Saturday, November 24, 2007
Neglect
We really do live in the Age of Aquarius; there are many churches that teach on the power of positive thinking that most of our issues are caused by stinking thinking. One might argue –
Prov 23:7 NKJV
7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
The problem is I cannot stop sinning by good thoughts, and that I can assure you of.
Ps 94:11-15 NKJV
11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man,
That they are futile.
12 Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD,
And teach out of Your law,
13 That You may give him rest from the days of adversity,
Until the pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not cast off His people,
Nor will He forsake His inheritance.
15 But judgment will return to righteousness,
And all the upright in heart will follow it.
I am finding the live changing power of GOD in His word, the more time I spend in His word the closer I get to Him. If I rely on positive thinking I will positively go nowhere. I cannot rely on anything other then the fullness of what GOD’s Holy Spirit brings through His word. In closing, any experience or movement that offers you something that brings light outside of the word of GOD, is not from Him…
We really do live in the Age of Aquarius; there are many churches that teach on the power of positive thinking that most of our issues are caused by stinking thinking. One might argue –
Prov 23:7 NKJV
7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
The problem is I cannot stop sinning by good thoughts, and that I can assure you of.
Ps 94:11-15 NKJV
11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man,
That they are futile.
12 Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD,
And teach out of Your law,
13 That You may give him rest from the days of adversity,
Until the pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not cast off His people,
Nor will He forsake His inheritance.
15 But judgment will return to righteousness,
And all the upright in heart will follow it.
I am finding the live changing power of GOD in His word, the more time I spend in His word the closer I get to Him. If I rely on positive thinking I will positively go nowhere. I cannot rely on anything other then the fullness of what GOD’s Holy Spirit brings through His word. In closing, any experience or movement that offers you something that brings light outside of the word of GOD, is not from Him…
Labels: Neglect
Friday, November 23, 2007
The law of the unjust:
The unjust demand justice in order to relieve there own guilt and satisfy there own since of righteousness. The unjust really enjoy seeing others get what they deserve. They enjoy seeing people get fired from there job, go to prison and of course these are mans laws, but I sense spiritual laws at work. (The law of self justification)… It seems to relieve our guilt when we see the guiltier get punished. But alas the lost will all receive the same consideration from GOD; depart from me I never knew you.
Matt 7:22-23 NKJV
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
Choose this day whom you will follow; for Christ is the only way.
John 14:6 NKJV
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
The unjust demand justice in order to relieve there own guilt and satisfy there own since of righteousness. The unjust really enjoy seeing others get what they deserve. They enjoy seeing people get fired from there job, go to prison and of course these are mans laws, but I sense spiritual laws at work. (The law of self justification)… It seems to relieve our guilt when we see the guiltier get punished. But alas the lost will all receive the same consideration from GOD; depart from me I never knew you.
Matt 7:22-23 NKJV
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
Choose this day whom you will follow; for Christ is the only way.
John 14:6 NKJV
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Labels: The law of the unjust:
Thursday, November 22, 2007
The business end of Church
We scurry about church folding bulletins, setting up, tearing down, counting monies, eating cookies and drinking coffee. We sing praise songs, pray and hear a sermon; I am pretty sure that I have the order of the service out of order. The business end of the church is fellowship; now having said that I must qualify that. The fellowship I am talking about is an intentional fellowship; one that comes from being in the word of GOD. At the end of your church service you should have received something from GOD through your pastor sharing in His word, if not check you heart and ask your Pastor to start the service all over again. You then should find someone quickly and share with them how GOD spoke to you today; that will be more refreshing than any church experience. We were created to share our love in GOD; now that’s fellowship. I have discovered the wonders of GOD in His word and not my experiences. The business end of the church is loving people; when I talk about fellowship, I mean true fellowship that glorifies GOD, sharing what His word has spoke to you.
Remember not everyone hears the word or comprehends the word; the fact that you have heard the word and understand it is a miracle and one that needs to be shared.
Mark 4:11-12 NKJV
11 And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, 12 so that
'Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.' "
Finally, don’t hide in church--let your light be seen and seen clearly through the word of GOD.
Matt 5:13-16 NKJV
14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
We scurry about church folding bulletins, setting up, tearing down, counting monies, eating cookies and drinking coffee. We sing praise songs, pray and hear a sermon; I am pretty sure that I have the order of the service out of order. The business end of the church is fellowship; now having said that I must qualify that. The fellowship I am talking about is an intentional fellowship; one that comes from being in the word of GOD. At the end of your church service you should have received something from GOD through your pastor sharing in His word, if not check you heart and ask your Pastor to start the service all over again. You then should find someone quickly and share with them how GOD spoke to you today; that will be more refreshing than any church experience. We were created to share our love in GOD; now that’s fellowship. I have discovered the wonders of GOD in His word and not my experiences. The business end of the church is loving people; when I talk about fellowship, I mean true fellowship that glorifies GOD, sharing what His word has spoke to you.
Remember not everyone hears the word or comprehends the word; the fact that you have heard the word and understand it is a miracle and one that needs to be shared.
Mark 4:11-12 NKJV
11 And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, 12 so that
'Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.' "
Finally, don’t hide in church--let your light be seen and seen clearly through the word of GOD.
Matt 5:13-16 NKJV
14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Labels: The business end of Church
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
My First Love…
It has been said that we need to return to our first love and although true for the church; for me I need to return to the one whom loved me first.
Rev 2:4-6 NKJV
4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.
Unfortunately for me my first love was the world/sin and although that is not true love; it’s true that I have a natural inclination to sin.
1 John 4:19 NKJV
19 We love Him because He first loved us.
Lord, grant me the ability to love like you…
It has been said that we need to return to our first love and although true for the church; for me I need to return to the one whom loved me first.
Rev 2:4-6 NKJV
4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.
Unfortunately for me my first love was the world/sin and although that is not true love; it’s true that I have a natural inclination to sin.
1 John 4:19 NKJV
19 We love Him because He first loved us.
Lord, grant me the ability to love like you…
Labels: My First Love…
Friday, November 16, 2007
Count me Jesus:
This morning I was at the beach reading the bible praying and enjoying time with GOD; I am currently reading Genesis. I found myself thinking and perhaps envying the relationship between GOD and Abram (Abraham). As I was walking I found myself singing count me Jesus, wanting to be counted as one of Abraham’s decedents. As I was meditating on what GOD said to Abram; (Gen 13:14-17 NKJV)
14 And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are--northward, southward, eastward, and westward; 15 for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. 16 And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. 17 Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you."
At that moment on the beach the Lord inspired me to look up into the Heavens and look out over Puget Sound and He gently reminded me of the promise of Jesus and what it means to be saved by Him and for Him. He is preparing a place for me and you, the place is not as special as the one whom is preparing it; we will get to spend eternity with one who loves us.
John 14:1-4 NKJV
14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
This morning I was at the beach reading the bible praying and enjoying time with GOD; I am currently reading Genesis. I found myself thinking and perhaps envying the relationship between GOD and Abram (Abraham). As I was walking I found myself singing count me Jesus, wanting to be counted as one of Abraham’s decedents. As I was meditating on what GOD said to Abram; (Gen 13:14-17 NKJV)
14 And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are--northward, southward, eastward, and westward; 15 for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. 16 And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. 17 Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you."
At that moment on the beach the Lord inspired me to look up into the Heavens and look out over Puget Sound and He gently reminded me of the promise of Jesus and what it means to be saved by Him and for Him. He is preparing a place for me and you, the place is not as special as the one whom is preparing it; we will get to spend eternity with one who loves us.
John 14:1-4 NKJV
14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Labels: Count me Jesus
