Category: Foundation

Value Spiritual Transformation

1/18/2020

I walked in the television room of the dorm. Bill left his card game and walked toward me. He was the first person to greet me after my move from the fraternity to the dorm. After he helped me set up my stereo, we got into a discussion about Jesus. “Bill, you can’t take the Bible literally. It’s full of fairy tales,” I said, “Stories like Noah’s ark and parting of the Red Sea didn’t really happen. Miracles don’t happen in real life!” This dialogue began my journey to knowing Christ personally and making Him Lord.

Knowing the Bible, believing God exists, going to church, having a social media profile saying "Christian," speaking Christian language, and saying Jesus is Lord doesn’t mean I’m approved not mean you are making Jesus Lord in your life. If we don’t make Christ Lord, we won’t seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).

1. Embrace Christ’s authority
Religious leaders asked who gave Jesus authority when He taught people in the temple and preached the gospel. Jesus asked if John's baptism was from heaven or from men. Since the religious leaders wouldn't answer his question, Jesus refused answering them too (Luke 20:1-8). Embrace Christ’s authority so your ministry won’t go unnoticed.

2. Accept Christ as church’s foundation
Jesus told a parable about a vineyard owner sending three slaves to vine-growers to get produce. Each time they beat the slave and sent him away empty-handed. When the owner sent his beloved son who was killed by the vine-growers, he planned to destroy them and give the vineyard to others. Jesus said, "The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief cornerstone. Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust" (Luke 20:9-18). Accept Christ as church’s foundation for protection.

3. Balance worldly and spiritual responsibilities
The religious leaders feared the people, and tried to kill and catch Jesus in what He said, because they knew He spoke this parable against them. They asked if was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not. Jesus detected their trickery and took a denarius. He said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." They marveled at His answer and became silent (Luke 20:19-26). Balance spiritual and worldly responsibilities to please Jesus.

4. Value supernatural transformation
Christ told the Sadducees who believe in no resurrection that people marry on earth, but are like angels and unmarried in heaven. The dead are raised since He is God of the living. The Sadducees lost courage to question Him any longer (Luke 20:27-40). Value spiritual transformation because He’s God.

5. Rejoice in Christ’s victory
Christ asked how they could say that He’s David's son when he called Him 'Lord.' David said for the Lord to sit at His right hand until He made His enemies a footstool for His feet (Luke 20:41-44). Rejoice in Christ’s victory over spiritual enemies.

6. Seek humility
Christ told His disciples to beware of the scribes who love respectful greetings and chief seats in the synagogues but devour widows' houses and offer long prayers for appearance's sake. They will receive greater condemnation (Luke 20:45-47). Seek humility instead of power and position.

Further Thought: Ask God to help you value supernatural transformation as you balance your spiritual and worldly responsibilities while putting Christ’s first.

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Fruitfulness Requires Spiritual Disciplines Founded Upon God's Word (Insights in Prophets)

4/10/2013

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Fruitfulness requires spiritual disciplines founded upon God's word for His watchmen or ambassadors:
1. Sow righteousness and seek the Lord
2. Repent, remove the yoke and feed on His word for complete healing
3. Stop trusting in wealth but listen to His word through His designated spokesmen
4. Acknowledge God who cares, feeds and redeems you from death
5. Walk in God's ways with discernment to bear spiritual fruit

Lay Foundation in God's Word
Israel was unfaithful and loved the wages of a prostitute that failed to feed the people or please God. The days of reckoning were coming because of many sins and great hostility. The prophet was considered a fool and inspired man a maniac. The prophet and God were watchmen over Ephraim with snares awaiting them. Israel consecrated themselves to the shameful idol of Baal Peor and became vile like the thing they loved. God killed Ephraim's children because of their sinful deeds and rebellious leaders. The root withered and did not yield fruit (Hosea 9:1-17). Lay foundation in God's word to yield spiritual fruit as His watchman or ambassador.

Sow Righteousness and Seek the Lord
Israel was a spreading vine bringing fruit for themselves. God destroyed their altars and sacred stones. Their heart was deceitful saying they had no king because of not revering the Lord. Many promises caused lawsuits to spring up. They rejoiced over wickedness, but God destroyed the high places and put them in bonds. By sowing righteousness, they reaped the fruit of unfailing love. When they broke up their unplowed ground by seeking the Lord, God showered righteousness on them. By planting wickedness, they reaped evil and ate the fruit of deception. By depending on their own strength of many warriors, their fortresses and Israel's king were completely destroyed (Hosea 10:1-15). Sow righteousness and seek the Lord to reap unfailing love and righteousness.

Repent and Remove the Yoke for Complete Healing Through His Word
God called Israel, His son, out of Egypt. However, they sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to images. Israel did not realize that God healed by leading them with cords of love, lifting the yoke from their neck and bending down to feed them. By not repenting, they would return to Egypt with Assyria ruling them and war ending their plans. God, the Holy One, did not come in wrath. His people would follow the Lord when He roared like a lion. They would come trembling like birds from Egypt and doves from Assyria to settle in their homes (Hosea 11:1-11). Repent of sin and remove the yoke so you can be fed His word for complete healing.

Stop Trusting in Wealth But Listen to Word-Oriented Spokesmen
Ephraim surrounded God with lies, Israel with deceit and Judah was unruly against Him. Ephraim multiplied lies and violence, made a treaty with Assyria and sent olive oil to Egypt. Jacob struggled with the angel and overcame him. He talked with the Lord God Almighty. Judah must return to God, maintain love and justice, and wait for God always. Ephraim boasted of his riches and wealth thinking no one would find sin in him. God spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and told parables through them. The Lord used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt and to care for them (Hosea 12:1-14). Stop trusting in wealth but listen to His word through designated spokesmen.

Acknowledge God Who Cares, Feeds and Redeems You
Ephraim made cleverly fashioned silver idols or images that were the work of craftsmen. They were to acknowledge no God or Savior except the Lord. He brought them out of Egypt, cared and fed them in the desert. They became satisfied, proud and forgot God. He gave them a king in His anger and took him away in His wrath. God redeemed them from death without destruction (Hosea 13:1-16). Acknowledge God who cares, feeds and redeems you from death.

Walk in God's Ways with Discernment
Hosea told Israel to return to the Lord since sin was their downfall. They were to say to Him, "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips." Assyria could not save them, but the fatherless found compassion in God. He healed their waywardness and loved them freely. God was like the dew to Israel so they could blossom like a lily. They sent down roots like a cedar of Lebanon and flourished like a vine. Their fruitfulness came from God. The wise and discerning understood these things. The righteous walked in God's ways that were right, but the rebellious stumbled in them (Hosea 14:1-9). Walk in God's ways with discernment to bear spiritual fruit.

Answer the following questions to determine if you are experiencing fruitfulness in your life:
1. Is God's word the foundation of your life?
2. Are you sowing righteousness and seeking the Lord?
3. Are you repenting of sin so you can remove the yoke from your life?
4. Are you feeding on God's word for complete healing?
5. Have you stopped trusting in wealth?
6. Are you listening to His word through designated spokesmen?
7. Do you acknowledge God in all circumstances of life knowing He cares, feeds and redeems you from futility?
8. Do you walk in God's ways with wisdom and discernment?

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Equip Older Men and Women To Disciple Young People (Insights in NT)

3/27/2013

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Elders should lay a foundation of sound doctrine and focus on teaching older men and women so they can disciple young people in godly living to attract others to Christ.

Appoint Godly Elders To Oversee God's Work
Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ for the knowledge of truth that led to godliness. It rested on the hope of eternal life that God promised. He brought His word to light through the preaching entrusted to him by God's command. Paul left Titus in Crete to straighten out unfinished business and appoint elders in every town. An elder must be blameless, husband of one wife. His children must believe without being wild and disobedient. An elder who oversees God's work must not be overbearing, quick-tempered, given to much wine, violent, and pursuing dishonest gain. Instead he must be hospitable, love what was good, self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined (Tit. 1:1-8). Appoint godly elders to oversee God's work who model purity in their personal and family lives.

Lay Proper Foundation by Encouraging Sound Doctrine and Refuting False Teaching
An elder must hold firmly to the trustworthy message, encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. He must silence rebellious people who deceived and ruined households for dishonest gain. One of their own prophets said Cretans were "always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons." Elders must rebuke them sharply so they would be sound in the faith. They must avoid Jewish myths or commands among those who reject the truth. To the pure all things were pure but to the corrupted and unbelievers, nothing was pure. Claiming to know God, their actions showed they denied Him being unfit for anything good (Tit. 1:9-16). Lay proper foundation by encouraging sound doctrine and refuting false teaching to prevent ruined lives.

Teach Sound Doctrine to Older Men and Women
Teach sound doctrine to older men so they would be temperate, respectful, self-controlled, sound in faith and loving with endurance. Teach older women to be reverent and not slanderous or addicted to much wine so they could teach what was good. They should train the younger women to love their husbands and children, be self-controlled, pure, busy at home, kind and subject to their husbands so no one would malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled as an example by doing what was good. Timothy's teaching should show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech so opponents could not condemn them (Tit. 2:1-8). Teach sound doctrine to older men and women so they can disciple younger people in godly living.

Disciple People in God's Grace to Attract Others to Christ
Teach employees to be subject their bosses so they could be fully trusted by not talking back or stealing to make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. His grace that brought salvation appeared to all men. It taught them to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, but to live self-controlled and godly lives in this present age. They waited for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus Christ who redeemed them from all wickedness and purified for Himself a people eager to do what was good. They were to teach, encourage and rebuke these things with all authority without being despised (Tit. 2:9-15). Disciple people in God's grace to live godly in all spheres to attract others to Christ.

Allow Grace Motivate You to Obey Authority and Do Good Works
Remind people to be subject and obedient to all authorities. They were to slander no one, but be peaceable, considerate and show humility toward all men. They had been foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by passions and pleasures with envy and hate. But when the kindness and love of Jesus appeared, He saved them not because of their righteous deeds, but because of His mercy through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit poured out generously through Christ. Being justified by His grace, they became heirs with the hope of eternal life so they could be careful to devote themselves to good works (Tit. 3:1-8). Allow God's grace motivate you to humbly obey every authority and do good works.

Live Productive Lives by Avoiding Useless Quarrels and Confronting Divisiveness
Avoid foolish and useless controversies, arguments and quarrels about the law. Warn a divisive person up to two times and then have nothing to do with him since he was warped, sinful and self-condemned. Paul asked Timothy to come see him and help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with everything they need. Everyone must learn to devote themselves to doing what was good to provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives (Tit. 3:9-15). Live productive lives by avoiding useless quarrels and confronting divisiveness.

Let me ask these questions:
1. Are godly elders in your city overseeing God's work?
2. Are they laying a proper foundation by encouraging sound doctrine and refuting false teaching?
3. Are elders teaching sound doctrine to older men and women?
4. Are older people discipling younger people?
5. Are others being attracted to Christ?
6. Are discipled believers obeying every authority and doing good works?
7. Are church members living productively and avoiding useless quarrels and divisions?

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How to Do Kingdom Ministry in the City (Insights in Psalms)

3/7/2013

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To do kingdom work in the city, ask God for wisdom and understanding in establishing a supernatural foundation to empower believers and churches through God's word and prayer so they become salt and light in the world. Pursue unity by praising God in music so the church is filled with God's glory. Seek God and confess sins during famine and disasters to experience forgiveness, salvation, goodness and healing until God's kingdom comes into the city.

Ask God for Wisdom to Build Multiplied Disciples
Solomon asked God to give him wisdom and knowledge in leading Israel in confirming His promise to David. Because Solomon did not ask for wealth, riches, honor or death of his enemies, God would give him both wisdom and knowledge plus wealth, riches and honor. Solomon gathered 1400 chariots, 12,000 horses and much silver, gold and cedar. He ordered the building of a temple for the Name of the Lord and royal palace for himself. He assigned 70,000 men as carriers, 80,000 stonecutters and 3600 foremen over them to build a temple for burning incense, setting out consecrated bread and making burnt offerings every morning and evening. The temple would be great because God was greater than all gods. Hiram king of Tyre sent Huram-Abi, a man of great skill trained to work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, wood, with yarn and fine linen experienced in all kinds of engraving to execute any design given to him and to work with Solomon's craftsmen. Solomon promised that he would give Hiram's servants wheat, barley, olive oil and wine. Hiram cut all the logs from Lebanon and floated them by sea down to Joppa (2 Chron. 1:1-2:18). Ask God for wisdom and understanding to build the temple so He provides the material and human resources to multiply disciples.

Establish a Supernatural Foundation Through God's Word and Prayer
The foundation Solomon laid for building the temple of God was 60 cubits long and 20 cubits wide overlaid inside with pure gold and adorned with precious stones. He overlaid the ceiling beams, doorframes, walls and doors with gold and carved cherubim on the walls. Solomon built the Most Holy Place corresponding to the width of the temple and overlaid inside with 600 talents of fine gold. The Most Holy Place had a pair of sculptured cherubim overlaid with gold. The curtain of blue, purple and crimson yarn and fine linen had cherubim worked into it. The front of the temple had two pillars with interwoven chains named Jakin (He establishes) adn Boaz (In Him is strength) (2 Chron. 3:1-17). Establish a supernatural kingdom foundation through God's word and prayer.

Empower Believers and Churches Through God's Word and Holy Spirit
Solomon made a bronze altar, Sea standing on 12 bulls holding 3,000 baths and ten basins for washing things used in the burnt offerings by the priests. He made ten gold lampstands, ten tables, 100 gold sprinkling bowls, pots and shovels. Huram finished the work of making polished bronze objects for the temple of the Lord. Solomon cast them in clay molds. He made all the furnishings: golden altar, tables with the bread of Presence, gold lampstands with their lamps burning in front of the inner sanctuary, gold floral work, lamps and solid gold tongs, gold wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, ladles, censers, gold doors and inner doors to the Most Holy Place (2 Chron. 4:1-22). Empower believers and churches through God's word and the Holy Spirit to be salt and light in the world.

Pursue Unity By Praising God Through Music
Solomon dedicated the furnishings of God's temple, brought up the ark of the Lord's covenant and sacrificed many sheep and cattle. The priests placed the ark in the Most Holy Place and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim. The ark contained the two tablets that Moses received when God made a covenant with him after they came out of Egypt. The consecrated priests withdrew from the Holy Place. The Levites who were musicians stood on the east side of the altar dressed in fine linen playing cymbals, harps and lyres accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. The trumpeters and singers joined in unison with one voice to praise and thank the Lord for His goodness and enduring love. The glory of the Lord filled the temple so the priests could not perform their service (2 Chron. 5:1-14). Pursue unity by praising God in music so the church is filled with God's glory.

Seek God and Confess Sin During Famine and Disasters
God chose Jerusalem for His name to dwell and David to rule His people Israel. David had a heart to build a temple but Solomon was called to construct it for His Name. He placed the ark that held the covenant of the Lord He made with Israel. Solomon prayed that God dwell on earth with men even though the heavens and temple could not contain Him. He asked that His eyes be open to hear Solomon's prayers by repaying the guilty and declaring the innocent not guilty. When Israel or immigrants prayed and turned from their sin after famine, plague, blight, being besieged by enemies, any disaster or disease, he asked God to forgive their sin and deal with them according to what they did knowing their hearts so they would fear and walk in His ways. Solomon asked that God uphold the cause of His people who prayed while at war against their enemies and those who confessed their sin after being taken captive. He asked that God come to His resting place and His priests be clothed with salvation and rejoice in His goodness (2 Chron. 6:1-42). Seek God and confess sins during famine and disasters to experience forgiveness, salvation and His goodness.

Focus on God's Glory, Humble Self, Pray and Turn from Wicked Ways
When Solomon finished praying, fire consumed the burnt offering and God's glory filled the temple preventing the priests from entering it. The Israelites humbled themselves, worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord saying He was good and His love endured forever. When Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats, he and the people dedicated the temple of God. They celebrated the altar dedication seven days and the festival seven days more. When Solomon finished building the temple and royal palace, the Lord appeared to him. If God shut the heavens so no rain came, commanded locusts to devour the land or sent a plague among His people, they were to humble themselves, pray and seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways so He would hear, forgive their sin and heal their land. His eyes would be open and His ears attentive to their prayers. He chose and consecrated this temple so His name, eyes and heart would be there forever. Obedience to God established Solomon's and his descendants' royal throne. Serving and worshiping other gods would uproot Israel from His land and He to reject and make the temple an object of ridicule among all peoples (2 Chron. 7:1-22). Focus on God's glory, humble yourself, pray and seek His face, and turn from your wicked ways so God hears, forgives your sin and heals the land.

Build Up Body of Christ Until God's Kingdom Comes Into City
After Solomon build the temple and his own palace, he rebuild the villages Hiram gave him and settled Israelites in them. He rebuild Upper Beth Horon and Lower Beth Horon as fortified cities with walls, gates and bars along with other cities throughout the territory he ruled. Israelite slaves were Solomon's fighting men, commanders, and 250 chief officials supervising them. He sacrificed burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord according to the daily requirement commanded by Moses for Sabbaths, New Moons and the three annual feasts. Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests and gatekeepers for their duties with the Levites leading praise according to each day's requirements as David ordered. All Solomon's work was carried out from laying the foundation of the temple until its completion (2 Chron. 8:1-18). Build up the body of Christ through prayer, surrender and praise until God's kingdom comes into the city.

Share God's Wisdom and Riches with Ambassadors
After Solomon answered the queen of Sheba's hard questions, she gave him 120 talents of gold, spices and precious stones. She praised God who placed Solomon on his throne as king to rule and maintain justice and righteousness for Him. He used algumwood to make steps for the temple and royal palace along with harps and lyres for the musicians. Solomon gave the queen more than she brought to him. He received 666 talents of gold yearly not including revenues from merchants, traders, kings of Arabia and governors of the land. He made 200 large shields of hammered gold that he put in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. He made a great throne inlaid with ivory and overlaid with pure gold. A lion stood on both sides of the seat with 12 standing on the six steps. The Palace's household articles were pure gold. Solomon had greater riches and wisdom than all other kings on earth. They sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God put in his heart (2 Chron. 9:1-31). Share God's wisdom and riches with ambassadors in your expanding networks.

Pray Paul's prayer in Eph. 1:17-23 so that God gives you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Him better so the eyes of your heart are enlightened to know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints and His incomparable great power for believers like Jesus rising from the dead and being seated at God's right hand in the heavenly realms far above all rule and authority.

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Moving Away from "Politically Correctness" About Jesus (Insights in Prophets)

10/21/2012

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"Who decides what is right and wrong In the world? Who has the authority to define morality for all of creation? It is not the courts, congress, the media, public opinion, the "politically correct" police, the "tolerance" brigade or even the church. The only answer has been, is and always will be Jesus Christ. You can find His opinion on a great variety of subjects in His best seller... The Bible" (Jeffrey E. Ramey).

The king of Assyria embraced a "politically correct" philosophy about Jesus. How do you move way from tolerance or a philosophy about Jesus so He impacts every part of your life?

God Desires Foundation
Woe to the destroyer and traitor who would eventually be destroyed and betrayed. Ask God to be gracious as they longed for Him. He was their strength and and salvation in time of distress. Nations scattered when God rose up. He was exalted, dwelt on high and filled Zion with justice and righteousness. God was a sure foundation for their times and rich store of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord was the key to treasure. The land mourned and wasted away. The Lord was exalted and burned the people who conceived chaff and birthed straw (Is. 33:1-12). God desires to be your foundation for strength, salvation, wisdom and knowledge during times of distress.

God Reveals Beauty
Trembling gripped the godless. Only those who walked righteously, spoke rightly, rejected gain from extortion and refused bribes and murder plots could dwell with the consuming fire. They made the mountain fortress their refuge and God supplied bread and water. Their eyes saw the king in His beauty. They would not see arrogant officers anymore with their strange tongues who took advantage of them. Their eyes saw Jerusalem, a peaceful abode and unmovable tent along with the Mighty One who used a judge, lawgiver and king to save them. The spoil would be divided with the lame carrying plunder. No one in Zion would be sick and everyone's sins were forgiven (Is. 33:13-24). God reveals His beauty as the Mighty One who provides bread and forgives sin.

God Judges Sin
Let the earth hear about the Lord's anger with all nations. He destroyed all their armies, soaked their blood on the mountains, dissolved stars and rolled up the sky like a scroll. God judged and destroyed Edom to uphold Zion's cause. God stretched over Edom the measuring line of chaos so that princes vanished away and thorns overrun her strongholds, which became a home for owls. The Lord's scroll read that no mates would be missing because His Spirit gathered and distributed them together to live there forever (Is. 34:1-17). God judges sin, breaks strongholds and upholds His cause.

God Opens Eyes
The wilderness rejoiced and blossomed. Lebanon, Carmel and Sharon saw the glory and splendor of God. Encourage the exhausted, strengthen the feeble and tell the fearful to be strong. God came with vengeance to save them. He opened blind eyes and unstopped deaf ears with the lame leaping like a deer and the tongue of the dumb shouting for joy. Water gushed forth in the wilderness with streams in the desert. The burning sand became a pool and thirsty ground bubbling brooks. The highway was called the Way of Holiness for the redeemed who walked in that Way. The ransomed of the Lord returned and entered Zion with singing. He crowned their heads with eternal joy and sorrow left (Is. 35:1-10). God opens blind eyes and unstops deaf ears so they can drink from streams in the desert and walk in the Way of Holiness with eternal joy.

God Offers Choice
Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured the fortified city of Judah. He asked Hezekiah on whom he was depending that caused him to rebel against Sennacherib. Did he say Egypt, splintered reed of a staff, or God, the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah removed? He would get 2,000 horses if he made a bargain with Assyria. Sennacherib said the Lord told him to destroy Judah (Is. 36:1-10). God offers a choice to depend on Him causing people to make fun of you or accept immediate benefits for personal gain.

God Delivers From Evil
The commander called out in Hebrew urging them to not let Hezekiah deceive them if they trusted in God for deliverance from Assyria. Making peace with Assyria would enable everyone to eat from their own vine and drink water from their own cistern in a land like their own with grain, new wine, bread and vineyards. No god had ever delivered any nation from the king of Assyria. The people remained silent because the king said to not answer him. The palace administrator, secretary and recorder went to Hezekiah and told him what Assyria's field commander said (Is. 36:11-22). God delivers you from evil forces if you refuse making peace with them.

Steps in moving away from political correctness about Jesus to fully embracing Him in your life:
1. Allow Christ be your foundation for strength, salvation, wisdom and knowledge during times of distress
2. Glory in the beauty and mighty power of Christ who provides bread and forgives sin
3. Accept God's judgment of sin to break strongholds and uphold His cause
4. Rejoice in Christ opening blind eyes and unstopping deaf ears so you can drink from streams in the desert and walk in the Way of Holiness with eternal joy
5. Choose to depend on Christ causing people to make fun of you instead of accepting immediate benefits for personal gain
6. Receive God's deliverance from evil forces instead of making peace with them

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Not Making Christ Lord (Insights in NT)

8/4/2011

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Just because you have knowledge of the Bible, believe that God exists, go to church, your social media profile says "Christian," you visibly seem like a Christian, speak Christian language and simply say Jesus is Lord, does not mean you are making Jesus your Lord in the church. We prove that Christ is not our Lord when His authority is questioned or undermined in ministry, or when He is rejected as the foundation of the church. This lack of faith is also evidenced by a fear of men and a focus on appearances, disbelief in supernatural transformation of people, unbelief in His victory over the world, flesh and devil, and the pursuit of power and position instead of serving the disenfranchised.

Religious leaders asked who was giving Jesus authority when He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel. Jesus asked if John's baptism was from heaven or from men. Since the religious leaders wouldn't answer his question, neither did Jesus answer them (Lk. 20:1-8). Question or undermine Jesus' authority for ministry.

Jesus told a parable about the owner of a vineyard sending three slaves to vine-growers to get produce. Each time they beat the slave and sent him away empty-handed. When the owner sent his beloved son who was killed by the vine-growers, he planned to destroy them and give the vineyard to others. Jesus said, "The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief cornerstone. Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust" (Lk. 20:9-18). Christ rejected as the foundation to His church.

The religious leaders feared the people, and tried to kill and catch Jesus in what He said, because they knew He spoke this parable against them. They asked if was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not. Jesus detected their trickery and taking a denarius, said to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." They marveled at His answer and became silent (Lk. 20:19-26). Desiring others' approval and a focus on appearances.

Christ told the Sadducees who believe in no resurrection that people marry on earth but are like angels and unmarried in heaven. The dead are raised since He is God of the living. The Sadducees lost courage to question Him any longer (Lk. 20:27-40). Disbelief in supernatural transformation of people.

Christ asked how they could say that He is David's son when he called Him 'Lord.' David said to the Lord to sit at His right hand until made His enemies a footstool for His feet (Lk. 20:41-44). Unbelief in Christ's victory over the world, flesh and devil.

Christ told His disciples to beware of the scribes who love respectful greetings and chief seats in the synagogues but devour widows' houses and offer long prayers for appearance's sake. They will receive greater condemnation (Lk. 20:45-47). Pursuit of power and position instead of serving the disenfranchised.

The following tests show if you are not making Christ Lord:
1. Question or undermine Christ's authority in ministry
2. Reject Christ as foundation of the church
3. Desiring others' approval and a focus on appearances
4. Disbelief in supernatural transformation of people
5. Unbelief in Christ's victory over the world, flesh and devil
6. Pursuit of power and position instead of serving the disenfranchised.

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When Foundations Are Being Destroyed, We Have A Deliverer!

7/16/2010

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Life is hard. Daily, each of us face complexity and rough waters. We experience heartache and disappointments. A slight from a friend or cold shoulder at work can throw us for a loop. Life is unfair. Growing up has its own issues. The most influential time that shapes who we are comes during the ages of 0 to 18. Since none of us had perfect parents, we come into our present relationships with scars and baggage. The sins of our fathers has been passed down, even to the third and fourth generations (Ex. 34:7). The first part, lovingkindness, sounds great, but the second part, the stain of sin cripples and often hangs on in spite of our best efforts to remove it.

What can we do? The first step is taking refuge in God (Ps. 11:1). Putting our trust in anything or anyone besides God causes further heartache. Hoping that a spouse, child, job or hobby will provide our peace disappoints everytime. Only God delivers!

In addition, the foundations of society are crumbling. Government, our economic system and community support networks are under-funded without adequate resources or will to serve the public. The Psalmist asked why? (Ps. 11:3). Fortunately, God is not silent, but active. He tests every person on earth (Ps. 11:4-5). He literally examines each of us to assess the degree of integrity or wholeness in our lives. God loves righteousness, fairness or virtue but hates unrighteousness, oppression, cruelty or injustice.

You might say to yourself, "That's great! Is God going to leave me in my present state when everything seems to be falling apart? What's the use! I can't attain God's standards!" God has given us His word, not self-help strategies. His word is different than what we hear from humankind. It's pure! It's been tested! It's been refined seven times (Ps. 12:6).

All of us experience heartache like the Psalmist. We aren't happy with our careers, family or station in life. Other people seem to have more than us. We know character development is important, but it seems like an unattainable goal. Two steps forward and three steps back (Ps. 13:1-4).

But I have good news for you. We have a deliverer beyond anything the world has to offer. If we place our confidence in His lovingkindness, we obtain mercy and kindness. We get off the treadmill of performance and New Year's resolutions. Isn't it great to have someone for us instead of against us? God works on our team as our cheerleader (Ps. 13:5).

Because of such good news, we can rejoice in His salvation, which literally means help, victory and welfare. Not just in our spiritual lives but his salvation impacts every part of us: physical, mental and emotional deliverance (Ps. 13:6).

How do we obtain this deliverance? Looking back at Psalm 11-13, I observe the following applications God requires:
1. Take refuge in the Lord (Ps. 11:1)
2. Behold His face (Ps. 11:7)
3. Trust in His lovingkindness (Ps. 13:5a)
4. Rejoice in His salvation (Ps. 13:5b)
5. Sing to the Lord (Ps. 13:6a)

Are you saturating your mind, emotions and will in God's word? He is our deliverer!

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