June 24, 2018

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

God's mercy is a big deal! A really big deal! And Paul emphasizes that truth by crafting Romans 12 around this great attribute of God!

God's mercy is the often overshadowed other brother of His grace!

This morning I want to share some insightful and inspiring quotes from the great A.W. Tozer on worship:

"As mercy is God's goodness confronting human misery and guilt, so grace is his goodness directed toward human debt and demerit."

"Don't allow false modesty,doubts or unbelief prevent you from accepting God's favor. The door of mercy stands wide open."

"We get the odd notion that God is showing mercy because Jesus died. No. Jesus died because God is showing mercy."

"When Jesus died on the cross the mercy of God did not become any greater. It could not become any greater, for it was already infinite. We get the odd notion that God is showing mercy because Jesus died. No--Jesus died because God is showing mercy. It was the mercy of God that gave us Calvary, not Calvary that gave us mercy. If God had not been merciful there would have been no incarnation, no babe in the manger, no man on a cross and no open tomb."

Does that give you a better view of God's mercy?

Here is a prayer from A.W. Tozer in closing:

O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, ‘Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.’ Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long.

Amen!

June 23, 2018

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

I am increasingly thankful I followed the prompting of the Holy Spirit to spend the Summer preaching from Romans 12!

This chapter has significantly shaped my life as a follower of Christ! Coming back to study it again this Summer reminds me there is SO much more from this transformational Scripture that God wants to teach me!

Recently I have been drawn to the mention of God's mercy. Paul says, "Therefore....." That conjunction ties what he is about to say with what he has already said. So, to fully appreciate what he is about to teach us we much review what he has already taught since pure doctrine is truth built upon truth! 

Here is a summary of some of the "therefores" that you are urged to keep in view:

Examples of God’s mercy:

·  God credits us righteousness apart from works (3:22; 4:6)

·  God offers us justification and redemption (3:24)

·  Jesus’ sacrifice provides atonement (3:25)

·  God takes judgment on himself (3:25; 4:25)

·  God is forbearing and patience with us (3:25)

·  Our transgressions are forgiven and sins covered (4:7)

·  Our sins are not counted against us (4:8)

·  God gives spiritual life to the spiritually dead (4:17)

·  God makes peace between us and him (5:1)

·  God poured his love into our hearts (5:5)

·  He has given us the Holy Spirit (5:5)

·  God demonstrated his love for us while we were still in open rebellion against him (5:8)

·  He saved us from his wrath (5:9)

·  He reconciled us to himself (5:11)

·  He gives us eternal life (5:21; 6:23; 8:11)

·  He provides an overflowing and abundant provision of grace (5:15,17)

·  God has allowed us to die to sin (6:2)

·  God gives us new life (6:4)

·  He allows us to bear fruit (7:4)

·  He frees us from condemnation (8:1)

·  He makes us his children, heirs of God, co-heirs with Christ (8:17-17)

·  God shares his glory with us (8:17)

·  The Holy Spirit intercedes for us (8:26-27)

·  God works for our good (8:28)

·  He conforms us to his likeness (8:29)

·  He is for us (8:31)

·  God doesn’t bring charges against us (8:33)

·  God provides his love from which we can never be separated (8:35-39)

·  God saves all who call on him (10:13)

·  He allows those who do not seek him to find him (10:20)

·  He offers us his kindness (11:22)

·  God gives us irrevocable calls and gifts (11:29)

Mercy is the often overlooked little brother of grace!

Grace is God giving us what we don't deserve!

Mercy is God sparing us from what we do deserve!

If you are thankful for grace be grateful for mercy!

What Sort Of Friend Are You?

"As  iron  sharpens  iron,  so  one man sharpens another."  Proverbs 27:17

Miss Thompson taught Teddy Stallard in the fourth grade. He was a slow, unkempt student, a loner shunned by his classmates. The previous year his mother died, and what little motivation for school he may have once had was now gone. Miss Thompson didn’t particularly care for Teddy either, but at Christmas time he brought her a small present. Her desk was covered with well-wrapped presents from the other children, but Teddy’s came in a brown sack. When she opened it there was a gaudy rhinestone bracelet with half the stones missing and a bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to snicker but Miss Thompson saw the importance of the moment. She quickly splashed on some perfume and put on the bracelet, pretending Teddy had given her something special. At the end of the day Teddy worked up enough courage to softly say, "Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother and her bracelet looks real pretty on you too. I’m glad you like my presents."

After Teddy left, Miss Thompson got down on her knees and prayed for God’s forgiveness. She prayed for God to use her as she sought to not only teach these children but to love them as well

She became a new teacher. She lovingly helped students like Teddy, and by the end of the year he had caught up most of the students.

Miss Thompson didn’t hear from Teddy for a long time. Then she received this note: "Dear Miss Thompson, I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class. Love, Teddy Stallard." Four years later she got another note: "Dear Miss Thompson, They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be the first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it. Love, Teddy Stallard." Four years later: "Dear Miss Thompson, As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year. Love, Teddy Stallard." Miss Thompson went to the wedding and sat where Teddy’s mother would have sat, because she let God use her as an instrument of encouragement.

That's a wise friend!

She encouraged Teddy!

She exhorted Teddy!

She empowered Teddy!

What sort of friend are you?

What sort of friends do you have?

June 21, 2018

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

A wise friend is one who "rubs you the right way" and sharpens you as a friend and as a believer.

Friends sharpen one another by encouraging, by exhorting and by empowering.

Here are some ways that empowerment happens:

FEAR CAN EMPOWER

We typically think of fear as a negative emotion or the antithesis of faith. But fear can create tremendous motivation for you. For example, a healthy fear of disobeying God can motivate you to obey Him.

This humorous story illustrates the power of fear:

Late one night, a man had gone to a party and had too much to drink, so he decided it would be best to walk home. He found a shortcut through a poorly lit cemetery and, in the darkness, stumbled into an open grave. He tried to climb out but the walls were too slippery. Again and again he fell back into the grave.

Finally, in exhaustion, he settled in a corner to wait for sunlight.

A few minutes later, another man in the same condition was cutting through the cemetery and fell victim to the same grave. He, too, tried desperately to climb and claw his way out, and he was equally unsuccessful.

As he was about to give up in hopeless resignation, he heard a voice from the darkness of his pit: "You may as well give up. You’ll never get out of here."

But he did!

FAITH CAN EMPOWER

Remember learning to ride a bike or the first time you jumped off the diving board? You no doubt found the courage from the coaxing of a parent assuring you, "Come on! You can do it! I'm right here! I will help you!"

The four words, "You can do it!" or "I believe in you!" from a significant person have amazing power in the life of another! By means of your faith you can speak faith into another! You can believe in them and for them until they are able to believe themselves.

Faith is powerful!

LOVE CAN EMPOWER

You will do things for love that you woudn't do for money. That is the power of love!

Who would ever change a dirty diaper except for love?

Who would ever go to war except for love of country and love of freedom.

Love inspires and emboldens and empowers both the one who loves and the one loved.

Sometimes the love that empowers is tough love!

I had to give my grandson some tough love and call him out in a certain area. Though it was a little hard for him to hear, he received it and made some changes. Later, he even thanked me for challenging him and asked me to continue calling out the best in him.

I will! I love him!

He will continue to receive it! He loves me!

Wisdom forms a firm foundation for friendship because it encourages and it exhorts and it empowers.

Don't settle for less.

                            

Deal With Discouragement

"I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked: “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time. Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”  Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.  The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron."   Psalm 77

It seems that a young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they got soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked. "What’s the point, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity--boiling water--but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water. "Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

One reason I have chosen to spend a few days in this Psalm is because the Psalms deal with the gamut of emotions that you and I face in everyday life! This Psalm, for instance tackles discouragement in a very true and transparent manner.

In the dangerous and difficult world where we live, you can easily become discouraged. You may be discouraged by someone else, you may be discouraged by yourself or you could be discouraged by God - or even all three!

So, how can you deal with discouragement in a way that changes the water?

I have given you five ways of dealing with discouragement when it shows up uninvited at your door. Let me remind you of those:

1) Devotion Not Emotion, vv. 1-7

2) Perspective Not Panic, vv. 7-13

3) Certainty Not Speculation, vv. 13-14

4) Recommit Don't Quit, vv. 11-12

5) Declare Don't Despair, 14-20

Discouragement is a big tool in the enemy's arsenal and he will attack you with it early and often. He intends to use it to cause you to feel like giving up. If you don't handle it it can lead to depression. But, if you learned to handle discouragement and learn to use it to draw closer to God, the enemy will be less likely use it against you! So, if he tries to use that one weapon against you I have given you five to defend yourself with!

Declare Don't Despair

“You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”  Psalms 77:14-20

The world says, “Seeing is believing!” Christians say, “Believing is seeing!”

Faith is seeing before you see! Hebrews 11:1-2 says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen."

If you are looking at something and talking about it that is not faith! That is a description because you are telling what you see! If you are talking about something that has already happened that is not faith! That is a report because you are sharing what you have seen. But if you are declaring it and it hasn't happened yet - that is faith because your are verbalizing what you believe you will see!

There is tremendous power in  your words! Positive words have power for good and negative words can destroy.

I have an idea that if you go back and trace how you became discouraged it had something to do with a negative declaration or two that came from your lips to your ears to your mind and into your spirit. Perhaps it was negative hurtful words spoken to you by someone else that caused you to become discouraged.

God spoke the world into existence by His words! He declared it and it happened! I am not saying that we are God, but I am saying that we can declare His Word and when we do there is power! That is exactly what Aseph the worship leader was doing right here in these verses. And guess what! It worked!

President John F. Kennedy made this challenge just five months after being inaugurated as President, "First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth."

At the time he issued this bold declaration the technology did not exist to make this a reality. But because he spoke it and because Americans heard it and embraced it and believed it and just eight years and two months later Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar landscape! As amazing as it was it would not have happened if JFK wouldn't have declared it!

If you struggle with discouragement or even depression, be careful what you declare with your lips and what you hear with your ears. Make faith declarations. Read the word and read it aloud so you can hear it. Make sure you get to worship service where you can hear God's truth read, and sang and preached.

Don't be discouraged! Declare don't despair!

Recommit Don't Quit

^"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.  I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”   Psalms 77:11-12

This week I have been studying the 77th Psalm which deals with the very practical issue of discouragement and how to deal with it.

So far I have shared three of five concepts I find in this Psalm to help overcome or prevent discouragement. For sake of review those concepts are:

Concept One - Devotion Not Emotion

Concept Two - Perspective Not Panic

Concept Three - Certainty Not Speculation

This morning I will share the fourth concept for your consideration:

RECOMMIT DON’T QUIT

Aseph was faced with the very same decision as you and I face when we are discouraged, “Why not just give up?”

Discouragement can cause you to lose hope and when you lose hope you can begin to wonder, "It this worth it? Why should I keep trying? Why not just quit?"

Quitting smoking is good! Quitting drugs is good! Giving up any harmful practice, attitude, habit or relationship is good. Quitting on God is never good. If you quit on faith what are you going to believe that is better? Oprah? Dr. Phil? If you quit on God, where can you go?

"A majority of the great historic accomplishments of the past have been the final result of a persistent struggle against discouragement and failure. A man is never beaten until he thinks he is. Without perseverance, the chances of his succeeding are small indeed."

Harold Sherman, wrote a book “How to Turn Failure Into Success”. In it he gives a “Code of Persistence”

a. I will never give up so long as I know I am right.

b. I will believe that all things will work out for me if I hang on until the end.

c. I will be courageous and undismayed in the face of odds.

d. I will not permit anyone to intimidate me or deter me from my goals.

e. I will fight to overcome all physical handicaps and setbacks

f. I will try again and again and yet again to accomplish what I desire.

g. I will take new faith and resolution from the knowledge that all successful men and women have had to fight defeat and adversity.

h. I will never surrender to discouragement or despair no matter what seeming obstacles may confront me.

Winners never quit and quitters never win! Aseph was a winner. It was his job to lead God's people, including King David, in worship. He served at the pleasure of the King, it wasn't his to decide to quit. He had made a commitment to the King and to the Lord. A commitment means he had promised not to quit. That is the nature of commitment, it eliminates every other option including the option to quit. Commitment demands that when you feel like it is time to quit you recommit!

Perhaps you have been battling discouragement and you have come to the point of wondering if it is worth it to keep trying. Maybe you are about to quit on your faith or your marriage or your job. Let me encourage you that if you have made a commitment and sealed it with a promise, you don't need to quit you need to recommit!