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Breaking the Cycle of Worldliness (insights in Law)

9/28/2010

Consider the strong and wholesome family values promoted in past television shows like Leave it to Beaver and Andy Griffith. Today’s shows glorify dysfunction and immorality. They glamorize sexual promiscuity and frequently present illegal acts such as drug usage as acceptable. Many movie characters as well as the stars that portray them disrespect authority and believe they are above the law. Gen. 19 could have been written today.

Two angels came to Lot as he sat in the gate of Sodom. After Lot urged the two angels to stay at his house, he prepared a feast and baked unleavened bread (Gen. 19:1-3). Men of Sodom wanted to have sex with the angels, but Lot offered his daughters instead (Gen. 19:4-8). Hospitality was a higher value for Lot than preventing rape of his daughters.
1. Worldliness warps your thinking and decision-making.

Entertaining the world's philosophies will defeat us unless unless we submit to God's control. The evil men threatened Lot and tried to enter his home because one of the visiting angels was "acting as a judge." The angels protected Lot and struck the men with blindness (Gen. 19:9-11).
2. God takes the initiative to save you from harm if you invite His control over the situation.

Once we realize that we can't stand on our own, God will provide a way of escape if we look for it (1 Cor. 10:13). The angels were going to destroy Sodom "because their outcry has become so great before the Lord." Lot's future son-in-laws thought he was jesting when told to flee Sodom. The angels commanded Lot to take his wife and two daughters so they wouldn't be swept away in punishment of the city. They seized Lot because he hesitated for Lord's compassion was upon him (Gen. 19:13-17).
3. Separate yourself from the constant bombardment of the world seeking to lower your moral standards.

Once we escape the world, we have another decision to make that will determine our future. Will we set our mind on things above or on the earth (Col. 3:1-3)? The Lord rained brimstone and fire out of heaven on Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot’s wife looked back and became pillar of salt (Gen. 19:23-26).
4. Focus on God's kingdom so you don't become useless.

To ensure protection and prosperity over the long-term, recruit intercessors on your behalf to stand in the gap so we are not destroyed (Ezek. 22:30). When God destroyed the cities, He remembered Abraham by protecting Lot from the overthrow of the cities (Gen. 19:29). Abraham's intercession to God in Gen. 18:16-33 saved Lot and his two daughters.
5. Enlist intercessors so God can remember and bless you.

If you don't protect yourself from worldliness, your family will experience devastation like Lot's family. Lot’s oldest daughter conceived a son, Moab, and youngest, Ammon, through Lot after making their father drunk. Moab and Ammon became nations that enticed Israel toward idolatry (Gen. 19:30-38).

In summary, worldliness leads to wrong choices and devastating consequences. Following God and focusing on His kingdom cause God to remember and bless you.

Meditate on 2 Peter 2:7-9. What is God saying to you?

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Right Heart for Marriage and Career (insight in New Testament)

9/26/2010

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We all know two-career couples who love new clothes, new cars and all the luxuries a comfortable lifestyle brings. If he or she wants to move up the career ladder, they have to increase their hours at work. Time between them suffers so their marriage takes a hit. They are between a rock and a hard place. Matt. 19-20 helps us examine our hearts so marriage and career fall please God and not ourselves.

Having the right heart influences relationships in marriage and our careers. Forgiving someone from the heart protects us from hardness of heart, the main cause of divorce (Matt. 19:8). The disciples who heard Christ's teaching on marriage rightly concluded it would be more profitable not to marry (Matt. 19:9-10). How I wish people contemplating marriage would count the cost and understand God's original intention of the two becoming one flesh spiritually, emotionally and physically (Matt. 19:4-6).

Rather than a hardened or stubborn heart, we become receptive to God's grace and forgiveness like a little child (Matt. 19:13-15).

A grace-oriented, child-like faith affects our career as illustrated by Christ's encounter with the rich young ruler (Matt. 19:16-30). The allure of material things, high-power careers, a sexier or richer spouse, ad infinitum, can prevent us from living out our true purpose in life, that of a Kingdom lifestyle resulting in more disciples and consequently, new believers.

Our relationships in both our marriage and career must be exercised with generosity and grace, not with legalism, perfectionism, works or length of service boundaries (Matt. 20:1-16).

Rather than pursuing our own agendas or operating out of pride due to the number of people reporting to us, we need to serve others unselfishly and sacrificially (Matt. 20:23-28).

Identify your wrong thinking about God's grace. Examples:
1. “I believe God will reward me if I work harder serving Him.”
2. “God can't possibly love me because I have failed Him too many times. If I wasn't addicted to ______________, then God could love me.”

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Wait on God's Goodness (insight in Psalms)

9/25/2010

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I remember a work setting where I felt insecure and fearful. Nothing seemed to go right. A sense of dread like walking on "egg shells" was my constant companion. Harm could overtake me at any moment so kept my guard up continuously. My boss used constant intimidations and put downs to keep me off balance. Have you been in a similar spot where the avalanche of life threatened to bury you?

Psalm 26 shows the process of how the Word of God produces intimacy with Him and sense of awe to counteract drudgery and deadness in our life. The light and enlightenment from God leads to salvation and deliverance in fearful circumstances. As He becomes our refuge, we become victorious and confident (Ps. 27:1-3).

In theory, this sounds like a great way to live, but how do we position ourselves so we live victorious instead of defeated and confidently instead of anxious?

To accomplish anything in life, you need focus. David's focus in this Psalm is one thing: he would live in God's presence continually while delighting and inquiring of God (Ps. 27:4).

Practicing the presence of God allows you to experience the goodness of God in the following ways:
1. Hide from trouble (Ps. 27:5)
2. Protected from enemies (Ps. 27:6a)
3. Offer thanksgivings, praises and intercessions to Him (Ps. 27:6b-7)
4. Experience transparency and friendship with Him (Ps. 27:8)
5. Unconditional acceptance (Ps. 27:9-10)
6. Understanding and guidance in God's ways (Ps. 27:11)
7. Deliverance from lies and oppression (Ps. 27:12)

Ps. 27:13-14 explains how to practice the presence of God.
1. Believe that God is good all the time. The seven items listed above prove how good God is.
2. Because of God's goodness, attach yourself to God by patiently waiting upon Him, literally "to bind together by twisting." Your total identity is wrapped up in God's.

Meditate on the seven ways that prove God's goodness. Begin practicing the presence of God so you can experience His goodness all the time.

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Greatest Power in Bringing People to Christ (insights in Prophets)

9/23/2010

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When I first came to know Christ, we got into many doctrinal discussions trying to convince people that our way was right. We forgot the most important doctrine. Let me ask a very important question. What is the greatest power to allow the unsaved come to know Christ? Is it prayer? Good deeds? Evangelism? Granted, all these are necessary. The greatest power is unity (John 17:21). Five will chase a 100 and hundred will chase 10,000 (Lev. 26:8). We see the power of unity demonstrated in Judges 3-4.

Motivation to Unity
The Lord used five nations to test and train Israel in warfare to determine if they would obey Him since they had no experience of war in Canaan (Judges 3:1-5).
1. Spiritual opposition (world, flesh and devil) motivates the church to seek unity.

Defense of Unity
Israel's sons and daughters chose mates among these five nations causing them to serve Baals and Aheroth and forgetting the Lord. The Lord strengthened Eglon king of Moab because they did evil in God's sight (Judges 3:6-7,12).
Marriage is God's first line of defense against idolatry and preserving unity.
2. Being unified in marriage prevents a couple from serving false gods and experiencing unnecessary spiritual opposition.

Fight of Unity
Ehud made a sword with two edges and bound it on his right thigh under his cloak. He blew a trumpet and Israel struck 10,000 Moabites. The land was undisturbed for 80 years (Judges 3:16-30).
3. Peace comes as the corporate body of Christ fights spiritual battles in unity against sin.

Weapons of Unity: Prayer
Israel did evil in sight of Lord after Ehud died. Lord sold them into hand of Jabin king of Canaan. Israel cried to the Lord since Canaan owned 900 iron chariots and oppressed them severely for 20 years (Judges 4:1-3).
4. Deliverance from oppression begins when we corporately pray and cry out to the Lord in unity.

Weapons of Unity: God's Word
Sisera was told that Barak had gone up to Mt. Tabor and called together all this chariots and people. Deborah said to Barak that this day the Lord gave Sisera into his hands because the Lord had gone before him. Sisera's army fell on edge of the sword with no one left (Judges 4:12-16).
5. Victory over world, flesh and devil occurs when corporate body of Christ uses sword of God's word in unity.

Prerequisite for Unity: Every Member Mobilized
Jael, Heber's wife, used a tent peg and hammer to kill Sisera while he was sleeping (Judges 4:17-24).
6. Each member of Christ's body has important role in defeating spiritual enemies and building God's kingdom.

What is God saying to you about unity and fighting the spiritual battle in the world?

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Training for Our Most Important and Fulfilling Job (insights in Law)

9/22/2010

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I remember struggling to figure out my college major. I took interest tests, talked to various adults and prayed. After starting my first job, I asked, "What a waste of four years in college?" The job was unfulfilling and didn't seem to make a difference in peoples' lives. My youngest son is going through a similar process. What the world builds up as success ultimately becomes unsatisfying. Does God have a better way? Most of us are called to stay in our present jobs, even if it's unfulfilling, but God has a more important assignment that will not only fulfill us beyond our wildest imagination, but impact our families and communities for eternity.

While Abraham sat at his tent in heat of day by the oaks of Mamre, the Lord appeared to him in the form of three men. While seeing and experiencing God, he bowed as an act of respect and submission to a superior being (Gen. 18:1-2).
1. Prepare to encounter God in unexpected or inconvenient times.

Abraham wanted to host these heavenly visitors and hoped to find favor so they wouldn't leave him. He wanted them to wash their feet, rest and eat bread so they could refresh themselves (Gen. 18:3-5).
2. Remain patient, available and receptive in God's presence.

Abraham asked Sarah to to make bread cakes and prepare a choice calf in a hurry (Gen. 18:6-8).
3. Minister praise and worship urgently to the Lord.

The heavenly visitor said he would return at the same time next year when Sarah would have a son. Abraham and Sarah were old and she was past childbearing age (Gen. 18:9-11). Just as Sarah was called out and listened to the promise at the tent door, God is personal in the midst of our circumstances.
4. Claim God's supernatural and impossible promise that's personalized just for you.

Sarah's laugh about having sexual pleasure with Abraham were symptoms of unresolved issues in her life: denial, fear and doubt (Gen. 18:12-15). Because God's promises always exceed human understanding, expectations and sensibility, they also reveal deeper issues of struggle in our lives.
5. Allow God to reveal sin and unbelief in your life.

We encounter the central truth in Gen. 18. Is any word, matter or thing too wonderful or beyond the bounds of human powers or expectations for the Lord to accomplish? (Gen. 18:14a).

The first five items listed above equipped Abraham for his most important job: to intercede for his family and a city--Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18:16-33). Like Abraham, God assigns us as intercessors for our families and communities to delay and even prevent God's judgment because of sin. What's impossible to us is possible for God!

How is God developing your relationship with Him? Which of the five items listed above will you concentrate on so you cooperate with God's personalized training program for you? Begin interceding daily for your family and community.

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Out of the Pews and Into the Streets (insights in NT)

9/20/2010

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During my youth in the 1960s, one of the signature songs was "I Am A Rock," by Simon & Garfunkel:

. . . I am a rock, I am an island. I’ve built walls, A fortress deep and mighty, That none may penetrate. I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain. It’s laughter and it’s loving I disdain. . .
I have my books. And my poetry to protect me; I am shielded in my armor, Hiding in my room, safe within my womb. I touch no one and no one touches me. I am a rock, I am an island. And a rock feels no pain; And an island never cries.

God hasn't designed us to live like this. We are called to minister to those of whom society and unfortunately much of the church has chosen to ignore.

We discovered in Matt. 17 that living an effective kingdom lifestyle has a vertical dimension of spending time with Christ through prayer. In Matt. 18, we learn it also has a horizontal dimension of accountable relationships with hurting people where we become personally involved (Matt. 18:1-5). A child is any helpless person. Rather than being an island or rock, you humble yourself by welcoming anyone, including the poor and disenfranchised, into your life.

In order to minister to the "least of these," you must deal harshly with your personal sin so you don't cause others to stumble and cause their ruin (Matt. 18:6-9).

"Does your hand, offend you, the hand raised in anger or grasping at money? Does your foot offend you, the places it takes you to and the Christian service it declines to undertake? Does your eye offend you--the ever-unsatisfied eye of the consumer society? Be single minded! Deal ruthlessly with whatever cause you to stumble in your walk with Christ in the body of His church."[i]

Not only addressing our personal sin, we must not look down on anyone. Give each person the benefit of the doubt, otherwise we build up walls, hinder trust and reduce opportunity for ministry (Matt. 18:10-11).

How can your wrong attitudes cause poor and disenfranchised people to sin or lose hope? If we don't help meet basic needs or equip them to be self-sufficient, they may steal or do illegal activity to make ends meet or maintain their addiction. We create major stumbling blocks to their self esteem by judging, looking down on them or not accepting them unconditionally.

Pray and search for prodigal believers who have wandered away from the faith (Matt. 18:12-14). Many young people have been hurt by hypocrisy in the church and deeply offended by the ungodly attitudes addressed in Matt. 18.

Lovingly confront believers in sin through a four-step process so they can be restored to fellowship in the church through repentance: share one-on-one about the sin, bring two or three witnesses if they don't listen, tell it to the church and if they refuse to listen and confess their sin, then treat them as an unbeliever (Matt. 18:15-17).

Is there a believer you know who is in sin? Write down their name and begin to pray for them. During this coming week, "you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted" (Gal. 6:1).

We forgive a sinning brother unconditionally because of the depth of Christ's forgiveness for our sins (Matt. 18:21-35). Since Christ took the initiative to reach out to us, we should do the same by forgiving unconditionally those who have sinned against us (Rom. 56-8).

Who is God calling you to reach out to? Consider the following categories:
1. Someone struggling to make ends meet who require instruction to become self-sufficient.
2. Prodigal believer who walked away from their faith because of hurt they experienced in the church.
3. Believer in sin who needs a loving confrontation.
4. Forgiving someone from the heart who sinned or offended you. If they are aware of your resentment, you should go and ask forgiveness from them.

[i] The New American Commentary, pgs. 274-275

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How To Be Delivered From Drudgery and Deadness (insights in Psalms)

9/18/2010

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After choosing a college major, I wondered if it would deliver ultimate satisfaction. Once I started my first job, I soon learned it wouldn't. It was a disillusioning moment in my life. Many people hope their choices, whether it's a career, mate, children or hobby, will provide that sense of relief or freedom from the deadness of daily life. If these things don't eliminate dissatisfaction, what will?

Word, Intimacy and Awe of God

1. In Psalm 25, we learned that everything is grounded upon knowing the Word of God.
2. His word became the foundation of the Psalmist intimate relationship with God where his life became an open book to Him (Ps. 26:1-2). Rather than following falsehood originating from people or worldly philosophies, he embraced purity instead (Ps. 26:3-6).
3. Intimacy with God produced an attitude of thanksgiving and awe of His glory (Ps. 26:7-8).

Deliverance From Drudgery and Deadness of Daily Life
Coveting God's eternal glory instead of the world's fleeting glory delivers us from the drudgery of daily life. We also gain freedom from the bondage and deadness of sin like bloodshed, wicked schemes and bribes (Ps. 26:9-11).

Those with a relationship with Christ who trusted Christ's blood to forgive their sin, can experience a lifestyle of blessing the Lord (Ps. 26:12). The word, bless, means to literally, "bend the knee." As you draw near to the throne of grace through prayer, you receive grace and mercy in time of need (Heb. 4:16). Our light affliction produces an eternal weight of glory if we seek God's eternal glory through prayer (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

Where do you receive satisfaction? From the world or God? Begin meditating on a one verse in Psalm 26 and bask in God's love for you.

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How To Protect Ourselves From World's Deceptions (insights in Prophets)

9/17/2010

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Most of us are aware of Internet deceptions like get-rich schemes from Nigerian "bankers," pyramid marketing schemes and fake cashier's checks for goods are trying to sell. Now a new deception is selling fake Product Keys for popular software from companies like Microsoft and Norton. The deceptions keep getting more subtle as time goes on. What will protect us from the world's deceptions in each area of our lives? In Judges 1-2, I will number six ways to protect ourselves from deception.

After the death of Joshua, Israel inquired of Lord concerning who should go up first to fight against the Canaanites. Judah defeated the Canaanites, Perizzites, and captured Jerusalem. They took Gaza, Askelon and Ekron with its territory. Lord was with Judah and took possession of hill country, but could not drive out inhabitants of valley because they had iron chariots (Judges 1:1-5,8,18-19).
1. Trust in God's strength instead of your own efforts and resources as protection from fear and intimidation.

Caleb said that the one who captured Kiriath-sepher would become the husband of his daughter. She asked her father for a field and received the upper and lower springs (Judges 1:12-15).
2. Marry a Spirit-filled person as protection from an impoverished life.

Experiencing God's power and being married to Spirit-filled person protects us from the world's deceptions to lead to disobedience. Manasseh did not take possession of certain regions so Canaanites persisted in living in that land. They put them to forced labor, but did not drive them out completely (Judges 1:27-28).

3. Refuse compromise with the world as protection from incomplete obedience and sins of omission.

After the angel of the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, the nation was commanded not to make a covenant with inhabitants of Canaan, but tear down their altars. Their disobedience became thorns and their gods, snares (Judges 2:1-3).
4. Refuse entanglement with the world as protection from disobedience and sins of commission.

Compromise and entanglement with the world leads to ignorance of God and His work. After Joshua's generation, there rose another generation who did not know the Lord or the work which He had done for Israel (Judges 2:10-15).
5. Take personal responsibility to know the Lord and His power as protection from great distress and plundering by the enemy.

Those who refuse compromise and entanglement with the world become spiritual leaders and godly examples. The Lord raised up judges who delivered them from hands of those who plundered them. Instead of listening to their judges, they played the harlot after other gods and bowed down to them. The Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them. When a judge died, they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers. The Lord allowed the nations to remain by not driving them out quickly (Judges 2:16-23).
6. Follow spiritual leadership and godly example as protection from seduction by false gods.

In summary, you protect yourself from the world's deceptions as you trust in God's power, marry a Spirit-filled person, refuse compromise and entanglement with the world, pursue your own relationship with God and follow spiritual leadership and godly example.

Which of the six protections from the world's deception most speak to you? Choose one or two and ask for God's power to implement it into your life.

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How To Prepare for a Miracle (insights in Law)

9/15/2010

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All of us have heard the statement: God helps those who help themselves. It is a lie! God doesn't want our help. He wants our obedience. So many times, I have used my own resources or ingenuity on a home project, correcting my son or ministry assignment and failed miserably. If I submit to God and do what He tells me, the result is so much better. I often see miracles, God-incidents and convergences take over. Abram faced a thorny situation that lasted many years. Thirteen years passed after Ismael was born.

God told Abram that He was the powerful or mighty one. It was frustrating to Abram that he took matters into his own hands by having a son, Ismael, through his handmaid instead of trusting God. He assured Abram of physical descendants, but told him to walk in integrity and purity. He would reward Abram as the father of many nations and kings (Gen. 17:1-7). Walking close to God with integrity reaps the reward of spiritual descendants and kingdom fruitfulness. We become a difference maker in our sphere of influence.

God commanded all male descendants to be circumcised as a sign or proof of the covenant. Disobedience caused excommunication or being cut off from the covenant (Gen. 17:9-11,14). It was humbling for Abram to obey God, but like him, our sacrifice allows us to benefit from covenantal blessings.

When God told Abram that he would have children, he laughed because of his age, 100, and Sarah's age, 90 (Gen. 17:17). God's promise and miraculous intervention overrule the laws of nature and science.

God remained faithful to Ismael. He blessed Ismael and made him fruitful so he would bear a great nation and father 12 princes (Gen. 17:20). God works behind the scenes to fulfill the destiny of families and nations.

We prepare for God's supernatural and miracle working power by obeying God. In Abram's case, he obeyed God by circumcising his family as an act of humility (Gen. 17:27).

What is God asking you to do? He may be preparing you for a miracle.

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What Is Key to Living a Kingdom Lifestyle? (insights in NT)

9/13/2010

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Just as there are three important factors in real estate (location, location, location), there are three important factors in living a Kingdom lifestyle. I often think it's about my efforts. As a result, I don't take time to pray. If we want to model the life of Christ in living a Kingdom lifestyle, what are the three most important factors? Pray, pray, pray!

The amount of time we spend with Jesus is directly proportional to our effectiveness in living a Kingdom lifestyle.

We experience a taste of Kingdom goodness as we spend time with Jesus regularly (Matt. 17:1-2).

Listening to Jesus' voice and fixing our eyes on nothing but Him allows us to experience the Father's pleasure in Christ, which transforms our self-esteem (Matt. 17:5-8).

As God leads and we discern people are ready, share your personal experiences of Christ with others (Matt, 17:9-13).

Our power to influence events is directly proportional to the time we spend with Christ (Matt. 17:1-2, 14-16, 19-21).

Listen and hear, trust and obey. Experience Jesus creatively meeting daily needs (Matt. 17:24-27).

Notice the intensity of E.M. Bounds, in a quote from his book, Necessity of Prayer. "Prayer ascends by fire. Flame gives prayer access as well as wings, acceptance as well as energy. There is no incense without fire; no prayer without flame."

Ask God to give you a heart to spend additional time with Him. When will you schedule this time?

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