It was when I was a kid the USA Olympic Basketball went from college players only to NBA players. The first team was people like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and the likes all on one team. Some of the greatest players of all time, not competing against each other but playing together on the same team against the world, they were called the Dream Team. They had no flaws, they were near perfect, and it showed as they easily won the gold medal destroying all their opponents.
As I always say I am only as strong as my team. Who I choose on my team will determine how successful I am. Just like teams give much thought before drafting players, we see Jesus in Luke 6:12 prayed all night before choosing who would make his dream team.
We live in a individualistic society where people try to achieve so much on their own, so they can get all the credit. People don't like others to share in their success. The Kingdom of God is established through the body of Christ. His body is made up of many different members, which is all those that confess Him as Lord. The Kingdom can only advance as we work together. Our eyes can no longer be on ourselves but on the face of Jesus and His body, the church.
Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player ever could not have won all those championships without his coach, and the role players around him. Jesus the greatest human to ever live also could not have completed His mission without a team. Who we hang around will determine how far we go in life. We must choose wisely.
I have played pick up games before and as captain chose the wrong players, thinking they were good, maybe because of their size, and lost miserably because my judgment was wrong. The only way we can choose the right team is through the help of God. When man chooses apart from God's guidance they are wrong, we judge by outward appearances while God judges the heart.
The children of Israel chose Saul, for he looked the part, but he was prideful and stubborn, and the nation suffered greatly, God chose David a man after his own heart, and the nation defeated all it's enemies and lived in peace longer than ever before. Those whom Jesus chose did not look the part, they were full of problems, character flaws, the least likely's, but God knew their heart, they could be taught, they would follow, and eventually they would be the one that carried out the work that Jesus began when He was taken up.
Choosing who to work with together takes discernment which the Holy Spirit has given. Wisdom comes from above, so prayer must not be forsaken or poor judgement will follow.
We see in Luke 6:16-19 that people were identified differently. Out of the disciples, Jesus chose twelve Apostles, who are sent ones. Those who would go with Him from place to place, first following, and then doing what He does. It says in verse 17 that Jesus was surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. So there were those in the crowd who followed Him and those who only wanted healing and deliverance from Him.
On a team you got many players who are playing for different reasons, a good coach knows how to distinguish each player in a way that he get's the most out of them. Rookies usually don't become great over night, they must be trained, and be given experience in phases. If you put too much expectation they may become so frustrated in themselves that they give up, if you don't give them enough opportunity to grow they will never develop. Some players are stubborn and just don't learn well, they cannot be trusted in the game, they are basically just utilized in practice to fill a position, yet they still have a role.
Most people come to God for selfish reasons, but God does not deny them. For some of them will show gratitude and mature over time in relationship with Him, becoming true followers of Christ, to the point where they also will be sent ones, others may just warm seats on Sunday mornings, or even be very active in church activities but not really live it outside of church.
We must be able to distinguish who is who around us so we know what type of service to offer them. Some people around us need care, so our words are to primarily bring hope while offering healing and deliverance. We cannot expect much in return. They are to be treated like patients. Others are really trying to follow us but have so much issues to deal with they cannot really commit much. God is refining their character. The other group is ready to play, they have developed skills that can be used to better the team so are ready to be put in the game. Each person placed around us is important they are just at different levels in their walk, and must be treated accordingly.
True church is not a game, it is not a place we attend once or twice a week, it is a matter of life and death. It is walking with God daily, moment by moment, and being joined with the body of Christ to destroy darkness, save the lost, and advance the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth until the restoration of all things. Individually we will always be defeated but united we will stand and live victoriously while the world fades away like quickening sand. We might not appear to be great but God knows our heart and He has placed us on His Dream Team.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Law Change
Law Change
Chapter 8
Wouldn't it be nice to be a judge the one who makes laws? Or, the one who removes laws not liked? I thought I had it good as a young person being raised by my Grandma who basically let me do whatever I wanted. For most though they grow up with all kinds of rules they feel were made just to be broken. They get in trouble over things that really don't seem that bad. Rules that just seem not to make any sense. Though my Grandma spoiled me, I still looked forward to being free and living on my own, not having anyone to be accountable too, where I could really go wild.
We think we have it bad in regards to some of our laws that restrict what we want to do, but if you learn about other nations, especially Muslim countries you will be glad for the freedom we have compared to them.
Now for those who grow up in the church it seems much worse you have people always in your business, pointing out your flaws, scolding you for any little thing done they think isn't right. This is what Jesus experienced with the Pharisees in Luke 6:1-11. The Pharisees had added to God's laws all kind of strange requirements that God did not. They did this to look more righteous than others. To stand out as better than. So they could take advantage of those who felt less than, prospering off their so called unrighteousness.
Here in Luke 6 the Pharisees were on Jesus case in regards to the Sabbath. They had added all these unrealistic laws in regards to what you could and couldn't do on the Holy day. When we question authority in our youth it usually doesn't go well. Jesus now is Judge of the universe, the one that judges all things, yet these Pharisees blinded by their religious pride were questioning him.
Has anyone ever told you to do or not to do something, and you were like who do you think you are? Correction can only be received by those who have proven their love for you. Jesus was like how can you tell the Lord of the Sabbath what to do on His day? It is like someone telling you what they want you to do on your birthday, that is your day, you should choose what you want to do with it.
The bible says that man was not made for the Sabbath but the Sabbath was made for man. God put a day aside for us to dedicate to nothing but building our relationship with Him. It should not be a day to feel pressured into something but a day where we can choose to just rest in Him.
Now in Hebrews 4 it talks about perpetual rest which we now have in Christ Jesus. We can enjoy our relationship with Him daily. But we do have responsibilities to deal with, we got to go to school, work, etc. God is to go with us, but everyone needs alone time to really focus on deepening one's relationship with God. If my wife and I don't find time to be intimate with each other even if we are around each other we will still drift apart. When we are intimate it makes all that we do together worthwhile and meaningful.
If what we do in life even if it is unto the Lord does not come from our heart then it is void and meaningless to God. God loves a cheerful giver, who gives of himself willingly. We have all had people including our parents do something for us out of obligation and not from their heart, well it just doesn't feel the same, and it is hard to be grateful.
So God has set up the Sabbath for us. Not to take something away from us, but to add to us, more of His life, to be freely experienced week by week. Yet since this day is our day to rest with Him, we can choose how we spend it. He would love for us to be alone with Him, but that is not always possible, we live in a complex world and all kinds of things can happen anytime, any day, so there are exceptions to the rule as Jesus tried to reveal to the Pharisees in this passage. If someone needs healing do we not offer it? If someone needs help do we not give it? We should try to implement a day into our schedule completely apart from work where we can focus on just being intimate with Him, yet being flexible enough to be available for God to use us when the opportunity arises.
Jesus has changed the law, we are now under grace, what that means is we have His spirit to fulfill what only He did, and that is live a sinless life, no longer just relying on ourselves. Problem we have is our flesh wants to sin, but sin has consequences. Grace does not allow us to get away with sin, God is just, and we will be punished for the wrong we do. What Grace gives us is God's power to overcome the desires of our flesh. Yes, there is a part of us that wants to sin despite knowing the consequences but there is another part of us that longs to be free from the clutches of sin. The law has pointed out what sin is, and grace has given us the ability to fulfill it. Not to take away freedom but to truly enjoy freedom, for there is no freedom in being bound to sin.
Chapter 8
Wouldn't it be nice to be a judge the one who makes laws? Or, the one who removes laws not liked? I thought I had it good as a young person being raised by my Grandma who basically let me do whatever I wanted. For most though they grow up with all kinds of rules they feel were made just to be broken. They get in trouble over things that really don't seem that bad. Rules that just seem not to make any sense. Though my Grandma spoiled me, I still looked forward to being free and living on my own, not having anyone to be accountable too, where I could really go wild.
We think we have it bad in regards to some of our laws that restrict what we want to do, but if you learn about other nations, especially Muslim countries you will be glad for the freedom we have compared to them.
Now for those who grow up in the church it seems much worse you have people always in your business, pointing out your flaws, scolding you for any little thing done they think isn't right. This is what Jesus experienced with the Pharisees in Luke 6:1-11. The Pharisees had added to God's laws all kind of strange requirements that God did not. They did this to look more righteous than others. To stand out as better than. So they could take advantage of those who felt less than, prospering off their so called unrighteousness.
Here in Luke 6 the Pharisees were on Jesus case in regards to the Sabbath. They had added all these unrealistic laws in regards to what you could and couldn't do on the Holy day. When we question authority in our youth it usually doesn't go well. Jesus now is Judge of the universe, the one that judges all things, yet these Pharisees blinded by their religious pride were questioning him.
Has anyone ever told you to do or not to do something, and you were like who do you think you are? Correction can only be received by those who have proven their love for you. Jesus was like how can you tell the Lord of the Sabbath what to do on His day? It is like someone telling you what they want you to do on your birthday, that is your day, you should choose what you want to do with it.
The bible says that man was not made for the Sabbath but the Sabbath was made for man. God put a day aside for us to dedicate to nothing but building our relationship with Him. It should not be a day to feel pressured into something but a day where we can choose to just rest in Him.
Now in Hebrews 4 it talks about perpetual rest which we now have in Christ Jesus. We can enjoy our relationship with Him daily. But we do have responsibilities to deal with, we got to go to school, work, etc. God is to go with us, but everyone needs alone time to really focus on deepening one's relationship with God. If my wife and I don't find time to be intimate with each other even if we are around each other we will still drift apart. When we are intimate it makes all that we do together worthwhile and meaningful.
If what we do in life even if it is unto the Lord does not come from our heart then it is void and meaningless to God. God loves a cheerful giver, who gives of himself willingly. We have all had people including our parents do something for us out of obligation and not from their heart, well it just doesn't feel the same, and it is hard to be grateful.
So God has set up the Sabbath for us. Not to take something away from us, but to add to us, more of His life, to be freely experienced week by week. Yet since this day is our day to rest with Him, we can choose how we spend it. He would love for us to be alone with Him, but that is not always possible, we live in a complex world and all kinds of things can happen anytime, any day, so there are exceptions to the rule as Jesus tried to reveal to the Pharisees in this passage. If someone needs healing do we not offer it? If someone needs help do we not give it? We should try to implement a day into our schedule completely apart from work where we can focus on just being intimate with Him, yet being flexible enough to be available for God to use us when the opportunity arises.
Jesus has changed the law, we are now under grace, what that means is we have His spirit to fulfill what only He did, and that is live a sinless life, no longer just relying on ourselves. Problem we have is our flesh wants to sin, but sin has consequences. Grace does not allow us to get away with sin, God is just, and we will be punished for the wrong we do. What Grace gives us is God's power to overcome the desires of our flesh. Yes, there is a part of us that wants to sin despite knowing the consequences but there is another part of us that longs to be free from the clutches of sin. The law has pointed out what sin is, and grace has given us the ability to fulfill it. Not to take away freedom but to truly enjoy freedom, for there is no freedom in being bound to sin.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Generation Next!
Working with people of all generations, it seems like many that are older do not like the younger bringing change. They feel disrespected, unappreciated, not needed, etc. They expect what has worked for them to continue to work from one generation to the next. This can cause alot of frustration leading into conflict ending with division.
So when the generations separate, the old doesn't get passed on, and the new doesn't get properly formed. One can not build without a foundation and a foundation has no significance unless built on. Each generation is to be the foundation for God to advance His kingdom. The old is preparing the way for the new, for History is bound to be repeated if not learned.
What worked for one generation will not necessarily work for the next we must constantly adjust with the times. It is not that something is no longer important, it is just in need of adjustment, it needs to shift with the times and what God is currently revealing to the church.
If we don't stay attuned with God from one season to the next, then revealed truth will now become traditions of men. Jesus is the Word but we must continue to abide in Him for His word to remain fresh. He is always revealing more, taking us from glory to glory, from one generation to the next. When we take His former revealed Word and refuse to listen to what He is currently revealing, legalism follows. His fresh manna becomes stale bread. What was once birthed in the spirit will end in the flesh. The Word will be added to or taken away from producing a mixed message, false doctrine, traditions of men which nullify the Word making it of no effect.
Jesus in Luke 5:33 was questioned about why his disciples didn't fast and pray regularly. Jesus responded that there was nothing wrong in these practices it just wasn't the time to observe them. It was a time of celebration for the bride-groom was with them. A time of fasting will be necessary again but this was not the time.
Jesus uses the illustration of a new piece of cloth patching an old garment, and new wine being poured into old wineskin to explain that if we hold onto traditions established in the past then like the Pharisees we may be blinded to the truth He is revealing currently.
It is what each generation discovers that prepares the way for the next, so we must learn from the generations that have gone before us while passing down to the generations following us, yet always growing as we remain teachable listening to God and what He is revealing to generation next and making adjustments accordingly.
We got to ask ourselves are we living on yesterday's obedience, and not today's? Have we lost our ear to hear because we refuse to adjust what we have heard to what He is currently trying to reveal to us?
So when the generations separate, the old doesn't get passed on, and the new doesn't get properly formed. One can not build without a foundation and a foundation has no significance unless built on. Each generation is to be the foundation for God to advance His kingdom. The old is preparing the way for the new, for History is bound to be repeated if not learned.
What worked for one generation will not necessarily work for the next we must constantly adjust with the times. It is not that something is no longer important, it is just in need of adjustment, it needs to shift with the times and what God is currently revealing to the church.
If we don't stay attuned with God from one season to the next, then revealed truth will now become traditions of men. Jesus is the Word but we must continue to abide in Him for His word to remain fresh. He is always revealing more, taking us from glory to glory, from one generation to the next. When we take His former revealed Word and refuse to listen to what He is currently revealing, legalism follows. His fresh manna becomes stale bread. What was once birthed in the spirit will end in the flesh. The Word will be added to or taken away from producing a mixed message, false doctrine, traditions of men which nullify the Word making it of no effect.
Jesus in Luke 5:33 was questioned about why his disciples didn't fast and pray regularly. Jesus responded that there was nothing wrong in these practices it just wasn't the time to observe them. It was a time of celebration for the bride-groom was with them. A time of fasting will be necessary again but this was not the time.
Jesus uses the illustration of a new piece of cloth patching an old garment, and new wine being poured into old wineskin to explain that if we hold onto traditions established in the past then like the Pharisees we may be blinded to the truth He is revealing currently.
It is what each generation discovers that prepares the way for the next, so we must learn from the generations that have gone before us while passing down to the generations following us, yet always growing as we remain teachable listening to God and what He is revealing to generation next and making adjustments accordingly.
We got to ask ourselves are we living on yesterday's obedience, and not today's? Have we lost our ear to hear because we refuse to adjust what we have heard to what He is currently trying to reveal to us?
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