1 Peter 5:6-7 Mark 10:5 9/27/2016

1 Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

We lost something in the garden, and need to get it back.

Living in a constant state of anxiety is not what we were created to do, and it has negative consequences physically and spiritually.

We are electronically connected 24/7 to our "busyness", and have completely lost the concept of "downtime". Having achieved a perpetual state of work and worry, going to bed connected and waking up unrested, just to reconnect.

We have become so busy and sophisticated that the act of faithfully being "still" seems childish...and that is what it is...in fact Jesus was very clear on the subject. "I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." (Mark 10:5) 

When is the last time you approached God like a child?  With no instructions for Him, only the realization that you need Him?   Without demands or negotiations...just trusting that your Heavenly Father can deliver you?

What would it take to "cast all your anxiety on Him?  This verse says it takes humility, trusting in His timing, and knowing that He cares about you. 

This week stop.  Change your life, by intentionally unplugging and being "still" - before you start your day.  Humbly realize that you are loved.  Rely on God's protection, trust His heart and His timing ... and relax.

Anxiety can be deadly... cast it on Him, and walk free of fear...like a child holding their father's hand.

That is how we walked in the Garden, and He paid a great price so we can walk like that today. 

"Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith."
- Henry Ward Beecher

Exodus 3:14 9/13/2016*30*

God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites:
'I AM has sent me to you.'"

Last week we established that we are important to God. Today, let's discuss why that matters.

If I grab a pencil and a napkin and sketch a picture, it would not be worth the value of the paper it was drawn on...but if I find a sketch on a napkin with the name Picasso on the bottom, it would be worth a fortune....Why? ...  Because the value of the art is derived from the value of the artist.

I am not valuable because of who I am...I am valuable because of whose I am. 

So whose are we? ... How do we describe God to the world?  God answered the question of who He is, the only way He could.  "I AM".  Nothing describes God but God.  Nothing compares to God but God.  "I AM" is the only possible answer.  Anything else diminishes His Glory.

That is your pedigree...He is the artist that created you, and He is the reason you are valuable. Like a planet that reflects the light of the sun, our value is a reflection of his brilliance.  

Moses wanted to explain who God is...but you cannot explain the in-explainable. There are no words to describe His glory. 

When the world questions "who sent you" and attempts to devalue your message...show them.
Don't just speak of love - love. Don't just talk about forgiveness - forgive.   If you can be at least a dim mirror of the Great "I AM" it will impact people and change the world.

... your job is not to explain Him...but to reflect Him. 

“There is no knowing that does not begin with knowing God.”
- John Calvin

Psalms 8:4 9/20/2016

Psalms 8:4 -
"What is man that you are mindful of him...?"

This is a fair question. Obviously the rest of the passage speaks to the awesomeness of God, but what about this question? Why would a Being so magnificent even be aware of something so insignificant?

The answer is our lineage.

I am a child of God, and that fact alone, means I am cherished.

When my children were born I loved them instantly.  From birth, they were immeasurably valuable to me. Before they did anything good or bad. Before they succeeded or failed, prospered or struggled ... they were loved.  Instantly, this small helpless being, became a permanent part of my heart, that has never, nor will ever have to do anything to gain my love.

If I, as an imperfect earthly father, can so easily feel that kind of Love, just imagine what
God, who IS Love, feels for you.  Stop for a moment and contemplate the depth of importance God has placed on you. Consider the incomprehensible cost He paid to deliver you from sin, and allow you to be "born again" as His.

The ramifications of being a child of God are staggering. You are never absent from God's thoughts....
it is not only that He is aware of you ... you are constantly on His mind.  He created you in His image, is aware of your every activity,  and loves you more deeply than any earthly father could.

If you have accepted God's offer of Grace and Redemption, you need not struggle for importance any longer. On the Cross He said "it is finished" - you are His child, you have a glorious inheritance, and you are cherished.

Live in the freedom of being valuable to God, and use that freedom to love others, and lead them to the same reconciliation you have experienced.

No other opinion matters...you are important to God.

“The mystery of seeking God is that HE is the One who finds you.”
― Kingsley Manuel

Matthew 7:22-23 9/6/2016

Matthew 7:22-23  "Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness."

These are some of the scariest verses in the bible.

Once you get over the shock of their content, there is an observation to consider.  When confronted with the fact that they were not qualified for salvation, this group immediately recited a list of their accomplishments.  They had apparently pinned their hopes on their "religious busyness" to earn eternal life.

What about us?  If our Christianity was questioned would we recite all we have done for God?  Would we tell Him how busy we have been for Him.  Would we argue that we hosted bible studies, or taught Sunday school, or that we were deacons at the church?  Would we assume our qualification is based on our religious effort?

The heart breaking response to their argument was simple...."I never knew you." Not that they hadn't done enough, but that they had missed the point completely. It is not about what you have done, it is about all He has done for you.  And once you realize that - the natural response is to "be still and know".  To fellowship with God. To worship the God that loves you.

The great gift of God is that we now have a true best friend.  We can enter the throne room. The veil has been torn, the sin has been removed and we can now have a relationship with our Creator. Not based on what we have done - base on what He did.

This week, make sure your service to God comes from a heart full of gratitude for your Savior. Spend time alone getting to know God.  Meditate on His word, spend time in prayer.
....Not so you will be saved, but because He already saved you.

"A rule I have had for years is: to treat the Lord Jesus Christ as a personal friend. His is not a creed, a mere doctrine, but it is He Himself we have."
- D.L. Moody

Revelation 4:4-5 8/30/2016

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

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.

"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

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

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

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

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.

"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