Read 2 Peter 1:3-14
What's the most important thing in your life? When you read that question, what's the very first thing that comes to mind? For many of us we reply with the answer we're "supposed" to give. But in truth, in our conscience we have another answer. That "other" answer is what is standing between you and a dynamic relationship with the living God.
You know we all live in a time like no other when expectations and ideologies are at an all time high. But where do we get these expectations and ideologies from? Are they from God or are they our own creation? The reality is a lot of what we see in others and if we're open, what we see in ourselves, is a creation of our own set of core values, beliefs and expectations.
The truth is this - God has given us everything we need to live Godly lives. Take a moment and read 2 Peter 1:3-14. Peter reminds members of God's forever family of God's great and precious promises; and how we can participate in the divine nature and live above the corrupt times we live in.
Too often though what gets in the way is us. Our own way, our own dreams of what is best. Friends, God makes it clear in His word that He knows what we need. So let's not get caught up in what we want. Because what we want is not necessarily what we need. And God is a good God. He is a good God because that's who He is. And part of His goodness provides us with what we need in a world that tries to tell us we need something else. Does that make sense? God wants us to never fall in our faith so He tells us through Peter's words to add to our faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. And this friends we're told - if we possess these qualities, these core values, that they will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Live with these expectations and ideologies for the following reason - God desires you and I to be effective in our life ministry as we live for Him, serving Him because He is what's most important!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Greater Things
Read John 14:12-14
So we've just finished our series - Decision Points. And with that I have a few questions: what decisions has God challenged you with? have you listened? responded? still seeking direction to some of the decisions you need to make?
I've found it's important to know what you want in order to know whether or not you're making any progress. So another question I have is - how do you evaluate if you've had a good week? One of the decision points I've been challenged with has been the decision to determine whether I'm living for my things or God's things. Check out this song on youtube God of This City.
God has greater things for all of us. We all have different parts to play but His greater things are greater than my things. And when we're reminded of that it should inspire within us a passion to pursue God's best in us and through us wherever we are.
Are you ready to make a decision for God's greater things? It takes a disciple to make a decision like this; a disciple who's willing to follow the will and way of God no matter the cost and with a willingness to give up everything for the kingdom and glory of God. This week live your faith as a fully devoted follower of Christ by seeking His greater things.
So we've just finished our series - Decision Points. And with that I have a few questions: what decisions has God challenged you with? have you listened? responded? still seeking direction to some of the decisions you need to make?
I've found it's important to know what you want in order to know whether or not you're making any progress. So another question I have is - how do you evaluate if you've had a good week? One of the decision points I've been challenged with has been the decision to determine whether I'm living for my things or God's things. Check out this song on youtube God of This City.
God has greater things for all of us. We all have different parts to play but His greater things are greater than my things. And when we're reminded of that it should inspire within us a passion to pursue God's best in us and through us wherever we are.
Are you ready to make a decision for God's greater things? It takes a disciple to make a decision like this; a disciple who's willing to follow the will and way of God no matter the cost and with a willingness to give up everything for the kingdom and glory of God. This week live your faith as a fully devoted follower of Christ by seeking His greater things.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Taking A Stand
Read Ephesians 6:13-17
How many times have you wanted to take a stand but for one reason or another you just weren't prepared? When I think about this question it causes me to consider the many times and many ways I wasn't prepared to take a stand. Maybe it was a test in school, an interview for a job, an opportunity to stand up for someone who couldn't stand up for themselves or maybe it was an issue of faith. We've all been there - where we want to take a stand but for whatever reason, we just weren't prepared.
Ephesians 6:13-17 tells us we never have to be unprepared when it comes to matters of faith. The Apostle Paul was a bold man, a man always ready to take a stand for his faith. So when writing to the Ephesians He boldly says "put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." He clarifies the full armor of God by comparing it to the Word. You see in the battles we face we have a real enemy. And think about it. What does every enemy desire? By definition, enemies desire to defeat their opponents. Our enemy is looking to destroy us, to make us ineffective for the cause of Christ.
But we don't have to be rendered ineffective! God has given us everything we need to live godly lives. So we ought to be excited and intentional about getting in God's word. It is full of God's wisdom and direction, power and holiness, truth and love.
Listen we all have the advantage of being able to get into God's word in various ways. We can "do it" the old fashioned way and read it right from our Bibles, or we can read it online at one of the thousands of sights that share His word on the world wide web. Many of us enjoy listening to music that praises our Father with lyrics originated from the Scriptures; and others enjoy sitting down with a great Christian book that draws us into God's presence while quoting countless Bible verses about living and loving as God created us to live and love. We have no excuse friends. God's word is more available to us now than ever before.
Let's hear it from the Psalmist who said -
Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders
for I obey your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word. Psalm 119:97-101
How many times have you wanted to take a stand but for one reason or another you just weren't prepared? When I think about this question it causes me to consider the many times and many ways I wasn't prepared to take a stand. Maybe it was a test in school, an interview for a job, an opportunity to stand up for someone who couldn't stand up for themselves or maybe it was an issue of faith. We've all been there - where we want to take a stand but for whatever reason, we just weren't prepared.
Ephesians 6:13-17 tells us we never have to be unprepared when it comes to matters of faith. The Apostle Paul was a bold man, a man always ready to take a stand for his faith. So when writing to the Ephesians He boldly says "put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." He clarifies the full armor of God by comparing it to the Word. You see in the battles we face we have a real enemy. And think about it. What does every enemy desire? By definition, enemies desire to defeat their opponents. Our enemy is looking to destroy us, to make us ineffective for the cause of Christ.
But we don't have to be rendered ineffective! God has given us everything we need to live godly lives. So we ought to be excited and intentional about getting in God's word. It is full of God's wisdom and direction, power and holiness, truth and love.
Listen we all have the advantage of being able to get into God's word in various ways. We can "do it" the old fashioned way and read it right from our Bibles, or we can read it online at one of the thousands of sights that share His word on the world wide web. Many of us enjoy listening to music that praises our Father with lyrics originated from the Scriptures; and others enjoy sitting down with a great Christian book that draws us into God's presence while quoting countless Bible verses about living and loving as God created us to live and love. We have no excuse friends. God's word is more available to us now than ever before.
Let's hear it from the Psalmist who said -
Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders
for I obey your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word. Psalm 119:97-101
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Love Them Like Jesus
Read Colossians 3:18-25
I find it interesting that quote Bible verses from scripture and quote them as our favorites or "life verses" but then when (or if) we go into the context the verse takes on its original intent. Many know Colossians 3:23 which reads - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Now I can quote this verse and apply it to so many different areas of my life. But the original context requires us to go back to at least verse 18 where we're told Paul is writing to the Colossians and specifically addressing different individuals.
First he begins with wives and says to submit to your husbands as is fitting in the Lord. Notice he's not saying all women are to submit to all men. Specifically he's speaking to wives. And submission isn't to be seen as a negative thing here. It's to be seen as something that is fitting in the Lord. In other words, submission is something God approves. But husbands don't miss your responsibility, you are to love your wives. Show me a wife who has a husband who loves her (especially one who loves her like Jesus loves her) and we'll see a marriage that glorifies God. Children are to obey. Obedience is always easier when it's required of someone else. But children are called to obey their parents in everything. The question is why? That's not an unusual question is it? Why? Paul answers, because it pleases the Lord. And then fathers are not to embitter their children, again a call against being harsh so that they will not become discouraged. And finally Paul says to slaves obey with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
All these relationships are to be holy relationships. Relationships that are fitting in the Lord, loving as the Lord loves, pleasing to the lord and out of respect to our Holy Father. Listen not many of us go through life without difficulties in our relationships. But God calls us, His followers, to relate with one another differently than the world relates with one another. We're called to do whatever it takes, with all our heart when it comes to our relationships with one another in this life. And God promises something in verse 24 - since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Anyone having difficulties in a relationship? Paul tells us it's Christ we are serving when we are relating in the holy ways mentioned earlier. Don't miss that. The way we live with one another and the way we love one another shows the reality of Christ that lives within us. It's been said many times that if it weren't for the people life would be easy. Have you heard that? Well, it's true. And God knows this. But He instructs and inspires us to be different in how we relate with people. We're to be men and women who understand our life isn't about us. It's first about God, then about others and after this it's then about us. We're to glorify God with our lives and we're to treat everyone we lock eyes with just as Christ would. Love them like Jesus.
I find it interesting that quote Bible verses from scripture and quote them as our favorites or "life verses" but then when (or if) we go into the context the verse takes on its original intent. Many know Colossians 3:23 which reads - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Now I can quote this verse and apply it to so many different areas of my life. But the original context requires us to go back to at least verse 18 where we're told Paul is writing to the Colossians and specifically addressing different individuals.
First he begins with wives and says to submit to your husbands as is fitting in the Lord. Notice he's not saying all women are to submit to all men. Specifically he's speaking to wives. And submission isn't to be seen as a negative thing here. It's to be seen as something that is fitting in the Lord. In other words, submission is something God approves. But husbands don't miss your responsibility, you are to love your wives. Show me a wife who has a husband who loves her (especially one who loves her like Jesus loves her) and we'll see a marriage that glorifies God. Children are to obey. Obedience is always easier when it's required of someone else. But children are called to obey their parents in everything. The question is why? That's not an unusual question is it? Why? Paul answers, because it pleases the Lord. And then fathers are not to embitter their children, again a call against being harsh so that they will not become discouraged. And finally Paul says to slaves obey with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
All these relationships are to be holy relationships. Relationships that are fitting in the Lord, loving as the Lord loves, pleasing to the lord and out of respect to our Holy Father. Listen not many of us go through life without difficulties in our relationships. But God calls us, His followers, to relate with one another differently than the world relates with one another. We're called to do whatever it takes, with all our heart when it comes to our relationships with one another in this life. And God promises something in verse 24 - since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Anyone having difficulties in a relationship? Paul tells us it's Christ we are serving when we are relating in the holy ways mentioned earlier. Don't miss that. The way we live with one another and the way we love one another shows the reality of Christ that lives within us. It's been said many times that if it weren't for the people life would be easy. Have you heard that? Well, it's true. And God knows this. But He instructs and inspires us to be different in how we relate with people. We're to be men and women who understand our life isn't about us. It's first about God, then about others and after this it's then about us. We're to glorify God with our lives and we're to treat everyone we lock eyes with just as Christ would. Love them like Jesus.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Offerings
Read Leviticus 1
After finishing reading through Genesis and Exodus I find myself at the beginning of Leviticus. While certainly not one of the longest books in the Bible it is definitely one that doesn't get much positive press. Partly because we don't understand the culture within the context, but I think mostly because we aren't really sure how to relate it to our lives today. So with this in mind I want to maybe pique your interest in giving it a go, encouraging you to read through Leviticus one chapter a day and see what God reveals. If nothing else, you can finish and be one of the few who can actually claim they've read through this book which is completely devoted to the worship of the redeemed people of God and expresses the repeated command of God throughout the book "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." (11:44,45; 19:2; 20:7,26).
Leviticus 1 begins with a conversation between God and Moses and it's all about when the people of Israel are bringing an offering to God, how they're supposed to worship. Now when we come to worship God how do we come? Do we come prepared to truly let God know how much He's worth to us, or do we come distracted or perhaps unfocused? You see when we come before a holy God (this concept is prevalent all throughout Leviticus - that our God is a Holy God) we should come prepared to present our very best to God. This is one of the reasons why the offerings spoken about in Leviticus 1-7 indicate that their offerings were to be "without defect." God always wants our very best. The question is - do we offer him our best or less than our best?
And once we honestly evaluate our personal answer to this question, if and when we answer that we've presented God with less than our best what should we do? The Bible is clearly a book about our need to repent, to do a U-turn when our actions and attitudes do not align with God's. But I believe it should go at least one step further or we'll continue taking the wrong turns in our lives. Once we've repented, I believe we need to check what got us off course in the first place. This takes time, contemplation and possibly even help from another who might be able to show us where and why we're getting lost from following God's path.
I can't and I won't presume to tell you what's getting you off the path God wants you on, because I think it's different for everyone of us. But when we take the time to think about the choices we make that affect our actions and attitudes I think God will begin opening our eyes so we'll see more clearly the next time we come upon an intersection where we might make a wrong turn. You see God wants our very best, so let's give Him just that with a little help from the Holy Spirit that lives within every follower of Jesus Christ. And for that we all should be greatly humbled and thankful, that God didn't leave us alone but gave us the third person of the trinity to guide us with every step we take.
After finishing reading through Genesis and Exodus I find myself at the beginning of Leviticus. While certainly not one of the longest books in the Bible it is definitely one that doesn't get much positive press. Partly because we don't understand the culture within the context, but I think mostly because we aren't really sure how to relate it to our lives today. So with this in mind I want to maybe pique your interest in giving it a go, encouraging you to read through Leviticus one chapter a day and see what God reveals. If nothing else, you can finish and be one of the few who can actually claim they've read through this book which is completely devoted to the worship of the redeemed people of God and expresses the repeated command of God throughout the book "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." (11:44,45; 19:2; 20:7,26).
Leviticus 1 begins with a conversation between God and Moses and it's all about when the people of Israel are bringing an offering to God, how they're supposed to worship. Now when we come to worship God how do we come? Do we come prepared to truly let God know how much He's worth to us, or do we come distracted or perhaps unfocused? You see when we come before a holy God (this concept is prevalent all throughout Leviticus - that our God is a Holy God) we should come prepared to present our very best to God. This is one of the reasons why the offerings spoken about in Leviticus 1-7 indicate that their offerings were to be "without defect." God always wants our very best. The question is - do we offer him our best or less than our best?
And once we honestly evaluate our personal answer to this question, if and when we answer that we've presented God with less than our best what should we do? The Bible is clearly a book about our need to repent, to do a U-turn when our actions and attitudes do not align with God's. But I believe it should go at least one step further or we'll continue taking the wrong turns in our lives. Once we've repented, I believe we need to check what got us off course in the first place. This takes time, contemplation and possibly even help from another who might be able to show us where and why we're getting lost from following God's path.
I can't and I won't presume to tell you what's getting you off the path God wants you on, because I think it's different for everyone of us. But when we take the time to think about the choices we make that affect our actions and attitudes I think God will begin opening our eyes so we'll see more clearly the next time we come upon an intersection where we might make a wrong turn. You see God wants our very best, so let's give Him just that with a little help from the Holy Spirit that lives within every follower of Jesus Christ. And for that we all should be greatly humbled and thankful, that God didn't leave us alone but gave us the third person of the trinity to guide us with every step we take.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Goodness of God
Read Psalm 84:11
When is God good? Think about it, because how we answer this question says a lot about our view of God. Actually, this question is a set up question. Because God's goodness is not a matter of 'when.' His goodness is a matter of who He is, it's about the very nature and character of God. You see God is good - ALL THE TIME. It's who He is. Over and over and over again scripture tells us about the goodness of God. Read the history and psalms and stories of the Old and New Testaments and at least hundreds if not thousands of times we'll find scripture revealing the goodness of God.
Let's take a look at Psalm 84:11. Here we see that God is described as a sun and shield. The sun has power and brilliance and radiates the glory of God while a shield protects. So we have this picture of God shining in our lives, displaying His favor and honor, withholding "no good thing" from those whose walk is blameless.
Oh if we could just trust God in this! If we could just trust that God is good. You see if you're anything like me we all have this tendency to say or think God is good when something goes the way we want it to go or something happens and it goes in our favor. Recently my family had a medical report that a loved one's cancer does not require chemo! And the natural tendency is to say - YES, GOD IS GOOD. And He is, but not because of the favorable medical report. God is good because God is good; that's who He is.
God's goodness has nothing to do with our circumstances. His goodness has everything to do with who He is. Let's worship our good God, for He is good and worthy to be praised. Let's not catch ourselves saying God is good only when good things happen. God is good even when bad things happen. Let's love the goodness of God and know that God is good all the time; He is worthy to be praised and we are to be representatives of His goodness. Let's allow His character to affect our character. Enjoy God's goodness this week my friends!!
When is God good? Think about it, because how we answer this question says a lot about our view of God. Actually, this question is a set up question. Because God's goodness is not a matter of 'when.' His goodness is a matter of who He is, it's about the very nature and character of God. You see God is good - ALL THE TIME. It's who He is. Over and over and over again scripture tells us about the goodness of God. Read the history and psalms and stories of the Old and New Testaments and at least hundreds if not thousands of times we'll find scripture revealing the goodness of God.
Let's take a look at Psalm 84:11. Here we see that God is described as a sun and shield. The sun has power and brilliance and radiates the glory of God while a shield protects. So we have this picture of God shining in our lives, displaying His favor and honor, withholding "no good thing" from those whose walk is blameless.
Oh if we could just trust God in this! If we could just trust that God is good. You see if you're anything like me we all have this tendency to say or think God is good when something goes the way we want it to go or something happens and it goes in our favor. Recently my family had a medical report that a loved one's cancer does not require chemo! And the natural tendency is to say - YES, GOD IS GOOD. And He is, but not because of the favorable medical report. God is good because God is good; that's who He is.
God's goodness has nothing to do with our circumstances. His goodness has everything to do with who He is. Let's worship our good God, for He is good and worthy to be praised. Let's not catch ourselves saying God is good only when good things happen. God is good even when bad things happen. Let's love the goodness of God and know that God is good all the time; He is worthy to be praised and we are to be representatives of His goodness. Let's allow His character to affect our character. Enjoy God's goodness this week my friends!!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
What Do You Want From God?
Read Psalm 73:25-26
A few weeks ago in my message about exegesis, I briefly touched on the fact that many teachers promote the notion that God is simply a means to and end. We often treat God as the person we go to in order to get the thing that we really want. In many cases, the Bible has been downgraded to a cosmic self-help book. And believers have adopted the attitude of spiritual gold-diggers.
Now, I'm not only talking about the prosperity "name it-claim it' churches, but the church culture as a whole (at least in the States) has begun to treat God as simply a means to blessing, healing, finances, or at least a ticket to heaven.
In the Scriptures however, we see a different view of God. Psalm 16 declares, "(v2) I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'" And again in verse 5, "The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot." And in the last verse of the psalm, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore (v11)."
Paul made it clear that knowing Christ is far more valuable than anything else.
Phil 3:7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
The author of Hebrews makes a similar statement about Moses.
Hebrews 11: 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
I'm by no means saying it's wrong to ask God for anything. I hope no one gets that impression. But there is a problem if we begin to seek God only for what He can do for us. What do we value more?
In Psalm 73, Asaph wrote of a time when he almost slipped. He had been seeing godless people continue to prosper, while God's people continued to suffer. His turning point came when he got into the presence of God. This was his resolve;
"25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
He proclaims God to be of greater value than anything on earth, and of greater worth than heaven. My prayer is that we would all begin to adopt such a view.
"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."
-John Piper
Grace & Peace
Dre Thompson - Member, Hope Community Church
A few weeks ago in my message about exegesis, I briefly touched on the fact that many teachers promote the notion that God is simply a means to and end. We often treat God as the person we go to in order to get the thing that we really want. In many cases, the Bible has been downgraded to a cosmic self-help book. And believers have adopted the attitude of spiritual gold-diggers.
Now, I'm not only talking about the prosperity "name it-claim it' churches, but the church culture as a whole (at least in the States) has begun to treat God as simply a means to blessing, healing, finances, or at least a ticket to heaven.
In the Scriptures however, we see a different view of God. Psalm 16 declares, "(v2) I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'" And again in verse 5, "The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot." And in the last verse of the psalm, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore (v11)."
Paul made it clear that knowing Christ is far more valuable than anything else.
Phil 3:7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
The author of Hebrews makes a similar statement about Moses.
Hebrews 11: 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
I'm by no means saying it's wrong to ask God for anything. I hope no one gets that impression. But there is a problem if we begin to seek God only for what He can do for us. What do we value more?
In Psalm 73, Asaph wrote of a time when he almost slipped. He had been seeing godless people continue to prosper, while God's people continued to suffer. His turning point came when he got into the presence of God. This was his resolve;
"25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
He proclaims God to be of greater value than anything on earth, and of greater worth than heaven. My prayer is that we would all begin to adopt such a view.
"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."
-John Piper
Grace & Peace
Dre Thompson - Member, Hope Community Church
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