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http://theresurgence.com/2010/10/01/is-your-youth-group-accomplishing-anything
Friday, October 1, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Randy Alcorn addresses 20 somethings
1 Tim 4:6-9 "If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance."
Monday, September 13, 2010
Gospel Community
Cool thoughts from the elders at CornerStone Church! (Francis Chan's old church) Sounds like some brave guys wrestling through the question "What do the Scriptures really teach?". Which according to Acts 17:11 is a noble task.
Generousity Theology
2 Cor 8:9 "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich."
Friday, September 10, 2010
Psalm 63
So I kick back last night to watch my Bulldogs play Auburn (didn't turn out so good, but thats nothing new for MS State fans). But anyways, right before the game I spent some time after work praying and flipping through some verses then landed on this one. Stabbed me like a knife.
Psalm 63:1 "O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh faints for You, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water."
Quick Thoughts...
1. What an amazing verse! Context - David is "in the wilderness" and yet the FIRST thing he says is "earnestly I seek YOU"... not stuff, not help, not food, not water, or deliverance... nope all that comes later. He says God I want YOU! In fact Lord I'm starving for YOU - not Your stuff but YOU!
2. Pretty familair passage for me. I have noticed that Scripture that I am familair with tends to become cold to me, unless I constantly trust in the Holy Spirit to guide me into all truth.
3. Something in this verse arrested my attention and I felt that the Lord was about to teach me something. So I just started prayerfully reading it over and over and over ... slow then fast... quite then loud... and to my surprise the more I read it instead of the passage getting sweeter and sweeter ... I felt more disconnected and more disconnected. For some reason, as I got more and more honest with myself I just couldn't relate. And then it hit me (Heb 4:12). I remembered that God knows my heart and nothing about me is hidden from Him.
Psalm 63 is an incredible prayer of David, but it was a lie for Dustin. He knows if I'm lying to Him. He knows if I just try to parrot David's prayer back to Him. I knew at that moment that: I could read it over and over again, I could even memorize the verse, quote it to someone, or repeat it back as a prayer to the Lord - but that didn't make it any truer for me.
He knows if I "earnestly" seek Him.
He knows if my "soul thirsts" for Him.
And He knows if my flesh "faints" for Him (like a person stranded in the Sahara desert faints for water!)
Hebrews 4:12-13 "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
So there I was exposed by the Word of God ... don't you love when that happens :) The conviction of a loving Heavenly Father!
How do you stack up to David's prayer? I am having to walk into confession and repentance... you are welcome to join me.
Blessings!
Psalm 63:1 "O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh faints for You, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water."
Quick Thoughts...
1. What an amazing verse! Context - David is "in the wilderness" and yet the FIRST thing he says is "earnestly I seek YOU"... not stuff, not help, not food, not water, or deliverance... nope all that comes later. He says God I want YOU! In fact Lord I'm starving for YOU - not Your stuff but YOU!
2. Pretty familair passage for me. I have noticed that Scripture that I am familair with tends to become cold to me, unless I constantly trust in the Holy Spirit to guide me into all truth.
3. Something in this verse arrested my attention and I felt that the Lord was about to teach me something. So I just started prayerfully reading it over and over and over ... slow then fast... quite then loud... and to my surprise the more I read it instead of the passage getting sweeter and sweeter ... I felt more disconnected and more disconnected. For some reason, as I got more and more honest with myself I just couldn't relate. And then it hit me (Heb 4:12). I remembered that God knows my heart and nothing about me is hidden from Him.
Psalm 63 is an incredible prayer of David, but it was a lie for Dustin. He knows if I'm lying to Him. He knows if I just try to parrot David's prayer back to Him. I knew at that moment that: I could read it over and over again, I could even memorize the verse, quote it to someone, or repeat it back as a prayer to the Lord - but that didn't make it any truer for me.
He knows if I "earnestly" seek Him.
He knows if my "soul thirsts" for Him.
And He knows if my flesh "faints" for Him (like a person stranded in the Sahara desert faints for water!)
Hebrews 4:12-13 "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
So there I was exposed by the Word of God ... don't you love when that happens :) The conviction of a loving Heavenly Father!
How do you stack up to David's prayer? I am having to walk into confession and repentance... you are welcome to join me.
Blessings!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Does Truth really matter?
So what exactly do you believe? Just in your daily life what kinds of things do you think about?
Been thinking alot lately about how important WHAT we believe is. What we believe and think about directly effects how we live. This is spelled out crystal clear in the context of spiritual warfare. There is a battle raging between two kingdoms (Col 1:13). The majority of the battleground takes place in our minds.
2 Cor 10:3-5 "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every THOUGHT captive to obey Christ."
What are strongholds? They are thoughts (more specifically arguments and lofty opinions)and ultimately LIES that allow Satan to have a grip on a person. We should know this very well in our humanistic and even atheistic culture - those ideas or worldviews are strongholds, lofty opinions, and arguements. We should also be very aware of this within the church. Many have left the pure devotion to Christ and His word for Satanic lies and distractions, worldy wisdom and principles, and demonic doctrine. How many people can you name who once seemed to be running well, but have slipped, tripped, or even crashed and burned? The battle is real and it is raging. The only problem is that it is subtle - very subtle. We have a crafty, cunning, and deceitful enemy.
We are cleary warned in Scripture to be on guard againt Satan and to resist him. Also its clearly taught how Satan attacks, he is very interested in controlling our thoughts. Listen Up!
2 Cor 4:4 "In their case the god of this world has blinded the MINDS of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
2 Cor 11:3 "But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your THOUGHTS will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
John 8:44 "He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the FATHER OF LIES."
I wonder where the battle for Lies and Truth rages? Can you identify the last demonic lie you heard roll across your mind?
Rom 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your MIND, that by testing you may DISCERN what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
How guarded are you when it comes to your mind? What do you allow to dwell there? The enemy (the world, the flesh, and the devil) can and will neutralize you from pursuing the Lord Jesus by distracting or entrapping your mind.
Mark 4:19 "They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word (the truth - jn 17:17) and it proves unfruitful.(world)
Rom 8:5-6 "For those who live according to the flesh set their MINDS on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their MINDS on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the MIND on the Spirit is life and peace." (flesh)
1 Tim 4:1 "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and TEACHINGS OF DEMONS" (Devil)
Suit up soldier and ENGAGE THE BATTLE - FIGHT TO THE DEATH - the victory is ours in Christ Jesus! Take every thought that comes your way and make it obedient to Christ. Hit the enemy right the face with a strong confident "It is written!..." Mt 4 - then swing the victory blow with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God - Eph 6... Hallelujah!
Phil 4:6-8 "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will GUARD your hearts and YOUR MINDS in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS."
1 Cor 2:16 "But we have the MIND of Christ.
Be blessed
Been thinking alot lately about how important WHAT we believe is. What we believe and think about directly effects how we live. This is spelled out crystal clear in the context of spiritual warfare. There is a battle raging between two kingdoms (Col 1:13). The majority of the battleground takes place in our minds.
2 Cor 10:3-5 "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every THOUGHT captive to obey Christ."
What are strongholds? They are thoughts (more specifically arguments and lofty opinions)and ultimately LIES that allow Satan to have a grip on a person. We should know this very well in our humanistic and even atheistic culture - those ideas or worldviews are strongholds, lofty opinions, and arguements. We should also be very aware of this within the church. Many have left the pure devotion to Christ and His word for Satanic lies and distractions, worldy wisdom and principles, and demonic doctrine. How many people can you name who once seemed to be running well, but have slipped, tripped, or even crashed and burned? The battle is real and it is raging. The only problem is that it is subtle - very subtle. We have a crafty, cunning, and deceitful enemy.
We are cleary warned in Scripture to be on guard againt Satan and to resist him. Also its clearly taught how Satan attacks, he is very interested in controlling our thoughts. Listen Up!
2 Cor 4:4 "In their case the god of this world has blinded the MINDS of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
2 Cor 11:3 "But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your THOUGHTS will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
John 8:44 "He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the FATHER OF LIES."
I wonder where the battle for Lies and Truth rages? Can you identify the last demonic lie you heard roll across your mind?
Rom 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your MIND, that by testing you may DISCERN what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
How guarded are you when it comes to your mind? What do you allow to dwell there? The enemy (the world, the flesh, and the devil) can and will neutralize you from pursuing the Lord Jesus by distracting or entrapping your mind.
Mark 4:19 "They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word (the truth - jn 17:17) and it proves unfruitful.(world)
Rom 8:5-6 "For those who live according to the flesh set their MINDS on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their MINDS on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the MIND on the Spirit is life and peace." (flesh)
1 Tim 4:1 "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and TEACHINGS OF DEMONS" (Devil)
Suit up soldier and ENGAGE THE BATTLE - FIGHT TO THE DEATH - the victory is ours in Christ Jesus! Take every thought that comes your way and make it obedient to Christ. Hit the enemy right the face with a strong confident "It is written!..." Mt 4 - then swing the victory blow with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God - Eph 6... Hallelujah!
Phil 4:6-8 "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will GUARD your hearts and YOUR MINDS in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS."
1 Cor 2:16 "But we have the MIND of Christ.
Be blessed
Friday, June 18, 2010
Christless Christianity... is it possible?
Christless expounding on nothing... I love that quote...
Moral of the story is that I have to be aware that just because someone opens a bible, doesn't necessarily mean that they are proclaiming the word. Big difference in a morality message and gospel preaching. Fleshy effort vs. grace driven effort. The gospel is the center of all that we do, praise the Lord!
St. Augustine "Command what thou will, but grant what thou commandth"...
Thursday, June 10, 2010
C.T. Studd
Some quotes to kindle the fire...
"Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bells; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell."
"We Christians too often substitute prayer for playing the game. Prayer is good; but when used as a substitute for obedience, it is nothing but a blatant hypocrisy, a despicable Pharisaism... To your knees, man! and to your Bible! Decide at once! Don't hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God, quit consulting flesh and blood. Stop your lame, lying, and cowardly excuses. Enlist!"
"A lost reputation is the best degree for Christ's service."
"The best training for a soldier of Christ is not merely a theological college. They always seem to turn out sausages of varying lengths, tied at each end, without the glorious freedom a Christian ought to abound and rejoice in. You see, when in hand-to-hand conflict with the world and the devil, neat little biblical confectionery is like shooting lions with a pea-shooter: God needs a man who will let go and deliver blows right and left as hard as he can hit, in the power of the Holy Ghost. Nothing but forked-lightning Christians will count."
"If you don't want the Devil to hit you, hit him first, and hit him with all your might, so that he may be too crippled to hit back. 'Preach the Word' is the rod the Devil fears and hates."
"Christ's call is to save the lost, not the stiff-necked; He came not to call scoffers but sinners to repentance; not to build and furnish comfortable chapels, churches, and cathedrals at home in which to rock Christian professors to sleep by means of clever essays, stereotyped prayers, and artistic musical performances, but to capture men from the devil's clutches and the very jaws of Hell. This can be accomplished only by a red-hot, unconventional, unfettered devotion, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to the Lord Jesus Christ."
"I can easily see why the folks at home want to eliminate Hell from their theology, preaching and thought. Hell is indeed awful unless its preaching is joined to a life laid down by the preacher. How can a man believe in Hell unless he throws away his life to rescue others from its torment? If there is no Hell, the Bible is a lie."
"I am getting desperately afraid of going to heaven for I have had the vision of the shame I shall suffer as I get my first glimpse of the Lord Jesus; His majesty, power and marvellous love for me, who treated Him so meanly and shabbily on earth, and acted as though I did Him a favour in serving Him! No wonder God shall have to wipe away the tears off all faces, for we shall be broken-hearted when we see the depth of His love and the shallowness of ours."
Wake us up Lord Jesus... all over this planet!
"Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bells; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell."
"We Christians too often substitute prayer for playing the game. Prayer is good; but when used as a substitute for obedience, it is nothing but a blatant hypocrisy, a despicable Pharisaism... To your knees, man! and to your Bible! Decide at once! Don't hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God, quit consulting flesh and blood. Stop your lame, lying, and cowardly excuses. Enlist!"
"A lost reputation is the best degree for Christ's service."
"The best training for a soldier of Christ is not merely a theological college. They always seem to turn out sausages of varying lengths, tied at each end, without the glorious freedom a Christian ought to abound and rejoice in. You see, when in hand-to-hand conflict with the world and the devil, neat little biblical confectionery is like shooting lions with a pea-shooter: God needs a man who will let go and deliver blows right and left as hard as he can hit, in the power of the Holy Ghost. Nothing but forked-lightning Christians will count."
"If you don't want the Devil to hit you, hit him first, and hit him with all your might, so that he may be too crippled to hit back. 'Preach the Word' is the rod the Devil fears and hates."
"Christ's call is to save the lost, not the stiff-necked; He came not to call scoffers but sinners to repentance; not to build and furnish comfortable chapels, churches, and cathedrals at home in which to rock Christian professors to sleep by means of clever essays, stereotyped prayers, and artistic musical performances, but to capture men from the devil's clutches and the very jaws of Hell. This can be accomplished only by a red-hot, unconventional, unfettered devotion, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to the Lord Jesus Christ."
"I can easily see why the folks at home want to eliminate Hell from their theology, preaching and thought. Hell is indeed awful unless its preaching is joined to a life laid down by the preacher. How can a man believe in Hell unless he throws away his life to rescue others from its torment? If there is no Hell, the Bible is a lie."
"I am getting desperately afraid of going to heaven for I have had the vision of the shame I shall suffer as I get my first glimpse of the Lord Jesus; His majesty, power and marvellous love for me, who treated Him so meanly and shabbily on earth, and acted as though I did Him a favour in serving Him! No wonder God shall have to wipe away the tears off all faces, for we shall be broken-hearted when we see the depth of His love and the shallowness of ours."
Wake us up Lord Jesus... all over this planet!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Soldier of the Cross
Written by Issac Watts in 1709 in response to 1 Cor 16:13
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause
Or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease?
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight, if I would reign
Increase my courage, Lord!
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy word.
Thy saints, in all this glorious war,
Shall conquer, though they die;
They view the triumph from afar,
And seize it with their eye.
When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine
In robes of victory through the skies,
The glory shall be Thine.
1 Cor 16:13 "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."
2 Tim 2:3-4 "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him."
Lord show us our civilian pursuits to shun and give us the focus, intensity, courage, and diligence of a soldier.
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause
Or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease?
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight, if I would reign
Increase my courage, Lord!
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy word.
Thy saints, in all this glorious war,
Shall conquer, though they die;
They view the triumph from afar,
And seize it with their eye.
When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine
In robes of victory through the skies,
The glory shall be Thine.
1 Cor 16:13 "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."
2 Tim 2:3-4 "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him."
Lord show us our civilian pursuits to shun and give us the focus, intensity, courage, and diligence of a soldier.
Monday, June 7, 2010
God of Justice
Love this song... puts me on my face... the cry of my heart - God keep me from just singing. Fill us up and send us out!
John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."
Amos 5:21-24 “I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Job 29:14-17 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind
and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know. I broke the fangs of the unrighteous and made him drop his prey from his teeth.
John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."
Amos 5:21-24 “I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Job 29:14-17 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind
and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know. I broke the fangs of the unrighteous and made him drop his prey from his teeth.
Will I follow You?
Or will I just talk?
Will I follow Him sacrificially or only when convienient and popular?
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Fear of Man
Luke 6:26 "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets."
John 7:7 "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify about it that its works are evil."
Prov 29:25 "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe."
Jn 12:43 "for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God."
2 Tim 1:7 "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
1 Pet 3:6 "as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening."
Acts 4:29 "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants [5] to continue to speak your word with all boldness"
A.W. Tozer quote from Of God and Men...
"If Christianity is to receive a rejuvenation it must be by other means than any now being used. If the church in the second half of this century is to recover from the injuries she suffered in the first half, there must appear a new type of preacher. The proper, ruler-of-the-synagogue type will never do. Neither will the priestly type of man who carries out his duties, takes his pay and asks no questions, nor the smooth-talking pastoral type who knows how to make the Christian religion acceptable to everyone. All these have been tried and found wanting.
Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I pray God there will be not one but many) he will stand in flat contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear. He will contradict, denounce and protest in the name of God and will earn the hatred and opposition of a large segment of Christendom. Such a man is likely to be lean, rugged, blunt-spoken and a little bit angry with the world. He will love Christ and the souls of men to the point of willingness to die for the glory of the one and the salvation of the other. But he will fear nothing that breathes with mortal breath."
And we pray God that there would not be one but many. Amen
John 7:7 "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify about it that its works are evil."
Prov 29:25 "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe."
Jn 12:43 "for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God."
2 Tim 1:7 "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
1 Pet 3:6 "as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening."
Acts 4:29 "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants [5] to continue to speak your word with all boldness"
A.W. Tozer quote from Of God and Men...
"If Christianity is to receive a rejuvenation it must be by other means than any now being used. If the church in the second half of this century is to recover from the injuries she suffered in the first half, there must appear a new type of preacher. The proper, ruler-of-the-synagogue type will never do. Neither will the priestly type of man who carries out his duties, takes his pay and asks no questions, nor the smooth-talking pastoral type who knows how to make the Christian religion acceptable to everyone. All these have been tried and found wanting.
Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I pray God there will be not one but many) he will stand in flat contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear. He will contradict, denounce and protest in the name of God and will earn the hatred and opposition of a large segment of Christendom. Such a man is likely to be lean, rugged, blunt-spoken and a little bit angry with the world. He will love Christ and the souls of men to the point of willingness to die for the glory of the one and the salvation of the other. But he will fear nothing that breathes with mortal breath."
And we pray God that there would not be one but many. Amen
Monday, April 12, 2010
Pray for Kate McRae
6 year old girl in Phoenix Arizona having a really tough fight with brain cancer... parents are believers and are asking the Lord to heal... asking the body of Christ to pray... Jesus please heal!... join in that prayer with Faith... check out her story at:
www.prayforkate.com
www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate
www.prayforkate.com
www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Empowered to suffer these light mometary afflictions...
How's this for an invitation...
2 Timothy 1:8 - ...but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God (you mean one of the functions of the Holy Spirit in our lives is empowerment (Acts 1:8)? and one of the things that God empowers us to do is to SUFFER? I wonder how that would preach at most churches? We love for God to empower us for giftings, for ministry, for spiritual warfare, but suffer... I think not...
Have you ever heard this verse? Rom 8:37 - No, in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
What do you think that means? I wonder if the previous verses shed any light on what that means?
v.35-36 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? We are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. (Have you every heard that preached out of context? So God calls us to be more than conquerors WHILE we are being slaughtered, and in famine (hungry), and naked (impoverished), and endangered in everyway. For some reason I just don't hear stuff like that alot...
Philippians 1:29 - For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake. ("granted" is echaristhe in greek - which is important because the root word is charis - which means grace... so the idea is that suffering from this text is actually a gracious gift that God gives His children... no less a gift than "believing in Him")... How about that for prosperity theology... suffering as a gift from God?
Acts 14:21-22 - When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. (How many times are we caught saying Lord if I just had the next step, enough money, better health, less stress, a better marriage, a better family, a better job, more friends, an easier life, less persecution THEN I would be happy?... Instead we are encouraged to continue in the faith and rest in the Sovereign hand of God , Who has ordained that walk through MANY tribulations before we enter the kingdom of God.)
Acts 5:40-41 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
(When is the last time that you responded to anything negative in your life like this?)
This is why we can count it all joy in the midst of our troubles... not just when our troubles are over... they will never completely cease in this life ... no matter how hard we try...
2Cor 4:16-18 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Paul's description of martyrdom was a "light momentary affliction" v.11,17
I want his view of suffering... he wasn't minimizing suffering as though it didn't happen or that it wasn't difficult... he was comparing it to something that he said was "beyond all comparision" -
THE GLORY OF GOD. PRAISE THE LORD!
Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
2 Timothy 1:8 - ...but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God (you mean one of the functions of the Holy Spirit in our lives is empowerment (Acts 1:8)? and one of the things that God empowers us to do is to SUFFER? I wonder how that would preach at most churches? We love for God to empower us for giftings, for ministry, for spiritual warfare, but suffer... I think not...
Have you ever heard this verse? Rom 8:37 - No, in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
What do you think that means? I wonder if the previous verses shed any light on what that means?
v.35-36 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? We are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. (Have you every heard that preached out of context? So God calls us to be more than conquerors WHILE we are being slaughtered, and in famine (hungry), and naked (impoverished), and endangered in everyway. For some reason I just don't hear stuff like that alot...
Philippians 1:29 - For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake. ("granted" is echaristhe in greek - which is important because the root word is charis - which means grace... so the idea is that suffering from this text is actually a gracious gift that God gives His children... no less a gift than "believing in Him")... How about that for prosperity theology... suffering as a gift from God?
Acts 14:21-22 - When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. (How many times are we caught saying Lord if I just had the next step, enough money, better health, less stress, a better marriage, a better family, a better job, more friends, an easier life, less persecution THEN I would be happy?... Instead we are encouraged to continue in the faith and rest in the Sovereign hand of God , Who has ordained that walk through MANY tribulations before we enter the kingdom of God.)
Acts 5:40-41 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
(When is the last time that you responded to anything negative in your life like this?)
This is why we can count it all joy in the midst of our troubles... not just when our troubles are over... they will never completely cease in this life ... no matter how hard we try...
2Cor 4:16-18 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Paul's description of martyrdom was a "light momentary affliction" v.11,17
I want his view of suffering... he wasn't minimizing suffering as though it didn't happen or that it wasn't difficult... he was comparing it to something that he said was "beyond all comparision" -
THE GLORY OF GOD. PRAISE THE LORD!
Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Do you want the Kingdom?
Luke 12:32-34
verse 32 "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom ..."
(Cool thought - God wants to give us the KINGDOM!...wonder what the next verse says...hmmm?)
verse 33-34 "Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
You still sure you want the kingdom?
Could you say along with the disciples "we have left all to follow You."-mk 10:28?
I'm not sure about you but I'm tired of hearing this watered down...
Matthew 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then IN HIS JOY he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
Not even a hard decision when compared to gaining Jesus!
verse 32 "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom ..."
(Cool thought - God wants to give us the KINGDOM!...wonder what the next verse says...hmmm?)
verse 33-34 "Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
You still sure you want the kingdom?
Could you say along with the disciples "we have left all to follow You."-mk 10:28?
I'm not sure about you but I'm tired of hearing this watered down...
Matthew 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then IN HIS JOY he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
Not even a hard decision when compared to gaining Jesus!
The Hole in our American Gospel
Acts 2:44-45 "And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need."
Acts 4:32,34 "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common....THERE WAS NOT A NEEDY PERSON AMONG THEM, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need."
Luke 14:33 "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."
Mark 10:21 "And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”"
1 John 3:17 "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"
Acts 4:32,34 "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common....THERE WAS NOT A NEEDY PERSON AMONG THEM, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need."
Luke 14:33 "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."
Mark 10:21 "And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”"
1 John 3:17 "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Heart Check for the Nations
Praying that the Father would send His Spirit empowered disciples to proclaim the name of Jesus to every tribe on earth. To give up temporary comforts for an eternal reward. Praying for brokeness, faith, passion, and love. Join in on that prayer.
Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
Matthew 24:31-40 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"
Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
Matthew 24:31-40 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"
The Gospel vs. Morality
What is the difference between preaching the gospel and preaching morality? In other words... what is it that is so radically different that God has called us (the church) too in contrast to various cults that use many of the same New Testament books? What is so different about Jesus among other religion - it is the gospel - the GRACE of God revealed to lost mankind through the blameless death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus. If we cannot discern when the true gospel of God's grace is preached vs. religious morality (in the church) we are ill equipped for the work of ministry.
Mark 16:15 "And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."
Mark 16:15 "And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."
TEST EVERYTHING! ... even wild elephants!
1 Thes 5:19-22 "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
Matthew 7:15-19 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits."
2 Peter 2 "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies...And many will follow their SENSUALITY, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed...especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority...They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin...These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by SENSUAL passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption".
April 2008 - Lakeland starts... if you are not familair google Lakeland Revival and Todd Bentley
August 11 - Bentley announces that he would be leaving the revival
August 16 - Bentley is exposed by his own ministry board and is forced to resign from his own ministry because it was discovered that an ADULTEROUS relationship had been going on DURING THE REVIVAL. It was later discovered that this adulterous relationship was with a young intern in his ministry. So lets recap ... THIS GUY WAS SLEEPING WITH HIS INTERN WHILE CONDUCTING THE LAKELAND REVIVAL MEETINGS! Bentley had a wife with cancer back home along with two children. It gets worse.
September - Instead of repenting of his sin, Bentley announces that he will be divorcing his wife. Stating that their marriage was "beyond repair". Anybody ever read Jesus's teaching on divorce? And isn't that interesting the healing evangelist whose consistent message that God can heal anything ... states that his own marriage is beyond the power of God.
March 2009 - Instead of repenting, Bentley leaves his own family and marries his intern - her name is Jessa.
March 2009 - It is announced that a "restoration team" was put together to restore Bentley - this team included: Bill Johnson, Jack Deere, and Rick Joyner.
Feb 2010 - as pictured below - he is back in the saddle again...conducting meetings at Rick Joyner's Morning Star Church
Scripturally this guy would be questionable to meet the qualifications for church membership much less lead services and for the people who listen to this junk... What are you thinking - seriously? Have you ever read your Bible? TEST EVERYTHING... ESPECIALLY FRUIT... I mean that in all love...
1 Tim 3:2-7 "Therefore an overseer MUST be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil."
Betting God put that in there for a reason...further comments by Piper below
http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1348_test_revival_with_doctrine/
Matthew 7:15-19 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits."
2 Peter 2 "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies...And many will follow their SENSUALITY, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed...especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority...They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin...These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by SENSUAL passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption".
April 2008 - Lakeland starts... if you are not familair google Lakeland Revival and Todd Bentley
August 11 - Bentley announces that he would be leaving the revival
August 16 - Bentley is exposed by his own ministry board and is forced to resign from his own ministry because it was discovered that an ADULTEROUS relationship had been going on DURING THE REVIVAL. It was later discovered that this adulterous relationship was with a young intern in his ministry. So lets recap ... THIS GUY WAS SLEEPING WITH HIS INTERN WHILE CONDUCTING THE LAKELAND REVIVAL MEETINGS! Bentley had a wife with cancer back home along with two children. It gets worse.
September - Instead of repenting of his sin, Bentley announces that he will be divorcing his wife. Stating that their marriage was "beyond repair". Anybody ever read Jesus's teaching on divorce? And isn't that interesting the healing evangelist whose consistent message that God can heal anything ... states that his own marriage is beyond the power of God.
March 2009 - Instead of repenting, Bentley leaves his own family and marries his intern - her name is Jessa.
March 2009 - It is announced that a "restoration team" was put together to restore Bentley - this team included: Bill Johnson, Jack Deere, and Rick Joyner.
Feb 2010 - as pictured below - he is back in the saddle again...conducting meetings at Rick Joyner's Morning Star Church
Scripturally this guy would be questionable to meet the qualifications for church membership much less lead services and for the people who listen to this junk... What are you thinking - seriously? Have you ever read your Bible? TEST EVERYTHING... ESPECIALLY FRUIT... I mean that in all love...
1 Tim 3:2-7 "Therefore an overseer MUST be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil."
Betting God put that in there for a reason...further comments by Piper below
http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1348_test_revival_with_doctrine/
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Ashamed of the Gospel?
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..."
I find it helpful to consistently ask myself this question - what would it look like in my life if I was ashamed of the gospel? When I fall short I find that it is most commonly in these two areas:
1)Gospel Exclusivity - making the hard or difficult teachings of Jesus easier to digest, or to say it another way would be - Are you hesitant to teach that Jesus is the ONLY way to God? Or are you hesitant to proclaim that the same Jesus you worship demanded supremacy in someones life or they could not be His disciple - Lk 14:33? Are you tempted to water those or similar teachings down at times? Are you preaching a false gospel? Are you ashamed of the true gospel?
Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Phillipians 2:9-11 "Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
2)Gospel Proclaimation - settling for something less than GOSPEL PROCLAIMATION! One of our favorite ways to hide from this is behind some really sharp half truths like this one from St. Francis of Assisi "Preach the gospel always if necessary use words". Contrast this to the New Testament.
Rom 10:14-15 " How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”...also Mk 16:15, Rom 1:15, 1 Cor 9:16... Are you ashamed to open your mouth for Jesus? Yes live out the gospel... but declare it with boldness, power, authority, conviction, and CONSISTENCY! O and how about with Joy... there is no greater news to proclaim on this planet. Christ has made a way where there was no way
Are you ashamed of the Gospel?
I find it helpful to consistently ask myself this question - what would it look like in my life if I was ashamed of the gospel? When I fall short I find that it is most commonly in these two areas:
1)Gospel Exclusivity - making the hard or difficult teachings of Jesus easier to digest, or to say it another way would be - Are you hesitant to teach that Jesus is the ONLY way to God? Or are you hesitant to proclaim that the same Jesus you worship demanded supremacy in someones life or they could not be His disciple - Lk 14:33? Are you tempted to water those or similar teachings down at times? Are you preaching a false gospel? Are you ashamed of the true gospel?
Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Phillipians 2:9-11 "Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
2)Gospel Proclaimation - settling for something less than GOSPEL PROCLAIMATION! One of our favorite ways to hide from this is behind some really sharp half truths like this one from St. Francis of Assisi "Preach the gospel always if necessary use words". Contrast this to the New Testament.
Rom 10:14-15 " How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”...also Mk 16:15, Rom 1:15, 1 Cor 9:16... Are you ashamed to open your mouth for Jesus? Yes live out the gospel... but declare it with boldness, power, authority, conviction, and CONSISTENCY! O and how about with Joy... there is no greater news to proclaim on this planet. Christ has made a way where there was no way
Are you ashamed of the Gospel?
Golden Calf - Bet they didn't know it would cost them their life!
Galatians 1:6 "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel"
I was in Exodus 32 this morning - Golden Calf passage. The thought slipped across my mind - Lord, how is it possible that the same group of people that You miraculously rescue from Eygpt turn so quickly from You? The ones who watched the 10 plagues that God brought about on Eypgt. The ones who obeyed the Lord when He told them to sprinkle the Passover blood over the doorposts of their houses. They saw the Lord passover them while killing thousands of Eygptians. They knew of the His power. They saw with their own eyes the pillar of fire leading them by night, and the cloud by day. Hello - they watched God split the Red Sea! - and if that wasn't enough they walked through it on dry ground! They watched the Lord drown the armies of Eygpt in an instant while they sang to the Lord "horse and rider He has thrown into the sea" (Ex 15). They ate bread that fell DAILY from Heaven and drank water that burst from a Rock! They experienced Your miraculous provision. They saw the Glory of God descend on Mount Sinai - with indescribable power - fire, smoke, lightning,and thunder... they begged Moses to go to the Lord on their behalf - they were absolutely terrified of God. In Exodus 24, Moses reads to all the people the covenant of the Lord and they all respond with a resounding - YES ... we will do all that the Lord has commanded us.
AND THEN ... out of nowhere... like a bad dream... they turn their backs on the God who had just rescued them out of Eygpt. In an instant they changed the glory of the incorruptable God for an idol that couldn't see or hear. How did this happen? Exodus 32:28 "that day 3,000 men of the people fell". I wonder if any of the 3,000 woke up that morning knowing that the decisions they would make in the next few hours would cost them their lives? These were fathers who would never again see their sons or daughters, they were husbands who would never again see their wives - their disobedience cost them everything. What about us? Do we fear God? Maybe not a golden calf - but surely something. What about everything that we bow down to in place of the One True God - Money? Status? Power? Comfort? Sinful Cravings? Cares of this Life?....etc... Do I truly fear God?
1 Corinthians 10:1-12 "For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. NEVERTHELESS, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
Hebrews 3:12 "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God."
Hebrews 12:4 "In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood."
Prone to wander Lord I feel it ... Prone to leave the God I love... here is my heart Lord take and SEAL it ... SEAL it for They courts above!
I was in Exodus 32 this morning - Golden Calf passage. The thought slipped across my mind - Lord, how is it possible that the same group of people that You miraculously rescue from Eygpt turn so quickly from You? The ones who watched the 10 plagues that God brought about on Eypgt. The ones who obeyed the Lord when He told them to sprinkle the Passover blood over the doorposts of their houses. They saw the Lord passover them while killing thousands of Eygptians. They knew of the His power. They saw with their own eyes the pillar of fire leading them by night, and the cloud by day. Hello - they watched God split the Red Sea! - and if that wasn't enough they walked through it on dry ground! They watched the Lord drown the armies of Eygpt in an instant while they sang to the Lord "horse and rider He has thrown into the sea" (Ex 15). They ate bread that fell DAILY from Heaven and drank water that burst from a Rock! They experienced Your miraculous provision. They saw the Glory of God descend on Mount Sinai - with indescribable power - fire, smoke, lightning,and thunder... they begged Moses to go to the Lord on their behalf - they were absolutely terrified of God. In Exodus 24, Moses reads to all the people the covenant of the Lord and they all respond with a resounding - YES ... we will do all that the Lord has commanded us.
AND THEN ... out of nowhere... like a bad dream... they turn their backs on the God who had just rescued them out of Eygpt. In an instant they changed the glory of the incorruptable God for an idol that couldn't see or hear. How did this happen? Exodus 32:28 "that day 3,000 men of the people fell". I wonder if any of the 3,000 woke up that morning knowing that the decisions they would make in the next few hours would cost them their lives? These were fathers who would never again see their sons or daughters, they were husbands who would never again see their wives - their disobedience cost them everything. What about us? Do we fear God? Maybe not a golden calf - but surely something. What about everything that we bow down to in place of the One True God - Money? Status? Power? Comfort? Sinful Cravings? Cares of this Life?....etc... Do I truly fear God?
1 Corinthians 10:1-12 "For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. NEVERTHELESS, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
Hebrews 3:12 "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God."
Hebrews 12:4 "In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood."
Prone to wander Lord I feel it ... Prone to leave the God I love... here is my heart Lord take and SEAL it ... SEAL it for They courts above!
Inoculated?
Inoculated - To introduce a serum or vaccine into the body of a person, especially as a means to produce or boost immunity to a specific disease.
What if you had just enough knowledge about Jesus to feel like you didn't need Him? Or vaccinated just enough to ensure that you never come to know Him? Sobering thoughts with eternal significance... Do you know religious facts and rhetoric about Christ and maybe a few doctrinal answers OR do you know Jesus? Have you given Him your entire life?
Inoculated or All In?
Luke 14:33 - "So, therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."
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