October 8, 2011

"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

We - the people of God, His prized and movable treasures - are the "living sacrifices" God uses to advance His kingdom on earth. But what kinds of "living sacrifices" does a kingdom person make to God?

Our Bodies - "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. As you continue to read through Romans 12 , you will discover the Apostle Paul is not only talking about the purity of our personal bodies but also the united sacrifices made by the body of believers, the church. By offering back to im all the physical abilities and spiritual gifts He has given to us - as individuals and as churches - we fulfill a major part of our priestly duti

Our Worship - "Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name." Hebrews 13:15. Have you ever thought about worship as being a priestly sacrifice you can offer to God? This perspective should arrest your attention the next time you approach worhip halfheartedly. True worship occurs when we focus on God as the object of our praise and adoration.

Our Service - "Don't neglect to do good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices." Hebrews 13:16. By actively planning to be thoughtful, watchful, caring, and compassionate, we meet the needs of those around us and please our Father at the same time.

Our Witness - Paul talked about being a "priest of God's good news." with His purpose being that "the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable" as a result of receiving God's salvation Romans 15:16. He saw his sharing of the gospel message as a stewardship, an act of priestly service and oedience a way to help others experience the joy of Christ's presence and acceptance.

Worship, service, witness - three ways to love God and love others. You can show you love for od this week by worshiping Him and being His movable possession as you tell others about God's love.

October 7, 2011

"Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,"  Exodus 19:5

The EKG devotional for today contines the thought of being God's possession. Ken Hemphill writes:

:et's look a little deeper at what it means to be God's possession. Some translations of the Bible render "My own possession" (Ex. 19:5) as "My peuliar people." which comes from a Latin word for "poperty".We are indeed a rather peculiar lot, aren't we? Yet withall of our peculiarities, God still calls us his own special treasure.

Some commentators have even linked this wording to a term referring to a personal collection or hoard. The idea of a "peculiar" treasure, then - when seen in this light - is of a unique and exclusive possession among all the others. God's people are like this toHim - His crown jewel, His masterwork, His one of a kind. And He never wanted Israel to forget it:

"You are a holy people belonging to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be His own possession out of all the poeples on the face of the earth."  Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2

"Today the Lord has affirmed that you are His special people as He promised you, that you are to keep all His commnds" (Deuteronomy 26:18)

"They will be mine," says the Lord of Hosts. 'a special possessionon the day I am preparing. I will have compassion on thm as a man has compassion on his son who serves him." (Malachi 3:17)

A loving father takes his child's face in his hands, looks deeply into her eyes, and affirms over and over that "you are my special child." It boggles my mind to think that the sovereign God of the universe, the Creator of all that exista, has chosen to take His children into His arms and declare; "You are special to me." But this is the unquestionable reality of what the bible teaches us. We are God's people by His own gracious choice. We are His most hihly valuable possessions.

Will you read thes verses again and insert your name in to make them personal? Let it sink deep into your consciousness how special you are to God. When He becomes more precious to you you will know it is sinking in!

October 6, 2011

"On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel:  ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”   Exodus 19:1-6

There is a subtle but significant change that happens during these verses. Did you catch it?

In verse 3 it refers to the "house of Jacob". You remember Jacob don't you? He was their troubled ancestor who manipulated his twin brother to get his inheritance, then tricked their father to steal his brother's blessing. Jacob was later tricked in turn by his uncle who required Jacob to work for seven years to get to marry his true love only to find after the wedding that he had been given the wrong sister for a bride. He had to commit to seven more years to get the woman he loved.

The Jacob wrestled all night with an angel,an experience that changed his life and his name. As the angel said to him at sunrise, "Your name will no longer be Jacob......It will be Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed." Genesis 32:28

Up until this point, the group of Jacob's descendants standing before God in Exodus 19 had only been known by their family name. They were of the "house of Jacob." Now they became the "sons of Israel". At this defining moment in tehir history, we witness in some ways the birth of the nation of Israel, God's people, a new day in their relationship with God.

This covenant community would no longer be known just for where they had come from.They would now be known for who they were- the people of God, His own unique possession created to carry out a crucial role in reaching the nations and to fulfill God's kingdom purposes.

The statement from the last part of Exodus 19:5 confrims this fact. When God said, "You will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is mine," He was not simply affirming His ownership of the physical earth, His rightful claim as Creator. He was also using this phease to describe His relationship with Israel - not to give them privilege and standing alone but to give them purpoe. They were to be possession, not to be admired on a shelf but to be maneuvered full forces into the world.

Will you attempt today to serve God as His movable possession, seeing the world through His eyes of love wherever you go?

October 5, 2011

"If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9

If we were in a room together and I told you that there were two doors we could go through to exit the room,one door marked "blessing" and the other door marked "cursing," I doubt if either of us would rush to the door marked "cursing". Yet that is what we do every time we disobey God's Word.We choose cursing over blessing. We choose death over life. We place ourselves in spiritual danger and render our lives ineffective in god's service. We lose sight of the kingdom.

This doesn't mean that our salvation is based on our performance. But it does mean that our obedience can directly impact God's blessing upon us. Our obedience also affects how useful we are to Him for His kingdom work.

God calls His people to be steadfast and faithful. If we couldn't be obedient to him, He wouldn't expect it of us. If we couldn't do what He has said, He wouldn't expect it of us. If we couldn't do what He has said, He wouldn't have said it.Therefore, His "if-then" challenge should greet our ears with a note of encouragement.

Yes, we can keep His covenant.

Yes, we can be productive.

Yes, we can live as consistent kingdom citizens.

We know that God will keep His side of the bargain. And we are also sure that He will give us everything we need to hold our side as well.

Maybe you have been disobedient, but His covenant still stands. This kingdom still calls to you. This God who promised to the people of Israel still stands beside you this very day keeping His promise - drawing you back into fellowship, offering you freedom in place of failure.

He wants you close. He wants you near Him. He wants you to experience the fullness of the covenant every day. God has greater blessings in store for you. They hang in the balance of your balance.

If you will confess your disobedience to God and receive His full pardon as promised in I John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us sins ans to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

October 4, 2011

Day Two of the Devotional Thoughts by Ken Hemphill for the EKG study.

When the Israelites left Egypt and headed to the promised land, God offered them a covenant relationship. Moses explained it to the peoplethis way: if they were going to enjoy the land of promise, obedience would have to pave the way. They they were going to partake in the blessings of kingdom living, faithfulness to God and His laws would have to come first.

Let's listen in on a few of Moses' instructions:

"Therefore, love the Lord your God and always keep His mandate and His statutes, ordinances, and commands." (Deuteronomy 11:1)

"Keep every command I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to cross into and possess the land you are to inherit." (Deuteronomy 11:8)

"So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul— then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied."  (Deuteronomy 11:13-15)

"See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse—  the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today;  the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known."  (Deuteronomy 11:26-28)

Jesus echoed this same command to obey His Father, "My sheep hear my voice," Jesus said, "I know them, and they follow Me."  (John 10:27)  They follow Me; this obedience to God's clear call gives credence to the covenant relationship between God and His people. In a human kingdom the king must be obeyed. Therefore, it is key in a covenant relationship to the King that you obey His every word!

Are you living in obedience to God's Word?

October 3, 2011

We started a new study entitled "EKG" - Empowering Kingdom Growth - last night with the launch of our L.I.F.E. Groups. There is a 40 Day devotional component to this study and I will be including that in my devotional blog during that time.

This first devotional thought coincides with the sermon subject I shared this morning - redemption.

As God was developing His people, Israel, and raising them up to be a nation He first had to allow them to experience His redemption. It was the only way

The same is true of you and me. Do you know for certain that you have a personal relationship with God? Until you do know for certain this kingdom message is going to cause you nothing but frustration and confusion. If God is dealing with you at this time, and you know that you have not accepted Jesus in your heart, you can do that right now.

1. Romans 3:23 says your problem is serious: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." It is that sin that prevents you from having a relationship with the Holy God. Since you were created for fellowship with Him and sin keeps you from having that you will always feel incomplete until you have that relationship.

2. Because God also wants to be in relationship with you, He made a way for you to escape the penalty of sin, as the Bible states "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Contained in this verse is both the good news and the bad news of the Gospel. Sin leads to spiritual death, separating us from God. But eternal life in Christ is the gift God offers to solve that problem. When you receive Jesus Christ by faith you get the forgiveness of God that Christ provided on the cross. Because God's forgiveness erases your sin you are able to enter into personal relationship with Him and receive the eternal life He brings!

3. Jesus lived a sinless life and was born sinless, so He had never experienced sin. Despite that fact, He was condemned as a criminal and crucified on a cross to take the penalty for your sins. As the Gospel of John declares "For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son that Whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

4. The Bible promises that "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised Him up from the dead, you will be saved." This may not be the first time you have heard these truths, but hearing without believing is not enough. If you have heard but not believed you are lost in your doubt and unbelief. And if you have not heard until today, then you must believe it in order to recieve redemption. Admit you sin, repent of your sinfulness and turn to God as your Spiritual King and you will be saved. You will find forgiveness and peace in your spirit.

If you have read this far and are still not sure if your have a spiritual relationship with God - you probably have no relationship with God. But you can change that immediately if you are willing to confess your sin and ask His forgiveness. He will forgive you and come into your life if you will sincerely pray this prayer: "Father, I have sinned against you. I am sorry for my sin and I turn from it today. I believe that Jesus died for my sin and was raised from the dead to give me eternal life. I invite Him into my heart by faith and ask Him to save me. Amen."

October 2, 2011

"that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." Ephesians 1:8-10

Redemption is one of the great terms of endearment that is associcated with salvation. What it means is that He Sought Us! It was God's idea to send Jesus to redeem us. As sinners, we didn't even know we needed salvation but Jesus came to redeem us.

Not only did He Sought Us but He Bought Us. As the sinless Lamb, Jesus was the Only One Who could redeem us by shedding His blood to atone for our sins.

He Sought Us and He Bought Us, but also HE BROUGHT US.

Let's look at verses 8-10.

What Jesus brought us was:

Grace

By His grace He “chose”  us . That literally means God “ picked us out Himself”. That is what grace means.

Furthermore, He “lavished” His goodness and mercy on us. He gave us “forgiveness”  and “adopted” us as His children.

As His children He gave us “wisdom & understanding” of His will. You could say “He let us in on it”.

The blessings of God’s grace were especially evident in John Newton’s life. He was raised in a Christian home for several years until his parents died. Orphaned and living with relatives he was mistreated, abused, and ridiculed. Unable to bear the abuse he, though still a boy, fled and joined the Royal Navy. From there his life went downhill as he became a drunkard and a brawler. Deserting the Royal Navy he joined up with a slave trader. His life continued to disintegrate and spiral out of control.

One day he stole the ships whisky and got so inebriated he fell overboard. He was so close to drowning that one of his shipmates literally harpooned him and brought him back on board. Consequently he had a huge scar in his side for the rest of his life. Finally, one day during a storm he began to reflect upon some Bible verses his parents had taught him before they died. He reached out to Jesus and his life was redeemed; he was forgiven. But God’s grace didn’t end with his salvation. John Newton the philandering, wandering, brawling man drastically changed as he experienced victory over the power of sin. He became, as scripture says, “a new creation in Christ.” When the grace of God entered his life and he matured in Christ, he enjoyed a marriage that was an example to all. When we yield to Christ and experience God’s grace, we begin to enjoy the restoration of what our life should have been like. God’s grace changes us for the better.

Redemption means that Jesus brought us God's grace. In addition to His grace, He brought us:

Great Purpose

 

The prupose He brought us is to be “holy”  and “blameless” Holy refers to the spiritual and moral purity He can give us through the blood of Jesus. Blameless means that every thought and action is guided by love for God and for others.

God redeemed us through Christ to be agents of redemption in the grand eternal purpose of ushering in the Kingdom of God and the Lordship of Christ! - To Bring Everyone Together Under Lordship Of Christ.

CONCLUSION:

In 1927, in West Africa, a blood specimen was taken from a native man named Asibi, who was sick with yellow fever. A vaccine was made from the original strain of virus obtained from this man. In fact, all the vaccine manufactured since 1927 by the Rockefeller Foundation and health agencies, derives from the

original strain of virus obtained from this one man. Carried down to the present day from one laboratory to another, through repeated cultures and by enormous multiplication, it has offered immunity to yellow fever to millions of people in many countries. Through the creative imagination of science, the blood of this one man in the West Africa has been made available to serve the whole human race.

It was almost 1:00 in the morning when the phone rang. Dr. Leo Winters, the highly acclaimed Chicago surgeon, was abruptly awakened. There had been an accident and his skill hands were needed for immediate surgery. The quickest route happened to be through a rather tough area, but with time being a critical factor, it was worth the risk. At one of the stoplights his door was yanked open by a man with a gray hat and a dirty flannel shirt. “I got to have your car!” the man screamed, pulling him from his seat. Winters tried to explain the gravity of the situation but the man would not listen. When the doctor was finally able to get a taxi to the hospital over an hour had elapsed and it was to late as the patient had passed away 30 minutes earlier. The nurse told him that the father of the victim had gone to the chapel wondering why the doctor never came. Dr. Winters walked hurriedly to get to the chapel and when he entered he saw the father… he was wearing a gray hat and dirty flannel shirt. Tragically, he had pushed from his life the one who could save his son.

God sent Jesus to bring redemption - His grace and His great purpose. Will you receive it - or will you push it away?