Prayer: Lord please make me a man after your heart. Give me the grace to live out the destiny you have laid down for my life and to do your will in all areas of my life. Thank you for blessing me with everything and everyone you have put into my life. You are the awesome God and I will forever praise you. Amen.
Verse of the Day: "After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' (Acts 13:22)
Worship Song of the Day: Hosanna by Brooke Fraser
Good morning everyone. It seems like forever since I have posted. I feel like I want to share with you a little about our study from church last Sunday about David. David is a very intriguing man. He was the lowest regarded of his brothers yet God chose him to replace Saul who by all rights seemed like a good king. However as pastor David told us Saul's heart wasn't quite right. When he defied God he failed to have a repentant heart about it. He made excuses and tried to justify himself. For that reason God rejected him and selected David whom he called "A man after My own heart".
David had his struggles no doubt. I mean this man was a murderer and adulterer among other things. So what I found fascinating was how God determined that David and not Saul was the man after his heart. Pastor David said something that struck me and that was the fact that in many peoples earthly eyes you would see what David had done vs. what Saul had done and think David was way worse. However, God looks at different things than man. God does not see one sin and worse than another. God looks at your heart and he saw that Saul was a man full of rebellion and would not admit and turn from that rebellion. David on the other hand was humble and repentant and God saw that in him.
This statement alone should give you some serious hope. This was pointing to God's grace already. God already saw David's heart desired after God's will and was truly contrite after committing his grievous sins. So it was already pointing to the grace of God to say you can never screw up bad enough for me to not love you. He just desires you own up to your sin and repent. A repentant heart is a true heart of worship. Look at David. The guy wrote most of the psalms which where the worship songs of the Israelites. David was a true man. He was both warrior and poet. He embraced his warrior nature and yet was gentle enough to write songs and poems.
His humble and repentant heart helped him to be a true worshipper of God. The bible says God desires people who worship in Spirit and in Truth. The power behind David's psalms weren't just that they were true but that they came from his heart. Remember its a heart God has said was after His own. One thing I have often on this blog is that any activity can be worship if its done with the right heart or mind towards God.
I have a confession with a good ending. My wife and I had not been tithing the last few years even though we sort of knew we should. Recently we started tithing again and God is right about one thing. This is indeed something to test him in. We didn't know how we would make it giving God 10%. We make it by but not by some great excess and to sacrifice 10% of our income seemed to be more than we could do. But immediately upon our being faithful to do so. God in turn began living up to his faithfulness and we have had no added financial stress to speak of. In fact God has continued to bless us in many ways. I would encourage you to Tithe. The first fruits of our labor belong to God. If we keep it we are in essence stealing from God. Also on this point its the only time in the Bible that god tells us to test him in something. Be faithful and give with a cheerful heart and God will return to you and multiply that which you have. On that note we shall end for today.
Love you guys and blessings to you and praise to the Great I Am our king Jesus.
Your Brother in Christ,
Brian
Friday, June 15, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Sinful Desire
Prayer: Lord please help me keep my thoughts ever on you and off of impure thoughts. Lead me safely through the valley of temptation so that I can continue to walk strong in the faith. Thank you for your love and understanding it leaves me in awe every day. Amen
Verse of the Day: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13(NIV)
Worship Song of the Day: Overcome by Jon Egan
Today I want to talk a bit about standing up to temptation and correcting our own fleshly desires. This is a difficult thing to me as it is for most believers. Denying our flesh and resisting temptation is one of the toughest parts of our daily walk. We are constantly deceived by Satan who is very very good at his job as deceiver. Sometimes Satan has to work hard to deceive but most of the time we ,as Christians, make it very easy on him by having our focus in other places than where it belongs, with Christ.
Satan also has an easy go of deceiving us because of a lack of knowledge of God's word. I've said before how vital reading God's word is but I want to let you know that if you hope to defend yourself against the arrows of sin that Satan launches in your direction you better know the word so you can stand up to him with scripture. Our authority comes from Christ who is the living word of God. Not reading the bible would be like trying to fight a war with a water balloon instead of an M16 or using a golf cart with a water gun attached instead of a Tank. Don't get caught in the battlefield without your weapons.
The best part about temptation is that the word says temptation will never be too great for us to stand up to it. If you seek God's heart and resist the devil he will flee from you. Be ready though as you start walking in faith and resisting him cause if he can't tempt you he will try to knock you down with other trials in your life. He will try to discourage you and make you give up or change your focus to some problem you are dealing with in your life and then when you are most vulnerable he will come in and entice you into sinful desires.
We were created by God to worship so if you aren't worshipping God then you will worship something. It could be yourself, video games(guilty before), movies, TV, Money(how many of us on this one), or for the musicians out there how about your gift for music. It can be easy to focus on the creation and not the creator. When your focus switches to the creation from the creator God then you are wrong. Do all things to the glory of God in Christ Jesus.
Helping to control fleshly desire is largely about where your focus remains throughout your day. Is your mind always on the things of the kingdom? Let your mind focus where it needs to be to accomplish a task but a part of your mind should always be focused on Jesus. Its hard to do. I struggle with that a lot but I have noticed that I don't sin while I'm truly focused on Jesus. When my mind and heart wander is when I fall into the trap of temptation. Jesus told us that all the thins he did we will have power to do and greater than that. Well the Bible says that Jesus was tempted in every way and yet he stood up to the temptation because of having the fullness of the Holy Spirit in him. We now have that gift as well and have the power to fight off the evil one.
Fight hard and be blessed. Praise to the Lion of Judah who sits on the throne.
Your Brother in Christ,
Brian
Verse of the Day: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13(NIV)
Worship Song of the Day: Overcome by Jon Egan
Today I want to talk a bit about standing up to temptation and correcting our own fleshly desires. This is a difficult thing to me as it is for most believers. Denying our flesh and resisting temptation is one of the toughest parts of our daily walk. We are constantly deceived by Satan who is very very good at his job as deceiver. Sometimes Satan has to work hard to deceive but most of the time we ,as Christians, make it very easy on him by having our focus in other places than where it belongs, with Christ.
Satan also has an easy go of deceiving us because of a lack of knowledge of God's word. I've said before how vital reading God's word is but I want to let you know that if you hope to defend yourself against the arrows of sin that Satan launches in your direction you better know the word so you can stand up to him with scripture. Our authority comes from Christ who is the living word of God. Not reading the bible would be like trying to fight a war with a water balloon instead of an M16 or using a golf cart with a water gun attached instead of a Tank. Don't get caught in the battlefield without your weapons.
The best part about temptation is that the word says temptation will never be too great for us to stand up to it. If you seek God's heart and resist the devil he will flee from you. Be ready though as you start walking in faith and resisting him cause if he can't tempt you he will try to knock you down with other trials in your life. He will try to discourage you and make you give up or change your focus to some problem you are dealing with in your life and then when you are most vulnerable he will come in and entice you into sinful desires.
We were created by God to worship so if you aren't worshipping God then you will worship something. It could be yourself, video games(guilty before), movies, TV, Money(how many of us on this one), or for the musicians out there how about your gift for music. It can be easy to focus on the creation and not the creator. When your focus switches to the creation from the creator God then you are wrong. Do all things to the glory of God in Christ Jesus.
Helping to control fleshly desire is largely about where your focus remains throughout your day. Is your mind always on the things of the kingdom? Let your mind focus where it needs to be to accomplish a task but a part of your mind should always be focused on Jesus. Its hard to do. I struggle with that a lot but I have noticed that I don't sin while I'm truly focused on Jesus. When my mind and heart wander is when I fall into the trap of temptation. Jesus told us that all the thins he did we will have power to do and greater than that. Well the Bible says that Jesus was tempted in every way and yet he stood up to the temptation because of having the fullness of the Holy Spirit in him. We now have that gift as well and have the power to fight off the evil one.
Fight hard and be blessed. Praise to the Lion of Judah who sits on the throne.
Your Brother in Christ,
Brian
Monday, June 4, 2012
Our Worship Battle
Prayer: Lord may my worship to you always be as incense that is a pleasing aroma. May you ever move my heart in worship and reveal yourself more deeply to me in my walk with you. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do. Its in Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Verse of the Day: "May my prayer be counted as incense before you; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering." Psalm 141:2(NASB)
Worship Song of the Day: One Thing Remains by Brian Johnson, Christa Black & Jeremy Riddle
I wanted to talk a bit today about some worship concepts and what I think makes worship great. All too often in the past I have looked for music that had a catchy tune ,but more recently I have started looking for songs that really reflect my heart in worship no matter the tune associated to it. I believe it is more important what the song says than how it sounds. We can't get much better in a worship song than singing direct words of the bible that describe God and what he has done.
The best worship song writers do this so well. Your Chris Tomlins and Matt Redmans of the worship world write powerful music because it speaks to the awesomeness of our creator. Songs like 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman are great examples of what I am talking about. The song is taken right out of scripture. There a many countless songs like that as well. Almost all worship music has its concepts at least taken from scriputre but I find some of the most powerful worship is worship that takes its lyrics directly from scripture.
I have said this before but Worship is not about what you sing or the instruments used. Its about a response to the moving of God in your heart. Worship is not a spectator sport. We are active duty in the army of the Lord. Basic training is like reading the word. It is the manual that all believers need to be intimately familiar with to be a successful warrior for God. Worshiping puts you on the front lines of the war though. In the old testament when the Israelites would go to fight a battle it was the priests and worshipers that went before the army to seal up the victory for the children of God. In God's warfare worship is the weapon at the forefront of the battle. So if knowing the bible is our basic training then worshiping in spirit and in truth(John 4:24) is the first weapon we as believers need to know how to use. Worship gives us strength to fight in the battle. It is also warfare itself. When you worship as John 4:24 says then Satan is cringing and cowering. When you worship you put the enemy on the run. So seek out worship music that accurately reflects the character of God and find lyrics you can honestly sing in Spirit and Truth.
Don't sing just to sing. If the words are not in your heart then be silent and seek out God's heart while worship is happening. You have to believe the words in your heart for your worship of God to be truly effective. Don't be a casual worshiper. Be a professional. This doesn't mean you have to have a perfect voice or be able to play an instrument even. It means to sell out in worship. Give your wholeself to God in that act. We are all priests of God in Christ. So participate in worship. You were called and God wants speak to you in worship.
Well lets leave it there for today. Remember to be active duty and don't set back in the reserves. Its our battle to fight and worship prepares us and helps us fight that battle. Always praise God in all you do.
Your Brother in Christ,
Brian
Verse of the Day: "May my prayer be counted as incense before you; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering." Psalm 141:2(NASB)
Worship Song of the Day: One Thing Remains by Brian Johnson, Christa Black & Jeremy Riddle
I wanted to talk a bit today about some worship concepts and what I think makes worship great. All too often in the past I have looked for music that had a catchy tune ,but more recently I have started looking for songs that really reflect my heart in worship no matter the tune associated to it. I believe it is more important what the song says than how it sounds. We can't get much better in a worship song than singing direct words of the bible that describe God and what he has done.
The best worship song writers do this so well. Your Chris Tomlins and Matt Redmans of the worship world write powerful music because it speaks to the awesomeness of our creator. Songs like 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman are great examples of what I am talking about. The song is taken right out of scripture. There a many countless songs like that as well. Almost all worship music has its concepts at least taken from scriputre but I find some of the most powerful worship is worship that takes its lyrics directly from scripture.
I have said this before but Worship is not about what you sing or the instruments used. Its about a response to the moving of God in your heart. Worship is not a spectator sport. We are active duty in the army of the Lord. Basic training is like reading the word. It is the manual that all believers need to be intimately familiar with to be a successful warrior for God. Worshiping puts you on the front lines of the war though. In the old testament when the Israelites would go to fight a battle it was the priests and worshipers that went before the army to seal up the victory for the children of God. In God's warfare worship is the weapon at the forefront of the battle. So if knowing the bible is our basic training then worshiping in spirit and in truth(John 4:24) is the first weapon we as believers need to know how to use. Worship gives us strength to fight in the battle. It is also warfare itself. When you worship as John 4:24 says then Satan is cringing and cowering. When you worship you put the enemy on the run. So seek out worship music that accurately reflects the character of God and find lyrics you can honestly sing in Spirit and Truth.
Don't sing just to sing. If the words are not in your heart then be silent and seek out God's heart while worship is happening. You have to believe the words in your heart for your worship of God to be truly effective. Don't be a casual worshiper. Be a professional. This doesn't mean you have to have a perfect voice or be able to play an instrument even. It means to sell out in worship. Give your wholeself to God in that act. We are all priests of God in Christ. So participate in worship. You were called and God wants speak to you in worship.
Well lets leave it there for today. Remember to be active duty and don't set back in the reserves. Its our battle to fight and worship prepares us and helps us fight that battle. Always praise God in all you do.
Your Brother in Christ,
Brian
Friday, June 1, 2012
Service to Others
Prayer: Lord will you give me a deeper heart of service to others. I want to thank you for coming and dying for my sins and I want to live for you. I want to have a heart for service like you had and to live out the very definition of being a Christian. In your name Lord Jesus. Amen
Verse of the Day: "Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him." John 13:5(ESV)
Worship Song of the Day: You Said by Reuben Morgan
Well it occurred to me as I was praying that service to others is what Christ was all about and what better way to worship him than to do something for others. Depending on the task I have never minded helping someone out but, It would be a total lie to say I have not said no to helping someone just cause I thought I had something better to do. I think to an extent we have all done that. When we put our own selfish desire above that of God and even to some extent others then we are guilty of sin. It is our duty to serve those in need as Christians.
To look further at that Jesus said after having finished washing his disciples feet. "You call me teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that you should do just as I have done to you."(John 13:13-15).
Jesus gives us a greater calling. Too often as Christians I think we have a tendency to think of ourselves above such service but even our Lord Jesus humbled himself to the washing of the feet of men far less great than himself. Jesus has also said that those who are the least among you will be the first in the kingdom of heaven and those who are greatest among you will be the least in the kingdom. What do you do in joyful service for your fellow man?
Sometimes I find it hard to answer this question because I'm still trying to develop my heart for service. I have spent a lot of my life being pretty selfish and only by God's grace is that starting to change. It is still a challenge and one that I don't often meet very well. One simple way you can serve others is even volunteering at church as a greeter or usher. Its a simple act of service that takes 1 day a week. Next time someone asks you for help think twice before you turn down the opportunity to serve.
I can guarantee there are plenty of volunteer opportunities out there in your community in which you can serve your fellow man but even without that there are people in your life that need your help so serve with a joyful heart.
Another situation is that sometimes I think we as a people can be a bit prideful and not want to accept help from others. Don't be to proud to seek out help if you need it. If someone offers there help don't be afraid to accept it. Pride never got anyone anywhere. I know a lot of proud people that have lost everything because they wouldn't accept help from anyone. I have that tendency myself to want to get by on my own and not ask my friends or family for help but I learned a long time ago that if I need the help then there is no shame in asking. Let others worship God through service to you if you need it. Our second commandment Christ gave us is to love our neighbor as ourselves. Give yourself the chance to show people that love through service and in turn you will be worshiping God with your heart of service.
Well we have come to the end of another post. If you have noticed I am not posting every day anymore and part of that is so I can reflect more on what I want to share and also so I am not consuming too much time on this Blog so I can put some of the things we are talking about in it into practice. Shalom and all praise to our Wonderful Counselor Jesus Christ.
Your Brother in Christ,
Brian
Verse of the Day: "Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him." John 13:5(ESV)
Worship Song of the Day: You Said by Reuben Morgan
Well it occurred to me as I was praying that service to others is what Christ was all about and what better way to worship him than to do something for others. Depending on the task I have never minded helping someone out but, It would be a total lie to say I have not said no to helping someone just cause I thought I had something better to do. I think to an extent we have all done that. When we put our own selfish desire above that of God and even to some extent others then we are guilty of sin. It is our duty to serve those in need as Christians.
To look further at that Jesus said after having finished washing his disciples feet. "You call me teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that you should do just as I have done to you."(John 13:13-15).
Jesus gives us a greater calling. Too often as Christians I think we have a tendency to think of ourselves above such service but even our Lord Jesus humbled himself to the washing of the feet of men far less great than himself. Jesus has also said that those who are the least among you will be the first in the kingdom of heaven and those who are greatest among you will be the least in the kingdom. What do you do in joyful service for your fellow man?
Sometimes I find it hard to answer this question because I'm still trying to develop my heart for service. I have spent a lot of my life being pretty selfish and only by God's grace is that starting to change. It is still a challenge and one that I don't often meet very well. One simple way you can serve others is even volunteering at church as a greeter or usher. Its a simple act of service that takes 1 day a week. Next time someone asks you for help think twice before you turn down the opportunity to serve.
I can guarantee there are plenty of volunteer opportunities out there in your community in which you can serve your fellow man but even without that there are people in your life that need your help so serve with a joyful heart.
Another situation is that sometimes I think we as a people can be a bit prideful and not want to accept help from others. Don't be to proud to seek out help if you need it. If someone offers there help don't be afraid to accept it. Pride never got anyone anywhere. I know a lot of proud people that have lost everything because they wouldn't accept help from anyone. I have that tendency myself to want to get by on my own and not ask my friends or family for help but I learned a long time ago that if I need the help then there is no shame in asking. Let others worship God through service to you if you need it. Our second commandment Christ gave us is to love our neighbor as ourselves. Give yourself the chance to show people that love through service and in turn you will be worshiping God with your heart of service.
Well we have come to the end of another post. If you have noticed I am not posting every day anymore and part of that is so I can reflect more on what I want to share and also so I am not consuming too much time on this Blog so I can put some of the things we are talking about in it into practice. Shalom and all praise to our Wonderful Counselor Jesus Christ.
Your Brother in Christ,
Brian
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