A Theology That Suits Us

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Mark 13:31

 

What do you do when your ‘experience’ doesn’t match the Word of God?

Do you still believe the Word is true?

----OR----

Do you create a theology to fit your experience?

Our culture is filled with examples of theology being shaped to match the will of man.

Sadly, it happens in some of our churches too.

Because everyone who has ever prayed for healing has not received it then some teach that healing ceased after the 1^st Century church.

Because the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing then some have chosen to preach a ‘more palatable’ gospel.  

Because Jesus made claims of being the only way to the Father some are teaching a ‘more tolerant’ gospel.

Professing ourselves to be wise we have become fools if/when we choose to create a ‘new’ gospel.

The truth is, it is not new – it is merely man choosing to go his own way.

We ‘modify’ truth to fit our circumstances and experiences.

What if Jesus chose that path?

What if He determined that the way of the cross was unbearable so He would make His own way; finding an alternate to the Father’s plans.

It sounds pretty preposterous, doesn’t it?

And yet that is exactly what we do when we create a theology to suit us.

We thumb our nose at God and say – I’ll take it from here.

Don’t forsake the Word of God.

When you cannot understand why your experience doesn’t match the Word it does not mean you get to change the Truth of God.

Let God be truth and every man a liar!

A Book That is Alive?

“For the word of God is alive and active.

Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,

joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12

 

 

Can you come to know Jesus through reading the Bible?

Yes and No.

How’s that for an answer!

I suspect you know what I mean though.

Unless the Spirit of God brings revelation, the Bible is like any other book.

It is mere words on paper.

Now before I offend all of you - I understand that the Word of God is alive.

But it is made alive by His Spirit, isn’t it?

Perhaps you can remember a time, before you knew Christ,

when you picked up the Bible and it did nothing but confuse you.

In John 6:63 Jesus said:

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.”

Did you catch that last part - “…full of the Spirit and life…”

It is by revelation from the Holy Spirit to our spirit that Gods’ Word comes alive to us.

It is only by revelation.

It is safe to say then that a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ does not come from “book learning” but through revelation!

Oh yes, I know – someone may indeed open His word and share the scriptures with you, but unless God brings revelation, those scriptures will not have any impact.

They may even repel you!

I can never boast that it is through my intellect, my great intelligence that I am saved.

It is through God’s grace and by revelation from His Spirit.

The Body, The Bride or The Business?

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

I Corinthians 12:27

 

 

The Church of Jesus Christ is not a business.

It cannot function like one.

This is not to say that we should overlook or neglect sound business practices for the administration of the church.

But to relegate the operation of the church to the same principles used on Wall street or

Main street is to sadly miss what God has purposed us to be.

Neither is the church meant to function, or can it succeed, on man’s “will power”.

We are to be the Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ.

Nowhere in scripture are we called the Business of Christ!

A ‘church’ built by man and sustained by man’s will is doomed to fail.

A church which sails under the power of man’s will is surely going to face turbulence far greater than the storm the disciples faced on the Sea of Galilee.

The church Jesus built is sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The ‘successful’ church is that which has relinquished control by man

 to the leading of God’s Holy Spirit.

We don’t always like to surrender control.

There are a 1,000 reasons we can give for maintaining our own firm grip on the helm.

But the hand that holds firm control cannot simultaneously surrender control.

We want it both ways but, it seems, God just will not comply with our wishes!

So the next time you pray for your local church – ask God to keep all of us in that place of surrender to Him and the leading of His Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

 

Better Than Kool-Aid!

“but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:14

 

How refreshing is water?

We have probably all seen the image of a man in a desert, crawling on his hands and knees towards a spring of water.

Regardless of how far he crawls it seems the spring is always just beyond his grasp.

Of course, in his dehydrated and partially delirious state, he is only seeing a mirage.

Now if that were a true scenario and he was able to reach the spring, how refreshing do you suppose that water would be to him?

We can only imagine!

Jesus offers us to freely drink from the Water of Life.

Why do you suppose many don’t drink?

They do not drink from it because their thirst has been ‘quenched’ on temporal satisfactions.

But when you are truly thirsty Kool-Aid just doesn’t cut it!

Likewise, nothing can replace the water Jesus gives.

There are a lot of products on the store shelves; some might even claim to do a better job in refreshing you than water can.

Let’s leave them to all of their claims.  

Instead, drink water from that Rock that is Christ Jesus.

How refreshing is the water Jesus gives?

How thirsty are you?

 

 

 

 

Because of His Great Power and Mighty Strength!

“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:  Who created all these?

He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.

Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”

Isaiah 40:26

 

The strongest man will fold in record time to the weakest demon in hell

 If

 he tries to fight spiritual battles in his own natural strength.

Conversely, we are told that we, as the humblest of saints can resist the devil,

submit to God and watch the devil flee.

That is God’s mighty power being demonstrated!

Suppose I said that we were going to hold an arm-wrestling tournament and that I picked two  ladies to select their “champion” from all the people at the local gym.

What do you suppose would be the criteria for their selection?

They might list a few things they each consider important but likely wouldn’t say they made their choice based on their desire to win the contest!

We cannot fight spiritual battles and expect to win with the wrong weapons can we.

 It is highly doubtful that either lady would select a petit (100 pounds when wet).

Why?

Because ultimately the goal is to be victorious.

But our goal in spiritual warfare should never be to fight

spiritual battles in our own natural strength.

The command to be strong in the Lord is seen throughout scripture:

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24

I have to ask you, what does the word “all” mean?

To those called in 5-fold ministry only?

To the Pastors and leaders only?

Nope, it says to all you who hope in the Lord!

 

 “But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors,”

 Hosea 10:13

So wickedness, evil and deception are the delectable fruits of depending on my own strength.

“This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.

Jeremiah 17:5

So Jeremiah and Hosea seem to be echoing the same point.

No good can come from relying on natural strength for spiritual battles!

A Well-Adjusted Hermit?

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:

 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

    But how can one keep warm alone?

 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

 

Hermit: An individual who shuns society to live in isolation.

Have you ever met a well-adjusted hermit?

By that I mean, someone who has chosen to live apart from all others and has separated themselves from society in general.

It’s probably hard to answer that question because, by their choice, most hermits would not choose to carry on a conversation with you.

But suppose for a moment that they did tell you what made them isolate themselves.

Hurts or rejection from others comes to mind as a likely reason.

Depression also drives people away from others.

At a time when it is most important to be around other supportive individuals those with depression move in the opposite direction.

As we looked at yesterday, instead of running from God a person struggling with depression needs to run too Him.

But they also need the love and support of the people around them as well.

If you are struggling with depression; confide in others instead of withdrawing.

Don’t make the same mistake a hermit makes.

Seek out others in whom you can confide.

We all need times of solitude, but those times of solitude should be when we can get alone with God.

We should not only and always be alone, apart from God and others He brings into our lives.

I suspect there is no such thing as a well-adjusted hermit!

Hope Spilling Over!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

 

 

 

We spoke yesterday in this blog of conquering depression.

If you want to succeed in conquering life’s struggle of depression then what you need to do is learn how to find your hope in God when life crashes in.

Maybe you’ve heard something to this effect spoken before –

“Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope.”

Hope in what?

Hope in a pill?

Hope in physical exercise?

Hope in a 12 step program?

True victory over depression is only possible when you find your hope in the God of hope!

So many people search in so many other places.

 A misplaced hope is not an enduring hope.

Do you know what God exchanges for your depression?

Our scripture text holds the answer.

He fills us with joy, peace and overflowing hope.

He gives you abundant hope.

He gives you more-than-enough hope!

He gives you enough hope in order that you might share His hope with the hopeless.

In other words, it is as if He brings you full circle.

From one who is hopeless to one who is filled with hope and enough to share with others.

It is a ‘hope spilling over’!

Conquering Depression

“Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say,

“May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely,

if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

I Kings 19:1-4

 

If you look back in the Book of I Kings and chapter 18,

you will be able to read of the great victory, in God, that Elijah had.

Literally and figuratively he had a mountaintop experience!

Ever had one?

What often happens next is what happened to Elijah.

The mountain is followed by a valley.

Ever had one?

Take note of what Elijah did and don’t follow suit.

In fear, he ran for his life.

He did not run to God, he ran away from Him.

He left his servant and in a solitary way, went into the wilderness – a day’s journey no less.

He left behind friends and he isolated himself.

Finally, he asked God to take his life.

Have you ever struggled with depression?

Do you recognize, in this story, any of your own actions?

Have you walked in fear?

Have you walked away from God instead of to Him?

Have you left friends behind and entered a wilderness all alone?

Have you asked God to take your life?

Have you tried to take it yourself?

You see it is all about choices.

Depression is caused by the way you choose to respond to life’s circumstances.

It was all about choices for Elijah.

It is all about choices for you!

Maybe that seems harsh but the reality is that God’s power is greater than

 the depression you face.

The same God available to Elijah on Mt. Carmel was available to him when the news from Jezebel reached him.

The same God available to you on the mountaintop is also with you in the valley.

He has told us that He will never leave us and will never forsake us.

Don’t face depression alone.

Turn your face, your heart and your will to God!

Love Unimaginable!

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

 

Stop and think about what it would be like to be on your death bed and in excruciating pain just minutes, or at best, hours away from death.

Yet, while you are enduring pain unlike anything you have ever experienced, your thoughts are not on that pain but on the care, concern and love for the others in the room.

If you can comprehend what that must be like then you have the slightest sliver of coming remotely close to understanding what it was like for Jesus on the cross. The weight of mankind’s sin (not His own or the sin of one or two people but of all mankind in history)

was on Him.

He had been beaten, whipped, mocked and crucified.  

His ultimate hurt being when the Father turned His back on the Son, no matter how momentary, not looking on the sin His Son carried for you and for me.

Yet, Jesus had compassion on those who crucified Him.

He speaks words of hope to the thief hanging on a cross next to Him.

He takes care of the welfare of Mary his earthly mother.

None of this occurred with any painkillers or anesthesia in His system.

Love compelled Him to do what He did.

Love, too often, only seems to ‘compel’ us in the easy and convenient moments of life.

Let another person ‘stress’ us or in some small way cause an offense and we

are ready to crucify them (purposeful choice of words) rather

than extending care, concern, compassion or love.

Do you know Him who is that compelling love?

His name is Jesus.

He died for you.

Even in your anger and indifference toward Him, He still loves you.

If you never have known that love, won’t you surrender your heart to Him today?

You can never know the depth of love God has for you until you receive Him!

Staying in Step with the Holy Spirit

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:25

 

 

A precision drill team (like that highlighted in the video at the end of today’s blog) practices for untold hours to perfect their timing and their coordination between team members.

They make it look easy but it is the result of hard work and long hours.

A single misstep and someone could be hurt very badly.

I suppose the opposite of this team might be the hapless soldier who, try as he might, simply cannot stay in step with his fellow soldiers.

If you are old enough and can remember a T.V. series called “Gomer Pyle” you will recall the opening scene as Gomer struggles to get in step with the others.

We are told to keep in step with the Spirit?

Why?

Is it just so we look good?

No.

Jesus never ‘stepped out’ on His own.

He was always in step with the Holy Spirit and consequently,

in obedience to the will of the Father.

We are told in Galatians 5:16 -

“… walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

We do not keep in step with God’s Spirit just to look good.

It is, in fact, life or death for us.

That person who only gratifies his or her flesh is not a man or woman after the things of God.

Walk by the Spirit, keep in step with the Spirit.

He was given to you and I to guide us into all truth.

He is well able to keep you from falling as you keep in step with Him!

 

http://youtu.be/Z99mFaukVZc

 

 

Don’t Ignore Your Check Engine Light

Todays blog is contributed by David Trotta

"And when (the Holy Spirit) comes, He will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment." - John 16:8

I recently had a check engine light come on in my car.  I immediately started to do some research as to what caused the light to come on.  I started with the owner’s manual, which wasn’t very helpful.  I then pulled out my special scanner tool that communicates with the car’s control center (computer).  Sure enough, after connecting the tool to the car, it displayed a special code that told me what the problem was.

I took those steps because I was concerned that if I did not heed the warning light and let it go unchecked, the problem could cause serious harm to my car.

The Holy Spirit uses conviction as sort of our spiritual “check engine light.” One of the primary roles of the Holy Spirit is to lovingly convict us of sin.  Conviction, or uneasiness in our spirit, warns us that something is not right.

When you feel convicted, immediately stop and do an honest assessment of the situation.  Prayerfully ask yourself a few key questions - Does it honor God?  Is it beneficial?  Does it edify others?  If the answer is no, don’t continue down the same path.  Instead, take a step back and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the cause for your conviction and then respond accordingly.

As with the check engine light, if we don’t heed conviction and let it go unchecked, we run the risk of causing serious harm to ourselves, others, and most importantly, our relationship with the Lord.

Does it Encourage?

 

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Ephesians 4:29

 

Yesterday, in talking about how to live and grow in holiness before the Lord you were given a question to ask – Is what I want to do or see beneficial?

Today, as a continuing effort to grow in holiness before God let me give you another question to ask – Is it encouraging?

Specifically, is what I am watching, saying, doing or thinking encouraging to my own spirit.

Too many of us engage in negative conversations with ourselves.

We do, in fact, become our own worst enemies.

We even say and think things about ourselves that would easily offend us if it was coming from another person’s lips!

Look in scripture to find so many examples of God or His messengers convincing a reluctant servant that, with Him, they could indeed do what He had called them to do!

Consider Moses, Gideon and Peter as just a few examples.

We are no different.

God calls us to a task and we spend the next several weeks, months or even years telling ourselves why we are not able to do what He has called us to do.  

So, our thinking and our words need to change.

He is the enabler.

He is the sufficiency.

We are the vessels that are to be filled up with Him.

That filling includes our thought life and our mouth.

One simple way to start is with a question.

Will what I am thinking, or about to speak, be an encouragement?

Ask it - of yourself - a thousand times in a day if necessary.

Does it encourage?

Our scripture for today is always taken to mean our conversations with others.

That is correct in context but I would encourage you to

allow it to challenge how you speak to yourself as well.

Does the conversation you have with yourself (we all do it!) benefit you as you listen?

Constructive or Destructive?

““I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.

“I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.”

I Corinthians 10:23

 

 

There is a freedom in Christ and a liberty which we have through

God’s grace that the Old Testament saints did not have.

But in many ways that grace extended to us can become a test for us.

Will we enjoy that freedom regardless of who we may offend?

Will we attempt to use the grace of God as a demand for our rights?

“I would never do that!” you say.

That is good but let me give you a question you can ask as a sort

of primer on doing what is right.

It is a question you can ask a hundred times a day.

It is a simple question.

Ask yourself this.

Is it beneficial?

Is what I want to do beneficial – will it move me forward in holiness?

Will it be beneficial to those around me?

Is it constructive – that is will it contribute to the ‘construction’ of the image of Christ in me?

Is it destructive – that is will it contribute to the ‘destruction’ of the image of Christ in me?

It’s not a hard question, is it?

But often we don’t ask because we already know the answer and we don’t like it!

It is so much easier to benefit my flesh than it is to benefit my spirit.

Usually the benefit to the old man is immediate.

We are so conditioned to instant gratification in our culture.

But the choice that we make to grow in Christ has eternal rewards.

So, the next time you are faced with a choice ask this simple question.

Is it beneficial?

Then answer honestly and ask God for the strength to choose wisely!

Holy Cow!

“I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God;

therefore be holy, because I am holy.”

Leviticus 11:45

 

 

Have you ever met a holy cow?

How about a holy moley?

Do you even know what that is?

We use phrases all the time without a clear understanding of their origin or their meaning.

The ‘we’ I speak of includes those of us in the church.

The word ‘holy’ has been misinterpreted, redefined and dragged through the mud over the years from those outside and inside the church.

Without a proper understanding of what a word means we are at risk of abusing the word and mis-applying the principles in our lives that the word represents.   

I think if there were such a thing as a “Top Ten List of Misunderstood Words from Scripture”, holiness would be on that list.

We could define holiness as being set-apart for God.

We could define holiness as being ‘peculiar’ or being in the world but not of the world.

Let me offer you a simple definition we have learned.

Holiness is living a life that pleases God.

So often we attempt to reduce it to a set of rules and regulations which may or may not have much to do with what truly pleases God.

As you and I mature in Christ; the pull, the attraction of the world should diminish in our lives.

His will for us should become more desirable to us.

We surrender more of ourselves to Him that we might live that life that pleases Him.

I have never met a holy cow and I admit I don’t know what a holy moley is.

What I have met is holy men and women whose desire it is to please God.

Not perfect men and women.

Not always fully mature men and women.

But men and women who desire it is to be holy as He is holy!

Are you part of that company?

You Belong There

Todays' blog was contributed by David Trotta

Do you walk timidly into your house?  Do you cautiously peer around the door before you enter?  I’m sure you don’t.  I bet you calmly and boldly walk through the door and say “honey, I’m home” or “mom, dad, I’m home.” Your spouse, child, or parent would see you and not give it a second thought because you belong there.  It’s your house!

 

If I were to ask you if you think Jesus has unlimited and full access to the throne room of God, I bet you would say with confidence - Yes, of course he does!  You might even think the question was a bit silly.  After all, He has a seat at the right hand of God with His name on it.  You can visualize Him coming and going as he pleases, stopping to frequently converse with Father God and the angels.

 

Did you also know that as a child of God, you too have the same access to the throne room of God that Jesus has?  How do I know that?  Because Romans 8:17 tells us we are co-heirs with Christ - “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

 

As co-heirs, we have access to the same position, blessings, and benefits that Jesus has.  That means you have “God clearance” to His throne.  As a child of God, going boldly to God’s throne of grace is as natural as you walking into your house, because you belong there!

 

This special access is mentioned in Hebrews 4:16 - “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Are you going through a difficult time?  Are you hurting?  Regardless of the issue, you have uninhibited access to the throne of grace to ask God for help in your time of need.  You can hold your head up high, not because of who you are or because of anything you’ve done to earn it, but because of WHOSE you are.  You are a child of God, co-heir of all that Jesus has.  Go with a humble and grateful heart, but go boldly and with confidence because you are His child and you belong there.

Laying Aside His Glory!

“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,

if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

Romans 8:16-17

 

 

Do you enjoy sharing in another person’s suffering?

Is it something you go out of your way to be a part of?

No, we usually run in the opposite direction.

“Compassion has its’ place” we say; but even while we are speaking those words we are creating distance between us and the other person’s suffering.

But the suffering that Christ endured for you and I cannot compare to anything we will face.

So often when we speak of Christ’s suffering we think of the cross and the pain He endured before and during His crucifixion.

While that is certainly true; think with me for a moment of a different suffering He endured.

Jesus humbled Himself to become a man.

The eternal creator became a man.

God ‘put on’ flesh in order to come and die in our place.

What must it have been like to be in heaven with the Father?

Jesus laid that glory aside to come and suffer for you and I.

Unimaginable!

The next time you find yourself humbled before God; remember the ultimate humility when Christ came to earth.

I know most probably wouldn’t use the term suffering and yet were we to know the glory Christ laid down for us I do not know what else we would call it.

Humbling Himself seems far too mild a term to embrace what He did.  

All to make you and I co-heirs with Him!

As the old hymn declares –

“Halleluiah, What a Savior!”  

 

 

What an Inheritance!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.

This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

I Peter 1:3-5

 

Perish, spoil or fade.

Not favorable words are they?

Thank God that in today’s passage they are preceded by the words “can never”!

We have an inheritance that was made available through Christ.

Earthly inheritances can perish.

Some fall out of favor with the relatives and are written out of the will.

Earthly inheritances can spoil.

Moth, rust and age can take their toll in a way that renders the once valuable valueless.

Earthly inheritances can fade.

Jesus captured this truth well in the story of the prodigal son.

The son quickly and carelessly burned through his inheritance.

It faded fast.  

Our inheritance is eternal, it is incorruptible and it will not fade away.

Earthly treasures do not last.

Your heavenly inheritance does.

It is just one more reason that Jesus Christ is worthy of our praise.

The inheritance He has provided for us will give us an eternity to express our thanks!

Choose Treasure over Trash

“Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.)

Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”

“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”

But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.”

So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.

Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew.

He ate and drank, and then got up and left.

So Esau despised his birthright.”

Genesis 25:29-34

 

 

Imagine someone gave you a choice between two properties.

Both were exactly one hundred acres.

After you made your selection, you were the owner of anything the parcels contained.

 One parcel held a vault filed with gold bullion.

The other one was a piece of property on which a landfill sat.

And no, the landfill did not have an undiscovered oil field beneath its soil.

It would seem, anyone in their right mind would select the parcel with the vault.

Yet Esau faced a similar choice and he chose the ‘trash’ over the treasure.

For the satisfying of a growling stomach he gave away his birthright.

He did not value the inheritance that was his through his father Isaac.

We are co-heirs with Christ.

We can walk in that inheritance or, like Esau, we can walk away from it.

It is as if we are given a choice between treasure and trash and we go with the trash.

“Preposterous!” you say?

Don’t be so sure.

You see, the inheritance, far more valuable than a vault of gold bullion is turned down every day.

People, no, make that believers; have decided instead to camp out at the landfill.

Why would they do such a crazy thing?

They do it for the same reason that Esau did: a fleeting satisfaction of the

flesh’s ‘current’ desire.

Don’t forfeit what was purchased through the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross for some momentary pleasure.

Choose ‘treasure’ over ‘trash’!

 

Does God Need Me?

“Before the mountains were born

    or you brought forth the whole world,

    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

Psalm 90:2

 

Make no mistake about it, God doesn’t need you!

I didn’t say God doesn’t love you.

I didn’t say God didn’t create you.

I didn’t even say that God doesn’t have a purpose for your life.

He does indeed love you very much.

He did create you and yes, He does have a purpose for your life and for mine.

But we make a serious mistake when we think that there was some void in God’s being that only could be filled by man.

God chose to create us that He might lavish His love and His goodness on us.

He is not incomplete without us though.

As the scripture declares, from everlasting to everlasting He is God.

That means that God in all His splendor, holiness and perfection, was God long before He first breathed life into the dust to create Adam.

God is far and above His creation.

He is seen in His creation but, He is infinitely greater than those things He has created.

Some may take all that I have said above as an indication of diminished worth for us.

On the contrary, He values us so highly that He has made us co-heirs with Christ.

That is not something we deserved, earned or are in any way entitled to.

It is out of His great love for us.

God doesn’t need me (or you) to validate His existence but I am eternally grateful that He created me and fills my life with purpose.

Have you thanked Him for that today?

Rejection for a Higher Purpose

It's Friday - so we have another submission by David Trotta. Be blessed as you read and apply what is taught by Dave!

We have all experienced rejection at some point in our lives – rejection by a loved one, rejection by a co-worker or employer, rejection by a friend, or even rejection by a complete stranger.  Regardless of the source, it hurts, and sometimes very deeply.

Sometimes the hurt causes us to insulate ourselves and choose to avoid situations that could result in rejection.  But when we do, we limit God’s ability to use us.  We will run from opportunities to share God’s love with someone instead of risking rejection.  As warned against in Matthew 5:15, we will chose to put our light under a basket instead of on a stand for all to see.

How did Jesus handle rejection?  Although He was the son of God, creator of everything, and perfect in every way, he was rejected repeatedly throughout his life, which culminated with the ultimate rejection – death on the cross.  Although rejected, Jesus stayed the course because he knew there was a higher purpose – that through His rejection, many would be forgiven and become children of God.  He suffered rejection for us!

Let’s follow Jesus’ example and risk rejection for a higher purpose – to point others to Him!  You may be the only Jesus someone sees.  Don’t put your light under a basket, but instead proclaim Jesus through your words and actions.  By risking rejection, you may just point someone to the savior, and ultimately, heaven.

And oh yes, let’s not forget a very important benefit to confessing Jesus on the earth.  When we do that, Jesus promised to also acknowledge us before God in heaven.  In Matthew 10:32, Jesus said “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”

I don’t know about you, but when I get to heaven, I would love to hear Jesus say “Father, let me tell you about your servant….”

Standing In Good Company

“Therefore 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. Stand firm then…”

Ephesians 6:13-14a

 

Did you know that when you put on the full armor of God and

stand firm that you are standing in very good company?

What do I mean?

Take a look at these scriptures:

 

Psalm 33:11

“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,

    the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

Psalm 89:2

“I will declare that your love stands firm forever,

    that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.”

 

So as I stand firm in the Lord it is as if I am shoulder to shoulder

with His purposes and His love!

I suppose there are lots of things you and I could surround ourselves with but how about having His purposes on one side and His love on the other.

What a three-stranded cord that is!

But there is even more…

 

Exodus 14:13

“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.”

 

I can see His deliverance as I stand firm!

 

So dumb question –

Why wouldn’t you want to put on the full armor of God and stand firm?

?

 

 

 

 

Not If but When

“Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly.

“They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”

And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.

The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul.

He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did.

Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself,

“I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.”

I Samuel 18:8-11

 

You might say it was the beginning of the end for King Saul.

Saul had slain his thousands but David had slain his tens of thousands.

That is what the people were singing in the streets.

It became, for Saul, like one of those songs you can’t get out of your head.

Except this one amplified – in Saul’s mind – the rejection of the people of Israel.

They honored David over Saul.

They preferred David over Saul.

It was just a matter of time before they crowned David in Saul’s place.

It didn’t have to follow that course.

Saul failed to deal with the rejection and so it eventually destroyed his life.

We face the same choice.

When (not if, but when) we are rejected we must deal with the rejection or it will destroy us.

Maybe not in the same way, maybe not in the same time frame but make no mistake; it will turn your focus from Christ to the offense.

In yesterday’s text we looked at the time Jesus ministered in His home town.

The people were offended and for the most part rejected Him and His message.

While it impacted what could be accomplished there for the Kingdom of God, it did not deter Jesus from His mission.

We are told that after that, “Jesus went from village to village teaching the people.”

Will rejection stop you in your tracks?

------or------

Will you deal with it and keep moving forward on the path God has laid out for your life?

You choose…

Are You Paralyzed or Propelled?

“Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.”

They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.

Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them.

And he was amazed at their unbelief.”

Mark 6:1-6 (NLT)

 

Don’t stew in rejection.

Some people struggle for weeks, months or years in rejection and are not able to get past it.

Why?

They dwell on the rejection instead of dealing with it.

By and large Jesus and the message He preached were rejected in His own hometown.

It was their unbelief; not anything in Him, who He was or what He preached.

Their offense was born out of their unbelief.

Jesus did not let that stop Him from ministering.

Again, because of their unbelief, the results were limited.

We are told that He healed a few sick people.

There are many lessons to be learned from this text.

We can see how it is possible to reject God’s messenger and in so doing miss the blessing that come with Him.

But we also learn that Jesus didn’t dwell on the rejection.

His focus was never on pleasing men but in doing the will of the Father.

Never let rejection stand between you and what God has called you to do.

It is a barrier which, if tolerated, is not easily removed.

Deal with the rejection.

Lay it down at the feet of Jesus and get on with the work God has called you to do.

Rejection dwelled on can paralyze you work for God.

Rejection dealt with can propel you forward into the work of God.