My Family

My Family
My Family

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

So, here's the question...

I've been pondering my favorite verse, Jer 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  To me, it is obvious that God wants us to live a glorious life where as I said in my last post He is the hero and prospers us to the fullest.  But what is prosperity? Webster defines prosperity as the condition of being successful and thriving, especially economic well-being.  Some people feel that prosperity is not a condition that God uses to show His love to us and that we are to give everything away and live humble quiet lives.  While I believe we are to give generously and live humbly, I also believe that we should be far from quiet.  We should be useful tools in God's kingdom, useful in ways that prosperity could assist.  Is it wrong to live as wealthy, even if we are giving and giving and giving?  I don't think so but I would like others opinions.  Please respond with useful advice.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

How do you know what God wants from you?

Today's blog is different than others.  I have always thought that God needed us to do work for Him.  It was our duty to do for Him but in fact He doesn't need us.  His work WILL be accomplished whether we do His will or not.  However, we could miss out on a blessing by not participating ourselves in His will.  Our lives are supposed to burn with evidences of God's grace, His mercy and power.  We are like trophies, works of art and people are supposed to see what God has done for us through our lives.   

So there are several points for today:
1.  The grace principle -- God's power establishes us.  His salvation was/is given to us freely.  (Jesus did 
              enough!)
2.  The giving principle -- This is a tough one. 
              a.  Again, God doesn't need us.  Jesus faced the cross like David faced the giant -- ALONE!!
              b.  We should WANT to give back to God.
              c.  We should offer ourselves 100% to God and do what He says to do.
       Mistakes:
              -- We don't offer ourselves completely.
              -- We believe we are the savior and we have to do it all.
3.  The disappointment principle -- God says no!!
              Sometimes it is to remind us that He is God and not that we are a success.  Our eyes and hearts
                   are not focused on Him.  God is the hero!!
4.  The kingdom question -- Are you part of it?

So have I answered the question.  Do you know what God wants from you?  He wants you to be wholely committed to Him and His commission.  He will direct you and lead your paths in ways that are suitable to His plan.  Walk with Him and let Him be your hero!!  Let that light shine for others and He will do the rest.           

Saturday, December 18, 2010

A Saturday Prayer (borrowed from JD Greear's blog)

Thought this was a great prayer to pray this season, taken from Scotty Smith’s blog:

Gracious Jesus, the juxtaposition of images in the nativity scene are almost too much to wrap my tiny heart around. Your mother, Mary, is just beginning to nurse and know you. Even as I write these words I realize what a holy mystery and immeasurable condescension your incarnation was. You, the very God who created all things… the Lord who sustains all things by the power of your word… the King who is making all things new… as a baby you drew life-sustaining nourishment from a young maiden’s breast. I’m stunned by your inconceivable humility—a humility that marked your life from cradle to cross.

Shepherds ran off to spread the word of your birth, while Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” “Hurrying off” like a shepherd to tell others about you has always been easier for me than sitting still and letting you tell me about yourself. It’s always been easier for me to do “productive” things for you, rather than spend undistracted, unrushed time with you. I confess this as sin, Jesus. This simply isn’t okay, for knowing about you is not the same thing as knowing you. An informed mind is not the same thing as an enflamed heart… by any stretch.

To know you is eternal life, and I do want to know you, Jesus… so much better than I already do. I want to treasure you in my heart and ponder who you are. I want to contemplate your joyful life within the Trinity, from all eternity. I want to marinate in everything you’ve already accomplished through your life, death and resurrection… and everything you’re presently doing as the King of kings and Lord of lords… and everything you will be to us in the new heaven and new earth—the Bridegroom of your beloved Bride.

O, blessed circuit board overloading and breaking glory… there’s so much to treasure and so much to ponder. It’s not as though I’m a stranger to treasuring and pondering. I treasure and ponder a lot of things, Jesus—things, however, that lead to a bankrupt spirit…an impoverished heart… and a spent body.

Jesus, this very Advent season, by the power of the gospel, slow all of us down… settle us afresh… center us on yourself, that each of us might say with awe and adoration, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And being with you, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Ps 73:25-26).” So very Amen, we pray, in your peerless and priceless name.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Worship

Let me preface this by saying that many of these posts will be as much for me as for anybody else.  I just hope you can find them useful too.

Today, Pastor JD talked about David again.  I started to say I'll be glad when we get off this topic but I know JD and we'll just be on to something again challenging us to grow and learn.  LOL  So I won't whine and complain about how painful some of these lessons about David have been; instead, I will just relay the blessings, as much as they hurt.

Worship is an intimate reaction to our relationship with God.  In 2 Samuel, Israel had lost intimacy with God after having Saul as king and after losing the Ark of the Covenant to the Philistenes.  JD drew the analogy of Israel to us since we have lost intimacy with the Father and only through Jesus can we achieve an intimate relationship with Him but only with worship can we achieve profound intimacy with Jesus.  Jesus became our sin so that we could be looked upon by the Father and accepted by Him.  Our worship should reflect this.  How many of us get excited when we anticipate seeing a loved one or going to a favorite band's concert or team's game?  How much more should we be excited that the King of Kings paid the price for us so we could know the Father?

I don't pretend to have all the answers.  My worship seems to rely on my physicality a lot of the time.  If I'm tired, I don't give my all to it.  But He deserves better than that and I must do better.  I am learning so much in my walk with the Lord.  I crave each Sunday like I crave chocolate (which is pretty often) and it usually takes me the week to chew on the sermon from the day.  I'd love to have you join me at the Summit anytime.  I am commited to prospering the gospel of Jesus.  He is first in my life.  For those of you who know me, you know I mean this.  My invitation holds open to any and all who hear this post.  In His mighty name....