Individual Responsibility

S. “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they could save neither son nor daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness” (Ezekiel 14: 20, NIV).

O. God is sending a message to the people of Israel through the prophet Ezekiel. God will not put up with the worship of false idols, and hearts that are not attune to Him. The attitude and hearts of the people where so against God at this point and he was speaking of the coming doom of His wrath. This verse really stood out to me this morning. It speaks of our personal responsibility to declare personally our relationship with the Sovereign LORD. No righteous person is able to save another people on their own merit…I can’t save my sons or wife…they have a personally responsibility to acknowledge the Sovereign LORD in their lives. The scripture speaks to this on several occasions. Yet, many people in our society think that their close association with a Christian or the faith of another family member will be enough. God desires a personal relationship with each of us…that is just amazing!

A. If I can’t “save” my family and friends by my life, then I have the responsibility of leading them to Jesus. I must constantly be encouraging them in the pursuit of a personal relationship with Jesus…I must pray for them, model for them and help them to see how this personal God can be their personal God and friend.

P. Lord, Thank you for loving me, in spite of my sin. Thank you for giving your Son Jesus as a sacrifice for my sins. Allow me to be a strong witness for you to my family and friends. Rid me of all wrong and sin and fill me with joy and hope that comes from you. Amen.

Steadfast Devotion

S. “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’ “They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.” (Ezekiel 11: 17-20, NIV)

O. I love this promise of God…it is a promise of full restoration and it gives the people of Israel hope to look beyond their current situation. I guess I am just overwhelmed this morning with God’s unfailing, relentless love for me. He will never give up on me…no matter what I have done and what I will do…He is always looking for ways to bless me and keep me in a right relationship with him. You see, he wanted from me an undivided heart…and he give that to us. If we just surrender to him, he will provide all we need to live with full attention and devotion to Him. We just have to receive all that he offers. He will put a new spirit in us…removing what is not focused on Him and filling us to all of his presence…for wisdom, strength, direction, understanding, compassion, kindness and more.
He is so devoted to me that nothing will change his love for us. Unlike earthly love and commitment, God’s commitment and love for us is never ending and not based on feelings. His promise…”They WILL be my people and I WILL be their God” vs. 20, (emphasis mine). Paul spoke in Romans of God’s great love for us…and that nothing in all creation would be able to separate us from God’s love (see Romans 8: 32-39).

A. The bottom line for me is this…God loves me and His promise to me is of an undying love and commitment. I just need to receive it…to believe that he really does care about me and love me and what the best for me. That is WILL be with me in every aspect of my life and that he WILL love me unconditionally. What a joy knowing that truth!

P. “Lord God Almighty…I accept your love today. I look forward to a day lived in your grace and love. Forgive me when I have failed you and give me a heart that is tuned ONLY to You. I love you Lord! Amen”

The First and Last

I used this in my sermon this morning and wanted to share it on here are well...

THE FIRST AND LAST

He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and
The Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...

Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!

The world can’t understand him,
The armies can’t defeat Him,
The schools can’t explain Him, and
The leaders can’t ignore Him.
Herod couldn’t kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him, and
The people couldn’t hold Him!
Nero couldn’t crush Him,
Hitler couldn’t silence Him,
The New Age can’t replace Him, and
Talk show hosts can’t explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, kindness, gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.

His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and
His mind is on me.

He is my Redeemer,
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and
He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and
He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and
His goal for me is abundant life.

I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
The power of the powerful,
The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers,
The leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and
The sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.

And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!

He will never leave me,
Never forsake me,
Never mislead me,
Never forget me,
Never overlook me, and
Never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I confess failure, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!

When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!

He is everything for everybody, everywhere,
Every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!

My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you’re wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...
He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side, and
That means all is well with my soul.

SOURCE: http://www.bible.org/docs/pastor/bits/bits-110.htm

The Hole in Our Gospel

The Hole in Our Gospel: The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World

I recently finished a book the book The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision US. This is a book that has rocked my spirit and has really challenged my thinking about reaching out in the name of Jesus. The main question that drives this book…”What does God expect of me?”

Stearns stated in the opening chapter of the book, “Christianity is a faith that was meant to spread – but not through coercion. God’s love was intended to be demonstrated, not dictated. Our job is not to manipulate or induce others to agree with us or to leave their religion and embrace Christianity. Our charge is to both proclaim and embody the gospel so that others can see, hear, and feel God’s love in tangible ways. When we are living out our faith with integrity and compassion in the world, God can use us to give other a glimpse of His love and character. It is God – not us – who works in the hearts of men and women to forgive and redeem. ”

Stearns was a godly husband and father to 5 children and was the President of Lenox China before giving up his Jaguar, large home, and large salary to become the President of World Vision. He went from living the country club lifestyle to sitting in grass huts in Uganda feeding children who are starving. Why? Why did he give up the American dream?
He told the story of a pastor friend who went through the Bible literally cutting out with scissors, all the verses on poverty and then when he preached on poverty, he held his ragged, tattered Bible in the air and said “Brothers and sisters, this is our American Bible; it is full of holes…here are all the Biblical texts we ignore.”

Stearns goes into full detail about the epidemic of poverty in our world that American Christians just simply ignore. 26,500 children will die today due to causes related to poverty – whether it’s starvation, dirty water, ravages of war, disease or AIDS. That’s the equivalent of 100 jet liners crashing just today! He knows how Americans value our airplanes and hate to see one crash – so he compares the statistic to a plane wreck.

What does God expect us to do about all this poverty? Richard reminds us of Matthew 25 where Jesus speaks of judgment day. Jesus says that the criteria for dividing the sheep from the goats will be:
“When I was hungry you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

If you are want a fresh perspective of how we can be the hands and feet of Jesus, I recommend this book…but a word of caution. This book will move you toward action. This is a book that will make you want to be action in living out the “whole” gospel. I finished the book praying the pray that World Vision founder Bob Pierce prayer, “Lord, break my heart with the things that break the heart of God”

Pastor Greg

Bearing Fruit

S. "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (John 15: 8, NIV)

O. This verse speaks on obvious truth…a disciple will bear fruit. In my understanding there are two types of fruit that I must produce as a disciple of Jesus Christ. The first is internal and transforms my life from the inside out. With the promise of the Counselor who was to come, Jesus assured the disciples that one would come to fill them and guide them in His absence. The Holy Spirit fills the lives of everyone who follows Jesus …the Holy Spirit resides in us and the fruit that comes from the Holy Spirit's presence in us is, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control (see Galatians 5: 22-23). These are to be evident in our lives all the time…if the Spirit truly has control on your life, I believe that these WILL BE evident as the fruit of my life.

The second kind of fruit we produce is more disciples…sharing our faith and our common struggles to surrender to the Lord is a part of my life. I must be active in sharing my faith with others and also challenging believer to take a more committed stand for the Lord.

A. Today, I give myself to you God…as you have filled me with the Holy Spirit, I pray that as I drew near to I will see the importance of living my life daily for you.

P. Lord, this is your day ahead…I just want to join you in your work in the world right now.!

Unfailing Love

S. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!
(Jeremiah 9:24, NLT)

O. God really just wants us to simply love Him. And we tend to make it so difficult. God is a God of faithful love, a God of justice and righteousness and that is what we are to rest in when we rest in His care. When I think of my own life and how I live in comparison to these qualities of God…and fail big time! When try to be dependent on other people to demonstrate these qualities…we will never find a person who is able to live up to them. As human beings, we are crowded with sin and selfishness in our lives. That will only lead to brokenness and strife in our lives.

But when we do as the scripture says…when we place our lives into the hands of God and we begin to boast in the greatness and faithfulness of God, we will experience God's faithfulness to us and I also believe we will begin to display these qualities in our lives as well. We are transformed by the presence of God in us and I believe God want for others to see His qualities in us.

A. Personally, I have not been doing a good job at letting God's presence work in my life. I have not been displaying these qualities to others and I need to work on areas of surrender…allow God to work in and through me. I want to rest on His promises and on His goodness today.

P. Lord, Thank you for your faithfulness to me even when I am unfaithful in return. Today, I receive your unfailing love and righteousness into my life and I open my heart to be filled with all of who You are! Amen

Don’t Be Ashamed

S.
"Is this your son?" they asked. "Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?" "We know he is our son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind.21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself."
His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue." (John 9: 19-22, NIV)

O. This is a wonderful story. Jesus encounters a man who has been blind since birth. He heals him and then there is much discussion about his healing. The Pharisee called his parents in to get a report from them about their son. They are really trying to catch Jesus and to condemn anyone who claims that Jesus is the Messiah. Part of the problem is the fact that this healing occurred on the Sabbath. The Pharisees question the parents and they say that they don't know how this happened.

As I read this, I was confronted with the fact that many times I don't acknowledge all that God has done in my life. The parents had spoken with their son, but because of fear of the Pharisees and fear of punishment from them, I don't think the parents tell what they really believe. They know that their son was born blind, and I am sure the know that they have seen a miracle, but they don't say so! How many times have I done the same thing? How many times I have been afraid of the reaction that others might have about my belief in Jesus Christ and His power in my life. Am I ashamed of being found in Christ? Am I more concerned about human acceptance rather than give God proper acknowledgement and praise for what He has done and is doing in my life?

As the apostle Paul wrote, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1: 16a, NIV)

A. I really need to become bolder in my witness of Jesus Christ. I need to take a stand for him in all that I do. I know that I have a fear of rejection and ridicule, but I must not let fear be my guide…I must be faithful to acknowledge God's work and presence in my life. It begins with understanding that I have the power of the Holy Spirit in my life…to guide, to protect…and for me to honor with all my heart.

P. Lord, Give me a bold witness and character for you! I want to stand and speak unashamedly for You…now and always! Amen

Following My Example

S. "He did what was evil in the Lord 's sight, just as his father, Manasseh, had done.
 He followed the example of his father, worshiping the same idols his father had worshiped" (2 Kings 21: 20-21)

O. Yesterday, I had one of the most amazing experiences. I got to hear my two older boys on the radio with their band Torn in Two. They were invited to play live on a local station and all of them did an excellent job. After they were finished, Blake and Luke decided to stay and assist the DJ, Drew Damron, with the Prayer Hour. Drew was not feeling well and they wanted to help him out. When all was said and done, my heart was filled with pride for the witness they were to our community, but more so for the way their hearts are being formed by God. When I read this scripture, I was just reminded of the powerful influence we have on our children. Amon became king when he was 22 years old. His father Manasseh reigned in Jerusalem for 55 years and did evil in the sight of God. The phrase, "He followed the example of his father" was the phrase that hit me today. What kind of example am I giving to my sons? I don't claim to be the best father in the world…believe me, I have made plenty of mistakes. I am reminded this morning that much of what my boys become will be determined by the example that I set before them. When I think about my father and the love he has shown and the example he has been to me through the years, I am thankful for his faithful walk with God and his consistent life before men. I am humbled by the thought of my boys following my example and truly what that example to be one that honors Jesus Christ in every way.

A. What kind of legacy am I leaving for my boys? What will I do today to build them up in the Lord? What will do today that will have a lasting impact on their lives? These are the questions that must be part of my daily life. I must take day after day the awesome responsibility of living in committed Christian life before them. What is huge task!

P. Lord Jesus, I want to see my boys grow to be your servants. I am seeing the fruit of their relationship with you and what to be a major influence and example in their lives. I commit to live for you today and to love them with your love each day. I love you, Lord. Amen