(This is such a timely devotion for me today. God is amazing.)
His Way or Your Way?
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.—James 4:13–14
The Bible doesn’t condemn the person who makes plans for the future. Rather, it criticizes the person who makes those plans with no thought whatsoever for the will of God. That is a dangerous thing to do. God will not share His glory with another.
There is nothing wrong with making plans. Paul told the believers in Ephesus that he would return for renewed ministry among them, “God willing” (Acts 18:21). He wrote to the Corinthians that he planned another visit “if the Lord wills” (1 Corinthians 4:19). On other occasions, Paul spoke of his plans to do certain things and how the Lord changed his plans. We have our plans. We have our purposes. We have our agendas. But the Lord may redirect us.
Jesus taught us to pray, “Your will be done” (Luke 11:2). Our prayers will be effective and successful when we align our will with the will of God and pray accordingly. Prayer is not getting our will in heaven; it is getting God’s will on Earth. It is not moving God our way; it is moving ourselves His way. We need to remember that His will may be different from ours. And we must be willing to accept that.
Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. We can always fall back on the simple promise of Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
God’s plans for you are better than any plans you have for yourself. So don’t be afraid of God’s will, even if it is different from yours.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Prayer and Fasting
Biblical Fasting
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FASTING?
The root word used for “fasting” is the Greek word nesteia -- a compound of
ne (a negative prefix) and esthio which means "to eat." So the root meaning
is "not to eat." But what is the purpose of people deciding to “not eat”?
In Hebraic culture fasting was more than dieting or seeking self-discipline.
In Leviticus 16:29 (King James) it says fasting is synonymous with
“afflicting one’s soul.” It’s not just afflicting your body, but afflicting your
soul. In other words, fasting is denying your body, but it’s also denying
your wants. It is a way of saying that food and my desires are secondary
to seeking God.
Here’s the key. It’s not just a Holy diet. The purpose is to abstain from food
and replace that with prayer, scripture reading, seeking God. Biblical fasting
is always accompanied by prayer. It is deliberately abstaining from food for
a spiritual reason: communication and relationship with the Father.
WHY FAST
To Seek God with your whole heart
God said, "When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you"
(Jeremiah 29:13,14). When you are willing to set aside the appetites of the
body to concentrate on the work of praying, you are demonstrating a whole
heartedness in seeking God. Fasting is an expression of wholeheartedness.
This is clear from Joel's call to the nation of Israel: "Yet even now," says the
Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting. . ." (Joel 2:12).
As an act of worship to God
Andrew Murray said, "Fasting helps to express, to deepen, and to confirm
the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything - to sacrifice ourselves -
to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God."
To submit your circumstances to Him
In God's word we always find fasting connected with a troubled spirit or an
anxious heart before the Lord. So a reason for fasting is not something you
choose on the spur of the moment. Rather the reason is a consuming one. In
a sense, it's not something you choose, so much as something that chooses
you, because it's that important.
To express the Lordship of God in your life
Fasting puts things in proper focus. It is a physical way of saying, "Food and
the things of this life are not as important to me as (fill in the blank)."
OCCASIONS TO FAST
When is it appropriate to fast?
What is a good Biblical reason for going without food?'
The Bible has answers to those questions. We find seven occasions when the
people of God fasted…
Repentance and confession: Examples of this are found in Deuteronomy
9:18; 1 Samuel 7:6; 1 Kings 21:27; Ezra 10:6; Jonah 3:5; and Acts 9:3-9.
When people wished to demonstrate that they were serious about repenting
from their sin, they fasted. Our willingness to sacrifice shows the depth of
our commitment and in this case fasting is a pictorial way of saying to the
Lord, "I care more about getting right with You, God, than I do about these
other necessities." So a good occasion for fasting is when we are truly
grieving over our sins.
Preparation: In Acts 13, we saw the calling of Paul and Barnabas. Verse 3
tells us that after they received this direction from the Lord, then they
ordained them for service by prayer, fasting and laying their hands upon
them. We find the same thing later on in the book of Acts -- Paul and
Barnabas fasted at the selection of the first elders for the new churches they
planted (Acts 14:23). It would appear that fasting in these cases is a way of
seriously seeking God's blessing, anointing, and power in preparation for
what’s to come.
For protection: There are occasions when death or danger threaten us. We
see from the Scripture that it is certainly appropriate to employ fasting as a
means of receiving God's protection during these times. When Ezra was
carrying a large consignment of gold and silver to the temple in Jerusalem
along a route infested with bandits, he records: "I proclaimed a fast...that we
might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a straight way for
ourselves, our children, and all our goods" (Ezra 8:21,23,31). Other
examples of fasting for protection are found in Jeremiah 36:9 and Esther
4:3.
Direction: Fasting helps us find God's will. If we expect God to reveal his
direction for our lives, we must put Him first. Often this means putting aside
the fulfillment of our physical appetites, so that we can focus our attention
on Him. We find an example of fasting for direction in 2 Chronicles 20:1-
30. Three nations were coming against Judah to destroy them. King
Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, proclaimed a fast for the whole nation and
they asked the Lord what they should do. God heard their prayer and their
fast and gave the people prophetic direction through one of the choir
members! God told them what to do. Acts 13:2 is another example of
direction being given by God during a fast. Here we find the leaders of the
church of Antioch worshipping and fasting. The Holy Spirit used this
occasion to tell the church leaders to choose Paul and Barnabas from among
their group and send them out to spread the gospel among the Gentiles. So
fasting is one of the ways we seek God's guidance and direction in our lives.
Sickness: There are two examples in Scripture of fasting on behalf of those
who are sick: 2 Samuel 12:15-23; Psalm 35:13. Both of these examples
come from the life of David. In Psalm 35:13 David says, "Yet when they
were sick, I put on clothes of sadness and showed my sorrow by going
without food." David saw fasting as a way to ask God for physical healing in
the lives of other people.
Special revelation: The final occasion for fasting is for special revelation.
Exceptional insights from God were sometimes given to the prophets and
others during periods of fasting. Daniel sought God with fasting to ask God
to fulfill His promise to restore Jerusalem (see Daniel 9:9,18 and compare
with Jeremiah 29:10-13). He received through the angel Gabriel a wonderful
unfolding of God's plan for Israel. If we have sought God in vain for the
fulfillment of some promise, it could be that He is waiting for us to humble
ourselves by fasting and seek Him as Daniel did. Other examples of
prophetic revelation during times of fasting are found in Exodus 34:28;
Deuteronomy 9:9,18; and Daniel 10:1-3. God decided to speak to these men
while they were in the midst of a fast. For those seeking prophetic guidance
or revelation today, God may also use the occasion of fasting to speak to
them in a very unique way.
Mourning: We see fasting and mourning connected in 1 Samuel 31:13; 1
Chronicles 10:12; 2 Samuel 1:12; and 2 Samuel 3:35. In these situations
fasting showed the sorrow that the people felt over the loss of someone God
used in their lives. In fact, the custom of fasting in mourning was considered
normal behavior among the Israelites. That's why the servants of David were
so astonished when David got up and ate following the death of his son:
"David's servants said to him, 'Why are you doing this? When the baby was
still alive, you refused to eat and you cried. Now that the baby is dead, you
get up and eat food?!'" (2 Samuel 12:21). When someone experiences the
loss of a close friend or relative, they usually don't feel like eating. This is a
normal, natural reaction in the initial stages of grief. It is a perfectly good
reason to fast.
HUNGRY
hungry I come to You
for I know You satisfy
I am empty
but I know Your love does not run dry
and I wait
and I wait
so I wait for You
so I wait for You
chorus
I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
broken I run to You
for Your arms are open wide
I am weary but I know Your touch restores my life
so I'll wait for You
so I'll wait for You
I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
Oh, I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
and I wait for you
and I wait for you
and I wait for you
and I wait
I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
Oh, I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
hungry I come to you,
for I know You satisfy
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FASTING?
The root word used for “fasting” is the Greek word nesteia -- a compound of
ne (a negative prefix) and esthio which means "to eat." So the root meaning
is "not to eat." But what is the purpose of people deciding to “not eat”?
In Hebraic culture fasting was more than dieting or seeking self-discipline.
In Leviticus 16:29 (King James) it says fasting is synonymous with
“afflicting one’s soul.” It’s not just afflicting your body, but afflicting your
soul. In other words, fasting is denying your body, but it’s also denying
your wants. It is a way of saying that food and my desires are secondary
to seeking God.
Here’s the key. It’s not just a Holy diet. The purpose is to abstain from food
and replace that with prayer, scripture reading, seeking God. Biblical fasting
is always accompanied by prayer. It is deliberately abstaining from food for
a spiritual reason: communication and relationship with the Father.
WHY FAST
To Seek God with your whole heart
God said, "When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you"
(Jeremiah 29:13,14). When you are willing to set aside the appetites of the
body to concentrate on the work of praying, you are demonstrating a whole
heartedness in seeking God. Fasting is an expression of wholeheartedness.
This is clear from Joel's call to the nation of Israel: "Yet even now," says the
Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting. . ." (Joel 2:12).
As an act of worship to God
Andrew Murray said, "Fasting helps to express, to deepen, and to confirm
the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything - to sacrifice ourselves -
to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God."
To submit your circumstances to Him
In God's word we always find fasting connected with a troubled spirit or an
anxious heart before the Lord. So a reason for fasting is not something you
choose on the spur of the moment. Rather the reason is a consuming one. In
a sense, it's not something you choose, so much as something that chooses
you, because it's that important.
To express the Lordship of God in your life
Fasting puts things in proper focus. It is a physical way of saying, "Food and
the things of this life are not as important to me as (fill in the blank)."
OCCASIONS TO FAST
When is it appropriate to fast?
What is a good Biblical reason for going without food?'
The Bible has answers to those questions. We find seven occasions when the
people of God fasted…
Repentance and confession: Examples of this are found in Deuteronomy
9:18; 1 Samuel 7:6; 1 Kings 21:27; Ezra 10:6; Jonah 3:5; and Acts 9:3-9.
When people wished to demonstrate that they were serious about repenting
from their sin, they fasted. Our willingness to sacrifice shows the depth of
our commitment and in this case fasting is a pictorial way of saying to the
Lord, "I care more about getting right with You, God, than I do about these
other necessities." So a good occasion for fasting is when we are truly
grieving over our sins.
Preparation: In Acts 13, we saw the calling of Paul and Barnabas. Verse 3
tells us that after they received this direction from the Lord, then they
ordained them for service by prayer, fasting and laying their hands upon
them. We find the same thing later on in the book of Acts -- Paul and
Barnabas fasted at the selection of the first elders for the new churches they
planted (Acts 14:23). It would appear that fasting in these cases is a way of
seriously seeking God's blessing, anointing, and power in preparation for
what’s to come.
For protection: There are occasions when death or danger threaten us. We
see from the Scripture that it is certainly appropriate to employ fasting as a
means of receiving God's protection during these times. When Ezra was
carrying a large consignment of gold and silver to the temple in Jerusalem
along a route infested with bandits, he records: "I proclaimed a fast...that we
might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a straight way for
ourselves, our children, and all our goods" (Ezra 8:21,23,31). Other
examples of fasting for protection are found in Jeremiah 36:9 and Esther
4:3.
Direction: Fasting helps us find God's will. If we expect God to reveal his
direction for our lives, we must put Him first. Often this means putting aside
the fulfillment of our physical appetites, so that we can focus our attention
on Him. We find an example of fasting for direction in 2 Chronicles 20:1-
30. Three nations were coming against Judah to destroy them. King
Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, proclaimed a fast for the whole nation and
they asked the Lord what they should do. God heard their prayer and their
fast and gave the people prophetic direction through one of the choir
members! God told them what to do. Acts 13:2 is another example of
direction being given by God during a fast. Here we find the leaders of the
church of Antioch worshipping and fasting. The Holy Spirit used this
occasion to tell the church leaders to choose Paul and Barnabas from among
their group and send them out to spread the gospel among the Gentiles. So
fasting is one of the ways we seek God's guidance and direction in our lives.
Sickness: There are two examples in Scripture of fasting on behalf of those
who are sick: 2 Samuel 12:15-23; Psalm 35:13. Both of these examples
come from the life of David. In Psalm 35:13 David says, "Yet when they
were sick, I put on clothes of sadness and showed my sorrow by going
without food." David saw fasting as a way to ask God for physical healing in
the lives of other people.
Special revelation: The final occasion for fasting is for special revelation.
Exceptional insights from God were sometimes given to the prophets and
others during periods of fasting. Daniel sought God with fasting to ask God
to fulfill His promise to restore Jerusalem (see Daniel 9:9,18 and compare
with Jeremiah 29:10-13). He received through the angel Gabriel a wonderful
unfolding of God's plan for Israel. If we have sought God in vain for the
fulfillment of some promise, it could be that He is waiting for us to humble
ourselves by fasting and seek Him as Daniel did. Other examples of
prophetic revelation during times of fasting are found in Exodus 34:28;
Deuteronomy 9:9,18; and Daniel 10:1-3. God decided to speak to these men
while they were in the midst of a fast. For those seeking prophetic guidance
or revelation today, God may also use the occasion of fasting to speak to
them in a very unique way.
Mourning: We see fasting and mourning connected in 1 Samuel 31:13; 1
Chronicles 10:12; 2 Samuel 1:12; and 2 Samuel 3:35. In these situations
fasting showed the sorrow that the people felt over the loss of someone God
used in their lives. In fact, the custom of fasting in mourning was considered
normal behavior among the Israelites. That's why the servants of David were
so astonished when David got up and ate following the death of his son:
"David's servants said to him, 'Why are you doing this? When the baby was
still alive, you refused to eat and you cried. Now that the baby is dead, you
get up and eat food?!'" (2 Samuel 12:21). When someone experiences the
loss of a close friend or relative, they usually don't feel like eating. This is a
normal, natural reaction in the initial stages of grief. It is a perfectly good
reason to fast.
HUNGRY
hungry I come to You
for I know You satisfy
I am empty
but I know Your love does not run dry
and I wait
and I wait
so I wait for You
so I wait for You
chorus
I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
broken I run to You
for Your arms are open wide
I am weary but I know Your touch restores my life
so I'll wait for You
so I'll wait for You
I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
Oh, I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
and I wait for you
and I wait for you
and I wait for you
and I wait
I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
Oh, I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
hungry I come to you,
for I know You satisfy
Daily Caffeination 11/29/07
Your Best Defense
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.—James 4:7
When the Bible tells us to “submit to God,” and to “resist the devil” (James 4:7), it doesn’t mean we are to go out and attack the devil. The devil will do the attacking. The word “resist” is essentially a defensive word meaning “to withstand an attack.”
Nor does the Bible say to “converse with the devil and he will flee from us” or to “consider all of the temptations the devil offers, then resist him, and he will flee from us.” Once you start messing with sin and with the devil, it is only a matter of time before you get hooked. It is like the free samples you’re offered when you walk though the store or the mall. You are given just enough to whet your appetite, but not enough to satisfy it.
The devil has been at this for a long time. He is no idiot; he will not necessarily present his full agenda. Instead, he will say, “Take just a little nibble. Just have a taste for the fun of it. It won’t hurt you. Just this one little time.” And you know the rest of that story. This is why the Bible tells us to resist the devil. Keep as much distance from him as possible. Flee from temptation and don’t leave a forwarding address.
So where do we find the resolve and strength to resist? We need to submit to God as we resist the devil. “Submit” is a word used to describe a soldier under the authority of a commander and speaks of a willing, conscious submission to God’s authority. It means to completely surrender yourself to the Word and will of God. That is your best defense.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.—James 4:7
When the Bible tells us to “submit to God,” and to “resist the devil” (James 4:7), it doesn’t mean we are to go out and attack the devil. The devil will do the attacking. The word “resist” is essentially a defensive word meaning “to withstand an attack.”
Nor does the Bible say to “converse with the devil and he will flee from us” or to “consider all of the temptations the devil offers, then resist him, and he will flee from us.” Once you start messing with sin and with the devil, it is only a matter of time before you get hooked. It is like the free samples you’re offered when you walk though the store or the mall. You are given just enough to whet your appetite, but not enough to satisfy it.
The devil has been at this for a long time. He is no idiot; he will not necessarily present his full agenda. Instead, he will say, “Take just a little nibble. Just have a taste for the fun of it. It won’t hurt you. Just this one little time.” And you know the rest of that story. This is why the Bible tells us to resist the devil. Keep as much distance from him as possible. Flee from temptation and don’t leave a forwarding address.
So where do we find the resolve and strength to resist? We need to submit to God as we resist the devil. “Submit” is a word used to describe a soldier under the authority of a commander and speaks of a willing, conscious submission to God’s authority. It means to completely surrender yourself to the Word and will of God. That is your best defense.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/28/07
Friendship with the World
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.-Romans 12:2
When we come across the term "world" in the Bible, it isn't necessarily speaking of the Earth, per se. Rather, it is often speaking of a system, a mentality, or a way of thinking. This system, this mentality, is controlled by "the god of this world," also known as Satan.
A serious enemy the Christian faces today is the world. The Bible warns, "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (James 4:4). In the original language, the term "friendship" in this verse appears only in the New Testament and speaks of a strong emotional attachment, to love, to have an affection for, or even to kiss.
The Christian who turns from Christ and His church to seek pleasure and satisfaction from this world has put other gods in His place. That is the message God gave Jeremiah for His wayward people: "For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:13).
A cistern is a large well or pool carved in a rock. A broken cistern has sprung a leak and can't hold water. God is saying, "If you go out there to the world and drink from that well, it is not going to satisfy you."
So what are we to do when we are surrounded by this mentality, this world system that is so contrary to what the Word of God teaches? The only way to counteract this world's message is to saturate ourselves with the things of God.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.-Romans 12:2
When we come across the term "world" in the Bible, it isn't necessarily speaking of the Earth, per se. Rather, it is often speaking of a system, a mentality, or a way of thinking. This system, this mentality, is controlled by "the god of this world," also known as Satan.
A serious enemy the Christian faces today is the world. The Bible warns, "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (James 4:4). In the original language, the term "friendship" in this verse appears only in the New Testament and speaks of a strong emotional attachment, to love, to have an affection for, or even to kiss.
The Christian who turns from Christ and His church to seek pleasure and satisfaction from this world has put other gods in His place. That is the message God gave Jeremiah for His wayward people: "For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:13).
A cistern is a large well or pool carved in a rock. A broken cistern has sprung a leak and can't hold water. God is saying, "If you go out there to the world and drink from that well, it is not going to satisfy you."
So what are we to do when we are surrounded by this mentality, this world system that is so contrary to what the Word of God teaches? The only way to counteract this world's message is to saturate ourselves with the things of God.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/27/07
The Pursuit of Pleasure
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.—Psalm 16:11
The Bible tells us that one of the signs of the last days would be that people are lovers of pleasure rather lovers of God (see 2 Timothy 3:1–3). That is an accurate assessment of our culture today. We are a pleasure-mad society.
Yet the Bible does not tell us that pleasure is necessarily wrong. In fact, God promises a pleasure that comes from knowing Him and walking in His presence. The psalmist said, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11).
The problem is when pleasure is the driving force in our lives. The Bible says, “She who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives” (1 Timothy 5:6). Peter describes those who revel in their pleasures as blots and blemishes (see 2 Peter 2:13).
The pursuit of pleasure rarely brings what we are searching for. Rather, it brings emptiness. One only has to read the writings of Solomon to recognize this. Here was a man who basically went on a pursuit of every pleasure his heart desired. He said, “Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure” (Ecclesiastes 2:1). But he concluded, “Surely, this also was vanity. I said of laughter—‘Madness!’; and of mirth, ‘What does it accomplish?’ ” (verses 1–2).
Jesus told us how to deal with this selfish pursuit: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). Jesus didn’t say we are to love or esteem ourselves; Jesus said we are to deny ourselves. We are to take up the cross daily and follow Him.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.—Psalm 16:11
The Bible tells us that one of the signs of the last days would be that people are lovers of pleasure rather lovers of God (see 2 Timothy 3:1–3). That is an accurate assessment of our culture today. We are a pleasure-mad society.
Yet the Bible does not tell us that pleasure is necessarily wrong. In fact, God promises a pleasure that comes from knowing Him and walking in His presence. The psalmist said, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11).
The problem is when pleasure is the driving force in our lives. The Bible says, “She who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives” (1 Timothy 5:6). Peter describes those who revel in their pleasures as blots and blemishes (see 2 Peter 2:13).
The pursuit of pleasure rarely brings what we are searching for. Rather, it brings emptiness. One only has to read the writings of Solomon to recognize this. Here was a man who basically went on a pursuit of every pleasure his heart desired. He said, “Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure” (Ecclesiastes 2:1). But he concluded, “Surely, this also was vanity. I said of laughter—‘Madness!’; and of mirth, ‘What does it accomplish?’ ” (verses 1–2).
Jesus told us how to deal with this selfish pursuit: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). Jesus didn’t say we are to love or esteem ourselves; Jesus said we are to deny ourselves. We are to take up the cross daily and follow Him.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Monday, November 26, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/26/07
The Source of Our Problems
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.-2 Thessalonians 3:3
We are living in a time when we love to blame someone or something else for the things we do. It's convenient to have a scapegoat, especially when no one likes to take responsibility for their own actions anymore. We can make a million excuses for our wrong behavior, but we never seem to say, "I am responsible for my actions" or "I have sinned against God."
Tragically, even in the church today, psychology is in many cases placed on the same level as the Bible (and sometimes above it). Many in the church know more about self-esteem than they do about self-denial. They know more about inner healing than they do about outward obedience.
But is low self-esteem the source of our problems today? Is it the fault of others? Is it our family? Is it our culture or upbringing?
James gives us the answer. He tells us the source of our problems: "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask" (James 4:1--2).
James was saying, "Your problems come from your desire for pleasure that battles within you." The Bible is not saying that pleasure in and of itself is necessarily wrong. There are certain pleasures that have been given to us by God himself.
James is warning us about possessing a pleasure-mad mentality. He is saying that the source of our problems is the selfish pursuit of pleasure. In other words, our problems come from a passionate love of ourselves.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.-2 Thessalonians 3:3
We are living in a time when we love to blame someone or something else for the things we do. It's convenient to have a scapegoat, especially when no one likes to take responsibility for their own actions anymore. We can make a million excuses for our wrong behavior, but we never seem to say, "I am responsible for my actions" or "I have sinned against God."
Tragically, even in the church today, psychology is in many cases placed on the same level as the Bible (and sometimes above it). Many in the church know more about self-esteem than they do about self-denial. They know more about inner healing than they do about outward obedience.
But is low self-esteem the source of our problems today? Is it the fault of others? Is it our family? Is it our culture or upbringing?
James gives us the answer. He tells us the source of our problems: "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask" (James 4:1--2).
James was saying, "Your problems come from your desire for pleasure that battles within you." The Bible is not saying that pleasure in and of itself is necessarily wrong. There are certain pleasures that have been given to us by God himself.
James is warning us about possessing a pleasure-mad mentality. He is saying that the source of our problems is the selfish pursuit of pleasure. In other words, our problems come from a passionate love of ourselves.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/24/07
Good Things Versus God-Things
Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. - Romans 8:14
The greatest sign that you and I are maturing in our walk with God is when we can discern the difference between "good things" and "God-things." When the people of Israel journeyed out of Egypt through the desert, the cloud led them by day. They could move only as fast as the cloud. If they went ahead, they went without God's presence. If they lagged behind, they also lost God's presence.
Each of us must have the discernment to know when God is leading in a matter, or if it is simply a good idea. There are so many things in which you and I can be involved, and the more successful you become, the greater the temptations to enter into things where God has not called you. Entrepreneurs are especially prone to see all the opportunities.
I recall one time when I entered into a project that I thought was a great idea. It would help many people. After two years, the project had to be discontinued. It was a great lesson on understanding what projects have God's blessing on them. There are some projects you and I might get involved in that result in little fruit compared to the investment put into them. That is because they may never have been birthed by the Holy Spirit.
As sons of God, we are called to be led by the Spirit. This requires a level of dependence on God in which many of us really do not want to invest. It requires listening, waiting, and moving only when God's Spirit tells us to move. Workplace believers are "action" people. We know how to get things done, but our greatest strength can be our greatest weakness.
Today, ask God to make you a Romans 8:14 man or woman who is led by the Spirit of God. Pray against lagging behind or moving ahead. Ask God to reveal whether the next project you consider is a "good thing" or a "God-thing."
Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. - Romans 8:14
The greatest sign that you and I are maturing in our walk with God is when we can discern the difference between "good things" and "God-things." When the people of Israel journeyed out of Egypt through the desert, the cloud led them by day. They could move only as fast as the cloud. If they went ahead, they went without God's presence. If they lagged behind, they also lost God's presence.
Each of us must have the discernment to know when God is leading in a matter, or if it is simply a good idea. There are so many things in which you and I can be involved, and the more successful you become, the greater the temptations to enter into things where God has not called you. Entrepreneurs are especially prone to see all the opportunities.
I recall one time when I entered into a project that I thought was a great idea. It would help many people. After two years, the project had to be discontinued. It was a great lesson on understanding what projects have God's blessing on them. There are some projects you and I might get involved in that result in little fruit compared to the investment put into them. That is because they may never have been birthed by the Holy Spirit.
As sons of God, we are called to be led by the Spirit. This requires a level of dependence on God in which many of us really do not want to invest. It requires listening, waiting, and moving only when God's Spirit tells us to move. Workplace believers are "action" people. We know how to get things done, but our greatest strength can be our greatest weakness.
Today, ask God to make you a Romans 8:14 man or woman who is led by the Spirit of God. Pray against lagging behind or moving ahead. Ask God to reveal whether the next project you consider is a "good thing" or a "God-thing."
Friday, November 23, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/23/07
His Ultimate Purpose
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.—Romans 8:28
We must remember that God never tests us without a purpose or a reason. You might wonder, Why does God allow His children to go through these trials? The answer is God’s ultimate purpose is that we might be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.
There are many times in our lives when we will go through trials, and things will work out really well. That’s when we love to quote Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Many things that make no sense at the time will work out in the end.
A classic example of this is Joseph. Talk about things really going wrong! Joseph went out to visit his brothers on an errand for his father and the next thing he knew, he was sold as a slave. But with God’s providence, he was elevated to a position of great authority. He was able to help his brothers and his father and do much good.
Another reason God allows trials is so we will become strong spiritually. James 1:2–3 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” Different translations say that testing produces “heroic endurance” or “fortitude.” James meant that trials will toughen us up and give us staying power. God wants iron to enter our souls.
Temptation can be endured and overcome. Remember that God’s ultimate purpose in allowing trials in our lives is so that we might be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.—Romans 8:28
We must remember that God never tests us without a purpose or a reason. You might wonder, Why does God allow His children to go through these trials? The answer is God’s ultimate purpose is that we might be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.
There are many times in our lives when we will go through trials, and things will work out really well. That’s when we love to quote Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Many things that make no sense at the time will work out in the end.
A classic example of this is Joseph. Talk about things really going wrong! Joseph went out to visit his brothers on an errand for his father and the next thing he knew, he was sold as a slave. But with God’s providence, he was elevated to a position of great authority. He was able to help his brothers and his father and do much good.
Another reason God allows trials is so we will become strong spiritually. James 1:2–3 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” Different translations say that testing produces “heroic endurance” or “fortitude.” James meant that trials will toughen us up and give us staying power. God wants iron to enter our souls.
Temptation can be endured and overcome. Remember that God’s ultimate purpose in allowing trials in our lives is so that we might be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Thursday, November 22, 2007
10 Things That I am Thankful For...
This is the time of year where it is good to reflect on all the things that you are thankful for. While I do appreciate these things through the year, however it is good to verbalize things that you are most thankful for.
Here are 10 things that I am thankful...
1. My faith in Christ as Savior and Lord (I love the Lord with all my heart, mind, soul and strength.)
2. My life (life is precious, and I am thankful for every breath that I am able to take.)
3. My wife (God has blessed me with an incredible partner in life, love and ministry.)
4. Family and friends (There is nothing like being surrounded by those who love and care for you, I also include in that my church family, who have been a huge part of my life.)
5. My dogs, Pebbles and Bam Bam (They bring so much joy into my life)
6. My purpose and calling (I am so privileged to do what I do, it is truly a calling. There is no greater honor than to be used by God to be able to inspire and influence His prize creation for His Kingdom. I still can't believe I get to do what I do.)
7. My abilities and gifts (what I gifts and abilities have been given to me from God and I want to use it all to glorify Him.)
8. My mentors (I have had and continue to have men who have influenced me greatly and mentored me in life and ministry.)
9. Humor, fun, and laughter (how bad and sad would life be without these things.)
10. Rest (It is good to rest and relax, I hope I never take this for granted)
I could said many other things...after God, it really all the people in my life that are important. Thank you to all my friends, family and the people who have allowed me to share community with...please blessed.
Here are 10 things that I am thankful...
1. My faith in Christ as Savior and Lord (I love the Lord with all my heart, mind, soul and strength.)
2. My life (life is precious, and I am thankful for every breath that I am able to take.)
3. My wife (God has blessed me with an incredible partner in life, love and ministry.)
4. Family and friends (There is nothing like being surrounded by those who love and care for you, I also include in that my church family, who have been a huge part of my life.)
5. My dogs, Pebbles and Bam Bam (They bring so much joy into my life)
6. My purpose and calling (I am so privileged to do what I do, it is truly a calling. There is no greater honor than to be used by God to be able to inspire and influence His prize creation for His Kingdom. I still can't believe I get to do what I do.)
7. My abilities and gifts (what I gifts and abilities have been given to me from God and I want to use it all to glorify Him.)
8. My mentors (I have had and continue to have men who have influenced me greatly and mentored me in life and ministry.)
9. Humor, fun, and laughter (how bad and sad would life be without these things.)
10. Rest (It is good to rest and relax, I hope I never take this for granted)
I could said many other things...after God, it really all the people in my life that are important. Thank you to all my friends, family and the people who have allowed me to share community with...please blessed.
Happy Thanksgiving
I want to wish every one of you who have stopped by to read this little blog a Happy Thanksgiving. It is my hope and prayer that your day would be blessed, safe and full of joy. Please enjoy your day with family and friends.
No matter what is going on the world we have so much to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is so much more than one holiday in the year, it is an attitude of our hearts.
I have so much personally to be thankful for...it all begins with God, the Author and Perfecter of my faith. He is the One that gives me life. He is the One that makes all things well in His perfect will. It is His love, hope, peace, grace, and mercy that shine through every circumstance and situation in life.
I continually give thanks to the Lord for all things.
Happy Thanksgiving...
No matter what is going on the world we have so much to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is so much more than one holiday in the year, it is an attitude of our hearts.
I have so much personally to be thankful for...it all begins with God, the Author and Perfecter of my faith. He is the One that gives me life. He is the One that makes all things well in His perfect will. It is His love, hope, peace, grace, and mercy that shine through every circumstance and situation in life.
I continually give thanks to the Lord for all things.
Happy Thanksgiving...
The Police
Lora and I had the amazing opportunity a few weeks to see The Police live in concert at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC, for a pre-anniversary gift. It was absolutely an amazing show...Sting's voice is incredible and the band absolutely rocks! They performed over 20 songs. The Police really entertained the sold out crowd at the Verizon Center.
Sting's son has a band called Fiction Plane that opened up them and they were really good as well. Their CD Left Side of the Brain is awesome.
Here is the song Message In a Bottle by The Police
Here is the song Two Sisters by Fiction Plane
Sting's son has a band called Fiction Plane that opened up them and they were really good as well. Their CD Left Side of the Brain is awesome.
Here is the song Message In a Bottle by The Police
Here is the song Two Sisters by Fiction Plane
Daily Caffeination 11/22/07
For He Is Good
“Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” —Psalm 106:1
At this time of year, we tend put a lot of emphasis on Christmas. That is because merchants are pushing us in that direction, wanting us to believe that Christmas is all about trimming the tree, buying presents, and so on. In the process of all this, we can very easily forget this beautiful holiday called Thanksgiving.
Originally established as a holiday by President George Washington in 1789, Thanksgiving was initially a religious holiday and, more to the point, a Christian holiday. The first Thanksgiving was different than ours today. It lasted three days, during which the pilgrims feasted with their Indian guests.
Of course, our Thanksgiving is also about gathering with friends and family and having a feast. But sometimes at this particular time of year, we can forget about how thankful we ought to be. We need to never forget that God has blessed us to live in the United States of America, which is, in my opinion, the greatest country on the face of this earth. We have so many privileges here.
We have a lot to give thanks for, and certainly the Bible urges us to give thanks to the Lord. We are told in Psalm 106:1, “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
Sometimes worship and thanksgiving can be a sacrifice, because we are down or depressed or things aren’t going all that well for us. Maybe hardship or tragedy has hit our lives in some way and we don’t want to thank God. But the Bible doesn’t say, “Give thanks to the Lord, because you feel good.” It says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!”
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
“Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” —Psalm 106:1
At this time of year, we tend put a lot of emphasis on Christmas. That is because merchants are pushing us in that direction, wanting us to believe that Christmas is all about trimming the tree, buying presents, and so on. In the process of all this, we can very easily forget this beautiful holiday called Thanksgiving.
Originally established as a holiday by President George Washington in 1789, Thanksgiving was initially a religious holiday and, more to the point, a Christian holiday. The first Thanksgiving was different than ours today. It lasted three days, during which the pilgrims feasted with their Indian guests.
Of course, our Thanksgiving is also about gathering with friends and family and having a feast. But sometimes at this particular time of year, we can forget about how thankful we ought to be. We need to never forget that God has blessed us to live in the United States of America, which is, in my opinion, the greatest country on the face of this earth. We have so many privileges here.
We have a lot to give thanks for, and certainly the Bible urges us to give thanks to the Lord. We are told in Psalm 106:1, “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
Sometimes worship and thanksgiving can be a sacrifice, because we are down or depressed or things aren’t going all that well for us. Maybe hardship or tragedy has hit our lives in some way and we don’t want to thank God. But the Bible doesn’t say, “Give thanks to the Lord, because you feel good.” It says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!”
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Prodigal by One Republic
I am really digging the album Dreaming Out Loud by One Republic I like this song Prodigal the quality is not that good on this You Tube video. What an awesome album...download it now.
We say good-bye
I turn my back
Run away, run away
So predictable
Not far from here
You see me crack
Like a bone, like a bone
I'm so breakable
And I take everything from you
But you'll take anything
Won't you?
Run away, run away
Like a prodigal
Don't you wait for me
Don't you wait for me
So ashamed, so ashamed
But I need you so
And you wait for me
And you wait for me
I'm on the road
To who knows where?
Look ahead, not behind
I keep saying
There's no place to go
Where you're not there
On your rope, I hold tight
But it's freeing
And I take everything from you
But you'll take anything
Won't you?
Run away, run away
Like a prodigal
Don't you wait for me
Don't you wait for me
So ashamed, so ashamed
But I need you so
And you wait for me
And you wait for me
Everybody wants to be right
But only if it's not day light?
I keep trying to find my way back
My way back
Run away, run away
Like a prodigal
Don't you wait for me
Don't you wait for me
So ashamed, so ashamed
But I need you so
And you wait for me
And you wait for me
Runaway
Runaway
Runaway
From you
From you
From you
We say good-bye
I turn my back
Run away, run away
So predictable
Not far from here
You see me crack
Like a bone, like a bone
I'm so breakable
And I take everything from you
But you'll take anything
Won't you?
Run away, run away
Like a prodigal
Don't you wait for me
Don't you wait for me
So ashamed, so ashamed
But I need you so
And you wait for me
And you wait for me
I'm on the road
To who knows where?
Look ahead, not behind
I keep saying
There's no place to go
Where you're not there
On your rope, I hold tight
But it's freeing
And I take everything from you
But you'll take anything
Won't you?
Run away, run away
Like a prodigal
Don't you wait for me
Don't you wait for me
So ashamed, so ashamed
But I need you so
And you wait for me
And you wait for me
Everybody wants to be right
But only if it's not day light?
I keep trying to find my way back
My way back
Run away, run away
Like a prodigal
Don't you wait for me
Don't you wait for me
So ashamed, so ashamed
But I need you so
And you wait for me
And you wait for me
Runaway
Runaway
Runaway
From you
From you
From you
Worst Commericial in DC
In the Washington Metropolitan area this commercial is all over the TV and radio...it is a catchy song, however it is a horrible commercial. It is huge car dealership chain in the DC are called Eastern Motors. After listening to this once or twice you will find your head nodding and your feet stomping...
Daily Caffeination 11/21/07
Reaching Your Family
For even His brothers did not believe in Him.—John 7:5
It is noteworthy that neither James nor any of the other brothers of Jesus believed in Him prior to His resurrection. In fact, at one point, they even came to take Him home, thinking He had taken leave of His senses. John 7:5 tells us, “For even His brothers did not believe in Him.”
James starts his epistle by identifying himself as a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ (James 1:1). This is significant when you consider the fact that James had the distinction of being the half-brother of Jesus. We know Jesus had other brothers and sisters. Yet it is interesting that James does not begin his epistle by saying, “James, the brother of the Lord,” or even, “James, the half-brother of Jesus.” Instead, he writes, “James, the servant of Jesus.”
Here was Jesus who lived a flawless life, a sinless life. He never lied or stole or lost His temper. He never even sinned inwardly. Yet as Jesus himself said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house” (Mark 6:4). That just goes to show that even living a perfect and sinless life will not necessarily convince someone. And all of us have fallen short at times in living out the witness we ought to live.
The hardest people to reach are often those who are closest to us, especially in our own families. Many of us were raised in non-Christian homes. We know how difficult and hostile an environment that can be. It took the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to finally reach His brothers. That is when they all believed. It took the power of the gospel.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
For even His brothers did not believe in Him.—John 7:5
It is noteworthy that neither James nor any of the other brothers of Jesus believed in Him prior to His resurrection. In fact, at one point, they even came to take Him home, thinking He had taken leave of His senses. John 7:5 tells us, “For even His brothers did not believe in Him.”
James starts his epistle by identifying himself as a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ (James 1:1). This is significant when you consider the fact that James had the distinction of being the half-brother of Jesus. We know Jesus had other brothers and sisters. Yet it is interesting that James does not begin his epistle by saying, “James, the brother of the Lord,” or even, “James, the half-brother of Jesus.” Instead, he writes, “James, the servant of Jesus.”
Here was Jesus who lived a flawless life, a sinless life. He never lied or stole or lost His temper. He never even sinned inwardly. Yet as Jesus himself said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house” (Mark 6:4). That just goes to show that even living a perfect and sinless life will not necessarily convince someone. And all of us have fallen short at times in living out the witness we ought to live.
The hardest people to reach are often those who are closest to us, especially in our own families. Many of us were raised in non-Christian homes. We know how difficult and hostile an environment that can be. It took the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to finally reach His brothers. That is when they all believed. It took the power of the gospel.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Happy Anniversary
I wanted to wish my amazing wife Lora, a happy anniversary. Fourteen years ago today we were married and it has been an incredible and wild journey since then. I am looking forward to many, many more anniversaries to come.
I am so thankful for such an awesome wife, partner, and friend. I am so blessed to have Lora to serve along side me in ministry as we follow God's calling and dreams together. I am never certain where God will take us next, but I am so glad Lora is by my side every step of the way.
Lora, I love you so much sweetheart...thanks for being you and happy anniversary!
I am so thankful for such an awesome wife, partner, and friend. I am so blessed to have Lora to serve along side me in ministry as we follow God's calling and dreams together. I am never certain where God will take us next, but I am so glad Lora is by my side every step of the way.
Lora, I love you so much sweetheart...thanks for being you and happy anniversary!
Daily Caffeination 11/20/07
Hot Water
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.—James 1:2
Have you ever had the bottom drop out of your life? Things had been going reasonably well. The birds were singing. The sun was shining. Then without warning, the storm clouds began to gather. It started to rain on your parade. A calamity hit. A tragedy struck, and suddenly you felt lower than you had ever felt before. What was it all about?
Or, have you ever had one of those times where you were walking with God, trying to do all the things that should build you up in your Christian faith, when, out of nowhere, you were hit with a heavy-duty, intense temptation? It often happened at the worst conceivable time, like when you were in prayer or in church. You wondered, Why is this happening to me?
What is the purpose of trials and temptations in the life of the Christian? Is there anything we can do to move them along a little more quickly?
Without a doubt, none of us enjoy trials. None of us enjoy being tempted, but there are some valuable lessons that come through these times God allows in our lives. In fact, the Bible tells us, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2–4).
I have heard people say, “Christians are a lot like tea bags: you don’t know what they are made of until you put them into hot water.” Sometimes we think we are doing pretty well spiritually when all of a sudden, God puts us in some hot water. He lets us go through a trial. He allows temptation in our lives. Yet it is those difficult times that help to strengthen us spiritually.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.—James 1:2
Have you ever had the bottom drop out of your life? Things had been going reasonably well. The birds were singing. The sun was shining. Then without warning, the storm clouds began to gather. It started to rain on your parade. A calamity hit. A tragedy struck, and suddenly you felt lower than you had ever felt before. What was it all about?
Or, have you ever had one of those times where you were walking with God, trying to do all the things that should build you up in your Christian faith, when, out of nowhere, you were hit with a heavy-duty, intense temptation? It often happened at the worst conceivable time, like when you were in prayer or in church. You wondered, Why is this happening to me?
What is the purpose of trials and temptations in the life of the Christian? Is there anything we can do to move them along a little more quickly?
Without a doubt, none of us enjoy trials. None of us enjoy being tempted, but there are some valuable lessons that come through these times God allows in our lives. In fact, the Bible tells us, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2–4).
I have heard people say, “Christians are a lot like tea bags: you don’t know what they are made of until you put them into hot water.” Sometimes we think we are doing pretty well spiritually when all of a sudden, God puts us in some hot water. He lets us go through a trial. He allows temptation in our lives. Yet it is those difficult times that help to strengthen us spiritually.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Monday, November 19, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/19/07
Resisting Temptation
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.—Psalm 119:11
Not only do many of us in the United States have more than one Bible, but we have them in every color and every translation. The question is do we read them? We need to read God’s Word and commit it to memory. The psalmist said, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). While it’s a good idea to carry the Bible in your briefcase or purse, the best place to carry the Bible is in your heart.
I would be embarrassed to admit how many dumb songs I know. I haven’t even attempted to memorize them—I have just heard them so many times that they simply get into my brain. We should be using our memory banks for the memorization of Scripture.
That way, when the enemy attacks, we will have the Word of God to call upon and to give us the strength that we need.
After all, one of the best tools to use when temptation comes knocking at our door is the Word of God. He modeled that for us when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Again and again, He answered the temptation with, “It is written . . . ” (see Matthew 4).
What shape is your sword in? Is it polished from daily use as you study the Scripture on a daily basis? Has it been sharpened on the anvil of experience as you have applied and obeyed its truth in your life? Or, is your sword rusty from lack of preparation? Is it dulled by disobedience?
Sin will keep us from the Word of God. But if we apply the teaching of God’s Word, it will keep us from sin.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.—Psalm 119:11
Not only do many of us in the United States have more than one Bible, but we have them in every color and every translation. The question is do we read them? We need to read God’s Word and commit it to memory. The psalmist said, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). While it’s a good idea to carry the Bible in your briefcase or purse, the best place to carry the Bible is in your heart.
I would be embarrassed to admit how many dumb songs I know. I haven’t even attempted to memorize them—I have just heard them so many times that they simply get into my brain. We should be using our memory banks for the memorization of Scripture.
That way, when the enemy attacks, we will have the Word of God to call upon and to give us the strength that we need.
After all, one of the best tools to use when temptation comes knocking at our door is the Word of God. He modeled that for us when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Again and again, He answered the temptation with, “It is written . . . ” (see Matthew 4).
What shape is your sword in? Is it polished from daily use as you study the Scripture on a daily basis? Has it been sharpened on the anvil of experience as you have applied and obeyed its truth in your life? Or, is your sword rusty from lack of preparation? Is it dulled by disobedience?
Sin will keep us from the Word of God. But if we apply the teaching of God’s Word, it will keep us from sin.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Saturday, November 17, 2007
My Wife's Post
My wife Lora, has a great post today. I really want to encourage you to check it out to read her valuable insight. Go here!
Today Lora and I walked for the homeless community on behalf of the Georgetown Ministry Center. I feel God has been challenging me personally to move towards justice and compassion (love in action). Every human being, homeless or nor is a beautiful creation of God. What are we doing, what am I doing, what are you doing to serve the homeless community as a Christ follower? We are simply called to serve and love, serve and love all people. Let us put action behind our words and stop being "Christians" and become genuine Christ followers.
Check out Lora's post for more on this event.
Today Lora and I walked for the homeless community on behalf of the Georgetown Ministry Center. I feel God has been challenging me personally to move towards justice and compassion (love in action). Every human being, homeless or nor is a beautiful creation of God. What are we doing, what am I doing, what are you doing to serve the homeless community as a Christ follower? We are simply called to serve and love, serve and love all people. Let us put action behind our words and stop being "Christians" and become genuine Christ followers.
Check out Lora's post for more on this event.
Daily Caffeination 11/17/07
Weapons of Warfare
Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. - Joel 3:10
In this third chapter of Joel, we hear the prophet describe a time yet to come. It will be a time of great harvest on the earth, and this verse describes the catalyst. A plowshare is an agricultural instrument used to till the soil. At this point in history, it was a tool that spoke of one's vocation. However, the prophet was speaking of a time yet to come. The prophet described the plowshare as an instrument that will be turned into a sword. The sword is often used in the Bible to describe God's Word. The only way a plowshare can be turned into a sword is for it to go through extreme heat, and then the blacksmith must beat that plowshare into shape. Heat and punishment of the metal turns that plowshare into an instrument of battle. God must do this in each of our lives in order for us to be useable as a worthy sword. We are all in a battle-a spiritual battle. Paul describes our battle as one against the principalities of the unseen world. I believe God is going to raise up many in the marketplace to use their plowshare as a weapon of righteousness in these last days. That weapon won't be used for destruction, but as a weapon of love. That weapon of love will yield a great harvest in our lifetime. But this is only part of the story.
God is also going to turn our pruning hooks into spears. A pruning hook is used in two ways. First, it is used to prune a tree for greater growth and productivity. It is also used to cut the fruit from taller trees in which one cannot reach the fruit. This fruit from our vocation is going to be cast forth like a spear, but even more as seed planted to bring the harvest of which Joel speaks. Fruit from our business life is often the financial rewards generated. God wants to use our finances and everything else for His purposes. We must use our vocations and the fruit that comes from them as seed to bring the great harvest that God is planning.
How are you using your plowshare and your pruning hook for God's glory today? Ask God to show you how He wants to use your skills, resources, and relationships to prepare for the great harvest He has planned.
Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. - Joel 3:10
In this third chapter of Joel, we hear the prophet describe a time yet to come. It will be a time of great harvest on the earth, and this verse describes the catalyst. A plowshare is an agricultural instrument used to till the soil. At this point in history, it was a tool that spoke of one's vocation. However, the prophet was speaking of a time yet to come. The prophet described the plowshare as an instrument that will be turned into a sword. The sword is often used in the Bible to describe God's Word. The only way a plowshare can be turned into a sword is for it to go through extreme heat, and then the blacksmith must beat that plowshare into shape. Heat and punishment of the metal turns that plowshare into an instrument of battle. God must do this in each of our lives in order for us to be useable as a worthy sword. We are all in a battle-a spiritual battle. Paul describes our battle as one against the principalities of the unseen world. I believe God is going to raise up many in the marketplace to use their plowshare as a weapon of righteousness in these last days. That weapon won't be used for destruction, but as a weapon of love. That weapon of love will yield a great harvest in our lifetime. But this is only part of the story.
God is also going to turn our pruning hooks into spears. A pruning hook is used in two ways. First, it is used to prune a tree for greater growth and productivity. It is also used to cut the fruit from taller trees in which one cannot reach the fruit. This fruit from our vocation is going to be cast forth like a spear, but even more as seed planted to bring the harvest of which Joel speaks. Fruit from our business life is often the financial rewards generated. God wants to use our finances and everything else for His purposes. We must use our vocations and the fruit that comes from them as seed to bring the great harvest that God is planning.
How are you using your plowshare and your pruning hook for God's glory today? Ask God to show you how He wants to use your skills, resources, and relationships to prepare for the great harvest He has planned.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/16/07
(This is my personal conviction, no one else's. I understand personal freedom and choice and I want to encourage that. But hey I was an alcoholic at age 12, so for me, again for me, I haven't seen anything that is truly beneficial that comes from consuming alcohol, especially on a social basis. In my opinion, I see alcohol as a drug. I was a drug addict as well until I was 17.)
The Question of Liberty
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.—1 Corinthians 6:12
Sometimes I am asked what I think about Christians drinking alcohol. Do I think that is a good idea? I think it is a dangerous thing for a Christian to drink, because the thing with drinking is that if you drink, there is a possibility you can get drunk. But if you don’t drink, you never will get drunk.
I was raised in an alcoholic home where I witnessed the devastation that drinking can bring. And over the years of being a pastor, I have seen the destructive nature of alcohol in people’s lives. I cannot think of a single good thing about it, but I certainly can think of a lot of bad things.
The Bible warns us many times of what alcohol can do in our lives. Proverbs 23 says of it, “At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things” (verses 32–33). That is an accurate assessment.
Here is something else to consider. If you are drinking because you supposedly have the liberty as a Christian, what if it causes someone else to stumble spiritually? Romans 14:15 says, “Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.”
It comes down to this: none of us live or die to ourselves. What we do and what we are have a direct effect on others, not only for our lives now, but for time and eternity. We need to be conscious of God’s presence, and we need to live our lives with the consideration of others.
The Question of Liberty
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.—1 Corinthians 6:12
Sometimes I am asked what I think about Christians drinking alcohol. Do I think that is a good idea? I think it is a dangerous thing for a Christian to drink, because the thing with drinking is that if you drink, there is a possibility you can get drunk. But if you don’t drink, you never will get drunk.
I was raised in an alcoholic home where I witnessed the devastation that drinking can bring. And over the years of being a pastor, I have seen the destructive nature of alcohol in people’s lives. I cannot think of a single good thing about it, but I certainly can think of a lot of bad things.
The Bible warns us many times of what alcohol can do in our lives. Proverbs 23 says of it, “At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things” (verses 32–33). That is an accurate assessment.
Here is something else to consider. If you are drinking because you supposedly have the liberty as a Christian, what if it causes someone else to stumble spiritually? Romans 14:15 says, “Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.”
It comes down to this: none of us live or die to ourselves. What we do and what we are have a direct effect on others, not only for our lives now, but for time and eternity. We need to be conscious of God’s presence, and we need to live our lives with the consideration of others.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/15/07
Real Customer Service
While they were going out a man, who was demon-possessed and could not talk, was brought to Jesus. - Matthew 9:32
Years ago, it was not uncommon to have your milk delivered to your home. Doctors made house calls. And when you made a call to a company to discuss a problem, you actually spoke to a human being. Those days of personal service are gone, and if we are not careful, we will follow the same trend in how we share the gospel.
So often we are encouraged to bring people to church. Yet, we see no examples of where Jesus brought people into the synagogue to get them saved or healed. The miracles happened more often in the marketplace because that was where Jesus could be found. Jesus had less response and found more resistance in the synagogue than in the marketplace. He took the gospel to and modeled the gospel in the marketplace. That is where the power of God was manifested. This is not to say we should not bring people to church, only that our priority should be to bring the Church into the marketplace, not bring the marketplace into the church.
Paul understood this when he said,
"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" (1 Corinthians 2:4).
Paul understood that it wasn't words that impacted people; it was the power of God manifested through him.
When is the last time someone saw something happen through your life that could not be explained other than God working in your life? When you begin to see this happen, you will be modeling ministry as Jesus modeled it. You will be bringing the Church to the people, not the people to the church. Pray that God makes you a vessel of His power, not simply a vessel of words.
While they were going out a man, who was demon-possessed and could not talk, was brought to Jesus. - Matthew 9:32
Years ago, it was not uncommon to have your milk delivered to your home. Doctors made house calls. And when you made a call to a company to discuss a problem, you actually spoke to a human being. Those days of personal service are gone, and if we are not careful, we will follow the same trend in how we share the gospel.
So often we are encouraged to bring people to church. Yet, we see no examples of where Jesus brought people into the synagogue to get them saved or healed. The miracles happened more often in the marketplace because that was where Jesus could be found. Jesus had less response and found more resistance in the synagogue than in the marketplace. He took the gospel to and modeled the gospel in the marketplace. That is where the power of God was manifested. This is not to say we should not bring people to church, only that our priority should be to bring the Church into the marketplace, not bring the marketplace into the church.
Paul understood this when he said,
"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" (1 Corinthians 2:4).
Paul understood that it wasn't words that impacted people; it was the power of God manifested through him.
When is the last time someone saw something happen through your life that could not be explained other than God working in your life? When you begin to see this happen, you will be modeling ministry as Jesus modeled it. You will be bringing the Church to the people, not the people to the church. Pray that God makes you a vessel of His power, not simply a vessel of words.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/14/07
Lord of All
“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”—Matthew 7:18–20
There are people today who say, “I am a Christian,” but they are out getting drunk. They say, “I am a Christian,” but they are having premarital sex or being unfaithful to their husband or wife. They say, “I am a Christian,” but in their business, they lie to people every single day. They distort things. They take money that is not really theirs. There are a lot of people today who think they are Christians but are not, because they have not really changed. They are not living according to what the Bible teaches.
I am not saying that a Christian cannot sin. I am not saying that a Christian won’t slip up. But I am saying that there is a big difference between a person who slips up, sins, is sorry for it, and wants to change and a person who lives in continual, willful, habitual sin.
The Bible says that if you live that way, you don’t know God. Maybe the reason that some people have never really known the joy of the Lord is that they have never met the basic requirements of salvation. They think being a Christian is just having Jesus along for the ride. They don’t realize that He wants to be their Lord and wants to lead and guide them. They don’t realize that He has a distinct and unique plan and purpose for their lives.
Jesus Christ wants to be the Lord of every aspect of your life. He wants to be the Lord of your business, your free time, your relationships—the Lord of all. And if He is not Lord of all, then He is not Lord at all.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”—Matthew 7:18–20
There are people today who say, “I am a Christian,” but they are out getting drunk. They say, “I am a Christian,” but they are having premarital sex or being unfaithful to their husband or wife. They say, “I am a Christian,” but in their business, they lie to people every single day. They distort things. They take money that is not really theirs. There are a lot of people today who think they are Christians but are not, because they have not really changed. They are not living according to what the Bible teaches.
I am not saying that a Christian cannot sin. I am not saying that a Christian won’t slip up. But I am saying that there is a big difference between a person who slips up, sins, is sorry for it, and wants to change and a person who lives in continual, willful, habitual sin.
The Bible says that if you live that way, you don’t know God. Maybe the reason that some people have never really known the joy of the Lord is that they have never met the basic requirements of salvation. They think being a Christian is just having Jesus along for the ride. They don’t realize that He wants to be their Lord and wants to lead and guide them. They don’t realize that He has a distinct and unique plan and purpose for their lives.
Jesus Christ wants to be the Lord of every aspect of your life. He wants to be the Lord of your business, your free time, your relationships—the Lord of all. And if He is not Lord of all, then He is not Lord at all.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Invitacion Fountain
Love this song by Violet Burning's Michael J. Pritzl it is called Invitacion Fountain, an amazing song. Our awesome worship leader Steph Modder did this song at our Ebenezers services...simply love the song.
Enjoy the song and allow it to resonate in your heart as you worship...
All who are weak all who are weary
Come to the rock come to the fountain
All who have sailed on the rivers of heartache
Come to the sea come on be set free
If You lead me Lord I will follow
Where You lead me Lord I will go
Come and heal me Lord I will follow
Where You lead me Lord I will go
I will go I will go
All who are weak all who are weary
Come to the rock come to the fountain
All who have climbed on the mountains of heartache
All who are weak all who are weary
All who are tired all who are thirsty
All who have failed all who have broken
Enjoy the song and allow it to resonate in your heart as you worship...
All who are weak all who are weary
Come to the rock come to the fountain
All who have sailed on the rivers of heartache
Come to the sea come on be set free
If You lead me Lord I will follow
Where You lead me Lord I will go
Come and heal me Lord I will follow
Where You lead me Lord I will go
I will go I will go
All who are weak all who are weary
Come to the rock come to the fountain
All who have climbed on the mountains of heartache
All who are weak all who are weary
All who are tired all who are thirsty
All who have failed all who have broken
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/13/07
True Repentance
“Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.”—Luke 3:8
What do you think of when you hear the word “repent”? Maybe you think of someone wearing a sandwich board with flames on it who is yelling, “Repent!” It’s a word we don’t hear very much today.
You might be surprised to know that the first word to fall from the lips of Jesus Christ after He began His public ministry was “repent” (see Matthew 4:17).
The word “repent” means more than mere regret or sorrow. You can be sorry for something and not be repentant. You can feel sorry about a certain sin, especially if you reap the consequences of it. The person who gets caught in a lie is sorry. The criminal who gets caught is sorry. But the question is whether that sorrow leads to change. It might not. The liar might just be more careful. The criminal may plot his next crime with more foresight. There are people who are sorry for reaping the consequences of what they have done, but they have never made any changes in their lives.
Real sorrow, according to the Bible, will lead to repentance. It will lead to change. John the Baptist preached to the multitudes, “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance . . . ” (Luke 3:8). Many people have never really repented of their sins. They have never really brought forth fruit in keeping with repentance. But this is absolutely necessary if you want to be forgiven of your sin. Recognition of personal sin is always the first step in receiving forgiveness.
However, you can recognize that you need to repent and still not do it. You can recognize your personal sin and not necessarily take action. The two need to come together.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
“Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.”—Luke 3:8
What do you think of when you hear the word “repent”? Maybe you think of someone wearing a sandwich board with flames on it who is yelling, “Repent!” It’s a word we don’t hear very much today.
You might be surprised to know that the first word to fall from the lips of Jesus Christ after He began His public ministry was “repent” (see Matthew 4:17).
The word “repent” means more than mere regret or sorrow. You can be sorry for something and not be repentant. You can feel sorry about a certain sin, especially if you reap the consequences of it. The person who gets caught in a lie is sorry. The criminal who gets caught is sorry. But the question is whether that sorrow leads to change. It might not. The liar might just be more careful. The criminal may plot his next crime with more foresight. There are people who are sorry for reaping the consequences of what they have done, but they have never made any changes in their lives.
Real sorrow, according to the Bible, will lead to repentance. It will lead to change. John the Baptist preached to the multitudes, “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance . . . ” (Luke 3:8). Many people have never really repented of their sins. They have never really brought forth fruit in keeping with repentance. But this is absolutely necessary if you want to be forgiven of your sin. Recognition of personal sin is always the first step in receiving forgiveness.
However, you can recognize that you need to repent and still not do it. You can recognize your personal sin and not necessarily take action. The two need to come together.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Check Out These Blogs
There are a few blogs that I check out everyday that I think you should check out and put on radar. These blogs have amazing content and are definitely worth checking out.
Swerve by Pastor Craig Groeschel and Bobby Gruenewald form Lifechurch.tv
Access:Elevation by the team from Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC
and the newest blog on my personal radar is Spiritual Adventures in an Emerging Culture by Earl Creps
Also, continue to check out my Lead Pastor, Mark Batterson's blog, Evotional
and NCC's discipleship/small group blog, Zone Gathering. Both of these blogs have amazing content and are worth checking out everyday.
Check wanted to put these great blogs on your radar, please check them out.
Swerve by Pastor Craig Groeschel and Bobby Gruenewald form Lifechurch.tv
Access:Elevation by the team from Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC
and the newest blog on my personal radar is Spiritual Adventures in an Emerging Culture by Earl Creps
Also, continue to check out my Lead Pastor, Mark Batterson's blog, Evotional
and NCC's discipleship/small group blog, Zone Gathering. Both of these blogs have amazing content and are worth checking out everyday.
Check wanted to put these great blogs on your radar, please check them out.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/12/07
God's Road Crew
While Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.-Luke 3:2--3
Sometimes people on road crews are not very popular. I appreciate the work these crews do, but it seems they always do it at the worst time, like during rush hour. What I have never understood is why they have to close lanes miles before the work site. They block off the entire freeway, while, they are way over on the other side doing their work. Some people get rather angry with them.
John the Baptist was on God's road crew. The Bible describes him as "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth" (Luke 3:4--5). The word for "crying" could be translated "howling." John was not known for subtlety. He had a job to do, and he realized that he had a relatively short period of time to do it. His job was much like that of a herald who went ahead of a royal procession.
John was there to prepare the way for the Lord. He was on God's road crew, leveling the mountains, bringing up the low places. It was his task to prepare the nation for the Messiah and then to present the Messiah to them--and he wasn't very popular for it.
In a sense, that is our job as Christians as well. We need to realize that like John, our time is limited. We have to make every moment count. We don't want to waste time. And like John, we should be doing what we have been called to do.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
While Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.-Luke 3:2--3
Sometimes people on road crews are not very popular. I appreciate the work these crews do, but it seems they always do it at the worst time, like during rush hour. What I have never understood is why they have to close lanes miles before the work site. They block off the entire freeway, while, they are way over on the other side doing their work. Some people get rather angry with them.
John the Baptist was on God's road crew. The Bible describes him as "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth" (Luke 3:4--5). The word for "crying" could be translated "howling." John was not known for subtlety. He had a job to do, and he realized that he had a relatively short period of time to do it. His job was much like that of a herald who went ahead of a royal procession.
John was there to prepare the way for the Lord. He was on God's road crew, leveling the mountains, bringing up the low places. It was his task to prepare the nation for the Messiah and then to present the Messiah to them--and he wasn't very popular for it.
In a sense, that is our job as Christians as well. We need to realize that like John, our time is limited. We have to make every moment count. We don't want to waste time. And like John, we should be doing what we have been called to do.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/10/07
Worthless Idols
Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. -Jonah 2:8
Have you ever exercised your will over the will of God? Have you ever been so willful that you were going to go your own way no matter what God said? If so, you have been at the same place as the prophet Jonah. God called Jonah to deliver a message to God's people as a warning. Jonah flatly refused. It was Jonah's will over God's. Guess who won?
Talk about willpower; Jonah had it! In fact, he was so rebellious toward God's will that he got on a ship to go the opposite direction. But he couldn't go far enough. The omnipotence of God caught up with Jonah, and he was hurled overboard when the seas became rough and the ship's crew figured Jonah was the source of their problems. Overboard he went and into the belly of that big fish.
God has a way of getting us to rethink our decisions, to reconsider our position. In fact, we see the extent of Jonah's willfulness by the amount of time he was willing to hang out in the belly of that fish-three full days. Then, Jonah decides enough is enough! Obedience is better than this fish belly and seaweed.
From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.
He said: "In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and You listened to my cry. You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all Your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, 'I have been banished from Your sight; yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.' The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But You brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was ebbing away, I remembered You, Lord, and my prayer rose to You, to Your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord." And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you." Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh (Jonah 2:2-3:3a).
In the midst of realizing his own calamity, Jonah made a seemingly out-of-context statement: "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." Jonah was thinking of the sailors who threw him overboard and how they prayed to worthless idols. In the business world, we rub shoulders with those who cling to worthless idols every day. How tragic.
But this story's primary message is for every believer. And I can identify with Jonah. There's been many a man placed in the "belly of the fish" to encourage him to fulfill the purposes of God for which He called him. Jonah's situation changed immediately upon his obedience. Obedience is a mysterious thing. Jesus had to learn it through the things He suffered (see Heb. 5:8). If Jesus had to learn obedience through suffering, what does that mean for you and me? Sometimes willing obedience requires encouragement.
Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. -Jonah 2:8
Have you ever exercised your will over the will of God? Have you ever been so willful that you were going to go your own way no matter what God said? If so, you have been at the same place as the prophet Jonah. God called Jonah to deliver a message to God's people as a warning. Jonah flatly refused. It was Jonah's will over God's. Guess who won?
Talk about willpower; Jonah had it! In fact, he was so rebellious toward God's will that he got on a ship to go the opposite direction. But he couldn't go far enough. The omnipotence of God caught up with Jonah, and he was hurled overboard when the seas became rough and the ship's crew figured Jonah was the source of their problems. Overboard he went and into the belly of that big fish.
God has a way of getting us to rethink our decisions, to reconsider our position. In fact, we see the extent of Jonah's willfulness by the amount of time he was willing to hang out in the belly of that fish-three full days. Then, Jonah decides enough is enough! Obedience is better than this fish belly and seaweed.
From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.
He said: "In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and You listened to my cry. You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all Your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, 'I have been banished from Your sight; yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.' The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But You brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was ebbing away, I remembered You, Lord, and my prayer rose to You, to Your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord." And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you." Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh (Jonah 2:2-3:3a).
In the midst of realizing his own calamity, Jonah made a seemingly out-of-context statement: "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." Jonah was thinking of the sailors who threw him overboard and how they prayed to worthless idols. In the business world, we rub shoulders with those who cling to worthless idols every day. How tragic.
But this story's primary message is for every believer. And I can identify with Jonah. There's been many a man placed in the "belly of the fish" to encourage him to fulfill the purposes of God for which He called him. Jonah's situation changed immediately upon his obedience. Obedience is a mysterious thing. Jesus had to learn it through the things He suffered (see Heb. 5:8). If Jesus had to learn obedience through suffering, what does that mean for you and me? Sometimes willing obedience requires encouragement.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/09/07
So Far to Go
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.—Philippians 3:12
There is a sign along an airport runway that says, “Keep moving. If you stop, you are in danger and a danger to those who are flying.”
The same could be said of Christians. We always need to keep moving forward spiritually. We cannot rest on our laurels.
Even the apostle Paul said he could not live off his past experiences. He needed to keep moving forward. He said, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 3:12). Here was one of the greatest Christians of all time saying that he had not yet attained. He was saying, “I have not arrived at some supernatural plane that is not available to other believers. I have so far to go.”
If anybody ever knew God, it was the apostle Paul. He had led countless people to faith. He had established churches. He had written epistles. Yet he said of himself that he had so much to learn and so far to go.
Imagine Paul sitting around with a group of Christians. One person might say, “God inspired me to say something to someone today. It was wonderful.” Another might say, “I heard God speak to my heart once.”
Paul could say, “God gave me inspired letters to write called epistles that will make up half the Bible. Also, I’ve actually died and gone to heaven, and then I was sent back to Earth again.”
Who could top that? If anyone could boast, it was Paul. Yet he did not boast. He said, “I have not attained. I have so far to go.”
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.—Philippians 3:12
There is a sign along an airport runway that says, “Keep moving. If you stop, you are in danger and a danger to those who are flying.”
The same could be said of Christians. We always need to keep moving forward spiritually. We cannot rest on our laurels.
Even the apostle Paul said he could not live off his past experiences. He needed to keep moving forward. He said, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 3:12). Here was one of the greatest Christians of all time saying that he had not yet attained. He was saying, “I have not arrived at some supernatural plane that is not available to other believers. I have so far to go.”
If anybody ever knew God, it was the apostle Paul. He had led countless people to faith. He had established churches. He had written epistles. Yet he said of himself that he had so much to learn and so far to go.
Imagine Paul sitting around with a group of Christians. One person might say, “God inspired me to say something to someone today. It was wonderful.” Another might say, “I heard God speak to my heart once.”
Paul could say, “God gave me inspired letters to write called epistles that will make up half the Bible. Also, I’ve actually died and gone to heaven, and then I was sent back to Earth again.”
Who could top that? If anyone could boast, it was Paul. Yet he did not boast. He said, “I have not attained. I have so far to go.”
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/08/07
Forget the Past
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 3:14
Everyone who has run a race knows that you can break your stride by looking over your shoulder to see how your opponents are doing. Many races have been lost when the leader looked back. When you see that finish line, you are supposed to give it everything you have, because sometimes it is mere inches that separate one runner from another. You must stay focused.
This is the idea behind Paul’s statement in Philippians 3:13: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” Paul was saying, “Don’t look back. Don’t look behind you.”
When God promises, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25), He is not predicting a lapse in His memory. God is saying. “I am no longer going to hold your sin against you, because my Son has paid for it at the cross.”
Therefore, we need to do what God does: forget our past. We need to learn from our mistakes and remember some of the bitter lessons we have learned. But we no longer need to be controlled by our past.
That is what Paul meant by “forgetting those things which are behind. . . . ” Think about the horrible things Paul had done. He was responsible for the death of Stephen and had to carry that in his conscience until his final day. He knew that he was responsible for some terrible things. But he was able to put his past in the past. And we need to do the same.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 3:14
Everyone who has run a race knows that you can break your stride by looking over your shoulder to see how your opponents are doing. Many races have been lost when the leader looked back. When you see that finish line, you are supposed to give it everything you have, because sometimes it is mere inches that separate one runner from another. You must stay focused.
This is the idea behind Paul’s statement in Philippians 3:13: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” Paul was saying, “Don’t look back. Don’t look behind you.”
When God promises, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25), He is not predicting a lapse in His memory. God is saying. “I am no longer going to hold your sin against you, because my Son has paid for it at the cross.”
Therefore, we need to do what God does: forget our past. We need to learn from our mistakes and remember some of the bitter lessons we have learned. But we no longer need to be controlled by our past.
That is what Paul meant by “forgetting those things which are behind. . . . ” Think about the horrible things Paul had done. He was responsible for the death of Stephen and had to carry that in his conscience until his final day. He knew that he was responsible for some terrible things. But he was able to put his past in the past. And we need to do the same.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/07/07
One Thing
One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.-Psalm 27:4
David wrote in the psalms, "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple" (Psalm 27:4, emphasis mine). He was saying that one thing that really excited him was spending time in the presence of God.
Mary knew this one thing, too, when Jesus came to visit her and her sister Martha in the little village of Bethany. She sat down at His feet, because she saw a tremendous opportunity to hear what He had to say.
Martha, a hardworking woman, wanted to impress the Lord with a fine meal. That is an understandable thing if you had a guest like Jesus. Can you imagine Jesus showing up at your house? You would want to make Him something nice. You wouldn't give Him a microwave dinner or reheated food from last night. You would want to prepare a special meal.
As Martha was working away, she undoubtedly kept looking for Mary. Where is Mary? I can't believe she is not in here. Finally in frustration, she came out--probably with her hands on her hips--and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."
Jesus replied, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41--42).
Mary figured out one thing, and that was the importance of sitting at Jesus' feet. What is your "one thing"?
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.-Psalm 27:4
David wrote in the psalms, "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple" (Psalm 27:4, emphasis mine). He was saying that one thing that really excited him was spending time in the presence of God.
Mary knew this one thing, too, when Jesus came to visit her and her sister Martha in the little village of Bethany. She sat down at His feet, because she saw a tremendous opportunity to hear what He had to say.
Martha, a hardworking woman, wanted to impress the Lord with a fine meal. That is an understandable thing if you had a guest like Jesus. Can you imagine Jesus showing up at your house? You would want to make Him something nice. You wouldn't give Him a microwave dinner or reheated food from last night. You would want to prepare a special meal.
As Martha was working away, she undoubtedly kept looking for Mary. Where is Mary? I can't believe she is not in here. Finally in frustration, she came out--probably with her hands on her hips--and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."
Jesus replied, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41--42).
Mary figured out one thing, and that was the importance of sitting at Jesus' feet. What is your "one thing"?
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/06/07
The Ultimate Prize
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.—Hebrews 12:1
When I was a kid, I had all kinds of ribbons on my walls for races I had run, but not one of them was blue. Not one of them had the words “first place.” They were all purple. Purple represented “honorable mention.” An honorable mention is not first, second, third, or fourth place. It means “also ran.” In other words, “We don’t want him to feel bad, so we’ll give him a purple ribbon.”
Of course, everyone wants first place. Everyone wants to win the gold medal. That is where the prestige is.
But let me say this. I am running this race of life, and I know one day there is a reward in heaven waiting for me. It won’t be because of how much I have done. It will be based on how faithful I was to what God called me to do. The same is true for you. Your reward will be based on how faithful you are to what God has called you to do.
Let me also say that I am not running this race for the reward. Nor am I running it for other people or to score points. I am running this race for Jesus. He is the One we all should be running for.
The apostle Paul presents the same principle in Philippians 3:10: “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death...” Paul was saying, “This is why I am doing it—my purpose for running this race is to know Jesus Christ.” That is what mattered to him. And that is what should matter to us.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.—Hebrews 12:1
When I was a kid, I had all kinds of ribbons on my walls for races I had run, but not one of them was blue. Not one of them had the words “first place.” They were all purple. Purple represented “honorable mention.” An honorable mention is not first, second, third, or fourth place. It means “also ran.” In other words, “We don’t want him to feel bad, so we’ll give him a purple ribbon.”
Of course, everyone wants first place. Everyone wants to win the gold medal. That is where the prestige is.
But let me say this. I am running this race of life, and I know one day there is a reward in heaven waiting for me. It won’t be because of how much I have done. It will be based on how faithful I was to what God called me to do. The same is true for you. Your reward will be based on how faithful you are to what God has called you to do.
Let me also say that I am not running this race for the reward. Nor am I running it for other people or to score points. I am running this race for Jesus. He is the One we all should be running for.
The apostle Paul presents the same principle in Philippians 3:10: “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death...” Paul was saying, “This is why I am doing it—my purpose for running this race is to know Jesus Christ.” That is what mattered to him. And that is what should matter to us.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Monday, November 05, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/05/07
It’s All Relative
“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.”—Philippians 3:7
When you become a Christian, one of the more notable changes is that you will give up many of the things you once did. Of course, this depends on your lifestyle prior to your conversion. But for many of us, a dramatic change will take place.
I have heard people share their stories of how they came to Christ and the great sacrifices they made to follow Him, saying things like, “I had a great life... I went to parties... I had so much fun... But I gave it all up for Jesus Christ, hallelujah! I left it all for the glory of God!”
When I hear statements like that, I feel like asking, “What are you talking about? You gave it all up? What did you give up?”
If they were to look at those things honestly and realistically, they would come to the same conclusion that Paul did. He said, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord . . . ” (Philippians 4:7–8).
Paul was saying that the stuff that used to be so important, the stuff he once valued so highly, meant nothing to him now in relation to the excellence of the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
It’s a good idea to periodically ask ourselves, “Is this thing that I am doing slowing me down or speeding me along? Is it building me up spiritually or is it tearing me down?” If it is a weight, then we should lay it aside.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.”—Philippians 3:7
When you become a Christian, one of the more notable changes is that you will give up many of the things you once did. Of course, this depends on your lifestyle prior to your conversion. But for many of us, a dramatic change will take place.
I have heard people share their stories of how they came to Christ and the great sacrifices they made to follow Him, saying things like, “I had a great life... I went to parties... I had so much fun... But I gave it all up for Jesus Christ, hallelujah! I left it all for the glory of God!”
When I hear statements like that, I feel like asking, “What are you talking about? You gave it all up? What did you give up?”
If they were to look at those things honestly and realistically, they would come to the same conclusion that Paul did. He said, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord . . . ” (Philippians 4:7–8).
Paul was saying that the stuff that used to be so important, the stuff he once valued so highly, meant nothing to him now in relation to the excellence of the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
It’s a good idea to periodically ask ourselves, “Is this thing that I am doing slowing me down or speeding me along? Is it building me up spiritually or is it tearing me down?” If it is a weight, then we should lay it aside.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Fourth Location Launches Today
I had the honor to be at NCC's Fourth Location launch this morning at the Loews Theaters in Georgetown. What an awesome time! Everything was hitting on all cylinders this morning...the worship team was amazing! The message was awesome and the energy throughout the service was incredible.
This is one of those day that makes me so proud to be a part of the NCC community.
This is one of those day that makes me so proud to be a part of the NCC community.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
A Little Groove to Get Your Blood Pumping On This Saturday
Hey Is something to get you going today....you must crank it and let is flow throughout your office, room, or house! Go ahead, turn up the volume!!!
We shine, we shine the light of God
And when we speak, we speak with words of Love
And when we dance, we may get a little wild
Cause we’re the people of God, yeah the people of God
And when we sing, we sing the angel songs
The worlds been singing around the throne
Yeah, yeah, we’ll worship the King with everything that we are
Cause we’re the people of God, yeah the people of God, yeah
And now is the time for the people to rise
Lift up a shout, everybody cry out
Raise your voice, and shout out a noise
Dance the dance of joy!
We are the redeemed
We are the ones who are free
And we belong to Jesus
We are now alive
And in this world we will shine
And we belong to Jesus
And where the spirit of God is freedom rings
And come, come on, throw off your prison chains
We’re liberated by a King, only freedom remains
For the people of God, yeah the people of God, yeah yeah
We’re living in a Kingdom that will never end
We’re living in a power of defeated sin
So come on everybody, let’s praise the King
Jesus is alive, and he’s coming again!
And now is the time for the people to rise
Lift up a shout, everybody cry out
Raise your voice, and shout out a noise
Dance the dance of joy!
We are the redeemed
We are the ones who are free
And we belong to Jesus
We are now alive
And in this world we will shine
And we belong to Jesus
We’re going into to all the world
We’re carrying the light of Jesus
And we shine, we shine
In the darkest place, we shine
Yeah, we’re going into all the world
We’re carrying the light of Jesus
And we shine, we shine
In the darkest place, we shine
And now is the time for the people to rise
Lift up a shout, everybody cry out
Raise your voice, and shout out a noise
Dance the dance of joy!
We are the redeemed
We are the ones who are free
And we belong to Jesus
We are now alive
And in this world we will shine
And we belong to Jesus
Come on, come on
The Kingdom is coming
Come on, come on
The Kingdom is coming
Come on, come on, come on
Let the Kingdom come down
We shine, we shine the light of God
And when we speak, we speak with words of Love
And when we dance, we may get a little wild
Cause we’re the people of God, yeah the people of God
And when we sing, we sing the angel songs
The worlds been singing around the throne
Yeah, yeah, we’ll worship the King with everything that we are
Cause we’re the people of God, yeah the people of God, yeah
And now is the time for the people to rise
Lift up a shout, everybody cry out
Raise your voice, and shout out a noise
Dance the dance of joy!
We are the redeemed
We are the ones who are free
And we belong to Jesus
We are now alive
And in this world we will shine
And we belong to Jesus
And where the spirit of God is freedom rings
And come, come on, throw off your prison chains
We’re liberated by a King, only freedom remains
For the people of God, yeah the people of God, yeah yeah
We’re living in a Kingdom that will never end
We’re living in a power of defeated sin
So come on everybody, let’s praise the King
Jesus is alive, and he’s coming again!
And now is the time for the people to rise
Lift up a shout, everybody cry out
Raise your voice, and shout out a noise
Dance the dance of joy!
We are the redeemed
We are the ones who are free
And we belong to Jesus
We are now alive
And in this world we will shine
And we belong to Jesus
We’re going into to all the world
We’re carrying the light of Jesus
And we shine, we shine
In the darkest place, we shine
Yeah, we’re going into all the world
We’re carrying the light of Jesus
And we shine, we shine
In the darkest place, we shine
And now is the time for the people to rise
Lift up a shout, everybody cry out
Raise your voice, and shout out a noise
Dance the dance of joy!
We are the redeemed
We are the ones who are free
And we belong to Jesus
We are now alive
And in this world we will shine
And we belong to Jesus
Come on, come on
The Kingdom is coming
Come on, come on
The Kingdom is coming
Come on, come on, come on
Let the Kingdom come down
Daily Caffeination 11/03/07
Understanding Your Gift
Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. -1 Corinthians 12:1
In First Corinthians 12 and Romans 12, the apostle Paul is teaching us about the role of spiritual gifts in the Church. He correlates these gifts to a human body, telling us that each person's gift helps the whole Body of the Church. This is such an important principle for us to learn. I must say I learned this principle regarding my own spiritual gift the hard way.
"God will never speak as strongly to you as to someone else," said my mentor to me one day. The statement shocked me. "What in the world do you mean by that?" I argued with him.
"Your spiritual gift of administration/leading is one of the most dangerous gifts in the whole Body of Christ. The reason is that you can see the big picture better than anyone else, and you're so task-oriented that you will run people into the ground getting your project completed because you think you see it so clearly. That is why the best friend you could ever have is someone with a prophetic gift to discern whether the big picture you see is actually the picture God is directing. It is the one gift that can almost stand alone better than any other-at least that is the opinion of the one with that gift."
Oh, how I have learned this lesson the hard way! He was so right. There have been many a church staff destroyed by a person with the gift of administration. During my years as an ad agency owner, I saw how I stressed out my staff because of the tremendous load I put on them with multiple projects. It was so easy for me because the more balls I had juggling, the better I felt. I was oblivious to how my multi-task personality impacted those around me.
Today, I have some special relationships with intercessors and prophetic people whom I depend on for confirmation of direction. I have learned their spiritual gifts of discernment are of great value in determining strategic direction. I have learned that God has placed within each person a spiritual gift that is designed to make the Body of Christ function better for His purposes. When we discover the spiritual gifts God has placed in those around us, we are better able to see the Body function as a real body-totally dependent on one another. Some of us are more sensitive to God's voice because God has gifted us in that way. Others of us are less sensitive because God wants us to depend on others in the Body for their gifts. Find out whom God has placed around you today and discover a new dimension of spiritual productivity.
Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. -1 Corinthians 12:1
In First Corinthians 12 and Romans 12, the apostle Paul is teaching us about the role of spiritual gifts in the Church. He correlates these gifts to a human body, telling us that each person's gift helps the whole Body of the Church. This is such an important principle for us to learn. I must say I learned this principle regarding my own spiritual gift the hard way.
"God will never speak as strongly to you as to someone else," said my mentor to me one day. The statement shocked me. "What in the world do you mean by that?" I argued with him.
"Your spiritual gift of administration/leading is one of the most dangerous gifts in the whole Body of Christ. The reason is that you can see the big picture better than anyone else, and you're so task-oriented that you will run people into the ground getting your project completed because you think you see it so clearly. That is why the best friend you could ever have is someone with a prophetic gift to discern whether the big picture you see is actually the picture God is directing. It is the one gift that can almost stand alone better than any other-at least that is the opinion of the one with that gift."
Oh, how I have learned this lesson the hard way! He was so right. There have been many a church staff destroyed by a person with the gift of administration. During my years as an ad agency owner, I saw how I stressed out my staff because of the tremendous load I put on them with multiple projects. It was so easy for me because the more balls I had juggling, the better I felt. I was oblivious to how my multi-task personality impacted those around me.
Today, I have some special relationships with intercessors and prophetic people whom I depend on for confirmation of direction. I have learned their spiritual gifts of discernment are of great value in determining strategic direction. I have learned that God has placed within each person a spiritual gift that is designed to make the Body of Christ function better for His purposes. When we discover the spiritual gifts God has placed in those around us, we are better able to see the Body function as a real body-totally dependent on one another. Some of us are more sensitive to God's voice because God has gifted us in that way. Others of us are less sensitive because God wants us to depend on others in the Body for their gifts. Find out whom God has placed around you today and discover a new dimension of spiritual productivity.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Great Friends
So excited about having our really good friends Jerry and Misty Osborn and their son Nicky in town for two days. Lora and I love spending time with people who are special to us. We love the Osborns so much and have been blessed by their friendship and ministry.
By the way Jerry is an amazing guitarist and singer, he leads worship at Crosslight Assembly of God (our former church). Yeah for friends!!
By the way Jerry is an amazing guitarist and singer, he leads worship at Crosslight Assembly of God (our former church). Yeah for friends!!
Daily Caffeination 11/02/07
Guard Your Mind
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.—James 1:16
In many, if not most cases, temptation enters through the doorway of our minds. When Satan wanted to lead the first man and woman into sin, he started by attacking the woman’s mind. That is why Paul warned the Corinthian believers, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).
We need to protect our minds. This is where the enemy will hit us, because we can reach into the past through our memories and into the future through our imaginations.
When the children of Israel were in the wilderness, their first step into trouble was looking back. God had miraculously delivered them from Egypt. He fed them with manna from heaven every day. Granted, it was manna every single day. They had tried all of the recipes in Moses’ cookbook, 101 Ways to Eat Manna. But they remembered the food they had in Egypt. Isn’t it interesting that they thought it was a lot better than it really had been? They let their imaginations run wild as they remembered the scraps of food that were given to them by the Egyptians and then magnified those scraps into feasts.
That is how the devil will work against us. He will make a few good times we had seem like the greatest times we ever had. But he is a liar. Jesus said, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). So don’t look back.
Temptation starts with a thought, and the tempter needs cooperation from the tempted. That is why we need to guard our minds.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.—James 1:16
In many, if not most cases, temptation enters through the doorway of our minds. When Satan wanted to lead the first man and woman into sin, he started by attacking the woman’s mind. That is why Paul warned the Corinthian believers, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).
We need to protect our minds. This is where the enemy will hit us, because we can reach into the past through our memories and into the future through our imaginations.
When the children of Israel were in the wilderness, their first step into trouble was looking back. God had miraculously delivered them from Egypt. He fed them with manna from heaven every day. Granted, it was manna every single day. They had tried all of the recipes in Moses’ cookbook, 101 Ways to Eat Manna. But they remembered the food they had in Egypt. Isn’t it interesting that they thought it was a lot better than it really had been? They let their imaginations run wild as they remembered the scraps of food that were given to them by the Egyptians and then magnified those scraps into feasts.
That is how the devil will work against us. He will make a few good times we had seem like the greatest times we ever had. But he is a liar. Jesus said, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). So don’t look back.
Temptation starts with a thought, and the tempter needs cooperation from the tempted. That is why we need to guard our minds.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Daily Caffeination 11/01/07
Focused Attacks
"And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts."-Mark 4:15
Temptation comes to everyone, but the enemy focuses many of his attacks on those who are young in the faith and those who are making a difference in the kingdom.
After our conversion the devil is there, tempting us to doubt our own salvation. He whispers in our ears, "You think you are saved? You think Christ really came into your life? Are you crazy?" This is just a tactic the enemy keeps recycling again and again.
The Bible tells us that when we are young in the faith, we are especially vulnerable. We see in the parable of the sower that young believers are immediately attacked. Jesus said, "And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts" (Mark 4:15). He is there to attack those who are young in the faith.
Temptation also comes to those who are making a difference in the kingdom of God. First of all, he doesn't want you to come to Christ. But once you have made that commitment, his next strategy is to immobilize you, to get you to compromise yourself and be ineffective. He doesn't want you to be a threat to his kingdom.
If you want to make a difference, if you want to reach people who don't know the Lord, then don't expect a standing ovation in hell. The enemy won't take it lightly. He will attack you. You had better expect it. Brace yourself for it, and pray for other believers, whether they are new in the faith or are already making a difference.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
"And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts."-Mark 4:15
Temptation comes to everyone, but the enemy focuses many of his attacks on those who are young in the faith and those who are making a difference in the kingdom.
After our conversion the devil is there, tempting us to doubt our own salvation. He whispers in our ears, "You think you are saved? You think Christ really came into your life? Are you crazy?" This is just a tactic the enemy keeps recycling again and again.
The Bible tells us that when we are young in the faith, we are especially vulnerable. We see in the parable of the sower that young believers are immediately attacked. Jesus said, "And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts" (Mark 4:15). He is there to attack those who are young in the faith.
Temptation also comes to those who are making a difference in the kingdom of God. First of all, he doesn't want you to come to Christ. But once you have made that commitment, his next strategy is to immobilize you, to get you to compromise yourself and be ineffective. He doesn't want you to be a threat to his kingdom.
If you want to make a difference, if you want to reach people who don't know the Lord, then don't expect a standing ovation in hell. The enemy won't take it lightly. He will attack you. You had better expect it. Brace yourself for it, and pray for other believers, whether they are new in the faith or are already making a difference.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries
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