If we were more interested in declaring God's victory than in getting ours, we would truly function as His Body.
Perspective is key in trying times. And worship, along with the declaration of His victory in our lives, realigns us with His purposes and sets everything right.
When it feels as if all the world is adrift and you can't find solid ground, don't declare your failures, declare His victory! He will take care of yours.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Informed, Conformed, and Transformed
We live beyond the information age. It seems like it is no longer even possible to maintain the amount of information we encounter on a daily basis - so we have wonderful technology to help us. Any fact that isn't in our short-term memory is just a Google-search away!
The Body of Christ has seen an explosion in good Bible teaching over the last generation or so. We are very informed by teachers.
Proverbs 10:14 tells us,
The Body of Christ has seen an explosion in good Bible teaching over the last generation or so. We are very informed by teachers.
Proverbs 10:14 tells us,
"Wise people store up knowledge,
But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction."
But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction."
We are also a conformed people. Sociologists tell us that cultures and sub-cultures develop descriptors that make make us feel a part. Generations set their boundaries mainly by music, slang, hair and clothing styles. Television shows, media personalities, and performers show-and-tell us what's in and what isn't. In the Christian world, our preachers help define our social norms.
It's not a bad thing to conform. It just that our walk and identity with Christ must be deeper than that.
Where teachers inform us and preachers conform us, God TRANSFORMS us.
We need information. We need to feel like we belong to something bigger than we are. But, most of all, we need to be in fellowship with Our Heavenly Father in order to be transformed into the image of His Son.
2 Corinthians 3:18:
Unveil your face by presenting yourself to Him. And let the transformation begin!
It's not a bad thing to conform. It just that our walk and identity with Christ must be deeper than that.
Where teachers inform us and preachers conform us, God TRANSFORMS us.
We need information. We need to feel like we belong to something bigger than we are. But, most of all, we need to be in fellowship with Our Heavenly Father in order to be transformed into the image of His Son.
2 Corinthians 3:18:
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
Unveil your face by presenting yourself to Him. And let the transformation begin!
Friday, June 26, 2009
The Purpose of a Thing - repost
Who better knows the purpose of a thing than the Very Creator of the thing?
I recently updated the RAM in my laptop. I don't know where I found the courage, but I took off the bottom cover of my computer, yanked out a piece of plastic with a bunch of little blocky squares and dots on it, and replaced it with a piece of plastic that looked almost identical. Things seem to work better now.
I had heard that people of normal intelligence can accomplish this and I frequently declare that, "what one man can do another man can do" (except, of course, hit an iron out of the rough and around a tree like Tiger Woods). I also figured that, now that I am blogging, I should be able to remove the back of my laptop - if for no other reason than to see how my words get to the internet.
If you had handed me that piece of plastic I would have been clueless regarding its purpose. Fortunately I knew it was coming in the mail because I ordered it. If I wasn't expecting it I'm not sure what I would have done with it. It may have ended up under the leg of a shaky table or serving as a really cool bookmark. I probably would have found a use for it. That would have been abnormal use - or abuse. The disconnect with the creator's purpose would have had tragic results.
Happily, it ended up in the place that it was created to function at its best. It's working right now to get these words to you. Humming along (if it hums - I'm sure someone will correct me) and doing what I guess RAM does best.
You know where I'm going with this...
When we understand our design and position ourselves for best use (according to our Creator) we never function better. If we misunderstand our design we accept an abnormal use that is determined for us. We may experience some moments of humming, but extended humming for our highest purpose will remain beyond our reach. You see, the Creator knows what is best.
Scripture says, "Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; For shall the thing made say of him who made it, “ He did not make me”? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, “ He has no understanding”? (Isaiah 29:16).
When we partner with our Creator in the grand adventure of the realization of our purpose, we not only get closer to doing what we do best, but the journey itself becomes worthwhile as we grow closer to the One Who knows us best.
His will becomes our will.
His mind becomes our mind.
His compassion becomes our compassion.
His strength becomes our strength.
His priority becomes our priority.
His energy becomes our energy.
His anointing becomes our anointing.
His desire becomes our desire.
His peace becomes our peace.
His nature becomes our nature.
His status becomes our status.
His plan becomes our plan.
His destiny becomes our destiny.
His life becomes our life.
His purpose becomes our purpose.
I love My Creator.
I recently updated the RAM in my laptop. I don't know where I found the courage, but I took off the bottom cover of my computer, yanked out a piece of plastic with a bunch of little blocky squares and dots on it, and replaced it with a piece of plastic that looked almost identical. Things seem to work better now.
I had heard that people of normal intelligence can accomplish this and I frequently declare that, "what one man can do another man can do" (except, of course, hit an iron out of the rough and around a tree like Tiger Woods). I also figured that, now that I am blogging, I should be able to remove the back of my laptop - if for no other reason than to see how my words get to the internet.
If you had handed me that piece of plastic I would have been clueless regarding its purpose. Fortunately I knew it was coming in the mail because I ordered it. If I wasn't expecting it I'm not sure what I would have done with it. It may have ended up under the leg of a shaky table or serving as a really cool bookmark. I probably would have found a use for it. That would have been abnormal use - or abuse. The disconnect with the creator's purpose would have had tragic results.
Happily, it ended up in the place that it was created to function at its best. It's working right now to get these words to you. Humming along (if it hums - I'm sure someone will correct me) and doing what I guess RAM does best.
You know where I'm going with this...
When we understand our design and position ourselves for best use (according to our Creator) we never function better. If we misunderstand our design we accept an abnormal use that is determined for us. We may experience some moments of humming, but extended humming for our highest purpose will remain beyond our reach. You see, the Creator knows what is best.
Scripture says, "Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; For shall the thing made say of him who made it, “ He did not make me”? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, “ He has no understanding”? (Isaiah 29:16).
When we partner with our Creator in the grand adventure of the realization of our purpose, we not only get closer to doing what we do best, but the journey itself becomes worthwhile as we grow closer to the One Who knows us best.
His will becomes our will.
His mind becomes our mind.
His compassion becomes our compassion.
His strength becomes our strength.
His priority becomes our priority.
His energy becomes our energy.
His anointing becomes our anointing.
His desire becomes our desire.
His peace becomes our peace.
His nature becomes our nature.
His status becomes our status.
His plan becomes our plan.
His destiny becomes our destiny.
His life becomes our life.
His purpose becomes our purpose.
I love My Creator.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Real Influence - repost
I read that even the most introverted person will influence an average of 10,000 people in their lifetime.
When we get intentional about this and approach each day sensitive to the opportunities that we have - every day - we multiply that impact.
When we decide (and it is a decision) to move beyond a small circle of incidental connections and to lift our eyes we begin to do our greatest work for God - to represent Christ here as He represents us in heaven.
We partner with Him in what Dr. TL Osborn calls, "BIG KINGDOM BUSINESS". It's the business of taking interest in people. Not for any personal gain, but for their sake. Forget evangelism for a moment. Encourage somebody. Lend a hand. Lend an ear. Just help somebody. God will show up.
I'm not talking about mamby-pamby new-agey pass-it-on kharma. I'm talking about the very real Presence of God through the Body of His believers.
In the 23rd Psalm, David wrote, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."
What follows you?
When goodness and mercy follow, Love is not far behind.
When we get intentional about this and approach each day sensitive to the opportunities that we have - every day - we multiply that impact.
When we decide (and it is a decision) to move beyond a small circle of incidental connections and to lift our eyes we begin to do our greatest work for God - to represent Christ here as He represents us in heaven.
We partner with Him in what Dr. TL Osborn calls, "BIG KINGDOM BUSINESS". It's the business of taking interest in people. Not for any personal gain, but for their sake. Forget evangelism for a moment. Encourage somebody. Lend a hand. Lend an ear. Just help somebody. God will show up.
I'm not talking about mamby-pamby new-agey pass-it-on kharma. I'm talking about the very real Presence of God through the Body of His believers.
In the 23rd Psalm, David wrote, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."
What follows you?
When goodness and mercy follow, Love is not far behind.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Confidence
Some say our self-esteem is determined by what we think the most important person in our life thinks about us. That is so critical to our confidence, our witness, and our success in the Kingdom.
If we derive our confidence from what others say about us, we can become anything from prideful to pitiful, depending on their mood and perspective. It's a roller-coaster existence.
The truth is, we are not made greater by man's praise, neither are we made lesser by man's criticism. We are who God says we are, or rather, who we understand God to say we are.
It's an extensive list, but here are some scriptures on which to meditate.
Who am I?
If we derive our confidence from what others say about us, we can become anything from prideful to pitiful, depending on their mood and perspective. It's a roller-coaster existence.
The truth is, we are not made greater by man's praise, neither are we made lesser by man's criticism. We are who God says we are, or rather, who we understand God to say we are.
It's an extensive list, but here are some scriptures on which to meditate.
Who am I?
I am born again (John 1:12-13; 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23).
I am saved (Acts 2:21; Eph. 2:8; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5).
I am redeemed (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:12; Rev. 5:9; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
I am justified (
I have a NEW nature (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15).
Christ lives in me (2 Cor. 6:16; Jn. 14:23; Gal. 2:20; Jn. 17:23; Col. 1:27).
I know He is my Strength, my Provider, my Healer, my Keeper (Ph. 4:13; Ps. 31:19; Ex. 15:26; 2 Tim. 1:12; 2 Thess. 3:3; Jude 24).
I know He is my Partner, Companion, and Friend in life (Prov. 18:24; Jn. 15:13-16; 17:21-23).
I am healed (Is. 53:4-5; 1 Peter 2:24; Ex. 15:26).
I am provided for (Phil. 4:19; Ps. 84:11; 2 Cor. 9:8).
I am not afraid (Joshua 1:9; Ps. 27:1,3; 23:4; 56:11; 91:1-7, 9-12; Is. 41:10).
I am no longer condemned (Rom. 8:1; Jn. 5:24).
I am delivered out of satan’s power (Col. 1:12-14; Job 5:19; Dan. 6:27; 2 Cor. 1:10).
I am no longer under satan’s dominion (Col. 1:12-14; Luke 10:19).
I am freed from the curse (Gal. 3:13).
I am freed from captivity (Jn. 8:32-36; Rom. 6:22).
I am connected to and complete in God (Eph. 2:6; Col. 2:9-10).
I am free from my past defeat and failure won’t hold me back (Eph. 2:1-7; 2 Cor. 5:17).
I am a partaker of the new nature (2 Peter 1:4; Col. 1:12; Heb. 3:14).
I am a partaker of Christ’s victory (Eph. 2:5-6; Col. 1:12-14).
I have the righteousness of Jesus (Rom. 5:17; Phil. 3:9; 1 Cor. 1:30).
I am more than a conqueror (Rom. 8:37).
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”. (Eph. 2:10)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Self-Discipline 2
I've been working with my boys, Luke (10) and Logan (7), on Self-Control and Self-Discipline as part of a character development project we are doing together this summer.
One of their memory verses is Proverbs 25:28:
One of their memory verses is Proverbs 25:28:
"Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls."
Is like a city broken down, without walls."
What a picture of someone lacking self-discipline. They just kinda' flow out everywhere with no real boundaries or sense of order.
And not only that, they are open to whatever influence comes their way. Every idea or thought or activity overruns them and redefines them.
I watched this evening as the tide rolled in and flattened a sand castle at the beach. Without solid walls, it was only a wave or two before the castle was lost, disappearing into the indistinct sands.
Our walls of Christ-inspired self-discipline are not restrictive and out-moded; they define us, hold us together, and serve to keep us from becoming less than we were made to be.
And not only that, they are open to whatever influence comes their way. Every idea or thought or activity overruns them and redefines them.
I watched this evening as the tide rolled in and flattened a sand castle at the beach. Without solid walls, it was only a wave or two before the castle was lost, disappearing into the indistinct sands.
Our walls of Christ-inspired self-discipline are not restrictive and out-moded; they define us, hold us together, and serve to keep us from becoming less than we were made to be.
Monday, June 22, 2009
For Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for Instruction in Righteousness
2 Timothy is a beautiful letter from a loving "father-type" to his dear son.
Paul penned this at the end of his life, knowing that his time was short. He wanted to leave his loved and close follower with words that would strengthen his timid nature and establish firmly the function of the Word of God in his life and for future believers.
Paul knew that Timothy would encounter opposition, but prepared him for this opposition, reminding him of the gift of "power and of love and of a sound mind (Greek: sofronismos = self-discipline)" (1:7).
From the start, Paul is stressing the presence of power, the necessity of love, and the importance of a disciplined nature. This is a familiar refrain for Paul, who gave us the beautiful love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13.
He revisits this theme by stressing again, "faith and love" (1:13-14). And encourages Timothy to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2:1). Faith, love, grace, hope - pillars of Paul's gospel.
Paul's concern stretches to the hearers of the Gospel message, urging Timothy "...not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers" and to "shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness" (2:14,16).
His instruction in handling the Word of God is specific and loving:
In the next chapter, Paul does tell Timothy to, "Convince, rebuke, and exhort" others but reinforces this charge by adding the words, "with all long-suffering and teaching" (4:2). A different standard than when applying scripture to self.
In other words, be brutal when applying God's Word to your own life, but exercise love (as in all things), self-control, and sound teaching when applying it to others.
We saw this in Paul's letter to the Romans (2:3-4), too:
"And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?"
I thank God for His goodness! It brought me to repentance.
Paul penned this at the end of his life, knowing that his time was short. He wanted to leave his loved and close follower with words that would strengthen his timid nature and establish firmly the function of the Word of God in his life and for future believers.
Paul knew that Timothy would encounter opposition, but prepared him for this opposition, reminding him of the gift of "power and of love and of a sound mind (Greek: sofronismos = self-discipline)" (1:7).
From the start, Paul is stressing the presence of power, the necessity of love, and the importance of a disciplined nature. This is a familiar refrain for Paul, who gave us the beautiful love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13.
He revisits this theme by stressing again, "faith and love" (1:13-14). And encourages Timothy to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2:1). Faith, love, grace, hope - pillars of Paul's gospel.
Paul's concern stretches to the hearers of the Gospel message, urging Timothy "...not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers" and to "shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness" (2:14,16).
His instruction in handling the Word of God is specific and loving:
2:22 "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."Even Paul's oft-quoted passage regarding the profitable use of scripture ("...for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" 3:16) is directed at Timothy, not at others, ("But YOU...", 3:14) with care that Timothy wouldn't use the scripture to bring offense to others, but maturity to himself.
In the next chapter, Paul does tell Timothy to, "Convince, rebuke, and exhort" others but reinforces this charge by adding the words, "with all long-suffering and teaching" (4:2). A different standard than when applying scripture to self.
In other words, be brutal when applying God's Word to your own life, but exercise love (as in all things), self-control, and sound teaching when applying it to others.
We saw this in Paul's letter to the Romans (2:3-4), too:
"And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?"
I thank God for His goodness! It brought me to repentance.
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Gospel for Dummies
The information/computer age has provided a superabundance of facts. The "knowledge pie" has expanded exponentially. We can't possibly know it all, so we are left to master smaller and smaller slices of the pie. If we continue to know more and more about less and less, then it's only a matter of time before we know everything about absolutely nothing.
Years of intellectualism, commentary, denominational division and righteous crusading have tempted us to stray from the simplicity of the Gospel. Our pride has flirted with our advance in knowledge and we are predisposed to making things harder than they actually are.
Let's remember that Jesus made things simple.
There are God-backed, time-tested, complex and simple wisdom-ful principles, commands and truths in the Word to guide us. These can't be ignored or minimized. His Word has given us life and is our delight (Psalm 119:50,77+). But when it comes right down to it, stick with the basics and you can't go wrong.
Paul spoke to this in 1 Corinthians 13, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal" (v. 1).
Let's make sure all of our revelation isn't just a bunch of noise.
Let Him use your love for His purposes.
Years of intellectualism, commentary, denominational division and righteous crusading have tempted us to stray from the simplicity of the Gospel. Our pride has flirted with our advance in knowledge and we are predisposed to making things harder than they actually are.
Let's remember that Jesus made things simple.
But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?'Love God. Love people.
Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”" Matthew 22:34-40
There are God-backed, time-tested, complex and simple wisdom-ful principles, commands and truths in the Word to guide us. These can't be ignored or minimized. His Word has given us life and is our delight (Psalm 119:50,77+). But when it comes right down to it, stick with the basics and you can't go wrong.
Paul spoke to this in 1 Corinthians 13, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal" (v. 1).
Let's make sure all of our revelation isn't just a bunch of noise.
Let Him use your love for His purposes.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Self-Discipline
What does it mean to disciple one's self?
It is an interesting relationship.
Few people confess that they need to be brighter or more full of common sense, but there are very few who don't confess a need for greater self-discipline.
David really messed up with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11 - 12:22). But what an example of self-discipline in how he dealt with Saul (1 Samuel 24 and 26)!
This shows us that, even in a man after God's own heart, self-discipline is an issue.
We should practice hearing God's voice in silence and solitude, training ourselves to hear Him clearly in a noisy crowd. But there is another strategy.
Demosthenes (a contemporary of Aristotle) is said to have practiced speaking with pebbles in his mouth and when out-of-breath from exercise in order to overcome his limitations as an orator. His desire alone wasn't enough. He had to discipline himself at a level higher than his desired goal in order to master his craft.
We can learn from this. In our silence, solitude, worship, study, meditation, prayer, and love we can also practice under conditions that are much more challenging than the ideal so that we can achieve our best for God.
We can discipline ourselves to be alone with God no matter what the size of the crowd, and quiet before Him no matter the noise.
In this we are being prepared to be disciplined by The Great Discipler.
It is an interesting relationship.
Few people confess that they need to be brighter or more full of common sense, but there are very few who don't confess a need for greater self-discipline.
David really messed up with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11 - 12:22). But what an example of self-discipline in how he dealt with Saul (1 Samuel 24 and 26)!
This shows us that, even in a man after God's own heart, self-discipline is an issue.
We should practice hearing God's voice in silence and solitude, training ourselves to hear Him clearly in a noisy crowd. But there is another strategy.
Demosthenes (a contemporary of Aristotle) is said to have practiced speaking with pebbles in his mouth and when out-of-breath from exercise in order to overcome his limitations as an orator. His desire alone wasn't enough. He had to discipline himself at a level higher than his desired goal in order to master his craft.
We can learn from this. In our silence, solitude, worship, study, meditation, prayer, and love we can also practice under conditions that are much more challenging than the ideal so that we can achieve our best for God.
We can discipline ourselves to be alone with God no matter what the size of the crowd, and quiet before Him no matter the noise.
In this we are being prepared to be disciplined by The Great Discipler.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Faith and Uncertainty
The Greatness of God in us demands our highest level of living.
Uncertainty is the wall against which our faith, like a ladder, can lean - taking us higher. Without engaging uncertainty our faith lays flat.
Our faith must grow. It must do more. It must carry us into the realm of the impossible - where God does His best stuff.
We must be willing to extend our faith to meet and exceed any uncertainty, any fear, any doubt.
In this, faith is the substance of our hope and the evidence of what we can't quite yet see (Hebrews 11:1).
Meet the challenge before you by engaging your faith for greater things.
Uncertainty is the wall against which our faith, like a ladder, can lean - taking us higher. Without engaging uncertainty our faith lays flat.
Our faith must grow. It must do more. It must carry us into the realm of the impossible - where God does His best stuff.
We must be willing to extend our faith to meet and exceed any uncertainty, any fear, any doubt.
In this, faith is the substance of our hope and the evidence of what we can't quite yet see (Hebrews 11:1).
Meet the challenge before you by engaging your faith for greater things.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Fellowship with God
It is tragic to want what is right, but to lack the courage, discipline, or vision that would stimulate us to take the necessary steps to produce the desired right-ness.
But when we fellowship with God, we understand His Greatness and His investment in us, we realize that our faith can conquer the issue of courage, our love for what He loves can conquer the issue of discipline, and our understanding of His plan for the Kingdom can conquer any lack of vision.
I believe that it is primarily by practiced and regular fellowship with God that we are transformed by His nature; emboldened, centered, and beholding of His purposes.
Pursue Him.
We want to live where we can confidently confess:
But when we fellowship with God, we understand His Greatness and His investment in us, we realize that our faith can conquer the issue of courage, our love for what He loves can conquer the issue of discipline, and our understanding of His plan for the Kingdom can conquer any lack of vision.
I believe that it is primarily by practiced and regular fellowship with God that we are transformed by His nature; emboldened, centered, and beholding of His purposes.
Pursue Him.
We want to live where we can confidently confess:
"I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons."
Psalm 16:7
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons."
Psalm 16:7
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Oxen are Messy. Get one anyway. - repost
Around my house we like to say, "you gotta' break a few eggs to make an omelette".
Solomon says it much better in Proverbs 14, verse 4...
"Where no oxen are, the trough is clean;
But much increase comes by the strength of an ox."
The point is this: You can keep things nice and tidy if you want. You can lead a simple life and not make any waves. You can stay home, watch TV and eat bon-bons all day and probably not make any trouble for yourself. But the increase will not be of the desirable type.
Or, you can get an ox. Things are gonna' get a little messy, but you'll get some real work done.
I believe this speaks to our partnership with God in advancing the work of the Kingdom. The only commission we receive in all of scripture is to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). You need to leave the sofa to do that.
That gets a little messy, but do it anyway.
Solomon says it much better in Proverbs 14, verse 4...
"Where no oxen are, the trough is clean;
But much increase comes by the strength of an ox."
The point is this: You can keep things nice and tidy if you want. You can lead a simple life and not make any waves. You can stay home, watch TV and eat bon-bons all day and probably not make any trouble for yourself. But the increase will not be of the desirable type.
Or, you can get an ox. Things are gonna' get a little messy, but you'll get some real work done.
I believe this speaks to our partnership with God in advancing the work of the Kingdom. The only commission we receive in all of scripture is to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). You need to leave the sofa to do that.
That gets a little messy, but do it anyway.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
What Do These Stones Mean to You? - repost
When Israel crossed the Jordan under Joshua (Joshua 3) it was a significant landmark for the people of God.
To remind them of this event, God instructed Joshua to have one man from each tribe take a stone from the Jordan and bring it to where they were lodging, with the instruction,
When they came up from the Jordan and the waters returned to where the ground had been dry, they set the stones in Gilgal as a memorial.
What have you "set" in your life as a memorial to the victories God has attained in and through you?
For years I carried a matchbox car in my pocket to remind me that He accepted me as His son.
Then I began carrying a leaf from a silk tree to remind me of how Zacchaeus came down from the tree, out of hiding, and that He had also called me by name.
Reflecting on our trip to Zion NP, here is a repost. Fresh blogs starting tomorrow...
In the noise, hurry and crowds of our life we must remember what God has done for us.
In Gilgal, speaking about this memorial, Joshua said to the people,
Set a memorial marker in your life today.
To remind them of this event, God instructed Joshua to have one man from each tribe take a stone from the Jordan and bring it to where they were lodging, with the instruction,
"...when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” (Joshua 4:6b-7).
When they came up from the Jordan and the waters returned to where the ground had been dry, they set the stones in Gilgal as a memorial.
What have you "set" in your life as a memorial to the victories God has attained in and through you?
For years I carried a matchbox car in my pocket to remind me that He accepted me as His son.
Then I began carrying a leaf from a silk tree to remind me of how Zacchaeus came down from the tree, out of hiding, and that He had also called me by name.
Reflecting on our trip to Zion NP, here is a repost. Fresh blogs starting tomorrow...
In the noise, hurry and crowds of our life we must remember what God has done for us.
In Gilgal, speaking about this memorial, Joshua said to the people,
“When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; 23 for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, 24 that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” (Joshua 4:21b-24)
Set a memorial marker in your life today.
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