I attended a seminar yesterday and I want to share the note I took with you. They are off of the power point to I am going to put them all in quotes, as they are pretty much exactly what Jonathan Rouke taught. I hope you are as encouraged as much as I was/am. I hope that I did not misquote him and that you also get the main point. This will not be as easy for you to understand, not because Jonathan did a poor job teaching it, but because I am not able to type fast enough to get everything he said.
Serving the Body by Helping Christians Understand the Will of God 3/5/09
Jonathan Rourke
"Somewhere along the way God’s will has come to be needed to found, but where did it get lost? There is no one set of decisions that bring us ultimate happiness, or don’t allow us to ever have that happiness. Many people are so inwardly focused that never are in the Lord’s will.
There have been many ways in the Bible that God has spoken His will to His people over the years, but He only communicates His will to us today through His Word.
Where are we going in the process of leading people to the right decision?
The 4 quadrants of God’s will.
There is a private element and a public element. The private ones are in the heart and the public ones are seen by others. We don’t need to find it, as it is in His Word, but we do need to understand it and obey it.
1. Walk in the Spirit. Eph. 5:15-21, Matt. 7:21, Col 4:12, Gal. 5:16- either you are wise or unwise. We need to be walking in the Spirit, and you can’t walk in the Spirit if you’re not saved. This is the starting point. We are never given commands in the Bible to do something that we can’t actually do. If we walk in the spirit, and if we know the Word of God we will obey it. Many will want to come into Heaven but only those who do the will of God will enter. The will of God was clear 2000 years ago and it still is today. There is resistance to walking in the Spirit and that is our sin nature. What should we do to over come the will of the flesh? There is no artificial system that allows us to defeat the flesh. The only way we can control the flesh is by walking in the Spirit. How can we walking worthy of the Gospel? How can we balance the scale? There is no possible way for us to balance the scale in our flesh; but with God on our side we can balance the scale, because God is on the scale to balance the scale with the Gospel.
2. Fight the Flesh, 1 Thes. 4:1-8, Romans 12:1-2. Do His will and continue in sanctification. We must control our lusts and passions. We need to fight against our lusts and not be in the cross hairs of God’s wrath, as He is the Avenger. God cares what we do with our bodies.
3. Submission to Authority, Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17. This is the start of the external, visual part of our obedience to the will of God. Submission is an element in the Christian faith that needs to be done. This is difficult, but necessary for our walking in the Spirit. We will be judged if we don’t submit to authority. If we are going to live our life according to Romans 12, then we need to be submitting to the authorities that God has put in place over us. We can resist submitting to authority, or we can line up under it and obey it. If we fight against the authority that God has put in place we are fighting against God’s authority and directly against God. Submission is the will of God, because when we submit to authorities we will silence the ignorance of foolish people. All authority will give an account to God, not to the people.
4. Rejoice in Trials, Eph. 5:20, 1 Peter 4:19, 1 Thess. 5:16-19. 'Bad things' happen when God allows them to happen to us. Sometimes God’s will and purposes are not revealed to us. God loves us and He only gives us what we need. Sometimes obeying God brings trials. Rejoice and give thanks in all things, for this is the will of God.
Conclusions.
We have to start from the inside and work our way out, not the opposite. Prov. 12:15, 13:10, 19:20. The stubborn, rebellious nature of man is revealed when we have to submit.
The will of God is not some secret code that will get you a worry free life. We are called to a standard that we might please God. The will of God is about His pleasure, not ours.
Implications.
Accept what God has ordained. He will guide your steps. Prov. 3:5-6.
Obey what God has commanded, John 15:10. They will know that we are His disciples if we obey.
Request what God has promised, James 1:5."
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Longing for Your Salvation
Ps. 119: 81 My soul longs for your salvation;
I hope in your word.
82 My eyes long for your promise;
I ask, "When will you comfort me?"
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure?
When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are sure;
they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love give me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.
I do long for and hope in the salvation of my God. He will not share His glory with another and I will trust in Him. His Word is life to my bones. When I am weak and frail of heart I go to His Word at my strength is renewed and my heart is lifted.
His promises are my desire. There is nothing I desire on earth beside Him. I do say "When will You comfort me?" not because He has not done that previously, it is just that His comfort is so restful in this dry and weary land. Like an oasis in the dry desert are the streams of Your mercy and kindness to me Oh Lord.
Though this life is hard and I am wasting away, you are my Strength and Hope. It is only Your steadfast love that gives me life and encourages me to go on. I am here that I may share of Your wondrous acts to me, and Your people. May Your testimonies always be on my tongue. May I always be speaking of Your righteous acts, Oh Lord my strenght and my Redeemer.
I hope in your word.
82 My eyes long for your promise;
I ask, "When will you comfort me?"
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure?
When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are sure;
they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love give me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.
I do long for and hope in the salvation of my God. He will not share His glory with another and I will trust in Him. His Word is life to my bones. When I am weak and frail of heart I go to His Word at my strength is renewed and my heart is lifted.
His promises are my desire. There is nothing I desire on earth beside Him. I do say "When will You comfort me?" not because He has not done that previously, it is just that His comfort is so restful in this dry and weary land. Like an oasis in the dry desert are the streams of Your mercy and kindness to me Oh Lord.
Though this life is hard and I am wasting away, you are my Strength and Hope. It is only Your steadfast love that gives me life and encourages me to go on. I am here that I may share of Your wondrous acts to me, and Your people. May Your testimonies always be on my tongue. May I always be speaking of Your righteous acts, Oh Lord my strenght and my Redeemer.
Search me, Oh God
Ps. 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
The entire 139th Psalm is a magnificent, but I'll let you read it on your own.
David is calling here for God to search him, look inside his heart, discern what might be inside his heart, mind and thoughts. This is not some sort of quick, top layer search. He is calling on God to look deep inside and inspect what may be there. David has just said in the previous verses that God even knows what is in his mouth before he speasks, so why would God need to check this? David wants to make sure of his own righteousness. The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked and we can't know it; we need God to show us what is there.
Once God has searched all that is within him , David then requests to know if there is any wicked thing, any thing that might be an offense to God that he doesn't see. David wants his heart to be pure and undefiled and he needs God's help to do it.
After much searching, trying and seeing that there is only good in him, David wants to then be led. David is the king, isn't he supposed to be leading? This shows the humility of David. What better leader than one who is being led by the Savior? We are sheep and sheep are not driven but lead. The Great Shepherd wants to lead us, but will not take up the rear, but leads from the front.
David is excited about the prospect of everlasting purity. He wants God to show him his sin and then lead him in the everlasting way of purity. This, again, makes a case for repentance toward joy. David wanted his sin canceled, but only to be led toward the everlasting, or ancient, way.
Jer 6:16 Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
This is the way that David wanted to walk in. He wanted to be on the restful road. Oh that our souls would rest in God. Oh that we would be dealing with our sin, and we would ask God to search out our hearts and show us where we need to repent. Then when He has done that work, may He lead us in the everlasting way, the way of rest.
God blesses our humility and loves righteousness. We can't come into His presence without righteousness, and we have none of our own. We must beg Him to make us righteous, to work in our hearts to love righteousness more than the trifles of this world, to seek Him as our best joy. We must not go on in sin, defiling ourselves and defaming the Name of Our Great God. He has called us to be holy, set apart and sanctified for Him, He must do the work, we must be willing to have the work done in our lives. Oh that He would find us willing and begging.
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
The entire 139th Psalm is a magnificent, but I'll let you read it on your own.
David is calling here for God to search him, look inside his heart, discern what might be inside his heart, mind and thoughts. This is not some sort of quick, top layer search. He is calling on God to look deep inside and inspect what may be there. David has just said in the previous verses that God even knows what is in his mouth before he speasks, so why would God need to check this? David wants to make sure of his own righteousness. The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked and we can't know it; we need God to show us what is there.
Once God has searched all that is within him , David then requests to know if there is any wicked thing, any thing that might be an offense to God that he doesn't see. David wants his heart to be pure and undefiled and he needs God's help to do it.
After much searching, trying and seeing that there is only good in him, David wants to then be led. David is the king, isn't he supposed to be leading? This shows the humility of David. What better leader than one who is being led by the Savior? We are sheep and sheep are not driven but lead. The Great Shepherd wants to lead us, but will not take up the rear, but leads from the front.
David is excited about the prospect of everlasting purity. He wants God to show him his sin and then lead him in the everlasting way of purity. This, again, makes a case for repentance toward joy. David wanted his sin canceled, but only to be led toward the everlasting, or ancient, way.
Jer 6:16 Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
This is the way that David wanted to walk in. He wanted to be on the restful road. Oh that our souls would rest in God. Oh that we would be dealing with our sin, and we would ask God to search out our hearts and show us where we need to repent. Then when He has done that work, may He lead us in the everlasting way, the way of rest.
God blesses our humility and loves righteousness. We can't come into His presence without righteousness, and we have none of our own. We must beg Him to make us righteous, to work in our hearts to love righteousness more than the trifles of this world, to seek Him as our best joy. We must not go on in sin, defiling ourselves and defaming the Name of Our Great God. He has called us to be holy, set apart and sanctified for Him, He must do the work, we must be willing to have the work done in our lives. Oh that He would find us willing and begging.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
So, you want to build a church?
Today was an encouraging day in a much different way than I was expecting.
Tom Pennington talked about building the Church, that is, Christ's Church and the requirement to build the right foundation, use the right materials and remember the rightful owner.
1 Cor. 3:10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
There is great responsibility in being a builder on the building that was started 2000 years ago by the apostles, with Christ as the Cornerstone. We wouldn't let just anyone come in and help us build our physical house, and we should not take lightly the responsibility of building Christ's Church. He requires master craftsmanship, following His blueprint and building with materials that are "non combustible". If our spiritual "house" were to catch on fire would there be anything of value left over after the fire? Or would all our efforts be in vain because we built with inferior materials?
John MacArthur followed that up with a recap of his first 40 years at GCC. 40 years of faithful ministry in one place, teaching the same people and using the same Book. What a testament to the faithful of God to use one man to change so many lives. Here are the main points to his message on building a ministry God's way.
1.The Absolute authority of Scripture. God is absolutely consistent with Himself. The interpretation of Scripture never changes. No human brings any new interpretation of Scripture. Scripture is an unchanging authority.
2.The Church is primarily a congregation of worshipers. We are called to worship Christ, to bow to Him as Lord, to practice self denial, to give Him the honor and obedience that is due Him. We are going to worship in Heaven forever. We need to understand what it means to worship. In order to worship rightly, we need to know Him. Word informed worship is right worship. Knowledge expands worship.
3.Doctrinal Clarity. We need answers and the answers are in the Word. Clarity translates into conviction. Interpret Scripture and get the principle from the text. It is clear, supportable, believable and if they believe it then they will live it out. In the end they will fight for it. Conviction becomes affection. The Scripture is both clear and convicting.
4.Spiritual Discernment. 1 Thes. 5:20-22. we must search the Scriptures to find out what we are to do. If we don’t understand it how can we defend it? How can we fight with a weapon we don’t know how to use?
5.The Church is to pursue Holiness. Legalism is not holiness. Fundamentalism turns quickly into hypocrisy. This is not going to come easily but it is right. Matt. 18, 1 Cor. 5 Church discipline. How can we say that we aren’t to practice it if it’s in the Bible?
6.The Need to develop Godly Leaders. If we’re not producing the future leaders, who is? 2 Tim. 2:2.
7.Be devoted to discipleship.
8.Teach them critical unity. Romans 12, 1 Cor. 12. The “one another commands”.
9.Marked by faithful prayer.
10.Sacrificial Giving.
11.Evangelism. This is our key reason for being here on earth. We are making the Gospel believable as we live out Christianity.
This is a lot to digest, especially from notes rather than from listening to the message in person. I hope you can glean something from this. The main thing I took away from today was that God is faithful to bless His Church and to grow His Church when we are faithful to teach the Word in season and out of season. He blesses His faithful ones here on earth with blessed ministries when we are faithful to follow His commands and do them rightly. God really has blessed John MacArthur over the 40 years he has been at GCC.
We are to be faithful, not creative, in what He has called us to do and leave the rest up to Him. He will handle all the details if we are just faithful. This is true of every part of our lives.
Tom Pennington talked about building the Church, that is, Christ's Church and the requirement to build the right foundation, use the right materials and remember the rightful owner.
1 Cor. 3:10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
There is great responsibility in being a builder on the building that was started 2000 years ago by the apostles, with Christ as the Cornerstone. We wouldn't let just anyone come in and help us build our physical house, and we should not take lightly the responsibility of building Christ's Church. He requires master craftsmanship, following His blueprint and building with materials that are "non combustible". If our spiritual "house" were to catch on fire would there be anything of value left over after the fire? Or would all our efforts be in vain because we built with inferior materials?
John MacArthur followed that up with a recap of his first 40 years at GCC. 40 years of faithful ministry in one place, teaching the same people and using the same Book. What a testament to the faithful of God to use one man to change so many lives. Here are the main points to his message on building a ministry God's way.
1.The Absolute authority of Scripture. God is absolutely consistent with Himself. The interpretation of Scripture never changes. No human brings any new interpretation of Scripture. Scripture is an unchanging authority.
2.The Church is primarily a congregation of worshipers. We are called to worship Christ, to bow to Him as Lord, to practice self denial, to give Him the honor and obedience that is due Him. We are going to worship in Heaven forever. We need to understand what it means to worship. In order to worship rightly, we need to know Him. Word informed worship is right worship. Knowledge expands worship.
3.Doctrinal Clarity. We need answers and the answers are in the Word. Clarity translates into conviction. Interpret Scripture and get the principle from the text. It is clear, supportable, believable and if they believe it then they will live it out. In the end they will fight for it. Conviction becomes affection. The Scripture is both clear and convicting.
4.Spiritual Discernment. 1 Thes. 5:20-22. we must search the Scriptures to find out what we are to do. If we don’t understand it how can we defend it? How can we fight with a weapon we don’t know how to use?
5.The Church is to pursue Holiness. Legalism is not holiness. Fundamentalism turns quickly into hypocrisy. This is not going to come easily but it is right. Matt. 18, 1 Cor. 5 Church discipline. How can we say that we aren’t to practice it if it’s in the Bible?
6.The Need to develop Godly Leaders. If we’re not producing the future leaders, who is? 2 Tim. 2:2.
7.Be devoted to discipleship.
8.Teach them critical unity. Romans 12, 1 Cor. 12. The “one another commands”.
9.Marked by faithful prayer.
10.Sacrificial Giving.
11.Evangelism. This is our key reason for being here on earth. We are making the Gospel believable as we live out Christianity.
This is a lot to digest, especially from notes rather than from listening to the message in person. I hope you can glean something from this. The main thing I took away from today was that God is faithful to bless His Church and to grow His Church when we are faithful to teach the Word in season and out of season. He blesses His faithful ones here on earth with blessed ministries when we are faithful to follow His commands and do them rightly. God really has blessed John MacArthur over the 40 years he has been at GCC.
We are to be faithful, not creative, in what He has called us to do and leave the rest up to Him. He will handle all the details if we are just faithful. This is true of every part of our lives.
Songs of Ascent- To The House of The Lord
Ia. 2:2b "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths."
5 O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the LORD.
Today is the first day that I hope to drink from the water fall, or the fire hydrant.
The House of the Lord is where I long to be, where brothers have come to learn to more precisely walk in His ways. We will sing to our Good and Great God with full hearts and loud voices. We will make music in our hearts, which can't cantain our praise and will overflow from our lips to praise His Holy Name. We are going to "worship the Lord in the Splendor of Holiness" and bow before Him in thankful praise. I desire to make His praise glorious and to tell of His marvelous acts to all the people.
1 Chron. 16:24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
and he is to be held in awe above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Our God is no speechless idol, but He speaks and I will listen, because He has given me hope in His Word. He has given me a love for His Word I did not have. I will listen and rejoice. I will listen and be filled. I will listen and He will give me life through His Word.
Ps. 100:1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
We are going "up" to the House of The Lord to give Him the honor and thanks He deserves. There is none like our God. There in no other beside Him. He stands alone in the highest Heaven and when He speaks I need to listen.
Worship is not just singing, but learning, giving, using our spiritual gifts, praying, being faithful and reading His Word. All these things are worship and He allows us to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth every minute of every day. Today, I hope, is just an extra special day of worship.
Pray for us that we might be changed. As much as the hammer hurts, this time will be wasted if the hammer does not change me. I am praying for the hammer of His Word to change my life in a dramatic way. Not so people would see me, but that they would see that God is big enough to even change a person like me. If He can change me, He can change You. Beg Him to do it. He loves His people to know exactly where we stand, and that is flat on our faces before His greatness.
Everything I have, I owe to Him.
Everything I will have, He will give.
Everything I used to have, I want it to be His,
And everything that He takes away, I want to freely give.
Lord, give us a great day of worship in Your house today. Give Your gifted men the words to say. Protect their minds and lips as they speak. Protect our minds and hears from distraction. May we worship You rightly, as You alone deserve. You are worthy of our praise. Help us to understand Your Truth and then help us to apply it to our own lives. Don't let me think about someone else's need to hear this, but soften my heart to hear what You nave for me today.
Change my heart Oh God,
Make it ever true,
Change my heart Oh God,
May I be like You.
This is my prayer Dear Lord. Hear the voice of Your servant. Not because You are required to listen, but that in Your mercy and grace You would act kindly to me.
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths."
5 O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the LORD.
Today is the first day that I hope to drink from the water fall, or the fire hydrant.
The House of the Lord is where I long to be, where brothers have come to learn to more precisely walk in His ways. We will sing to our Good and Great God with full hearts and loud voices. We will make music in our hearts, which can't cantain our praise and will overflow from our lips to praise His Holy Name. We are going to "worship the Lord in the Splendor of Holiness" and bow before Him in thankful praise. I desire to make His praise glorious and to tell of His marvelous acts to all the people.
1 Chron. 16:24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
and he is to be held in awe above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Our God is no speechless idol, but He speaks and I will listen, because He has given me hope in His Word. He has given me a love for His Word I did not have. I will listen and rejoice. I will listen and be filled. I will listen and He will give me life through His Word.
Ps. 100:1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
We are going "up" to the House of The Lord to give Him the honor and thanks He deserves. There is none like our God. There in no other beside Him. He stands alone in the highest Heaven and when He speaks I need to listen.
Worship is not just singing, but learning, giving, using our spiritual gifts, praying, being faithful and reading His Word. All these things are worship and He allows us to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth every minute of every day. Today, I hope, is just an extra special day of worship.
Pray for us that we might be changed. As much as the hammer hurts, this time will be wasted if the hammer does not change me. I am praying for the hammer of His Word to change my life in a dramatic way. Not so people would see me, but that they would see that God is big enough to even change a person like me. If He can change me, He can change You. Beg Him to do it. He loves His people to know exactly where we stand, and that is flat on our faces before His greatness.
Everything I have, I owe to Him.
Everything I will have, He will give.
Everything I used to have, I want it to be His,
And everything that He takes away, I want to freely give.
Lord, give us a great day of worship in Your house today. Give Your gifted men the words to say. Protect their minds and lips as they speak. Protect our minds and hears from distraction. May we worship You rightly, as You alone deserve. You are worthy of our praise. Help us to understand Your Truth and then help us to apply it to our own lives. Don't let me think about someone else's need to hear this, but soften my heart to hear what You nave for me today.
Change my heart Oh God,
Make it ever true,
Change my heart Oh God,
May I be like You.
This is my prayer Dear Lord. Hear the voice of Your servant. Not because You are required to listen, but that in Your mercy and grace You would act kindly to me.
God is our SUM
Dan. 9:3Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. 8To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him 10 and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. 12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the LORD our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. 14 Therefore the LORD has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
16 "O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name."
I am struck by how much similarity between the spiritual climate in Israel and America today. It seems like you could interchange many of the names listed in this passage and put modern day American words and be very close.
We have sinned against God, we have shunned His correction, we have acted wickedly, paid no attention to His Word, not listened to the voice of those speaking God's Word to us, our churches are desolate, we have acted openly against His righteousness and now we are in open shame. God may have a calamity greater than we have ever seen waiting right around the corner for us. He would be righteous in His dealings if He brings it today, and the only reason He doesn't is because of His mercy. More may come to salvation in Him if He delays His wrath on America.
Would we listen? Would a greater calamity than 911 or the 2008/9 economic collapse change any hearts in America, or would we just "pull up our boot straps" and "figure it out" on our own; leaving God out of the equation once again?
God is IN the equation, in fact God IS the equation. He is the sum of every problem we have. God and His Word are the answer to every problem every nation on earth has, but more often than not we don't even add Him into the mix. Shame be upon us. Will we learn before it is too late? I think we are going entirely the wrong way.
God does listen to the righteous. God does hold back His wrath for a righteous few. I love that Gabriel tells Daniel, "you are greatly loved". God loves Daniel, not because anything that Daniel brings to the table on his own, but that Daniel is faithful, humble, seeks the Lord's face often; not perfect but penitent. He goes to God on behalf of a nation and God tells him "you are loved".
We need to pray for America. We need a turning away from sin in America and toward God and true joy. We need our hearts to be changed. We need to deal treacherously with our sin and look only to Christ for our sufficiency. We need revival here and we need God to delay His wrath on us so more may turn from their evil ways and come to Him.
We need also to pray for Jerusalem. These are God's chosen people and they are not walking in righteousness either. Oh that they would see they have killed their Messiah and rejoice that He has spared them the wrath they rightly deserve in order that they would have time to repent.
Would that I would be "loved by God" like Daniel. Not for my glory but so that I would be battling in prayer for America, the Church, the local church, even with all the goats in it, for our ministry and for my family. God is Not going to withhold His punishment forever. How long will He endure with us? I don't know. I need to see the seriousness of what is going on around me and beg God for His mercy to continue. I need to be righteous so my prayers are not hindered and so He will listen to my cry.
Lord God of Heaven and earth, You are majestic, powerful. You allow nations to stand and by Your voice You shake them to the core. You raise up leaders and with a whisper You end their rule. You have changed history with the flick of Your finger. You have wiped out entire races by Your word over Your own creation spilling water and fire on them when they were celebrating their own greatness unto themselves. You are all powerful, able to sustain and more than able also to crush. God save our nation today from itself. May we be shaken enough to turn from our evil and look to You for grace. May we see the error of our ways, may we see our sin for what it is and turn to You for salvation. You are our ONLY hope and You hold back the calamity that awaits only by Your grace and mercy.
God continue to work in me and allow me to see the error of my ways. May I be a man who truly loves You most of all and may I be righteous so You will want to listen to my prayer. Give me a seriousness for the times we are in and for the people You want to draw unto Yourself, so I would be bold in my proclamation of Your Word to those who are dieing around me. May the boldness You give me be an encouragement to others as they do the same. Make me a man after Your own heart. Not for my glory but so that all may see the change You can bring about by one who recognizes, by Your grace and working, Your power and my own complete inability. God You can change me. Please do.
16 "O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name."
I am struck by how much similarity between the spiritual climate in Israel and America today. It seems like you could interchange many of the names listed in this passage and put modern day American words and be very close.
We have sinned against God, we have shunned His correction, we have acted wickedly, paid no attention to His Word, not listened to the voice of those speaking God's Word to us, our churches are desolate, we have acted openly against His righteousness and now we are in open shame. God may have a calamity greater than we have ever seen waiting right around the corner for us. He would be righteous in His dealings if He brings it today, and the only reason He doesn't is because of His mercy. More may come to salvation in Him if He delays His wrath on America.
Would we listen? Would a greater calamity than 911 or the 2008/9 economic collapse change any hearts in America, or would we just "pull up our boot straps" and "figure it out" on our own; leaving God out of the equation once again?
God is IN the equation, in fact God IS the equation. He is the sum of every problem we have. God and His Word are the answer to every problem every nation on earth has, but more often than not we don't even add Him into the mix. Shame be upon us. Will we learn before it is too late? I think we are going entirely the wrong way.
God does listen to the righteous. God does hold back His wrath for a righteous few. I love that Gabriel tells Daniel, "you are greatly loved". God loves Daniel, not because anything that Daniel brings to the table on his own, but that Daniel is faithful, humble, seeks the Lord's face often; not perfect but penitent. He goes to God on behalf of a nation and God tells him "you are loved".
We need to pray for America. We need a turning away from sin in America and toward God and true joy. We need our hearts to be changed. We need to deal treacherously with our sin and look only to Christ for our sufficiency. We need revival here and we need God to delay His wrath on us so more may turn from their evil ways and come to Him.
We need also to pray for Jerusalem. These are God's chosen people and they are not walking in righteousness either. Oh that they would see they have killed their Messiah and rejoice that He has spared them the wrath they rightly deserve in order that they would have time to repent.
Would that I would be "loved by God" like Daniel. Not for my glory but so that I would be battling in prayer for America, the Church, the local church, even with all the goats in it, for our ministry and for my family. God is Not going to withhold His punishment forever. How long will He endure with us? I don't know. I need to see the seriousness of what is going on around me and beg God for His mercy to continue. I need to be righteous so my prayers are not hindered and so He will listen to my cry.
Lord God of Heaven and earth, You are majestic, powerful. You allow nations to stand and by Your voice You shake them to the core. You raise up leaders and with a whisper You end their rule. You have changed history with the flick of Your finger. You have wiped out entire races by Your word over Your own creation spilling water and fire on them when they were celebrating their own greatness unto themselves. You are all powerful, able to sustain and more than able also to crush. God save our nation today from itself. May we be shaken enough to turn from our evil and look to You for grace. May we see the error of our ways, may we see our sin for what it is and turn to You for salvation. You are our ONLY hope and You hold back the calamity that awaits only by Your grace and mercy.
God continue to work in me and allow me to see the error of my ways. May I be a man who truly loves You most of all and may I be righteous so You will want to listen to my prayer. Give me a seriousness for the times we are in and for the people You want to draw unto Yourself, so I would be bold in my proclamation of Your Word to those who are dieing around me. May the boldness You give me be an encouragement to others as they do the same. Make me a man after Your own heart. Not for my glory but so that all may see the change You can bring about by one who recognizes, by Your grace and working, Your power and my own complete inability. God You can change me. Please do.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Time is NOT his Friend
Romans 10: 13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"
Here I go Again
"Father, hear my prayer
I need the perfect words
Words that he will hear
And know they're straight from You
I don't know what to say
I only know it hurts
To see my only friend slowly fade away
Chorus:
So maybe this time
I'll speak the words of life
With Your fire in my eyes
But that old familiar fear
is tearin' at my words
What am I so afraid of?
'Cause here I go again
Talkin' 'bout the rain
And mullin' over things
that won't live past today
And as I dance around the truth
Time is not his friend
This might be my last chance
to tell him that You love Him
But here I go again
Here I go again
Lord, You love him so
You gave Your only Son
If he will just believe
He will never die
But how then will he know
What he has never heard?
Lord he has never seen mirrored in my life
Chorus:
But here I go again
Here I go, here I go
Chorus:
This might be my last chance
To tell him that You love him
This might be my last chance
To tell him that You love him
You love him, You love him
What am I so afraid
What am I so afraid
What am I so afraid of?
How then will he know
What he has never heard?"
Casting Crowns
More than I would like to admit I have NOT talked about the important things in life. I have often been "mullin' over things" rather than share the love of Christ with those I have come in contact with.
With God's help I desire/resolve to be the one who tells others about what God has done in my life and what He can do in their lives. I desire to take the opportunities God gives, use the strength and courage He also gives and then wait for Him to give me the words to say. I must have His Word implanted in me before the time comes, so He can bring it back out.
It is amazing to me that He can bring back verses I have read and "stick them in the conversation" right at the right time. I often think, "did I just say that? How did I remember that verse?" He uses His Word to change us, and then to change others around us. But we must be putting it in, for Him to bring it back out.
We need to encourage others to be bold, because this conversation you are about to have might be the last time they have the opportunity to hear the perfect Word. Pray for me, as I can't do this without Him working in me.
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"
Here I go Again
"Father, hear my prayer
I need the perfect words
Words that he will hear
And know they're straight from You
I don't know what to say
I only know it hurts
To see my only friend slowly fade away
Chorus:
So maybe this time
I'll speak the words of life
With Your fire in my eyes
But that old familiar fear
is tearin' at my words
What am I so afraid of?
'Cause here I go again
Talkin' 'bout the rain
And mullin' over things
that won't live past today
And as I dance around the truth
Time is not his friend
This might be my last chance
to tell him that You love Him
But here I go again
Here I go again
Lord, You love him so
You gave Your only Son
If he will just believe
He will never die
But how then will he know
What he has never heard?
Lord he has never seen mirrored in my life
Chorus:
But here I go again
Here I go, here I go
Chorus:
This might be my last chance
To tell him that You love him
This might be my last chance
To tell him that You love him
You love him, You love him
What am I so afraid
What am I so afraid
What am I so afraid of?
How then will he know
What he has never heard?"
Casting Crowns
More than I would like to admit I have NOT talked about the important things in life. I have often been "mullin' over things" rather than share the love of Christ with those I have come in contact with.
With God's help I desire/resolve to be the one who tells others about what God has done in my life and what He can do in their lives. I desire to take the opportunities God gives, use the strength and courage He also gives and then wait for Him to give me the words to say. I must have His Word implanted in me before the time comes, so He can bring it back out.
It is amazing to me that He can bring back verses I have read and "stick them in the conversation" right at the right time. I often think, "did I just say that? How did I remember that verse?" He uses His Word to change us, and then to change others around us. But we must be putting it in, for Him to bring it back out.
We need to encourage others to be bold, because this conversation you are about to have might be the last time they have the opportunity to hear the perfect Word. Pray for me, as I can't do this without Him working in me.
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