Preventing Knee-Jerk Reactions~Barry Werner


Preventing Knee-Jerk Reactions

At times, every leader will display negative personality traits or knee-jerk reactions that don’t seem to fit with the rest of their leadership package. They demonstrate excellent leadership skills 95-99% of the time but once in a great while they have an unpredicted outburst or go silent or won’t face a problem or… They have tried to modify their behavior but that doesn’t solve the spontaneous unexpected reaction they have to some isolated situations.

When a leader simply tries to modify a behavior (theirs or a teammate’s) and does not get to the root cause underlying the behavior it is like pushing a beach ball under water. The moment they release their grip the ball (the behavior) will pop to the surface. This is most often seen at moments of stress. Wise leaders use behavior patterns to indicate character or value issues that need to be corrected.

In “Teaching Smart People How to Learn” from the Harvard Business Review (May-June 1991) Chris Argyris coined the terms “Single Loop Learning” and “Double Loop Learning.” He used the term to differentiate learning that solves an immediate problem (”Single-Loop Learning”) from learning that addresses the root causes of problems (”Double-Loop Learning”). The single loop tends to be the easy one where leaders simply teach themselves or their teammate how to modify behavior i.e. stopping their angry outbursts, but the second loop forces the person to deal with the anger that generated the outburst. The second loop around the issue is more difficult but is essential to truly solve the problem. Wise leaders take themselves and help their team to take the second loop around the issue and discover and change the character flaw that created the problem.

In John 21:15-19 Jesus modeled the Double Loop discipline. To set the background, Peter had failed Jesus miserably when he abandoned his mentor and friend at Jesus’ hour of great need. Scripture indicates Peter was humiliated and degraded.

Jesus reconstructed Peter without addressing his behavior at all. There was no lecture on commitment or dedication, no finger pointing or blame that Peter had denied that he even knew Jesus but three times Jesus forced Peter to examine the root of the problem. While Peter’s behavior problem was important, Jesus knew that a change wouldn’t last unless the root of the behavior was addressed.

Leaders committed to God’s best in their personal service and for their team will pay attention to Double-Loop Learning: first time around the loop - behavior; second time around the loop - values and attitudes that drive behavior. Effective leaders do not stop after one time around the learning loop.

Memorize Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

What a Choice~David Miller


What a Choice

They answered the king, "As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and exposed before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord 's chosen one." So the king said, "I will give them to you."

The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul. But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah's daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul's daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed and exposed them on a hill before the LORD. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning.
2 Samuel 21:5-9

David had inquired of the Lord when there had been a famine in the land for three years. The Lord revealed that "It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death." So David went to the Gibeonites to ask them how he could make amends with them. They responded that "let seven of Saul's male descendants be given to us to be killed and exposed before the LORD." So David went and chose seven and handed them over to the Gibeonites, skipping over a few he knew personally.

A man I knew was working for the United Nations in Iraq when Saddam Hussein was still in power. Word on the street came that he and his family had to be out of town the next day. They could choose one Iraqi family - and only one - to go with them. The remaining Iraqi UN workers would remain and would most certainly be killed for associating themselves with the United Nations. Think of that! One family, all other co-workers and their families would meet their deaths! Needless to say, this husband and wife had to undergo some serious counseling when they returned home.

There are Believers in many countries who must make these choices regularly, the choices that you and I will never have to make. And those who have persecuted Christians have no feelings for your children, your wife, your husband, your friends, your fellow Believers. Satan has guided these people into believing that persecuting Christians is a way to squelch the movement!

Pray for that persecuted pastor who must make impossible decisions knife or a gun at his throat. Pray for the Believer who will lose a limb because he has not nor will not deny Christ to his captors.

Pray that you might have compassion in this area and get involved. The Bible describes these believers as people for whom "the world was not worthy of them." Pray for them like you've never prayed before.

Voice of the Martyrs

"Utmost with the Least Most": DIVINE CONTROL~Michael James Stone

"Utmost with the Least Most":
DIVINE CONTROL
July 16, 2009


THE NOTION OF DIVINE CONTROL- by Oswald Chambers

How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give
good things to them that ask Him?

Matthew 7:11


Jesus is laying down rules of conduct for those who have His Spirit.
By the simple argument of these verses He urges us to keep our minds
filled with the notion of God's control behind every thing, which
means that the disciple must maintain an attitude of perfect trust
and an eagerness to ask and to seek.

Notion your mind with the idea that God is there. If once the mind is
notioned along that line, then when you are in difficulties it is as
easy as breathing to remember - Why, my Father knows all about it! It
is not an effort, it comes naturally when perplexities press. Before,
you used to go to this person and that, but now the notion of the
Divine control is forming so powerfully in you that you go to God
about it. Jesus is laying down the rules of conduct for those who
have His Spirit, and it works on this principle - God is my Father,
He loves me, I shall never think of anything He will forget, why
should I worry?

There are times, says Jesus, when God cannot lift the darkness from
you, but trust Him. God will appear like an unkind friend, but He is
not; He will appear like an unnatural Father, but He is not; He will
appear like an unjust judge, but He is not. Keep the notion of the
mind of God behind all things strong and growing. Nothing happens in
any particular unless God's will is behind it, therefore you can rest
in perfect confidence in Him. Prayer is not only asking, but an
attitude of mind which produces the atmosphere in which asking is
perfectly natural. "Ask, and it shall be given you."


-------
God is in control.

Whether I know it or not, act like it or not, He is in control. The universe works, my world is ok, because he is in control. Now if he could only only control me.

Often I wonder, Is he in control of me?

I may not always be sure who is in control of me, but I know God is in control and with that I can rest assured that either by internal connection, or external protection, God is in control of my life.

Is he Yours?

He is you know......, conviction or confirmation, you have the Holy Spirit to assure you that no matter the circumstance, there is no coincidence with God. Every moment of your life he is ready, willing, and able to meet you in it.

Right where you are, in the midst of your challenges, or your success. God is there, whether you see him or not, hear Him or ignore Him.

Jesus came to assure us that no matter how we may think, what we may do, or ideas we may have about God, He is our Father and He is always there. Jesus said, not only is He our Father, but when we call, he will hear, when we ask he will answer.

Jesus called us as His own so we could be assured of that.

We have but to Trust Him and what he has said, Not what we feel or do.

"Trust in the Lord, with all thy heart, lean not into thy own understanding.
In all thy ways, acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path"

Do you trust Him?


Father,
Be with us as we seek to give you our love.
Help us to obey when we need to trust you.
When we do not, forgive us.
When we fail, help us.
Be our God in all we do as seek to know you today.
I pray for all of us,

In Jesus name,

Amen.

God bless you.

Michael James Stone

July 16th One Year Bible Readings


July 16th One Year Bible Readings

1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32 ~ Romans 3:9-31 ~ Psalm 12:1-8 ~ Proverbs 19:13-14
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~


Old Testament - Today's readings in First Chronicles chapter 22 reminded me that none of us does anything in life on our own. We always rely on those that came before us. We stand on the shoulders of our ancestors. The thing that made me think about this was how many preparations David worked on for his son Solomon to then later build the Temple of the Lord. Solomon would not have been able to build the Temple as quickly (or probably as well) without his father David's help. Solomon was standing on the shoulders of his father David. Do you realize that many good things that have happened in your life are thanks to those that came before you? Do you realize you are standing on the shoulders of your parents, your teachers, your pastors, and your community leaders? And, to take this a step further, do you realize that in the future people will be standing on your shoulders? They are going to need your shoulders! So, like David was making preparations for his son Solomon and the future Temple of the Lord, are you making preparations for others in your life for their future? Perhaps even for people you may never meet? Let us always remember we are standing on the shoulders of those that came before us - and that there will be others who will need to stand on our shoulders in the future!

Shoulders

Okay, quick flashback to yesterday's readings - you'll recall we finished up the readings with David buying Araunah's threshing floor to build an altar to the Lord to offer sacrifices on to stop the plague (which occurred due to the sin of the census). Well, to continue the story, today in First Chronicles 22 verse 1 we read this: "Then David said, "This will be the location for the Temple of the LORD God and the place of the altar for Israel's burnt offerings!" This is Araunauh's threshing floor that is going to be the location for the Temple. The very interesting note about Araunah's threshing floor is that it is believed to have been located on Mount Moriah! Yes, the same Mt. Moriah where Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac. And the same spot where the Temple was to be built by Solomon! So, this brings to light the importance of David actually buying the threshing floor from Araunah and not just taking it for free, as was offered in yesterday's readings. David not only bought the threshing floor to build the altar for the burnt & peace offerings, but he bought the land for the Temple of the Lord to soon be built on by his son Solomon! Below is an image of Araunah the Jebusite offering his threshing floor to David:

Shoulders

New Testament - Today in Romans chapter 3 verses 22 through 24 we read – “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Please take a moment to re-read these verses and meditate upon them. How do they speak to you? Do you believe that humans are righteous on our own? (One way to consider this is to imagine what a city would look like without a police force, for example – think we would just naturally be good and kind and righteous to each other? Or might there be crime and maybe even anarchy and survival of the fittest – ala Lord of the Flies. . . ) Do you believe God is righteous? Do you believe we can be made righteous before God through faith in Jesus? Have you sinned and fallen short of the glory of God? Are you justified freely by God’s grace and through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ?

Romans3_23

I want to focus a bit more on verse 24 because I think this is one of the most important concepts for us to understand: we "are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Justified. That's an important word to understand! Per the NIV Study Bible, Paul uses the Greek verb for justified 27 times, mostly in the letters of Romans and Galatians. The term describes what happens when people believe in Jesus as their Savior. God declares them to not be guilty and credits (or imputes) righteousness to them. Jesus' righteousness is credited to believers as their own, with a few key characteristics that we read in verse 24 (look at this verse above again): 1. It is freely given as a gift, 2. by God's grace, 3. through the redemptive act of Jesus on the Cross, where He paid the price for our sins and redeemed us, 4. and through faith. Got all this? :) Have you been justified with the free gift of grace and faith through Christ's redemption? If not, today will you dive into the river of everlasting justification through faith in our Lord Jesus? Please jump into the river of faith!

Bellyflop

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Romans 3 titled "Some Bad News, And Good News" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 12 verses 1 & 2 are intriguing verses for me - "Help, O LORD, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth! Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and insincere hearts." Are there days when you feel like this? I think there are some days when I do... but not too many. I guess I sometimes wonder about the state of my heart - or if I've gotten enough sleep the night before :) - when I feel like this Psalmist does. It is interesting how this verse goes into people talking with "flattering lips and insincere hearts". I do notice right away when that's happening... particularly the insincerity. Maybe this is something we should ask of ourselves - do we talk at times with flattering lips or insincere hearts? Or are we sincere people? I like that thought... being a sincere person. I pray that we all are and can become more and more "sincere" in our dealings with each other and that we would just simply be sincere people. Are you a sincere person? Do you want to be sincere? Was Jesus a sincere person?

Proverbs - Proverbs 19:14 today teaches us: "Parents can provide their sons with an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the LORD can give an understanding wife." This is interesting to consider in light of my "standing on the shoulders" comments in First Chronicles above. Parents may try to give us material things, but they can't provide us with an understanding spouse! A wise wife or husband is a gift from God. Praise God for the gift of understanding spouses in our lives!

Spouse

YouTube: Per my reflections on diving into the river of faith in Romans above, check out Steven Curtis Chapman's video for his awesome song "Dive!"

Have you Dived in to the River of Faith? Click here and Dive!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 (NIV)

Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

The Truth Promised to Set Us Free~Bob Hoekstra


The Truth Promised to Set Us Free

"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)

As we have seen, the Holy Spirit is promised as our guide into all the truths of God's word. "When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13). A related promise assures us that this truth will have a liberating impact upon our lives. "The truth shall make you free." This promise of spiritual liberation through the truths of God's word is such a vital one for man, because various forms of spiritual bondage threaten us all.

Everyone needs liberation from bondage to sin. Those who first heard this promise of Jesus needed instruction on this. "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'? Jesus answered them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin'" (John 8:33-34). This "whoever" includes us all, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). However, we can all praise God that His liberating truth can set us free from the bondage to sin. All who trust in the Lord Jesus are justified from their sins (declared righteous in God's sight) through the redemption price of the blood of Christ: "being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth to be a propitiation [satisfactory payment for sin] by His blood, through faith" (Romans 3:24-25).

The fear of death is another bondage from which people need liberation. Hebrews speaks of those "who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Hebrews 2:15). What a tormenting bondage is the fear of death! Yet, Jesus' liberating truth can deal with this bondage as well. "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26). All who believe in the one who is resurrection life will live forever. Even if they should experience physical death, the grave has no grip on them. In fact, though their bodies may go into a tomb, they would go immediately into the presence of the Lord. "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Dear God of truth, I rejoice in the freedom that comes through Your truth! Thank You for setting me free from the bondage of condemnation and judgment that I deserved because of my sin. I praise You for liberation from the fear of death. May I live victoriously by these truths and pass them on to others who need to be set free, in Your holy name, Amen.

Now therefore perform the doing of it~Jon Courson

Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

2 Corinthians 8:11

‘You’ve expressed the desire to give,’ Paul says. ‘Now do it.’

Herein lies a great danger for us, for one of the great hazards of Bible study is thinking that by writing something in our notes or agreeing with it in our hearts, we’re actually doing whatever it is we’re writing down or agreeing with. James likens this to one who looks in a mirror and realizes there should be some changes made, but doesn’t do anything about it (James 1:23-24).

‘Happy are ye if ye do these things,’ Jesus said (John 13:17). If you’re basically unhappy, melancholy, depressed, discouraged, or defeated, the reason could very well be that there is something the Lord has told you to do with which you agree theoretically, but which you have failed to work out practically.

Her physical condition rendered her ceremonially unclean for twelve years. That is, her husband would divorce her; the community would shun her; she would not be allowed to worship in the temple. But then the Rabbi from Galilee walked through her city. Thinking if she could even touch the hem of His garment, she might be healed, she did just that — causing Jesus to call her something He never called any other women when He said, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you whole,’ (Matthew 9:22). What faith? Just a simple touch.

Forget the big plans, the high hopes, the visions of grandeur. Just do something now. Open your heart. Share with the person who’s struggling financially. Write a letter of encouragement. Pray for the person who’s hurting. Do something. Do anything. Just do it. The blessing is not in agreeing — it’s in doing.

We are free to live for God.~David McGee


Thursday, July 16th 2009
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Romans 6:18

"And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness."
NKJV

Life Lesson

We are free to live for God.

---------------------

If you are a Christian, the shackles of sin are shattered and you are free. Having been in bondage to sin, you are now free to live in Christ. Friend, remain fast in that freedom! Although free from the fetters of bondage, should you slip the shackles back on your wrists? Certainly not! Yet we do that, don't we? Why tarry in a dungeon with the door open? Let's leave the brig behind.

John 8:34-36 "Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." NKJV

Friend, be victorious. Not in your own strength, but in yielding to the Holy Spirit. We cannot live the Christian life under our own capacity. We can live life through the power of God. Bread in a toaster will not become toast until you plug the toaster in. You cannot break the bondage of sin without Jesus. When plugged in, you are powerful. Are you plugged in?

Dear Father,
Thank You for saving me from my sins. Thank You for the gift of freedom through You. Please remind me of that freedom when I feel like a slave to the world. Help me live in liberty by the power of Your Spirit like You want and intend for me. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel of the Triad
reachthetriad.com
twitter.com/ccot

Strength to Endure~Bob Caldwell


Strength to Endure

1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ

The counsel Peter gave to these first century "pilgrims" of Christ is as relevant today as it was when first written. They were facing increasing persecution as well as commonly struggling with their former lives under sin's authority. It was vital that they develop strong minds prepared to withstand the onslaught of trials and temptations they were facing. Central to their strength in enduring the trials before them was their hope in the fulfillment of all they were promised eternally at Christ's return.

Their lives had been thrown into a fiery crucible that would have affected every area of life. To strengthen their resolve to endure, they had to "gird up" their minds with truth, truth that became a spiritual weapon that assured victory. This is still true for our generation today.

First, we must see our temporal suffering in light of a living hope in a risen savior who is keeping glorious and limitless riches that are ours for all eternity (v. 3-5). We must see this fallen world in light of our eternal glory. Secondly, we must have a right perspective on the trials and temptations that a fallen world and our own fallen nature will heap upon us. These difficulties provide a God-ordained role to purify and clarify the genuineness of our faith in Christ. They purify us by exposing the traits of our fallen nature that we may put those traits aside and in their place "put on" our new life in Christ (Eph. 3, 4). These trials also reveal if we have genuine faith or "fair-weather" faith.

Under trials of faith, many Christians have proven to be like "fair-weather" friends. As long as their friendship does not cause them discomfort, they will gladly be your friend. But such a friend is really not a friend at all. A true friend will stand with you in your deepest sorrows and your greatest joys equally. Even while we were His enemies, Christ suffered for us beyond what any of us can fathom. His love and His eternal friendship have certainly been tested and proved genuine. He asks the same of us. Therefore, when we joyfully suffer for Him in the fiery trials that our faith in Him brings upon us, we prove the genuineness of our faith in Him.

This faith in Him, at His return, will enable us to give Him a very special gift. Our faith, tested by fire, will prove how worthy and glorious He is of such total abandonment to Him. The truths surrounding our approach to trials and temptations have the power to "gird up" our minds and prepare us for victory.


1 Peter 1:1-25 Greeting to the Elect Pilgrims

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

A Heavenly Inheritance

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

Living Before God Our Father

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

The Enduring Word

22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 24 because

"All flesh is as grass,
And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,

25 But the word of the LORD endures forever."

Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.


1 Peter 1:1-25

v. 1 apostle – An apostle is more than just a follower or a disciple. Apostle (apostolos Gk.) means a delegate or a sent one, a messenger sent by a higher authority.

pilgrimsparepidemos (Gk.) sojourning in a strange place, a foreigner

dispersiondiaspora (Gk.) A scattering of Israelites among foreign nations or Christians scattered abroad among the Gentiles.

Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia – These are the providences where much of the Jewish Christians fled to as a result of persecution. Peter was writing this letter from Babylon (1 Peter 5:13).

v. 2 electeklektos (Gk.) Means chosen by God (1 Cor. 1:27, 28; Eph. 1:4-6; 1 Peter 2:4, 9; Rev. 17:14).
according to the foreknowledge of God – Foreknowledge, meaning knowledge before. In other words, God chose the people for salvation that He knew would choose Him.

the Father – In this context, Peter is specifically declaring the special relationship between God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. In a much broader sense, God is also the Creator and Father; the source of all things.

sanctification of the Spirit – Sanctification (hagiasmos Gk.) is the process of purifying or setting apart the believer from worldly priorities and values and separating them for God's will and His purposes. God's election will never be separate and distinct from sanctification.

obediencehupakoe (Gk.) Compliance, submission. God's ultimate objective for our lives is not just to take us to heaven, but to make us obedient, Christ-like children of His (1 Cor. 15:49-50, Eph. 4:15, Phil. 3:20-21).

sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ – The scriptures teach us that without the shedding of blood there there can be no remission of sins (Heb. 9:21-22). According to the Law of Moses, cleansing must take place through the sprinkling of the blood of animal sacrifice upon the person or object to be cleansed (Heb. 9:19-22, 11:28, 12:24). As the Jews in the OT were required to sacrifice a lamb for the forgiveness of sins, so, under the new covenant, Jesus has become our Lamb for all humanity who takes away the sins of the world.

gracecharis (Gk.) Grace is the undeserved kindness and blessing of God given freely to those in Christ.

peaceeirene (Gk.) Quietness, rest, security, safety. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict. The peace of God is the tranquility and security of being in a state of harmony and union with God regardless of external conflict.

v. 3 blessedeulogetos (Gk.) Well spoken of, praised. In context, this is praise to God.

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ – God, who is triune, is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father and the Son are separate persons within all God is, therefore they are declared to be One (John 10:30) and God (John 1:1-3).

mercyeleos (Gk.) Kindness or good will toward others, joined with a desire to help. In reference to justice, it is not getting what we deserve.

begottenanagennao (Gk.) To be born again, born anew. The same word is found in 1:23. Those who are true Christians have been "begotten" or "born" from above (John 3:3-7).

to a living hope – Though Jesus died for our sins he did not remain dead; He is risen. This truth gives us a living hope through a living Savior.
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead – All the blessings available to us as Christians are because of what Jesus did for us through His death, burial and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:3,4). His death provided forgiveness; His resurrection provided eternal life (1 Peter 3:21; Rom. 4:25, 5:10, 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:20; 1 Thess. 4:13).

v. 4 inheritancekleronomia (Gk.) What is given to one as a possession; the share which an individual will have in that eternal blessedness.

incorruptibleaphthartos (Gk.) not liable to corruption or decay, imperishable, immortal

undefiledamiantos (Gk.) pure and unsoiled

v. 5 who are kept by the power of God – Those who belong to Christ are kept from the evil one and from sin. Jesus promised to keep us by God's power (John 6:39-40).

faithpistis (Gk.) Persuasion, credence, or moral conviction, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; (Eph. 2:8-9).

salvationsoteria (Gk.) Deliverance, preservation, safety. In the NT, salvation refers directly to rescue from the power and consequences of sin.

in the last time – The end of time. All the magnificent things God has for the believer will not be revealed until the end of all things (2 Peter 3:9-13).

v. 7 genuinenessdokimion (Gk.) testing, proving, trustworthiness. That by which something is tried or proved, a test.

tested by fire – A process often used in purifying precious metals like silver and gold (Is. 48:10).

glorydoxa (Gk.) In the NT, this always refers to a good opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honor, and glory.

more precious than gold that perishes – There is nothing more valuable than genuine faith (Heb. 11:6). Faith is the channel by which we enter into right standing with God and experience His amazing grace (Rom. 5:1, Eph. 2:8). And the benefits of faith are eternal, while the benefits of gold are limited to this life only.

revelation of Jesus Christ – Revelation (apokalupsis Gk.) here means appearing, manifestation or coming. This refers to when Christ physically appears and all that is hidden will be revealed. This will be the ultimate, complete, setting right of all things (2 Cor. 5:10, Gal. 1:12, 1 Peter 1:7, 13, Rev. 1:1).

v. 8 whom having not seen you love – (Speaking of Jesus.) It is a miracle of faith that we could love someone we have never actually seen with our eyes. This is another picture of the miraculous work of genuine faith (John 20:29).

believingpisteuo (Gk.) To think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in; commit (to trust), put in trust with.

rejoiceagalliao (Gk.) glad, with exceeding joy

joy inexpressible – A genuine faith produces real joy even in the midst of trials with a delight that is inexpressible (2 Cor. 9:15).

v. 9 the end of your faith – Meaning the outcome or result of your faith.

salvation – The salvation of a soul is the rescuing of that soul from judgment of sin and eternal separation from God, and delivering that soul to eternity with God (Matt. 25:46, Heb. 10:39).

soulspsuche (Gk.) The breath of life. The soul is regarded as a moral being designed for everlasting life.

the prophets have inquired and searched carefully – Though the prophets of old prophesied about the coming of the Messiah and the "grace that would come," they still didn't see or understand the complete picture. So they searched the scriptures to try and know when (v. 11) the Christ would come.

v. 11 the Spirit of Christ – The Spirit of Christ was actually dwelling in the OT prophets. Throughout scripture this same Spirit is called "the Spirit of the Lord" (Jdg. 6:34, 1 Sam 10:6, Eze. 11:5) or "the Spirit of God" (1 Sam. 10:10, 19:23) or "the Spirit of Christ" (Rom. 8:9).

was in them indicating – This is speaking of Jesus Christ indwelling the prophets of old, prophesying details of His own coming through the Spirit of God in the OT (Ps. 22 and Is. 53).

sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow – This is the Gospel story (1 Cor. 15:1-4), speaking of the death and resurrection and the new covenant. This Gospel message can be found within many of the prophecies of the Old Testament (Ps. 16:10; Is. 7:14, 9:6-7).

v. 12 to them it was revealed – Speaking of OT divine revelation. God revealed facts about the coming Messiah to the prophets.

that not to themselves, but to us – Although the prophets didn't always understand everything that God had revealed to them, they still recorded those revelations for a future people (us), knowing that someday it would be understood by, and useful for, God's intended audience.

Gospeleuaggelizo (Gk.) Good news or glad tidings. The Gospel simply stated is the story of Jesus coming to save mankind (1 Tim. 1:14-16). The Gospel specifically pertains to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins and the eternal salvation of those who believe (1 Cor. 15:1-4, 2 Cor. 5:21).

by the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the third person of the Trinity (Matt. 28:19, 1 John 5:7).

sent from heaven – Again refers to the person of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:12, 2 Peter 1:21).

things which angels desire to look into – Though the angels dwell in the very presence of God, they are in awe of the work of grace being accomplished in us through the Holy Spirit in Jesus' name. The scriptures indicate that the angels of God are monitoring our spiritual progress with great longing, anticipation and joy (Luke 15:10, Heb. 12:1).

v. 13 gird up the loins of your mind – In ancient days both men and women wore long flowing robe-like garments. When it was time for actions such as running or hard work they would tie the length of their robes up to the loin (the waist) in order to give them freedom of movement. Peter is using this illustration as a metaphor to exhort us that we must prepare our minds for action in order to think and act without hindrances.

sobernepho (Gk.) To be calm and under control; clear-headed.

rest your hope – Rest here means to trust. Hope means to look forward for something to happen. Grace is the undeserved favor and blessing of God. Peter is exhorting his readers not to rest or trust in their own abilities or talents (Rom. 15:4, 13; 1 Peter 3:15; 1 John 3:3).

at the Revelation of Jesus Christ – Peter is saying that the full blessings Christians are waiting for will arrive at the appearing of Jesus Christ when He returns. So we must wait for Him patiently in hope. It is not in this life that we will receive the full reward for our faith, but in the next.

v. 14 obedient children – The New Covenant has made us children of God (John 1:12; Rom. 8:16, 21; 1 John 3:1, 2). Peter exhorts us here to be obedient (Phil. 2:15).

lusts – Peter is exhorting us not to go back to the sinful habits and thought patterns of our past now that we are born-again children of God.

ignorance – Peter is referring to a time when we lived in sin because we didn't know any better.

v. 15 holyhagios (Gk.) Pure, blameless, and set apart from all else. Perhaps the closest one-word English translation for holy is "other." God is "other." He cannot be categorized. He is not like anything or anybody else.

conduct – Peter is saying here that our actions and lifestyle should be different from the rest of the world.

v. 16 it is written – Peter is declaring that this concept of God's people being holy is not something new or foreign. It was repeatedly recorded in the OT scriptures (Lev. 11:44, 19:2, 20:7).

v. 17 the Father – The new covenant established by Jesus Christ gives us a unique and intimate relationship with God (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1).

without partiality – All sin will be dealt with equally. This means everyone will give an account for the actions of their lives (Rev. 2:23; 20:12, 13; 22:12). Sin will either be dealt with through the death of Christ on the cross (for the believer) or it will be dealt with through individual condemnation and death (for the unrepentant sinner).

the time of your stay here – This conveys to us the concept of our life on earth being a short stay or just a visit before moving on. After that we will move on to eternity.

fear – This reflects the seriousness of the consequences of our choices and actions. This is called "the fear of God" elsewhere in scripture (Rom. 3:18; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 5:21).

v. 18 redeemedlutroo (Gk.) To liberate by payment of ransom. God redeemed us from sin's power and consequences through the payment of Christ's shed blood at the cross.

corruptible things – things that are incapable of paying the ransom for sin

aimless conduct – a way of life without purpose or direction

received by traditions – Peter is referring to the religious traditions that have no real power to change lives. Because Peter is writing specifically to his dispersed Jewish brethren here (1:1), the traditions he refers to are those added to the Law of Moses (Matt. 15:8-9, Mark 7:8).

v. 19 the precious blood of Christ – In the OT, important covenants were sealed by the blood of animal sacrifices. The New Covenant is sealed with the blood of Jesus (John 1:36, Heb. 9:13-14, Rom. 3:25).

as a lamb – Peter is likening the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to the Jewish Passover lamb sacrificed for the sins of the people. This lamb was required to be a perfect sacrifice without spot of blemish or defect of any kind (Ex. 12:5). John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:36).

v. 20 foreordainedproginosko (Gk.) To know beforehand and predestinate. God's plan of salvation was thoroughly planned out before the world was even created. Because of his "foreknowledge" (knowing everything before it happens) He knew that man would fall before it happened and had already made a plan to redeem man before the world began.

manifest – To make visible or known what has been previously hidden or unknown.

in these last times – This phrase merely means that what God knew and planned before the world began is finally being revealed (manifest) to us now (in these last days). This indicates that God's redemptive plan is nearing fruition. According to God's calendar, we are now in the last days.

v. 21 who raised Him from the dead – A study of Christ's resurrection reveals the doctrine of the Trinity. Elsewhere in scripture, we see references to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all playing a part in the resurrection (Acts 13:30, Rom. 8:11, John 2:19, Col. 2:12).

gave Him glory – Jesus' resurrection was a glorification and declaration of victory over death and revelation of Christ's absolute authority and divinity (compare Eph. 1:20-23, Phil. 2:8-11).

v. 22 purifiedhagnizo (Gk.) to make morally pure; to purify and cleanse from defilement

love one another – Jesus taught that love is the fulfillment of the entire Law of God (Matt. 22:37-40, Mark 12:29-31).

ferventlyektenos (Gk.) earnestly, intensely

pure heart – To love with a pure heart is to have a sincere and genuine love without ulterior motives.

v. 23 born again – All people have been naturally born of the flesh. But since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden the flesh has become corrupt. Now there is a need for a second birth of the Spirit so that we can become true Children of God (John 3:3-7, Eph. 1:13).

seed – Seeds bring forth life. The seed which brings forth eternal life is the incorruptible word of God (Matt. 13:22, 23; Luke 8:11; 1 Peter 1:23).

incorruptible – undecaying, immortal, imperishable, and morally upright

through the Word of God – It is through believing God's Word that we are born again, saved, and changed (1 Thess. 2:13). We cannot bear fruit spiritually apart from the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (Is. 40:8; Matt. 5:18, 24:35).

v. 25 endures forever – Peter is driving home his point from verse 23. God's Word is incorruptible and eternal and will never be outdated or overruled.


Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ –1 Peter 1:13

We see, Lord, that it is in the fire that the impure things of our minds and our faith are burned away. We know, Lord, that our journey with You is a continuous learning about ourselves and about You. We pray today, God, for hearts that can be truly grateful for the hard times and eagerly accept the lessons that You seek to teach us. We pray today, God, for hearts that rejoice at the wisdom and faith with which the refining fire leaves us.


Leadership Prayer Retreat

We just recently had our Leadership Prayer Retreat for our ministry. Pastor Bob encourages all the ministry leaders to get together and get away for one weekend a year to pray for their particular ministry and encourage one another. This year I was really blessed when one of the ladies that came told me it was the one time a year she gets away and looks forward to it. We were able to rent a nice cabin and she was so blessed that weekend. It was awesome to bless her that way as she faithfully serves God's children all year even through her own tough circumstances.

Prayer Points
  • For the people who minister faithfully all year through the various ministries.
  • That God will bless and refresh his servants as they step out and serve.

Reminders~Mark Balmer


Reminders

Posted:

Based on “Our God Is Still Able” by Pastor Fidel Gomez; 7/11-12/09,

Message #GS71; Daily Devotional #3 - “Reminders”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. (I Peter 5:7, AMP)

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Why do we sometimes so easily forget about the goodness of God? Why does our focus turn to things of this world instead of fixing our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 3:1)? When our gaze is on our problems, we lose sight of what God has promised for those who follow Him. As Pastor Fidel taught us, we need reminders of Who God is and how He relates to those who belong to Him.

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): First, we need to remember that He cares for us affectionately. When we ponder God’s thoughts toward us, affection may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but perhaps judgment or indifference. But God loves us with an everlasting love, a love that moves Him to seek out a relationship with, and be emotionally connected with, everyone who follows Him. Next, He cares for us watchfully. God is not sitting at a distance, indifferent and inactive toward the plight of His children here on earth. He is watching. He sees. He acts on our behalf. Yes, we live in a sinful world. Yes, there are consequences to our wrong choices. Even so, God is working and directing our lives to accomplish His will. Knowing that, we can cast our anxieties, our worries, and our concerns on Him once and for all. I love that. Once we’ve given it to God, there is no need to take it back. He’s got it covered. The enemy of our souls wants us to listen to his voice and believe his interpretation of the times. But we can choose to look at God, read His Word, know His character, and trust Him to work all things for our good (Romans 8:28). We all need to be challenged to take an inventory of what’s going on in our thought lives. Do our thoughts reflect God’s Word and what it says about our lives, or is the world, with its desires and worries, taking center stage? If your thoughts look more like the world’s then remember, new thoughts are only a prayer away. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:8)

Cultivating (Additional Reading): 2 Corinthians 10:5; Matthew 15:19; Psalm 139:17-23

NLG

Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673

All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.

Amplified Bible = AMP

A Bad Choice~Greg Laurie


Thursday // July 16 // 2009
"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!"

As a pastor, I often hear the question, "Where did the devil come from?" Sometimes, it is phrased this way: "How could a God of love create someone as horrible as the devil?"

We just can't understand why God would make such a creature.

First of all, let me say that God did not create someone as horrible as the devil. The devil became this way. He made a deliberate choice that turned him into what he is today: an intelligent, wicked, spiritual being who is bent on the destruction of humanity

In fact, I find it interesting to read in the first chapter of Genesis that God saw everything He had made and it was good (see Genesis 1:31). So apparently at that point, all the angels were still under God's direction. There was no rebellion.

But then in Genesis 3, we see the serpent, or Satan, tempting Eve. Something drastic happened between Genesis 1 and Genesis 3. This once high-ranking, beautiful angel known as Lucifer rebelled against God.

You see, Lucifer was not satisfied with worshipping God. He himself wanted to be worshipped. So he lost his former, exalted position in heaven.

By the way, Lucifer means "son of the morning," which he was. But Satan means "accuser," which he is. So Lucifer became Satan when he fell.

He lived with God in heaven, but because of his bad choice, his destination is a bottomless pit and a lake of fire and brimstone forever.

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