Our church just completed a series of services this week called "Renewal". I do not believe attending such services will create a renewal within me, but I do believe seeking the Lord in each of the services provides the opportunity for spiritual renewal.
Our executive director, Dr. David Johnson concluded our services yesterday. In his message, David referenced the restoration of Peter.
John 21:15-17 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16 He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."
As many times as Peter denied Jesus at the night of His trial, Jesus allowed Peter to declare his devotion. Isn't that just like a loving Father who desires our reconciliation? However, we still have the responsibility to express our devotion. Do YOU love the Lord Jesus? How? Frankly, words do not get it. A declaration of love is rather hollow unless you speak the love language of the recipient. God tells us His love language throughout Scripture - it is obedience.
Do YOU love the Lord Jesus?
...then confess your sins.
...then repent of your sins.
...then surrender control to Him.
...then read His Word.
...then DO His Word.
...then pray.
...then do not give up meeting together.
...then do not be divisive.
...then do not be a gossip.
...then love the church.
...then love His people.
...then love the lost.
...then share the Gospel.
...then honor Him in your daily life.
Do YOU love the Lord Jesus?
He gives you as many opportunities to declare your love as you have denied Him. It is your responsibility to declare you love in the language the Lord receives. Show Him.
Monday, June 27, 2016
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
The father ran...
Luke 15:20-24 "And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate."
The father not only ran to welcome his son, but he honored him by preparing a great feast and inviting the village to attend. The son...the rebellious son...the son who acted as if his father was dead...the son who ran away from responsibility and accountability. Why would that boy be honored?
After realizing his sin against heaven and his father, the son returned home (even if it was as a servant). The father recognized the heart of his son by the action of the son. Action follows desire. In the same way, God is looking for a changed heart as evidenced by a changed life. Before the boy could get his rehearsed confession out, the father interrupted the boy's confession, forgave him immediately and ordered the celebration!
But the father ran...
In the East, older men do not run; yet this father ran to meet his son. Why?
First, his love for him was that great.
Second, this was a reflection of his character.
But there is more.
This boy brought disgrace to his family. Before we point fingers...we are in the same boat. Our sin (no matter how insignificant we think it is) brings disgrace to God, the testimony of Jesus, the testimony of the church and our personal testimonies. This is why we must turn our ways, hearts and lives to the Lord. According to Deuteronomy 21:18–21, the boy should have been stoned to death by the community for his behavior when he returned. According to Romans 6:23, we deserve death for our behavior.
Listen closely… If the community began stoning him (as they had every right and legal obligation), they would have also hit the father who was embracing him!
Jesus did the same for you and me on the cross! We legally deserved death, but He embraced our sin and became the object of our punishment so we could be saved. We receive mercy through Him by not getting what we deserve - death. We receive grace through Him by getting what we do not deserve - eternal life purchased by Jesus Christ.
Have you returned to the Father? Are you still in the "far country"? He will run to you if you turn to Him!
The father not only ran to welcome his son, but he honored him by preparing a great feast and inviting the village to attend. The son...the rebellious son...the son who acted as if his father was dead...the son who ran away from responsibility and accountability. Why would that boy be honored?
After realizing his sin against heaven and his father, the son returned home (even if it was as a servant). The father recognized the heart of his son by the action of the son. Action follows desire. In the same way, God is looking for a changed heart as evidenced by a changed life. Before the boy could get his rehearsed confession out, the father interrupted the boy's confession, forgave him immediately and ordered the celebration!
But the father ran...
In the East, older men do not run; yet this father ran to meet his son. Why?
First, his love for him was that great.
Second, this was a reflection of his character.
But there is more.
This boy brought disgrace to his family. Before we point fingers...we are in the same boat. Our sin (no matter how insignificant we think it is) brings disgrace to God, the testimony of Jesus, the testimony of the church and our personal testimonies. This is why we must turn our ways, hearts and lives to the Lord. According to Deuteronomy 21:18–21, the boy should have been stoned to death by the community for his behavior when he returned. According to Romans 6:23, we deserve death for our behavior.
Listen closely… If the community began stoning him (as they had every right and legal obligation), they would have also hit the father who was embracing him!
Jesus did the same for you and me on the cross! We legally deserved death, but He embraced our sin and became the object of our punishment so we could be saved. We receive mercy through Him by not getting what we deserve - death. We receive grace through Him by getting what we do not deserve - eternal life purchased by Jesus Christ.
Have you returned to the Father? Are you still in the "far country"? He will run to you if you turn to Him!
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Who is unfaithful?
2 Chronicles 29:6-7 "For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done what was evil in the sight of the Lord our God. They have forsaken him and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord and turned their backs. They also shut the doors of the vestibule and put out the lamps and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the Holy Place to the God of Israel.”
Hezekiah said, “They have forsaken Him.” They were associated with God, but at some point, they looked at God and said, “No. I want to live life my way without your influence or guidance.”
How is your relationship with God today? Are you forsaking Him? That is a silly question. How about, "Are you living life your way?" That is forsaking God, rejecting your former association with Him.
They turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord and turned their backs.
So, not only did they reject their association with God, they literally turned their backs on the place where He dwelled. They no longer intended to meet with God. They knew where He dwelled; they just chose to not submit themselves to His presence.
Can we be guilty of that? Yes! But, In what way?
If you would be embarrassed by anything you do, think or say in front of your church family, your mama or your pastor – YOU ARE turning your back on God’s presence.
We think we are clever, don’t we? If we aren't mindful of God in our choices and behavior, somehow He is not there and somehow that makes it okay. That it is called self-deception and we are denying His presence. I am His dwelling place! He is always present! Therefore, I expose the church to every choice and behavior.
They shut the doors, put out the lamps, made no offerings and ceased worshipping the Lord.
There was no intention of re-entry, nor was there any invitation or encouragement for others to enter the dwelling place of God. In the Book of Revelation, the lamps are sometimes interpreted as the effective witness of the church. They put out the lamps, determined to stop being an effective witness. God was no longer a priority in their lives, so they stopped making offerings and worshipping God.
In your daily witness, do you invite people to know the Lord? To experience the joy, hope, love, mercy and forgiveness you claim as your own? Is God a priority? Do you provide the offering He determines or do you give out of your left over’s? Do you worship Him in your lifestyle daily (beyond a corporate worship service)? Is corporate worship important unless there is a better offer?
By acknowledging where we are in relation to God (really), we can either determine to prepare ourselves for renewal - moving toward God, or continue on the path we have already set that leads away from God.
Hezekiah called his fathers unfaithful. What exactly does that make us?
Hezekiah said, “They have forsaken Him.” They were associated with God, but at some point, they looked at God and said, “No. I want to live life my way without your influence or guidance.”
How is your relationship with God today? Are you forsaking Him? That is a silly question. How about, "Are you living life your way?" That is forsaking God, rejecting your former association with Him.
They turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord and turned their backs.
So, not only did they reject their association with God, they literally turned their backs on the place where He dwelled. They no longer intended to meet with God. They knew where He dwelled; they just chose to not submit themselves to His presence.
Can we be guilty of that? Yes! But, In what way?
If you would be embarrassed by anything you do, think or say in front of your church family, your mama or your pastor – YOU ARE turning your back on God’s presence.
We think we are clever, don’t we? If we aren't mindful of God in our choices and behavior, somehow He is not there and somehow that makes it okay. That it is called self-deception and we are denying His presence. I am His dwelling place! He is always present! Therefore, I expose the church to every choice and behavior.
They shut the doors, put out the lamps, made no offerings and ceased worshipping the Lord.
There was no intention of re-entry, nor was there any invitation or encouragement for others to enter the dwelling place of God. In the Book of Revelation, the lamps are sometimes interpreted as the effective witness of the church. They put out the lamps, determined to stop being an effective witness. God was no longer a priority in their lives, so they stopped making offerings and worshipping God.
In your daily witness, do you invite people to know the Lord? To experience the joy, hope, love, mercy and forgiveness you claim as your own? Is God a priority? Do you provide the offering He determines or do you give out of your left over’s? Do you worship Him in your lifestyle daily (beyond a corporate worship service)? Is corporate worship important unless there is a better offer?
By acknowledging where we are in relation to God (really), we can either determine to prepare ourselves for renewal - moving toward God, or continue on the path we have already set that leads away from God.
Hezekiah called his fathers unfaithful. What exactly does that make us?
Friday, June 10, 2016
You CAN do it!
Deuteronomy 30:11-14 “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.”
What is “this command”? If we go back to verse 10, we see the following – obey the voice of the Lord your God, keep His commandments and His statutes that are written in the Book of the law
AND turn to the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul.
God said it’s not too hard for us. It is not impossible. It is not unattainable.
That means, in responding to God appropriately, we can no longer make excuses. So, it does not matter how you have been brought up, what you have gone through, how long you have been this way, what you have done in the past or what you think or feel.
Right now, God says to obey Him and turn to Him completely!
God said "it isn’t far off". We cannot claim that it is too far away, nor can we blame someone else for not telling us what to do. God said His word is in your mouth and in your heart. Why? So you CAN do it! Does that mean possession of God’s Word equips you to do God’s Word?
Yes, if you allow His word to affect your heart.
The power of God’s Word does not come from education or eloquence – the power of God’s Word is in the Word itself! It is His Word that saves, transforms, teaches, rebukes, corrects and trains.
Understanding that truth alone should motivate us to consume God’s Word to such a degree, that it is not only our daily sustenance, but is also our way of life.
What does God's Word mean to you?
If living out God's word is not your way of life, you are not living in the power God has made available for you to live in this life. Frankly speaking, until it becomes your way of life, you will not experience renewal.
What is it you desire most?
Do you desire life and good? Live life God’s way, experience renewal and move closer to God.
Do you desire death and evil? Live life your way, stay the same and move further away from God.
What is “this command”? If we go back to verse 10, we see the following – obey the voice of the Lord your God, keep His commandments and His statutes that are written in the Book of the law
AND turn to the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul.
God said it’s not too hard for us. It is not impossible. It is not unattainable.
That means, in responding to God appropriately, we can no longer make excuses. So, it does not matter how you have been brought up, what you have gone through, how long you have been this way, what you have done in the past or what you think or feel.
Right now, God says to obey Him and turn to Him completely!
God said "it isn’t far off". We cannot claim that it is too far away, nor can we blame someone else for not telling us what to do. God said His word is in your mouth and in your heart. Why? So you CAN do it! Does that mean possession of God’s Word equips you to do God’s Word?
Yes, if you allow His word to affect your heart.
The power of God’s Word does not come from education or eloquence – the power of God’s Word is in the Word itself! It is His Word that saves, transforms, teaches, rebukes, corrects and trains.
Understanding that truth alone should motivate us to consume God’s Word to such a degree, that it is not only our daily sustenance, but is also our way of life.
What does God's Word mean to you?
If living out God's word is not your way of life, you are not living in the power God has made available for you to live in this life. Frankly speaking, until it becomes your way of life, you will not experience renewal.
What is it you desire most?
Do you desire life and good? Live life God’s way, experience renewal and move closer to God.
Do you desire death and evil? Live life your way, stay the same and move further away from God.
Friday, June 3, 2016
A Perfect Work
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."
In the previous post "Daily Holiness", we acknowledged our active involvement in being holy each day. Our responsibility for holiness. The process of sanctification described in this passage is our passive involvement! To sanctify is to cause someone to have the quality of holiness. Note who is sanctifying and to what degree it is completed.
This is God's work in us that is finished perfectly!
What is sanctified?
Our whole spirit, soul and body! That is everything we are - sanctified perfectly by God!
Our spirit, soul and body are kept blameless at the impending presence of Jesus Christ. I know I am not blameless (innocent), I am guilty. Guess what? You are guilty also.
You and I are guilty of rebelling against God and His ways. The payment for that guilt is death and separation from God for eternity. (Romans 3:23 and 6:23)
But in THIS process of sanctification, I am not only made blameless, I am kept blameless!
I am passive in the process! It is not my responsibility! This is God's responsibility!
It is not your obedience that keeps you blameless – it is God's faithfulness that keeps you blameless by His grace. What does that mean? As a child of God, who is kept by God – the active process of showing yourself holy (Daily Holiness) has nothing to do with your salvation!
It does; however, have everything to do with your day to day witness that honors (or dishonors) the One who saved you.
I am kept blameless in every aspect and I am seen as blameless in every aspect by His work. Colossians 3:3 says, "Your life is hidden with Christ in God."
God calls us to Himself. If we genuinely answer His call, He assures us He is trustworthy and will do what He said. In His salvation, He makes us holy so that He can justly declare us innocent at the cost of His Son, Jesus.
You may be working so hard at trying to be holy that you have never experienced the holiness God offers. It is by His grace you are seen as holy in His eyes and saved by His work. There is nothing you or I can do that will improve or discount His work.
It IS finished. It IS guaranteed. Bless His holy name.
In the previous post "Daily Holiness", we acknowledged our active involvement in being holy each day. Our responsibility for holiness. The process of sanctification described in this passage is our passive involvement! To sanctify is to cause someone to have the quality of holiness. Note who is sanctifying and to what degree it is completed.
This is God's work in us that is finished perfectly!
What is sanctified?
Our whole spirit, soul and body! That is everything we are - sanctified perfectly by God!
Our spirit, soul and body are kept blameless at the impending presence of Jesus Christ. I know I am not blameless (innocent), I am guilty. Guess what? You are guilty also.
You and I are guilty of rebelling against God and His ways. The payment for that guilt is death and separation from God for eternity. (Romans 3:23 and 6:23)
But in THIS process of sanctification, I am not only made blameless, I am kept blameless!
I am passive in the process! It is not my responsibility! This is God's responsibility!
It is not your obedience that keeps you blameless – it is God's faithfulness that keeps you blameless by His grace. What does that mean? As a child of God, who is kept by God – the active process of showing yourself holy (Daily Holiness) has nothing to do with your salvation!
It does; however, have everything to do with your day to day witness that honors (or dishonors) the One who saved you.
I am kept blameless in every aspect and I am seen as blameless in every aspect by His work. Colossians 3:3 says, "Your life is hidden with Christ in God."
God calls us to Himself. If we genuinely answer His call, He assures us He is trustworthy and will do what He said. In His salvation, He makes us holy so that He can justly declare us innocent at the cost of His Son, Jesus.
You may be working so hard at trying to be holy that you have never experienced the holiness God offers. It is by His grace you are seen as holy in His eyes and saved by His work. There is nothing you or I can do that will improve or discount His work.
It IS finished. It IS guaranteed. Bless His holy name.
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