Have you ever wondered why they left? Elimelech and Naomi left Bethlehemjudah, "the house of bread," over in the book of Ruth. And why? I know there was a famine. But did they expect there to never be a famine in the land? The famine will surely come...it always comes. It's just a matter of when...
I wonder if someone had asked them why they were leaving, what they would've said. "We are afraid of..."
Stop right there. Fear? Where fear is the fruit, doubt is the seed. This is the opposite of faith. But there they go... leaving Bethlehemjudah.
There is a tendency, in the ministry, to get hardened. It's not that the tenderness toward others is gone, or that you no longer desire to help those who need it. It's simply that you get tired of seeing those who seemed the most loyal, the most unmoveable, and the most faithful, depart in time of famine.
I am not where I am today because of the greatness of man; I am here because of the greatness of God. If I had based my loyalty, devotion, and steadfastness on the strength of a man, or the greatness of a leader, I would no longer be in the ministry today. You see, there have been many opportunities for me to get out of this fight...and tempting occasions as well. I am who I am because of the grace of God, and the day God changes will be the day that it will be right for me to go to Moab in the famine.
To quote one of my favorite lines from any hymn:
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name."
I say all of this because I am beginning to wonder what it is that causes people to make decisions. For instance, I go to Truth Baptist Church because I believe that is where God wants me. It is my Bethlehemjudah. One day, I will go away to Law school, and when that happens, I will do it because that's what I believe God wants me to do.
But then I see people leave our church. And rather than base it on the will of God, they base it on feelings and fear. "Well," you say, "they've been feeling like leaving for a long time." Oh yeah? SO HAVE I! But since when do our feelings have anything to do with the will of God? Since when do Christians reserve the right to make decisions as if God's will has nothing to do with their life?
Why were you at Truth Baptist Church? Because Bro. Buddy Maynard was such a great man? You're right...he was and he still is. But if you were here because of his faithfulness, I'm surprised you weren't disappointed and scared off sooner! What a sad reason to be somewhere...the strength of a mortal man.
You see, I am not here because my Pastor is perfect. I'm here because God is perfect, and he told me to be here. Only those who base their decisions on man need act in fear, out of feeling. Only someone who bases their decisions on a man need change their mind at the drop of a hat.
And only a fool would leave the "house of bread," where God is, because there is a famine in the land.
Showing posts with label Preaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Preaching. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Casual Christianity
Lately, I have become quite a blog-reader. In fact, I have become a pretty regular reader on certain blogs that update relatively frequently (unlike mine). I was reading a blog yesterday when a thought hit me that I feel is very important in the Laodicean church age in which we live. The article pointed out that churches today value style over substance. Church advertisements on the radio, etc. point out that you can "come as you are," and "wear your jeans," and enjoy the "live band," and "fun activities for the kids." The various features of a particular church aren't necessarily wrong, but we are sending the wrong message. In our 30 seconds or 60 seconds of radio time or interaction with the grocer or paying for gas, we should focus on the substance of our faith, not the style of our Christianity.
You and I, they say, should make our moments count by communicating the most important message. While this is generally accepted in Christianity as true, I am of the opinion that this philosophy of "substance over style" can miss the point. When the substance of our faith does not effect the style of our Christianity, what does it effect? Don't misunderstand. I agree with the principle that we should focus on Christ and the eternal destination of the lost soul over a particular singing group, etc., but to say that style does not matter is naive. Let me explain. I am not saying that we should focus on style over substance. But doesn't the style betray the substance? For instance, if I should hear a radio ad promoting a live band, youth activities, and a dynamic atmosphere, I am hearing about their substance! The correct substance portrays the correct message.
During Speech class at the College yesterday, I was hearing an Informative Speech on a particular church in our town. This young lady (yes, true ladies are rare down at the college) described her church as fun, exciting, and a host of other adjectives I can not recall. This church is called Northstar Church, and is your typical non-denominational church that is really no more than a continual Christian rock concert. During Q & A after the speech, I asked her what about her church stood out as the reason she loves it. Her answer? "The dynamic environment." I responded with, "Oh, I thought you were going to say it drew you closer to the Lord, or something like that."
I don't know for sure, but maybe the reason they choose style over substance is because style is their substance. If that's all a church has to offer this dying world, and for most churches it is, then let them advertise it, because the last thing we want them advertising is a perverted gospel that gives false assurance. Rather, those of us who do have true substance should focus on spreading the truth of our faith, and living that substantial faith so that the style of our Christianity is immediately associated with the substance that we speak of.
And the lesson to learn is this: our style betrays our substance. Do you have real substance to your faith? If so, does it show in your style? Does our style resemble our substance? Let us live the substance our faith commands.
You and I, they say, should make our moments count by communicating the most important message. While this is generally accepted in Christianity as true, I am of the opinion that this philosophy of "substance over style" can miss the point. When the substance of our faith does not effect the style of our Christianity, what does it effect? Don't misunderstand. I agree with the principle that we should focus on Christ and the eternal destination of the lost soul over a particular singing group, etc., but to say that style does not matter is naive. Let me explain. I am not saying that we should focus on style over substance. But doesn't the style betray the substance? For instance, if I should hear a radio ad promoting a live band, youth activities, and a dynamic atmosphere, I am hearing about their substance! The correct substance portrays the correct message.
During Speech class at the College yesterday, I was hearing an Informative Speech on a particular church in our town. This young lady (yes, true ladies are rare down at the college) described her church as fun, exciting, and a host of other adjectives I can not recall. This church is called Northstar Church, and is your typical non-denominational church that is really no more than a continual Christian rock concert. During Q & A after the speech, I asked her what about her church stood out as the reason she loves it. Her answer? "The dynamic environment." I responded with, "Oh, I thought you were going to say it drew you closer to the Lord, or something like that."
I don't know for sure, but maybe the reason they choose style over substance is because style is their substance. If that's all a church has to offer this dying world, and for most churches it is, then let them advertise it, because the last thing we want them advertising is a perverted gospel that gives false assurance. Rather, those of us who do have true substance should focus on spreading the truth of our faith, and living that substantial faith so that the style of our Christianity is immediately associated with the substance that we speak of.
And the lesson to learn is this: our style betrays our substance. Do you have real substance to your faith? If so, does it show in your style? Does our style resemble our substance? Let us live the substance our faith commands.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
In It To Win It!
Winning is not an event, a time and place, and an action. It is not the sudden celebration of being on top of your goals, your dreams, or your fights. Winning is much more than the comparatively brief moment of excitement when all is said and done, at the end of the day when you receive the reward of your labors.
Winning is an attitude. It is a way of life.
Winning is every second of all four quarters of a game. It is every burn and muscle ache of a marathon; it is every minute and hour of study, every moment of initiative and extra hard work, every decision to put away the weights and hinderances from you, regardless of how petty they may seem, or how long the temptation persists.
In everything a real winner does, he wins. The final score may not show it, the last blow may be the one that knocks him out of the rink, and the last shot that falls may be the nail in the coffin that sinks his every effort to come out on top. But he wins. He wins because no matter what he does, he leaves everything, his heart and his soul, on the floor and leaves that fight knowing he did his best. In victory, he cherishes it. In defeat, he learns from it, making it not a defeat for him, but a lesson.
Winning is an attitude.
"Yeah, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,..." Phillipans 3:8
I have won many things, and in this world, there is much allurement out there to win and to succeed in various things. As with any winning, it comes with much sacrifice. But this is the part of winning that makes most people losers. It is hard, sometimes painful, to sacrifice in order to win. Consider a fighter, who gives up all foods that would hinder his physical shape or bodily systems, keeps a sleep log, trains for hours a day. etc. He gives his life, literally, to be the best fighter he can be. Or an athlete, who does similar routines in health and dieting, physical exercise and training. Or an elite soldier, who once again demostrates unquestioned determination in giving up his home and family to be the soldier he needs to be.
Winning takes sacrifice.
But to win Christ? As I stare in amazement at the phrase itself, it seems an impossibility. For one thing, he had to win me, sacrificing himself on Calvary! How could I win him?
This is ultimate sacrifice. It is not sacrificing family, food, fellowship, or life itself. It is being willing to sacrifice any and all of those things, including any honor you would receive for those sacrifices! At least with a fighter, you may enjoy the benefits of a healthy life and good self defense. At least as an athlete, you enjoy health and millions of dollars due to the idolizing of American sports today. As a soldier, should you truly give up life or limb, you will have much honor in this country, whether you died or were injured in an act of courage and bravery for this country and for your comrades. These are no small things to speak of.
But when you become a pursuant of winning Christ, it is of no benefit to you. It is all a benefit and glory to Christ! In the pursuit of winning Christ, you will have nothing of which to boast, nothing to claim, and should you sacrifice all, and "count them but dung," you will, in the end, hope against hope that you may get closer to understanding what Paul meant when he said, "Let this mind be in you..." You will chase that presence of God that demands ultimate sacrifice of self and pride. YOU gain nothing.....except the likeness of Christ!!! And even this serves only to glorify his name and further his cause, leaving you the with only the blessed priveledge of knowing you gave to him somewhat similar of what he gave to you. Self sacrifice is a pursuit in a Christians life that desires to make him more like Christ, so that you can aim to live in his steps, spending and being spent for others.
I can only hope that I can come close to pleasing my Saviour as much as he pleases me.
I don't suppose I will ever fully understand the concept of winning Christ. I can only pray and work, so that when I stand before him, he will say, "Well done!" If I could hear those words one day from my heavenly Father, I'd say that would be winning enough for me.
Winning is an attitude. It is a way of life.
Winning is every second of all four quarters of a game. It is every burn and muscle ache of a marathon; it is every minute and hour of study, every moment of initiative and extra hard work, every decision to put away the weights and hinderances from you, regardless of how petty they may seem, or how long the temptation persists.
In everything a real winner does, he wins. The final score may not show it, the last blow may be the one that knocks him out of the rink, and the last shot that falls may be the nail in the coffin that sinks his every effort to come out on top. But he wins. He wins because no matter what he does, he leaves everything, his heart and his soul, on the floor and leaves that fight knowing he did his best. In victory, he cherishes it. In defeat, he learns from it, making it not a defeat for him, but a lesson.
Winning is an attitude.
"Yeah, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,..." Phillipans 3:8
I have won many things, and in this world, there is much allurement out there to win and to succeed in various things. As with any winning, it comes with much sacrifice. But this is the part of winning that makes most people losers. It is hard, sometimes painful, to sacrifice in order to win. Consider a fighter, who gives up all foods that would hinder his physical shape or bodily systems, keeps a sleep log, trains for hours a day. etc. He gives his life, literally, to be the best fighter he can be. Or an athlete, who does similar routines in health and dieting, physical exercise and training. Or an elite soldier, who once again demostrates unquestioned determination in giving up his home and family to be the soldier he needs to be.
Winning takes sacrifice.
But to win Christ? As I stare in amazement at the phrase itself, it seems an impossibility. For one thing, he had to win me, sacrificing himself on Calvary! How could I win him?
This is ultimate sacrifice. It is not sacrificing family, food, fellowship, or life itself. It is being willing to sacrifice any and all of those things, including any honor you would receive for those sacrifices! At least with a fighter, you may enjoy the benefits of a healthy life and good self defense. At least as an athlete, you enjoy health and millions of dollars due to the idolizing of American sports today. As a soldier, should you truly give up life or limb, you will have much honor in this country, whether you died or were injured in an act of courage and bravery for this country and for your comrades. These are no small things to speak of.
But when you become a pursuant of winning Christ, it is of no benefit to you. It is all a benefit and glory to Christ! In the pursuit of winning Christ, you will have nothing of which to boast, nothing to claim, and should you sacrifice all, and "count them but dung," you will, in the end, hope against hope that you may get closer to understanding what Paul meant when he said, "Let this mind be in you..." You will chase that presence of God that demands ultimate sacrifice of self and pride. YOU gain nothing.....except the likeness of Christ!!! And even this serves only to glorify his name and further his cause, leaving you the with only the blessed priveledge of knowing you gave to him somewhat similar of what he gave to you. Self sacrifice is a pursuit in a Christians life that desires to make him more like Christ, so that you can aim to live in his steps, spending and being spent for others.
I can only hope that I can come close to pleasing my Saviour as much as he pleases me.
I don't suppose I will ever fully understand the concept of winning Christ. I can only pray and work, so that when I stand before him, he will say, "Well done!" If I could hear those words one day from my heavenly Father, I'd say that would be winning enough for me.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Far Country
When the prodigal son took his journey, there is no doubt he took a physical, literal journey into the far country. The far country was full of bright lights, city attractions, and sensuality. It was enough, whatever it was, to lure even the fathers son away from home. But what is the far country? Does it have to be across the country? I don't believe so.
The moral of this story as Jesus told it was not the son that left, but the elder son that was still with the father. The Pharisees were murmuring about Jesus eating with and receiving sinners. Jesus responded by telling them about the sheperd who left ninety-nine to find one, and when he is found, there is great rejoicing. The same with the lost coin, etc.
So the problem being dealt with in this parable is not the sons that leave physically, but rather the ones who never left the fathers side, yet never understood the heart of their father toward those who were wayward.
The Bible is clear that we should be very forgiving as spiritual Christians in the spirit of meekness. (Gal. 6:1) This was not the case in Luke 15. The elder brother had a clear problem.
Only a selfish, self-centered person would be upset with the rejoicing over a son come home. You see, the elder brother was as far away in his heart from the father as the younger son was literally. And by the way, it's just as far of a trip back home when it's a heart problem as when it's a outward flesh problem. I know this because I've never been to the far country in person. I've never run to the bright lights and big city attractions of this world. Yet I have made my homeward run many times--in my heart.
I do not downplay the fact that the elder son had never left home. It is no secret that the physical far country holds far more dire consequences than the far country of your heart. But I assure you that the far country of your heart is no less sinful.
I have returned from that far country a few times. I will not, by the grace of God, go back. That far country has its markings--critical of everyone and everything, fleshly decisions, and self-serving and self-centered actions. While in that far country of your heart, you can't even allow someone else to enjoy the blessings of God on their life. The servants think they're spiritual, the brethren are overplayed, and the father is unjust and unfair after how good YOU'VE been. That's how you think in the far country of your heart! Leave it at once. Realize that the physical far country is a place that you could be tomorrow aside from Gods grace, and rejoice with the rest of us. The father has slain the fatted calf for those for whom we rejoice. You won't stop the party, so you might as well get in on it.
Notice that the father reminded the elder about his inheritance at the end of the story..."All that I have is thine," he said.
Just maybe if you'll come home from the pity-party, you'll be the next recepient of the fatted calf. In fact, I know that you will. But there aren't fatted calfs slain at the fathers table for those who abide in the far country, whether in the flesh, or in their heart.
Come home.
The moral of this story as Jesus told it was not the son that left, but the elder son that was still with the father. The Pharisees were murmuring about Jesus eating with and receiving sinners. Jesus responded by telling them about the sheperd who left ninety-nine to find one, and when he is found, there is great rejoicing. The same with the lost coin, etc.
So the problem being dealt with in this parable is not the sons that leave physically, but rather the ones who never left the fathers side, yet never understood the heart of their father toward those who were wayward.
The Bible is clear that we should be very forgiving as spiritual Christians in the spirit of meekness. (Gal. 6:1) This was not the case in Luke 15. The elder brother had a clear problem.
Only a selfish, self-centered person would be upset with the rejoicing over a son come home. You see, the elder brother was as far away in his heart from the father as the younger son was literally. And by the way, it's just as far of a trip back home when it's a heart problem as when it's a outward flesh problem. I know this because I've never been to the far country in person. I've never run to the bright lights and big city attractions of this world. Yet I have made my homeward run many times--in my heart.
I do not downplay the fact that the elder son had never left home. It is no secret that the physical far country holds far more dire consequences than the far country of your heart. But I assure you that the far country of your heart is no less sinful.
I have returned from that far country a few times. I will not, by the grace of God, go back. That far country has its markings--critical of everyone and everything, fleshly decisions, and self-serving and self-centered actions. While in that far country of your heart, you can't even allow someone else to enjoy the blessings of God on their life. The servants think they're spiritual, the brethren are overplayed, and the father is unjust and unfair after how good YOU'VE been. That's how you think in the far country of your heart! Leave it at once. Realize that the physical far country is a place that you could be tomorrow aside from Gods grace, and rejoice with the rest of us. The father has slain the fatted calf for those for whom we rejoice. You won't stop the party, so you might as well get in on it.
Notice that the father reminded the elder about his inheritance at the end of the story..."All that I have is thine," he said.
Just maybe if you'll come home from the pity-party, you'll be the next recepient of the fatted calf. In fact, I know that you will. But there aren't fatted calfs slain at the fathers table for those who abide in the far country, whether in the flesh, or in their heart.
Come home.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Lunatics
In Matthew 17, we find the story of a man with a lunatic son. This son falleth oft into the fire and into the water. He's bound by sin and Satan, unable to even control himself. Aren't people today in this very same condition? Not only can they not help themselves, they can't even tell they need help!
The Condition of the Sinner is Needy. He is bound by the devil and the spirit of Satan. "Do you really think there are people like this around us?" you ask. If they were around when God himself walked the earth, you can be sure they are around in this wicked generation.
They needed help then, and they still do. The place to find help has not changed over the centuries of time. The lunatics need Christ!! If we can get them to Jesus, he can do the rest.
The Committment of the Saints is Neglectful. They cannot heal him. When Christ does the healing work, the disciples are confused. What had they missed? Why couldn't they heal him? Jesus' answer was simple: "Because of your unbelief." "Ye faithless and perverse generation..." Wow! Me? Faithless and perverse? Notice Jesus never rebuked the boy, or even the father. The reason is simple; it's not the job of the world to know the answer. They don't have the answer. They come to you, Christian, to find the answer. Jesus was not mad at the ignorant for their ignorance, he was angry with the disciples, who had showed their lack of faith after walking with the Son of God and seeing the most amazing power ever displayed in history!
I know you've thought it. I have to. "This person will never come around!" "Why do we keep on giving, when they never even notice, only so they can spit in the faces of those who care about them?!" "Why won't they change?"
I've struggled with this as of late. And Jesus gave us the answer in this passage.
Believe.
That simple; that unprofound! We simply don't have faith in God. I know, because I've been in that dark musty hole of unbelief! Recently, too!
"God, move mountains? I just want them to be faithful to church, or act like they care for once!"
In the ministry of troubled youth, I think sometimes the more you give, the more they devour without thought of the sacrifice of others. Sometimes, the ministry is just that way.
Believe? Is that all?
Well, there is one more thing. It's the harder part: "This kind cometh not out but by prayer and fasting." Praying is almost non-existant in churches today. I know that. Need proof? Need the evidence? Power is almost non-existant. Power is the gauge of prayer; no prayer, no power! It's that simple. Christians think that their lack of prayer is something they can hide because no one sees whether or not they pray, when really their complete lack of power is like a bullhorn on the street corner screaming, "I DON'T PRAY!"
I know that hurts; it hurts me as I write it.
If you had an invitation to the White House, you would come without missing a beat! Yet God gives us an invitation to the Oval Office of the universe every day, with the potential of turning nations upside down, and most Christians never show up!
And fast.
Push away from the table. If you thought prayer was almost non-existant, can you imagine the state of fasting?
Listen, God says this is what works! There are most certainly lunatic spirits out there, driving us crazy with our inability to affect them with our ho-hum, run-of-the-mill spirituality. We can't just follow a routine, or follow some script, and expect miraculous results in hearts that are hardened by sin and the spirit of sin itself.
We need belief. Belief that God can heal. Wait!! Not just that he can heal. Faith is substance and evidence! Faith is not just saying God can; Faith is saying we believe God will!
He will heal, and he will help, and he will save, and he will sanctify.
He will!
If they did it once, what's wrong with it happening again? Have faith. Take heart. And know that great victories never were produced over puny foes! Great victories require great foes! And the greater the foe, the greater the potential for God's glory to be shown in victory, and the greater we can expect from God!
"God, we just need you to be God!! For the sake of our churches, for the sake of our homes, and for the sake of our nation, please...just be God once again! And give us the faith to trust you to just be who you've always been, and to be who you are."
The Condition of the Sinner is Needy. He is bound by the devil and the spirit of Satan. "Do you really think there are people like this around us?" you ask. If they were around when God himself walked the earth, you can be sure they are around in this wicked generation.
They needed help then, and they still do. The place to find help has not changed over the centuries of time. The lunatics need Christ!! If we can get them to Jesus, he can do the rest.
The Committment of the Saints is Neglectful. They cannot heal him. When Christ does the healing work, the disciples are confused. What had they missed? Why couldn't they heal him? Jesus' answer was simple: "Because of your unbelief." "Ye faithless and perverse generation..." Wow! Me? Faithless and perverse? Notice Jesus never rebuked the boy, or even the father. The reason is simple; it's not the job of the world to know the answer. They don't have the answer. They come to you, Christian, to find the answer. Jesus was not mad at the ignorant for their ignorance, he was angry with the disciples, who had showed their lack of faith after walking with the Son of God and seeing the most amazing power ever displayed in history!
I know you've thought it. I have to. "This person will never come around!" "Why do we keep on giving, when they never even notice, only so they can spit in the faces of those who care about them?!" "Why won't they change?"
I've struggled with this as of late. And Jesus gave us the answer in this passage.
Believe.
That simple; that unprofound! We simply don't have faith in God. I know, because I've been in that dark musty hole of unbelief! Recently, too!
"God, move mountains? I just want them to be faithful to church, or act like they care for once!"
In the ministry of troubled youth, I think sometimes the more you give, the more they devour without thought of the sacrifice of others. Sometimes, the ministry is just that way.
Believe? Is that all?
Well, there is one more thing. It's the harder part: "This kind cometh not out but by prayer and fasting." Praying is almost non-existant in churches today. I know that. Need proof? Need the evidence? Power is almost non-existant. Power is the gauge of prayer; no prayer, no power! It's that simple. Christians think that their lack of prayer is something they can hide because no one sees whether or not they pray, when really their complete lack of power is like a bullhorn on the street corner screaming, "I DON'T PRAY!"
I know that hurts; it hurts me as I write it.
If you had an invitation to the White House, you would come without missing a beat! Yet God gives us an invitation to the Oval Office of the universe every day, with the potential of turning nations upside down, and most Christians never show up!
And fast.
Push away from the table. If you thought prayer was almost non-existant, can you imagine the state of fasting?
Listen, God says this is what works! There are most certainly lunatic spirits out there, driving us crazy with our inability to affect them with our ho-hum, run-of-the-mill spirituality. We can't just follow a routine, or follow some script, and expect miraculous results in hearts that are hardened by sin and the spirit of sin itself.
We need belief. Belief that God can heal. Wait!! Not just that he can heal. Faith is substance and evidence! Faith is not just saying God can; Faith is saying we believe God will!
He will heal, and he will help, and he will save, and he will sanctify.
He will!
If they did it once, what's wrong with it happening again? Have faith. Take heart. And know that great victories never were produced over puny foes! Great victories require great foes! And the greater the foe, the greater the potential for God's glory to be shown in victory, and the greater we can expect from God!
"God, we just need you to be God!! For the sake of our churches, for the sake of our homes, and for the sake of our nation, please...just be God once again! And give us the faith to trust you to just be who you've always been, and to be who you are."
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Clutter in the Prayer Closet
Remember the last time you couldn't find something? First you looked in the obvious places where the object should be, then you moved on to the last place you remember using or seeing it, then it gets real serious and you start digging for it...and digging long...and hard! You mean you're going to find what you're looking for. You've all been there, and before you know it you're in the bottom of some closet throwing everything away!!! :D You're frustrated that you can't find what you're looking for, and you're sick of all the junk that you never use that is getting in the way of you finding what you're looking for.
I was in my closet yesterday. For a very long time, mind you. It ended with about 6 trash bags full of junk sitting outside my bedroom. Needless to say, after about 3 hours of cleaning, the whole room looked 100 percent better! My hard-working brother, Aaron, and I are both completely pleased with the result.
But it's those times where you need something that you realize all the junk that stops you from getting to it. It's the time that you need something important that emphasizes all the junk that's in your closet.
The back door of the Maynard house is where the laundry room is. I remember about 3 years ago, during a campmeeting at our church, we were extremely busy! Consequently, the laundry got so backed up that the whole room was being overcome by our laundry! :D I then had the unenviable task of getting out the back door for some reason I can't remember! What a feat! To climb over all of that laundry for something simple that I needed.
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" Psalm 66:18
The key is the word "regard." It does not say "perform" or "act upon."
Regard - "Attention of the mind." Noah Websters 1828
Simply the "thought of foolishness is sin," according to Proverbs. Regarding iniquity in your heart is just as sinful as committing the act--they're both sin! Regarding iniquity also leads to the iniquity itself when not properly checked. What is regarded in your heart will be performed in you members. Mark it down. You cannot separate the preparation from the action. You will do that which you have prepared your heart to do, which is why Rehoboam messed up the way he did: "And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD." 2 Chronicles 12:14.
"Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny." -Author Unknown
That unknown author had it right. Paul knew it too! That's why he told those Corinthians:
"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Cor. 10:4-5
It's also why he advised in Phillipians:
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil. 4:8
What you regard in your heart affects what you do; what you regard is based a lot upon what you put into your mind from books, music, videos, etc.
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" Psalm 66:18
It does not say the Lord will always say no. It doesn't even say the Lord will not answer. It says he will not even hear you. What a statement to make! How many deafened prayers have you prayed that never made it past the ceiling because of the iniquity of your heart? How many times has God simply never even heard you when you prayed? Isn't that scary? I serve a God that I not only trust, and have faith in, and want. I serve a God that I need!!
That's where the closet clutter comes in. Is your closet full of clutter? Not just the physical clutter, but the spiritual clutter. The clutter that raises the stench of sin from you prayer closet, causing God to turn away in disgust!
As I cleaned out my closet yesterday, I realized that it would have been a lot easier had I kept the clutter out to start with! It's the same way with your prayer closet. Don't let the clutter pile up in there! Go dig it out! Pull it out before God, throw it in trash bags, do whatever you need to, but don't let it still be there when tragedy hits, in the moments of your life where you need God the most! Wouldn't it be terrible for something tragic to happen in your life, and when you begin to pray, you begin to search for God through a pile of clutter? I would hate to think that someones life hanging in the balance was lost, simply because I couldn't get to God for all the clutter of my prayer closet.
It could be that a decision will need to be made, and you need to be in touch with God to make a God-honoring decision, but there's just too much clutter!
"God help me to keep my spiritual closet clean, so that when I need you, I know you hear me! For my prayer closet is a place where we can always meet, free of this worlds clutter! ...oh, and I guess keeping the physical one clean isn't a bad idea either!" :D
I was in my closet yesterday. For a very long time, mind you. It ended with about 6 trash bags full of junk sitting outside my bedroom. Needless to say, after about 3 hours of cleaning, the whole room looked 100 percent better! My hard-working brother, Aaron, and I are both completely pleased with the result.
But it's those times where you need something that you realize all the junk that stops you from getting to it. It's the time that you need something important that emphasizes all the junk that's in your closet.
The back door of the Maynard house is where the laundry room is. I remember about 3 years ago, during a campmeeting at our church, we were extremely busy! Consequently, the laundry got so backed up that the whole room was being overcome by our laundry! :D I then had the unenviable task of getting out the back door for some reason I can't remember! What a feat! To climb over all of that laundry for something simple that I needed.
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" Psalm 66:18
The key is the word "regard." It does not say "perform" or "act upon."
Regard - "Attention of the mind." Noah Websters 1828
Simply the "thought of foolishness is sin," according to Proverbs. Regarding iniquity in your heart is just as sinful as committing the act--they're both sin! Regarding iniquity also leads to the iniquity itself when not properly checked. What is regarded in your heart will be performed in you members. Mark it down. You cannot separate the preparation from the action. You will do that which you have prepared your heart to do, which is why Rehoboam messed up the way he did: "And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD." 2 Chronicles 12:14.
"Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny." -Author Unknown
That unknown author had it right. Paul knew it too! That's why he told those Corinthians:
"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Cor. 10:4-5
It's also why he advised in Phillipians:
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil. 4:8
What you regard in your heart affects what you do; what you regard is based a lot upon what you put into your mind from books, music, videos, etc.
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" Psalm 66:18
It does not say the Lord will always say no. It doesn't even say the Lord will not answer. It says he will not even hear you. What a statement to make! How many deafened prayers have you prayed that never made it past the ceiling because of the iniquity of your heart? How many times has God simply never even heard you when you prayed? Isn't that scary? I serve a God that I not only trust, and have faith in, and want. I serve a God that I need!!
That's where the closet clutter comes in. Is your closet full of clutter? Not just the physical clutter, but the spiritual clutter. The clutter that raises the stench of sin from you prayer closet, causing God to turn away in disgust!
As I cleaned out my closet yesterday, I realized that it would have been a lot easier had I kept the clutter out to start with! It's the same way with your prayer closet. Don't let the clutter pile up in there! Go dig it out! Pull it out before God, throw it in trash bags, do whatever you need to, but don't let it still be there when tragedy hits, in the moments of your life where you need God the most! Wouldn't it be terrible for something tragic to happen in your life, and when you begin to pray, you begin to search for God through a pile of clutter? I would hate to think that someones life hanging in the balance was lost, simply because I couldn't get to God for all the clutter of my prayer closet.
It could be that a decision will need to be made, and you need to be in touch with God to make a God-honoring decision, but there's just too much clutter!
"God help me to keep my spiritual closet clean, so that when I need you, I know you hear me! For my prayer closet is a place where we can always meet, free of this worlds clutter! ...oh, and I guess keeping the physical one clean isn't a bad idea either!" :D
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Year of Our Lord?
Every year that passes by, I wonder what the next year holds. I've wondered if I would become famous, author a book or another song, meet the president (that's not as glamourous as it used to be), become rich, get terribly sick, travel around the world, or even die! I like to think about the future like that! That sounds crazy, doesn't it? No, I'm not crazy; I'm just me!! :D
However, the greatest possible thing that could happen this year is for Jesus Christ to come and take his children home. I've decided that nothing in my life would be interrupted by his return. I know every young person has thought that they hope they can perhaps go to college, get married, have children, etc. But I have nothing listed above, or elsewhere for that matter, that I would rather have than the return of Jesus Christ!! The implications are endless!!
I guess I could start with the end of all pain! Hallelujah! Thankfully, I have not had to live with much pain, but I know several people that live in constant pain...I want the end of pain just for them! I sometimes wish that I could share the pain to give them some relief. I used to think that some of these wishes for heavens beauty were selfish; now I just know God knew what he was doing when he promised them!!!
Then no more sin! No curse of the old man. No temptation, whether the lust of the flesh, or of the devil. No more sin. Wow! No more political scandals that hurt uninvolved people; no more drug dealers using children as their messengers; No more children abused, women used, or the weak being crushed by the strong. No more survival of the fittest; no more human nakedness used for advertisement; no more babies being killed by pshycos for parents! No more injustice that locks up innocent preachers while nine-time felons walk the streets and golf courses with a freedom they didn't earn. No more claiming Santa is real while denying the existance of God! NO MORE SIN! No more struggle with the world and the devil for our minds and hearts. Thank God!
No more good byes. Now this is a big one!!! I plan on spending a couple dozen lifetimes with each of my dear friends here on earth. How do you make it away from family and friends that you love so dear? This precious promise that we shall know them "as they are known."
But greatest of all, to see Jesus Christ! To see Jesus' face, from which a beard was ripped by the hands of his own creation, justifying even those sins that they were presently committing! What love!!! He was the embodiment of love! Love that would save me, knowing what kind of sorry Christian I would be! What love..."Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!"
In light of the fact that Jesus could come this year, we should be busier than ever! Souls need to be saved, saints need to be encouraged in the fight, and crowns need to be won for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ.
Do you remember what the angels told the disciples at Jesus ascension? "This same Jesus, which was taken from you, shall so come in like manner, as ye have seen him go into heaven."
What if you had been told that? You would think that Christ was coming in your lifetime!! I believe that's what the disciples thought as well. But, you see, their approach to that line of thinking was different than most Christians today! That is evidenced by their action. They thought, "Jesus is coming back; we've got to get busy evangelizing this world. After all, he said to go into 'all the world.' " The attitude of most Christians today is, "Jesus is coming back, so why bother?" Instead of a motivation for service, the coming of Christ has been the cause of lazy Christianity with the fleeting thought, "I can't wait till Jesus gets me out of here."
What's your attitude? Is it like the disciples? "Jesus is coming back; we need to get busy!" Or is it like modern Christianity? "Jesus is getting us out of here, so why bother?"
I want to be busy when Christ shows up. What about you? If you're not, now's the time to get busy! This could be the year...the year of our Lord!!!
In Christ Alone,
Clay
However, the greatest possible thing that could happen this year is for Jesus Christ to come and take his children home. I've decided that nothing in my life would be interrupted by his return. I know every young person has thought that they hope they can perhaps go to college, get married, have children, etc. But I have nothing listed above, or elsewhere for that matter, that I would rather have than the return of Jesus Christ!! The implications are endless!!
I guess I could start with the end of all pain! Hallelujah! Thankfully, I have not had to live with much pain, but I know several people that live in constant pain...I want the end of pain just for them! I sometimes wish that I could share the pain to give them some relief. I used to think that some of these wishes for heavens beauty were selfish; now I just know God knew what he was doing when he promised them!!!
Then no more sin! No curse of the old man. No temptation, whether the lust of the flesh, or of the devil. No more sin. Wow! No more political scandals that hurt uninvolved people; no more drug dealers using children as their messengers; No more children abused, women used, or the weak being crushed by the strong. No more survival of the fittest; no more human nakedness used for advertisement; no more babies being killed by pshycos for parents! No more injustice that locks up innocent preachers while nine-time felons walk the streets and golf courses with a freedom they didn't earn. No more claiming Santa is real while denying the existance of God! NO MORE SIN! No more struggle with the world and the devil for our minds and hearts. Thank God!
No more good byes. Now this is a big one!!! I plan on spending a couple dozen lifetimes with each of my dear friends here on earth. How do you make it away from family and friends that you love so dear? This precious promise that we shall know them "as they are known."
But greatest of all, to see Jesus Christ! To see Jesus' face, from which a beard was ripped by the hands of his own creation, justifying even those sins that they were presently committing! What love!!! He was the embodiment of love! Love that would save me, knowing what kind of sorry Christian I would be! What love..."Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!"
In light of the fact that Jesus could come this year, we should be busier than ever! Souls need to be saved, saints need to be encouraged in the fight, and crowns need to be won for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ.
Do you remember what the angels told the disciples at Jesus ascension? "This same Jesus, which was taken from you, shall so come in like manner, as ye have seen him go into heaven."
What if you had been told that? You would think that Christ was coming in your lifetime!! I believe that's what the disciples thought as well. But, you see, their approach to that line of thinking was different than most Christians today! That is evidenced by their action. They thought, "Jesus is coming back; we've got to get busy evangelizing this world. After all, he said to go into 'all the world.' " The attitude of most Christians today is, "Jesus is coming back, so why bother?" Instead of a motivation for service, the coming of Christ has been the cause of lazy Christianity with the fleeting thought, "I can't wait till Jesus gets me out of here."
What's your attitude? Is it like the disciples? "Jesus is coming back; we need to get busy!" Or is it like modern Christianity? "Jesus is getting us out of here, so why bother?"
I want to be busy when Christ shows up. What about you? If you're not, now's the time to get busy! This could be the year...the year of our Lord!!!
In Christ Alone,
Clay
Thursday, December 25, 2008
What Will You Do With Jesus?
Matthew 2:13-15
"And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son."
Merry Christmas to you all! I read these verses yesterday, and I knew what I should write about for Christmas. I don't need to tell you the story of the birth of Jesus; you already know it. Everyone knows that Jesus was born. I heard a lady in the store the other day singing a Christmas song. I wanted to ask her, "Do you know the one you're singing about?" Maybe I should have. But the point is, everyone knows that Christ was born; most even know who he was and why he came! There are a few God rejectors who act like it's a social statement at Christmas time, putting Spanish, Oriental, and even Hamitic manger scenes. Some have even put two men or two women in place of Joseph and Mary, catering to the homosexuals, or sodomites! But, thank God, this is not the norm. Most people know the truth, because it is not a matter of social standing, wealth, philosophy, or race; it's a matter of history! It's the truth, the birth of Jesus Christ!
The question, then, is not what happened. The question is: What will you do with Jesus?
Joseph has become a favorite Bible character of mine! He's very unique. As God made the choice of what girl would have the privilege of carrying and delivering the Son of God, surely God took into account what kind of man this Joseph was. He would choose no sloth for a task such as this. Mary, a virgin, carrying her firstborn son would certainly need care, protection, and attention. Not an easy task in any case, let alone in the case of the Son of God!
In the above passage of scripture, I see Joseph--a man. A man in every sense of the word. In today's generation, there are some weird ideas about what being a man is. These delusions include age, size, accomplishments, or social status. This is simply not what lays the foundation for a real man. These things are not bad, and certainly can be desired. But they alone are not what constitutes a man in God's eyes.
He was a carpenter; certainly no sloth! He was a hard worker, a man under whom Jesus could mature, work with, and grow. Can you imagine the responsibility of such a task?
He was obedient to God! First, you see that God told him to "fear not to take unto thee Mary, thy wife." He obeyed! He did not argue the implications with God. He did not question the possibility. He simply "did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him." He obeyed God! Had he not, what might have happened? Thank God for a man like Joseph!
Now he lays in a bed in Bethlehem. The journey was long, the birth of the child was surreal, to say the least, and now the taxes are payed. He's finally settling down in a comfortable place to sleep; since espousing the chosen mother of God's son, he couldn't remember many nights like this. And now he has just been awaken from a dream, much like the one he got from the angel that told him to take Mary as wife. Now he's being told to flee to Egypt; he's told that Herod seeks the child's life. And he obeyed. He did not question God, and because of him, we see Christ known as "the son of a carpenter."
You have been entrusted with Christ as well! "Really? Me?" Absolutely. When Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary, you were left with the decision. What will you do with Jesus? It has nothing to do with anything you've done, who you are, where you were born, etc. It has to do with what Jesus did for you, and what you will do with him. It's the most important decision you will ever make in your life...
I have chosen to make him Lord! He did what only he could have done. He saved me by his grace through the sacrifice of his own self, his own blood being the atonement to pay my debt of sin.
Not everyone gives you a second chance like that!! Thank God for the second chance he gave to mankind when he sent his son!
What will you do with Jesus?
"And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son."
Merry Christmas to you all! I read these verses yesterday, and I knew what I should write about for Christmas. I don't need to tell you the story of the birth of Jesus; you already know it. Everyone knows that Jesus was born. I heard a lady in the store the other day singing a Christmas song. I wanted to ask her, "Do you know the one you're singing about?" Maybe I should have. But the point is, everyone knows that Christ was born; most even know who he was and why he came! There are a few God rejectors who act like it's a social statement at Christmas time, putting Spanish, Oriental, and even Hamitic manger scenes. Some have even put two men or two women in place of Joseph and Mary, catering to the homosexuals, or sodomites! But, thank God, this is not the norm. Most people know the truth, because it is not a matter of social standing, wealth, philosophy, or race; it's a matter of history! It's the truth, the birth of Jesus Christ!
The question, then, is not what happened. The question is: What will you do with Jesus?
Joseph has become a favorite Bible character of mine! He's very unique. As God made the choice of what girl would have the privilege of carrying and delivering the Son of God, surely God took into account what kind of man this Joseph was. He would choose no sloth for a task such as this. Mary, a virgin, carrying her firstborn son would certainly need care, protection, and attention. Not an easy task in any case, let alone in the case of the Son of God!
In the above passage of scripture, I see Joseph--a man. A man in every sense of the word. In today's generation, there are some weird ideas about what being a man is. These delusions include age, size, accomplishments, or social status. This is simply not what lays the foundation for a real man. These things are not bad, and certainly can be desired. But they alone are not what constitutes a man in God's eyes.
He was a carpenter; certainly no sloth! He was a hard worker, a man under whom Jesus could mature, work with, and grow. Can you imagine the responsibility of such a task?
He was obedient to God! First, you see that God told him to "fear not to take unto thee Mary, thy wife." He obeyed! He did not argue the implications with God. He did not question the possibility. He simply "did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him." He obeyed God! Had he not, what might have happened? Thank God for a man like Joseph!
Now he lays in a bed in Bethlehem. The journey was long, the birth of the child was surreal, to say the least, and now the taxes are payed. He's finally settling down in a comfortable place to sleep; since espousing the chosen mother of God's son, he couldn't remember many nights like this. And now he has just been awaken from a dream, much like the one he got from the angel that told him to take Mary as wife. Now he's being told to flee to Egypt; he's told that Herod seeks the child's life. And he obeyed. He did not question God, and because of him, we see Christ known as "the son of a carpenter."
You have been entrusted with Christ as well! "Really? Me?" Absolutely. When Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary, you were left with the decision. What will you do with Jesus? It has nothing to do with anything you've done, who you are, where you were born, etc. It has to do with what Jesus did for you, and what you will do with him. It's the most important decision you will ever make in your life...
I have chosen to make him Lord! He did what only he could have done. He saved me by his grace through the sacrifice of his own self, his own blood being the atonement to pay my debt of sin.
Not everyone gives you a second chance like that!! Thank God for the second chance he gave to mankind when he sent his son!
What will you do with Jesus?
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Man of God
Have you ever seen something with great potential go to great waste?
- A promising life for God given over to the old, sinful life?
- A God-ordained ruler being deceived by his own greed and pride?
- A once-solid Christian sacrificing their purity on the altar of self-indulgence?
- A God-called preacher becoming complacent to his call, and even backslidden?
As tragic as these things are, they happen all around us. Such things took place in the Bible as well. These stories, biblical or experiential, are warnings to us all; they're like those crosses on the side of the road, bidding us stay away from the steep ditches and fatal ends that have destroyed so many. I read one of these accounts in my Bible the other day. It's found in 1 Kings 13:1-30. The scripture never even gives us his name; it simply calls him "the man of God." This term for him is used 15 times in the passage! Quite a guy, wouldn't you think?
The first thing I notice about this man is that he is chosen and commissioned by God.
1 Kings 13:1 "And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense."
1 Peter 2:9 states that we are a "chosen" generation. The call of God on someones life is no guarantee that they will answer that call. If it was, wouldn't there be more sold out Christians, working in the ministry? I hardly believe that there is a lack of God's call! I'm convinced it's a lack of obedience from God's people. This man that I read about is not of that kind, though. He is chosen and commissioned by God.
The next thing I notice is the courage he displays.
1 Kings 13:2 "And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee."
A pronouncement of judgement on sin! Would to God there were more men of this kind; men that would preach against sin and wickedness, within or without the church! Judgemental preaching is becoming a thing of the past, sadly. The preaching of revival fire was preaching of God's hatred and judgement sin, whether modern America is willing to admit that or not!
On a side note, the first thing I hear from people to stop me from public preaching is, "Judge not!" First of all, Jesus finished the verse saying, "lest ye be judged," meaning that I will be judged by the same standard by which I judge, the Bible. 1 Corinthians 2:15 says, "he that is spiritual judgeth all things." Secondly, I'm not judging! I'm only proclaiming the judgements that God has made in his word. I'm a messenger! If you don't like the message, don't attack the mailman! Take it up with the sender! You will, by the way! Maybe their problem isn't me, but God! Lastly, 99 percent of those who squeal, "judge not," couldn't show you the verse in the Bible if their life depended on it. How do I know that? I've asked them! They can't even show you the verse they quote! They're just looking for a way to get the heat of God's word and the conviction of the Holy Ghost off their back! Amen! (My!! What a rabbit trail!) :D
This man of God had courage, though. I've thought of some words here that are synonymous with courage: fearless; aggressive; guts; nerve; gumption. Would to God more men would have this courage!
Then, I see the confidence in God that leads to confirmation from God!
1 Kings 13:4-6
"And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him. The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before."
Don't you just love it when God intervenes on your behalf? This man had obeyed God, and here he is out on a limb! Then God just does a miracle and solves the problem. We don't like interruptions--glitches in the plan, but it's through our problems that God can show his power! Our problems set the stage for God's performance. When a great thing is being done for God, sometimes God allows a problem to throw us off track so we'll not get ahead of God and realize our need for him. I heard one man say, "God is rarely in our problems; he's mostly in our interruptions." How true! One day Christ is teaching in a house, and, for all we know, it could have been Sermon on the Mount, Pt. 2! We never know what he was teaching, cause that was the plan, we just read about the interruption! Four men let a sick man on a bed through the roof of the house, so he could get to Jesus. By the way, there was a Jewish girl who got interrupted as well...with news from an angel! I'll be writing on her real soon! :) So next time you have those interruptions, don't get mad; just look for God in the interruptions! :) Sounds easy, right? Trust me, it's not. But like this man of God saw in front of king Jereboam, God will come through.
Next, I see a conflict.
1 Kings 13:11-19 "Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel; and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel: the words which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father. And their father said unto them, What way went he? For his sons had seen what way the man of God went, which came from Judah. And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon, And went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said unto him, Art thou the man of God that camest from Judah? And he said, I am. Then he said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread. And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place: For it was said to me by the word of the LORD, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest. He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him. So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water."
He allowed someone to dissuade him--to talk him out of what God had told him. Listen, focus on what God has told you, not what God has told someone else! It does not matter what someone else thinks about what you should do unless it lines up with what God thinks! God will tell you what you should do if you'll seek him on your decisions. Don't trust the arm of flesh! I don't even trust myself, and what I think, let alone what someone else thinks they know about God's will for me! Vain is the help of man! If God be for us, who can be against us!
Terrible mistake this man of God had made! He had failed his mission as God had told him to do it.
It is just a little compromise, isn't it? I mean, after all, didn't this wise, old man have some wisdom? Should I just disregard this advice? He says it's from God!
Compromise is rampant! If you don't think so, just look at the difference between the 1980's and the 2000's. That's only two decades! How did we get from "Amazing Grace" to D.C. Talk. Where did my Hymn book go as I sit it modern Independent Baptist churches, and what demonic hell hole did MercyMe and Jars of Clay come from? If you don't know who I'm talking about, stop reading for just a second and thank God!!! You wouldn't know they claimed to be Christian if you did hear them. They're demon possessed and filthy, and because they're sold in the "Christian" bookstore, church kids are listening to them! Contemporary rock music, "christian" or not, will damn the soul of any young person! I say this not because I believe it alone, but because I've seen it, with kids I grew up with and sang at meetings with. They now have their myspace (hellspace) accounts and their filthy friends, filthy music, filthy pictures, etc. And the only difference between the campmeeting pictures I still can go look at, and that myspace account is..... just a "little" compromise!
See how dangerous that is? The man of God--compromised!
Lastly, I see a carcase of testimony!
1 Kings 13:24 "And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase."
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"Do you smell that? It's awful!" the young boy said. The father, knowing what was around that next bend, decided to bring him here to teach his son a great lesson. "Be careful son; stay beside me." "What is it, father? Is something the matter?" The query continues..."Just be careful, son..." The fathers voice now shakes. The carefulness the loving father speaks of is not just concerning the sight the boy will soon see, but the decisions he will make in life.
"Ohhh! Father, is that the man of God, the preacher, the one who rebuked the king earlier?" The boy asked, already knowing the answer. "Yes. Look carefully son! The lion is the devil! He want's you! He wants us all! He wants us to make the same mistake this preacher made in not obeying God. That ass represents your rebellion. You don't have to search for rebellion, you only have to allow it. And the devil waits for you to ride your rebellion out of God's protective will so he can leave you for dead. Never give him that chance, son! Never!"
Let us never give him that chance.
Don't run outside the walls of God's hand of protection on the ass of your stubborn self-will!
The devil has over 6,000 years of experience deceiving and destroying humans. Only God has the ablilty to keep your from that.
Lord, I see potential; but what is potential without patience and protection? I see confidence; but what is confidence without character and collectivity? I see decisions; but what are decisions without devotion and direction?
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving!
Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
I read the above verse this morning, and thought about the significance of it in relation to Thanksgiving. I am truly disheartened at the no care attitude our country takes toward such an awesome holiday; however, I’ll save that for a later post.
Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, declared this to be an annual holiday, and so we have done that. But in thinking about what all Americans have to be thankful for, I must think about our heritage. We have the greatest history of any nation in the world, save God’s chosen people, Israel.
But for this post, I want to commemorate just a few things that I came across today that I was thankful for.
1. Fellowship with God
The scripture is the most important thing you could ever read, and just this morning God spoke to me through my bible. What an amazing thing, that God would speak to us the way he does! Then the privilege of prayer, probably the greatest weakness of the church today, that allows you and me to come boldly unto the throne of grace! I love the privilege of talking to my Lord just whenever I want to.
2. Family
I have the greatest family in the world. We’re all so busy, that sometimes we don’t even thank God enough for each other. God has blessed our home with his presence, something that others can even feel, and they talk about when they leave our house. Our home is a haven of rest! I know that one day I will have a family of my own, and I just pray that my home will have that same touch of God on it that ours has now. I’m thankful that all of my family desires God’s will, and we are dedicated to the call that he has placed on each of our lives. My Dad and Mom are the absolute best parents in the world! God has blessed me beyond measure.
3. Friends
I have been blessed with some great friends. I’m thankful for the men in my life who have stayed faithful to the Lord, who have shown me how to be what they are, MEN!
Besides my own father, there are men such as my Grandfather, who could be listed in the family category as well, Frank Givens. There’s not a more generous man. Then there are Bro. Rob Unger, Bro. Nick Blackburn, Bro. Jim Lyman, Bro. Jimmy Noles, Bro. Bob May, and their families. I also thank God for Pastor Mike Keenan, who has showed an interest in me, and has invested in my life, helping cultivate a love for God and a desire to live right. I could never deserve such friends as I have! As recent as this year, God has seen fit to bless me by giving me friends across the world!! With our recent trip to Holland, I was blessed to become acquainted with Missionary Jake Huussen and his family. I could not describe the encouragement they have been to me, and my family as well! Then there is my Saviour, Jesus Christ, who, when I was unlovable and lost, became my friend, and gave himself for me. What Love!!!
This is not, by a seas width, an exhaustive list. This is simply three things that I noticed today that I am truly thankful for. With these three, what more in the world do I need, really?
But…here’s one to top it off:
4. Future
I have an unknown, but with God, a no-doubt fantastic future!!! I can only imagine what may be ahead as the Lord tarries! What a scary, yet exciting thought! I just turned 18 today, on Thanksgiving! As this chapter of my life closes, there’s a lot to be done.
Be thankful! You really have no reason not to be. If you have one reason not to be thankful that cannot be offset by at least three reasons to be thankful, leave a comment and tell me about it. I’ll give you a hint: you can’t!!! And really, what you perceive as reasons to be unthankful is just your misunderstanding of God’s will for your life.
Skim over this post and you decide if God, as the verse says, “daily loadeth me with benefits.” It’s true for me, as it was for David. And hey, it’s true for you too!
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
I read the above verse this morning, and thought about the significance of it in relation to Thanksgiving. I am truly disheartened at the no care attitude our country takes toward such an awesome holiday; however, I’ll save that for a later post.
Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, declared this to be an annual holiday, and so we have done that. But in thinking about what all Americans have to be thankful for, I must think about our heritage. We have the greatest history of any nation in the world, save God’s chosen people, Israel.
But for this post, I want to commemorate just a few things that I came across today that I was thankful for.
1. Fellowship with God
The scripture is the most important thing you could ever read, and just this morning God spoke to me through my bible. What an amazing thing, that God would speak to us the way he does! Then the privilege of prayer, probably the greatest weakness of the church today, that allows you and me to come boldly unto the throne of grace! I love the privilege of talking to my Lord just whenever I want to.
2. Family
I have the greatest family in the world. We’re all so busy, that sometimes we don’t even thank God enough for each other. God has blessed our home with his presence, something that others can even feel, and they talk about when they leave our house. Our home is a haven of rest! I know that one day I will have a family of my own, and I just pray that my home will have that same touch of God on it that ours has now. I’m thankful that all of my family desires God’s will, and we are dedicated to the call that he has placed on each of our lives. My Dad and Mom are the absolute best parents in the world! God has blessed me beyond measure.
3. Friends
I have been blessed with some great friends. I’m thankful for the men in my life who have stayed faithful to the Lord, who have shown me how to be what they are, MEN!
Besides my own father, there are men such as my Grandfather, who could be listed in the family category as well, Frank Givens. There’s not a more generous man. Then there are Bro. Rob Unger, Bro. Nick Blackburn, Bro. Jim Lyman, Bro. Jimmy Noles, Bro. Bob May, and their families. I also thank God for Pastor Mike Keenan, who has showed an interest in me, and has invested in my life, helping cultivate a love for God and a desire to live right. I could never deserve such friends as I have! As recent as this year, God has seen fit to bless me by giving me friends across the world!! With our recent trip to Holland, I was blessed to become acquainted with Missionary Jake Huussen and his family. I could not describe the encouragement they have been to me, and my family as well! Then there is my Saviour, Jesus Christ, who, when I was unlovable and lost, became my friend, and gave himself for me. What Love!!!
This is not, by a seas width, an exhaustive list. This is simply three things that I noticed today that I am truly thankful for. With these three, what more in the world do I need, really?
But…here’s one to top it off:
4. Future
I have an unknown, but with God, a no-doubt fantastic future!!! I can only imagine what may be ahead as the Lord tarries! What a scary, yet exciting thought! I just turned 18 today, on Thanksgiving! As this chapter of my life closes, there’s a lot to be done.
Be thankful! You really have no reason not to be. If you have one reason not to be thankful that cannot be offset by at least three reasons to be thankful, leave a comment and tell me about it. I’ll give you a hint: you can’t!!! And really, what you perceive as reasons to be unthankful is just your misunderstanding of God’s will for your life.
Skim over this post and you decide if God, as the verse says, “daily loadeth me with benefits.” It’s true for me, as it was for David. And hey, it’s true for you too!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Heart That Seeks After God, Pt. 1
I have been thinking for a while about this topic, and I think that it is very important for this reason: we live in a day where man is so dependent on himself, and proud of it, that he thinks he has no need for God. Americans, especially, have so much prosperity, that they have lost their senses for a real God, a God that created them to have fellowship with him. It seems to take people tragedy, disappointment, and failure to see their need for God. Take September 11, 2001, for example. A tragedy seems to be the only thing that sobers people up, even Christians. What might it take for Christians to see their need for God’s presence today? They have become complacent, which just means satisfied, with where they’re at. I have realized my own personal failure without God, and that alone teaches me to seek him.
I began to see the walk with God that men and women in the Bible had, and I began to study the factors, as well as the circumstances, that contributed to it. Following are some of the notes that I wrote down. I don’t know about you, but it is my desire to be one whose heart seeks after God!
I. Fertility
The heart that seeks after God must first start with preparation, or, fertility.
Relationships in the Bible are compared to fertile gardens. God’s first relationship with man was in a garden. In the book of Song of Solomon, he compares an intimate relationship with a vineyard. The obvious reason for this is that there are so many similarities between relationships and gardens. It takes careful planning, unselfish dedication, and commitment to make a garden produce. And so it is with a relationship. Relationships do not grow without fertility.
And this garden does not grow isolated and independently, no different than a physical garden.
If I know one thing about your relationship with God, it is that you will meet strong opposition in any such endeavor. The weeds of sin, the wild beasts of the devil, and the insects of the flesh will seek to turn back your attempts. Every day will be a battle. Many days growing up on our garden-covered property, I would look at our gardens with disgust because of the hard work I had put in just the day before, knowing that a job such as I had done should last a while. What a rude awakening, to see the weeds and insects, fighting against our every attempt to grow a successful garden. :D Every day it took renewed dedication to the task. So we ask, “God, help us to seek thee more.” Fertility is where we start.
Hosea 10:12
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.”
How can you expect a heart, cluttered with sin and weight like a 30 car pileup on a two lane road, to seek God? How do we expect a heart that is not prepared to seek God, to act as it has not been adequately prepared? It will not; it cannot. How can we seek after God? I asked God this same question, and he answered in a variety of ways. But this is what he told me.
A. Omission
The first reason that so many people have no heart to seek the Lord is the clutter of their Christian life. With the clutter of sin and weight in your life, you cannot seek God.
Hebrews 12:14
“…and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”
You must first remove the sin and weights in your life.
When sin is in your heart, you have no desire to seek God. I heard one preacher say, “Your behavior is indicative of your prayer life.” David said, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” In seeking God with a pure heart, you absolutely must omit some things, and that starts with sin in your heart and life.
2Corinthians 10:5
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
I know some people that cannot simply have a moment of quiet time. They always have an ipod, cell phone, computer, book, magazine, newspaper, etc. in their hands. If you ever want to seek God, you have to omit that trash!
Some things in of themselves are not wrong, but they combine to steal your fellowship with God. Preparing your heart to seek the Lord is not going to happen by accident.
You, as a Christian, need to fertilize the soil of your soul and grow a healthy relationship with God by pulling weeds that would suck the spiritual life from your garden.
Consecrate yourself unto God, and develop a heart that seeks after him.
Here is a warning for all who know the story of Rehoboam:
2 Chronicles 12:14
“And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.”
Let us not make this same mistake.
B. Obedience
If you truly want a heart that seeks after God, you must be obedient to what God has told you. No matter what “so and so” said about what they thought, or God told them, or their preacher told them. Just know what God told you to do and obey.
I’ve always thought it was funny reading books titled things like, “----‘s Spiritual Secret,” or “----‘s Secrets of God’s Power.” Why would I think that was funny? Two reasons. One, you are not anyone but yourself. Secondly, they always just say things like, “Read your bible, Pray, Stay humble, Fear the Lord, etc.” :D …Hold on…I think I heard that in church last Sunday!! I think we make things harder than they are. What God wants is not for you to go dig up some pseudo-spiritual, deep, dark doctrine for God’s touch. He just wants simple, consistent obedience to his Word.
That’s preparing your heart to seek God; Cultivating fertility through: 1. Omission of Sin; 2. Obedience to the Savior.
Lord, break up our fallow ground! For if ever there was a time for us to seek thee, ‘tis now!
I began to see the walk with God that men and women in the Bible had, and I began to study the factors, as well as the circumstances, that contributed to it. Following are some of the notes that I wrote down. I don’t know about you, but it is my desire to be one whose heart seeks after God!
I. Fertility
The heart that seeks after God must first start with preparation, or, fertility.
Relationships in the Bible are compared to fertile gardens. God’s first relationship with man was in a garden. In the book of Song of Solomon, he compares an intimate relationship with a vineyard. The obvious reason for this is that there are so many similarities between relationships and gardens. It takes careful planning, unselfish dedication, and commitment to make a garden produce. And so it is with a relationship. Relationships do not grow without fertility.
And this garden does not grow isolated and independently, no different than a physical garden.
If I know one thing about your relationship with God, it is that you will meet strong opposition in any such endeavor. The weeds of sin, the wild beasts of the devil, and the insects of the flesh will seek to turn back your attempts. Every day will be a battle. Many days growing up on our garden-covered property, I would look at our gardens with disgust because of the hard work I had put in just the day before, knowing that a job such as I had done should last a while. What a rude awakening, to see the weeds and insects, fighting against our every attempt to grow a successful garden. :D Every day it took renewed dedication to the task. So we ask, “God, help us to seek thee more.” Fertility is where we start.
Hosea 10:12
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.”
How can you expect a heart, cluttered with sin and weight like a 30 car pileup on a two lane road, to seek God? How do we expect a heart that is not prepared to seek God, to act as it has not been adequately prepared? It will not; it cannot. How can we seek after God? I asked God this same question, and he answered in a variety of ways. But this is what he told me.
A. Omission
The first reason that so many people have no heart to seek the Lord is the clutter of their Christian life. With the clutter of sin and weight in your life, you cannot seek God.
Hebrews 12:14
“…and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”
You must first remove the sin and weights in your life.
When sin is in your heart, you have no desire to seek God. I heard one preacher say, “Your behavior is indicative of your prayer life.” David said, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” In seeking God with a pure heart, you absolutely must omit some things, and that starts with sin in your heart and life.
2Corinthians 10:5
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
I know some people that cannot simply have a moment of quiet time. They always have an ipod, cell phone, computer, book, magazine, newspaper, etc. in their hands. If you ever want to seek God, you have to omit that trash!
Some things in of themselves are not wrong, but they combine to steal your fellowship with God. Preparing your heart to seek the Lord is not going to happen by accident.
You, as a Christian, need to fertilize the soil of your soul and grow a healthy relationship with God by pulling weeds that would suck the spiritual life from your garden.
Consecrate yourself unto God, and develop a heart that seeks after him.
Here is a warning for all who know the story of Rehoboam:
2 Chronicles 12:14
“And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.”
Let us not make this same mistake.
B. Obedience
If you truly want a heart that seeks after God, you must be obedient to what God has told you. No matter what “so and so” said about what they thought, or God told them, or their preacher told them. Just know what God told you to do and obey.
I’ve always thought it was funny reading books titled things like, “----‘s Spiritual Secret,” or “----‘s Secrets of God’s Power.” Why would I think that was funny? Two reasons. One, you are not anyone but yourself. Secondly, they always just say things like, “Read your bible, Pray, Stay humble, Fear the Lord, etc.” :D …Hold on…I think I heard that in church last Sunday!! I think we make things harder than they are. What God wants is not for you to go dig up some pseudo-spiritual, deep, dark doctrine for God’s touch. He just wants simple, consistent obedience to his Word.
That’s preparing your heart to seek God; Cultivating fertility through: 1. Omission of Sin; 2. Obedience to the Savior.
Lord, break up our fallow ground! For if ever there was a time for us to seek thee, ‘tis now!
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