Why are we so stupid? Our enemy, the devil, never changes his tactics, never offers up any new temptations but we fall for them over and over again.
In 1 John 2:15-17, the apostle John tells us "Do not love the world or the things in the world...the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes and the pride in possessions [are] not from the Father but [are] from the world."
In Genesis 3:6 we read about Eve and the temptation to eat from the tree God had forbidden. God had provided all Adam and Eve would need, but "when [she] saw that the tree was good for food (desires of the flesh), and that it was a delight to the eyes (desires of the eyes), and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise"(pride in possessions) she turned her back on all the good things God had provided and sinned against God by doing what He had specifically forbidden causing a break in their relationship.
In Matthew 4 we read of the temptation of Jesus. The tempter came to Him after Jesus had been fasting for forty days and forty nights and he was hungry. So he tells Jesus, you're hungry turn these stones to bread to satisfy your hunger (desires of the flesh) which Jesus countered with scripture.
Next he takes Jesus to the very top of the temple (where He looks out over Jerusalem - desires of the eyes) and dares Him to throw Himself off and let the angels rescue Him. Jesus again responds with scripture.
The third temptation took place on a very high mountain where Satan said You can have all this (pride in possessions) if You will just worship me. Finally Jesus said, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written you shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve."
The world is the domain of our enemy so why do we, as Christians whose home is NOT in this world, get so caught up in all the things of this world? We allow him to entice us over and over again with things that do not last.
I need to emulate Jesus and know the word of God and the truth He speaks to me about how to live and who I really am if I have given my life to Christ. I am a child of the King of Kings, the Creator of the universe who will provide all I need. The real temptation comes when I want stuff, people, things, position, and/or recognition more than I want my relationship with Jesus.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Unleash Is Just Days Away
Wow, I can hardly believe it is time for Unleash again. It's going to be a GREAT day! How do I know? Because every year it gets better and better.
There are 3100 people coming from all over the world for this one day conference. I met a young man, a musician, on Monday at the Anderson Campus who has come to the US from Perth, Australia just for this conference. This is his first trip to the US so he did go to Chicago and to Memphis before descending on the Anderson metropolis, population 25,500. Perry also mentioned Sunday that a church planter from England and one from Estonia will be coming. In past years working as a greeter in the parking lots I have met people from just about every state who come to be equipped to follow hard after God and do what He tells them to do - not to do church like we do but to be obedient to whatever God is leading THEM to do.
Monday I worked all day preparing for Unleash. I was one of about 15 volunteers, from college freshmen to late 60s, men and women, black and white, putting together conference packets for attenders and vendors. We also unloaded a bunch of snacks and bottled water to sustain these 3100 people during their two breaks.
There were lots of people today and will be again Wednesday as over 3700 bag lunches are assembled and tents are erected and chairs and tables are moved and coolers filled with ice, sodas and water, fruit is unboxed and so much more as we prepare for our guests. What great fun getting ready is!!
This year for the first time I will be part of the Unleash production team on Thursday. Although production is where I serve on Sunday, I have never been invited to serve on the Unleash team. What I will be doing will assist the band and speakers in the main auditorium and will not be seen by any of the 3100 people or 600 volunteers that will be there. Maybe 12 people will know what I am doing but what an honor it is! Because what I am doing will be broken up into segments, I will still get to interact with the attenders during lunch. It's going to be a GREAT day!
There are 3100 people coming from all over the world for this one day conference. I met a young man, a musician, on Monday at the Anderson Campus who has come to the US from Perth, Australia just for this conference. This is his first trip to the US so he did go to Chicago and to Memphis before descending on the Anderson metropolis, population 25,500. Perry also mentioned Sunday that a church planter from England and one from Estonia will be coming. In past years working as a greeter in the parking lots I have met people from just about every state who come to be equipped to follow hard after God and do what He tells them to do - not to do church like we do but to be obedient to whatever God is leading THEM to do.
Monday I worked all day preparing for Unleash. I was one of about 15 volunteers, from college freshmen to late 60s, men and women, black and white, putting together conference packets for attenders and vendors. We also unloaded a bunch of snacks and bottled water to sustain these 3100 people during their two breaks.
There were lots of people today and will be again Wednesday as over 3700 bag lunches are assembled and tents are erected and chairs and tables are moved and coolers filled with ice, sodas and water, fruit is unboxed and so much more as we prepare for our guests. What great fun getting ready is!!
This year for the first time I will be part of the Unleash production team on Thursday. Although production is where I serve on Sunday, I have never been invited to serve on the Unleash team. What I will be doing will assist the band and speakers in the main auditorium and will not be seen by any of the 3100 people or 600 volunteers that will be there. Maybe 12 people will know what I am doing but what an honor it is! Because what I am doing will be broken up into segments, I will still get to interact with the attenders during lunch. It's going to be a GREAT day!
I Am Humbled
I am humbled to be used by God in ways that I would never have imagined at one point in my life. God is so forgiving, so patient, so loving, so kind, so generous, so faithful to me over and over and over.
I am humbled that He would lead me to the greatest church in America, NewSpring Community Church, in Anderson SC of all places to sit under the teaching of one of the greatest preachers in America, Perry Noble. I am humbled that He would allow me to be part of the launch team 3 years ago for the first satellite campus of NewSpring located in Greenville SC. I look forward with great anticipation at how God is going to allow me to serve when a satellite campus actually comes to my home city.
To think there was a time when I was an enemy of God but now I get to serve Him, His Church-the body of Christ, and those who are still enemies of God. Today I had the privilege of leading two people in a prayer of repentance and forgiveness as they asked Jesus into their hearts.
The time I spend at the Greenville church offices each Tuesday really keeps me on my spiritual toes. I never know what questions will come my way or what situations I will need to address. There are so many hurting people in our community. To think God would allow me to have the opportunity to speak His truth into their lives is almost more than I can absorb at times. This means I actively seeking God day by day to be prepared for the task at hand. Words of encouragement from me are good but coupled with the words of God makes them better.
Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul and allowing me to serve You by serving people around me. What a great God You are to take a God hater/world lover like me and to make me useful to You.
.
I am humbled that He would lead me to the greatest church in America, NewSpring Community Church, in Anderson SC of all places to sit under the teaching of one of the greatest preachers in America, Perry Noble. I am humbled that He would allow me to be part of the launch team 3 years ago for the first satellite campus of NewSpring located in Greenville SC. I look forward with great anticipation at how God is going to allow me to serve when a satellite campus actually comes to my home city.
To think there was a time when I was an enemy of God but now I get to serve Him, His Church-the body of Christ, and those who are still enemies of God. Today I had the privilege of leading two people in a prayer of repentance and forgiveness as they asked Jesus into their hearts.
The time I spend at the Greenville church offices each Tuesday really keeps me on my spiritual toes. I never know what questions will come my way or what situations I will need to address. There are so many hurting people in our community. To think God would allow me to have the opportunity to speak His truth into their lives is almost more than I can absorb at times. This means I actively seeking God day by day to be prepared for the task at hand. Words of encouragement from me are good but coupled with the words of God makes them better.
Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul and allowing me to serve You by serving people around me. What a great God You are to take a God hater/world lover like me and to make me useful to You.
.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Be Holy
"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" 1 Peter 1:14-16 & Leviticus 11:44.
All through the book of Exodus God speaks of things as holy. The ground where Moses was standing, the garments for the priests, the utensils and altar for the Tent of Meeting, the incense...everything connected with the worship of God was called holy by God. Then we get to Leviticus 10:3 where God says, "By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy." Then we get to Leviticus 11:44 and He tells the people they are to be holy.
So I decided to look up the definition of holy. I have always heard it means set apart to God but I don't think I have ever actually looked it up. The definitions I found are 1. dedicated to religious use; belonging to or coming from God; consecrated; sacred 2. spiritually perfect or pure; untainted by evil or sin; sinless; saintly 3. regarded with or deserving deep respect, awe, reverence, or adoration.
So what does it mean for me to be holy? Certainly number 3 is out. I don't deserve any awe, reverence or adoration. Number 1 seems to fit me...belonging to God because I am His child through my faith in Jesus Christ. Number 2 at first seemed to apply only to God. Certainly in my own strength or even in my own mind, I am not spiritually perfect or pure, untainted by evil or sin, sinless, saintly. But as I thought about it I began to think about how God views me as clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Because of Christ, I am sinless in the eyes of my God and Father. He knows all things but chooses not to remember my sin.
Help me, Lord, to be holy in my words, my actions and my thoughts; all my conduct. Cause Your Spirit to make me more and more sensitive to the unholy things that are present in my life so I can repent and bring glory to Your name in all things at all times.
All through the book of Exodus God speaks of things as holy. The ground where Moses was standing, the garments for the priests, the utensils and altar for the Tent of Meeting, the incense...everything connected with the worship of God was called holy by God. Then we get to Leviticus 10:3 where God says, "By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy." Then we get to Leviticus 11:44 and He tells the people they are to be holy.
So I decided to look up the definition of holy. I have always heard it means set apart to God but I don't think I have ever actually looked it up. The definitions I found are 1. dedicated to religious use; belonging to or coming from God; consecrated; sacred 2. spiritually perfect or pure; untainted by evil or sin; sinless; saintly 3. regarded with or deserving deep respect, awe, reverence, or adoration.
So what does it mean for me to be holy? Certainly number 3 is out. I don't deserve any awe, reverence or adoration. Number 1 seems to fit me...belonging to God because I am His child through my faith in Jesus Christ. Number 2 at first seemed to apply only to God. Certainly in my own strength or even in my own mind, I am not spiritually perfect or pure, untainted by evil or sin, sinless, saintly. But as I thought about it I began to think about how God views me as clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Because of Christ, I am sinless in the eyes of my God and Father. He knows all things but chooses not to remember my sin.
Help me, Lord, to be holy in my words, my actions and my thoughts; all my conduct. Cause Your Spirit to make me more and more sensitive to the unholy things that are present in my life so I can repent and bring glory to Your name in all things at all times.
Peace
As I read the letters written by Paul, Peter and John, I notice that they always either begin or end their letters with a blessing of peace. What I think we, as American Christians, need to learn is that "peace" is not necessarily a condition of calm or lack of conflict.
Just about every letter in the New Testament mentions persecution either the writer or the recipients are enduring. The Roman world was very hostile to Christians at the beginning of the church age. Many faced arrest, beatings and/or death because of their stand for Christ.
Jesus said, "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) But He also said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34)
The key to peace in the midst of rising political conflict around the world, natural disaster, violence in our cities, and all the other things that cause people to fear is "IN ME". Jesus said the only way to have peace is to commit our lives to Him. Then the Spirit of the living God will bring forth His fruit in our lives - "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23)
It is possible to have a life characterized by peace when the world seems to be falling apart around us, but only when our lives are in submission to Jesus Christ.
Just about every letter in the New Testament mentions persecution either the writer or the recipients are enduring. The Roman world was very hostile to Christians at the beginning of the church age. Many faced arrest, beatings and/or death because of their stand for Christ.
Jesus said, "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) But He also said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34)
The key to peace in the midst of rising political conflict around the world, natural disaster, violence in our cities, and all the other things that cause people to fear is "IN ME". Jesus said the only way to have peace is to commit our lives to Him. Then the Spirit of the living God will bring forth His fruit in our lives - "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23)
It is possible to have a life characterized by peace when the world seems to be falling apart around us, but only when our lives are in submission to Jesus Christ.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Gratitude
I don't much care for winter. I don't really like cold, windy, gray days which characterize many winter days around here. There have been all kinds of studies indicating that lack of sunlight negatively affects our moods. This year in upstate South Carolina, winter began very early. We even had a white Christmas which hasn't happened in our area since 1963. It has been a winter to remember - as cold, blustery and snowy.
So when Spring came early I was so excited. I've had 4 or 5 days over the last few weeks with heat turned off and windows open. WooHoo!! I do like the sunshine and warm (and I think God put me in the South for that reason) so it is very easy for me to have a heart full of gratitude toward God for the beautiful days, blue skies, warm sun, gentle breezes. Temperatures have been running 10 to 20 degrees above normal. That always elicits at "THANK YOU!" from me.
Today is a different story. Actually it is a "typical" March day - 55 degrees, gray skies, moderate wind, the threat of rain for the weekend. When I got up this morning, I though bah-humbug. But God just got all in my case and helped me to realize that "this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)
God allowed me to wake up this morning because He is not finished with me yet. That is reason to be grateful.
God provides the rain to refresh the ground and fill the reservoirs. That is reason to be grateful.
The sun is shining even if I can't see it. That is reason to be grateful.
The temperatures will be miserably hot in July and August. That is reason to be grateful for cool today.
If I let Him guide me, God will always give me reasons to be grateful no matter what my circumstances.
So when Spring came early I was so excited. I've had 4 or 5 days over the last few weeks with heat turned off and windows open. WooHoo!! I do like the sunshine and warm (and I think God put me in the South for that reason) so it is very easy for me to have a heart full of gratitude toward God for the beautiful days, blue skies, warm sun, gentle breezes. Temperatures have been running 10 to 20 degrees above normal. That always elicits at "THANK YOU!" from me.
Today is a different story. Actually it is a "typical" March day - 55 degrees, gray skies, moderate wind, the threat of rain for the weekend. When I got up this morning, I though bah-humbug. But God just got all in my case and helped me to realize that "this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)
God allowed me to wake up this morning because He is not finished with me yet. That is reason to be grateful.
God provides the rain to refresh the ground and fill the reservoirs. That is reason to be grateful.
The sun is shining even if I can't see it. That is reason to be grateful.
The temperatures will be miserably hot in July and August. That is reason to be grateful for cool today.
If I let Him guide me, God will always give me reasons to be grateful no matter what my circumstances.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Draw Near to God
I've just finished reading James and started not to write anything because Perry had some really good stuff to say yesterday from James and I could just take his insights as my own. But that is not what God expects me to do. I learn a lot from Perry and Steven Furtick and others...God uses them to propel me along on my journey with Him. However, I am to search the scriptures for myself and allow God to speak to me Himself. That brings me to James 4:8.
I pass a church near my home with a marquee sign out front. They currently have James 4:7 out there..."Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." To me this verse always seems incomplete with verse 8, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
So how do I draw near to God? By reading my Bible and by prayer and by submitting to God as verse 7 says but also having a life of active faith that lives out the command to "love your neighbor as yourself."
The hard part of these verses for me, though, is not so much resisting the devil as drawing near to God. The even harder part can be living it out in my day to day life. Without drawing near to God, I can not live out the life of love He expects of me because I have no strength or ability without the power of God coursing through my veins and impacting my heart.
The Bible is such a precious gift, such a letter of love. God WANTS me to know Him and to know who I am because of His great love for me and what His expectations are for me as His child. My relationship with God should overshadow all other relationships and activities so that I look forward with anticipation to my time to "draw near" each day.
I pass a church near my home with a marquee sign out front. They currently have James 4:7 out there..."Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." To me this verse always seems incomplete with verse 8, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
So how do I draw near to God? By reading my Bible and by prayer and by submitting to God as verse 7 says but also having a life of active faith that lives out the command to "love your neighbor as yourself."
The hard part of these verses for me, though, is not so much resisting the devil as drawing near to God. The even harder part can be living it out in my day to day life. Without drawing near to God, I can not live out the life of love He expects of me because I have no strength or ability without the power of God coursing through my veins and impacting my heart.
The Bible is such a precious gift, such a letter of love. God WANTS me to know Him and to know who I am because of His great love for me and what His expectations are for me as His child. My relationship with God should overshadow all other relationships and activities so that I look forward with anticipation to my time to "draw near" each day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)