Read 1 Kings 19:1-18
Ever notice in ministry how there's as many ups as there are downs? That God is always growing our faith even when we're beginning to doubt?
The prophet Elijah, after challenging the most wicked King of Israel, Ahab is now running scared; fearing Ahab's wife Jezebel is going to kill him. So he pleads with God in v. 4 - take my life, I have had enough. Ever feel that way? You've been faithfully following God and yet you are exhausted, tired and wondering if you even want to go on any longer? Elijah is at an all-time low; he wants it all to stop, to be done with the ministry God has called him to. The question is - why is he feeling this way?
He believes he's the only one left who is zealous for the LORD God Almighty and that "The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword." He says "I'm the only one left and now they are trying to kill me to."
God replies - that's not true. We may feel like Elijah, that we've given it all we've got and that we're all alone. But God is saying to us what He's saying to Elijah - that's not true. You are not alone. I am with you and there are others who are faithfully following the true God of Israel.
If you're feeling discouraged and feel like you've had enough please read this story and hear the gentle whisper of God. Since we're not dead, we're not done. God has more for you and me to do. And until we breathe our last breath, let's believe God is with us and that there are more faithful followers trusting and serving the living God of Israel and we're not alone. If God is for us, who can be against us!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Learning in the Valley (pt 2)
God does not want negative elements from the past to lie around our lives and cause us trouble. Each of us is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and He wants us to be clean and usable vessels. We have no reason to allow the rubbish of the past to remain in our lives for years---old memories, haunting temptations, the baggage of unresolved hurts and unreconciled relationships. The Lord desires that we free ourselves of anything that might keep us in inner bondage, whether mentally, emotionally, psychologically, or spiritually. When we become complacent in accepting the hurts of the past as part of who we are, the Lord may bring a little adversity to lead us to pursue instead who we might be in Christ Jesus.
The effective lesson leads to change in behavior
Teachers often prepare behavioral objectives for their classroom lectures. These objectives list in concrete and measurable form the behaviors that the teacher desires for a student to display as proof that the student has learned the lesson. The lessons that the Lord teaches us through adversity are ultimately for that purpose: a change of behavior, including a change in the belief that prompted the behavior.
It isn't enough that the Lord gets our attention or that we engage in self-examination. We can see a problem and know ourselves thoroughly, but unless we change our response to God in some way, we will never benefit fully from adversity or grow as a result of it.
Self-examination may feel painful. But remember, whatever you find within yourself, Jesus Himself came to help you carry that burden to the cross and deal with it there, once and for all. He has your best interest in mind. He knows that pain sometimes paves the path to complete healing and restoration.
If you are willing to allow God to surface the inner rubbish of your life, and if you are willing to change what needs to be changed, you will emerge from adversity closer to Christ, more mature as His child, and with far greater potential to reflect the love of God to the world around you.
Devotional written by Jim Runkle (parts adapted from Charles Stanley's In Touch Ministries)
The effective lesson leads to change in behavior
Teachers often prepare behavioral objectives for their classroom lectures. These objectives list in concrete and measurable form the behaviors that the teacher desires for a student to display as proof that the student has learned the lesson. The lessons that the Lord teaches us through adversity are ultimately for that purpose: a change of behavior, including a change in the belief that prompted the behavior.
It isn't enough that the Lord gets our attention or that we engage in self-examination. We can see a problem and know ourselves thoroughly, but unless we change our response to God in some way, we will never benefit fully from adversity or grow as a result of it.
Self-examination may feel painful. But remember, whatever you find within yourself, Jesus Himself came to help you carry that burden to the cross and deal with it there, once and for all. He has your best interest in mind. He knows that pain sometimes paves the path to complete healing and restoration.
If you are willing to allow God to surface the inner rubbish of your life, and if you are willing to change what needs to be changed, you will emerge from adversity closer to Christ, more mature as His child, and with far greater potential to reflect the love of God to the world around you.
Devotional written by Jim Runkle (parts adapted from Charles Stanley's In Touch Ministries)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Learning In the Valley (pt 1)
Read Psalm 25
"We Learn More In Our Valley Experiences Than On Our Mountaintops"
Adversity, anguish, trial, tribulations, and heartaches operate as lessons in the school of experience. They bring us to a place of new insight and understanding; they can alter our perception of the world and of God, and lead us to change our behavior. The Lord, of course, is the ultimate Teacher. He is the One to whom we must look for the meaning of any lesson related to adversity.
God allows adversity for different reasons:
God uses adversity to get our attention
The Lord uses a wide variety of methods to gain our attention when necessary; adversity is one of them. One of the best responses I know to adversity that strikes us suddenly---and yet obviously---with a God-intended message is to turn to Psalm 25 and make it our personal prayer:
1 O Lord, I give my life to you.
2 I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
4 Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
5 Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
7 Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord.
Psalm 25:1-7
Don't delay in responding to the Lord when He moves to get your attention. Respond quickly and humbly. Hear what He has to say to you.
Adversity leads to examination
At times God sees fit to allow adversity into our lives to motivate us to self-examination. The winds of adversity blow away the surface issues and force us to cope with things on a deeper level. Adversity removes the cloak of what we are supposed to be reveal the truth of who we are. The "real us" shows through.
We are to regularly examine both our faith and ourselves. Paul encouraged the Corinthians, "Let a man examine himself" (1 Cor. 11:28). In other words, "Take an inquisitive look inside and discover what is driving you, motivating you, and enticing you."
Devotional written by Jim Runkle (parts adapted from Charles Stanley's In Touch Ministries -Part 2 of 2 will be available next week)
"We Learn More In Our Valley Experiences Than On Our Mountaintops"
Adversity, anguish, trial, tribulations, and heartaches operate as lessons in the school of experience. They bring us to a place of new insight and understanding; they can alter our perception of the world and of God, and lead us to change our behavior. The Lord, of course, is the ultimate Teacher. He is the One to whom we must look for the meaning of any lesson related to adversity.
God allows adversity for different reasons:
God uses adversity to get our attention
The Lord uses a wide variety of methods to gain our attention when necessary; adversity is one of them. One of the best responses I know to adversity that strikes us suddenly---and yet obviously---with a God-intended message is to turn to Psalm 25 and make it our personal prayer:
1 O Lord, I give my life to you.
2 I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
4 Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
5 Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
7 Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord.
Psalm 25:1-7
Don't delay in responding to the Lord when He moves to get your attention. Respond quickly and humbly. Hear what He has to say to you.
Adversity leads to examination
At times God sees fit to allow adversity into our lives to motivate us to self-examination. The winds of adversity blow away the surface issues and force us to cope with things on a deeper level. Adversity removes the cloak of what we are supposed to be reveal the truth of who we are. The "real us" shows through.
We are to regularly examine both our faith and ourselves. Paul encouraged the Corinthians, "Let a man examine himself" (1 Cor. 11:28). In other words, "Take an inquisitive look inside and discover what is driving you, motivating you, and enticing you."
Devotional written by Jim Runkle (parts adapted from Charles Stanley's In Touch Ministries -Part 2 of 2 will be available next week)
Sunday, November 7, 2010
By Faith
Read Colossians 2:6-7
When so much can be said with so few words there's something to be said about the power of the point being made. Colossians 2:6-7 points out probably the most powerful words we've ever heard.
Paul, writing to the Colossians says just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him. There it is! We receive Christ as the forgiver of our sins and the leader of our lives by faith. So just as we received him Paul writes continue by faith to walk in Him. Simple message, difficult to accomplish. But only difficult to accomplish if we try and go it alone. The Holy Spirit was given to us as a helper, a comforter who will come and live within us (that's why Jesus said it was better for us that He goes so that the Spirit may come and indwell us). And as we walk by faith in relationship with Christ the Holy Spirit will enable us with His power and guidance and correction and instruction to rooted and built up and strengthened in our faith.
There's no other way for followers of Christ to continue in faith than by allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to walk with us as we desire to be in relationship with our Heavenly Father. Our God gives us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1) so we are fully capable with His provision to live in a powerful relationship with our Creator and Sustainer God. His plan is that by faith we'll walk with Him, talk with Him, enjoy Him, be with Him and give glory to Him. This week be reminded that our walk of faith begins and continues with this simple plan of God - that we would trust in our Almighty God every step of every day of our lives.
When so much can be said with so few words there's something to be said about the power of the point being made. Colossians 2:6-7 points out probably the most powerful words we've ever heard.
Paul, writing to the Colossians says just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him. There it is! We receive Christ as the forgiver of our sins and the leader of our lives by faith. So just as we received him Paul writes continue by faith to walk in Him. Simple message, difficult to accomplish. But only difficult to accomplish if we try and go it alone. The Holy Spirit was given to us as a helper, a comforter who will come and live within us (that's why Jesus said it was better for us that He goes so that the Spirit may come and indwell us). And as we walk by faith in relationship with Christ the Holy Spirit will enable us with His power and guidance and correction and instruction to rooted and built up and strengthened in our faith.
There's no other way for followers of Christ to continue in faith than by allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to walk with us as we desire to be in relationship with our Heavenly Father. Our God gives us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1) so we are fully capable with His provision to live in a powerful relationship with our Creator and Sustainer God. His plan is that by faith we'll walk with Him, talk with Him, enjoy Him, be with Him and give glory to Him. This week be reminded that our walk of faith begins and continues with this simple plan of God - that we would trust in our Almighty God every step of every day of our lives.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Holding or Folding?
Read Judges 2:1-13
So much of life is held in the balance between holding on and folding. We tend to wrestle with this tension so much that we don't even pay it much attention because we just accept it as the way things are. This tension exists in many areas of life but I think it exists especially when we consider what one generation passes on to the next.
When we think about it we find that we're one generation removed from so many things being obsolete. And this is so true when it comes to our faith. Read Judges 2:1-13 and you'll see this generational tension existed back in the days of the Judges.
The issue Israel faced was as soon as Joshua and his generation had passed away, along with those elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the LORD had done for Israel, the next generation slid right back into evil practices. They began forsaking God because they "knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel." Friends, that's one generation away from some pretty amazing history of God working in the lives of the Israelites and their faith folded like a tent. Is this possible in our lifetime? Is it possible that if we're not careful the generation that follows us won't be holding on to their faith but folding like Israel?
Jesus made it very clear He expects us to be men and women of faith who "go and make disciples." So who are you discipling? Think about it, pray about it and be about it! That's what we're here to do - so go and make disciples so the next generation will hold on and pass on our faith for generations to come.
So much of life is held in the balance between holding on and folding. We tend to wrestle with this tension so much that we don't even pay it much attention because we just accept it as the way things are. This tension exists in many areas of life but I think it exists especially when we consider what one generation passes on to the next.
When we think about it we find that we're one generation removed from so many things being obsolete. And this is so true when it comes to our faith. Read Judges 2:1-13 and you'll see this generational tension existed back in the days of the Judges.
The issue Israel faced was as soon as Joshua and his generation had passed away, along with those elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the LORD had done for Israel, the next generation slid right back into evil practices. They began forsaking God because they "knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel." Friends, that's one generation away from some pretty amazing history of God working in the lives of the Israelites and their faith folded like a tent. Is this possible in our lifetime? Is it possible that if we're not careful the generation that follows us won't be holding on to their faith but folding like Israel?
Jesus made it very clear He expects us to be men and women of faith who "go and make disciples." So who are you discipling? Think about it, pray about it and be about it! That's what we're here to do - so go and make disciples so the next generation will hold on and pass on our faith for generations to come.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Returning Home
Read Ruth 1:1-18
Everyone loves a good story. In the book of Ruth that's exactly what we get. But it doesn't start out that way. It starts with what appears to be a young family in Bethlehem living at a time when they are experiencing a famine. So this family moves to Moab. The husband, Elimelech who was Naomi's husband dies leaving her with two boys in a foreign land. Her sons marry Moabite women but themselves die after living in Moab for about ten years. Now she's left alone as a widow, in a foreign land, without a husband and without her boys. However, she now has two daughters-in-law.
Naomi finds herself as they used to say in the old days, in a pickle. She's in a bad situation. She sees that she has nothing left, her husband and then her sons are all gone. And she's away from home. So she hears the famine in Bethlehem is over and she makes the decision to return home. Her decision affects her daughters-in-law. Orpah decides to stay in Moab but Ruth was determined to go with Naomi. In fact, she tells Naomi "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."
Think about that! I believe there was something about Naomi's faith that showed itself to Ruth so that Ruth was more than willing to go with Naomi to her home rather than stay where she was originally from. When Ruth says your God will be my God that is a huge statement we should always consider.
Question - when people see your life, when they see my life would they respond like Ruth saying your God will be my God? If yes, way to represent! If no, why not? Let's be men and women who are about representing God with our lives so that others would see our Great God in us and through us!
Everyone loves a good story. In the book of Ruth that's exactly what we get. But it doesn't start out that way. It starts with what appears to be a young family in Bethlehem living at a time when they are experiencing a famine. So this family moves to Moab. The husband, Elimelech who was Naomi's husband dies leaving her with two boys in a foreign land. Her sons marry Moabite women but themselves die after living in Moab for about ten years. Now she's left alone as a widow, in a foreign land, without a husband and without her boys. However, she now has two daughters-in-law.
Naomi finds herself as they used to say in the old days, in a pickle. She's in a bad situation. She sees that she has nothing left, her husband and then her sons are all gone. And she's away from home. So she hears the famine in Bethlehem is over and she makes the decision to return home. Her decision affects her daughters-in-law. Orpah decides to stay in Moab but Ruth was determined to go with Naomi. In fact, she tells Naomi "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."
Think about that! I believe there was something about Naomi's faith that showed itself to Ruth so that Ruth was more than willing to go with Naomi to her home rather than stay where she was originally from. When Ruth says your God will be my God that is a huge statement we should always consider.
Question - when people see your life, when they see my life would they respond like Ruth saying your God will be my God? If yes, way to represent! If no, why not? Let's be men and women who are about representing God with our lives so that others would see our Great God in us and through us!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
What If...
Read Titus 1:10-16
What if we took Jesus' command to follow Him seriously? What would that look like for us as a church? What would that mean for you and I personally? Would we live differently than we do right now?
Think about it - when Jesus called His first disciples He called them to a new life, a new way of living. They left their old ways and started living according to a new way - Jesus' way.
If we were to honestly evaluate our lives could we honestly say we are following the words and ways of Christ Jesus? Listen most of us can say we believe in Jesus - in His words and ways. But have they affected us to the point of touching our heart to the extent that it actually changes the way we live? We're not talking about behavior modification; we're talking about a change of heart where our greatest desire is to live for Him in every single way possible.
The apostle Paul said in Titus 1:16 that many claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. Wow! That is quite an indictment about the heart condition of so many in Paul & Titus' day. And I believe it's still quite true in our day.
So what are we to do? I think it all comes down to two things. First it's about making a decision that we will do everything within our power to follow Jesus' call to Follow Him. And second, that begins with submitting to the power of the Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow it begins by responding to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Let's make that decision today - to live and love God by fully following Him with the help and power of the Holy Spirit.
What if we took Jesus' command to follow Him seriously? What would that look like for us as a church? What would that mean for you and I personally? Would we live differently than we do right now?
Think about it - when Jesus called His first disciples He called them to a new life, a new way of living. They left their old ways and started living according to a new way - Jesus' way.
If we were to honestly evaluate our lives could we honestly say we are following the words and ways of Christ Jesus? Listen most of us can say we believe in Jesus - in His words and ways. But have they affected us to the point of touching our heart to the extent that it actually changes the way we live? We're not talking about behavior modification; we're talking about a change of heart where our greatest desire is to live for Him in every single way possible.
The apostle Paul said in Titus 1:16 that many claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. Wow! That is quite an indictment about the heart condition of so many in Paul & Titus' day. And I believe it's still quite true in our day.
So what are we to do? I think it all comes down to two things. First it's about making a decision that we will do everything within our power to follow Jesus' call to Follow Him. And second, that begins with submitting to the power of the Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow it begins by responding to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Let's make that decision today - to live and love God by fully following Him with the help and power of the Holy Spirit.
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