The bible says that in serving others we are to expect nothing in return, to give freely as we have been given. The only thing I expect though is gratitude that those whom you are good to are grateful in return. Many times though the people you help still tear you down by fault-finding, not being thankful, making you feel like you can never do enough. Not that I need someone's gratitude to feel good about myself, it just seems it should be the natural response.
When someone has been good to you for so long you get accustomed to it, and begin to expect it, so you hardly even realize anymore how good you got it, unless it is gone. This happens often with our spouses, parents, spiritual leaders, etc. I can see even with my walk with God I am less thankful that I use to be. I am so use to God's grace & mercy that I don't appreciate it like I use to, even my worship is more dignified now, not as openly expressive as it was in my younger days.
Usually the people that are the most expressive in praise & worship are those who appreciate what God has done for them the most. It is those who have been saved from the darkest of sins.
We forget where we would be in life if it wasn't for our heavenly Father. We can become like this religious Pharisee in Luke 7:36-50. We may show some type pf gratitude towards Jesus, like we give our tithes and offering, come to church, hold a bible study, etc, but our love towards God is nothing compared to those who still appreciate what God has done. For we see a woman with deep sexual sin having no decency by interrupting this dinner weeping before the Lord, even kissing His dirty feet and putting perfume on them. Instead of the Pharisee joining this woman in worshipping Jesus He judges Jesus saying "He must be no true prophet for He would know what kind of woman is touching him. She's a sinner!"
For those of us who have been saved awhile we can be just like this, looking at someone worshipping God extravagantly knowing they are still in sin and thinking who gives them the right to worship God like this? Well the answer is, Jesus does?
Jesus gave Simon the Pharisee a lesson which He does with all of us who begin to become religious, thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought. Jesus came to save sinners, and we are all sinners apart from Him, the only way sin is overcome is by drawing near to Him. Worship is not us celebrating how good we are it is celebrating how good He is. Then as we draw near He cleanses us from and empowers us to overcome sin.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Celebrating Diversity
Celebrating Diversity
Luke 7:18-34
I was recently at a gathering with other Christians and felt uncomfortable because of the differences we shared. Not that I am completely opposed to the way they think, I can understand it, we are just quite different, and if these differences were discussed it may bring quite the argument. I decided to just keep the peace by keeping my mouth shut, rather than stirring up opportunity for the enemy.
When someone thinks they are doing right it is not easy to persuade them differently. There are certain truths that we interpret differently depending on our upbringing, surroundings, and those who mentor us.
Certain basic truths cannot be interpreted differently but some truth can. So instead of being divided because of our differences I think it is best to celebrate them. Therefore I choose wisely what I talk about around certain people, for their are certain sensitive issues that easily divide. United we stand divided we fall. We have to ask ourselves is this issue worth being divided over? There is a bigger picture that is more important than being right or wrong about something.
We see in Luke 7:18-34 that the disciples of John the Baptist came and questioned Jesus if He really was the Messiah? See John and Jesus were different from one another, for they had a different calling, and therefore some of their actions almost seemed totally in contrast with the other. While John lived separately from society and people came to him to hear him speak, Jesus went to sinners building relationships with those considered outcasts by the religious community. John's ministry was built on calling Israel to repentance for the Kingdom coming, Jesus ministry was built on celebrating the Kingdom that has come.
So John and his disciples had reasons to question for Jesus again was so different than John. Jesus instead of responding just continued to do what He does, heal and deliver. Then he told them to tell John what they saw. So basically what He was saying, it is the results that matter the most not the method. We all have a different purpose and God uses all of our differences in unique ways to fulfill His will on earth. So instead of comparing ourselves with others looking down on one another's differences, let's celebrate our diversities.
Luke 7:18-34
I was recently at a gathering with other Christians and felt uncomfortable because of the differences we shared. Not that I am completely opposed to the way they think, I can understand it, we are just quite different, and if these differences were discussed it may bring quite the argument. I decided to just keep the peace by keeping my mouth shut, rather than stirring up opportunity for the enemy.
When someone thinks they are doing right it is not easy to persuade them differently. There are certain truths that we interpret differently depending on our upbringing, surroundings, and those who mentor us.
Certain basic truths cannot be interpreted differently but some truth can. So instead of being divided because of our differences I think it is best to celebrate them. Therefore I choose wisely what I talk about around certain people, for their are certain sensitive issues that easily divide. United we stand divided we fall. We have to ask ourselves is this issue worth being divided over? There is a bigger picture that is more important than being right or wrong about something.
We see in Luke 7:18-34 that the disciples of John the Baptist came and questioned Jesus if He really was the Messiah? See John and Jesus were different from one another, for they had a different calling, and therefore some of their actions almost seemed totally in contrast with the other. While John lived separately from society and people came to him to hear him speak, Jesus went to sinners building relationships with those considered outcasts by the religious community. John's ministry was built on calling Israel to repentance for the Kingdom coming, Jesus ministry was built on celebrating the Kingdom that has come.
So John and his disciples had reasons to question for Jesus again was so different than John. Jesus instead of responding just continued to do what He does, heal and deliver. Then he told them to tell John what they saw. So basically what He was saying, it is the results that matter the most not the method. We all have a different purpose and God uses all of our differences in unique ways to fulfill His will on earth. So instead of comparing ourselves with others looking down on one another's differences, let's celebrate our diversities.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Follow Compassion
Luke 7: 11-16
Sometimes I feel like I am not doing enough for God, there are so many people in need, and I just can never do enough. I know it is not about what I can do for God but what He can do through me, but sometimes I feel I am not really yielded to Him. When I think this way God reminds me that I am only part of the body of Christ not the complete thing, meaning I have only a part to play I cannot do it all. So how do I know what my place of ministry really is?
We see here in this passage that Jesus was being followed by a crowd and then He was moved by compassion while passing a funeral procession and spoke to widows son who had died and commanded Him to come back to life. So we learn here even though Jesus had a crowd of people following Him desperately in need He ministered to the one He had compassion for. Now there were times Jesus had compassion and healed all but this time His compassion was for this child and those who were mourning.
Ministry without compassion does not come from the heart but from obligation which can become religious. Yes, there is a time to serve wherever needed, but for our primary ministry compassion must be the driving force. None of us like to be served from people who don't really care, who are just serving to get paid or to look good. We enjoy being served from people that put their heart into it no matter how menial the service is. When I go to a store and am treated like I am a burden for shopping rather than getting their undivided attention, I don't want to come back. This is why many in the world who are searching come to a church service and never return, for it is our love for one another that draws people to God.
So many believers don't know what their calling is, but all we have to do is follow our heart. What moves us to compassion? What stirs our emotions, meaning what causes us to cry or get's us real angry, these emotions God has placed in us for a reason. We are all made up different and if each one just follows there heart not trying to be everyone and do everything, everyone and everything will be reached.
Now our hearts were completely wicked prior to coming to the Lord, but we are being transformed, He is changing our heart. In this process we may not have compassion for others, it maybe all about ourselves right now, and that is okay, there is a time to be healed and a time to heal others, but in due time compassion will come and we will just naturally know what our ministry really is.
Sometimes I feel like I am not doing enough for God, there are so many people in need, and I just can never do enough. I know it is not about what I can do for God but what He can do through me, but sometimes I feel I am not really yielded to Him. When I think this way God reminds me that I am only part of the body of Christ not the complete thing, meaning I have only a part to play I cannot do it all. So how do I know what my place of ministry really is?
We see here in this passage that Jesus was being followed by a crowd and then He was moved by compassion while passing a funeral procession and spoke to widows son who had died and commanded Him to come back to life. So we learn here even though Jesus had a crowd of people following Him desperately in need He ministered to the one He had compassion for. Now there were times Jesus had compassion and healed all but this time His compassion was for this child and those who were mourning.
Ministry without compassion does not come from the heart but from obligation which can become religious. Yes, there is a time to serve wherever needed, but for our primary ministry compassion must be the driving force. None of us like to be served from people who don't really care, who are just serving to get paid or to look good. We enjoy being served from people that put their heart into it no matter how menial the service is. When I go to a store and am treated like I am a burden for shopping rather than getting their undivided attention, I don't want to come back. This is why many in the world who are searching come to a church service and never return, for it is our love for one another that draws people to God.
So many believers don't know what their calling is, but all we have to do is follow our heart. What moves us to compassion? What stirs our emotions, meaning what causes us to cry or get's us real angry, these emotions God has placed in us for a reason. We are all made up different and if each one just follows there heart not trying to be everyone and do everything, everyone and everything will be reached.
Now our hearts were completely wicked prior to coming to the Lord, but we are being transformed, He is changing our heart. In this process we may not have compassion for others, it maybe all about ourselves right now, and that is okay, there is a time to be healed and a time to heal others, but in due time compassion will come and we will just naturally know what our ministry really is.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Authority through Humility
Just being good at something does not mean it is going to take you far. One's attitude has a big part to play. One can only be truly successful through the help of the support around them. So many people start well and finish poor because of their bad attitudes. Talent alone is not enough. True Authority is seen in Humility.
We see here in in Luke 7:1-10 the story of the Roman officer. He was highly respected by the Jewish elders because of his love for them and the help he had given. So when he had a need they looked out for him, they begged Jesus to heal his servant.
We usually find people with great authority very arrogant and high minded. It is hard to even approach them. Not the case with this Roman Officer. He approached Jesus in complete humility. He realized that no matter how great he was to man, he was nothing compared to God. He put His faith not in His ability but in God and His servant was healed.
This Roman Officer was submitted to the authority of his superiors but even greater he submitted to God. His authority had limits within the Roman empire, but submitted to God his authority was unlimited. Submitting to God in humility is what releases God's power upon us so that which is impossible with man now becomes possible through God.
It feels great to have power over others, to command people to do something and they follow, but it can't compare to having power over sickness and disease and all the principalities and powers of this world. This power is not based on our job title but our position in Christ. It does not come from our abilities and hard labor, but simply humbling ourselves in the sight of God, yielding to His power over our own.
We see here in in Luke 7:1-10 the story of the Roman officer. He was highly respected by the Jewish elders because of his love for them and the help he had given. So when he had a need they looked out for him, they begged Jesus to heal his servant.
We usually find people with great authority very arrogant and high minded. It is hard to even approach them. Not the case with this Roman Officer. He approached Jesus in complete humility. He realized that no matter how great he was to man, he was nothing compared to God. He put His faith not in His ability but in God and His servant was healed.
This Roman Officer was submitted to the authority of his superiors but even greater he submitted to God. His authority had limits within the Roman empire, but submitted to God his authority was unlimited. Submitting to God in humility is what releases God's power upon us so that which is impossible with man now becomes possible through God.
It feels great to have power over others, to command people to do something and they follow, but it can't compare to having power over sickness and disease and all the principalities and powers of this world. This power is not based on our job title but our position in Christ. It does not come from our abilities and hard labor, but simply humbling ourselves in the sight of God, yielding to His power over our own.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
It's Who You Are
Chapter 11
It's Who You Are
How many times have we said or did something hurtful we regret? Our usual response is I didn't mean it, or can I take that back! We think it is an easy way out, that the person hurt will just suddenly understand and get over it, but that rarely occurs. Truth is, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Our hearts are terribly wicked and if it wasn't for the mercy of God through the transforming power of His word we would be doomed, hurting one person after the other.
As It says in Luke 6:45, It's who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. For what we say and do comes from who we are. It is easy to say sorry, hoping that word magically resolves the issue.
Many times I have said sorry to my wife yet didn't change my ways and therefore the problem remained. I have seemed to repent of my sins, tears and all, yet no change follows. The thing is we don't really mean what we say unless our actions follow. What is spoken from the heart will be acted out. True Repentance is a turn away from what was confessed, which sadly for most takes complete humiliation before we really mean what we say.
We cannot change by our own power or might but by the Spirit. The Spirit works with the Word. As the Word brings conviction to our worldliness and true repentance follows the Word now get's received into our heart and transforms who we now are.
Repentance isn't true unless we let go of something, and what seems to be loss will turn to great gain, but if we reject truth for what we think we can not relinquish, all will be lost to everlasting regret and torment.
It's Who You Are
How many times have we said or did something hurtful we regret? Our usual response is I didn't mean it, or can I take that back! We think it is an easy way out, that the person hurt will just suddenly understand and get over it, but that rarely occurs. Truth is, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Our hearts are terribly wicked and if it wasn't for the mercy of God through the transforming power of His word we would be doomed, hurting one person after the other.
As It says in Luke 6:45, It's who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. For what we say and do comes from who we are. It is easy to say sorry, hoping that word magically resolves the issue.
Many times I have said sorry to my wife yet didn't change my ways and therefore the problem remained. I have seemed to repent of my sins, tears and all, yet no change follows. The thing is we don't really mean what we say unless our actions follow. What is spoken from the heart will be acted out. True Repentance is a turn away from what was confessed, which sadly for most takes complete humiliation before we really mean what we say.
We cannot change by our own power or might but by the Spirit. The Spirit works with the Word. As the Word brings conviction to our worldliness and true repentance follows the Word now get's received into our heart and transforms who we now are.
Repentance isn't true unless we let go of something, and what seems to be loss will turn to great gain, but if we reject truth for what we think we can not relinquish, all will be lost to everlasting regret and torment.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The World's Rejects
Whom the World Rejects, God Accepts!
Luke 6:20-42
I tried so hard as a young person to fit in. Always worrying about if I am saying the right thing, wearing the right clothes, and acting the right way. It brought such pressure, fear, and foolishness. I just wanted to be accepted and liked by the kids I thought were cool. No matter how hard I tried it just didn't seem to fully work because I was going against who God had made me.
When I gave my life to the Lord everything changed. I felt free to be me. I didn't care so much what other people thought of me for I was now accepted by God. As I grew in my love for Him, I began to love myself, for who He made me. I now celebrated my differences instead of trying to be like others.
I now joined a family of rejects, the church. Those who I use to make fun of and look down upon were now my friends and co-laborers in Christ. I actually had more friends and family than I did ever before. See I would rather be temporarily rejected by the world than eternally rejected by God. I lost so called friends but gained true friends who accepted me for who I am.
The things I strived so hard for and fell short in, I now was experiencing through God's blessings. All of a sudden I have many friends, I am making a positive impact in the world, I am married to the most beautiful woman both on the inside and out, I have amazing children, live in an amazing home, travel throughout the world, always having my needs met, and the blessings just continue to flow.
So I can relate with the beatitudes, I have been rejected by the world, hated, excluded, mocked, cursed because I follow the Son of Man, but yes I truly leap for joy for great is the reward I am experiencing here in this life and even greater in the age to come.
What the world sees as success is what one achieves, what one has been able to gain. What God sees as success is what one gives away. For what one gains will eventually be loss, but what one gives away will eventually be gain. There is nothing ahead but trouble for those that live for the approval of others, those who try to live to satisfy nothing but themselves, who are just trying to make it to the top of a popularity contest. Life is found in being real and not fake.
We will all have enemies in life, when we are free from what others think, we are no longer moved by what others say or do to us. So instead of our enemies bringing the worst out of us they bring the best out of us. We pray for our enemies and serve them with unconditional love.
We now treat everyone equally and do unto them what we would want them to do unto us. We no longer give to get, we give freely as the Lord has given freely unto us. Our Father has been so kind and generous to us it is natural for us to do the same to others. Life has truly been found in giving it away.
Luke 6:20-42
I tried so hard as a young person to fit in. Always worrying about if I am saying the right thing, wearing the right clothes, and acting the right way. It brought such pressure, fear, and foolishness. I just wanted to be accepted and liked by the kids I thought were cool. No matter how hard I tried it just didn't seem to fully work because I was going against who God had made me.
When I gave my life to the Lord everything changed. I felt free to be me. I didn't care so much what other people thought of me for I was now accepted by God. As I grew in my love for Him, I began to love myself, for who He made me. I now celebrated my differences instead of trying to be like others.
I now joined a family of rejects, the church. Those who I use to make fun of and look down upon were now my friends and co-laborers in Christ. I actually had more friends and family than I did ever before. See I would rather be temporarily rejected by the world than eternally rejected by God. I lost so called friends but gained true friends who accepted me for who I am.
The things I strived so hard for and fell short in, I now was experiencing through God's blessings. All of a sudden I have many friends, I am making a positive impact in the world, I am married to the most beautiful woman both on the inside and out, I have amazing children, live in an amazing home, travel throughout the world, always having my needs met, and the blessings just continue to flow.
So I can relate with the beatitudes, I have been rejected by the world, hated, excluded, mocked, cursed because I follow the Son of Man, but yes I truly leap for joy for great is the reward I am experiencing here in this life and even greater in the age to come.
What the world sees as success is what one achieves, what one has been able to gain. What God sees as success is what one gives away. For what one gains will eventually be loss, but what one gives away will eventually be gain. There is nothing ahead but trouble for those that live for the approval of others, those who try to live to satisfy nothing but themselves, who are just trying to make it to the top of a popularity contest. Life is found in being real and not fake.
We will all have enemies in life, when we are free from what others think, we are no longer moved by what others say or do to us. So instead of our enemies bringing the worst out of us they bring the best out of us. We pray for our enemies and serve them with unconditional love.
We now treat everyone equally and do unto them what we would want them to do unto us. We no longer give to get, we give freely as the Lord has given freely unto us. Our Father has been so kind and generous to us it is natural for us to do the same to others. Life has truly been found in giving it away.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Dream Team
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.
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.
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