"From the Word: 1Kings 16:34 it talks about a man who during the reign of the wicked king Ahab built Jericho. He laid its foundation, or started the work, at the cost of his firstborn son, and hung its gates, or finished the work, at the cost of his youngest. He had to either be ignorant of the curse Joshua attached to rebuilding the city, unbelieving that the word would come to pass, or he cared more for the work of rebuilding Jericho than he did the lives of his family. In any of these cases he is in a bad predicament. Do we at our own cost and misfortune rebuild what God has miraculously delivered into our hands? Galatians 2:18 says “For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.”"
In the New Testament we also read that a man who returns to their sin is like a dog returning to its own vomit. How disgusting to think of. And yet the illustration sticks doesn't it? The very thing that upset us and made us sick and weak that our body rejected we want to consume again.
There is a part of an old hymn called "Come Thou Fount" that catches me every time I sing it. It says "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Here's my heart Lord take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above." It identifies honestly the fight that we all go through in the flesh. Our flesh wars against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. We have to cling to the Lord in humility and refocus our attention heavenward.
God is able to deliver. We need to be wise enough to leave the pile of rubble alone as a memorial rather than rebuild our Jericho.
What are some ways we can keep from rebuilding our Jericho? How do you think God feels about when we rebuild what He has delivered into our hands?
Monday, September 7, 2015
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Day 250 - No Other Way
"Faithful, faith filled and faith focused."
These are three points from a sermon my brother in law preached last year. They are life long lessons. We are constantly adjusting and correcting our course to stay with these three areas.
There is no other way to please God than by faith. There is also no other way to do life than by faith. You have to have faith to be a Christian, have friends, make marriage work, raise kids, build a business etc.
We are faithful when we show up consistently for our duties. We are faithful when we are loyal and won't get off track with something or someone. Our commitment is no commitment at all if it isn't consistent. That is where faithfulness comes in. We must be able to be counted on and trusted. Are we faithful to our families, to our marriages, on the job, to our friends, and most of all to our God?
If we are going to be faithful we need to be faith filled. We need to get as much of God's word inside of us because that is where faith comes from. Otherwise without the Word of God we will believe anything. God has ways and thoughts that He wants us to hear and be a part of. We will only get there and be filled with faith when we get into the Word.
All this happens with a faith focus. What we give our attention to is what matters and what is produced in our lives. With the same measure of attention and interest we give it will be given back to us. It is very important to keep our eyes focused on Jesus and look to Him for what we are in faith for. Seek the Giver and you will have no lack of gifts. Seek the Lover and you will be loved. Seek the Healer and you will be healed.
What are you believing God for? Which of these areas do you need to grow in?
These are three points from a sermon my brother in law preached last year. They are life long lessons. We are constantly adjusting and correcting our course to stay with these three areas.
There is no other way to please God than by faith. There is also no other way to do life than by faith. You have to have faith to be a Christian, have friends, make marriage work, raise kids, build a business etc.
We are faithful when we show up consistently for our duties. We are faithful when we are loyal and won't get off track with something or someone. Our commitment is no commitment at all if it isn't consistent. That is where faithfulness comes in. We must be able to be counted on and trusted. Are we faithful to our families, to our marriages, on the job, to our friends, and most of all to our God?
If we are going to be faithful we need to be faith filled. We need to get as much of God's word inside of us because that is where faith comes from. Otherwise without the Word of God we will believe anything. God has ways and thoughts that He wants us to hear and be a part of. We will only get there and be filled with faith when we get into the Word.
All this happens with a faith focus. What we give our attention to is what matters and what is produced in our lives. With the same measure of attention and interest we give it will be given back to us. It is very important to keep our eyes focused on Jesus and look to Him for what we are in faith for. Seek the Giver and you will have no lack of gifts. Seek the Lover and you will be loved. Seek the Healer and you will be healed.
What are you believing God for? Which of these areas do you need to grow in?
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Day 249 - Where Power Comes From
"First time in our twelve years in the building we had no power during church service."
Last year at our Women's Conference the power went out right as they were going to start the message. Wouldn't you know that when God is about to do something big that the devil comes and tries to pull the plug. The awesome thing is that it didn't phase us at all. We went into high gear and got a portable power generator and small sound system together and still had church. They even had all the ladies turn on their cell phone lights and sing "This little light of mine". God 1 - Devil - 0.
You don't have to be delayed or defeated by the devil. If he tries to pull the plug on you just keep after it. Go into high gear and do what you were doing a different way. Sing a song while you're at it. The devil is a liar and cannot stop the work of God. Remind the devil he is a defeated foe and is under your feet. You have the victory in Jesus!
If you are a Christian then you have the Spirit of God inside of you. The greatest power of the universe is resident within! No opposition or enemy can stand in your way.
Have you ever experienced a time where you knew God was about to do something big and it was met with resistance? How can we prepare for opposition?
Last year at our Women's Conference the power went out right as they were going to start the message. Wouldn't you know that when God is about to do something big that the devil comes and tries to pull the plug. The awesome thing is that it didn't phase us at all. We went into high gear and got a portable power generator and small sound system together and still had church. They even had all the ladies turn on their cell phone lights and sing "This little light of mine". God 1 - Devil - 0.
You don't have to be delayed or defeated by the devil. If he tries to pull the plug on you just keep after it. Go into high gear and do what you were doing a different way. Sing a song while you're at it. The devil is a liar and cannot stop the work of God. Remind the devil he is a defeated foe and is under your feet. You have the victory in Jesus!
If you are a Christian then you have the Spirit of God inside of you. The greatest power of the universe is resident within! No opposition or enemy can stand in your way.
Have you ever experienced a time where you knew God was about to do something big and it was met with resistance? How can we prepare for opposition?
Friday, September 4, 2015
Day 248 - More Than Partnership
"I was grateful for Jess because she sat in my spiritual guidance meeting. It helps having her perspective as a woman and a wife."
Marriage is more than partnership. It is covenant. When two people get into covenant they are no longer separate, they are one. God spoke of marriage from the beginning saying that the two shall become one flesh. When I look at my wife I see myself.
It is sad because many people do not see their spouse this way. Not just men but also women have this problem. I have spoken with couples who keep separate accounts, the woman won't take the man's name, or they are in disagreement with one another. All of that isn't sin but it makes for a terrible marriage. The more separated a marriage is the tougher it will be.
Unity is essential and the devil knows it. That is why he works so hard to break up marriage. It is a picture of Christ and the church, which he hates both, and marriage is unity. When there is unity there is blessing, exponential effectiveness and progress. There is real power in unity. A blessed marriage happens when there is agreement. Here is where agreement happens; the Word of God. If two people can agree on God's Word then they can make it in marriage and life.
That is where the oneness happens. It is where people can finish each other's sentences and look like each other as they grow old together.
How can we foster unity and oneness in marriage? What scriptures can build unity in marriage?
Marriage is more than partnership. It is covenant. When two people get into covenant they are no longer separate, they are one. God spoke of marriage from the beginning saying that the two shall become one flesh. When I look at my wife I see myself.
It is sad because many people do not see their spouse this way. Not just men but also women have this problem. I have spoken with couples who keep separate accounts, the woman won't take the man's name, or they are in disagreement with one another. All of that isn't sin but it makes for a terrible marriage. The more separated a marriage is the tougher it will be.
Unity is essential and the devil knows it. That is why he works so hard to break up marriage. It is a picture of Christ and the church, which he hates both, and marriage is unity. When there is unity there is blessing, exponential effectiveness and progress. There is real power in unity. A blessed marriage happens when there is agreement. Here is where agreement happens; the Word of God. If two people can agree on God's Word then they can make it in marriage and life.
That is where the oneness happens. It is where people can finish each other's sentences and look like each other as they grow old together.
How can we foster unity and oneness in marriage? What scriptures can build unity in marriage?
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Day 247 - Leadership Awareness
"He had a good insight that the one word to be a good leader was awareness."
Leaders should know and be aware of their sphere of responsibility. The Bible says we should know the state of our flocks. What has been entrusted to us can only be effective if we know what is going on.
As a leader myself I require all the information before I make a decision. Many things are effected when you make changes. The question is always bigger than the immediate need. It goes into other areas. Like a domino that when you push it over topples over a line of others leaders need to know what their decisions will do and be able to see ahead.
When I have been heading in a direction and become aware of new information and the whole picture I have found that many times it will either change the direction or the approach. It all hinges on my awareness. It is no one else's responsibility for my awareness. I will often go to the departments and ask questions or walk into areas just to see what we are talking about so that I can make intelligent decisions.
Without awareness you will be shooting in the dark. It doesn't matter if you are managing a Fortune 500 company or managing your home, if you are not aware you won't be able to effectively manage. Ask the right questions, limit distractions and find out the whole story.
What are some things good leaders should be aware of? How can we become more aware of the state of our homes, businesses and organizations?
Leaders should know and be aware of their sphere of responsibility. The Bible says we should know the state of our flocks. What has been entrusted to us can only be effective if we know what is going on.
As a leader myself I require all the information before I make a decision. Many things are effected when you make changes. The question is always bigger than the immediate need. It goes into other areas. Like a domino that when you push it over topples over a line of others leaders need to know what their decisions will do and be able to see ahead.
When I have been heading in a direction and become aware of new information and the whole picture I have found that many times it will either change the direction or the approach. It all hinges on my awareness. It is no one else's responsibility for my awareness. I will often go to the departments and ask questions or walk into areas just to see what we are talking about so that I can make intelligent decisions.
Without awareness you will be shooting in the dark. It doesn't matter if you are managing a Fortune 500 company or managing your home, if you are not aware you won't be able to effectively manage. Ask the right questions, limit distractions and find out the whole story.
What are some things good leaders should be aware of? How can we become more aware of the state of our homes, businesses and organizations?
Day 246 - Laughter for Life
"It was a good time and we had fun at my expense."
Life can get too serious. In one day between the news and your neighbors every terrible thing can be presented to you. Life needs levity.
There are pressure releases that God has built into us. He is our greatest pressure release. We can cast our cares on Him in prayer any time. We also have faith filled friends who can be trusted to help us bear burdens that are too great for us.
I believe that laughter can be a great pressure release. One of the fruits of the Spirit, right after love, is joy. We can laugh and smile because we have the Spirit of God. We can have the joy of our salvation, the joy of the Lord and joy from the Spirit.
Have a good laugh and see how you feel. I'm not saying to ignore problems. You can face them with a smile because the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Is there a funny memory you have that when you think of it you laugh? What are some joyful moments in your life?
Life can get too serious. In one day between the news and your neighbors every terrible thing can be presented to you. Life needs levity.
There are pressure releases that God has built into us. He is our greatest pressure release. We can cast our cares on Him in prayer any time. We also have faith filled friends who can be trusted to help us bear burdens that are too great for us.
I believe that laughter can be a great pressure release. One of the fruits of the Spirit, right after love, is joy. We can laugh and smile because we have the Spirit of God. We can have the joy of our salvation, the joy of the Lord and joy from the Spirit.
Have a good laugh and see how you feel. I'm not saying to ignore problems. You can face them with a smile because the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Is there a funny memory you have that when you think of it you laugh? What are some joyful moments in your life?
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Day 245 - Every Opportunity
"Hopefully we can share the gospel with the team as relationships form."
I made this statement in relation to my son's soccer team. We did in fact get to share the gospel and even invited the whole team to come to church. None came but they all heard.
We should in all things, in every way we can, use every opportunity to share the gospel. Our life should be one big sermon lived out in front of the world. At home in front of your neighbors your lawn and your cars parked in the front (or in the garage) should speak of the truth of God's Word. When you go to work and give your best it should be a testimony of the grace of God. In good and bad your external attitude should share the internal reality of the transformed life you live.
It takes an awareness of three things; God, others and myself (in that order).
When I know that God is always with me I will live in the light of His Word and work with His strength. His life will be lived through me when I live in a way that realizes He is living in me.
If I can be aware of others, looking to serve rather than be served, it will affect my decisions. Just the other day my mother-in-law was on the phone with someone who works as a telemarketer. I personally don't like getting these calls at home and often abruptly get off of the phone when I realize it is a sales call. She however had the presence of mind to think of this man on the other end of the phone and she said to him "I know that your job must be really hard and even though I don't have need of what you are selling I hope you make a lot of sales today". He was blown away. We can share God's goodness with others by being sensitive to their needs and looking for opportunities to serve.
Finally we need to be aware of ourselves. When I am unaware of what I am doing I tend to make mistakes. I can go into auto-pilot from time to time. Like driving on the freeway. I take the route to church so much that sometimes I end up driving like I am going there when I intend to go somewhere else. The same can happen with bad behaviors. We may have a scowl on our face or we might ignore others. People are always watching. I know because I am always watching other people. In fact, that is one of my favorite pass times at amusement parks. It is called people watching. Who is watching you? If they watch you long enough will they see Christ in you? These are good questions to ask ourselves.
When we are aware of God, others and ourselves it will open the door for every opportunity to be used to the fullest to preach the gospel.
Which of these three are you most aware of and why? Which of these three are you least aware of and why?
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