2 Timothy 4:3
3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
Did you know that truth is not about what we want to hear? The apostle Paul addressed Timothy in a letter about the ups and downs of ministering. He said something that is true no matter what the situation. When people don't hear what they want to hear they tend to discard it and will go through great lengths to find someone that will say what it is they really want to hear to justify the desires of their hearts. Paul's declaration to Timothy was basically to keep moving and keep a level head. In other words, do not take it personally. No matter who delivered the truth, some just prefer not to hear it.
We all have to come to a place where we are willing to accept truth even when it's not what we desire to hear. It is meant to teach us to be better, to do better and even to grow in areas where growth is needed. Unfortunately, not everyone desires to grow because growth requires change. Some of us don't want to change. We'd much rather stay where we are because it's comfortable. Comfort isn't what God put us here for. God put us here to perfect us so that we would lack nothing. What truth have you heard that you've decided you'd rather not hear it? Does it make it any less true? Or have you been the one to deliver truth that was not accepted?
Friday, April 8, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Losing Sight
1 Kings 11:31
31 Then he said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes.
The ability to lose favor in God's eyes is often underestimated. When King Solomon was given his father's kingdom, the Lord told him that as long as he obeyed his commands and did what was right in his sight, he would have favor and be blessed, but if he didn't, then trouble would never leave him. And so what became of Solomon' life? King Solomon, not only married women that God specifically said not to marry but then he became influenced by these women and worshiped idols. King Solomon had appointed Jeroboam to a post because he thought his work was good. But what he didn't know was that God was going to tear the majority of the kingdom from him and give it to Jeroboam. If it had not been for the promise God made to David, King Solomon would've lost it all.
The way to ward off a lot of trouble is to live a life of faithfulness but it doesn't mean there won't be trials. To do things that we know God has said not to do thinking it will go unnoticed is a grave mistake. As much wisdom and wealth that King Solomon was blessed with, his problem was his arrogance. One of our continued prayers must always be to have a humble spirit. Yes, it is difficult to have when in a position like King Solomon, however, not impossible. Let us learn from King Solomon's mistake. Always pray for a humble spirit and live a life of faithfulness to God.
31 Then he said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes.
The ability to lose favor in God's eyes is often underestimated. When King Solomon was given his father's kingdom, the Lord told him that as long as he obeyed his commands and did what was right in his sight, he would have favor and be blessed, but if he didn't, then trouble would never leave him. And so what became of Solomon' life? King Solomon, not only married women that God specifically said not to marry but then he became influenced by these women and worshiped idols. King Solomon had appointed Jeroboam to a post because he thought his work was good. But what he didn't know was that God was going to tear the majority of the kingdom from him and give it to Jeroboam. If it had not been for the promise God made to David, King Solomon would've lost it all.
The way to ward off a lot of trouble is to live a life of faithfulness but it doesn't mean there won't be trials. To do things that we know God has said not to do thinking it will go unnoticed is a grave mistake. As much wisdom and wealth that King Solomon was blessed with, his problem was his arrogance. One of our continued prayers must always be to have a humble spirit. Yes, it is difficult to have when in a position like King Solomon, however, not impossible. Let us learn from King Solomon's mistake. Always pray for a humble spirit and live a life of faithfulness to God.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Time to Exit
Acts 18:3-4
3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
Have you ever asked why you were in a particular place? The apostle Paul spent time in Corinth. He vocational skills that he was able to utilize while he preached the gospel to the group in place. Unfortunately, those he ministered to turned a deaf ear so it was of no use to continue to minister those that refused to open their eyes. Instead of beating a dead horse, Paul knew he could do no more. He shook his clothes as a testimony against them and pronounced from that day forward that their choice was then on their own head. For they had been given an opportunity to know Jesus but wouldn't take it. When the Jews and Greeks that Paul ministered to turned against him, he knew it was time to go.
Sometimes God will place us in areas that seem unsuspecting because but he intends to use us. It can be anywhere. Like Paul, we may have a vocational skill so God may use that skill to allow us to spend time with people and witness to them simultaneously. Never under estimate God's ability to use you where you are. But, it is a two-fold process. We can witness to others but if they refuse to have open hearts to receive, then we cannot force them. We must know like Paul when to move. The only way we will know is to listen for God's prompting. Otherwise, we can stay too long and miss when it is time to go.
What environment are you in? Has God been using you to be a witnessing voice to those around you? Have you gone from friend to foe? Has God told you it's time to go but you've been hanging on for reasons God did not intend? If so, it's time to exit.
3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
Have you ever asked why you were in a particular place? The apostle Paul spent time in Corinth. He vocational skills that he was able to utilize while he preached the gospel to the group in place. Unfortunately, those he ministered to turned a deaf ear so it was of no use to continue to minister those that refused to open their eyes. Instead of beating a dead horse, Paul knew he could do no more. He shook his clothes as a testimony against them and pronounced from that day forward that their choice was then on their own head. For they had been given an opportunity to know Jesus but wouldn't take it. When the Jews and Greeks that Paul ministered to turned against him, he knew it was time to go.
Sometimes God will place us in areas that seem unsuspecting because but he intends to use us. It can be anywhere. Like Paul, we may have a vocational skill so God may use that skill to allow us to spend time with people and witness to them simultaneously. Never under estimate God's ability to use you where you are. But, it is a two-fold process. We can witness to others but if they refuse to have open hearts to receive, then we cannot force them. We must know like Paul when to move. The only way we will know is to listen for God's prompting. Otherwise, we can stay too long and miss when it is time to go.
What environment are you in? Has God been using you to be a witnessing voice to those around you? Have you gone from friend to foe? Has God told you it's time to go but you've been hanging on for reasons God did not intend? If so, it's time to exit.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Daily Regimens
Colossians 4:2
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Do you have daily regimens? The apostle Paul suggested three regimens that were necessary particularly for the people of Colosse and for us today. Heresies or false teachings were growing rapid within the city and Paul's suggestions were the only ways to combat their rapid spread. What does it mean to devote? As defined in Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary devote means to:
How many of us direct our time to pray regularly? Do we only pray in times of trouble? What about praying everyday, to ward off trouble? The saying, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." A prayer a day keeps the enemy at bay. Praying regular and then listening to God leads us into Paul's second suggestion which is to be watchful. How do we know what to watch for if we're not praying and taking guidance from the Holy Spirit? We ought to be thankful anyway that we open our eyes but we gain more perspective on thankfulness once we see God has brought us through and what he's protected us from. Example: the car accident you just missed. Prayer, watchfulness and thankfulness ought to be next to breathing in our lives. Yes, everyone's busy but if we have time to pray when things go wrong, why not start while things are alright? What if God was too busy to wake us up? That's just one reason for a daily prayer and huge thanks.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: My 1st internet radio interview with V of Artist to Artist is now available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Do you have daily regimens? The apostle Paul suggested three regimens that were necessary particularly for the people of Colosse and for us today. Heresies or false teachings were growing rapid within the city and Paul's suggestions were the only ways to combat their rapid spread. What does it mean to devote? As defined in Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary devote means to:
1: to commit by a solemn act <devoted herself to serving God>
2: to give over or direct (as time, money, or effort) to a cause, enterprise, or activity
How many of us direct our time to pray regularly? Do we only pray in times of trouble? What about praying everyday, to ward off trouble? The saying, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." A prayer a day keeps the enemy at bay. Praying regular and then listening to God leads us into Paul's second suggestion which is to be watchful. How do we know what to watch for if we're not praying and taking guidance from the Holy Spirit? We ought to be thankful anyway that we open our eyes but we gain more perspective on thankfulness once we see God has brought us through and what he's protected us from. Example: the car accident you just missed. Prayer, watchfulness and thankfulness ought to be next to breathing in our lives. Yes, everyone's busy but if we have time to pray when things go wrong, why not start while things are alright? What if God was too busy to wake us up? That's just one reason for a daily prayer and huge thanks.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: My 1st internet radio interview with V of Artist to Artist is now available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sticky Gray Areas
2 Chronicles 19:7
7 Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
Our God is a just God. Jehoshaphat was King of Judah and Ahab was King of Israel. Ahab was not happy with a prophet named Micaiah. He wasn't happy because every word given to him was one of correction. Instead of taking the correction from God's mouthpiece, Ahab rejected it. Because of this, a prophesy of judgment against Ahab had been issued that would result in his death. To avoid death, Ahab attempted to set up his ally Jehoshaphat. When it was time for them to go to war, Ahab had entered the battle in disguise so that Jehoshaphat would be the one attacked. But God's justice prevailed. God stepped in! Jehoshaphat was protected and Ahab was killed. This is an example of justice served. Afterward, correction was pronounced by another prophet against Jehoshaphat because he conferred with a man he knew didn't act according to God. But he was given grace and still used because God saw some good in him.
The story is an illustration of God's justice prevailing. What's wrong is wrong and what's right is right. God sees no gray in that area. No one can escape God's correction regardless. However, God does judge the heart. If one's heart is still leaning in the direction of God, then he will still make use of them. Jehoshaphat was used to establish judges in the land. Their job was to judge according to God's standards not man. Why? Man sees a lot of gray and like Jehoshaphat, man can be swayed to judge according to what benefits him. For that reason, we cannot rely on our own judgment but must seek God in all we do. We can be easily swayed and like Jehoshaphat, can be unknowingly set up. But God's grace is extended to all through Jesus Christ. It doesn't mean we do not have consequences of our decisions and actions but it means we don't have to feel the full wrath and there is a window to get it right. Something to think about the next time we see a sticky situation approaching.
7 Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
Our God is a just God. Jehoshaphat was King of Judah and Ahab was King of Israel. Ahab was not happy with a prophet named Micaiah. He wasn't happy because every word given to him was one of correction. Instead of taking the correction from God's mouthpiece, Ahab rejected it. Because of this, a prophesy of judgment against Ahab had been issued that would result in his death. To avoid death, Ahab attempted to set up his ally Jehoshaphat. When it was time for them to go to war, Ahab had entered the battle in disguise so that Jehoshaphat would be the one attacked. But God's justice prevailed. God stepped in! Jehoshaphat was protected and Ahab was killed. This is an example of justice served. Afterward, correction was pronounced by another prophet against Jehoshaphat because he conferred with a man he knew didn't act according to God. But he was given grace and still used because God saw some good in him.
The story is an illustration of God's justice prevailing. What's wrong is wrong and what's right is right. God sees no gray in that area. No one can escape God's correction regardless. However, God does judge the heart. If one's heart is still leaning in the direction of God, then he will still make use of them. Jehoshaphat was used to establish judges in the land. Their job was to judge according to God's standards not man. Why? Man sees a lot of gray and like Jehoshaphat, man can be swayed to judge according to what benefits him. For that reason, we cannot rely on our own judgment but must seek God in all we do. We can be easily swayed and like Jehoshaphat, can be unknowingly set up. But God's grace is extended to all through Jesus Christ. It doesn't mean we do not have consequences of our decisions and actions but it means we don't have to feel the full wrath and there is a window to get it right. Something to think about the next time we see a sticky situation approaching.
Friday, April 1, 2011
To Live in a Glass House
John 7:19
19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?”
Did you know that living in a glass house is dangerous? Jesus taught during the feast and the Jews didn't understand how someone who had not studied under a Rabbi (teacher) could possess so much knowledge. It was customary for a man to study under a Rabbi before becoming a teacher himself. Jesus pointed out an essential difference between one who acts upon the will of God and one who acts upon his own accord. Most teachers derived their own theories but Jesus taught based on the will of God. The Pharisees operated on their own accord. The Jews were amazed at his ability to perform a miracle but turned their focus to fact that he did it on Sabbath. According to mosaic law it is prohibited for one to work on the Sabbath for it is a day of rest. Unfortunately, the Jews failed to see that they had already broken the law themselves because they often circumcised an infant on the Sabbath which was considered doing work. Though they didn't keep the law they taunted Jesus for healing a man because it was considered work. Does that make sense to you?
Unfortunately, we often operate like the Jews. We stand in a glass house and throw stones but don't expect our glass to shatter when stones are thrown back. We constantly point out what we think are the mistakes of others but yet can easily be shown the same actions in our behavior or in our lives. What is one to do? We must examine our life and actions before "putting our mouths" onto someone else's circumstances. Like the Jews, we may not understand the "whole story" behind what is done. For God always sees from all angles not just the end result. Be careful when living in a glass house because God will allow stones to break through.
19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?”
Did you know that living in a glass house is dangerous? Jesus taught during the feast and the Jews didn't understand how someone who had not studied under a Rabbi (teacher) could possess so much knowledge. It was customary for a man to study under a Rabbi before becoming a teacher himself. Jesus pointed out an essential difference between one who acts upon the will of God and one who acts upon his own accord. Most teachers derived their own theories but Jesus taught based on the will of God. The Pharisees operated on their own accord. The Jews were amazed at his ability to perform a miracle but turned their focus to fact that he did it on Sabbath. According to mosaic law it is prohibited for one to work on the Sabbath for it is a day of rest. Unfortunately, the Jews failed to see that they had already broken the law themselves because they often circumcised an infant on the Sabbath which was considered doing work. Though they didn't keep the law they taunted Jesus for healing a man because it was considered work. Does that make sense to you?
Unfortunately, we often operate like the Jews. We stand in a glass house and throw stones but don't expect our glass to shatter when stones are thrown back. We constantly point out what we think are the mistakes of others but yet can easily be shown the same actions in our behavior or in our lives. What is one to do? We must examine our life and actions before "putting our mouths" onto someone else's circumstances. Like the Jews, we may not understand the "whole story" behind what is done. For God always sees from all angles not just the end result. Be careful when living in a glass house because God will allow stones to break through.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Go Tell It on the Mountain
1 Chronicles 16:8
8 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
When everything is well, do you call on the Lord? Do you "go tell it on the mountain"? King David and his men had recovered the ark of God and had placed in a tent. Though he was not the one to build a temple it was still a great moment. David gave thanks. First he gave thanks with the priests in burnt offerings which was customary at that time but then he also gave thanks with a psalm (song). When we are in trouble we are quick to say woe is me to God but what about when he brings us out? Do we celebrate with God or do we only call on him when things are bad? When favor is poured on us, it is because of God so he ought to be the first one we call on. Even when things are not so good, he ought to be the first one we call on. But then we are to give our testimony. For nothing we go through is for us alone. When we come out of our test, surely there are others going into the test. For our testimony of what God has done is an encouragement for those who do not yet see the glimmer of light. The testimony that we made it out gives proof that weeping doesn't last always.
The next time God brings you out of test and you feel a tug to tell about it, that's the Holy Spirit saying someone needs to hear it.
8 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
When everything is well, do you call on the Lord? Do you "go tell it on the mountain"? King David and his men had recovered the ark of God and had placed in a tent. Though he was not the one to build a temple it was still a great moment. David gave thanks. First he gave thanks with the priests in burnt offerings which was customary at that time but then he also gave thanks with a psalm (song). When we are in trouble we are quick to say woe is me to God but what about when he brings us out? Do we celebrate with God or do we only call on him when things are bad? When favor is poured on us, it is because of God so he ought to be the first one we call on. Even when things are not so good, he ought to be the first one we call on. But then we are to give our testimony. For nothing we go through is for us alone. When we come out of our test, surely there are others going into the test. For our testimony of what God has done is an encouragement for those who do not yet see the glimmer of light. The testimony that we made it out gives proof that weeping doesn't last always.
The next time God brings you out of test and you feel a tug to tell about it, that's the Holy Spirit saying someone needs to hear it.
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