July 31, 2012

1 Timothy 4:10 NASB

For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

Encouraging Words...

I have had the awesome privilege of walking with our Lord, our Savior, for most of my life. One thing that has often shown up in this journey, and always caused me great concern, are those who claim to have the proper method of becoming a Christian. It turns out to be their way, actually their way of putting God in their box. This verse reminds us that its the living God, the Savior of all men, who defines what it is to be His child, a Christian. It is interesting to me that this verse clearly claims that God is the Savior of all men, especially those who believe in Him. I know that looking at it this way will definitely generate a lot of contention, but there are so many other scriptures that profess the work of Christ as bringing to mankind victory over death.

July 30, 2012

Galatians 1:10 NASB

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Personal Challenge...

I am sure that Paul was dealing with quite a dilemma in his life...please those in his life, whether friends or family or fellow learned men in the church...or please God. Have you ever found yourself trying to please someone in your life that you care about just to realize that to really do so would really soil the Name of the God that you serve? It is indeed a personal challenge to truly try to live your life in a way that honors God, that demonstrates that you are a bond-servant of Christ when it means alienation from your family, your friends, your coworkers, and even sometimes those whom you worship with. But it is God whom we should be seeking favor from.

July 25, 2012

Acts 3:16 NASB

“And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

Encouraging Words...

Faith...it is the center of our life in Christ. As you read through the accounts of healing in the New Testament you almost always see it accounted to faith. There are even accounts of Jesus saying that his ability to perform miracles is limited by the lack of faith of the people He is trying to minister to. And where does this faith need to be directed? It is to be directed to Jesus. It is in His names that salvation comes. It is in His name that we have victory over death. It is in His name that we can live lives that glorify God. It is not our churches, our doctrines, our knowledge or wisdom, our wealth or health, but it is in the name of the Son of God.

July 24, 2012

Matthew 5:37 NASB

“But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; and anything beyond these is of evil.”

Personal Challenge...

I recently had a conversation with a man that is a leader in a ministry. I was sharing with him some insights that I had into the operations of the ministry that were not ethical or godly. As a matter of fact the expectations from the ethics training for my secular company far exceeded these operations. His comment was something like, "But David, look at all of the people the are being touched by our ministry. Even if we are only 30% right in what we are doing isn't it worth it to touch all of these people." To be honest with you, I was shocked. As Christians we are commanded to speak the truth at all times, to live our lives as personal representatives of God. The ends never do justify the means. Not in God's kingdom. It is harder to do things God's way, to stand up for what is right, to be ethical and moral in our actions as much as we are in our sermons. Lord have mercy on those who have chosen to dilute God's truth in order to gain "bigger" results.

July 23, 2012

Malachi 3:1-5 NASB

“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts. “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD, as in the days of old and as in former years. Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien, and do not fear Me,” says the LORD of hosts.

Personal Challenge...

How often have I longed for the coming of my Lord to take away the pains and sorrows of this earthly life? Yet how much do I have to realize that maybe I am not yet ready for His arrival. His desire is that I pursue Him with all of my heart, soul and mind; that I desire to be at His business in all that I do. How often does my yearning for His return become a hindrance to my being with Him in the midst of the labors that He has ordained for me to do. My journey of theosis can be one that is drawing me closer to Him, if I give up of myself and my desires...even my desire for His return. Have I really accomplished that which He has ordained me to do? Have I really become the righteous child that He wants me to be? If not, since not, then I must become less as He becomes more.

July 20, 2012

Proverbs 17:14 NASB

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

Personal Challenge...

I cannot recall how many times I have allowed myself to keep going in an argument or disagreement and find myself at a place where far too much has been said and feelings irreparably damaged. What good advise the writer of Proverbs gives us...abandon the quarrel before it breaks out. Sometimes that means just being quiet, sometimes it means sincerely apologizing ro my wrongs, sometimes it just means giving a hug. In all cases it is definitely worth it.

July 18, 2012

Psalm 34:1 NIV

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

Personal Challenge...

Is this where my heart and mind are? Not really. Is it my desire to extol the LORD at all times and to have His praise on my lips all fo the time? Not really. If I am to be a man after God's own heart then isn't this what my life should be like? Can I do what Paul challenged us to do, "Pray without ceasing."? It is possible to get to that point in our lives, but it will take work, and it will begin with a choice to do so followed by many more choices to continue to do so.