Proverbs 2:1-6 - "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
You gain wisdom from the knowledge and understanding that the Lord gives. Yet, you must diligently seek it. This does not come by chance. It is not something that the Lord just drops on our lap. We must actively seek it. It will require effort. It comes from a great desire to know the Lord. It comes from a great love for the things of the Father. It is developed as we spend time in God's Word, with God and His people. Finally wisdom comes progressively over many years. Yet, it only when we see Christ face to face will we have the fulness.
The author says that wisdom will enable us to understand the fear of the Lord. More simply stated it instill in us the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning and end of wisdom. We know someone is when he fears the Lord. This means a wise person will live as Christ lived and think as Christ thinks. Love as Christ loves.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
The Next Generation
Psalms 78:2-8 tell us that we are to testify to our children. We are to tell our story. We are to tell them of the wondrous things God has done for us. Not only for us personally, but what God has done for his people over the years. We all agree that history is important. Children need to know their roots. Often they don't appreciate this fully when they are young, but it is our responsibility to speak of our heritage. What greater thing then talking about our heritage in Christ. We need to tell them how we were saved, and what Christ has done in our lives since then.
We not only need to speak to our children the great and mighty things God has done for us, but we need to impart to the Word of God. We often in the church about making disciples for Christ. Our first and most important disciples are our children. As minister of the Lord, we can be caught up in disciples others but not our own children. Fathers are to be the spiritual head of his household. If no father, the mother is the spiritual head. Accompanied with this must be a life style that reflects your words.
If we don't do this, They may become stubborn and rebellious. Their hearts may not remain loyal to the God. Often children submit to the parents as they are in the home, and follow their religious beliefs. When they leave home, they often fall away from the teachings of their parents. Often, this is because their parents have failed to disciple them. They may have failed in their Christian life. They may have failed to impart their faith to their children. Yes, I know this is not always the cause of them turning their back on the Lord, but often this is true.
If we testify of God's goodness, works, live the life of Christ, and train them up in the way of the Lord, they will come back to the Lord even if they may stray. This must be covered in much prayer.
We not only need to speak to our children the great and mighty things God has done for us, but we need to impart to the Word of God. We often in the church about making disciples for Christ. Our first and most important disciples are our children. As minister of the Lord, we can be caught up in disciples others but not our own children. Fathers are to be the spiritual head of his household. If no father, the mother is the spiritual head. Accompanied with this must be a life style that reflects your words.
If we don't do this, They may become stubborn and rebellious. Their hearts may not remain loyal to the God. Often children submit to the parents as they are in the home, and follow their religious beliefs. When they leave home, they often fall away from the teachings of their parents. Often, this is because their parents have failed to disciple them. They may have failed in their Christian life. They may have failed to impart their faith to their children. Yes, I know this is not always the cause of them turning their back on the Lord, but often this is true.
If we testify of God's goodness, works, live the life of Christ, and train them up in the way of the Lord, they will come back to the Lord even if they may stray. This must be covered in much prayer.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
In His Presence is Understanding
Psalms 73:16-17 - "When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny."
David was troubled when he saw how the wicked prospered. He thought only the righteous should prosper. He didn't understand this he entered the sanctuary of God.
How often are we troubled by the things we see. We don't understand why God allows certain things. We don't understand the workings of God. We don't understand why certain things have happened to us or are happening to us. It doesn't make any sense to us. We become frustrated, distressed and maybe even resentful.
What must we do? We need to spend time in God's presence. As we worship the Lord, meditate on His Word, open our hearts to him in prayer, we will gain understanding. We will begin to look at these things through the eyes of the Father. As we sit at the masters feet he will teach us.
Sometimes we come out of God's presence and our questions may not be fully answered, but we will come out with a greater faith. We will no longer be frustrated, distressed or resentful, but encouraged. We will trust God knows what He is doing and His way is best.
Jesus said that those who seek me will find me. (Matt. 7:7-8) Those who call on my name I will answer. The answer to every question in life can only be found in Him. Yet. sometimes we are not ready for the answer. Sometimes we already have the answer, but unwilling to accept the answer.
David was troubled when he saw how the wicked prospered. He thought only the righteous should prosper. He didn't understand this he entered the sanctuary of God.
How often are we troubled by the things we see. We don't understand why God allows certain things. We don't understand the workings of God. We don't understand why certain things have happened to us or are happening to us. It doesn't make any sense to us. We become frustrated, distressed and maybe even resentful.
What must we do? We need to spend time in God's presence. As we worship the Lord, meditate on His Word, open our hearts to him in prayer, we will gain understanding. We will begin to look at these things through the eyes of the Father. As we sit at the masters feet he will teach us.
Sometimes we come out of God's presence and our questions may not be fully answered, but we will come out with a greater faith. We will no longer be frustrated, distressed or resentful, but encouraged. We will trust God knows what He is doing and His way is best.
Jesus said that those who seek me will find me. (Matt. 7:7-8) Those who call on my name I will answer. The answer to every question in life can only be found in Him. Yet. sometimes we are not ready for the answer. Sometimes we already have the answer, but unwilling to accept the answer.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Asking but Not Receiving
In Mark 10:35-40 we see James and John requesting to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus in his kingdom. We all would criticize James and John for this foolish and selfish request. Yet, we often make foolish, selfish and unthinking requests from the Father.
How did Jesus respond? You don't know what you are asking. I can not grant your request. When ever we pray in faith believing God hears our prayer and answers us. Sometime we don't think God heard us or answered us because we don't receive what we have asked for, but he actually answered our prayer. Yet, his answer was not a favorable answer. Like a child, we often don't like the answer and persevere in hopes that we will get what we asked.
God knows what is best for us. Sometimes our parents don't know what is best for us, but God always knows what is best so we need to hear His answer and accept His answer. Sometimes our hearing is not to good because we are so set on getting our answer. Like a child we often cry and whine. Yet, we have a loving Father who is very patient with us. What we are asking may seem good and right in our eyes, but we are unable to see the full picture. We lack understanding. This why we need to ask God to give us understanding and ask Him to help us to pray according to His will. This doesn't mean that at times we must persevere in prayer until we receive the promise. We know these prayers will succeed because we have been promised the answer before we even pray. We need to learn to pray according to God's will. This comes through knowing the Word of God and being led by His Spirit.
God's ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
Colossains 1:9 - "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,"
How did Jesus respond? You don't know what you are asking. I can not grant your request. When ever we pray in faith believing God hears our prayer and answers us. Sometime we don't think God heard us or answered us because we don't receive what we have asked for, but he actually answered our prayer. Yet, his answer was not a favorable answer. Like a child, we often don't like the answer and persevere in hopes that we will get what we asked.
God knows what is best for us. Sometimes our parents don't know what is best for us, but God always knows what is best so we need to hear His answer and accept His answer. Sometimes our hearing is not to good because we are so set on getting our answer. Like a child we often cry and whine. Yet, we have a loving Father who is very patient with us. What we are asking may seem good and right in our eyes, but we are unable to see the full picture. We lack understanding. This why we need to ask God to give us understanding and ask Him to help us to pray according to His will. This doesn't mean that at times we must persevere in prayer until we receive the promise. We know these prayers will succeed because we have been promised the answer before we even pray. We need to learn to pray according to God's will. This comes through knowing the Word of God and being led by His Spirit.
God's ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
Colossains 1:9 - "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,"
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Cast Your Cares on Him
Psalms 55:22 - "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."
God will carry our burdens. We only have to cast them on the Lord. As we do this, He will sustain us. As we walk righteously, he will give us the strength we need. Often we become burdened with cares and even burn out because we try to carry the burdens we have. No burden is to great for the Lord to carry. Stress is one the main causes of sickness and disease. When we are stress it breaks our resistance down physically and mentally.
Lord help us to trust you enough to cast our cares on you and leave them at your feet.
God will carry our burdens. We only have to cast them on the Lord. As we do this, He will sustain us. As we walk righteously, he will give us the strength we need. Often we become burdened with cares and even burn out because we try to carry the burdens we have. No burden is to great for the Lord to carry. Stress is one the main causes of sickness and disease. When we are stress it breaks our resistance down physically and mentally.
Lord help us to trust you enough to cast our cares on you and leave them at your feet.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Truth = Power
John 8:31-32 - "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Jesus told his disciples if you know and live the truth, you are my disciples and you will be set free. We see that truth liberates. We see that truth empowers, truth equals power.
Those who don't walk in truth are in darkness and bound by darkness. They don't see the light. Darkness hinders the work we can do. Darkness can cause us to stumble and wander aimlessly. Long periods of darkness can bring depression and confusion. Satan is the father of no truth. Therefore, he is the father of darkness. Satan doesn't want us to see truth. The world wants to say that there in no absolute truth.
God is truth. Truth can only be found in Christ. If we are not in Christ, we are not in the truth and the truth is not in us. We need not only have a head knowledge of the truth, but we must believe the truth and walk in the truth. It is only through God's Word and with the help of the Holy Spirit that we can find truth. I love it when God reveals a truth to me. There is nothing more powerful and liberating if I apply it to my life.
Jesus told his disciples if you know and live the truth, you are my disciples and you will be set free. We see that truth liberates. We see that truth empowers, truth equals power.
Those who don't walk in truth are in darkness and bound by darkness. They don't see the light. Darkness hinders the work we can do. Darkness can cause us to stumble and wander aimlessly. Long periods of darkness can bring depression and confusion. Satan is the father of no truth. Therefore, he is the father of darkness. Satan doesn't want us to see truth. The world wants to say that there in no absolute truth.
God is truth. Truth can only be found in Christ. If we are not in Christ, we are not in the truth and the truth is not in us. We need not only have a head knowledge of the truth, but we must believe the truth and walk in the truth. It is only through God's Word and with the help of the Holy Spirit that we can find truth. I love it when God reveals a truth to me. There is nothing more powerful and liberating if I apply it to my life.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Balancing Ministry
Mark 6:30-34 - "The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
I like this passage because it shows us how we are to have balance in our ministry. Jesus had sent the twelve disciples out to preach repentance, healing the sick and cast out demons. Under the power of the Holy Spirit they did all these things. We don't know for how many days or weeks they did this, but we do know it was not one day. Jesus talked about them staying overnight at peoples homes.
After these days of ministry, they came back to Jesus and reported to him all that happened. It seems that many who they ministered to returned with them to Jesus. They were so busy ministering to the people that they had no time to eat. It is at this time Jesus realized that his disciples were worn out and needed some rest. Yet, as they crossed the lake to find a solitary place, the people ran ahead of them and were waiting for them. When Jesus saw this he had compassion on them and began teaching many things.
What can we learn from all this. We learn that all ministers of the Lord need a time of rest and preferably a solitary place where you are not bothered. A place where you can be refreshed physically, mentally and spiritually. Jesus recognized the importance of this. In the same way, we need to recognize when we are in need of this. Sometimes as ministers we don't recognize this or have a hard time stopping. Often, we need someone to come to us and tell us that we are worn out and need rest and encourage us to do this.
The other thing we learn here is that even though we need rest. There are times we have to go the extra mile for people who are in need of being ministered to. We should block out times of rest, but not be so rigid that we ignore and urgent need or cries of those around us. We may be on vacation, but we are never on vacation from God. We are never on vacation from our calling and gifts. As ministers of the Lord who give our full time to the work of the Lord, this requires wisdom and direction of the Holy Spirit to balance our ministry and personal life and needs.
Many a minister has been burned out in ministry. There are many factors that contribute to this. The three main factors is carrying the load of the ministry in your strength, not getting away with the Lord on a regular basis and not faithfully finding a time to get away where you can rest our body, soul and spirit.
32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
I like this passage because it shows us how we are to have balance in our ministry. Jesus had sent the twelve disciples out to preach repentance, healing the sick and cast out demons. Under the power of the Holy Spirit they did all these things. We don't know for how many days or weeks they did this, but we do know it was not one day. Jesus talked about them staying overnight at peoples homes.
After these days of ministry, they came back to Jesus and reported to him all that happened. It seems that many who they ministered to returned with them to Jesus. They were so busy ministering to the people that they had no time to eat. It is at this time Jesus realized that his disciples were worn out and needed some rest. Yet, as they crossed the lake to find a solitary place, the people ran ahead of them and were waiting for them. When Jesus saw this he had compassion on them and began teaching many things.
What can we learn from all this. We learn that all ministers of the Lord need a time of rest and preferably a solitary place where you are not bothered. A place where you can be refreshed physically, mentally and spiritually. Jesus recognized the importance of this. In the same way, we need to recognize when we are in need of this. Sometimes as ministers we don't recognize this or have a hard time stopping. Often, we need someone to come to us and tell us that we are worn out and need rest and encourage us to do this.
The other thing we learn here is that even though we need rest. There are times we have to go the extra mile for people who are in need of being ministered to. We should block out times of rest, but not be so rigid that we ignore and urgent need or cries of those around us. We may be on vacation, but we are never on vacation from God. We are never on vacation from our calling and gifts. As ministers of the Lord who give our full time to the work of the Lord, this requires wisdom and direction of the Holy Spirit to balance our ministry and personal life and needs.
Many a minister has been burned out in ministry. There are many factors that contribute to this. The three main factors is carrying the load of the ministry in your strength, not getting away with the Lord on a regular basis and not faithfully finding a time to get away where you can rest our body, soul and spirit.
Friday, May 11, 2012
PROMISES OF THE RIGHTEOUS
I love Psalms 37 because there are many promises that the righteous receive. The benefits of righteousness out way any benefits that one might gain from an unrighteous life. Yes, there are benefits of an unrighteous life. We can't ignore this fact. Yet for the believer there is no benefits of an unrighteous life.
Let us look at the great and many benefits of a righteous life. 1) There is safety in God. Does this mean that no harm will befall the righteous. No, this means that nothing will happen to the righteous without God allowing it to happen. He has to lift his hand of protection for His own reason and purpose. 2) God will give you the desires of your heart. As long as they are good desires and line up with his will. 3) He will vindicate us when others put us on trial. There are those who will try to give us a bad rap or a bad reputation, but in the end all will see our righteousness. 4) We have an inheritance in Christ. 5) We will enjoy peace and prosperity. This is not applicable for those who are being persecuted for Christ sake. This is the exception. 6) We don't need to fear the wicked. 7) We may stumble, but not fall or be destroyed. 8) God will supply our every need. 9) God is our stronghold in time of trouble.
Let us look at the great and many benefits of a righteous life. 1) There is safety in God. Does this mean that no harm will befall the righteous. No, this means that nothing will happen to the righteous without God allowing it to happen. He has to lift his hand of protection for His own reason and purpose. 2) God will give you the desires of your heart. As long as they are good desires and line up with his will. 3) He will vindicate us when others put us on trial. There are those who will try to give us a bad rap or a bad reputation, but in the end all will see our righteousness. 4) We have an inheritance in Christ. 5) We will enjoy peace and prosperity. This is not applicable for those who are being persecuted for Christ sake. This is the exception. 6) We don't need to fear the wicked. 7) We may stumble, but not fall or be destroyed. 8) God will supply our every need. 9) God is our stronghold in time of trouble.
Monday, May 7, 2012
A true child of God
I John 3:1-10 tells us that we are children of God if we do not continue in sin. God's mission was to deliver us from sin and destroy the power sin has over us.
There is much talk about the grace and love of God. In many Christian circles, sin is talked in generalities and never specifically addressed. Yet, the apostle John clearly says that those who continue to sin are not children of God. I am a firm believer in God's grace and love, but we must be careful to not let it be a sanction for sin. I think there is a lack of true holiness in God's church today because we have gone to the far extreme of God's love and grace. We have not kept the fear of the Lord in balance with the Father's love.
John says in I John 3:9 - "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God."
God not only died for our sins but he has given us the power over sin through the seed of His Holy Spirit. If we truly have the Holy Spirit in us, we can no longer live in sin or live as the world lives. We live righteous lives. We will live according to the truth, His Word.
There is much talk about the grace and love of God. In many Christian circles, sin is talked in generalities and never specifically addressed. Yet, the apostle John clearly says that those who continue to sin are not children of God. I am a firm believer in God's grace and love, but we must be careful to not let it be a sanction for sin. I think there is a lack of true holiness in God's church today because we have gone to the far extreme of God's love and grace. We have not kept the fear of the Lord in balance with the Father's love.
John says in I John 3:9 - "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God."
God not only died for our sins but he has given us the power over sin through the seed of His Holy Spirit. If we truly have the Holy Spirit in us, we can no longer live in sin or live as the world lives. We live righteous lives. We will live according to the truth, His Word.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Be Not Ashamed
Today I want to look at Psalms 25. It is a Psalm full of powerful truths and a Psalm of hope and confidence in God.
What caused David to pen these word? It was his concern of being put to shame. What is shame? It is a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior. I don't know at what point in David's life he wrote this Psalm, but king David understood shame and he understood enemies. He had his share of both.
He starts out by saying that he trusts in God. Yet, immediately after that he asks God to not let him be put to shame. Then as if encouraging himself, he says those who put their trust in God will never be put to shame. Is this true? Yes - Do Christians never experience shame? No - It is true that those who trust in God are never put to shame, and it is true that Christians experience shame. This is because we are not always putting our trust in God. David is not talking about a simple confidence or faith. He is referring to faithful walk with God.
He makes his point clear in the rest of the Psalm. Shame comes to those who are treacherous. As always David uses the extreme example. Yet, ultimately David says, those who don't live for God will be put to shame. This does not only apply to the sinner, but to those in Christ who don't walk wholly in God's way. It is this topic that David addresses in the rest of the Psalm. He asks God to to teach and guide him in God's way. Then recognizing his own sinfulness. He asks God to show his love, mercy and forgiveness in fear that his past sins would come back and haunt him. Do to his sins, he then expresses the affliction of his soul.
David then comes full circle and says that integrity and uprightness will protect him. It will keep him from being put to shame.
This is true for us. As we walk in integrity and uprightness as believers: we will not be put to shame, our souls will not be in torment, and we will not be afraid. There may be those who may try place shame on us, but we will not be ashamed because we know that we did what God required of us. Satan and others may try to put a guilt trip on us, but we can be confident as long as we know that we did what God asked. No shame can befall a man or woman who walks in integrity and does the Lord's will.
What caused David to pen these word? It was his concern of being put to shame. What is shame? It is a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior. I don't know at what point in David's life he wrote this Psalm, but king David understood shame and he understood enemies. He had his share of both.
He starts out by saying that he trusts in God. Yet, immediately after that he asks God to not let him be put to shame. Then as if encouraging himself, he says those who put their trust in God will never be put to shame. Is this true? Yes - Do Christians never experience shame? No - It is true that those who trust in God are never put to shame, and it is true that Christians experience shame. This is because we are not always putting our trust in God. David is not talking about a simple confidence or faith. He is referring to faithful walk with God.
He makes his point clear in the rest of the Psalm. Shame comes to those who are treacherous. As always David uses the extreme example. Yet, ultimately David says, those who don't live for God will be put to shame. This does not only apply to the sinner, but to those in Christ who don't walk wholly in God's way. It is this topic that David addresses in the rest of the Psalm. He asks God to to teach and guide him in God's way. Then recognizing his own sinfulness. He asks God to show his love, mercy and forgiveness in fear that his past sins would come back and haunt him. Do to his sins, he then expresses the affliction of his soul.
David then comes full circle and says that integrity and uprightness will protect him. It will keep him from being put to shame.
This is true for us. As we walk in integrity and uprightness as believers: we will not be put to shame, our souls will not be in torment, and we will not be afraid. There may be those who may try place shame on us, but we will not be ashamed because we know that we did what God required of us. Satan and others may try to put a guilt trip on us, but we can be confident as long as we know that we did what God asked. No shame can befall a man or woman who walks in integrity and does the Lord's will.
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