassadors for Jesus.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Any Less?
Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-26
Spiritual things, specifically spiritual gifts is what Paul's addressing as he writes the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14. He's crystal clear - spiritual gifts are for the common good (meant to glorify God and build up, edify the body of believers). And he makes it abundantly clear no one in the body of Christ is any less important because of the gifts, ministry and service God has assigned every believer.
Does this inspire you? It's meant to. No matter who you are, what you do God has specifically called each and every believer into ministry service for Him and His people. Let that sink in for a moment. There's no believer we will ever lock eyes with who hasn't been assigned an important role in the family of God.
The key is to find out if you don't yet know your role and if you do know your role, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to use your spiritual gifts for the common good. For those who don't know their spiritual gifts, their passion for ministry and how they will be part of this great Christian calling please take Class 301 at Hope (or if you're not part of Hope, that's ok take the spiritual gifts class at the church you do attend). This is so important - don't waste another moment. Get in the game, now! God needs you and so does the church!
Spiritual things, specifically spiritual gifts is what Paul's addressing as he writes the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14. He's crystal clear - spiritual gifts are for the common good (meant to glorify God and build up, edify the body of believers). And he makes it abundantly clear no one in the body of Christ is any less important because of the gifts, ministry and service God has assigned every believer.
Does this inspire you? It's meant to. No matter who you are, what you do God has specifically called each and every believer into ministry service for Him and His people. Let that sink in for a moment. There's no believer we will ever lock eyes with who hasn't been assigned an important role in the family of God.
The key is to find out if you don't yet know your role and if you do know your role, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to use your spiritual gifts for the common good. For those who don't know their spiritual gifts, their passion for ministry and how they will be part of this great Christian calling please take Class 301 at Hope (or if you're not part of Hope, that's ok take the spiritual gifts class at the church you do attend). This is so important - don't waste another moment. Get in the game, now! God needs you and so does the church!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
The Sovereign LORD says
Read Ezekiel 3:22-27
The title in the NIV Bible that begins Ezekiel 3 says "Ezekiel, God's watchman." That, in and of itself, comes across as a very lofty title for Ezekiel as God's messenger. With such a title you would think respect and admiration and listening and following would happen when Ezekiel spoke. But in fact, the end of the chapter tells us another story.
While the Spirit came into him and powered him, God told him what to say to Israel. Go and say, "This is what the Sovereign LORD says." Today, much like back in Ezekiel's day, we know all too well that some will listen and some will refuse. And the reason is the same, rebellion.
I know it sounds harsh, but it's what God tells us over and over again. The point isn't to preach the word of God and care less about what response we get. No, the point is when we preach the word, when we share God's truth we will get mixed responses. And when we do it should break our hearts because it breaks God's heart.
God wants everyone, everywhere to hear the truth because as Jesus said in John 8:32 - "the truth will set you free." Since this is what God wants let's want the same for those we know who are caught in something, anything that is in rebellion to God. And remember all people, believers and unbelievers, act in rebellion against God. Let it be our desire to hear what the Sovereign LORD says and be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2).
God's best for a great week following Him!
The title in the NIV Bible that begins Ezekiel 3 says "Ezekiel, God's watchman." That, in and of itself, comes across as a very lofty title for Ezekiel as God's messenger. With such a title you would think respect and admiration and listening and following would happen when Ezekiel spoke. But in fact, the end of the chapter tells us another story.
While the Spirit came into him and powered him, God told him what to say to Israel. Go and say, "This is what the Sovereign LORD says." Today, much like back in Ezekiel's day, we know all too well that some will listen and some will refuse. And the reason is the same, rebellion.
I know it sounds harsh, but it's what God tells us over and over again. The point isn't to preach the word of God and care less about what response we get. No, the point is when we preach the word, when we share God's truth we will get mixed responses. And when we do it should break our hearts because it breaks God's heart.
God wants everyone, everywhere to hear the truth because as Jesus said in John 8:32 - "the truth will set you free." Since this is what God wants let's want the same for those we know who are caught in something, anything that is in rebellion to God. And remember all people, believers and unbelievers, act in rebellion against God. Let it be our desire to hear what the Sovereign LORD says and be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2).
God's best for a great week following Him!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
A Day's Coming...
Read Isaiah 26:1-4
A day is coming when this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts. Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD is the Rock eternal.
Do we wish for this day? There are many times I do. This is about the promise of God; His salvation offered to the nation made righteous by faith. And He will keep in perfect peace - I love that phrase because peace is one thing, but perfect peace is, well, perfect! The one whose mind is faithful and trusting in God. And I love how the song ends - the LORD is the Rock eternal.
Nothing can shake us outside of God's care and control; nothing can overcome us when we are in His powerful hands; and nothing can disturb us because a day is coming when perfect peace will be ours.
Longing for this day is our hope, it is our joy and it is our faith in Jesus and His finished work that will enable us to rest in this perfect peace. Regardless what we face today, a day's coming when His perfect peace will keep us. Trust today in the Rock eternal.
A day is coming when this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts. Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD is the Rock eternal.
Do we wish for this day? There are many times I do. This is about the promise of God; His salvation offered to the nation made righteous by faith. And He will keep in perfect peace - I love that phrase because peace is one thing, but perfect peace is, well, perfect! The one whose mind is faithful and trusting in God. And I love how the song ends - the LORD is the Rock eternal.
Nothing can shake us outside of God's care and control; nothing can overcome us when we are in His powerful hands; and nothing can disturb us because a day is coming when perfect peace will be ours.
Longing for this day is our hope, it is our joy and it is our faith in Jesus and His finished work that will enable us to rest in this perfect peace. Regardless what we face today, a day's coming when His perfect peace will keep us. Trust today in the Rock eternal.
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