"Utmost with the Least Most" At What Price I Obey?~Michael James Stone

July 18, 2009

THE MYSTERY OF BELIEVING     

And he said, Who art Thou, Lord?       Acts 9:6    

By the miracle of Redemption Saul of Tarsus was turned in one second from a strong-willed, intense Pharisee into a humble, devoted slave of the Lord Jesus.  

There is nothing miraculous about the things we can explain.   We command what we are able to explain, consequently it is natural to seek to explain. It is not natural to obey; nor is it necessarily sinful to disobey.  

There is no moral virtue in obedience unless there is a recognition of a higher authority in the one who dictates. It is possibly an emancipation to the other person if he does not obey.   

If one man says to another - 'You must,' and - 'You shall,' he breaks the human spirit and unfits it for God.  

A man is a slave for obeying unless behind his obedience there is a recognition of a holy God.  

Many a soul begins to come to God when he flings off being religious, because there is only one Master of the human heart, and that is not religion but Jesus Christ.   

But woe be to me if when I see Him I say - I will not.  

He will never insist that I do, but I have begun to sign the death warrant of the Son of God in my soul.   When I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and say - I will not, He will never insist; but I am backing away from the recreating power of His Redemption.   It is a matter of indifference to God's grace how abominable I am if I come to the light; but woe be to me if I refuse the light (see John 3:19-21).
Oswald Chambers 

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At What Price I Obey?

Jesus never forced the issue with anyone. He left the choice up to the individual person. He was famous for saying "If".  

If any man come after me..., 
Today IF you hear his voice,  

The big If is the question you ask, because God already knows and in knowing has designed the world around you so you learn there should be no if, but when.  

When you come after Jesus you do so out of choice, and your life will be filled of choices.  Filled each day by a God who loves to reveal to you how much he knows you better than you do.  

Peter thought he knew Himself pretty well till Jesus revealed his true nature, and loved Him anyways.Peter denied Jesus three times and not one world of condemnation came for the Masters hand, but from that moment on, Peter was destined for greater things.  

So too with you. 

You are to choose. Choose to obey. Choose to do. Choose to follow. Choose no matter what the cost..... because if you want to be like Paul, you must experience like Paul.

If you want to be like Peter, the same. 

If you dare to be like Abraham, settle it now, God may ask you to give up your child or your most loved possession, even your wife. 

Settle it now that the "if" is gone and you will become a Man with God so real you will be as those who have come before you. You will know God intimately. He will expect that commitment to be real and tested.  

Do you love me? God asked Abraham and that man answered the call. 
Do you love me? Jesus asked Peter and Peter proved true.  

Do you love Jesus? Do you love God?   Are you sure?  

Have you committed to obey only to turn away when God asked some impossible thing of you?  

Turn Back o Man, and start again, never make that same mistake twice and whatever impossible thing God requires of you, Give.   

If you do, you will hear God say,  
Now I know you love me.  

Jesus didn't go to his garden of Gethsemane alone, he went with those who said they loved him.  

Jesus is asking you. 

Do you love me? 

Michael James Stone

We should bear good fruit~David McGee

Saturday, July 18th 2009

Romans 6:21-22

"What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life."
NKJV

Life Lesson

We should bear good fruit.

The fruit we used to bear is common to this world. Its harvest is death. Now, as Christians our fruit should be spiritual - freaky fruit if you will - peculiar in this world. However you phrase it, the outpouring of a Christian's life is extraordinary compared to the works of the world.

I'm sure we've all heard the question, "If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" While that's a great question, let's take it a step further. Would the case be built on circumstantial evidence, "His family was seen entering church on Sunday morning" - "her car has a fish on the bumper?" Maybe the case would be built on direct evidence, "He has shared his faith with me and with others."

Friend, it should be a mix of both. Good fruit is the visible effect of our Christian life - sharing your faith, serving the Lord. Good fruit is also the invisible affect of our Christian life on others - "I want the same joy that she has" - "her upbeat attitude is such a blessing at work." Jesus told us to be salt and light. Salt cultivates thirst. Does your life leave the people around you thirsty for Jesus?

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." NKJV

Dear Father,
Thank You for freeing me from my sins. Please remind me of that freedom when I feel like a slave to the world. Give me the power to live my life according to Your will. Thank You for the gifts that You place within me to serve others. Lord, help me to be good fruit and give me a boldness to share my faith with others. 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

Truth to Deliver Us from the Law~Bob Hoekstra

Truth to Deliver Us from the Law

The law has dominion over a man as long as he lives…But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. (Romans 7:1, 6)

In the word of God, the Lord has promised truth which brings spiritual liberation. "The truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). We have considered such truths that set people free from bondage to sin, from bondage to the fear of death, and from bondage to the influence of the evil one. Now, we will look at another category of liberating truth: truth to deliver us from the law.

This issue pertains to everyone initially, because we all begin under bondage to the law. "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (Romans 3:19). Everyone who has ever lived, is living now, or will live in the days to come ("all the world") is initially held in a state of condemnation ("guilty before God"), because of their sin. This guilty condition would persist for a lifetime, if God did not supply a remedy. "The law has dominion over a man as long as he lives." However, this condition need not persist, because the Lord's word proclaims liberating truth for this drastic need. "But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by." The person we were at physical birth died on the cross with Christ, when we believed in Him. The new creature in Christ now stands justified by faith in Christ (not by law performance). "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified [declared not guilty, pronounced righteous in Christ] by faith apart from the deeds of the law" (Romans 3:28).

All of God's children have experienced these liberating truths, as they apply to justification (our eternal righteous standing before God in heaven). However, many of God's people are unaware of deliverance from the bondage of the law concerning sanctification (our daily growth in personal, practical godliness on earth). This matter is repeatedly addressed in the word of God. Here, in one of our primary verses for meditation, we see these truths given a sanctification implication. "Now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter." Yes, understanding the truth of deliverance from the law determines whether we will struggle in bondage to law performance, or live freely by the ongoing, fresh work of the Spirit of God.

Dear Lord of deliverance, I worship You for delivering me from the condemnation of the law, by grace through faith. Teach me how to live daily by grace through faith, that I might be practically delivered from law performance as I serve You, Amen.

Facing Giants~Harvest

Saturday // July 18 // 2009

Today's Read the Word: Joshua 12-13

Facing Giants

We all will face giants at one time or another in our lives. By giants, I am speaking of what seem to be insurmountable problems and issues. We try to fell these giants, but often they seem to only grow stronger with the passing of time.

It could be a giant of fear. Or it might be a giant of some type of personal sin that you fall into again and again. It might be the sin of pride or envy or gluttony or lust or something else.

In a related way, your giant might be one of addiction, something that has a grip on your life. Then again, it could be a giant of threat that is taunting you today. Someone has slandered you. A lawsuit has been filed against you. Maybe there is even a threat against your very life.

Or it might be a different kind of giant altogether, like an unbelieving spouse or a prodigal child. You have prayed for them. You have asked the Lord to reach them, yet they seem to become more hardened by sin as the years pass by. You find yourself wondering how you will ever overcome this.

So how do we deal with giants? We find the answer in the Old Testament account of David and Goliath. Most of us are familiar with the story.

What a victory it was as David boldly defeated the giant Goliath, armed only with a slingshot and five smooth stones. The will of the Philistines was broken. The Israelites were reinvigorated. And it was all because a little shepherd boy answered the call of God and cut down the giant.

So what can we learn from this story about facing off with our own giants in life?

One, recognize that we all have giants. We all face severe hardships, seemingly insurmountable obstacles and temptations. We all have problems. We all have temptations.

We read in 1 Corinthians 10:13, "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure" (NLT).

While it is true we all have giants, it is also true that every giant can be defeated. After all, giants rarely start out that way.

Goliath was not always a giant. He was not always 9-feet-6-inches tall. He was once a baby. And with the passing of time and the nurture of others, the baby became a child. And the child became a teenager. And the teenager became a man. And the man turned into a giant.

In the same way, giants often begin quite small. When we have a big sin in our lives, it started as a little sin that was allowed, nurtured, fed, and even encouraged, and then became a giant that taunts us. It started with a so-called Christian liberty that we proclaimed and is now getting the best of us.

In time, little things become big things.

Two, realize that the battle belongs to the Lord. David told Goliath, "This is the Lord's battle, and he will give you to us!" (1 Samuel 17:47 NLT). That is why giants defeat us again and again, because we face them in our own strength and we lose. We need to realize this is the Lord's battle.

Three, attack your giant. Goliath had come into the actual territory of the Israelites. He had crossed their line. He was taunting them. And if you tolerate a Goliath, he will take over your territory. He will come right up on your doorstep.

That is why you don't run from giants. You don't negotiate with them. You attack them. The Bible tells us, "As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him" (verse 48 NLT). As the enemy drew closer, David ran right at him.

Whatever your giant may be, force it into the light of day. Stop rationalizing it. Stop excusing it. Realize you can't defeat it in your own strength.

Call on God and pray for His power, and then attack it. Draw lines and be accountable to others. Stay away from people or situations where you would be easily tempted. And don't let that giant back into your life again.

Finally, trust in the Lord. Don't look at God in the light of your giant. Instead, look at your giant in the light of God.

Copyright © 2009 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.

1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34 ~ Romans 4:13-5:5 ~ Psalm 14:1-7 ~ Proverbs 19:17

1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34 ~ Romans 4:13-5:5 ~ Psalm 14:1-7 ~ Proverbs 19:17

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Old Testament - It is interesting to read about the various gatekeepers, treasurers, officials, military commanders and leaders in today's First Chronicle readings! In some ways it is sad to read about how well organized things were - knowing that the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple and the exile to Babylon is coming up. All of this organization will be destroyed. Why? Because of sin. Sin destroys. Sin kills. So sad. It is true that the lineage from Abraham to Judah to David will of course continue through to Jesus and now to us as spiritual descendants. But, the nation of Israel at this time of First Chronicles, with all of it's great organization, will later fall because the leaders and people will turn their backs on God in sin. In disobedience. Is there a lesson for us in this today? Do you see the dangers of sin? Of how it can destroy everything you hold dear? Please - flee from sin. Jesus can set you free from the bondage of sin. Don't lose everything you hold dear to something as stupid as sin. Sin will sell you lies and leave you with nothing.

New Testament - Wow. Romans 5 verses 1 & 2 are so true: "Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory." It is important to note that these verses are talking about more than just a "sense of peace." They are talking about literal "peace with God"! Peace with God is gifted to us through faith in Jesus' life, death and resurrection to redeem us from the depravity and consequences of our sin. Have you experienced literal peace with God? I know that we do not always "sense the peace" with God - but I do not think it leaves us once we've entered into an eternal right relationship with Jesus. I think we can certainly distract ourselves enough or make ourselves worried or frantic enough that we might think the peace is gone. But eternal peace doesn't ever leave us. I do think we need to take time to connect with and rediscover Christ's peace within us each and every day. Reading, prayer and meditation on Scripture are great ways to do this. I have also found getting outdoors and taking a walk in nature helps me connect with Christ's peace again. What are other ways that you connect with Christ's peace within you? Please post up in the Comments section below for others to learn from! Thanks!

Verses 3 through 5 are incredible today as well: "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." Note that these verses are not saying to rejoice "because" of problems and trials (that would be morbid), but that we can still rejoice even "when we run into" the problems and trials. It is often difficult for us to remember to rejoice when problems and trials come our way - but please do remember these words of Paul in Romans about rejoicing during a time of trial. Remember our readings in Acts? Paul was ridiculed, beaten, jailed and shipwrecked - and yet, he never gave into a defeatist attitude. He kept preaching God's love! If anyone knows about trials and problems, it is Paul. And he tells us to rejoice through problems and trials because in this we learn to endure. I love that Paul says that character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation! And that this expectation will not disappoint! Do you believe this? Do you have a confident expectation of salvation?

Image above courtesy of stonesoupmusic.org. Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Romans titled "The Object of Our Faith" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 14 could be seen at first glance as a discouraging Psalm for us as we look at verse 3: "But no, all have turned away from God; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not even one!" I think it is important to keep in mind that there is truth in this verse (particularly if we ever start thinking we're "good" and others around us are not...). But also I think it's good to keep in mind that this verse was written before Jesus came to the earth. Jesus was perfect. And through His resurrection we are called toward greater holiness and ultimately perfect goodness once we meet Jesus face to face in heaven. Jesus gives us the hope spoken of in the closing of this Psalm in verse 7: "Oh, that salvation would come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel! For when the LORD restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice." Do you recognize the salvation that has come to us? Are you shouting for joy for this salvation? Are you rejoicing!?

Proverbs - Today in Proverbs 19 verse 17 we read – “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.” Do you believe that when you are kind to the poor you are actually lending to God? Are you someone who is consistently kind to the poor? Are you kind to the spiritually, emotionally, materially poor that God has brought into your life? Are you also kind to spiritually, emotionally, materially poor that you do not know? Do you believe this kindness is noticed by God? Do you believe it is rewarded?

YouTube: Based on today's Proverb, Shane Claiborne's book "The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical" comes to mind. I've recently read this book and thought it was a great look at how we as the church can truly be the church by loving and serving the poor. I didn't agree with all of Shane's politics or propositions in the book, but overall I was incredibly inspired by Shane's life and encouraged to love and serve others. So, the book cover is below and you can check out reviews of the book on amazon.com at this link. I do recommend reading this book - it will challenge you in some good ways. Also below is a 50 minute YouTube Video of Shane speaking at a youth conference. Shane is a humorous guy with a powerful message for the church.

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

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