"Where there is no vision, the people perish." (Prov. 29:18)
The Hebrew word is "chazown" and it occurs about 34 times in the Old Testament. It is not a matter of a personal dream that represents your "pet" project, or favorite aspect of ministry. This word for "vision" includes the concept of divine revelation. It is a "God-give" vision. It is being able to seek God to the point that He communicates His vision for your life, or for your ministry.
The word "perish" is the word "unbridled." Without divine revelation people stumble over themselves, or they go about without God's direction, without restraint. So the question is, have you had a divinely given vision that directs your life. I am not talking about something so mystical that it is abnormal or unusual. I am talking about prayerfully seeking God until He communicates clearly His vision to you.
Certainly it is going to be consistent with the Bible. Throughout the scripture our call is to glorify God by making Him supreme in every aspect of our lives, and then transferring that to every people of the world through mission and evangelism. Occasionally someone will say, "God hasn't called me". But I think if you double check, the Great Commission was given to every Christian, not to a select handful of professionals.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
What You Look at Determines Outcome
"But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully..." (Numbers 14:24)
All week long I have focused your attention in this blog on the story of the children of Israel coming to the edge of the Promised Land. God had promised to give it to them. But they had to exercise the faith to enter in. Ten spies saw giants. But Caleb saw God.
When you take your eyes off of God you develop a "grasshopper complex". Ten spies essentially called God a liar and doubted His ability to keep His promise. Caleb had a heart to obey and he obeyed fully. Partial obedience is the same as disobedience, and so is delayed obedience.
The promised land is a picture of the abundant Christian life. No doubt there are giants in your life. They may be financial giants. They may be health giants, or even relationship giants. Keep your eyes on God, because none of the giants you face are a match for Him. Trust the promises of His word and invest your life in obedience.
All week long I have focused your attention in this blog on the story of the children of Israel coming to the edge of the Promised Land. God had promised to give it to them. But they had to exercise the faith to enter in. Ten spies saw giants. But Caleb saw God.
When you take your eyes off of God you develop a "grasshopper complex". Ten spies essentially called God a liar and doubted His ability to keep His promise. Caleb had a heart to obey and he obeyed fully. Partial obedience is the same as disobedience, and so is delayed obedience.
The promised land is a picture of the abundant Christian life. No doubt there are giants in your life. They may be financial giants. They may be health giants, or even relationship giants. Keep your eyes on God, because none of the giants you face are a match for Him. Trust the promises of His word and invest your life in obedience.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
God Size It
"we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers." (Numbers 13:33)
One of the great failures of the people of God in the Old Testament comes when they arrive at the edge of the Promised Land. God tells Moses to send visionaries into the land to come back and report to the people. Leaders are people who can see God's future for His people and explain it to people living today. But the majority of these spies that went into the Promised Land came back and the Bible says they spread a bad report.
The people of Israel failed to understand that anything God asks us to do will require His help. One of the greatest problems in the American Church today is that we suffer from the same "grasshopper complex" that plagued Israel. We are adopting "man-size" programs. We are doing what we know that we can do with our resources and abilities rather than choosing to obey God and attempt "God-size" visions.
The apostle Paul warned the church in Corinth not to make the same mistake as these Israelites.
He says, "Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction..." (I Cor. 10:11). We do not have to repeat their mistakes. Yes, there are almost always giants occupying the land of Promise that God sets before us. That is because He wants us to trust Him so that in the end, He gets all the glory, not us. "Trust in the Lord, with all your heart, and do not lean to your own understanding." (Prov. 3:5-6)
One of the great failures of the people of God in the Old Testament comes when they arrive at the edge of the Promised Land. God tells Moses to send visionaries into the land to come back and report to the people. Leaders are people who can see God's future for His people and explain it to people living today. But the majority of these spies that went into the Promised Land came back and the Bible says they spread a bad report.
The people of Israel failed to understand that anything God asks us to do will require His help. One of the greatest problems in the American Church today is that we suffer from the same "grasshopper complex" that plagued Israel. We are adopting "man-size" programs. We are doing what we know that we can do with our resources and abilities rather than choosing to obey God and attempt "God-size" visions.
The apostle Paul warned the church in Corinth not to make the same mistake as these Israelites.
He says, "Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction..." (I Cor. 10:11). We do not have to repeat their mistakes. Yes, there are almost always giants occupying the land of Promise that God sets before us. That is because He wants us to trust Him so that in the end, He gets all the glory, not us. "Trust in the Lord, with all your heart, and do not lean to your own understanding." (Prov. 3:5-6)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Let's Go Back
"The whole congregatin said to them (Moses and Aaron), 'Would that we had died in the land of Egypt, would that we had died in this wilderness." (Numbers 14:2)
The people of God had seen Him do incredible miracles to deliver them from slavery in Egypt. They had witnessed the parting of the Red Sea, and the destruction of Pharoah's mighty army. They had come to the edge of the Promised Land. God had promised that He would give it to them. But ten of the spies came back and spread a bad report about the giants in the land.
Now God's people would rather go back into slavery and bondage. Now they would rather die under the cruel taskmasters of Egypt. Now they are grumbling and complaining against God's chosen leaders. When they were suffering in Egypt they had enough faith to let God lead them out. But now, they do not have enough faith to enter into God's promise.
Egypt represents the bondage of sin. The wilderness represents a carnal life, a life lived less than what God desires. Canaan represents the victorious abundant life, not heaven. How many Christians do not have enough faith to enter into God's promised Victory in their daily lives? How many would rather return to the bondage of sin and the cruelty of the satanic taskmasters? Will you trust God to not only bring you out of the sin of your past, but into the Victory He desires for your future?
The people of God had seen Him do incredible miracles to deliver them from slavery in Egypt. They had witnessed the parting of the Red Sea, and the destruction of Pharoah's mighty army. They had come to the edge of the Promised Land. God had promised that He would give it to them. But ten of the spies came back and spread a bad report about the giants in the land.
Now God's people would rather go back into slavery and bondage. Now they would rather die under the cruel taskmasters of Egypt. Now they are grumbling and complaining against God's chosen leaders. When they were suffering in Egypt they had enough faith to let God lead them out. But now, they do not have enough faith to enter into God's promise.
Egypt represents the bondage of sin. The wilderness represents a carnal life, a life lived less than what God desires. Canaan represents the victorious abundant life, not heaven. How many Christians do not have enough faith to enter into God's promised Victory in their daily lives? How many would rather return to the bondage of sin and the cruelty of the satanic taskmasters? Will you trust God to not only bring you out of the sin of your past, but into the Victory He desires for your future?
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Faith, Giants, and Opportunity
"we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers..." (Numbers 13:33)
God had brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and led them to the edge of the Promised Land.
He told Moses to send some visionaries into the land to see what He was preparing to give them. He promised them a wonderful life in Canaan. Twelve men, potential visionary leaders, were sent ahead to come back and tell the people about the promise of God.
Let me ask you a question. Have you ever noticed how many times something good that God has promised requires either overcoming giants or overtaking a mountain? God has said in His word, (Heb. 11:6) that we cannot please Him without faith. Faith requires attempting things that require us to depend on God. If it was easy, it wouldn't require faith. Faith is not blind presumption, but absolute dependence on God's promise.
The men sent to spy out Canaan and came back and said, "the land is everything that God has promised. But we discovered something God forgot to mention. There are giants there. And when we looked at them, in our own eyes we saw ourselves as grasshoppers." Faith is not trusting in what we can do. Faith does not depend on us being able to overcome the giants in our own strength. Faith requires us depending only on God. Faith understands the giants might be bigger than we are, but they are not bigger than God.
Promised land living requires that we trust God, no matter how great the obstacles in our way. Ten spies brought a bad report and brought shame to God's people. Two men were men of faith. The majority is often, maybe most often, wrong. God's people are never encouraged to live by voting a majority opinion in the Bible. They are always challenged to follow the Word of God. God is the only majority that matters.
Have a blessed day.
God had brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and led them to the edge of the Promised Land.
He told Moses to send some visionaries into the land to see what He was preparing to give them. He promised them a wonderful life in Canaan. Twelve men, potential visionary leaders, were sent ahead to come back and tell the people about the promise of God.
Let me ask you a question. Have you ever noticed how many times something good that God has promised requires either overcoming giants or overtaking a mountain? God has said in His word, (Heb. 11:6) that we cannot please Him without faith. Faith requires attempting things that require us to depend on God. If it was easy, it wouldn't require faith. Faith is not blind presumption, but absolute dependence on God's promise.
The men sent to spy out Canaan and came back and said, "the land is everything that God has promised. But we discovered something God forgot to mention. There are giants there. And when we looked at them, in our own eyes we saw ourselves as grasshoppers." Faith is not trusting in what we can do. Faith does not depend on us being able to overcome the giants in our own strength. Faith requires us depending only on God. Faith understands the giants might be bigger than we are, but they are not bigger than God.
Promised land living requires that we trust God, no matter how great the obstacles in our way. Ten spies brought a bad report and brought shame to God's people. Two men were men of faith. The majority is often, maybe most often, wrong. God's people are never encouraged to live by voting a majority opinion in the Bible. They are always challenged to follow the Word of God. God is the only majority that matters.
Have a blessed day.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Transforming Weeping into Strength
"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs;" (Ps. 84:5-6)
The psalmist has declared, "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts." He has affirmed the declaration of his heart to be joy in the Lord. And in v. 5 he speaks of passing through the Valley of Baca, which means the valley of weeping. I f you have not passed through that valley lately, you will likely sometime soon. It is a valley we all walk through in this world from time to time. When you pass through those dark places of life, where do you draw your strength? Some folks have tried meditation, and others have turned to alcohol or drugs. Some seek solace in other people or in the business of their lives. But real strength is found in the Lord.
To build the highways to heaven in your heart requires the discipline of time spent with God during the days we are not in the valley. Habits that are formed in moments of light will care us through the dark times.That is why the psalmist is quick to note here that he would rather spend one day in the courts of God than a thousand anywhere else. He notes that the very thirsting of his soul is to be with God.
God desires that time with you. Sometimes if we ignore Him, He may allow the valleys of weeping in our lives to get our attention. Will you draw near to Him today? Will you seek Him with a whole heart?
Don't miss this. God desires that when we go through the valleys of weeping, that we transform them into springs of life for others that will pass that way. Your story will help someone else if you can share that you found victory in Christ.
The psalmist has declared, "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts." He has affirmed the declaration of his heart to be joy in the Lord. And in v. 5 he speaks of passing through the Valley of Baca, which means the valley of weeping. I f you have not passed through that valley lately, you will likely sometime soon. It is a valley we all walk through in this world from time to time. When you pass through those dark places of life, where do you draw your strength? Some folks have tried meditation, and others have turned to alcohol or drugs. Some seek solace in other people or in the business of their lives. But real strength is found in the Lord.
To build the highways to heaven in your heart requires the discipline of time spent with God during the days we are not in the valley. Habits that are formed in moments of light will care us through the dark times.That is why the psalmist is quick to note here that he would rather spend one day in the courts of God than a thousand anywhere else. He notes that the very thirsting of his soul is to be with God.
God desires that time with you. Sometimes if we ignore Him, He may allow the valleys of weeping in our lives to get our attention. Will you draw near to Him today? Will you seek Him with a whole heart?
Don't miss this. God desires that when we go through the valleys of weeping, that we transform them into springs of life for others that will pass that way. Your story will help someone else if you can share that you found victory in Christ.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Magic Kingdom of Jesus
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (Matt. 6:24)
Jesus does not say that it is difficult to serve the one true God and the god of money, He said it is impossible. and yet in the US we have equated material wealth with the blessing of God, and we have become so confused about what is actually the American dream and the Christian reality that most don't see any conflict of interest at all.
Jesus said, "It is only possible to be devoted to one god. So, which is it. God or money?" We love shiny things. New cars, new houses, bigger cars, bigger houses, new clothes. So true is this that the average American spends $1.20 for every $1.00 that they make. Proverbs says that the "borrower is the slave of the lender."
This summer my family and I visited the Magic Kingdom of Disney. There were big crowds, but no sense of community. There was a thrill available at every turn, but no commitment to significance. It was a fun time, but not a thing worthy of our devotion. But how like Disney World have we made our churches. Reggie McNeal says we have created "Six Flags Over Jesus". We have transformed churches into one stop worship malls where we can pick from a smorgas board of options and never really surrender our lives to Jesus. As surely as Jesus stood knocking at the door of the church in Ephesus, Rev. 3:20, He must desire that we let Him back into the churches of America. Would He be as angry as He was when He overturned the tables in the temple in Mark 11? Does He need to remind us, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for the nations."
Jesus does not say that it is difficult to serve the one true God and the god of money, He said it is impossible. and yet in the US we have equated material wealth with the blessing of God, and we have become so confused about what is actually the American dream and the Christian reality that most don't see any conflict of interest at all.
Jesus said, "It is only possible to be devoted to one god. So, which is it. God or money?" We love shiny things. New cars, new houses, bigger cars, bigger houses, new clothes. So true is this that the average American spends $1.20 for every $1.00 that they make. Proverbs says that the "borrower is the slave of the lender."
This summer my family and I visited the Magic Kingdom of Disney. There were big crowds, but no sense of community. There was a thrill available at every turn, but no commitment to significance. It was a fun time, but not a thing worthy of our devotion. But how like Disney World have we made our churches. Reggie McNeal says we have created "Six Flags Over Jesus". We have transformed churches into one stop worship malls where we can pick from a smorgas board of options and never really surrender our lives to Jesus. As surely as Jesus stood knocking at the door of the church in Ephesus, Rev. 3:20, He must desire that we let Him back into the churches of America. Would He be as angry as He was when He overturned the tables in the temple in Mark 11? Does He need to remind us, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for the nations."
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Prayer Requires Faith
"As the Lord God lives..." (I Kings 17:1)
Those were the first words that the prophet Elijah spoke to the wicked King Ahab as he prepared to tell him that it would not rain in Israel until he said so. Elijah was convinced of the reality of the one true and living God. In fact, faith begins with the confidence that the opening words of the Bible are true.
"In the beginning, God..." If you believe in the reality of the living God, the rest is downhill from there.
James 5 tells us that Elijah prayed that it would not rain, and it did not rain for 3 1/2 years. When Elijah stood before Ahab again, he pointed out that the rain had been withheld because of the wickedness the king had led God's people into. You remember in I Kings 18 there was the real show down between the prophets of Baal and Elijah, and God had responded with fire that consumed the offering.
Here is what I want you to see. Elijah then told Ahab to get ready because "there is the sound of the abundance of rain."The sky was clear, not a cloud in sight. The sun was shining bright. All of the evidence suggested 'no rain'. But Elijah's eyes were not on the sky, but on God. Elijah began to pray, and six times he had sent a servant to look, and the sky was as clear as it could be. But the seventh time, it says, "Behold a cloud as small as a man's hand is coming up from the sea."
When you pray for rain, can you hear the sound of its coming, even when the sky is clear? When you pray 7 times and finally see only a small cloud in the distance, can you still trust God? Jesus said, when you pray, believe. Now, do not misunderstand. Prayer that is wishful and not based on the promises of God's Word is merely presumption. But when God has promised, trust Him to do what He has said.
Those were the first words that the prophet Elijah spoke to the wicked King Ahab as he prepared to tell him that it would not rain in Israel until he said so. Elijah was convinced of the reality of the one true and living God. In fact, faith begins with the confidence that the opening words of the Bible are true.
"In the beginning, God..." If you believe in the reality of the living God, the rest is downhill from there.
James 5 tells us that Elijah prayed that it would not rain, and it did not rain for 3 1/2 years. When Elijah stood before Ahab again, he pointed out that the rain had been withheld because of the wickedness the king had led God's people into. You remember in I Kings 18 there was the real show down between the prophets of Baal and Elijah, and God had responded with fire that consumed the offering.
Here is what I want you to see. Elijah then told Ahab to get ready because "there is the sound of the abundance of rain."The sky was clear, not a cloud in sight. The sun was shining bright. All of the evidence suggested 'no rain'. But Elijah's eyes were not on the sky, but on God. Elijah began to pray, and six times he had sent a servant to look, and the sky was as clear as it could be. But the seventh time, it says, "Behold a cloud as small as a man's hand is coming up from the sea."
When you pray for rain, can you hear the sound of its coming, even when the sky is clear? When you pray 7 times and finally see only a small cloud in the distance, can you still trust God? Jesus said, when you pray, believe. Now, do not misunderstand. Prayer that is wishful and not based on the promises of God's Word is merely presumption. But when God has promised, trust Him to do what He has said.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Praying with Results
"The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." (James 5:16)
James was the half brother of Jesus and he earned the nickname "Camel Knees" because of the callouses on his knees from praying. He goes on in the next verse to cite Elijah as example of a man who was effective in praying. Elijah stood before the wicked King Ahab, and said, "As surely as the Lord lives, it will not rain by my word," and it did not rain for 3 1/2 years. That is pretty effective praying.
How would Elijah have the audacity to pray like that? He had found a promise in Deuteronomy where God said if his people turned away from him, He would withhold the rain. So Elijah prayed the promise of God.
You and I have the same available resources that Elijah had. What does it take to be effective in our prayer life? It means coming in the name of Jesus, trusting the promises of God's Word, and exercising faith. Heb. 11 tells us that without faith we can never please God. What is your prayer life like? Is it effective? Seek God with all your heart.
James was the half brother of Jesus and he earned the nickname "Camel Knees" because of the callouses on his knees from praying. He goes on in the next verse to cite Elijah as example of a man who was effective in praying. Elijah stood before the wicked King Ahab, and said, "As surely as the Lord lives, it will not rain by my word," and it did not rain for 3 1/2 years. That is pretty effective praying.
How would Elijah have the audacity to pray like that? He had found a promise in Deuteronomy where God said if his people turned away from him, He would withhold the rain. So Elijah prayed the promise of God.
You and I have the same available resources that Elijah had. What does it take to be effective in our prayer life? It means coming in the name of Jesus, trusting the promises of God's Word, and exercising faith. Heb. 11 tells us that without faith we can never please God. What is your prayer life like? Is it effective? Seek God with all your heart.
Friday, August 14, 2009
In God's Will
"You meant it for evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result." (Gen. 50:20)
These were the words of Joseph to his brothers when they were reunited in Egypt. You remember, out of jealousy while tending their father's sheep they had sold Joseph into slavery. But he had earned the favor of Pharaoh and become prime minister of Egypt. God had allowed Joseph to interpret the Pharaoh's dream about the coming famine and lead Egypt to prepare for lean years by storing food. His brothers had come to buy food, and now they were afraid. Joseph notes that even though the intention of others was evil, because he was in God's will, God used the evil to accomplish His ultimate purpose for Israel.
It is not necessarily safe to be in the center of God's will. Some people have been martyred and others suffered severely in the center of God's will. But when you are in God's will nothing can happen to you that God does not ultimately use to accomplish His greater purposes. The most rewarding and satisfying life is the life lived in the will of God. One day all will stand before God and give an accounting of the stewardship of their lives. Some will hear God say, "Well, done, good and faithful servant."
Today, decide to trust in God with all your heart. Stay focused on Him and surrender yourself to His purpose and will in your life. It will be an awesome adventure as He allows you to be a part of His Story as you continue to faithfully do what He desires.
These were the words of Joseph to his brothers when they were reunited in Egypt. You remember, out of jealousy while tending their father's sheep they had sold Joseph into slavery. But he had earned the favor of Pharaoh and become prime minister of Egypt. God had allowed Joseph to interpret the Pharaoh's dream about the coming famine and lead Egypt to prepare for lean years by storing food. His brothers had come to buy food, and now they were afraid. Joseph notes that even though the intention of others was evil, because he was in God's will, God used the evil to accomplish His ultimate purpose for Israel.
It is not necessarily safe to be in the center of God's will. Some people have been martyred and others suffered severely in the center of God's will. But when you are in God's will nothing can happen to you that God does not ultimately use to accomplish His greater purposes. The most rewarding and satisfying life is the life lived in the will of God. One day all will stand before God and give an accounting of the stewardship of their lives. Some will hear God say, "Well, done, good and faithful servant."
Today, decide to trust in God with all your heart. Stay focused on Him and surrender yourself to His purpose and will in your life. It will be an awesome adventure as He allows you to be a part of His Story as you continue to faithfully do what He desires.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Does it Matter What we Pray?
"Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." (Luke 10:2)
When you stop and think about it, does it really matter what we pray for? Or is it just important that we pray so that we are talking to God? Surely God is such a needy God for fellowship with us that He is just really thrilled that we would give Him some of our precious time. (Sarcasm, if you couldn't tell).
Jesus had a lot to say about our prayer lives. He gave us the model prayer, "Our Father, who art in heaven..." He said we should always pray and not grow weary. He said not to pray with vain repetitions, and not to pray so much about what we need, because God already knows.
In this passage He observes how big the task of world evangelization really is. "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." Then He tells us what should be a significant part of our daily prayer life. "Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
The words "pray earnestly" in the original language carry the force of "beg." The words "send out" literally meant to cast out or to thrust out into the harvest. Obviously this is to be intense, heart-felt, and on going prayer in our lives. Yes, it matters what we pray for.
1.6 billion people in our world have no witness to them. They do not have access to the Gospel. "How shall they hear without someone preaching?" asked Paul. Will you today begin to make prayer for laborers in the harvest a part of your daily prayer lives?
When you stop and think about it, does it really matter what we pray for? Or is it just important that we pray so that we are talking to God? Surely God is such a needy God for fellowship with us that He is just really thrilled that we would give Him some of our precious time. (Sarcasm, if you couldn't tell).
Jesus had a lot to say about our prayer lives. He gave us the model prayer, "Our Father, who art in heaven..." He said we should always pray and not grow weary. He said not to pray with vain repetitions, and not to pray so much about what we need, because God already knows.
In this passage He observes how big the task of world evangelization really is. "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." Then He tells us what should be a significant part of our daily prayer life. "Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
The words "pray earnestly" in the original language carry the force of "beg." The words "send out" literally meant to cast out or to thrust out into the harvest. Obviously this is to be intense, heart-felt, and on going prayer in our lives. Yes, it matters what we pray for.
1.6 billion people in our world have no witness to them. They do not have access to the Gospel. "How shall they hear without someone preaching?" asked Paul. Will you today begin to make prayer for laborers in the harvest a part of your daily prayer lives?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
God's Yes
"For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. (Jesus)." (2 Cor. 1:20)
Every promise in the scripture is given to Christians. Jesus Christ paid in full the price of the fulfillment of God's promises to you when He purchased your salvation on the cross. The scripture says that we are co-heirs with Christ. That means that God as given to us everything that He has given to Jesus as an inheritance. It is ours right now.
God has promised to hear every prayer you utter in the name of Jesus. God has promised peace in the midst of the turmoil of life when you cast your cares on Him. God has promised grace for every occasion if you will trust Him. God has promised courage in times that might normally produce fear. He has promised to lead you through the valleys. There are literally hundreds of promises in the Bible that are yours.
If you are a genuine follower of Jesus, the promises are made to you. If you are not a follower yet, God has promised you that if you call on Him, He will save you. (Romans 10:13). What is faith? It is taking God at His word and acting on it. Trust Him today to fulfill His promises in your life.
Do you know the promises of God? How can anyone pray without diving deeply into God's word to find what He has promised? When God says "Yes" it is but our responsibility to trust completely in what He has said. And the scripture we have today says that all, not some, but all of God's promises have their "Yes" in Jesus Christ.
Every promise in the scripture is given to Christians. Jesus Christ paid in full the price of the fulfillment of God's promises to you when He purchased your salvation on the cross. The scripture says that we are co-heirs with Christ. That means that God as given to us everything that He has given to Jesus as an inheritance. It is ours right now.
God has promised to hear every prayer you utter in the name of Jesus. God has promised peace in the midst of the turmoil of life when you cast your cares on Him. God has promised grace for every occasion if you will trust Him. God has promised courage in times that might normally produce fear. He has promised to lead you through the valleys. There are literally hundreds of promises in the Bible that are yours.
If you are a genuine follower of Jesus, the promises are made to you. If you are not a follower yet, God has promised you that if you call on Him, He will save you. (Romans 10:13). What is faith? It is taking God at His word and acting on it. Trust Him today to fulfill His promises in your life.
Do you know the promises of God? How can anyone pray without diving deeply into God's word to find what He has promised? When God says "Yes" it is but our responsibility to trust completely in what He has said. And the scripture we have today says that all, not some, but all of God's promises have their "Yes" in Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
God's Restoring Touch
"I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten..." (Joel 2:25)
The locusts had been used of God to bring judgment on the people of Israel when they were rebellious. But the promise of God is restoration when they were repentant and had returned to God. I had prayed that prayer many times since 2004 when God brought me out of my rebellion and restored me to Himself. When He allowed the youth of the late 70's to have a reunion in the Dallas area and me to attend, it was much like the restoration of the years the locusts had eaten.
When Jonah rebelled against God and did not go to Ninevah, when he got to Joppa running away, he paid his own fare on the ship. God will allow us to make our own choices, but He will not pay the way. And yet when Jonah was repentant of his rebellion, Jonah 3:1 says, "And the Word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time." I am so grateful that God is a God of second, third, and even umpteenth chances.
Return to God today. He will bless you far beyond your imagination. He is a God of mercy and compassion and quick to forgive and restore. As someone has said, "God is not mad at you, He is mad about you." Yes, God does pour out His wrath on sin, but through Christ, He wants to show you compassion and give you grace. Run to Him through Jesus today. You will be glad you did.
The locusts had been used of God to bring judgment on the people of Israel when they were rebellious. But the promise of God is restoration when they were repentant and had returned to God. I had prayed that prayer many times since 2004 when God brought me out of my rebellion and restored me to Himself. When He allowed the youth of the late 70's to have a reunion in the Dallas area and me to attend, it was much like the restoration of the years the locusts had eaten.
When Jonah rebelled against God and did not go to Ninevah, when he got to Joppa running away, he paid his own fare on the ship. God will allow us to make our own choices, but He will not pay the way. And yet when Jonah was repentant of his rebellion, Jonah 3:1 says, "And the Word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time." I am so grateful that God is a God of second, third, and even umpteenth chances.
Return to God today. He will bless you far beyond your imagination. He is a God of mercy and compassion and quick to forgive and restore. As someone has said, "God is not mad at you, He is mad about you." Yes, God does pour out His wrath on sin, but through Christ, He wants to show you compassion and give you grace. Run to Him through Jesus today. You will be glad you did.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Do You Love the Lord Most?
John 21
Jesus' and Simon Peter's last conversation was the night Judas betrayed Jesus and He was arrested. The last significant conversation had been one where Peter affirmed how much he loved Jesus and would even die for Him. And yet you remember that three times before the cock crowed that evening, Simon Peter had denied even knowing Jesus.
It is after the Resurrection and after a night of fishing without catching anything that the disciples encounter Jesus here in John 21. And Jesus and Peter walk down the beach together and Jesus says, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" And just as Peter had denied Jesus 3 times, Jesus asks him 3 times.
Near the end of the conversation Jesus tells Peter that His full surrender to service will ultimately cost him his life. Peter will die serving the Lord. So let me suggest you ask yourself the questions that Jesus asked Peter. How much do you really love the Lord? Have you surrendered fully to Him? Sometimes our service to the Lord is quite costly. Are we willing to follow Him no matter what the consequences.
Jesus' and Simon Peter's last conversation was the night Judas betrayed Jesus and He was arrested. The last significant conversation had been one where Peter affirmed how much he loved Jesus and would even die for Him. And yet you remember that three times before the cock crowed that evening, Simon Peter had denied even knowing Jesus.
It is after the Resurrection and after a night of fishing without catching anything that the disciples encounter Jesus here in John 21. And Jesus and Peter walk down the beach together and Jesus says, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" And just as Peter had denied Jesus 3 times, Jesus asks him 3 times.
Near the end of the conversation Jesus tells Peter that His full surrender to service will ultimately cost him his life. Peter will die serving the Lord. So let me suggest you ask yourself the questions that Jesus asked Peter. How much do you really love the Lord? Have you surrendered fully to Him? Sometimes our service to the Lord is quite costly. Are we willing to follow Him no matter what the consequences.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
What's on the Inside?
"Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind! Blow upon my garden, let its spices flow."
(Song of Solomon 4:16)
When the wind blows over the spices growing in the garden, it lifts the wonderful fragrance of those spices to fill the air. The same wind blows across the scrub bushes and the stink weeds, but with much difference results. It is what is the essence of the plant that counts, what is on the inside.
When questioned about food one time, the Lord said it isn't what goes into a person's stomach that defiles him/her, but rather what comes out of the heart. What is on the inside in your life?
The fragrance of the spices blesses those all around. God desires that His children are blessings everywhere they go. God gives us good gifts in order to glorify Himself among all the people groups of the world. (Ps. 67). Whether we are a blessing to others will depend on what is in our hearts. I hope as the winds of life blow across you, it releases the beautiful fragrance of the character of Christ.
(Song of Solomon 4:16)
When the wind blows over the spices growing in the garden, it lifts the wonderful fragrance of those spices to fill the air. The same wind blows across the scrub bushes and the stink weeds, but with much difference results. It is what is the essence of the plant that counts, what is on the inside.
When questioned about food one time, the Lord said it isn't what goes into a person's stomach that defiles him/her, but rather what comes out of the heart. What is on the inside in your life?
The fragrance of the spices blesses those all around. God desires that His children are blessings everywhere they go. God gives us good gifts in order to glorify Himself among all the people groups of the world. (Ps. 67). Whether we are a blessing to others will depend on what is in our hearts. I hope as the winds of life blow across you, it releases the beautiful fragrance of the character of Christ.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Try Giving Thanks
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (I Thes. 5:18)
Have you experienced a sorrow, or a grief, or a trial, or a spirit of blahs that you cannot seem to get away from? Have you tried giving thanks? In Phil. 4:6 where Paul tells us not to worry about everything, he says instead we should pray about everything with thanksgiving.
When we give thanks we acknowledge the sovereignty of God in our lives. We recognize that He is in control, and that He is able to make all things work together for good. Sometimes it just doesn't make sense to us, but when Paul wrote the Thessalonian believers he said it was always God's will for us to give thanks.
When you pray and you know it is God's will, you can go ahead and thank him in advance for the blessing. For all of the blessings you have already received, give thanks. One of the great failures in our lives is ingratitude. Stop today and give thanks.
Thank God for all of His good gifts in your life. Thank Him for the trials, recognizing that He never allows us to face tests or temptation greater than we can withstand, so the greater the trial, the more God trusts us. Thanks Him for the sorrows that come. In everything, for all things, give thanks.
Job modeled that for us. When tragedy struck, and he lost his livelihood, and he lost all of his children, he said, 'The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord."
Try giving thanks.
Have you experienced a sorrow, or a grief, or a trial, or a spirit of blahs that you cannot seem to get away from? Have you tried giving thanks? In Phil. 4:6 where Paul tells us not to worry about everything, he says instead we should pray about everything with thanksgiving.
When we give thanks we acknowledge the sovereignty of God in our lives. We recognize that He is in control, and that He is able to make all things work together for good. Sometimes it just doesn't make sense to us, but when Paul wrote the Thessalonian believers he said it was always God's will for us to give thanks.
When you pray and you know it is God's will, you can go ahead and thank him in advance for the blessing. For all of the blessings you have already received, give thanks. One of the great failures in our lives is ingratitude. Stop today and give thanks.
Thank God for all of His good gifts in your life. Thank Him for the trials, recognizing that He never allows us to face tests or temptation greater than we can withstand, so the greater the trial, the more God trusts us. Thanks Him for the sorrows that come. In everything, for all things, give thanks.
Job modeled that for us. When tragedy struck, and he lost his livelihood, and he lost all of his children, he said, 'The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord."
Try giving thanks.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Have We Confused God's Kingdom with the Magic Kingdom?
"Enter by the narrow gate." (Matt. 7:13)
Consider these words of Jesus in our postmodern age where people say that there are many ways to gain eternal life. Consider the reality that 57% of the people sitting in evangelical churches think that there are many ways to get to enter the Kingdom of God.
Jesus said, "For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction." Not only do we live in a time when many who claim to be Christians believe Jesus is not the only way, it is a time when American Christians seek the way of comfort and ease. People say, "God's will is the safest place to be." While it is the best place to be, it is not always safe, and it really is never easy.
Too many modern day members of churches have it in their head that it is all about them. It is a matter of choosing the church where they will cater most to my needs. We have created churches that resemble one stop shopping malls and that cater to our consumer mentality. Unfortunately, Jesus said that consumerism and being His follower don't mix. "You cannot serve God and mammon," He said.
It is unfortunate that we have chosen "Six Flags Over Jesus" instead of the narrow way. Which path are you on?
Consider these words of Jesus in our postmodern age where people say that there are many ways to gain eternal life. Consider the reality that 57% of the people sitting in evangelical churches think that there are many ways to get to enter the Kingdom of God.
Jesus said, "For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction." Not only do we live in a time when many who claim to be Christians believe Jesus is not the only way, it is a time when American Christians seek the way of comfort and ease. People say, "God's will is the safest place to be." While it is the best place to be, it is not always safe, and it really is never easy.
Too many modern day members of churches have it in their head that it is all about them. It is a matter of choosing the church where they will cater most to my needs. We have created churches that resemble one stop shopping malls and that cater to our consumer mentality. Unfortunately, Jesus said that consumerism and being His follower don't mix. "You cannot serve God and mammon," He said.
It is unfortunate that we have chosen "Six Flags Over Jesus" instead of the narrow way. Which path are you on?
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Let the Nations Be Glad
"Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth." (Ps. 67:4)
The modern church has wrongly assumed we understood the word "nations" in this and other scriptures where it is used. We naturally assumed a nation was a geo-political state like England, France, the United States, or China. Students of the Bible, however, understand now that those kind of 'nations' did not exist to the degree we understand them.
In the OT, starting in Genesis and running through Malachi, and in the NT, from Matthew all the way through Revelation, we discover that nations, (NT is 'ethne', Greek for people groups) tribes, villages, languages, all peoples are on the heart of God. Our responsibility according to the Scriptures is to be sure that the Gospel is carried to every people group so that everyone can hear the Gospel in their heart language.
We need to begin to see from God's perspective. In Acts, Philip was preaching a evangelistic meeting in Samaria, and people were being saved all over the place. But God told him to leave that and travel down a desert road to see one man in a chariot headed home to Ethiopia. God wanted the Gospel to go to Ethiopia. God's heart is that on the day we gather in heaven around the throne, there will be praise to Him being declared by people from every tribe, every language, and every single people group. We must proclaim the Good News to the people groups who have never heard, so that the Nations might be glad.
The modern church has wrongly assumed we understood the word "nations" in this and other scriptures where it is used. We naturally assumed a nation was a geo-political state like England, France, the United States, or China. Students of the Bible, however, understand now that those kind of 'nations' did not exist to the degree we understand them.
In the OT, starting in Genesis and running through Malachi, and in the NT, from Matthew all the way through Revelation, we discover that nations, (NT is 'ethne', Greek for people groups) tribes, villages, languages, all peoples are on the heart of God. Our responsibility according to the Scriptures is to be sure that the Gospel is carried to every people group so that everyone can hear the Gospel in their heart language.
We need to begin to see from God's perspective. In Acts, Philip was preaching a evangelistic meeting in Samaria, and people were being saved all over the place. But God told him to leave that and travel down a desert road to see one man in a chariot headed home to Ethiopia. God wanted the Gospel to go to Ethiopia. God's heart is that on the day we gather in heaven around the throne, there will be praise to Him being declared by people from every tribe, every language, and every single people group. We must proclaim the Good News to the people groups who have never heard, so that the Nations might be glad.
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