August 1, 2009

"Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations."He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." Romans 4:16-25

I was reading in Romans 4 this morning. What an amazing treatise on faith! Hebrews 11 has always been the "Faith Chapter", but this chapter is strong! Let me see if I can help you get your heart and mind around it.

FAITH IS BELIEVING

Abraham believed what he couldn't see. He trusted for something he had never see before. He was committed to a Higher Reality.

 

Why did he do that?

 

Because of a promise from God - "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as had been saint to him, 'So shall your offspring be.'" V. 18

 

Faith is believing what you have never seen - seeing with your spirit - because you trust the promise of God.

 

FAITH IS BEHAVING

 

Abraham not only trusted God in his mind and in his spirit, but he acted on what he believed. He took his wife and possessions and left for a place that had not yet been revealed to him. Every day he acted on what he believed God wanted him to do. As James tells us, "Faith without works is dead."

 

Why did he behave that way? He believed in the Person of God.

 

If you say you believe it is going to rain but you leave the house without your umbrella, you are not acting like someone who really believes. True belief, faith, expresses itself with action.

 

To say that you believe that the Bible is God's Word demands that you actually read it, know it, and live according to its truths. If the Bible doesn't shape your behavior, you are not a believer.

 

FAITH IS BECOMING

 

Because Abraham believed in the promise of God and the Person of God, but he also believed in the power of God to help him possess what He had promised! And because he believed and behaved like a believer - God believed in him.

 

The power to become is founded in the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead. Abraham's faith was amazing because not only did he experience God's power prior to the Resurrection, he believed it before Jesus was even born!

Abraham became a literal father, but because he believed and behaved as a man of faith, God made Him a spiritual father. If you could look up faith in God's dictionary you would find a picture of Abraham because to God, Abraham = faith.

God counted Abraham as the righeous father of a great nation, even when he was childless.

God loves it when, by faith, we become what He has designed us to become!

It was out of the faithfulness of Abraham that the Hebrew people became a nation. And it was out of this nation that Jesus was born. So not only is Abraham the example of faith, he is the father of THE Faith.

How is your faith?

Do you believe in God's promises? Do you behave in a manner consistent with His Person? Are you becoming like like Jesus by His power?

July 31, 2009

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 55:22

You have probably heard this: "Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death."

The moral:

It doesn't matter if you are a lion or a gazelle. When the sun comes up, you better be running.

No one enjoys being fearful, but fear is a powerful motivator. In our verse for today, the Psalmist offers some great advice, "Let your anxiety drive you to the Lord."

"Cast your cares".

"Cast" in Hebrew means: to throw out, throw down, throw away, to hurl. It does not mean to take back what you have cast, nor to cherish, or keep - but to cast, toss, throw away from yourself.

"Cares" in Hebrew means: whatever is given by providence. That means every part of your personality, talents, thoughts, body, emotions, worries, burdens, joys, and gifts.

"LORD" as used here in Hebrew means - Eternal, Jehovah, self-existent. The One with no beginning and no end. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty." Rev. 1:8; 21:6; 22:13.

Piece all these truths together and you get: "Throw and hurl everything that has been given to you onto the Lord. Everything that has been given to you, you are to throw onto the Lord and not to take it back."

That is your part. If you will do your part, here's what God will do:

"Sustain" in Hebrew means: "To keep in and contain, To abide, remain with and reside, To receive, comprehend and guide, To feed, nourish, make provision for and provide sustenance for."

God makes this personal - "You" - means God is willing and able to do this for you, just the way you are. No changes are needed to come before the Lord God Almighty.

Putting this all together: The Lord Jesus Christ will do all these thing for the one who casts to Him all that they have been, are now, and will be. Every facet of your life must be given away for Him in order for your joy to be full. God Himself will nourish and help you through what you are going through, no matter what it is!

"Fall" in Hebrew means: "To waver, slip, shake, fall; To be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay."

Add it up like this: The Lord God Almighty will never ever cause the just, clean and righteous person to slip and fall or be carried, cast, or be out of course and be fallen in decay. The Lord God will keep His child, that means the one who trust in Him and loves Him and obeys Him in Spirit and in Truth, He will keep that child cared for and nurtured, steadfast in His Love and protection.

What kept you from sleeping well last night? What caused you to awake with anxieties today? You can carry that again today or you can cast it on Him. Your fears can drain you or they can drive you to Him.

Listen to the Psalmist!

July 30, 2009

"For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge." Psalm 51:3-4

Sin may be in but sin is serious - seriously destructive.

King David, one of the godliest men in the Bible, was overcome by a moment of lust and committed a heinous sin. Then he compounded it by having her husband killed.

Destructive. Despicable.

As we focus on the anguish of the King, we get a sense of the awfulness of sin. Here's how damaging it can be:

Sin Desecrates

David's sinful acts had wreaked destruction on the sacred trust he had with God and with Israel as the King.

Also, he desecrated his marriage as well as the marriage of Uriah and Bathsheba.

His lustful fling destroyed two marriages and an innocent loyal life.

Sin Alienates

David's flagrant disobedience alienated him from his good conscience. It set him at odds against what he knew was right and holy. His peace was gone. His joy was gone. His fellowship with God was badly strained.

Sin Humiliates

Once David came to his senses (willful sin is much like temporary insanity) he could hardly believe what he had done. This man who loved God so much had dishonored God. This man who held the Kingship in such high esteem had dishonored the throne. This man who revered the Army of God, had violated military honor by betraying one of his loyal officers.

Everything good and sacred to this Honorable man had been dishonored by his indulgent act. This was so opposite of what he desired and dedicated his life to, he could hardly believe what he had done. He completely humiliated himself and all that he loved.

Sin Separates

God is Holy. That means He cannot sin nor can anything sinful exist in His presence. We are sinners by nature. We are sinners by habit. Therefore, our nature is incompatible with God's nature and that separates us from Him. We can have no fellowship with Him. He is a stranger to Him and we to Him.

David, who had been chosen by God and had entered God's presence through obedience and imputed righteousness was now separated from God. How tragic!

Sin Complicates

God exists in unity with the Son and the Spirit. Three in one through the mystery of the Trinity. God exists in the simplicity of love, holiness, and eternity. He created man for a simple fellowship of love and creativity. Because He wanted man's freewill to matter, He gave Adam one option to obey - don't touch the Tree of Life. As long as he abides by that simple rule, he had a perfectly simple existence. But his willful rebellion against God immediately complicated his life. Humanity's plight became exponentially more difficult.

David's world became incredibly complicated by his sin. Yours will, too.

Enough already? Have I made my point? Sin is destructive.

Fortunately, God is merciful. Thankfully, a merciful God sent His Holy Son to assume the desecration, the alienation, the, the humiliation, the separation and the complications of our sins so we can know the holiness, purity and simplicity of living in His love!

That's serious!

July 29, 2009

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.' God's Wrath Against Mankind The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." Romans 1:16-23

 

Remember the good news, bad news jokes?

 

 

Doctor: I have some good news and I have some bad news.

Patient: What's the good news?
Doctor: The good news is that the tests you took showed that you have 24 hours to live.
Patient: That's the good news? What's the bad news?
Doctor: The bad news is that I forgot to call you yesterday!

Doctor: I have some good news and some bad news.
Patient: What's the good news?
Doctor: The good news is they are naming a disease after you!

 

In Romans Chapter 1, Paul tells you about some Good News and some bad news. I suggest you pay close attention.

 

Before I pursue that thought let me call your attention to the fact that their is no such thing as "Neutral" news. There is "Good News" or "Bad News" and you are involved in one or the other.

 

The good news is that the "Good News" IS the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "Gospel" means "good news". Jesus came to bring good news from God for mankind. Jesus came to be the Redeemer that would take away the sins of the world.

 

Paul says that the Gospel is "the power of God for salvation". Salvation from what? Salvation from the bad news.

 

How does that work? What is that power?

 

The "Gospel" is the good news that there is a righteousness that can deliver you from the bad news. That righteousness is found in a Person, Jesus Christ. The "Gospel" is good news exposes the bad news and points to the way out. When you place our faith in that good news of God's righteousness, you enter into a relationship with Jesus that gives you His righteousness.

 

Part of having faith in His good news requires you to confront and confess the bad news in your life. As you cling to His righteousness and repent of your "rottenness", you enter into a personal relationship with God through Christ that gains you access to all His power and holiness! "Rottenness" is rooted in your refusal to believe the goodness and avail yourself of His righteousness. Bad news loves being rotten and revels in it.

 

The first chapter of Romans lays it out simply. There is good news about God's righteousness and bad news about our rottenness. It also clearly details the choices, the motives and the ultimate outcomes of each way. And it issues an ultimatum:

 

Live in righteousness or die in rottenness. Have the joy of knowing you are right with God or suffer the shame of rejecting Him.

July 28, 2009

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Psalm 46:10-11

Here's a pop quiz: "I have learned more about life through: (A) Listening (B) Talking.

Yea, me, too.

Maybe God was giving us a hint when He created us with two ears and one mouth. Unfortunately, listening doesn't come naturally to us - talking does.

I think that what the Psalmist is telling you is the same thing my Mom and my Kindergarten teacher taught you - "be quiet, pay attention and keep your hands to yourself". Great advice!

Apply that advice to this Psalm and I think it works pretty well. "Be still" means essentially that. Be quiet before the Lord, look at His Word and listen to His Spirit, and keep your hands off of what you want God to do. That sounds like it might work!

Here's what's in it for you if you can take the advice you got from God, Mom and Miss Jenny:

You will "know that He is God".

It is one thing to know that in your head and quite another to know it in your heart and spirit. Nothing gives you more confidence and boldness than knowing that God is real in your life.

You will see Him exalted in your life and in the world. In other words, when you confidently know Who God is and He becomes real TO - He becomes real THROUGH you. That is how He exalts Himself through you. When He exalts Himself through you He begins to become real to others through your life!

You will know that the "Almighty" is with you.

How great is it to know that God is with you! And as Romans tells us,"If God be for us, who can be against us?"

You will know that He is your "Fortress".

I like the sound of that, don't you? He is a FORTRESS - that's strong! He's strong!

Be quiet before God! Pay attention to God! Keep your hands to yourself! He will make it worth it!

July 27, 2009

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." Psalm 42:1

You have been there. So have I.

On a hot summer day after exercising or working in the yard, you feel like you are dying of thirst. You can't get to the 'fridge fast enough to crack open a bottle of water or a sports drink. And when you do - ahhh, the relief! The cool feel of the liquid down your parched throat and on your tongue is immediately refreshing. You thirst is slaked and your strength returns.

The Psalmist parallels that physical experience to a spiritual need. He says that he has the same desperate thirst for God as when he longs for a refreshing drink of cold water. His soul "pants" for God.

He was in the heat of a spiritual battle. He was opposed on every side. The heat from the battle was exhausting him and he was about to faint. His need was critical to the point of desperation.

When was the last time you were that desperate for God?

Jesus said, "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled."

God promises to respond to spiritually desperate people.

And I want you to notice that the Psalmist was not just talking about a drink of water, he was talking about "streams" of water. That is significant for several reasons.

First, a stream flows from a source. It always flows down from a source that is higher than us.

Second, since a stream flows, it is constantly fresh. Unlike a pool or a pond where water collects and stands, a stream continually refreshes itself.

Third, a stream is a steady and reliable source of refreshment.

Fourth, it is an unlimited supply of fresh cool water.

Are you getting thirsty?

Science says that about 60% of our bodies are made of water. So God built us with a big need to be hydrated with water.

Spiritually, the same is true. Our spiritual life and growth are highly dependent on His living water. You can say that we need to be hydrated or "high-drated" - or "He-drated".

Are you desperate for God? Is your soul panting for Him? What are you thirsting for?

When you have the thirst, He has the stream.

July 26, 2009

These are challenging times for many of us with health problems, financial stresses, family pressures and fear and frustrations related to your jobs. It can get overwhelming. These things can test our faith and cause us to give into doubt and discouragement.

I have had enough conversations and counseling sessions with you guys to know that some of you are walking through some deep waters and other are in the heat of the battle. So I thought that some encouragement might in order this morning. Let me begin by sharing a great portion of Scripture for you who are struggling:

“But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…..” Isaiah 43:1-3

From Exodus 14 I want to show you how God can use the things that threaten to destroy you and deliver you! We will look at “A Celebration By the Sea” and draw from it some truths that I hope will strengthen and encourage you.

TRUTH ONE – GOD ORCHESTRATES THE OPPOSITION, Vv. 1-9

This is very evident in there verses, but also we see how God has proved that He is in control of other situations:

"One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger. Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD." Job 1:6-12

God orchestrated the terms and conditions of Job's trial.

Paul told us in Romans that same truth:

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” I Corinthians 10:13

Jesus assured Peter that He was in control of the testing that was to come:

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31

God uses the enemy, the accuser, to accomplish His purpose in our life for His glory. These Scriptures affirm that and this story proves it.

Pharoah amassed his power and might to come against God’s people. He thought he had them right where he wanted them – BUT IN FACT, GOD HAD HIM RIGHT WHERE HE NEEDED HIM TO BE!

I want you to know today that whatever is opposing you – whatever person, whatever relationship, whatever circumstance, whatever need – God has allowed it and He has you right where He wants you and He has the enemy right where He wants him and you will prevail!

HIS PROMISES ARE TRUE AND HIS POWER IS SUFFICIENT!

TRUTH TWO – GOD TURNED THEIR VULNERABILITIES INTO HIS VICTORIES, Vv. 1-5

This was Moses’ first big move as a leader of God’s people. He led them where God told him, but from a strategic point of view, it was the worst possible place they could be, surrounded by hills and backed up against the Sea.

Not only did this put them in a bad position with Pharaoh, it also caused many of his own leaders to doubt him and criticize him.

This was not a good day for Moses!

But again, God had them right where He wanted them. Moses was in this place because God had led him there.

There is so much good truth here! Let me try to apply this for you:

1) I know that many of you are in the place of vulnerability because you are trying to follow God.

Let me assure you – and this story proves it – that you are never stronger than when you are where God leads you. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. If you are in this struggle because of following God – He will turn this weakness into a win!

2) I know that you prefer to work from your strength not your weakness.

Well, I will speak for my self, I would rather feel like I am working from strength rather than weakness. I don’t like feeling vulnerable. I don’t like being weak. I don’t like the feeling of being under attack by the enemy – AND BY SOME OF MY FRIENDS! That is where Moses was. Maybe you are there right now.

Let me help you here – this great victory happened because their vulnerability put them in a place where God’s power could be manifest!

Do a study of the miracles and you will see that every one of them happened at a point of weakness and vulnerability.

If I could point to one reason why the Church – including our church – does not see the power of God working through it today is right at this point – WE DON’T WANT TO EXPOSE OUR VULNERABILITIES – So, therefore, God can’t work.

James says, “Confess your sins one to another and pray for each other – SO YOU MAY BE HEALED!”

Here’s what we do – when our business goes bad, or when our marriage goes bad, or when we give into a habit, or our finances tank – we run from the church and hide! What we ought to do is run TO THE CHURCH!

We could change the spiritual dynamics of this church overnight if we would begin doing that!

3) I know that there are other people, including yourself at times, who are questioning your judgment for being where you are.

Moses put his leadership credibility at risk when he obeyed God in what appeared to be an illogical move.

Have you ever failed to obey God because you didn’t want to risk your reputation or look bad to your peers?

If you will dare to be vulnerable – God will turn your vulnerability into victory!

TRUTH THREE – GOD TURNED THEIR DESTRUCTION INTO THEIR DELIVERENCE, Vv. 10 – 30

There is an old saying that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. There is truth to that, but God can do even more than that!

When we understand that God is orchestrating the opposition in our life, and when we are willing to trust Him in our vulnerabilities, we allow Him to demonstrate His power and His glory!

I Want You To Notice Several Things:

1) God Works When We Work, Vv. 19-22

2) What He Wants From Us

- Deliverance Comes Through Bold Declarations, Vv. 13-14
- Deliverance Comes Through Bold Decisions, Vv. 15-18
- Deliverance Comes Through Bold Deeds, V. 21-28

WHAT IS IT THAT IS THREATENING TO DESTROY YOU THIS MORNING? MAYBE IT IS YOUR HEALTH THAT IS THREATENED, MAYBE IT IS YOUR MARRIAGE, MAYBE IT IS YOUR FINANCES, MAYBE YOUR CAREER, MAYBE IT IS A SIN OR A HABIT.

WHATEVER IT IS – GOD WANTS TO USE THAT TO DELIVER YOU!

RECOGNIZE THAT HE IS ORCHESTRATING THE OPPOSITION AGAINST YOU AND PRAISE HIM.

STOP HIDING YOUR VULNERABILITIES AND TRUST THEM TO GOD.

DO SOMETHING BOLD!