"Though all the peoples walk each in the name of his god, as for us, we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever."
Everyone, without exception, serves a god. Technically there are no atheists, for even the one who says he/she does not believe there is a god worships (attributes ultimate worth to) someone or something, even if it's him- or herself. Consequently, everyone daily decides, not whether to worship a god or not, but which being will receive his/her worship: the living God of all that is, or a substitute.
We as believers must constantly be on guard lest even one of the multitudes of worldly substitute deities subtly slips onto the throne of our hearts, displacing the name of the LORD our God. The enemy of our soul would have us assume it cannot happen. Yet the One who knows the true depths of our deceitful heart warns, "Therefore, let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall."
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Repentance
Recently I came across an outline related to repentance that proved helpful.
Repentance: A Three-Fold Process of Change
1. Our MIND Changes
Agreeing with God about the truth. As long as we offer excuses, we
have not yet repented. We must come to the point of echoing David's
cry in Psalm 51:3,4.
2. Our HEART Changes
We must have a broken heart before the Father, grieving over what
our sin has done to Him. David expressed this truth in Psalm 51:17.
3. Our WILL & ACTIONS Change
Repentance requires a turning away from sin, a change of lifestyle,
the ridding of any idol from the heart, tearing down any stronghold,
and removing ourselves from tempting situations.
When we begin to live life as God intends, we have repented.
Philippians 2:13.
Repentance: A Three-Fold Process of Change
1. Our MIND Changes
Agreeing with God about the truth. As long as we offer excuses, we
have not yet repented. We must come to the point of echoing David's
cry in Psalm 51:3,4.
2. Our HEART Changes
We must have a broken heart before the Father, grieving over what
our sin has done to Him. David expressed this truth in Psalm 51:17.
3. Our WILL & ACTIONS Change
Repentance requires a turning away from sin, a change of lifestyle,
the ridding of any idol from the heart, tearing down any stronghold,
and removing ourselves from tempting situations.
When we begin to live life as God intends, we have repented.
Philippians 2:13.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
The Danger of Drifting
It was a Monday morning years ago, and I was enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of fellowshipping with about 20 other pastors in a room provided at a local bank for this weekly meeting. With all the seriousness and load of Sunday behind us for yet another week, Monday morning was a choice time for rest and enjoyment of fellow ministers' company.
Still, it wasn't all punch and cookies, especially during the time of prayer requests and the intercession that followed. This particular session started typically, with mention made of financial need, upcoming revival services, and concerns for various ministries in the community. And then, after a minute or so of silence, one man started quietly, "The Lord has been convicting me recently about a sensitive issue in my life." He continued, "He has shown me that I love to preach about Him more than I love Him."
No one said a thing, nor moved an inch. It was one of those moments when the convicting impact of a truth is so stout that there's nothing to be said. Each of us knew it to be so in his heart, as well, and asked the Lord to increase our love for Him.
Idolatry is a sin so subtle. The leaving of our first Love begins with gentle drifting, leading to replacing Him with look-alikes that our deceived hearts don't even perceive as substitutes. Eventually, we embrace them, and, unless we repent, must endure His rod of chastening, (Heb. 12:11).
Father, may Your blessed Holy Spirit grant daily diligence in refusing to even begin to stray from Your presence and fellowship. Increase our fear of sinning against You, and strengthen our resolve to repent when we do. Reveal the idols we've allowed to receive the worship You alone deserve, and grant the grace needed to tear them from our hearts.
In the Lord Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Still, it wasn't all punch and cookies, especially during the time of prayer requests and the intercession that followed. This particular session started typically, with mention made of financial need, upcoming revival services, and concerns for various ministries in the community. And then, after a minute or so of silence, one man started quietly, "The Lord has been convicting me recently about a sensitive issue in my life." He continued, "He has shown me that I love to preach about Him more than I love Him."
No one said a thing, nor moved an inch. It was one of those moments when the convicting impact of a truth is so stout that there's nothing to be said. Each of us knew it to be so in his heart, as well, and asked the Lord to increase our love for Him.
Idolatry is a sin so subtle. The leaving of our first Love begins with gentle drifting, leading to replacing Him with look-alikes that our deceived hearts don't even perceive as substitutes. Eventually, we embrace them, and, unless we repent, must endure His rod of chastening, (Heb. 12:11).
Father, may Your blessed Holy Spirit grant daily diligence in refusing to even begin to stray from Your presence and fellowship. Increase our fear of sinning against You, and strengthen our resolve to repent when we do. Reveal the idols we've allowed to receive the worship You alone deserve, and grant the grace needed to tear them from our hearts.
In the Lord Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Monday, August 4, 2008
I Can't Imagine
Father,
With the ever-deepening decadence of these days
I must trust the truth that You are in control.
From what little I see my spirit is dismayed, as
Your Word is maligned, Your people mocked,
Your Name held in contempt.
I cannot begin to imagine what You see in Your
absolute awareness; to even try prompts
amazement at Your patience,
praise for Your grace,
and gratitude for Your mercy.
With the ever-deepening decadence of these days
I must trust the truth that You are in control.
From what little I see my spirit is dismayed, as
Your Word is maligned, Your people mocked,
Your Name held in contempt.
I cannot begin to imagine what You see in Your
absolute awareness; to even try prompts
amazement at Your patience,
praise for Your grace,
and gratitude for Your mercy.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Malachi 3:6
Father,
Amid the flow of seamless days, incessantly melding one into another, change is everywhere, save with You.
Time is replete with comings and goings, living and dying, continuous movement on the way to eternity, ceaseless ebb and flow, but not You.
All that is seen is temporal, while the unseen is eternal; praise to Your immutable Name that you transcend that which is viewed, that which is mutable.
For, what would happen if You could actually change...?
What would come of all the wonderful promises You've made in Your Word--- they could no longer be claimed nor trusted.
How could your children depend upon Your Word at all--- for, if You could change, so could Your Word, and we would never know which parts to believe and which parts to reject or ignore.
Our praying would lose all confidence, hope, & joyful certainty--- for it would no longer be grounded in Your constancy of character, if You could change.
Would we speak eagerly to others of their need to be saved if the Savior was not trustworthy? If the essence of His character could vascillate in the slightest?
And how would we know for sure that our King will return to gather His own to Himself, Father, if Your Name and Word were not expressions of Your unchangable nature?
Praise to Your faithful Name, Father, that You cannot change and remain who You are. Grant grace that we may think of You as You truly are, and serve You in a manner worthy of Your immutable Name.
In the Lord Jesus' Name, I pray,
Amen.
Amid the flow of seamless days, incessantly melding one into another, change is everywhere, save with You.
Time is replete with comings and goings, living and dying, continuous movement on the way to eternity, ceaseless ebb and flow, but not You.
All that is seen is temporal, while the unseen is eternal; praise to Your immutable Name that you transcend that which is viewed, that which is mutable.
For, what would happen if You could actually change...?
What would come of all the wonderful promises You've made in Your Word--- they could no longer be claimed nor trusted.
How could your children depend upon Your Word at all--- for, if You could change, so could Your Word, and we would never know which parts to believe and which parts to reject or ignore.
Our praying would lose all confidence, hope, & joyful certainty--- for it would no longer be grounded in Your constancy of character, if You could change.
Would we speak eagerly to others of their need to be saved if the Savior was not trustworthy? If the essence of His character could vascillate in the slightest?
And how would we know for sure that our King will return to gather His own to Himself, Father, if Your Name and Word were not expressions of Your unchangable nature?
Praise to Your faithful Name, Father, that You cannot change and remain who You are. Grant grace that we may think of You as You truly are, and serve You in a manner worthy of Your immutable Name.
In the Lord Jesus' Name, I pray,
Amen.
Friday, July 18, 2008
I Corinthians 10:13
"(a) No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and (b) God is faithful, (c) who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation (d) will provide the way of escape also, so that (e) you will be able to endure it."
Each statement in this verse counters a lie of the world system, instigated by the father of lies.
(a) Satan would have each of us feel that my temptation is uniquely mine, distinctly difficult, common to no one else. The more isolated and alone, the more abandoned he can convince me I am, the more I will look inward rather than upward.
(b) Any time we sin, the enemy uses it to question God's faithfulness. He relishes casting aspersions on the Lord's character by planting seeds of doubt and blame in our hearts as to His goodness.
(c) He whispers that we are not capable of resisting, because God will allow more than we can endure. No, in Christ we can do all things!
(d) The devil would convince us there is no escape, no alternative. We must sin. Our flesh gleefully agrees. The Holy Spirit says, "No, keep asking, keep seeking, and you will find the way of escape."
(e) Satan would have us believe we cannot endure his temptations. Yet the One who is Truth declares that we can. He who cannot lie, whose promises have never failed, whose provision is all-sufficient, is true to His Word.
Thus, when the Christian sins, it is not from any lack of power or provision on the part of the living God. It is not an evidence of any character deficiency on His part in the slightest. Rather, the responsibility is upon the believer to cooperate with, and yield to the resident Holy Spirit within, depending upon His power for the defeating of the evil one.
May we grow ever more discerning in seeing through the enemy's lies, learning to counter them with the truth of Scripture!
Each statement in this verse counters a lie of the world system, instigated by the father of lies.
(a) Satan would have each of us feel that my temptation is uniquely mine, distinctly difficult, common to no one else. The more isolated and alone, the more abandoned he can convince me I am, the more I will look inward rather than upward.
(b) Any time we sin, the enemy uses it to question God's faithfulness. He relishes casting aspersions on the Lord's character by planting seeds of doubt and blame in our hearts as to His goodness.
(c) He whispers that we are not capable of resisting, because God will allow more than we can endure. No, in Christ we can do all things!
(d) The devil would convince us there is no escape, no alternative. We must sin. Our flesh gleefully agrees. The Holy Spirit says, "No, keep asking, keep seeking, and you will find the way of escape."
(e) Satan would have us believe we cannot endure his temptations. Yet the One who is Truth declares that we can. He who cannot lie, whose promises have never failed, whose provision is all-sufficient, is true to His Word.
Thus, when the Christian sins, it is not from any lack of power or provision on the part of the living God. It is not an evidence of any character deficiency on His part in the slightest. Rather, the responsibility is upon the believer to cooperate with, and yield to the resident Holy Spirit within, depending upon His power for the defeating of the evil one.
May we grow ever more discerning in seeing through the enemy's lies, learning to counter them with the truth of Scripture!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Luke 10:38-42
"But the Lord answered and said to her,'Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her,' " (Luke 10:42).
As the ultimate hostess, Martha was going to make sure everything was perfect for the Lord during His visit to her home. And her sister, Mary, had been in the kitchen as well, for Martha remarks that she "left me" (v. 40). Mary wasn't shirking the necessary preparations of a good hostess, but when the Master arrived all else became secondary. The Lord commended her priority of love-- His presence and teaching had first place in her heart.
Many today consider worry a virtue, a sign of concientious concern that is commendable. In point of fact it is veiled unbelief, replacing prayer, and used by the enemy to keep us staring at circumstances instead of gazing at God.
Father, cause me to yearn again for the place Mary chose... seated at the Savior's feet, eagerly listening, willing to not only hear, but obey with a grateful heart. Forgive for times I succumb to the tyranny of the urgent, when the truly important slips away. Teach me again to invest my time, not merely spend it. I, too, would choose the good part, and thank You for Your gracious Word.
In the Lord Jesus' blessed Name I pray, Amen.
As the ultimate hostess, Martha was going to make sure everything was perfect for the Lord during His visit to her home. And her sister, Mary, had been in the kitchen as well, for Martha remarks that she "left me" (v. 40). Mary wasn't shirking the necessary preparations of a good hostess, but when the Master arrived all else became secondary. The Lord commended her priority of love-- His presence and teaching had first place in her heart.
Many today consider worry a virtue, a sign of concientious concern that is commendable. In point of fact it is veiled unbelief, replacing prayer, and used by the enemy to keep us staring at circumstances instead of gazing at God.
Father, cause me to yearn again for the place Mary chose... seated at the Savior's feet, eagerly listening, willing to not only hear, but obey with a grateful heart. Forgive for times I succumb to the tyranny of the urgent, when the truly important slips away. Teach me again to invest my time, not merely spend it. I, too, would choose the good part, and thank You for Your gracious Word.
In the Lord Jesus' blessed Name I pray, Amen.
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