A few days ago I was reading in 1 Samuel 10 about Saul being anointed king by Samuel. Samuel was telling him what would happen over the next several days - where Saul was to go, who he would meet. In 1 Samuel 10:6 Saul is told, "The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person."
What a confirmation that God never changes because the Spirit of the Lord STILL comes upon people with power and changes them into a different person. Only God has the ability to change lives; to take those who are broken by sin, broken by the stresses of life and change them. That's not something we can do for ourselves.
Easter is this weekend. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is THE most important thing ever to happen on earth. I am so thankful that my life was changed by His power.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Vows to the Lord
I love the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel. She wanted a child so badly she cried out to God. She made a vow to God that if He would give her a son she would give him back to God for the rest of his life. And she did!!
When the child was weaned - still just a toddler - she took him to the temple and gave him to Eli to serve him there. She only got to see him once a year when the family went on their annual pilgrimage to the temple to sacrifice their offerings to the Lord.
This story always makes me think about all the flippant vows I used to make with no real intention of ever fulfilling my part. Those...God if you'll just get me out of this jam, help me through this hard place, cause this person or that person to be in my life, then I will go to church every Sunday, give more money to the church, stop doing whatever I was doing wrong.
Over the years I have had to repent of a lot of stupidity, a lot of failings in this area. Oh, God, if You would..., then I will... because He did but I didn't. God takes vows very seriously. I have learned that they are a sacred trust between me and God and keeping your word - your vow - to God is more important than just about anything. The father of lies is the devil and there is nothing about lying to God that can ever be viewed with anything but remorse.
When the child was weaned - still just a toddler - she took him to the temple and gave him to Eli to serve him there. She only got to see him once a year when the family went on their annual pilgrimage to the temple to sacrifice their offerings to the Lord.
This story always makes me think about all the flippant vows I used to make with no real intention of ever fulfilling my part. Those...God if you'll just get me out of this jam, help me through this hard place, cause this person or that person to be in my life, then I will go to church every Sunday, give more money to the church, stop doing whatever I was doing wrong.
Over the years I have had to repent of a lot of stupidity, a lot of failings in this area. Oh, God, if You would..., then I will... because He did but I didn't. God takes vows very seriously. I have learned that they are a sacred trust between me and God and keeping your word - your vow - to God is more important than just about anything. The father of lies is the devil and there is nothing about lying to God that can ever be viewed with anything but remorse.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Gospel Music
As I read today's scripture in Psalm 3, I remembered that the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir had made this Psalm into a song. Had to break out the CD (on my itunes playlist) called I'm Amazed and play it as I read scripture.
I love their music and the stories of life change that take place at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. God has done some amazing things in that place over the years through the ministry of Jim and Carol Cymbala and the members who constantly pray for God to do miracles among them.
I think it's great that God has given us people who can lift His name high in a variety of ways through music so that I can be drawn into a place of worship that might not happen without music. I don't think is a coincidence that the angels in the throne room of God are CONSTANTLY singing "Holy, Holy, Holy". Music stirs the soul as nothing else can.
I love their music and the stories of life change that take place at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. God has done some amazing things in that place over the years through the ministry of Jim and Carol Cymbala and the members who constantly pray for God to do miracles among them.
I think it's great that God has given us people who can lift His name high in a variety of ways through music so that I can be drawn into a place of worship that might not happen without music. I don't think is a coincidence that the angels in the throne room of God are CONSTANTLY singing "Holy, Holy, Holy". Music stirs the soul as nothing else can.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Set Apart
In Galatians 1:15-16, Paul is speaking of being set apart before his birth to be called by the grace of God and to have His Son revealed to him.
Although I have not been called to be a preacher of the gospel in the sense as Paul or Perry or Christine Caine or Anne Graham Lotz, I have been called to speak words of truth into the lives of my family and friends who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Too many times I have thought of those "set apart" as being some special breed of Christian, and yes, they do have very strong gifts of evangelism and preaching that make them uniquely able to stand before people week after week proclaiming God's word.
BUT...I too have been set apart. Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him,..." John 6:44. In Psalm 139:15-16, David says every day of my life was written in God's book before I was ever born.
I need to constantly remind myself that I am a special messenger of God's love and grace. Maybe not on the scale of others but certainly within my sphere of influence.
Although I have not been called to be a preacher of the gospel in the sense as Paul or Perry or Christine Caine or Anne Graham Lotz, I have been called to speak words of truth into the lives of my family and friends who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Too many times I have thought of those "set apart" as being some special breed of Christian, and yes, they do have very strong gifts of evangelism and preaching that make them uniquely able to stand before people week after week proclaiming God's word.
BUT...I too have been set apart. Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him,..." John 6:44. In Psalm 139:15-16, David says every day of my life was written in God's book before I was ever born.
I need to constantly remind myself that I am a special messenger of God's love and grace. Maybe not on the scale of others but certainly within my sphere of influence.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Next Generation
Whose responsibility is it to share the Gospel with the next generation? Davey mentioned Sunday that it is the responsibility of all of us - not just those who work with kids or youth.
In Judges 2:10 we see that the Israelites did not teach their children about God and His faithfulness. This led to years and years and years of trouble in the land. I'm sure the Israelites of that day would say they were too busy. After all they had a land to conquer.
That would probably be our same excuse today. We're too busy. Maybe even busy with the kids - running them to soccer or dance or music lessons - but don't carve out time to talk to them about Jesus. And then we wonder why they become rebellious teenagers or wayward adults. And maybe we even say the church didn't do a good enough job.
But ultimately the responsibility is ours - the moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles and cousins. Those to whom God has entrusted the children in the first place.
In Judges 2:10 we see that the Israelites did not teach their children about God and His faithfulness. This led to years and years and years of trouble in the land. I'm sure the Israelites of that day would say they were too busy. After all they had a land to conquer.
That would probably be our same excuse today. We're too busy. Maybe even busy with the kids - running them to soccer or dance or music lessons - but don't carve out time to talk to them about Jesus. And then we wonder why they become rebellious teenagers or wayward adults. And maybe we even say the church didn't do a good enough job.
But ultimately the responsibility is ours - the moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles and cousins. Those to whom God has entrusted the children in the first place.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Taking the Land
All the way back in the days of Abraham, the land of Canaan had been promised to the Israelites (before they were even the Israelites.) Joshua was the one to finally bring the people into the land to possess it. This was 800-900 years after the first promise was made to Abraham.
And then when they finally went into the land, they had to fight battles with every king, with every people so they could actually conquer the land. Joshua 11:18 tells us that Joshua had to make war for a long time.
How often do I get impatient because I want God to fulfill His promises to me RIGHT NOW? And not only do I want it right now, I want it to be easy! God NEVER goes back on His promises. But I have to be ready to receive them. The problem is not God but me. God needs to be sure I am ready to receive, with the right heart, all that He wants to do. And I have to be wiling to do my part. Taking hold of God's promises may require a lot of work or energy on my part. It may require hours and hours of prayer. It may require a whole new way of thinking about myself or God or people around me. And then at just the right time, God's promises are fulfilled in my life.
And then when they finally went into the land, they had to fight battles with every king, with every people so they could actually conquer the land. Joshua 11:18 tells us that Joshua had to make war for a long time.
How often do I get impatient because I want God to fulfill His promises to me RIGHT NOW? And not only do I want it right now, I want it to be easy! God NEVER goes back on His promises. But I have to be ready to receive them. The problem is not God but me. God needs to be sure I am ready to receive, with the right heart, all that He wants to do. And I have to be wiling to do my part. Taking hold of God's promises may require a lot of work or energy on my part. It may require hours and hours of prayer. It may require a whole new way of thinking about myself or God or people around me. And then at just the right time, God's promises are fulfilled in my life.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Obedience
In Joshua chapter 6, we read of the fall of Jericho..."and the walls came tumbling down." Used to sing that song many years ago. Any way, the people have to follow God's battle plan to take the city. March around it with trumpets and the Ark...everyday for a week. The people obeyed God and the walls DID fall down and the people conquered the city.
BUT one man had a covetous heart and was not obedient. He kept some of the plunder for himself after God said don't do it. The next battle, which should have been an easy victory, was lost and Israelites died.
When Joshua confronted God about it, God revealed the sin in the camp. So Joshua again obeyed God and called all the tribes to come by so that God could reveal to him who the culprit was. Even though I've read this story many times, this morning I read this verse and realized the impact on Joshua of this man's sin. After all the tribes and men came by, the man who was causing all the problems was part of Joshua's family, his household.
I imagine Joshua's heart was grieved, as it would have been for anyone who sinned against God, but his own family! That must have cut him to the core. Especially the punishment that God had commanded. But Joshua was obedient still. Achan and all his family, all his belongings, all his livestock was taken outside the camp, stoned to death, then burned.
Obedience can be very difficult especially if it involves those I love, those who are family. But I need to look carefully at my relationships to see if I am doing anything or enabling anyone by my actions of love that might cause me actually to disobey God.
BUT one man had a covetous heart and was not obedient. He kept some of the plunder for himself after God said don't do it. The next battle, which should have been an easy victory, was lost and Israelites died.
When Joshua confronted God about it, God revealed the sin in the camp. So Joshua again obeyed God and called all the tribes to come by so that God could reveal to him who the culprit was. Even though I've read this story many times, this morning I read this verse and realized the impact on Joshua of this man's sin. After all the tribes and men came by, the man who was causing all the problems was part of Joshua's family, his household.
I imagine Joshua's heart was grieved, as it would have been for anyone who sinned against God, but his own family! That must have cut him to the core. Especially the punishment that God had commanded. But Joshua was obedient still. Achan and all his family, all his belongings, all his livestock was taken outside the camp, stoned to death, then burned.
Obedience can be very difficult especially if it involves those I love, those who are family. But I need to look carefully at my relationships to see if I am doing anything or enabling anyone by my actions of love that might cause me actually to disobey God.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Be Strong and Courageous
When Joshua assumed the leadership of Israel after Moses died, his first task was to cross the Jordan, which was at flood stage, with all the Israelites and prepare for the first battle to take the land. Three times God told Joshua to be strong and courageous.
After three days of preparation, they went to the Jordan. God told them He would dry up the waters for the crossing but only after the priests stepped into the river.
That's still what He asks of me today. Be strong and courageous...do not be afraid of the rushing waters...do not be afraid of the unknown...do not be afraid of the battle...do not make excuses...just do what I tell you to do.
If I find it hard to obey, it's because I don't really believe or trust God. If He says I should do "A", then He will do "B" and I find all sorts of reasons NOT to do "A", I just do not have faith in God. I do not believe He will do what He says He will do. And that means I am missing SO much of what God wants for me.
Be strong and courageous!! Even when the outcome is not evident to me, it is evident to God.
After three days of preparation, they went to the Jordan. God told them He would dry up the waters for the crossing but only after the priests stepped into the river.
That's still what He asks of me today. Be strong and courageous...do not be afraid of the rushing waters...do not be afraid of the unknown...do not be afraid of the battle...do not make excuses...just do what I tell you to do.
If I find it hard to obey, it's because I don't really believe or trust God. If He says I should do "A", then He will do "B" and I find all sorts of reasons NOT to do "A", I just do not have faith in God. I do not believe He will do what He says He will do. And that means I am missing SO much of what God wants for me.
Be strong and courageous!! Even when the outcome is not evident to me, it is evident to God.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
God Is for Us
As I read through the Old Testament, I am confronted again and again with the fact that people never change. In the last chapters of Deuteronomy, God tells the Israelites that they will go into the land and get full and prosperous and forget about Him and start serving other gods.
We still do that today. When times are tough or scary, we seek God. When everything is moving along just fine and all our needs are being met, we forget about God and worship gods of recreation or leisure or money or nature or whatever.
The most interesting part about this passage to me is that God knew it before hand (He does know EVERY thing) and had Moses teach them a song that would comfort them when they were experiencing the curses God would inflict because of their disobedience.
In an earlier passage Moses tells how, when the people return to God, He will bring them back to their land after they have been scattered and how God will circumcise their hearts so they can love Him. God will enable them to love Him.
I love having a Father who has my back...who sees me wherever I am; who wants me to love Him so He enables me to do it; who comforts me in my godly grief over my sin.
We still do that today. When times are tough or scary, we seek God. When everything is moving along just fine and all our needs are being met, we forget about God and worship gods of recreation or leisure or money or nature or whatever.
The most interesting part about this passage to me is that God knew it before hand (He does know EVERY thing) and had Moses teach them a song that would comfort them when they were experiencing the curses God would inflict because of their disobedience.
In an earlier passage Moses tells how, when the people return to God, He will bring them back to their land after they have been scattered and how God will circumcise their hearts so they can love Him. God will enable them to love Him.
I love having a Father who has my back...who sees me wherever I am; who wants me to love Him so He enables me to do it; who comforts me in my godly grief over my sin.
Monday, March 8, 2010
I Will Be Safe
As I was reading in Deuteronomy, I came across this passage. Moses has been telling the Israelites how God will bless them if they obey God and how He will curse them if they turn aside to idols.
In the Church many of us think we are safe because we come to church and are good people but then go our own way. We may not think we are turning aside to idols but we have idols just the same.
In Deuteronomy the idols are of wood and stone. Our idols today are not figurines made in the shape of people or birds or animals but cars and TVs and computers. Sometimes our idols are people. One of the most popular TV shows is called American Idol and people dream of being that one person everyone idolizes and being rich and famous! Many people in America think that our President is our savior. Not just those who believe in Obama but those who will push for his replacement in the next election.
We think it is okay to just do our thing and God will be pleased. I'm better than that guy over there so I am safe. Perry said yesterday that money is the #1 competitor for the heart of man. If I have idols in my life, if my money is more important than anything else, then maybe, just maybe I am NOT safe.
The only real safety comes from knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior, having invited Him into my heart and surrendering my will and my way to Him. If I have idols floating around, things I would not give up or let go of, maybe I don't know Jesus at all. And that is definitely not safe!
In the Church many of us think we are safe because we come to church and are good people but then go our own way. We may not think we are turning aside to idols but we have idols just the same.
In Deuteronomy the idols are of wood and stone. Our idols today are not figurines made in the shape of people or birds or animals but cars and TVs and computers. Sometimes our idols are people. One of the most popular TV shows is called American Idol and people dream of being that one person everyone idolizes and being rich and famous! Many people in America think that our President is our savior. Not just those who believe in Obama but those who will push for his replacement in the next election.
We think it is okay to just do our thing and God will be pleased. I'm better than that guy over there so I am safe. Perry said yesterday that money is the #1 competitor for the heart of man. If I have idols in my life, if my money is more important than anything else, then maybe, just maybe I am NOT safe.
The only real safety comes from knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior, having invited Him into my heart and surrendering my will and my way to Him. If I have idols floating around, things I would not give up or let go of, maybe I don't know Jesus at all. And that is definitely not safe!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
What Does My Wallet Say About My Worship
Perry preached HARD about money today at NewSpring. Based on things Perry says every time he preaches on money, lots of people really don't like for him to talk about money.
I do like it though. It is always a good reminder for me to refocus on my budget, on my giving, on my heart. After all, as Perry said, how I give and how I view money, is really a heart issue. It's all about my relationship with Jesus and whether or not I believe what the Bible says.
Perry gave us LOTS of verses today and pretty much, in my mind, demolished every excuse people use not to give. I am as generous as I know how to be and am praying for God to show me how to be more generous. Has my giving generously caused me to be on "easy street" financially? No, but God comes through again and again. He paid all my bills 6 years ago when I had no job. Then He got me a job - actually 3 of them in succession. I got a raise in the midst of a recession. I got a Christmas bonus to replace my Christmas gift to the Church. I have a home with food in the fridge, heat when it's cold and hot water to bathe in. I have gas in my car and clothes on my back. EVERYTHING that I NEED I have.
I do not have much "blow money" and do live on a pretty tight budget. Even with my raise I am not in Perry's 5% of the richest people in the world but I am certainly not poor! I would love to be able to give my grandchildren a lot of the stuff they want but I can't because I don't have "extra" money. But I have to ask would giving in to all - or even just many - of their wants be good for them anyway? And my answer is "No."
God IS faithful and He DOES pour out His blessings. Even though I don't have as much money as most people I know, I can say that I have enough money and enough stuff. In addition to having enough money, my blessings include good health and grandchildren who are close by and contentment and joy and friends and just knowing how much God loves me.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Prayer
Sunday at NewSpring Perry started a new series called "Practical Atheist". He said a practical atheist is someone who claims to believe in God but lives as if He doesn't exist. There is no change in the person's life, more belief in the superstitious than the supernatural.
We also saw the video of Zac's story, a 32 year old staff member who is dying from cancer. As we ended the service, Perry asked for those who needed healing to come forward for prayer. I was privileged to be one of the ones praying with those who came forward.
I had several requests for physical healing, a marriage to be healed, a son to be delivered from drugs, emotional healing of bitterness, a newly engaged woman who wanted prayer for the relationship. There were around 30 people from all campuses who prayed to receive Christ! That is the ultimate healing.
I see and hear these hurts every week through the prayer ministry but I think it was good for the church to be able to see that there are lots of people who don't have it all together. People who are struggling with physical, spiritual, emotional and relational issues.
The question now is do we really anticipate that God is going to do something supernatural in the lives of these individuals?
We also saw the video of Zac's story, a 32 year old staff member who is dying from cancer. As we ended the service, Perry asked for those who needed healing to come forward for prayer. I was privileged to be one of the ones praying with those who came forward.
I had several requests for physical healing, a marriage to be healed, a son to be delivered from drugs, emotional healing of bitterness, a newly engaged woman who wanted prayer for the relationship. There were around 30 people from all campuses who prayed to receive Christ! That is the ultimate healing.
I see and hear these hurts every week through the prayer ministry but I think it was good for the church to be able to see that there are lots of people who don't have it all together. People who are struggling with physical, spiritual, emotional and relational issues.
The question now is do we really anticipate that God is going to do something supernatural in the lives of these individuals?
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