What a privilege to be called into His service! It is still remarkable to me that God uses us for His purposes.
"Let Your work appear to Your servants,
And Your glory to their children.
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands." (Psalm 90:16-17)
We are truly, as Dr. TL Osborn says, "partners with God in BIG KINGDOM BUSINESS".
But we must remember that it is His work, His glory, and our hands.
In our empowerment culture it seems that we can, at times, ask Him to put His hands to our work, instead of the opposite - as if we are owed His participation in what we are working on.
It is His work - and we participate with our hands. Then He establishes the work as His for His glory.
What are you believing Him for right now? Whose work is it?
Showing posts with label dedication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dedication. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Revolutionary Prayer
Prayer is, in our Protestant perspective, something we talk about a lot. Along with Bible Study, it is heralded as a core element of what separates us from the unbeliever and as a vital organ in the Body of Believers.
But it must be a part of the whole of our work in Him - our worship, our service, our giving, our loving, our celebration, our sacrifice, our silence, our fasting. As we "carve out" dedicated times for prayer we must recognize the possibility that we could develop a habit of being "in" or "out" of fellowship with God - with the "carved out" times being our moments of spirituality.
If we want to have revolutionary prayer - prayer that changes things - we must recognize that our dedicated times of prayer are part of our ongoing fellowship with the Father. And that the fellowship never ceases. "Prayer without ceasing", as Paul talked about (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Phillipians 4:6), is not burdensome prayer that separates us from the world, but enlightening and ongoing fellowship in the moment that positions us to change the world. This perspective brings life to our prayer time, as we are not "pigeon-holing" it or checking it off of our "Christian To-Do List".
The purpose of revolutionary prayer is to develop such an on-going conversation with God that our lives carry the very will of God as received in dedicated AND ongoing fellowship with Him.
Prayer does not burden us any more than wings burden a eagle. Fellowship with the Father is what carries us, suspends us, and provides us with perspective. When we leave a dedicated time of prayer, no matter how short, we are centered in His plan and able to continue in fellowship for the sake of Him advancing the Kingdom THROUGH US! WE become the agents of change (ambassadors) as we walk out what the Father has prepared us for.
We don't pray so that God has more power to do what He wants to do - He is already All-Powerful! We pray so that WE are empowered BY HIM to do what He wants US to do.
We carry the instructions received "in the closet" and "on the go" to engage the world as we are sent for His purposes, in constant fellowship as partners with Him.
But it must be a part of the whole of our work in Him - our worship, our service, our giving, our loving, our celebration, our sacrifice, our silence, our fasting. As we "carve out" dedicated times for prayer we must recognize the possibility that we could develop a habit of being "in" or "out" of fellowship with God - with the "carved out" times being our moments of spirituality.
If we want to have revolutionary prayer - prayer that changes things - we must recognize that our dedicated times of prayer are part of our ongoing fellowship with the Father. And that the fellowship never ceases. "Prayer without ceasing", as Paul talked about (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Phillipians 4:6), is not burdensome prayer that separates us from the world, but enlightening and ongoing fellowship in the moment that positions us to change the world. This perspective brings life to our prayer time, as we are not "pigeon-holing" it or checking it off of our "Christian To-Do List".
The purpose of revolutionary prayer is to develop such an on-going conversation with God that our lives carry the very will of God as received in dedicated AND ongoing fellowship with Him.
Prayer does not burden us any more than wings burden a eagle. Fellowship with the Father is what carries us, suspends us, and provides us with perspective. When we leave a dedicated time of prayer, no matter how short, we are centered in His plan and able to continue in fellowship for the sake of Him advancing the Kingdom THROUGH US! WE become the agents of change (ambassadors) as we walk out what the Father has prepared us for.
We don't pray so that God has more power to do what He wants to do - He is already All-Powerful! We pray so that WE are empowered BY HIM to do what He wants US to do.
We carry the instructions received "in the closet" and "on the go" to engage the world as we are sent for His purposes, in constant fellowship as partners with Him.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Determination - A Time Trial
My family just started work on a really large puzzle. It's an old-fashioned grandfather clock that, when completed, will actually tell time. It has a built-in clock.
It's not an easy puzzle. The size (over 4 feet tall!), shape, and intricate patterns make it especially challenging.
In talking about whether or not we are up to the challenge, we spoke of it being a "hard" puzzle. But "hard" is no reason to quit anything. But this is "REALLY hard!"
At what point do we get to quit?
The writer of Hebrews:
It's not an easy puzzle. The size (over 4 feet tall!), shape, and intricate patterns make it especially challenging.
In talking about whether or not we are up to the challenge, we spoke of it being a "hard" puzzle. But "hard" is no reason to quit anything. But this is "REALLY hard!"
At what point do we get to quit?
The writer of Hebrews:
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (12:1-2)
He goes on to say, "...you have not yet resisted to bloodshed." (12:4)
The references here have to do with our resisting sin, but the strength of the words is sobering.
This service to Christ is serious business.
We cannot quit. We cannot fall back. We cannot give in.
Serving Him is a great pleasure with joy unspeakable and rewards beyond anything that mere living can offer. We must remember this. No matter how "REALLY hard" it gets.
The references here have to do with our resisting sin, but the strength of the words is sobering.
This service to Christ is serious business.
We cannot quit. We cannot fall back. We cannot give in.
Serving Him is a great pleasure with joy unspeakable and rewards beyond anything that mere living can offer. We must remember this. No matter how "REALLY hard" it gets.
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.
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
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Greater Vision, Greater Things
Luke and I had dinner last night with some folks who had the most interesting insight into the moon-landing.
They visited Kennedy Space Center the other day and noted how powerful the vision to get us to the moon was. Kennedy said, in a speech at Rice University in September of 1962, "We choose to go to the moon...in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard."
The technology was nowhere near advanced enough to get us there, but the vision and the resolve was strong.
In the Kingdom, great things are accomplished through great vision.
When we set our hearts on a God-inspired goal, it isn't the technology or the "pieces-in-place" that carry us to success, but the vision and faith in God Who provided the vision, that insures our victory.
What God-inspired visions do you carry in your heart?
With the Word in our hands, the Word in our heart, Godly counsel, and faith and vision for victory, we join God as partners in the "all things are possible" realm.
They visited Kennedy Space Center the other day and noted how powerful the vision to get us to the moon was. Kennedy said, in a speech at Rice University in September of 1962, "We choose to go to the moon...in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard."
The technology was nowhere near advanced enough to get us there, but the vision and the resolve was strong.
In the Kingdom, great things are accomplished through great vision.
When we set our hearts on a God-inspired goal, it isn't the technology or the "pieces-in-place" that carry us to success, but the vision and faith in God Who provided the vision, that insures our victory.
What God-inspired visions do you carry in your heart?
With the Word in our hands, the Word in our heart, Godly counsel, and faith and vision for victory, we join God as partners in the "all things are possible" realm.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
What Do These Stones Mean to You?
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Demonstrating a Renewed Life
Second of 2 parts.
Where yesterday's "Personal Renewal Imperative" spoke of a commitment to allowing God to change us, today's "Demonstrating a Renewed Life" deals with the responsibility of living a renewed life that is visible.
We must display realistic methods of personal renewal, which means our public life must communicate our personal commitment to renewal.
What is different about us?
Does our renewal only show through our words? Or do we actually do things differently?
A commitment to personal renewal will include living a disciplined life. Words like "Bible student", "servant", "prayerful", "loving","fasted", "celebrating", and "worshipful" should apply to us.
Do we value relationships more and things less? Do we read different books and watch different movies? Do we control our tongue? Do we spend our lives in pursuit of something that has greater value?
What would our calendar, checkbook or library communicate to someone who didn't know us?
These are the things that will not only bring change, but will demonstrate to others our commitment to a renewed life. When friends from work (or church!) ask us over, what if we answered (sincerely), "I'm sorry. I have plans". And those plans were to fellowship with God in the Word or to commit ourselves to prayer for a season - prayer for them!
Surely we can confess renewal - maybe even commit to it - but I believe the real power is in demonstrating how to be renewed in our living.
Where yesterday's "Personal Renewal Imperative" spoke of a commitment to allowing God to change us, today's "Demonstrating a Renewed Life" deals with the responsibility of living a renewed life that is visible.
We must display realistic methods of personal renewal, which means our public life must communicate our personal commitment to renewal.
What is different about us?
Does our renewal only show through our words? Or do we actually do things differently?
A commitment to personal renewal will include living a disciplined life. Words like "Bible student", "servant", "prayerful", "loving","fasted", "celebrating", and "worshipful" should apply to us.
Do we value relationships more and things less? Do we read different books and watch different movies? Do we control our tongue? Do we spend our lives in pursuit of something that has greater value?
What would our calendar, checkbook or library communicate to someone who didn't know us?
These are the things that will not only bring change, but will demonstrate to others our commitment to a renewed life. When friends from work (or church!) ask us over, what if we answered (sincerely), "I'm sorry. I have plans". And those plans were to fellowship with God in the Word or to commit ourselves to prayer for a season - prayer for them!
Surely we can confess renewal - maybe even commit to it - but I believe the real power is in demonstrating how to be renewed in our living.
James 1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
One Thing
The extraordinary men of our time are not men that we define by the myriad of things that they accomplish in mediocrity, but by the one or two things at which they excel. They find their One Thing and give their all for it.
We see it in our professional sports stars and Olympic athletes "whose bodily exercise will profit a little" (I Timothy 4:8a), but also in people like Mother Teresa, whose "godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come" (I Timothy 4:8b).
We learn from their lives that there is an art to doing the One Thing really well. We must become such men for the eternal cause of Christ. That is our One Thing.
There is a "treasure in a field" to be stumbled upon, but there is also "a pearl of great price" which must be sought after.
Seek the Lord for how you can pursue the One Thing. Then devote your life to pursuing it.
Psalm 27:4 "One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple."
Luke 10:42 "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 18:22 “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
John 9:25 "One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”
Click here for today's Daily Bread.
We see it in our professional sports stars and Olympic athletes "whose bodily exercise will profit a little" (I Timothy 4:8a), but also in people like Mother Teresa, whose "godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come" (I Timothy 4:8b).
We learn from their lives that there is an art to doing the One Thing really well. We must become such men for the eternal cause of Christ. That is our One Thing.
There is a "treasure in a field" to be stumbled upon, but there is also "a pearl of great price" which must be sought after.
Seek the Lord for how you can pursue the One Thing. Then devote your life to pursuing it.
Psalm 27:4 "One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple."
Luke 10:42 "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 18:22 “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
John 9:25 "One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”
Click here for today's Daily Bread.
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