Revelation 4:4-5 " Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen!"
Interesting comment to a church that appeared to be dong well.
The Church at Ephesus had just been commended for hard work, perseverance, not tolerating sin, and enduring persecution and hardship. Many would say that is a vibrant, healthy church.
Yet even after acknowledging their work, God had a problem with them. It wasn't "what" they were doing - it was "why"... They were serving with their heads, and not their hearts. They had fallen into the trap of religion.
God's response to this was direct and forceful..." I will remove your lamp stand"... in other words, I can't use you to illuminate the world, if your heart doesn't burn for me.
So the obvious question to us is - why do we do what we do? Is it from an overflow of our heart?...or have we been tripped up by religion as well?
God wants you to remember how if felt when you first understood what Christ had done for you.
He wants you to spend time reminiscing about the moment you first realized that God actually loves you. Re-kindle the amazement you had at His grace, and make sure your heart still glows with it's "first love".
Your lamp stand can only be effective if the lamp it holds burns true and bright with the gospel and the love of God. He has no need for the light of religion and tradition.
"Consider how far you have fallen". Abandon your rituals and traditions and set out today to serve God with a heart re-ignited by the love and gratitude you have for what He did on The Cross. Do the things you did before, share your love for Christ and the amazing grace that pulled you from the darkness of sin. This is the light God will elevate to illuminate the world.
“Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn.”
- John Wesley
Monday, August 29, 2016
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
1 Corinthians 8:12 8/23/2016
1 Corinthians 8:12 "When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ."
The interesting thing about this verse is Paul is referring to eating meat sacrificed to an idol. An activity that he has already stated was not a sin... Sacrificing an animal to an inanimate object has no impact on the meat....Paul even states that those offended by this, are weaker in their faith.
As a society, we focus on our rights so much that it may seem to us that we should press forward in the exercise of our freedom, and let the weak learn to be stronger.
However this verse says pressing on in an apporved activity, in spite of the negative consequences to a brother, changes it to a sin ... and a sin against Christ.
So an action that by itself is allowed, can become a sin if it wounds a brother.
That is a huge concept and it should dramatically impact our thoughts and actions.
I am free in Christ, and that freedom should be cherished as it came at a great price.
However if my freedom causes a child of God to stumble I must willingly abdicate that freedom for the preservation of my brother. This requires a change in my mindset, and a redefinition of the concept of liberty.
I now must consider my language, what movies I attend, what I eat and drink, the jokes I tell...everything - to be sure it doesn't place a stumbling block in front of a weaker brother.
Not because I am not free ... but because in my freedom, I have chosen to serve the law of Love.
Jesus made it clear that if my actions offend His child...then my actions offended Him.
The paradox of the Christian faith is that our freedom allows us to be a slave to Christ, and our liberty allows us to serve others.
Evaluate your activities today. Not in an effort to defend your actions, but in an effort to make sure nothing you do hinders the ultimate goal of leading others to Christ.
The interesting thing about this verse is Paul is referring to eating meat sacrificed to an idol. An activity that he has already stated was not a sin... Sacrificing an animal to an inanimate object has no impact on the meat....Paul even states that those offended by this, are weaker in their faith.
As a society, we focus on our rights so much that it may seem to us that we should press forward in the exercise of our freedom, and let the weak learn to be stronger.
However this verse says pressing on in an apporved activity, in spite of the negative consequences to a brother, changes it to a sin ... and a sin against Christ.
So an action that by itself is allowed, can become a sin if it wounds a brother.
That is a huge concept and it should dramatically impact our thoughts and actions.
I am free in Christ, and that freedom should be cherished as it came at a great price.
However if my freedom causes a child of God to stumble I must willingly abdicate that freedom for the preservation of my brother. This requires a change in my mindset, and a redefinition of the concept of liberty.
I now must consider my language, what movies I attend, what I eat and drink, the jokes I tell...everything - to be sure it doesn't place a stumbling block in front of a weaker brother.
Not because I am not free ... but because in my freedom, I have chosen to serve the law of Love.
Jesus made it clear that if my actions offend His child...then my actions offended Him.
The paradox of the Christian faith is that our freedom allows us to be a slave to Christ, and our liberty allows us to serve others.
Evaluate your activities today. Not in an effort to defend your actions, but in an effort to make sure nothing you do hinders the ultimate goal of leading others to Christ.
"It is our duty and our privilege to exhaust our lives for Jesus. We are not to be living specimens of men in fine preservation, but living sacrifices, whose lot is to be consumed"
-Charles Spurgeon
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Psalm 118:24 8/16/2016
Psalm 118:24
"This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it."
This verse tells us two things:
1. Today is not an accident. It was created by God, who loves you.
2. How you handle today, is your decision.
There is no "if" after this proclamation that "we will rejoice". It is a definitive statement and it relies on nothing except the fact that God is in control and has designed this day. It doesn't say I will rejoice if things go my way, or if I don't have to suffer. It simply states that I have decided to rejoice and be glad based on my knowledge of who is in control.
An athlete can rejoice in his pain, trusting his coach and knowing he is improving. A patient can rejoice trusting his doctor and knowing the treatment is making him better. Even in our darkest days, we can rejoice knowing God has created this day, is in control, and ultimately will use it to our benefit.
Everyone is fighting battles. We all have a list of things we can worry about, and a list of blessing we can rejoice in... our attitude will reflect which list we focus on....the choice is yours.
And it is a choice.
Choose today to recklessly trust God. Make the decision to rejoice and be glad today based on the promise that He loves you, and in due time will deliver you.
Someday you will see the plan, today you must trust the planner.
"The only disability in life is a bad attitude."
Scott Hamilton
"This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it."
This verse tells us two things:
1. Today is not an accident. It was created by God, who loves you.
2. How you handle today, is your decision.
There is no "if" after this proclamation that "we will rejoice". It is a definitive statement and it relies on nothing except the fact that God is in control and has designed this day. It doesn't say I will rejoice if things go my way, or if I don't have to suffer. It simply states that I have decided to rejoice and be glad based on my knowledge of who is in control.
An athlete can rejoice in his pain, trusting his coach and knowing he is improving. A patient can rejoice trusting his doctor and knowing the treatment is making him better. Even in our darkest days, we can rejoice knowing God has created this day, is in control, and ultimately will use it to our benefit.
Everyone is fighting battles. We all have a list of things we can worry about, and a list of blessing we can rejoice in... our attitude will reflect which list we focus on....the choice is yours.
And it is a choice.
Choose today to recklessly trust God. Make the decision to rejoice and be glad today based on the promise that He loves you, and in due time will deliver you.
Someday you will see the plan, today you must trust the planner.
"The only disability in life is a bad attitude."
Scott Hamilton
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Matthew 6:24 8/9/2016
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
Jesus is clear that we all serve something ...like it or not we all have a master.
You decide what...and the danger lies in not making a choice.
Many of us live a confusing, disconnected life trying to pursue two masters whose plans are diametrically opposed. Trying to please God while frantically chasing money produces conflicting emotions. Christ says you will gravitate one direction or the other. You will eventually hate one and love the other one. Perhaps this explains why some who claim God does not exist, can still harbor such animosity toward Him. Or how some who pursue Christ can be so indifferent about the treasures of this world.
The question is who do your serve? God or money?... There is no middle ground. God says you can't fluctuate ...You have to choose.
The fact is, nothing in this world will satisfy you except a relationship with Christ... If you don't believe that try it...see if what the world offers will quench your thirst. Look at those who have what you think you need and see if they are content.
You will soon realize that pursuing the purpose for which you were created is the only thing that will give you contentment, and clarify your life.
Then you can stop being double minded, and go out in this dark, confused, world, and be the light you were created to be.
Choose whom you will serve, and then do something about it.
"Conversion is a change of masters. Will we not do as much for our new master, the Lord Jesus, as we did once for our old tyrant lusts?"
- Charles Spurgeon
Jesus is clear that we all serve something ...like it or not we all have a master.
You decide what...and the danger lies in not making a choice.
Many of us live a confusing, disconnected life trying to pursue two masters whose plans are diametrically opposed. Trying to please God while frantically chasing money produces conflicting emotions. Christ says you will gravitate one direction or the other. You will eventually hate one and love the other one. Perhaps this explains why some who claim God does not exist, can still harbor such animosity toward Him. Or how some who pursue Christ can be so indifferent about the treasures of this world.
The question is who do your serve? God or money?... There is no middle ground. God says you can't fluctuate ...You have to choose.
The fact is, nothing in this world will satisfy you except a relationship with Christ... If you don't believe that try it...see if what the world offers will quench your thirst. Look at those who have what you think you need and see if they are content.
You will soon realize that pursuing the purpose for which you were created is the only thing that will give you contentment, and clarify your life.
Then you can stop being double minded, and go out in this dark, confused, world, and be the light you were created to be.
Choose whom you will serve, and then do something about it.
"Conversion is a change of masters. Will we not do as much for our new master, the Lord Jesus, as we did once for our old tyrant lusts?"
- Charles Spurgeon
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Titus 3:3,4 8/2/2016
Titus 3:3 "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another."
The old saying "there but for the grace of God go I" should actually say "There but for the grace of God am I"...because we've all gone there....if you're not there now, it is because He moved you.
All of us were once slaves to sin.
This is an important point because it should impact how you view others. If you look with disdain on another person because their offense falls outside of your accepted sinfulness, you only prove that you are a hypocrite with a short memory.
All sin carries the death penalty, and is overpowering. We have all been enslaved by it before. The next verse in Titus says "But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy."
That changes things. We have been granted the ultimate mercy - not because of - but in spite of - our deeds...only the blood of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit can break those chains.
Our world is full of people "being hated and hating each other". Sin is the reason. We can't accept or condone that sin, but we can love the slave that is being destroyed by it.
Never stop standing against sin...not because you're too good for it, but because you know all too well it's destructive power. When you see people who openly embrace sin, or who openly embrace hate...remember that is your past...and you have been freed by God's grace.
Never lower the bar, but never ridicule those who can't clear it yet. They already know how to hate and be hated, we should show them another way.
“You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.”
― Jonathan Edwards
The old saying "there but for the grace of God go I" should actually say "There but for the grace of God am I"...because we've all gone there....if you're not there now, it is because He moved you.
All of us were once slaves to sin.
This is an important point because it should impact how you view others. If you look with disdain on another person because their offense falls outside of your accepted sinfulness, you only prove that you are a hypocrite with a short memory.
All sin carries the death penalty, and is overpowering. We have all been enslaved by it before. The next verse in Titus says "But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy."
That changes things. We have been granted the ultimate mercy - not because of - but in spite of - our deeds...only the blood of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit can break those chains.
Our world is full of people "being hated and hating each other". Sin is the reason. We can't accept or condone that sin, but we can love the slave that is being destroyed by it.
Never stop standing against sin...not because you're too good for it, but because you know all too well it's destructive power. When you see people who openly embrace sin, or who openly embrace hate...remember that is your past...and you have been freed by God's grace.
Never lower the bar, but never ridicule those who can't clear it yet. They already know how to hate and be hated, we should show them another way.
“You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.”
― Jonathan Edwards
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
1 Tim 4:16 7/26/2016
1 Tim 4:16 "16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."
How much time do you spend thinking about what you believe, and how you live it out?
First Timothy says it matters. And not just for you, but for your family, friends, and anyone who's watching. It is dangerous to let the urgent push out the important, and evaluating what you believe and how you walk is important.
Are you deliberate? Do you have a plan? Is it written down? How often is it evaluated?
My guess is we spend more time researching big purchases then we do our theology.
We would never run a team, or a business without a mission statement, but we tend to live life one escape after another, going from one crisis to the next, just trying to survive until the weekend. The tyranny of the urgent robs us of real progress, and suddenly it's New Years Eve and we realize we haven't moved forward.
Like Peter - when God has called us to walk on water - our shortsightedness causes us to be distracted by a wave...and the inevitable result is we sink.
Let's make a change. Write down some goals and a plan. You can start small but write it down. Then the first of every month spend some time praying, evaluating, tweaking, and recommitting to your goals. If you're really serious, involve a friend and hold each other accountable.
Whatever you do, commit to it. Stop treading water, and start making progress, and that starts with examining what you believe - and what you're doing about it. It will impact your life, and the lives God has placed around you.
How much time do you spend thinking about what you believe, and how you live it out?
First Timothy says it matters. And not just for you, but for your family, friends, and anyone who's watching. It is dangerous to let the urgent push out the important, and evaluating what you believe and how you walk is important.
Are you deliberate? Do you have a plan? Is it written down? How often is it evaluated?
My guess is we spend more time researching big purchases then we do our theology.
We would never run a team, or a business without a mission statement, but we tend to live life one escape after another, going from one crisis to the next, just trying to survive until the weekend. The tyranny of the urgent robs us of real progress, and suddenly it's New Years Eve and we realize we haven't moved forward.
Like Peter - when God has called us to walk on water - our shortsightedness causes us to be distracted by a wave...and the inevitable result is we sink.
Let's make a change. Write down some goals and a plan. You can start small but write it down. Then the first of every month spend some time praying, evaluating, tweaking, and recommitting to your goals. If you're really serious, involve a friend and hold each other accountable.
Whatever you do, commit to it. Stop treading water, and start making progress, and that starts with examining what you believe - and what you're doing about it. It will impact your life, and the lives God has placed around you.
"We are
called to live this way and it will impact others for the Kingdom of God. Now
that it's all over, what did you really do yesterday that's worth mentioning?"
~Coleman Cox
~Coleman Cox
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Matthew 6:34 7/19/2016
Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own"
For some reason when there is trouble we all either become historians or prophets. Invariably when something goes wrong we say "it has always been this way" or " it's never going to change".
Neither statement is true, and in this verse, Jesus says we should live in the present.
Doesn't it make sense to simply deal with the problem at hand instead of magnifying it with some imaginary prediction, of exaggerated observation? Each day has enough to do ... we don't need to worry about the past, or the future.
Fight the battle at hand. Rest, relax and fight again tomorrow.
As players in a football game your job is to run the next play. The coach will deal with the scoreboard and strategy. When the play is sent in, you run it to the best of your ability. When it's over you forget it, re-huddle and get ready to give your best effort on the next play. Any other attitude will disrupt you concentration and reduce your performance. The same applies to your spiritual life.
There is a peace and positiveness that comes from faith and contentment. It is produced from the knowledge that your Heavenly Father has been where you are going, and He will provide you with strength as you need it. This will give you the ability to rejoice in your position as a child of God, and not let imaginary future or past events wash over you with negativity.
So "run to the battle" mindful of what it takes to perform the play that has been called. Don't complain, don't second guess, focus on today. Tomorrow will worry about it's self.
"You can't make it tough enough for me to complain" Keith Chancey
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Mark 5:30-32 7/12/2016
Mark 5:30 "At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it"
Are you part of the curious crowd around Jesus, or did you come here to be healed?
To actually access the power of Christ you must reach out. It is a deliberate act, born of the awareness that you are sick, and He can heal you. As Jesus pressed through the curious onlookers and paparazzi of the day, someone desperate for change, reached out and grazed his cloak, and something happened.
Immediately He asks "who touched my clothes?"... then He ignores His disciples since they clearly didn't understand the question.
Hanging around Jesus, bumping into Jesus, being curious about Jesus, is very different than reaching out in your uncleanness, and hoping to touch His garments because you know it will change you.
One woman in a crowd of hundreds was there to do business with God. She was painfully aware that the span between His righteousness and her sin was so wide that even approaching Him seemed presumptuous. So she grazed his garment with her hand ... the smallest act of faith, and everything changed.
God Himself stopped in His tracks ...and commended her belief.
So again, are you curious or are you hear to be changed?
Have you realized your need and come to the only place you know you can be healed?
The smallest act of faith born from the realization that you need redemption is all it takes. Your tiny belief will get God's attention, and that is all you need.
She touched His garment .. He did the rest.
Evaluate why you approach God. Don't come to be in the audience. But dare to reach out and in faith and touch the hem of His garment ... and like this woman , you too can be changed.
“I have a great need for Christ: I have a great Christ for my need.”
― Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Are you part of the curious crowd around Jesus, or did you come here to be healed?
To actually access the power of Christ you must reach out. It is a deliberate act, born of the awareness that you are sick, and He can heal you. As Jesus pressed through the curious onlookers and paparazzi of the day, someone desperate for change, reached out and grazed his cloak, and something happened.
Immediately He asks "who touched my clothes?"... then He ignores His disciples since they clearly didn't understand the question.
Hanging around Jesus, bumping into Jesus, being curious about Jesus, is very different than reaching out in your uncleanness, and hoping to touch His garments because you know it will change you.
One woman in a crowd of hundreds was there to do business with God. She was painfully aware that the span between His righteousness and her sin was so wide that even approaching Him seemed presumptuous. So she grazed his garment with her hand ... the smallest act of faith, and everything changed.
God Himself stopped in His tracks ...and commended her belief.
So again, are you curious or are you hear to be changed?
Have you realized your need and come to the only place you know you can be healed?
The smallest act of faith born from the realization that you need redemption is all it takes. Your tiny belief will get God's attention, and that is all you need.
She touched His garment .. He did the rest.
Evaluate why you approach God. Don't come to be in the audience. But dare to reach out and in faith and touch the hem of His garment ... and like this woman , you too can be changed.
“I have a great need for Christ: I have a great Christ for my need.”
― Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Proverbs 26:17 7/5/2016
Proverbs 26:17 "Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears."
Have we completely forgotten how to mind our own business?
This verse says it is a sign of foolishness to rush into other peoples issues. It is a foolishness born from pride. Apparently sticking a keyboard and a monitor in front of someone, suddenly makes them an expert in every topic known to man.
Some kid gets away from his mom for twenty seconds at the zoo and we all become parenting experts..
A family mistakenly tries to help a baby buffalo - and suddenly we are all Jack Hana.
Some lady gets rich for laughing with a Chewbacca mask on, and we pummel her like Simon Cowell
... and the list goes on and on.
Is that necessary?...We take a slanted "snip-it" of a news story and suddenly think we have all the answers, and the world needs to hear it.
Have we become so arrogant that we cannot hold our tongues? We have no empathy and no desire to acquire any. And every topic needs our input .. We vent our opinions and defend our position without a hint of decorum or politeness.
The greatest commandment of all contains the phrase "love your neighbor as yourself". Perhaps we should re-focus. Maybe empathy and compassion have become endangered species. It's time to re-introduce manners and common kindness.
Let's start this week by being quick to listen, and slow to speak, and even slower to type...and let's reevaluate the virtue of minding our own business.
"Never miss a good chance to shut up.”
- Will Rogers
Have we completely forgotten how to mind our own business?
This verse says it is a sign of foolishness to rush into other peoples issues. It is a foolishness born from pride. Apparently sticking a keyboard and a monitor in front of someone, suddenly makes them an expert in every topic known to man.
Some kid gets away from his mom for twenty seconds at the zoo and we all become parenting experts..
A family mistakenly tries to help a baby buffalo - and suddenly we are all Jack Hana.
Some lady gets rich for laughing with a Chewbacca mask on, and we pummel her like Simon Cowell
... and the list goes on and on.
Is that necessary?...We take a slanted "snip-it" of a news story and suddenly think we have all the answers, and the world needs to hear it.
Have we become so arrogant that we cannot hold our tongues? We have no empathy and no desire to acquire any. And every topic needs our input .. We vent our opinions and defend our position without a hint of decorum or politeness.
The greatest commandment of all contains the phrase "love your neighbor as yourself". Perhaps we should re-focus. Maybe empathy and compassion have become endangered species. It's time to re-introduce manners and common kindness.
Let's start this week by being quick to listen, and slow to speak, and even slower to type...and let's reevaluate the virtue of minding our own business.
"Never miss a good chance to shut up.”
- Will Rogers
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Hebrews 10:25 6/28/2016
Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Apparently people have been "sleeping in" for 2000 years.
Approximately 70% of Americans claim to be Christians, yet only about 20% show up for church. God says we need to go. We need to be encouraged, and encourage others, especially as the world spirals farther, and farther away from His truth.
Up front, let me address two standard excuses for not attending:
First - There are no perfect churches. In fact if you find one don't join it, because you will mess it up.
Secondly - I too, can find God while fishing, hiking and being in nature.
But neither of these are reasons not to get involved with a local body of believers.
"Let us encourage one another"...It's not just about you ...it is at least equally about your fellow members.
This verse is not pushing attendance, it's pushing involvement. As I have mentioned before, some churches are like a football game - 50,000 people in need of exercise watching 22 people in need of rest - Don't just observe ... get on the field. Work in the nursery, greet people, help with Sunday School ... contribute.
If Sunday morning is impossible, commit to Sunday night, or Wednesday, or a weekday bible study ... but find a way to plug in, and meet together with your church consistently.
This verse says not to "neglect" it. Make it a discipline in your life, and your family's life. If God says it's important, it should not be optional. When you join a team, you show up for meetings.
How much good would it do if you just lifted weights Christmas and Easter? The same applies to church. If you just go to church this Sunday it may not change much ... but if you go every Sunday the rest of this year, you will see a definite difference in your spiritual physique.
Sometimes it's hard to know the right thing to do ... sometimes its just hard to do it.
"Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man."
Dwight L. Moody
Apparently people have been "sleeping in" for 2000 years.
Approximately 70% of Americans claim to be Christians, yet only about 20% show up for church. God says we need to go. We need to be encouraged, and encourage others, especially as the world spirals farther, and farther away from His truth.
Up front, let me address two standard excuses for not attending:
First - There are no perfect churches. In fact if you find one don't join it, because you will mess it up.
Secondly - I too, can find God while fishing, hiking and being in nature.
But neither of these are reasons not to get involved with a local body of believers.
"Let us encourage one another"...It's not just about you ...it is at least equally about your fellow members.
This verse is not pushing attendance, it's pushing involvement. As I have mentioned before, some churches are like a football game - 50,000 people in need of exercise watching 22 people in need of rest - Don't just observe ... get on the field. Work in the nursery, greet people, help with Sunday School ... contribute.
If Sunday morning is impossible, commit to Sunday night, or Wednesday, or a weekday bible study ... but find a way to plug in, and meet together with your church consistently.
This verse says not to "neglect" it. Make it a discipline in your life, and your family's life. If God says it's important, it should not be optional. When you join a team, you show up for meetings.
How much good would it do if you just lifted weights Christmas and Easter? The same applies to church. If you just go to church this Sunday it may not change much ... but if you go every Sunday the rest of this year, you will see a definite difference in your spiritual physique.
Sometimes it's hard to know the right thing to do ... sometimes its just hard to do it.
"Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man."
Dwight L. Moody
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)