Listening to God's Voice

S. Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a present of thy servant. (2 Kings 5: 14-15)

O. So I said that I was not going to blog, but this was something that God really impressed on me in my reading yesterday. I love the story of Elisha...being an obedient servant of God was the right thing to do. He was blessed because of his obedience and love for God...in fact, he received a double portion of God's blessing (compared to Elijah...see 2 Kings 2 9). What really impressed me with the story of Naaman and the story of the Widow and oil (see chapter 4) is that Elisha listened carefully to God's instruction and to God's voice. He was careful to make sure it understood exactly what God wanted to him to do to what he wanted him to tell someone else. And it didn't stop with just listening carefully...he then acted on it and with a confidence that helped others to act on it as well. Naaman questioned Elisha's command to wash in the Jordan, but when convinced that this must be the right thing to do, he was blessed with healing.

I walked away from my reading yesterday morning thinking...I want to be a man who listens that closely to the voice of God. I want to have such a close relationship that I can know for sure what God is telling me and then continue with the confidence to act on God's plan for my life.

A. I must continue to put myself in a place to hear the voice of God. I must be obedient when I understand His voice and follow in obedience.

P. Lord, I know that I am not the best listener at times, but I have a willing heart to know you and to understand your call on my life. It is my prayer that I can be "all ears" when it comes to my relationship with God and clearly understand all that God's has planned for me. I open my ears God to hear your voice and walk in obedience to your call.

Off-Line

Just wanted to post that I am going to be offline for a few weeks. I am traveling with my family and will have internet on and off during that time. I am still reading! Just will not be blogging for awhile. Have a great few weeks!

Pastor Greg

Christ’s Supremacy

S. "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him" (Colossians 1: 15-19)

O. When I read these verse I am reminded of how small I really am. I serve a very BIG God and an INCREDIBLE Savior. They are placed everything in the position that what want it to be in…They have control of the earth and seas…and even my life…"He was before all things, an in him all things hold together"! I have tried too long to have control over my life…I have done all that I know to do to make my life "right"…I have exhausted my resources as a human being and I need a strength beyond myself…that is Jesus, "he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy"!

I have the power available to of God himself…if Jesus Christ is the fullness of God…then when Jesus dwell in me I can experience the fullness of who God is in my life. WOW! What an incredible promise from God…that I can and will have Him with me to lead me and guide me in this life. I need Him! I want Him to be my guide! I trust Him for all that I do…I keep putting Him first!

A. I will continue in faith and trust as I place my life in the hands of God. Giving God EVERY area of my life.

P. Lord, you reign supreme in my life…I trust in your will and way for all that I can in the days ahead. I want to experience the power of your presence in me daily over the next few weeks. Thanks for being present even in my blunders! I love you, Amen.

Becoming Like Christ

S. "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death," (Philippians 3: 8-10).

O. This is the goal of the Christian life…to not put any interest in your own gain but to only want Jesus Christ to be at the center of everything you do. To be found only in Jesus Christ is what I want from my life, but I seem to struggle at times with what I want to do and experience. But I need to approach EVERY part of my life in faith…faith in a God who loves me and knows what is best for me. Faith that all will be okay when I surrender my life and will to Him…faith that the power of the resurrection can do more in my life than I could ever do on my own. This is the kind of faith I desire and try to live.

I guess I am still perplexed by the fact that I don't do this all the time. I want to be in control of my life…I want to reach for certain goals and fix what I think is wrong in my life...and the scripture is clear to tell me that I don't have to worry…I just need to surrender my heart and will and life to the one who ordained all my days before I was born.

A. I really want to give the Lord a particular situation in my life. I really want to give up control of this situation and allow God to guide my thoughts, feelings and actions. Today, I am going to live as one who is in the hands of God…as one who lives by faith…no matter what!

P. Lord, I give you this day and ask that you would lead me in every action, thought and word that comes from my life. Thanks for being my guide and friend in life. Amen.

A Christians Conduct

S. "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."  (Philippians 1:27a)

O. The words of God through the apostle Paul have great meaning for me. Like many people, I have faced circumstances good and bad…I have had experiences in ministry that just didn't seem right and some that baffled my mind. But I have learned that I can't like circumstances be the guide for my life…I can't just react to things from my own attitude and out of my human mind. I must allow my attitude and response to whatever comes my way in a way the please God…that brings glory to Him and honors Him above all else. People in the world who know that I am a Christian are looking to us to see Jesus Christ. They are going to see good or bad from our lives and I really want people to see the good and truth of Jesus in me. That means I must have the mind of Christ…I must surrender to Christ and allow his thoughts to become my thoughts…His peace to become my peace…His love to become my love. I stated in a sermon a last week that we are responsible how we live in front of non-Christians…we will influence non-Christians more by our Walk than our Talk…so how we conduct our lives is EXTREMELY important. So bottom line…we must conduct our lives in a manner that pleases God and point others to Jesus Christ.

A. I have been very aware of my thoughts and actions this week as a result of my sermon last Sunday on my actions in front of people. I just can't let up! I have to continue in my understanding of living like Jesus and honoring Him with my every thought and action.

P. "Lord, I praise you for the your example of right living on this earth. It is my prayer that I can point people to you as a result of the way that I live my live. Give my a heart to know you and serve you daily! I love you! Amen.

Retool

S. "If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed by skill will bring success." Ecclesiastes 10: 10

O. I like the verse…but the truth is it reminds me of myself. I think that many times I am like a dull ax…trying to do something in my ministry or life with not all that is needed. I can wear myself out very easily trying to make up for the disadvantages of the lack of right equipment or attitude in my life. This is so try of the church. There are times that we spend too much energy on things because we don't look at the best possible way to doing ministry. We with an dull ax blade and it requires more time and effect and resources than are necessary. So what is the answer?

First, we must sharpen our blades…learn the most effective way of training and planning…understanding what equipment will make the ministry the best. If I know that I have a big ministry opportunity…take time getting ready, making your life and offering to God the best that it can be. Second, we must position ourselves for success. If we are in the middle of ministry opportunities and find that we need to retool and refocus our efforts…than do so. Just because we had success in an area one time does not mean that it will be successful in the future. Every tree…every opportunity is unique and we need to approach it is such a way to bring success.

A. I know that God wants me to give my all and I have been making a point to give all to God. As I write these words, I find myself kind of dull in a couple of areas in my life…I need to sit down and consider how I can approach the future and be best prepared for the work God has for me.

P. Lord, you and the potter and I am the clay…you are the grinder and I am the ax head…tool me for your purpose and for your glory. Amen.

Called by God’s Grace

S. "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." Ephesians 3: 7-8, NIV

O. These personal words of reflection by Paul to the church at Ephesus are very meaningful to me personally. I remember wrestling with my call to the ministry years ago…wondering if this was the direction that God was drawing me. I know today that His calling on my life is for sure and that I am in the spot where God wants me to be. But it is only by the grace of God that I am here and that I continue to in this ministry. It truly is a calling and I am so grateful that God has placed me at PRBC at the present time. I don't think I am the best pastor and even wonder about my leadership at times, but it is God who portions out his Grace in my life for HIS purpose and glory. Like Paul, I feel that a I am "less than the least of all God's people", but I can stand and continue in only by the grace of God. It is my goal to continue and remain faithful for God's glory in calling…I it is my prayer that my words and work for Him will lead people to Jesus Christ.

A. Today is a day that God has appointed for my life and ministry. Today, I will follow the hand of God in my life and ministry. Today, I will shout with joy to God for all that He has done in my life.

P. Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me and calling me to your work. I surrender my life to you and ask that You use me today for your purposes. Amen

Avoiding Strife

S. "It is a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel." (Proverbs 20: 3)

O. Proverbs is such a practical book. Sometimes it hits me right between the eyes and take a deep breath and remember who God is and who I am. This past week I preached from Ephesians 4 where Paul talks about "Don't let the sun go down on your anger" (vs. 26). I have to be honest and say that there have been times when I left anger boil in my life. When it caused strife and division that didn't have to be present. That said…I really want to be a man of honor. I want to be a man who avoids strife and tension with people around me. I have been working hard in some areas of my life recently and this is one of them. I need to be a man who responds in love and caring for others…helping people to stay on track in their relationship with God and loving them unconditionally…always!

A. Each day is a day to choose to love right and in God's presence and for God's honor. Today is that day for me. I will make an intentional effort to live in peace with those around me and avoid strife.

P. "Lord Jesus, You are filled with compassion and love. I pray that as I live this day, I will live from the wellspring of your love in my life. Thanks for loving me, for not holding my sin against me and for being my true guide in life. I love you, Lord. Amen