S. So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’ hands?” He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’
You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” And he said to them: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! (Mark 7:5-9, NIV)
O. Jesus' words are very harsh to the Pharisees, but so true...and especially true for us today. One of my greatest fears in the church is becoming slaves to tradition and ritual rather in than obedient to the Word of God. It is so easy to "do something because we have always done it that way" and only work from tradition. I know these words are said in good faith, but we must be careful to examine the motive behind everything we do in the church. Jesus said about the pharisees, "you have let go of the commands of God..." and that is my real fear. The only way that I can keep hold of God's commands and truth is by being in a right relationship with him on a daily basis. If I don't understanding His Word, the Bible, and know what truth is in it, than I really can't stand on His truth...and the likelihood of making my own tradition is very high. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I just be constantly reading and studying God's Word...I must be maintain communication with Him through prayer and listening and I must be open to hearing his truth from others around me.
A. I really want to be a person who lives by God's truth and His commands found in the scriptures. I so want to honor God with my life and not get caught up in the traditions of man. So, I will continue a daily pursuit in my relationship with Jesus Christ and honor Him in all that I do.
P. Lord, I love you and your Word. Today, I give my life to obey your truth and live for you. I will daily surrender my life for your service and will. Keep my pointed in your direction, working for Your will in my life. Amen
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
God is in Control
S. "Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” (Mark 3:11, NIV)
O. As I reflect on this verse this morning, I am just amazed at the power of God. I love this picture of Jesus' ministry. Here he is, healing, loving and giving to the people around him. They are amazed and in awe and wonder. And all the while, Satan is cringing as even those evil spirits supposedly under his control are bearing witness to the Son of God. I just shows God's might power over everything in the world. There is nothing under all creation that is out of the control of God.
A. Simply put, everything in my life and in the world around me is under God's control. I calls for my complete surrender and obedience to God in all that I do. At the very core of my life is a God who loves me and has a best place for my life. I just need to offer my life in surrender to him daily.
P. Lord, today is another day that you have ordained in my life. Today is another day for me to surrender my life to you and see your mighty work in this world. I give you my life today. Amen
O. As I reflect on this verse this morning, I am just amazed at the power of God. I love this picture of Jesus' ministry. Here he is, healing, loving and giving to the people around him. They are amazed and in awe and wonder. And all the while, Satan is cringing as even those evil spirits supposedly under his control are bearing witness to the Son of God. I just shows God's might power over everything in the world. There is nothing under all creation that is out of the control of God.
A. Simply put, everything in my life and in the world around me is under God's control. I calls for my complete surrender and obedience to God in all that I do. At the very core of my life is a God who loves me and has a best place for my life. I just need to offer my life in surrender to him daily.
P. Lord, today is another day that you have ordained in my life. Today is another day for me to surrender my life to you and see your mighty work in this world. I give you my life today. Amen
Thursday, October 28, 2010
God's Sovereign Plan
S. I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; (Job 19:25-26, NIV)
O. I absolutely love this verse. Job speaks these words as he is at the very pit of despair. He has lost everything of worldly significance and has been left alone...in physical, emotional and spiritual depravity. Yet in these lowest of moments in his life he cries out..."I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth." Powerful words of understanding God's sovereign control of our lives and God's ultimate purpose and plan for our lives. How different is this response from so many people. Most will turn from God and blame God for the calamity that comes in their lives...some will curse God and turn away from the very source of life. Others will just rest in their mess and say poor me.
Job's word's are full of hope and promise in a God will bring fulfillment and restoration to life in every aspect. They are words of hope in what can be...words that reflect the goodness of God and his ultimate plan to continue and maintain a relationship with him.
A. For me the application is simple...I know that God desires a relationship with me and even in the times when life is filled with moments that seem wrong to me...even in those times with I would rather stay in self-pity, I need to look to my God and claim His purpose and plan for my life...claim his sovereign rule and reign over my life...and I need to live in a surrendered state all my days.
P. Lord, thank you for being my everything...for giving me purpose for all my days. I trust in you for all that you are and for all that you have set in place for me each and every day. Amen.
O. I absolutely love this verse. Job speaks these words as he is at the very pit of despair. He has lost everything of worldly significance and has been left alone...in physical, emotional and spiritual depravity. Yet in these lowest of moments in his life he cries out..."I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth." Powerful words of understanding God's sovereign control of our lives and God's ultimate purpose and plan for our lives. How different is this response from so many people. Most will turn from God and blame God for the calamity that comes in their lives...some will curse God and turn away from the very source of life. Others will just rest in their mess and say poor me.
Job's word's are full of hope and promise in a God will bring fulfillment and restoration to life in every aspect. They are words of hope in what can be...words that reflect the goodness of God and his ultimate plan to continue and maintain a relationship with him.
A. For me the application is simple...I know that God desires a relationship with me and even in the times when life is filled with moments that seem wrong to me...even in those times with I would rather stay in self-pity, I need to look to my God and claim His purpose and plan for my life...claim his sovereign rule and reign over my life...and I need to live in a surrendered state all my days.
P. Lord, thank you for being my everything...for giving me purpose for all my days. I trust in you for all that you are and for all that you have set in place for me each and every day. Amen.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Called as a Witness
S. ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. (Acts 26:16, NIV)
O. These are the words of Jesus recounted by Paul has he told others about his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. It is clearly a call for him to get busy with the work that God has set aside for him to do. He was called by God to be a light to the Jews and gentiles...and God did a mighty work through him. As I read this verse yesterday, I was struck once again by my own calling as a servant of Christ. I am overwhelmed when I think about all that God has called me to do and be for Him...I am humbled by the fact that he uses me in spite of my weakness and lack of obedience at times. However, I must always have a deep realization about what God has called me to do and this verse reveals two trues about my witness of Christ.
First, I am a witness of what I have seen in Christ. That witness is full of the truth of Jesus Christ...his life on earth, his obedient act of doing the will of God, his atoning death on the cross and the awesome truth of His resurrection and work in my life today. I am a witness of what Christ has done in my individual life...the sin he has forgiven, the love that has been poured out on me and the power he gives me everyday to live for him.
Second, I am responsible as a disciple of Jesus Christ to continue in a relationship with him, in such a way as to listen and learn from Him everyday. There is so much more that he wants to show me and in showing me God requires that I become a witness of what God currently doing and teaching me. I never reach the point where I know all there is to know about God...I believe it is a continually revelation of God as I daily walk with Him.
A. Over the past few years, I have been convicted of how much time I spend with God and how much more I need to do. I have strengthened my daily walk with God, but there is so much more that I can do.
P. Lord, I thank you for calling me to be a witness of your greatness and goodness. I stand as your witness...giving testimony for all that you have and will do in my life. Amen.
O. These are the words of Jesus recounted by Paul has he told others about his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. It is clearly a call for him to get busy with the work that God has set aside for him to do. He was called by God to be a light to the Jews and gentiles...and God did a mighty work through him. As I read this verse yesterday, I was struck once again by my own calling as a servant of Christ. I am overwhelmed when I think about all that God has called me to do and be for Him...I am humbled by the fact that he uses me in spite of my weakness and lack of obedience at times. However, I must always have a deep realization about what God has called me to do and this verse reveals two trues about my witness of Christ.
First, I am a witness of what I have seen in Christ. That witness is full of the truth of Jesus Christ...his life on earth, his obedient act of doing the will of God, his atoning death on the cross and the awesome truth of His resurrection and work in my life today. I am a witness of what Christ has done in my individual life...the sin he has forgiven, the love that has been poured out on me and the power he gives me everyday to live for him.
Second, I am responsible as a disciple of Jesus Christ to continue in a relationship with him, in such a way as to listen and learn from Him everyday. There is so much more that he wants to show me and in showing me God requires that I become a witness of what God currently doing and teaching me. I never reach the point where I know all there is to know about God...I believe it is a continually revelation of God as I daily walk with Him.
A. Over the past few years, I have been convicted of how much time I spend with God and how much more I need to do. I have strengthened my daily walk with God, but there is so much more that I can do.
P. Lord, I thank you for calling me to be a witness of your greatness and goodness. I stand as your witness...giving testimony for all that you have and will do in my life. Amen.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Founding Purpose in God Alone
S. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.” (Job 3: 26)
O. I have felt like this many times. Job has faced the most complete devastation that any human could imagine. Loss of family, wealth and even his own health. Chapter 3 of Job is mainly Job's attempt to curse the day of his birth. "Why were there knees to receive me and breasts that I might be nursed? For now I would be lying down in peace; I would be asleep and at rest with kings and counselors of the earth, who built for themselves places now lying in ruins"
He would rather have not been born than to face this day...a town that only brings him grief.
So he says, my life is a mess...I am depleted of all that this human life has to offer...I would rather be dead.
A. It is scary to think that many people in our world are driven to this point of desperation. They see no meaning of purpose in their lives and only see turmoil. They have invested so much into themselves and tried so hard on their own life full of meaning without God. The problem is, we were created in the image of God. We must look to him for guidance and ultimately all purpose in our lives. I must learn to only see my self-worth in relationship to my God and not any expectation that the world places on me.
P. Lord, I open my life to your plan and will today. I pray that I might live in surrender to you in every aspect of my life. Thank you for giving me purpose in my life...and I pray that I will be able to keep my life aligned with Yours everyday.
O. I have felt like this many times. Job has faced the most complete devastation that any human could imagine. Loss of family, wealth and even his own health. Chapter 3 of Job is mainly Job's attempt to curse the day of his birth. "Why were there knees to receive me and breasts that I might be nursed? For now I would be lying down in peace; I would be asleep and at rest with kings and counselors of the earth, who built for themselves places now lying in ruins"
He would rather have not been born than to face this day...a town that only brings him grief.
So he says, my life is a mess...I am depleted of all that this human life has to offer...I would rather be dead.
A. It is scary to think that many people in our world are driven to this point of desperation. They see no meaning of purpose in their lives and only see turmoil. They have invested so much into themselves and tried so hard on their own life full of meaning without God. The problem is, we were created in the image of God. We must look to him for guidance and ultimately all purpose in our lives. I must learn to only see my self-worth in relationship to my God and not any expectation that the world places on me.
P. Lord, I open my life to your plan and will today. I pray that I might live in surrender to you in every aspect of my life. Thank you for giving me purpose in my life...and I pray that I will be able to keep my life aligned with Yours everyday.
Monday, October 11, 2010
God's Great Work
S. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. (Nehemiah 6: 16)
O. This verse incredible! Should this not be the goal for the witness of our lives. I so want people to see God in what I do and in the what we do as a church. I think that part of the problem that this does not happen more is that we constrict ourselves by thinking on in human terms. Nehemiah and the people could have never completed the wall in 52 days on their own. This was a great testimony of God's working through HIS people to accomplish something great. Most of the time I make statement like "I don't do that" or 'There is no way that is possible". And when I make statements such as this I start out believing that something CAN"T be done. I need to have faith and trust in a God who has ordained every day of my life and who wants to accomplish his will in spite of me. How much more fun and rewarding to allow God to do HIS thing as we surrender our lives to Him.
A. Today, I want to believe in the greater things of God. I want to walk by faith and not by sight. I want to lead Pea Ridge in great steps of faith. I want to see God at work in the world around me.
P. Lord, I surrender myself to you today. I want to see you at work in my life. I want to walk by faith...knowing who You are I surrender myself to you completely today. I love you, Lord. Amen
O. This verse incredible! Should this not be the goal for the witness of our lives. I so want people to see God in what I do and in the what we do as a church. I think that part of the problem that this does not happen more is that we constrict ourselves by thinking on in human terms. Nehemiah and the people could have never completed the wall in 52 days on their own. This was a great testimony of God's working through HIS people to accomplish something great. Most of the time I make statement like "I don't do that" or 'There is no way that is possible". And when I make statements such as this I start out believing that something CAN"T be done. I need to have faith and trust in a God who has ordained every day of my life and who wants to accomplish his will in spite of me. How much more fun and rewarding to allow God to do HIS thing as we surrender our lives to Him.
A. Today, I want to believe in the greater things of God. I want to walk by faith and not by sight. I want to lead Pea Ridge in great steps of faith. I want to see God at work in the world around me.
P. Lord, I surrender myself to you today. I want to see you at work in my life. I want to walk by faith...knowing who You are I surrender myself to you completely today. I love you, Lord. Amen
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Standing in the Truth
S. Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words. (Luke 19: 44-45)
O. I have a confession to make. I don't know that I have ever felt persecution for my preaching and ministry. I might have had some minor opposition, but even that was probably from a friendly standpoint. I just read about some Christians in Asia who have to meet in secret and who are constantly being harassed by the government. I know Christians in Russia who lived under constant persecution for the preaching and teaching and even for just being a Christian.
Jesus faced opposition during most of his ministry, and he never backed down. He always stood for the truth that came from His father. He always made certain that he was in line with the will of His father in everything...and when this occurred, he could stand against any force of evil. I love the end of these verses, the kingdom was growing, the truth of the Father was being proclaimed and people were moving forward for the kingdom of God. No power and strength of man will be able to stand in opposition of God.
A. I am coming to a point in my life and in my ministry when I am less afraid to preach and teach God's truth and where I am not afraid to take a stand for the truth of God's word. I still don't think that I have experienced true persecution, but I am willing and ready to take that stand. I want to have a passion for God's Word and for the truth of the kingdom of God like Jesus had. If faced with opposition, I want to stand and not be afraid. I want to give my life to used for God's glory and not my own.
P. I pray this morning that I will stand this day by the truth of God's Word. God, may your strength be displayed in my life today. I give my life to be used for your kingdom. Amen
O. I have a confession to make. I don't know that I have ever felt persecution for my preaching and ministry. I might have had some minor opposition, but even that was probably from a friendly standpoint. I just read about some Christians in Asia who have to meet in secret and who are constantly being harassed by the government. I know Christians in Russia who lived under constant persecution for the preaching and teaching and even for just being a Christian.
Jesus faced opposition during most of his ministry, and he never backed down. He always stood for the truth that came from His father. He always made certain that he was in line with the will of His father in everything...and when this occurred, he could stand against any force of evil. I love the end of these verses, the kingdom was growing, the truth of the Father was being proclaimed and people were moving forward for the kingdom of God. No power and strength of man will be able to stand in opposition of God.
A. I am coming to a point in my life and in my ministry when I am less afraid to preach and teach God's truth and where I am not afraid to take a stand for the truth of God's word. I still don't think that I have experienced true persecution, but I am willing and ready to take that stand. I want to have a passion for God's Word and for the truth of the kingdom of God like Jesus had. If faced with opposition, I want to stand and not be afraid. I want to give my life to used for God's glory and not my own.
P. I pray this morning that I will stand this day by the truth of God's Word. God, may your strength be displayed in my life today. I give my life to be used for your kingdom. Amen
Monday, October 4, 2010
Solid Foundation
S. "But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up." (Esther 2: 20)
O. There was a simple truth that jumped off the page this morning as I read the story of Esther...the power of instruction and the faithful in obedience that follow! Mordecai had raised Esther under difficult circumstance. Her parents had died and he took upon himself the responsibility to teach her the truth of God. Isn't it wonderful when God orchestrates his plans for us. He needed Esther to have a solid foundation in her life and even in the midst of tragedy, God provides. Not only did Mordecai provide a solid spiritual foundation...but Esther was obedient to follow in faithfulness she has learned. It would have been easy for Esther to turn away from God. She was now in the king's favor and probably could have had anything she desired...but her desire was to obey Mordecai's instruction and remain faithful to God.
A. It is so easy in today's world to just move with the ebb and flow of society and situations we found ourselves in...but God is calling us to remain faithful to Him in everything. I just remember my first love...the Lord Jesus Christ and give my all to him everyday.
P. Lord, thank you for my upbringing and for the truth that was lived out in front of my as I was growing up. I pray that I will never lose that foundation and that I would be faithful to live my life in such a way that would honor that truth and glorify your name. Amen.
O. There was a simple truth that jumped off the page this morning as I read the story of Esther...the power of instruction and the faithful in obedience that follow! Mordecai had raised Esther under difficult circumstance. Her parents had died and he took upon himself the responsibility to teach her the truth of God. Isn't it wonderful when God orchestrates his plans for us. He needed Esther to have a solid foundation in her life and even in the midst of tragedy, God provides. Not only did Mordecai provide a solid spiritual foundation...but Esther was obedient to follow in faithfulness she has learned. It would have been easy for Esther to turn away from God. She was now in the king's favor and probably could have had anything she desired...but her desire was to obey Mordecai's instruction and remain faithful to God.
A. It is so easy in today's world to just move with the ebb and flow of society and situations we found ourselves in...but God is calling us to remain faithful to Him in everything. I just remember my first love...the Lord Jesus Christ and give my all to him everyday.
P. Lord, thank you for my upbringing and for the truth that was lived out in front of my as I was growing up. I pray that I will never lose that foundation and that I would be faithful to live my life in such a way that would honor that truth and glorify your name. Amen.
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