2 Corinthians 7:9-13 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. 13 Therefore we are comforted.
Pray for the spiritual wisdom that distinquishes between godly and worldly repentance. Search your heart and discern the motives and means of your repentance. We are easly tricked by the ways of Satan. We are too quick to quiet our consciences with things other than the perfect work of Christ. Spend time searching yourself.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Sin: from desire to hatred
2 Samuel 13 details in a horrific way the progress we all go through when tempted. Amnon saw something beautiful and good but potentially sinful. If he would have asked, if he would have acted appropriately Tamar would have been given to him as his wife. But with all sin we are not concerned with what is lawful but with what will quench our desires. He is influenced by a worthless man (see Psalm 1) and concocts a sinful scheme. Amnon lies to his father, his servants, and his sister. He then rapes his sister. He achieved his goal. Amnon quenched his desire. Then a horribly remarkable thing happens. Tamar, the one who used to make him sick with desire now makes him sick with disgust. Once Amnon took what he thought he could not live without he realized he could not live with it. So it is with every sin. We become consumed with desire and convince ourselves it would be wrong to do with out. We lie, cheat, and steal to attain what we want. When we get it; it's neither what we need nor what we want.
My Father in heaven, give me eyes to see things as they really are. Do not let me deceive myself with lies about sin. I do not want to be an Amnon. I do not want to be full of sin and full of disgust. I want to be like Christ. I want to be full of righteousness and full of joy. Guard me from worthless men and guard me from becoming a worthless man. Make me as disgusted over my sin as I am over Amnon's. Satisfy me with your presence. Feed me with your word. Guide my feet on path's of righteousness.
In Jesus' name
Amen
My Father in heaven, give me eyes to see things as they really are. Do not let me deceive myself with lies about sin. I do not want to be an Amnon. I do not want to be full of sin and full of disgust. I want to be like Christ. I want to be full of righteousness and full of joy. Guard me from worthless men and guard me from becoming a worthless man. Make me as disgusted over my sin as I am over Amnon's. Satisfy me with your presence. Feed me with your word. Guide my feet on path's of righteousness.
In Jesus' name
Amen
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Prayer Request & Update
Last night, Wednesday, a little girl named Casey had what appears to be a seizure. A helicopter took her to a hospital in Fort Worth and see remains there as of this morning. She is much improved, the breathing tube has been removed and she is talking. Her grandmother said her eyes are read and she's a little groggy. Pray for Casey and her family. The neurologist is coming some time today because the tests last night revealed no cause for the episode. Pray that her body would be healed. Pray that God would open the eyes of her little heart to understand the truth of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that the hope of the gospel, the promises of Jesus Christ, would comfort her mom and grandmother throughout this day and throughout all eternity. God is able; let's pray.
Thanks
Paul
Thanks
Paul
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Prayer
God said to David:
"Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever’” (2 Samuel 7:11-16).
David said in response:
"For you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. 29 Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever” (2 Samuel 7:27-29)
Paul wrote:
"Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many" (2 Corinthians 1:9-11).
Then he wrote:
"For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory" (2 Corinthians 1:20).
All our prayers must be based on God's promises. David prayed in response to God's promise to establish his offspring. Paul called on the church to pray in response to God's promised deliverance. The climax of prayer and promise comes in the person of Jesus Christ. All the promises of God, on which we base our prayers, find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. Jesus promised, "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it" (John 14:13&14). Our prayers should not be grounded on our needs, God knows our needs. Our prayers must be grounded in Jesus Christ the one who fulfills all the promises of God. Jesus is the reason for prayer. Jesus is the reason God answers prayer. Jesus is the reason God hears our prayers. Jesus is king forever. Our prayers will be heard forever and those that are based on Him will find their Yes forever.
In the name of Jesus Christ I pray to You my God and Father. Through Jesus Christ You have given me forgiveness and life. Thank You in Jesus' name. Through Jesus Christ You have given me hope for today and for all eternity. He has experienced Your rod of discipline because of my sin. He has taken my place. You have made Yourself a people and I am a part of that people because of Jesus. Father, I praise You for the marvelous work of grace You accomplished for me in Christ Jesus. When I pray to You, when I seek Your forgiveness, You tell me Yes because of Christ. Keep me near to Christ. I want to pray according to Your will and I want to pray so that I glorify my Savior. Help me Father. Do for me what I cannot do for myself.
In the name of Jesus
Amen
"Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever’” (2 Samuel 7:11-16).
David said in response:
"For you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. 29 Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever” (2 Samuel 7:27-29)
Paul wrote:
"Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many" (2 Corinthians 1:9-11).
Then he wrote:
"For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory" (2 Corinthians 1:20).
All our prayers must be based on God's promises. David prayed in response to God's promise to establish his offspring. Paul called on the church to pray in response to God's promised deliverance. The climax of prayer and promise comes in the person of Jesus Christ. All the promises of God, on which we base our prayers, find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. Jesus promised, "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it" (John 14:13&14). Our prayers should not be grounded on our needs, God knows our needs. Our prayers must be grounded in Jesus Christ the one who fulfills all the promises of God. Jesus is the reason for prayer. Jesus is the reason God answers prayer. Jesus is the reason God hears our prayers. Jesus is king forever. Our prayers will be heard forever and those that are based on Him will find their Yes forever.
In the name of Jesus Christ I pray to You my God and Father. Through Jesus Christ You have given me forgiveness and life. Thank You in Jesus' name. Through Jesus Christ You have given me hope for today and for all eternity. He has experienced Your rod of discipline because of my sin. He has taken my place. You have made Yourself a people and I am a part of that people because of Jesus. Father, I praise You for the marvelous work of grace You accomplished for me in Christ Jesus. When I pray to You, when I seek Your forgiveness, You tell me Yes because of Christ. Keep me near to Christ. I want to pray according to Your will and I want to pray so that I glorify my Savior. Help me Father. Do for me what I cannot do for myself.
In the name of Jesus
Amen
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Opportunity & Adversity
1 Corinthians 16:8, "But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries."
In Colossians, Paul urged the church to pray God would open doors of opportunity for the gospel to go forward. He saw the open door amoung the Ephesians but he also saw opposition. It is promised, "all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim 3:12). When God's people advance in holiness and faithfulness there will be opposition from the world and the god of this age. When God's people take the gospel to their community their will be opposition. Unfortunately, opposition generally takes the form of persecution.
David saw opposition from Saul and David saw opposition from Michal, his wife. Resentment, bitterness, anger, and misunderstanding creep in quickly and quietly. What the Christian does and thinks is foolishness to the world. Sadly, what the Christians does and thinks can been seen as foolish even by those in their family. This should be our response, "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love" (1 Cor 16:13&14).
In love, watch for what is right and watch for what is wrong. In love, stand firm in the faith for the truth and against error. In love, act like men. In love, be strong.
Father, my love for ease so often keeps me from following You through the doors of opportunity Your provide. Forgive me by the blood of Jesus Christ for not watching and following You. Forgive us, Your Church, for loving comfort more than we love faithfulness. You have such wonderful opportunities for us to bring hope and change to our community and world. You have given us the gospel, the ministry of reconciliation. May we be faithful to proclaim it wherever we go. May I be faithful to proclaim it wherever I go. Teach me what it means, and teach the men of Your church what it means, to be men. Teach us the joys of watching for Your call and watching out for Your truth. Teach us the joys of standing firm in the faith and acting like men. Fill us with the love of Christ.
In Jesus' name
Amen
In Colossians, Paul urged the church to pray God would open doors of opportunity for the gospel to go forward. He saw the open door amoung the Ephesians but he also saw opposition. It is promised, "all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim 3:12). When God's people advance in holiness and faithfulness there will be opposition from the world and the god of this age. When God's people take the gospel to their community their will be opposition. Unfortunately, opposition generally takes the form of persecution.
David saw opposition from Saul and David saw opposition from Michal, his wife. Resentment, bitterness, anger, and misunderstanding creep in quickly and quietly. What the Christian does and thinks is foolishness to the world. Sadly, what the Christians does and thinks can been seen as foolish even by those in their family. This should be our response, "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love" (1 Cor 16:13&14).
In love, watch for what is right and watch for what is wrong. In love, stand firm in the faith for the truth and against error. In love, act like men. In love, be strong.
Father, my love for ease so often keeps me from following You through the doors of opportunity Your provide. Forgive me by the blood of Jesus Christ for not watching and following You. Forgive us, Your Church, for loving comfort more than we love faithfulness. You have such wonderful opportunities for us to bring hope and change to our community and world. You have given us the gospel, the ministry of reconciliation. May we be faithful to proclaim it wherever we go. May I be faithful to proclaim it wherever I go. Teach me what it means, and teach the men of Your church what it means, to be men. Teach us the joys of watching for Your call and watching out for Your truth. Teach us the joys of standing firm in the faith and acting like men. Fill us with the love of Christ.
In Jesus' name
Amen
Monday, September 10, 2007
The Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:32, "If the dead are not raised, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.'”
If there is no resurrection we should live like the world. If there is no resurrection we should not exercise faith we should live quietly doing nothing of eternal significance. If there is no resurrection we should never attempt the difficult or engage the enemy. Simply put, if there is no resurrection we should live like we are living. But if there is a resurrection:
54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”55 “O death, where is your victory?O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Father, Son, and Spirit give me hope in the resurrection so that I always abound in Your work. Fill my life with You so that my life will sing Your praise and bear fruit for Your kingdom. I don't want to live a wasted life. I don't want to be a part of a church that lives a wasted life. I want to grow. I want Your people to grow. I want Your kingdom to grow. Remove my fear of death by showing me the glory of the resurrection. Remove my fear of adversity by showing me the power of the Spirit and the endurance of Christ. Open my eyes Lord, I want to see Jesus.
For Jesus,
Amen
If there is no resurrection we should live like the world. If there is no resurrection we should not exercise faith we should live quietly doing nothing of eternal significance. If there is no resurrection we should never attempt the difficult or engage the enemy. Simply put, if there is no resurrection we should live like we are living. But if there is a resurrection:
54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”55 “O death, where is your victory?O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Father, Son, and Spirit give me hope in the resurrection so that I always abound in Your work. Fill my life with You so that my life will sing Your praise and bear fruit for Your kingdom. I don't want to live a wasted life. I don't want to be a part of a church that lives a wasted life. I want to grow. I want Your people to grow. I want Your kingdom to grow. Remove my fear of death by showing me the glory of the resurrection. Remove my fear of adversity by showing me the power of the Spirit and the endurance of Christ. Open my eyes Lord, I want to see Jesus.
For Jesus,
Amen
Every gift for the common good
And David knew that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel (2 Sam 5:12).
If anyone in history could have thought his influence and wealth was for himself it would have been David. Yet David knew his kingdom had come to power for the good of the people. This was not about David sitting on a throne. This leadership was about God's kingdom and God's people. David did not trust himself to ruthless men who murdered people on their beds. David trusted in God who brought him out of every adversity.
In the middle of the storm it is hard to see God. The blowing rain, the flash of lightening, the pain of being tossed about darkens our eyes. But when the storm ceases we see God's hand. When David was running and hiding every day, when David the annoited was eating the priest's bread instead of feasting in the king's hall, and when he was fighting another people's battles there would have been opportunity to doubt. But as it were, the presence of God and the faithfulness of God gave opportunity to believe.
If anyone in history could have thought his influence and wealth was for himself it would have been David. Yet David knew his kingdom had come to power for the good of the people. This was not about David sitting on a throne. This leadership was about God's kingdom and God's people. David did not trust himself to ruthless men who murdered people on their beds. David trusted in God who brought him out of every adversity.
In the middle of the storm it is hard to see God. The blowing rain, the flash of lightening, the pain of being tossed about darkens our eyes. But when the storm ceases we see God's hand. When David was running and hiding every day, when David the annoited was eating the priest's bread instead of feasting in the king's hall, and when he was fighting another people's battles there would have been opportunity to doubt. But as it were, the presence of God and the faithfulness of God gave opportunity to believe.
Friday, September 07, 2007
The Church
We need you to be a part of the church and exercise your gifts. We don't need you to act important. We don't need you to make demands for your own benefit. We don't need you to pull rank or put people in their places. We need you to be what God is making you. We need you to use your own gifts to challenge us to do the same. We need you to exercise your gifts in a way that shows us the strength, beauty, mercy, courage, help, endurance, correction, wisdom, holiness, and care of Jesus Christ.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Cor 12:4-7).
But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together (1 Cor 12:24-26)
Father, help us get over ourselves. Help us get over our fears and help us get over our little pet ideas that matter very little and cause great damage. Show us how to use our gifts. Open our eyes to the needs that are around us. Help not ask what we can get out of the church but how we can use our gifts for the good of the church. Help us show Christ to others. Help me show Christ to others.
In HIs name
Amen
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Cor 12:4-7).
But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together (1 Cor 12:24-26)
Father, help us get over ourselves. Help us get over our fears and help us get over our little pet ideas that matter very little and cause great damage. Show us how to use our gifts. Open our eyes to the needs that are around us. Help not ask what we can get out of the church but how we can use our gifts for the good of the church. Help us show Christ to others. Help me show Christ to others.
In HIs name
Amen
Thursday, September 06, 2007
The Lord's Supper
Over the past two days we have seen the Spirit's emphasis on different characteristics of the Lord's Supper. Yesterday, from 1 Corinthians 10, the meaning of the one loaf was at the forefront. I Cor 10:16&17, "16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." Lord, show us the glories of Your church when it sees itself as one body. I long for the church to come together around Jesus Christ. May it truly be our desire to know Christ and make Him known.
In 1 Cor 11 the Lord's Supper is again mentioned. This time the emphasis is not one loaf but eating the supper together as a unifed body. A unified body that is concerned about each other and meeting together meeting the needs of the body. Out of selfishness they had begun to despise the church of God and humiliate those who had nothing.
The Lord's Supper is a tangible display of the work of Christ. The blood of Christ was spilt and the body of Christ was broken to redeem men and women. Men and women were redeemed in order to be a part of the body of Christ. The work of salvation transforms the sinner into a saint and the outcast into a beloved son. When we observe the Lord's Supper it must be done with redemption in Christ and unity by Christ in our minds, songs, and prayers.
Great Father full of mercy, unify Your church. Unify Mambrino Baptist Church. Remove our selfishness that keeps us from serving and sacrificing. Remove our pride that keeps us from being honest about our sins and finding the help we need. So many people don't care about the church. Make me a man You can use to build Your church. I want Your Kingdom, the Kingdom of Your beloved Son, to advance in Granbury. I want us to be used to bring the good news of Jesus Christ into every home. Unite us Father. Make us one body. Make us family. Make us the body of Christ. Great Father of mercy, thank You for Your covenant love. Thank You for Your crucified Son. Thank You for my resurrected Savior. Come Lord Jesus. Come Lord Jesus.
Amen
In 1 Cor 11 the Lord's Supper is again mentioned. This time the emphasis is not one loaf but eating the supper together as a unifed body. A unified body that is concerned about each other and meeting together meeting the needs of the body. Out of selfishness they had begun to despise the church of God and humiliate those who had nothing.
The Lord's Supper is a tangible display of the work of Christ. The blood of Christ was spilt and the body of Christ was broken to redeem men and women. Men and women were redeemed in order to be a part of the body of Christ. The work of salvation transforms the sinner into a saint and the outcast into a beloved son. When we observe the Lord's Supper it must be done with redemption in Christ and unity by Christ in our minds, songs, and prayers.
Great Father full of mercy, unify Your church. Unify Mambrino Baptist Church. Remove our selfishness that keeps us from serving and sacrificing. Remove our pride that keeps us from being honest about our sins and finding the help we need. So many people don't care about the church. Make me a man You can use to build Your church. I want Your Kingdom, the Kingdom of Your beloved Son, to advance in Granbury. I want us to be used to bring the good news of Jesus Christ into every home. Unite us Father. Make us one body. Make us family. Make us the body of Christ. Great Father of mercy, thank You for Your covenant love. Thank You for Your crucified Son. Thank You for my resurrected Savior. Come Lord Jesus. Come Lord Jesus.
Amen
Saturday, September 01, 2007
A Sad Day
MSN reports concerning the release of 12 of the 19 remaining South Korean hostages:
"To secure the release of the church workers, South Korea reaffirmed a pledge it made before the hostage crisis began to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year. Seoul also said it would prevent South Korean Christian missionaries from working in the country, something it had already promised to do" (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20473825/).
This is definitely a call on the Christian church in South Korea to disobey the government. We must pray that God would raise up men and women like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abadnego, and the Disciples who respected the government but not obey the government.
Acts 4:19-22, "19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old."
"To secure the release of the church workers, South Korea reaffirmed a pledge it made before the hostage crisis began to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year. Seoul also said it would prevent South Korean Christian missionaries from working in the country, something it had already promised to do" (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20473825/).
This is definitely a call on the Christian church in South Korea to disobey the government. We must pray that God would raise up men and women like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abadnego, and the Disciples who respected the government but not obey the government.
Acts 4:19-22, "19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old."
For my daughter, Abigail
Father, I pray this morning for the daughter you have given me. I pray for my Abigail. May you make her discerning and beautiful. Please God, send Your Holy Spirit to adorn her with eternal life and true beauty. I long to see Abigail walk with You and know Your perfect Son. I desire to raise her in Your wisdom so that she may know Your will. I want to be a father who is faithful. I want her to know she is loved by her earthly loving but more importantly I want her to know she is loved by You. When difficulties come, be her strength. When young men come, be her beauty. When hard situations come, give her wisdom. Be to her everything that I cannot be. Be to her a true Father. Give me a love for her and a love for Christ that drive me to show her everyday in everyway who You are. Thank you for my Abigail. She truly makes my heart rejoice.
In Christ's name
Amen
In Christ's name
Amen
Friday, August 31, 2007
What David had that the other guy didn't
1 Samuel 24 and 1 Corinthians 5 give us a helpful comparison in our walk with God. Here is David's story, "Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 5 And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe." Here is the story of the church and a sinful man in 1 Corinthians 5, "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn?"
Where David was convicted and repented concerning his sin the Corinthians were wallowing in their sin. This lack of concern for true spiritual things brought a sharp rebuke from the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul. This is where the church should come in. If an individual does not own up to and turn from his sin, like David did, it is the church's responsibility to follow up seeking repentance. If he does not repent he needs to be cast out of the church so that his flesh will be destroyed and his spirit saved. The sad truth is we would rather have people we know go to hell than confront them. To do nothing is to tell them, 'go to hell.'
Father, give us hearts that turn quickly from our sin. Make us like David. Give us a heart like David's. Let us not be like the church in Corinth. Make us a church full of Your people who love You, love holiness, and love each other. For far too long we have acted selfishly and cowardly. Change us through the blood of our Savior to be selfless and bold. May we truly love our neighbors with the tenacity by which we love ourselves. May we love Christ with the tenacity by which we love ourselves. Forgive us Father. Change us Father. Make us the Church.
For Christ
Amen
Where David was convicted and repented concerning his sin the Corinthians were wallowing in their sin. This lack of concern for true spiritual things brought a sharp rebuke from the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul. This is where the church should come in. If an individual does not own up to and turn from his sin, like David did, it is the church's responsibility to follow up seeking repentance. If he does not repent he needs to be cast out of the church so that his flesh will be destroyed and his spirit saved. The sad truth is we would rather have people we know go to hell than confront them. To do nothing is to tell them, 'go to hell.'
Father, give us hearts that turn quickly from our sin. Make us like David. Give us a heart like David's. Let us not be like the church in Corinth. Make us a church full of Your people who love You, love holiness, and love each other. For far too long we have acted selfishly and cowardly. Change us through the blood of our Savior to be selfless and bold. May we truly love our neighbors with the tenacity by which we love ourselves. May we love Christ with the tenacity by which we love ourselves. Forgive us Father. Change us Father. Make us the Church.
For Christ
Amen
Thursday, August 30, 2007
The Scum of the World
1 Corinthians 4:9-13 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
This passage is difficult if you are a pastor or ministering faithfully and seeing little results except for opposition or indifference. We can begin to see our weakness, disrepute, poverty, labor, persecution, slander, and lowliness in the world's eye as a red badge of courage. We begin to glory in our shame. I must preach to myself and you must preach to yourself that it is not our sacrifice which makes us something special. It is Christ's sacrifice that makes us something special. I have not known the weakness, disrepute, poverty, labor, persecution, slander, and lowliness that Christ knew. Christ has a PhD with years of experience in these areas. I am only a little brother who watches his big brother go off to preschool. I know very little of these things though at times I want to label myself a master. Do not trust in yourself. Do not glory in your pain. Instead, trust in Christ. Instead, glory in your Redeemer; the one whom the world knows as the refuse of all things, the scum of the world.
Father, I thank You for Your grace through which I have been given eyes to see the glory and value of Jesus Christ. What He has done for me is indescribable and the world could not contain the pages of words of thanks to do 1/2 justice to His great work. Father, I do at times feel my weakness, disrepute, poverty, labor, persecution, slander, and lowliness. May You use those moments to point me to Christ who is my strength and great wealth. Focus my mind on Christ who alone exalts and makes new. Do not let me run from my lowliness. Do not let me deny my lowliness. Rather, my great God, may You teach me great things about Christ in my lowliness. Remove the wall of pride Your church has built. Remove the wall of pride that I have helped to build. Give us humility. Give us a desire to die for the lost.
Give us Jesus
Amen
This passage is difficult if you are a pastor or ministering faithfully and seeing little results except for opposition or indifference. We can begin to see our weakness, disrepute, poverty, labor, persecution, slander, and lowliness in the world's eye as a red badge of courage. We begin to glory in our shame. I must preach to myself and you must preach to yourself that it is not our sacrifice which makes us something special. It is Christ's sacrifice that makes us something special. I have not known the weakness, disrepute, poverty, labor, persecution, slander, and lowliness that Christ knew. Christ has a PhD with years of experience in these areas. I am only a little brother who watches his big brother go off to preschool. I know very little of these things though at times I want to label myself a master. Do not trust in yourself. Do not glory in your pain. Instead, trust in Christ. Instead, glory in your Redeemer; the one whom the world knows as the refuse of all things, the scum of the world.
Father, I thank You for Your grace through which I have been given eyes to see the glory and value of Jesus Christ. What He has done for me is indescribable and the world could not contain the pages of words of thanks to do 1/2 justice to His great work. Father, I do at times feel my weakness, disrepute, poverty, labor, persecution, slander, and lowliness. May You use those moments to point me to Christ who is my strength and great wealth. Focus my mind on Christ who alone exalts and makes new. Do not let me run from my lowliness. Do not let me deny my lowliness. Rather, my great God, may You teach me great things about Christ in my lowliness. Remove the wall of pride Your church has built. Remove the wall of pride that I have helped to build. Give us humility. Give us a desire to die for the lost.
Give us Jesus
Amen
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
And you are Christ's
So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours, and you are Christ's and Christ is God's (1 Cor 3:21-23).
Our affections and our allegiances are far too small. We love so little and work so little precisely because we are focused on the little. David was afraid of Saul and it cost the priests of Nob their lives. David was afraid of Achish the king of Gath so he lied about his condition. In the church of Corinth the people were afraid of not being seen as important or spiritual so they all chose their champions. To understand this life and to live a fruitful life we must understand who we are in Christ. Because the Father is the creator and therefore owner of everything, because the Son belongs to the Father, and because we belong to Christ that means everything belongs to us. We are God's stewards called to exercise His sovereign goodness over everything. We are to be His ambassadors in every situation not trusting ourselves but trusting Him.
Father, help me today to understand and meditate on Your Word. Help me to do the hard work of memorizing Scripture that I might understand who I am in Christ. I don't want to be afraid of man, life, or death. I want to be useful to You in everything. Guide me oh thou great Jehovah, hither by Your help I come. Equip me and use me for the expansion of Your kingdom. Use me to lay the foundation of salvation in the lives of men and women. Use me to build on that foundation all the days of my life. Use me Father.
For Christ
Amen
Our affections and our allegiances are far too small. We love so little and work so little precisely because we are focused on the little. David was afraid of Saul and it cost the priests of Nob their lives. David was afraid of Achish the king of Gath so he lied about his condition. In the church of Corinth the people were afraid of not being seen as important or spiritual so they all chose their champions. To understand this life and to live a fruitful life we must understand who we are in Christ. Because the Father is the creator and therefore owner of everything, because the Son belongs to the Father, and because we belong to Christ that means everything belongs to us. We are God's stewards called to exercise His sovereign goodness over everything. We are to be His ambassadors in every situation not trusting ourselves but trusting Him.
Father, help me today to understand and meditate on Your Word. Help me to do the hard work of memorizing Scripture that I might understand who I am in Christ. I don't want to be afraid of man, life, or death. I want to be useful to You in everything. Guide me oh thou great Jehovah, hither by Your help I come. Equip me and use me for the expansion of Your kingdom. Use me to lay the foundation of salvation in the lives of men and women. Use me to build on that foundation all the days of my life. Use me Father.
For Christ
Amen
Monday, August 27, 2007
Division in the Church
Father, we join together today as Your church to pray for the removal of selfishness and pride from Your church. We confess we are more apt to follow a sinful man and his teachings than we are to follow Christ and His teachings. We choose favorites and we fight to the death. We act out of pride and we fight to the death. We even use the name of Christ as an excuse to exalt ourselves. Lord, wash us and make us clean. Expose our pride for the poison that it is. Give us hearts that are quick to turn from sin. Give us mouths that are quick to speak the truth. Give us devotion to Christ that is full of sacrificial love and humility. Do not let us exalt ourselves any longer. Send Your Spirit to humble us. Send Your Spirit to humble me. Work in us so that Your great Name and Your Church would be exalted. We must decrease and Christ must increase.
For Christ
Amen
For Christ
Amen
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Nothing can hinder the Lord
Jonathan said to his armor bearer in 1 Samuel 14:6, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few."
The Lord will work and accomplish His will though the army be large or small. But how magnificent would it be if the church became what God intended it to be? What if we realized that "we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another"? What if love became genuine in our midst? What if the church truly abhored what is evil and held fast to what is good? What if the church became what God intended?
Father, thank you this morning for renewing my vision for the church. Thank you for coupling with that renewal the reminder that the number of workers is not the issue; faithfulness to You is the issue. Raise up a vast army characterized by genuine love, hatred for evil, and devotion to good. Do not let us get lazy but be filled with zeal. May our concern no longer be that people see us and honor us. Instead, make our concern all about showing honor to others. Help us rejoice. Give us patience. Make our prayers constant. Raise up the generous. Show us how to be hospitable. My King, make us like Christ and give us strength to show Christ to others.
Come quickly Lord Jesus
Amen
The Lord will work and accomplish His will though the army be large or small. But how magnificent would it be if the church became what God intended it to be? What if we realized that "we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another"? What if love became genuine in our midst? What if the church truly abhored what is evil and held fast to what is good? What if the church became what God intended?
Father, thank you this morning for renewing my vision for the church. Thank you for coupling with that renewal the reminder that the number of workers is not the issue; faithfulness to You is the issue. Raise up a vast army characterized by genuine love, hatred for evil, and devotion to good. Do not let us get lazy but be filled with zeal. May our concern no longer be that people see us and honor us. Instead, make our concern all about showing honor to others. Help us rejoice. Give us patience. Make our prayers constant. Raise up the generous. Show us how to be hospitable. My King, make us like Christ and give us strength to show Christ to others.
Come quickly Lord Jesus
Amen
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
A call for grace
Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
In every attempt to understand or explain the work of God there must be humility. We truly see through a mirror dimly until the day when we are physically in the very presence of God. On matters that are clear and of 1st priority we must be dogmatic and gracious. Matters such as the eternal diety of the Trinity, the virgin birth/incarnation, substitutionary atonement, salvation by grace through faith, the physical resurrection of Christ, and the bodily return of Christ. I also believe we must unashamedly hold the inerrancy of Scripture in this group. On these we must not budge or compromise and on these we must not be vindictive or combative.
Too often we make enemies out of friends because they do not agree with us on the best bible translation or if the 2nd coming is before or after the tribulation. We agree on the fundamentals but because of a difference on secondary matters we want to slit throats. Where the bible is clear we must be clear. Where the bible does not speak in the plainest of terms we must not demand the drawing of terms of war.
Those of us who believe in and love salvation by grace do we truly know what grace is? Those who truly know what grace is are those who give grace.
Infinite Father, I don't know Your mind. In fact, I can't know Your mind. You are so much higher, better, smarter, stronger, and gracious than I am. I don't know Your every rationale but I know Your every move is good so I will trust. Because of Your power and goodness You have no need of my counsel and I have every need of Yours. Give me Your counsel. You owe me nothing and I owe You my life. Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee. Consecrate me by the blood of Jesus and by His righteousness. Everything is from You and everything is moving toward reconciliation in You. For this I trust You and praise You and submit to You. Do not let me break Your commands like Saul. Where I break Your commands bring conviction upon me quickly that I may way with You. Help me Father to give grace. Help me Father to know grace.
Give me Christ
Amen
In every attempt to understand or explain the work of God there must be humility. We truly see through a mirror dimly until the day when we are physically in the very presence of God. On matters that are clear and of 1st priority we must be dogmatic and gracious. Matters such as the eternal diety of the Trinity, the virgin birth/incarnation, substitutionary atonement, salvation by grace through faith, the physical resurrection of Christ, and the bodily return of Christ. I also believe we must unashamedly hold the inerrancy of Scripture in this group. On these we must not budge or compromise and on these we must not be vindictive or combative.
Too often we make enemies out of friends because they do not agree with us on the best bible translation or if the 2nd coming is before or after the tribulation. We agree on the fundamentals but because of a difference on secondary matters we want to slit throats. Where the bible is clear we must be clear. Where the bible does not speak in the plainest of terms we must not demand the drawing of terms of war.
Those of us who believe in and love salvation by grace do we truly know what grace is? Those who truly know what grace is are those who give grace.
Infinite Father, I don't know Your mind. In fact, I can't know Your mind. You are so much higher, better, smarter, stronger, and gracious than I am. I don't know Your every rationale but I know Your every move is good so I will trust. Because of Your power and goodness You have no need of my counsel and I have every need of Yours. Give me Your counsel. You owe me nothing and I owe You my life. Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee. Consecrate me by the blood of Jesus and by His righteousness. Everything is from You and everything is moving toward reconciliation in You. For this I trust You and praise You and submit to You. Do not let me break Your commands like Saul. Where I break Your commands bring conviction upon me quickly that I may way with You. Help me Father to give grace. Help me Father to know grace.
Give me Christ
Amen
Monday, August 20, 2007
An Amazing Lesson from Saul
Let me back track a bit-
1 Samuel 10:26&27, "Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some worthless fellows said, 'How can this man save us?' And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace."
1 Samuel 11:12&13, "Then the people said to Samuel, Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death. 13 But Saul said, 'Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel.'
If worthless fellows mocked me, I saved them, and then was given the chance to exact revenge/judgment on them what would I do? Would I speak of my rights or would I speak of salvation? Saul had the opportunity to strike back and none would have thought the less of him but he held his hand.
Father, make me a man full of mercy. Make me a man who in wisdom and grace does not give what is deserved. May I be quick to hold my hand and hold my tongue. Give me Christ's grace so that I may have the wisdom to know what to do and what not to do. Father, I'm more concerned with my honor than Yours. Forgive me and straighten my priorities that they may reflect Yours.
In Christ
Amen
1 Samuel 10:26&27, "Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some worthless fellows said, 'How can this man save us?' And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace."
1 Samuel 11:12&13, "Then the people said to Samuel, Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death. 13 But Saul said, 'Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel.'
If worthless fellows mocked me, I saved them, and then was given the chance to exact revenge/judgment on them what would I do? Would I speak of my rights or would I speak of salvation? Saul had the opportunity to strike back and none would have thought the less of him but he held his hand.
Father, make me a man full of mercy. Make me a man who in wisdom and grace does not give what is deserved. May I be quick to hold my hand and hold my tongue. Give me Christ's grace so that I may have the wisdom to know what to do and what not to do. Father, I'm more concerned with my honor than Yours. Forgive me and straighten my priorities that they may reflect Yours.
In Christ
Amen
Thursday, August 16, 2007
God works all things for good
We know that for those who love God all things work together for good. So, let's be specific. How does God work for good Israel's sinful desire for a king?
1 Samuel 8:7, "And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them."
Matthew 2:1&2 "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'”
John 19:19 "Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, 'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.'”
Revelation 19:16 "On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords."
We praise You, Christ our King. You are our Ruler, our Redeemer, and our King. You are full of strength and full of mercy. Your judgments are correct and infinitely wise. Your kingdom is one that cannot be defeated. You are my King. My Christ, I worship You and bow to serve You. Show me how to be useful in Your kingdom. Show me where to be useful in Your kingdom. I have no desire to remove Your power over me. My desire is to magnify Your power of me. Help me today to do that in my family, my job, and in all my life.
For my King
Amen
1 Samuel 8:7, "And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them."
Matthew 2:1&2 "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'”
John 19:19 "Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, 'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.'”
Revelation 19:16 "On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords."
We praise You, Christ our King. You are our Ruler, our Redeemer, and our King. You are full of strength and full of mercy. Your judgments are correct and infinitely wise. Your kingdom is one that cannot be defeated. You are my King. My Christ, I worship You and bow to serve You. Show me how to be useful in Your kingdom. Show me where to be useful in Your kingdom. I have no desire to remove Your power over me. My desire is to magnify Your power of me. Help me today to do that in my family, my job, and in all my life.
For my King
Amen
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