We have been making a practice of having the kids read each day and then share the next morning something that stood out to them from their readings. Grace started off the morning with Matt 12:31 which deals with Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins. She had looked up in the dictionary where it talked about Blasphemy meant to slander or speak evil against someone or something. I pointed out to her that it can also mean to resist the Holy Spirit. That we can blaspheme the Holy Spirit by resisting his convicting work. That by resisting his drawing our hearts get hard. In fact they can get so hard that we can get to the place where we can't hear the Holy Spirit anymore and He quits drawing us. We discussed where it talks about in John 16 that the Holy Spirit Convicts us of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgement and that if we resist his conviction of these that our hearts will become hardened and our minds become reprobate. This is a dangerous place to be.
Peyton's verse was out of John 9:1-3 dealing with the man that was born blind that Jesus healed. We tied this into the fact that Sin and Hard heartedness cause us to be Blind to God and the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. We also discussed that blindness can come because of no fault of our own, but because of our environment and things that happen around us. This can be because of the way we were raised or things that were taught to us at school, work, etc. We have to be cautious of what influences us because it can make us blind and hardhearted to God's word and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Haven then shared out of John 13:8 where Jesus talked of washing Peter's feet. Haven didn't quite understand this because foot washing is a major deal in america because of our luxuries. We explained to him that this was a humbling thing to do in those days. It was something that servants did for their masters. It took one person bowing before the other. This is what Jesus did for us. He became a servant and bowed himself down to serve us. How unworthy we are of this gift. We need to humble ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to have its perfect work in us. Allow him to bring us to the cross and completely purge us. May he give us sight to see the things that he wants us to see. May we be filled with a Heavenly vision. One that reaps a reward for our Lord and Savior.
Be Blessed,
Scott
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Colossians 3
Colossians 3:1-25
vs.1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.
The Question is conditional. First, are you risen and alive with Christ, if we are then we must seek Jesus, and the things of Heaven/Eternity.
vs.2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
The word affection means the mind and the thoughts. This action of thought involves your will, desires, and conscience. You must first be risen with Christ (a new creature) before your will, desires, and conscience can enter into the Heavenly things. Unless the heart has been regenerated through the new birth, you will not have the desire for the eternal.
vs. 3 For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
To be risen with Christ, you must first have been crucified with Him. If we have been through the cross with Him, then our lives are washed in His blood, and we are sealed with the Holy Spirit.
vs. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with Him in glory.
If we have been crucified and resurrected with Christ, then He has purchased us. We have become His bride, and He is our husbandman and Lord that we must obey and follow. We long for the day we are united with Him.
vs. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Mortify - to put to death, to make powerless, impotent
Romans 8:13 say's for if you live after the flesh, you shall die; but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.
This is done by the intervention of others. Just as the Jewish leaders intervened (Matt. 26:59) to put to Jesus to death, it is through the Holy Spirit that we put to death the deeds of the Body. There is no greater picture of putting to death the desires of the flesh than Jesus in the garden prior to His crucifixtion. He didn't physically want to die, but through prayer (communion with God), he submitted His will (desires) to God's will and received the power of the Spirit to overcome. Look at Matt. 26:36-46 (vs. 41), Mark 14:32-42 (vs. 38), Luke 22:3-46 (vs. 40,46). His disciples said they would die with Him, but when they needed to mortify their will, they slept instead. As a result, they all fled from Jesus, just like we have done during persecution.
Galations 5:24 say's and they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
If we are Christ's, then we must live and walk in the Spirit (vs. 25). We should produce the fruit spoken of in vs. 22-23.
Verse 5 of Colossians 3 sums up the works or desires of our members (flesh) in one word: IDOLARTRY! We might not build wooden statues to worship, but our idols are the god of self. We are selfish, self serving, and self gratifying. Self must be crucified if we are to be Christ's disciples. We must take up our cross and put self to death. Jesus commanded it. Look at these versus: 1. Matt 10:38-39 2. Matt. 16:24-26 3. Mark 8:34-37 4. Luke 9:23-27 5. Luke 14:26-27 Not only did Jesus command it, but He paved the way by setting the example for us.
Verse 6 For which things sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience 7) In which you also walked some time, when you lived in them.
God's wrath is poured out against the disobedient, those who obey their flesh/members and serve self. If we are Christ's, we shouldn't walk in these anymore.
Verse 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
(3709) Anger - (Orge) to desire eagerly or earnestly (violent passion) wrath, anger as a state of mind. (settled habit of the mind) Aristotle says orge is desire with grief.
(2372) Wrath - (Thumos) a violent motion, or passion of the mind - more passionate and more temporary character of anger & wrath (thumos) is an outburst of (orge) anger.
(2549) Malice - (Kakia) wickness, an evil habit of the mind, while poneria (4189) is the act
(988) Blasphemy- (Blasphemia) The very worst type of slander. Wounding ones reputation by evil reports, evil speaking.
(148) Filthy - vile conversation, filthy communication - to be foul mouthed, shameful words coming out of the mouth.
Here Paul tells us to put off (cast off, put away, lay aside) these evil works and deeds. Each of these deal with the heart of man. The heart must be made new through the power of the Holy Spirit. God promises us a new heart.
Verse 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds;
Paul could be warning them to not tell lies here, but I think he is refering to the lies of a false witness for Christ. It seems to me, that in the context of verses 1-9 that he is saying: Don't say your life is hidden with Christ and that you are walking with Jesus if these evil works are present in your life. Don't try to make each other think you are something that you really aren't. Put to death the old man and his deeds and follow Jesus.
Verse 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.
He is finishing vs. 9, saying don't say you are a new man in Christ unless you really are, and that you are being formed in His image as a disciple of Christ.
Verse 11 Where there is neith Greek nor Jew, circumcision or uncircumcision, barbarian, seythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Denomination, nationality, creeds, nor religion matters. What matters is that we are creatures in Christ. That our hearts have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and that we are living obedient to Christ.
Rest of Chapter 3 to come later......
vs.1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.
The Question is conditional. First, are you risen and alive with Christ, if we are then we must seek Jesus, and the things of Heaven/Eternity.
vs.2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
The word affection means the mind and the thoughts. This action of thought involves your will, desires, and conscience. You must first be risen with Christ (a new creature) before your will, desires, and conscience can enter into the Heavenly things. Unless the heart has been regenerated through the new birth, you will not have the desire for the eternal.
vs. 3 For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
To be risen with Christ, you must first have been crucified with Him. If we have been through the cross with Him, then our lives are washed in His blood, and we are sealed with the Holy Spirit.
vs. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with Him in glory.
If we have been crucified and resurrected with Christ, then He has purchased us. We have become His bride, and He is our husbandman and Lord that we must obey and follow. We long for the day we are united with Him.
vs. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Mortify - to put to death, to make powerless, impotent
Romans 8:13 say's for if you live after the flesh, you shall die; but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.
This is done by the intervention of others. Just as the Jewish leaders intervened (Matt. 26:59) to put to Jesus to death, it is through the Holy Spirit that we put to death the deeds of the Body. There is no greater picture of putting to death the desires of the flesh than Jesus in the garden prior to His crucifixtion. He didn't physically want to die, but through prayer (communion with God), he submitted His will (desires) to God's will and received the power of the Spirit to overcome. Look at Matt. 26:36-46 (vs. 41), Mark 14:32-42 (vs. 38), Luke 22:3-46 (vs. 40,46). His disciples said they would die with Him, but when they needed to mortify their will, they slept instead. As a result, they all fled from Jesus, just like we have done during persecution.
Galations 5:24 say's and they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
If we are Christ's, then we must live and walk in the Spirit (vs. 25). We should produce the fruit spoken of in vs. 22-23.
Verse 5 of Colossians 3 sums up the works or desires of our members (flesh) in one word: IDOLARTRY! We might not build wooden statues to worship, but our idols are the god of self. We are selfish, self serving, and self gratifying. Self must be crucified if we are to be Christ's disciples. We must take up our cross and put self to death. Jesus commanded it. Look at these versus: 1. Matt 10:38-39 2. Matt. 16:24-26 3. Mark 8:34-37 4. Luke 9:23-27 5. Luke 14:26-27 Not only did Jesus command it, but He paved the way by setting the example for us.
Verse 6 For which things sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience 7) In which you also walked some time, when you lived in them.
God's wrath is poured out against the disobedient, those who obey their flesh/members and serve self. If we are Christ's, we shouldn't walk in these anymore.
Verse 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
(3709) Anger - (Orge) to desire eagerly or earnestly (violent passion) wrath, anger as a state of mind. (settled habit of the mind) Aristotle says orge is desire with grief.
(2372) Wrath - (Thumos) a violent motion, or passion of the mind - more passionate and more temporary character of anger & wrath (thumos) is an outburst of (orge) anger.
(2549) Malice - (Kakia) wickness, an evil habit of the mind, while poneria (4189) is the act
(988) Blasphemy- (Blasphemia) The very worst type of slander. Wounding ones reputation by evil reports, evil speaking.
(148) Filthy - vile conversation, filthy communication - to be foul mouthed, shameful words coming out of the mouth.
Here Paul tells us to put off (cast off, put away, lay aside) these evil works and deeds. Each of these deal with the heart of man. The heart must be made new through the power of the Holy Spirit. God promises us a new heart.
Verse 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds;
Paul could be warning them to not tell lies here, but I think he is refering to the lies of a false witness for Christ. It seems to me, that in the context of verses 1-9 that he is saying: Don't say your life is hidden with Christ and that you are walking with Jesus if these evil works are present in your life. Don't try to make each other think you are something that you really aren't. Put to death the old man and his deeds and follow Jesus.
Verse 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.
He is finishing vs. 9, saying don't say you are a new man in Christ unless you really are, and that you are being formed in His image as a disciple of Christ.
Verse 11 Where there is neith Greek nor Jew, circumcision or uncircumcision, barbarian, seythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Denomination, nationality, creeds, nor religion matters. What matters is that we are creatures in Christ. That our hearts have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and that we are living obedient to Christ.
Rest of Chapter 3 to come later......
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Morning Devotion with Kids - Thursday, November 5
It's been awhile since our last post, but honestly this was the last thing on my mind. :) We would like to be more consistent in sharing our lives with others. Therefore, my goal is to post every day sharing with you the devotion our family has every morning to start the day.
Today's devotion was on Proverbs 5:1-8 which states:
My son, give attention to my wisdom, Incline your ear to my understanding; That you may observe discretion, And your lips may reserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, And smoother than oil is her speech; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, Her steps lay hold of Sheol. She does not ponder the path of life; Her ways are unstable, she does not know it. Now then, my sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house.
Scott asked the kids....what is this talking about? He then shared with them it is talking about the wisdom of God versus the wisdom of this world. The wisdom of God is the Cross of Christ. Where we deny ourselves, die on the cross and follow Him. In following that we have discretion, understanding and knowledge. We have eternal life through Christ Jesus. He asked them to give examples for wisdom of this world. One was popularity. The wisdom of this world would tell you that in order for people to like you you must be attractive. The wisdom of God tells you that what's inside is what makes you beautiful. A converted heart is the most beautiful thing compared to beauty on the outside. The wisdom of this world will lie to you. The Proverb stated her lips drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil. The wisdom of this world will entice you and draw you with smooth words and things that your flesh likes. But in the end...she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. In the end the wisdom of this world brings death. Scott used the illustration of a balance (scales). He put 70 years on one side and eternity on the other. Seventy years because that is the average life span of most people. Some may live longer, but seventy is average. He then would call out wisdom's of this world (it's all about you, your happiness, etc..)...which side do you think was affected? He talked about doing things and then later regretting it. Like overeating. Yeah it tastes great while we're eating, but afterwards you are miserable. Or you do something wrong and you know it's wrong and guilt sets in. You wish you wouldn't have done it.....yeah your flesh wanted to do it, but man I wish I wouldn't have done that. The judgment of sin even starts here. So to say you are going to have seventy years of just pure pleasure and you'll worry about eternity later is foolish. Will either walk in the wisdom of God here...and God give us wisdom not so we can't do a bunch of things, but to keep us from the heart ache. The regret and guilt...ultimately death. Guess what happens during drunkenness, not only do you wake up the next day feeling bad, but your hurt people. You say and do things that cause hurt in peoples heart which causes a separation in relationships. It can get you into other sin too. There are versus that warn us to not follow after the wisdom of this world. The wisdom of this world is all around you saying....get all you can get, be all you can be, enjoy life to the fullest. It is all a lie. We were created to worship God. We were created by Him to walk in communion with Him. We did not come from monkeys or an amoeba....we are created beings, created by a living God who breathed his very breath into us giving us life. If we don't walk and commune with Him there is something that is missing and that is why we go searching for the things of this world...trying to fill a void that he put in us . Only He can fill that void. Giving a place of contentment and peace. That is His wisdom. That is His Word. That is what He's called us to walk in.
Today's devotion was on Proverbs 5:1-8 which states:
My son, give attention to my wisdom, Incline your ear to my understanding; That you may observe discretion, And your lips may reserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, And smoother than oil is her speech; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, Her steps lay hold of Sheol. She does not ponder the path of life; Her ways are unstable, she does not know it. Now then, my sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house.
Scott asked the kids....what is this talking about? He then shared with them it is talking about the wisdom of God versus the wisdom of this world. The wisdom of God is the Cross of Christ. Where we deny ourselves, die on the cross and follow Him. In following that we have discretion, understanding and knowledge. We have eternal life through Christ Jesus. He asked them to give examples for wisdom of this world. One was popularity. The wisdom of this world would tell you that in order for people to like you you must be attractive. The wisdom of God tells you that what's inside is what makes you beautiful. A converted heart is the most beautiful thing compared to beauty on the outside. The wisdom of this world will lie to you. The Proverb stated her lips drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil. The wisdom of this world will entice you and draw you with smooth words and things that your flesh likes. But in the end...she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. In the end the wisdom of this world brings death. Scott used the illustration of a balance (scales). He put 70 years on one side and eternity on the other. Seventy years because that is the average life span of most people. Some may live longer, but seventy is average. He then would call out wisdom's of this world (it's all about you, your happiness, etc..)...which side do you think was affected? He talked about doing things and then later regretting it. Like overeating. Yeah it tastes great while we're eating, but afterwards you are miserable. Or you do something wrong and you know it's wrong and guilt sets in. You wish you wouldn't have done it.....yeah your flesh wanted to do it, but man I wish I wouldn't have done that. The judgment of sin even starts here. So to say you are going to have seventy years of just pure pleasure and you'll worry about eternity later is foolish. Will either walk in the wisdom of God here...and God give us wisdom not so we can't do a bunch of things, but to keep us from the heart ache. The regret and guilt...ultimately death. Guess what happens during drunkenness, not only do you wake up the next day feeling bad, but your hurt people. You say and do things that cause hurt in peoples heart which causes a separation in relationships. It can get you into other sin too. There are versus that warn us to not follow after the wisdom of this world. The wisdom of this world is all around you saying....get all you can get, be all you can be, enjoy life to the fullest. It is all a lie. We were created to worship God. We were created by Him to walk in communion with Him. We did not come from monkeys or an amoeba....we are created beings, created by a living God who breathed his very breath into us giving us life. If we don't walk and commune with Him there is something that is missing and that is why we go searching for the things of this world...trying to fill a void that he put in us . Only He can fill that void. Giving a place of contentment and peace. That is His wisdom. That is His Word. That is what He's called us to walk in.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The Average Church in America
Great word from a friend of a friend. Sobering...convicting, yet true!!
The Average Church in America
"Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people."
-Isaiah 62:10
"Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet..."
-Jeremiah 51:27
God establishes a group of believers in any given community so as to make Christ known through His chosen vessel, the local church. In essence, to make Christ known is to bring the Word of God alive in time. Or, in other words, to allow Jesus to do as He would do, to walk as He would walk, and to say what He would say through the yielded and sanctified vessel of the body of Christ. We may ask, how is this accomplished? Only as true, born-again believers come together in unity, embrace the cross, deny themselves, and purpose to fulfill the vision of God is this end realized.
Unfortunately, many suppose the local church is a place where they occasionally attend services to fulfill their felt needs. Though, there is some truth to this, God intended it to be so much more. The local church is God's chosen and ordained vehicle to raise up disciples. Thus, it is imperative that we understand our calling to the local church.
1 Cor. 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
As we come together, wherever God has planted us, we realize our high and holy calling both individually and corporately. We see this life is to be a holy life. Anything less than a Biblical life cannot be described as a pure display of Jesus. And anything short of a manifestation of Christ can only be defined as dead religion. Religion, in essence, is a mere shell of true, heart-felt, vibrant Christianity. Many of us have seen and experienced the curse of religion and we certainly believe God intends for us something beyond the norm. However, being free from religion is far more difficult than discerning religion. Unfortunately, the vast majority of what refers to itself as Christianity in America is in actuality nothing more than dead, formal religion. Current statistics reveal that:
* Only a tiny fraction of church members attend all their weekly services.
* Only 27% of professing Christians pay their tithes.
* A survey of professing Christians in America revealed that the average church-goer prays less than 5 minutes a day, the average minister less than 7 minutes.
* Few believe in the reality of Hell or the Biblical conditions that must be met to realize Heaven.
* Only 45% of professing Christians in America believe the world will end as the Bible predicts.
The above statistics expose the vast balance of modern Christendom as nothing more than a gutted, powerless parody of N.T. Christianity.
2 Tim. 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Unless we make a conscious effort to contend for the faith and to hold fast to the truth, we will also succumb to this same pitiful standard. The spirit of this age applies incredible pressure upon us to conform to these worldly standards. The following are current religious trends and tendencies that we must not tolerate in our midst.
I. THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA IS PRAYERLESS.
Matthew 21:12-14 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Almost every spiritual problem for the Christian can be traced back to prayerlessness (Matt 26:41). Moreover, a mark of the new covenant is a intimate walk with God through a persistent, overcoming, and diligent prayer life (Jn 17:3). Therefore, the ministry of any local church that fails to influence men into deeper communion with God is dysfunctional at best.
"No man is greater than his prayer life."
-Leonard Ravenhill1
A spiritual ministry produces spiritual men. A prayerful ministry will influence men to pray. When the local church no longer compels men to seek God, she has lost her way and waxes spiritually inept.
"To neglect prayer is a proof that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness."
-Andrew Murray
And, no doubt, the prayerful always mourn over the prayerless. In fact, prayerlessness may be the single most grievous condition for the prayerful.
"It would seem that the biggest thing in Gods universe is a man who prays. There is only one thing more amazing, that is, that man knowing this, should not pray...Brethren, The crying need of the church today is her laziness after God."
-Samuel Chadwick
II. THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA HAS MADE A TRUCE WITH SIN.
Amos 5:15 Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
Contrary to popular theology, God intends for His sanctuary to be a place where sin is unwelcome.
Jude 1:23 ...hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Frequently, the modern pulpit fails to communicate God's hatred for sin. Preachers today present a gospel void of conviction. The gospel prerequisites of godly sorrow and full surrender are often conveniently neglected. There is much reformation, but little repentance. Many may come to our altars, but I fear few are coming to Calvary. Multitudes sign the rolls of our churches, but how many are actually following Jesus? Consequently, the concept of the "new birth" has been watered down to accommodate the shallow spiritual experiences that abound. Sin is expected, even pampered. Church discipline is rarely if ever practiced. Most churches resign themselves congregations filled with religious hypocrites and tares. If the pastor denounces sin he is often accused of lacking love. Few seem to realize that true spiritual leadership demands constant confrontation, provocation, and conflict. A man who is not constantly rejuvenated by the Spirit of God cannot maintain the strength to resist the perpetual pressure to relax.
"Satan does not fear the brilliant preacher. He will compromise the work and give the preacher full possession of his study and great ability and reputation in the pulpit, if he, as a pastor, will let the people alone. Satan is well content to let Paul be the preacher if Satan can be the pastor."
-E.M. Bounds
III. THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA IS HIGHLY UNFAITHFUL.
2 Tim. 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Faithful: {Greek} pis-tos', Trustworthy; overflowing with faith.3
The Church, built through faith in Jesus Christ, should show evidence of faithfulness. Faithfulness is a product of true faith. If you want to find faithfulness, of all places you ought to be able to find it among a people of faith. In the average church member is more faithful to his secular job than to God's purpose for him in the local church. People disesteem the Body of Christ. They are loosely committed to the functions in the local body. Professing Christians today are generally uninvolved and uncommitted, you can rarely count on them. How can the tide be turned? Each of us must resolve, by faith, to be faithful in what God has called the local body to do.
IV. THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA LACKS SPIRITUAL HUNGER.
Proverbs 27:7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
There is little appetite for the pure Word of God. More often than not, people want to be entertained and amused. Like the children of Israel in the wilderness, their soul loathes the manna from heaven. Hence, it is rare to find anyone who is simply content with ol'fashioned Bible preaching/teaching.
Luke 5:1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God...
It's difficult to hold the attention of today's church for longer than an hour, and you almost have to do spiritual hat tricks to do so. Folks often seem bored with the Word.
Proverbs 26:15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. 2. So little hunger for sound doctrine.
Amazingly, its common for people to sleep through sound Bible preaching. This is the ultimate insult, the highest act of disrespect to God, to fall asleep under His Word.
Moreover, this lack of hunger is also evident in the quality of spiritual service.
Proverbs 21:25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Proverbs 22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
In most churches 10% people do 90% of the work. People hate to be asked to do anything. They have, what we call in our church, the bare minimum spirit. People in this hour become wearied with a constant pace of sacrifice.
They become grieved if asked to give of their time for ministry.
Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few...
Remember, a week consist of 7 twenty-four hour days. Think about it, if you simply tithed on your free time, apart from necessities...
A week is 7 days x 24 hours = 168 hours - 40 hours work = 128 hours - 56 hours for sleep (8 hours a night) = 72 hours - 14 hours for devotions (2 hours a day) = 58 hours x 10% = 7.2 hours weekly we could give to ministry (this is not meant as a absolute standard, only an illustration).
V. THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA IS A SPIRITUALLY DANGEROUS PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY.
Neh. 4:14 ...remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
I would be afraid to raise my family in most churches in America. The current doctrines that are taught promote disorder at best, rebellion at worst. Children are allowed to run wild, they wax disrespectful, and there is little standard for obedience. The teaching on the family is almost exclusively derived from the philosophies of the world. Families are divided and authority is often undermined. Men have forfeited their God-given responsibility to lead their home in spiritual matters to the women.
Isaiah 3:12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
Order is not only neglected but disorder is often promoted.
VI. THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA MURMURS AND COMPLAINS.
Philip. 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings...
Remember, an attribute of the children of Israel in the wilderness was that they murmured about everything.
1 Cor. 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
Because carnality is left unchallenged, church-goers in these last days can be found arguing over almost anything. There is nothing submissive or humble about the flesh. The flesh is a war-monger, it's petty, childish, sensual, devilish, and brutal. Hence, rivalries, clicks, and competition all flourish in the professing church. Among professing Christians an offended spirit is often common, and therefore, murmuring and complaining is the norm, rather than the exception.
VII. THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA COULD CARE LESS ABOUT ONE ANOTHER.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves...
If you can't find love in the Church where can you find it? People in this hour don't genuinely love one another. How can we know if we love one another?
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this,that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Love can be measured by how much we are willing to sacrifice so others can be strengthened in Jesus. Most are too busy with their own plans to give themselves to the local church. Hence, an independent spirit is a contradiction to God's plan in the local church. How can we truly minister if we have not forsaken our personal agendas? In the Book of Acts says...
Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common...
Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul...
Church-goers today tend to occasionally show for a service (if it is convenient) and never seek fellowship with others until the next week, or month. This ought not be brethren.
1 John 4:10 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
We must nurture a pure and godly love for one another. Most people cannot graduate from the love they nurture for their family to extend it to their church family to the same degree.
VIII. LASTLY, THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA IS WISE, DIGNIFIED, AND WIDELY ACCEPTED BY THE WORLD.
1 Cor. 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
To some degree, the spirituality of a Church can be measured by the horror it displays at the word "worldliness." Unfortunately, instead of seeking to be separate from the world, the modern church is searching for it's applause. Since numerical growth is the key indicator of success in the minds of many, they invariably are drawn to seek the world's approval. This is a formula for disaster and a mark of shame. When the world accepts the church the church has lost her testimony.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
We must be content to be branded as ignorant, unlearned, and foolish fanatics. We must seek the approval that comes from God alone.
Let us consecrate ourselves afresh to produce a spirituality that is, at least, above average.
The Average Church in America
"Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people."
-Isaiah 62:10
"Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet..."
-Jeremiah 51:27
God establishes a group of believers in any given community so as to make Christ known through His chosen vessel, the local church. In essence, to make Christ known is to bring the Word of God alive in time. Or, in other words, to allow Jesus to do as He would do, to walk as He would walk, and to say what He would say through the yielded and sanctified vessel of the body of Christ. We may ask, how is this accomplished? Only as true, born-again believers come together in unity, embrace the cross, deny themselves, and purpose to fulfill the vision of God is this end realized.
Unfortunately, many suppose the local church is a place where they occasionally attend services to fulfill their felt needs. Though, there is some truth to this, God intended it to be so much more. The local church is God's chosen and ordained vehicle to raise up disciples. Thus, it is imperative that we understand our calling to the local church.
1 Cor. 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
As we come together, wherever God has planted us, we realize our high and holy calling both individually and corporately. We see this life is to be a holy life. Anything less than a Biblical life cannot be described as a pure display of Jesus. And anything short of a manifestation of Christ can only be defined as dead religion. Religion, in essence, is a mere shell of true, heart-felt, vibrant Christianity. Many of us have seen and experienced the curse of religion and we certainly believe God intends for us something beyond the norm. However, being free from religion is far more difficult than discerning religion. Unfortunately, the vast majority of what refers to itself as Christianity in America is in actuality nothing more than dead, formal religion. Current statistics reveal that:
* Only a tiny fraction of church members attend all their weekly services.
* Only 27% of professing Christians pay their tithes.
* A survey of professing Christians in America revealed that the average church-goer prays less than 5 minutes a day, the average minister less than 7 minutes.
* Few believe in the reality of Hell or the Biblical conditions that must be met to realize Heaven.
* Only 45% of professing Christians in America believe the world will end as the Bible predicts.
The above statistics expose the vast balance of modern Christendom as nothing more than a gutted, powerless parody of N.T. Christianity.
2 Tim. 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Unless we make a conscious effort to contend for the faith and to hold fast to the truth, we will also succumb to this same pitiful standard. The spirit of this age applies incredible pressure upon us to conform to these worldly standards. The following are current religious trends and tendencies that we must not tolerate in our midst.
I. THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA IS PRAYERLESS.
Matthew 21:12-14 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Almost every spiritual problem for the Christian can be traced back to prayerlessness (Matt 26:41). Moreover, a mark of the new covenant is a intimate walk with God through a persistent, overcoming, and diligent prayer life (Jn 17:3). Therefore, the ministry of any local church that fails to influence men into deeper communion with God is dysfunctional at best.
"No man is greater than his prayer life."
-Leonard Ravenhill1
A spiritual ministry produces spiritual men. A prayerful ministry will influence men to pray. When the local church no longer compels men to seek God, she has lost her way and waxes spiritually inept.
"To neglect prayer is a proof that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness."
-Andrew Murray
And, no doubt, the prayerful always mourn over the prayerless. In fact, prayerlessness may be the single most grievous condition for the prayerful.
"It would seem that the biggest thing in Gods universe is a man who prays. There is only one thing more amazing, that is, that man knowing this, should not pray...Brethren, The crying need of the church today is her laziness after God."
-Samuel Chadwick
II. THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA HAS MADE A TRUCE WITH SIN.
Amos 5:15 Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
Contrary to popular theology, God intends for His sanctuary to be a place where sin is unwelcome.
Jude 1:23 ...hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Frequently, the modern pulpit fails to communicate God's hatred for sin. Preachers today present a gospel void of conviction. The gospel prerequisites of godly sorrow and full surrender are often conveniently neglected. There is much reformation, but little repentance. Many may come to our altars, but I fear few are coming to Calvary. Multitudes sign the rolls of our churches, but how many are actually following Jesus? Consequently, the concept of the "new birth" has been watered down to accommodate the shallow spiritual experiences that abound. Sin is expected, even pampered. Church discipline is rarely if ever practiced. Most churches resign themselves congregations filled with religious hypocrites and tares. If the pastor denounces sin he is often accused of lacking love. Few seem to realize that true spiritual leadership demands constant confrontation, provocation, and conflict. A man who is not constantly rejuvenated by the Spirit of God cannot maintain the strength to resist the perpetual pressure to relax.
"Satan does not fear the brilliant preacher. He will compromise the work and give the preacher full possession of his study and great ability and reputation in the pulpit, if he, as a pastor, will let the people alone. Satan is well content to let Paul be the preacher if Satan can be the pastor."
-E.M. Bounds
III. THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA IS HIGHLY UNFAITHFUL.
2 Tim. 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Faithful: {Greek} pis-tos', Trustworthy; overflowing with faith.3
The Church, built through faith in Jesus Christ, should show evidence of faithfulness. Faithfulness is a product of true faith. If you want to find faithfulness, of all places you ought to be able to find it among a people of faith. In the average church member is more faithful to his secular job than to God's purpose for him in the local church. People disesteem the Body of Christ. They are loosely committed to the functions in the local body. Professing Christians today are generally uninvolved and uncommitted, you can rarely count on them. How can the tide be turned? Each of us must resolve, by faith, to be faithful in what God has called the local body to do.
IV. THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA LACKS SPIRITUAL HUNGER.
Proverbs 27:7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
There is little appetite for the pure Word of God. More often than not, people want to be entertained and amused. Like the children of Israel in the wilderness, their soul loathes the manna from heaven. Hence, it is rare to find anyone who is simply content with ol'fashioned Bible preaching/teaching.
Luke 5:1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God...
It's difficult to hold the attention of today's church for longer than an hour, and you almost have to do spiritual hat tricks to do so. Folks often seem bored with the Word.
Proverbs 26:15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. 2. So little hunger for sound doctrine.
Amazingly, its common for people to sleep through sound Bible preaching. This is the ultimate insult, the highest act of disrespect to God, to fall asleep under His Word.
Moreover, this lack of hunger is also evident in the quality of spiritual service.
Proverbs 21:25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Proverbs 22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
In most churches 10% people do 90% of the work. People hate to be asked to do anything. They have, what we call in our church, the bare minimum spirit. People in this hour become wearied with a constant pace of sacrifice.
They become grieved if asked to give of their time for ministry.
Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few...
Remember, a week consist of 7 twenty-four hour days. Think about it, if you simply tithed on your free time, apart from necessities...
A week is 7 days x 24 hours = 168 hours - 40 hours work = 128 hours - 56 hours for sleep (8 hours a night) = 72 hours - 14 hours for devotions (2 hours a day) = 58 hours x 10% = 7.2 hours weekly we could give to ministry (this is not meant as a absolute standard, only an illustration).
V. THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA IS A SPIRITUALLY DANGEROUS PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY.
Neh. 4:14 ...remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
I would be afraid to raise my family in most churches in America. The current doctrines that are taught promote disorder at best, rebellion at worst. Children are allowed to run wild, they wax disrespectful, and there is little standard for obedience. The teaching on the family is almost exclusively derived from the philosophies of the world. Families are divided and authority is often undermined. Men have forfeited their God-given responsibility to lead their home in spiritual matters to the women.
Isaiah 3:12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
Order is not only neglected but disorder is often promoted.
VI. THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA MURMURS AND COMPLAINS.
Philip. 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings...
Remember, an attribute of the children of Israel in the wilderness was that they murmured about everything.
1 Cor. 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
Because carnality is left unchallenged, church-goers in these last days can be found arguing over almost anything. There is nothing submissive or humble about the flesh. The flesh is a war-monger, it's petty, childish, sensual, devilish, and brutal. Hence, rivalries, clicks, and competition all flourish in the professing church. Among professing Christians an offended spirit is often common, and therefore, murmuring and complaining is the norm, rather than the exception.
VII. THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA COULD CARE LESS ABOUT ONE ANOTHER.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves...
If you can't find love in the Church where can you find it? People in this hour don't genuinely love one another. How can we know if we love one another?
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this,that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Love can be measured by how much we are willing to sacrifice so others can be strengthened in Jesus. Most are too busy with their own plans to give themselves to the local church. Hence, an independent spirit is a contradiction to God's plan in the local church. How can we truly minister if we have not forsaken our personal agendas? In the Book of Acts says...
Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common...
Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul...
Church-goers today tend to occasionally show for a service (if it is convenient) and never seek fellowship with others until the next week, or month. This ought not be brethren.
1 John 4:10 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
We must nurture a pure and godly love for one another. Most people cannot graduate from the love they nurture for their family to extend it to their church family to the same degree.
VIII. LASTLY, THE AVERAGE CHURCH IN AMERICA IS WISE, DIGNIFIED, AND WIDELY ACCEPTED BY THE WORLD.
1 Cor. 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
To some degree, the spirituality of a Church can be measured by the horror it displays at the word "worldliness." Unfortunately, instead of seeking to be separate from the world, the modern church is searching for it's applause. Since numerical growth is the key indicator of success in the minds of many, they invariably are drawn to seek the world's approval. This is a formula for disaster and a mark of shame. When the world accepts the church the church has lost her testimony.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
We must be content to be branded as ignorant, unlearned, and foolish fanatics. We must seek the approval that comes from God alone.
Let us consecrate ourselves afresh to produce a spirituality that is, at least, above average.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
A Dear Brother In Texas....we need to pray for him and heed his word.
THE BATTLE is GETTING HOT
-Darren Smith. (5 Jul 09).
[Author of the "FALL OF BABYLON" word - reprinted below at the end]
Many people have labeled me as a doomsday prophet over the
last few weeks as God has sent the Words He gave me all over
the world. The overwhelming response has stretched us to the
breaking point....
I would like to share a couple of things with you guys about the
whole doomsday thing. I believe that Gods Kingdom will crush
all the kingdoms of the world. I also believe that we bring forth His
Kingdom when we live the Gospel and not just talk about it.
Just yesterday in the street in Galveston we saw 4 people
receive healing and all 4 where born again on the spot. We also
had testimony of several that received healing the week before as
well. 3 different people received the miracle of getting a house and
off the street after we prayed with them last week. As we minister
to these people, we share with them the power of God over every
aspect of their life and the fact that if they die to this life they are
raised with Christ and it is Christ in them, the hope of glory that
rules their life.
It's amazing that people who are in such bondage to sin and
so broken by this life can receive and step right into the Kingdom
so quickly when many who have been religious all their life still do
not live in the power of God. These miracles are available to all who
believe and enter into Christ but few ever enter in. We see so many
miracles because we are trying to expand the Kingdom of God and
not trying to build our own kingdom. Everyday we live a faith walk
trusting God for our daily bread and to use us in His Kingdom with
no care for what this world has to offer.
The freedom is understanding that if you are in Christ you are
dead to this world. Dead men have no rights but you do have an
inheritance that is secure in Christ.
With this said I will be faithful to speak what the Lord has me speak.
I believe words such as the Fall of Babylon are warnings to come
out of her and live for Christ. As far as the timing I believe that these
shaking's are already in motion, but I do realize that God may have
mercy and hold back giving more time to repent. Either way I stand
ready to advance His Kingdom in times of wrath or in times of peace.
Last, I would ask you to pray for us as we have come under attack
for the very words the Lord gave me to send out. Many have taken
these words as an attack on the USA, but they are not an attack,
they are indeed an indictment on the hedonistic culture that we
have created and the god of self that rules this land. This government
is so corrupt and is a tool in Satan's hand to hinder the Kingdom of
God, but many still hold to the thought that it is a God fearing
government to the point that they have sent the message of Fall of
Babylon to the authorities. I have been called a terrorist,
anti-American, anti-government, as well as a false prophet just for
simply sending out the word that God gave me. Even though this
troubles me, I will stand on the Word of God and continue to shout
from the mountains this message, as well as spreading the word of
the Gospel with signs and wonders without fear of man.
The time may come that the true church has to go underground, if
so we are ready for what ever comes. With this said, we will increase
the call to repent to this nation and its leaders who are spinning out
of control. May God give us time to bring in the harvest. If you are
dead to this world step into faith and live the Gospel.
-Darren Smith. (5 Jul 09).
[Author of the "FALL OF BABYLON" word - reprinted below at the end]
Many people have labeled me as a doomsday prophet over the
last few weeks as God has sent the Words He gave me all over
the world. The overwhelming response has stretched us to the
breaking point....
I would like to share a couple of things with you guys about the
whole doomsday thing. I believe that Gods Kingdom will crush
all the kingdoms of the world. I also believe that we bring forth His
Kingdom when we live the Gospel and not just talk about it.
Just yesterday in the street in Galveston we saw 4 people
receive healing and all 4 where born again on the spot. We also
had testimony of several that received healing the week before as
well. 3 different people received the miracle of getting a house and
off the street after we prayed with them last week. As we minister
to these people, we share with them the power of God over every
aspect of their life and the fact that if they die to this life they are
raised with Christ and it is Christ in them, the hope of glory that
rules their life.
It's amazing that people who are in such bondage to sin and
so broken by this life can receive and step right into the Kingdom
so quickly when many who have been religious all their life still do
not live in the power of God. These miracles are available to all who
believe and enter into Christ but few ever enter in. We see so many
miracles because we are trying to expand the Kingdom of God and
not trying to build our own kingdom. Everyday we live a faith walk
trusting God for our daily bread and to use us in His Kingdom with
no care for what this world has to offer.
The freedom is understanding that if you are in Christ you are
dead to this world. Dead men have no rights but you do have an
inheritance that is secure in Christ.
With this said I will be faithful to speak what the Lord has me speak.
I believe words such as the Fall of Babylon are warnings to come
out of her and live for Christ. As far as the timing I believe that these
shaking's are already in motion, but I do realize that God may have
mercy and hold back giving more time to repent. Either way I stand
ready to advance His Kingdom in times of wrath or in times of peace.
Last, I would ask you to pray for us as we have come under attack
for the very words the Lord gave me to send out. Many have taken
these words as an attack on the USA, but they are not an attack,
they are indeed an indictment on the hedonistic culture that we
have created and the god of self that rules this land. This government
is so corrupt and is a tool in Satan's hand to hinder the Kingdom of
God, but many still hold to the thought that it is a God fearing
government to the point that they have sent the message of Fall of
Babylon to the authorities. I have been called a terrorist,
anti-American, anti-government, as well as a false prophet just for
simply sending out the word that God gave me. Even though this
troubles me, I will stand on the Word of God and continue to shout
from the mountains this message, as well as spreading the word of
the Gospel with signs and wonders without fear of man.
The time may come that the true church has to go underground, if
so we are ready for what ever comes. With this said, we will increase
the call to repent to this nation and its leaders who are spinning out
of control. May God give us time to bring in the harvest. If you are
dead to this world step into faith and live the Gospel.
A Great Word from David Wilkerson
The psalmist writes the following about one of God’s greatest promises: “If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; if they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail” (Psalm 89:30-33).
God promises to never remove his loving-kindness from us, no matter how badly we may fall. Yet many believers skip lightly over the heavy warning in this verse: If we forsake God’s law and refuse to keep his commands, he’ll visit our transgressions with his divine rod.
The Bible tells us that whomever the Lord loves, he chastens. We see this truth illustrated vividly in David’s life. Consider how the Lord dealt with this man, a faithful servant who enjoyed God’s favor. At one point in his life, David sinned awfully—justifying it and keeping it hidden for months on end. Finally, God said, “Enough”—and sent a prophet to expose David’s sin. The prophet, Nathan, used an analogy to tear apart every excuse David had until finally the king admitted, “I’ve sinned—I’m guilty.”
David wrote, “My strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed” (Psalm 31:10). Like a hole in the oil tank of a car, your sin will slowly drain you of all resources. Your peace, joy and strength will literally drip away until they’re gone completely. David confessed, “Neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin” (Psalm 38:3). He was saying, “All my strength is gone because of my sin. My body has become weak because of what I’ve done. My iniquity simply won’t allow me to rest.”
David was experiencing God’s piercing arrows. He wrote, “Thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore” (38:2). Yet this beloved servant was being taught the fear of God. And part of his painful lesson was that he had lost the peace of the Lord. Now he cried out, “He weakened my strength” (Psalm 102:23).
I know Christians who lead lives of utter confusion because they continue to indulge in sins. These hollow souls are always downcast, weak, forever struggling but getting nowhere. I also know ministers who can’t sit still because of their sin. They’re constantly busy, working, never entering into the Lord’s rest.
It doesn’t matter who you are—if you harbor a secret sin, you’ll experience continual disturbances in your life, your home, your family, your work. Everything you touch will be out of kilter. You’ll become increasingly restless, confused, tossed about by endless worries and fears. And all of your peace and strength will be drained from you.
God does not want to expose his servants; rather, it is in his heart to forgive, cleanse and cover our sins. Exposure of secret sin is God’s last attempt to save a rebellious, hypocritical child who has determined to cover his sin, indulge, and play the part of a spiritual man. God’s rod is reserved only for unrepentant, unconverted, hardhearted, false believers. In love he will discipline his righteous one but the rod, the stripes, are for the lawless.
God promises to never remove his loving-kindness from us, no matter how badly we may fall. Yet many believers skip lightly over the heavy warning in this verse: If we forsake God’s law and refuse to keep his commands, he’ll visit our transgressions with his divine rod.
The Bible tells us that whomever the Lord loves, he chastens. We see this truth illustrated vividly in David’s life. Consider how the Lord dealt with this man, a faithful servant who enjoyed God’s favor. At one point in his life, David sinned awfully—justifying it and keeping it hidden for months on end. Finally, God said, “Enough”—and sent a prophet to expose David’s sin. The prophet, Nathan, used an analogy to tear apart every excuse David had until finally the king admitted, “I’ve sinned—I’m guilty.”
David wrote, “My strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed” (Psalm 31:10). Like a hole in the oil tank of a car, your sin will slowly drain you of all resources. Your peace, joy and strength will literally drip away until they’re gone completely. David confessed, “Neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin” (Psalm 38:3). He was saying, “All my strength is gone because of my sin. My body has become weak because of what I’ve done. My iniquity simply won’t allow me to rest.”
David was experiencing God’s piercing arrows. He wrote, “Thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore” (38:2). Yet this beloved servant was being taught the fear of God. And part of his painful lesson was that he had lost the peace of the Lord. Now he cried out, “He weakened my strength” (Psalm 102:23).
I know Christians who lead lives of utter confusion because they continue to indulge in sins. These hollow souls are always downcast, weak, forever struggling but getting nowhere. I also know ministers who can’t sit still because of their sin. They’re constantly busy, working, never entering into the Lord’s rest.
It doesn’t matter who you are—if you harbor a secret sin, you’ll experience continual disturbances in your life, your home, your family, your work. Everything you touch will be out of kilter. You’ll become increasingly restless, confused, tossed about by endless worries and fears. And all of your peace and strength will be drained from you.
God does not want to expose his servants; rather, it is in his heart to forgive, cleanse and cover our sins. Exposure of secret sin is God’s last attempt to save a rebellious, hypocritical child who has determined to cover his sin, indulge, and play the part of a spiritual man. God’s rod is reserved only for unrepentant, unconverted, hardhearted, false believers. In love he will discipline his righteous one but the rod, the stripes, are for the lawless.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Feeling Old!!
Well my first born turned 17 yesterday. Today I feel very old. :) I am also thankful for the mercies God has had in my life. To be a young mother, unwed, in sin and to have a son turn out the way Peyton has I am forever thankful. Now, this road has been bumpy and had a few hairpin turns as well, but through it all God has been there and we've learned so much. He is now a young man so close to adulthood. We aren't done yet as parents and continue to guide him and impart in him the words of the Lord. I pray they go deep so when he is out on his own it will speak when needed and he will respond in obedience. He knows how much we love him and what we've gone through to walk with the Lord. He knows the times we've fallen, but got back up because Christ is WORTH IT! He see's the realities and yet Christ is put in the center of them all. His boundaries are secure and set in place from times of personal death to self, humility when wrong and a life set apart for Christ. I know that the Lord will do what His Word say's and when Peyton is old he won't depart from Him. I know that Christ will call him, just as He called us. God is Faithful!! So Happy Birthday my sweet son. I am not sad, but so very happy for what is ahead for you. If you will just be obedient to HIS WILL for your life. We love you sooooo much!
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