This doesn’t apply to my life, but modern idols come in many different forms.~Charles Stanley

Double-Minded Service

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READ | 1 Kings 18:16-21

The Old Testament presents idolatry as a serious issue, but who in the modern civilized world gives it much thought? The worship of idols seems archaic, but the truth is, all of us will struggle with this heart issue.

During the days of King Ahab, Israel was pulled in two directions. They’d previously served the Lord, but Ahab had recently instituted Baal worship. When Elijah challenged the people to make up their minds about whom to serve, they were speechless.

You may be thinking, This doesn’t apply to my life, but modern idols come in many different forms. When we depend on—or give priority to—anything besides the Lord, it becomes our god.

Does something in your life have a higher value than the Lord? He gives us relationships, possessions, and meaningful work, but we are constantly tempted to cherish the gifts more than the Giver. An accurate measure of priorities is the use of our time. Do you reserve a part of each day for God, or is every minute consumed by the demands of life?

On what or whom do you depend? The Lord gives us His strength and provision, but so often we choose to rely on ourselves, others, or even money. The tendency to worry or control is a sign of self-reliance rather than dependence upon God.

Double-minded service will not work (Matt. 6:24). We must make up our minds and follow through with actions. If we really believe that the God of the Bible is the only true God, we ought to give Him our whole life, follow Him faithfully, and serve Him with all our gifts and abilities.

Twitter Proverbs from Rick Warren

1. Pastor,stop wishing u were in Atlanta,NYC,Chicago or SoCal &Pour ur love into the dear people he's called u to serve!Ph4:10about 13 hours ago from web
2. 30 yrs ago Adrian Rogers told me "Rick, the pastor who is available ALL the time won't be worth much when he's available."about 14 hours ago from web
3. U can be a THINKER without ever DOING anything, but U'll burn out as a DOER if U don't schedule time to think. Ps.77:12about 15 hours ago from web
4. Where-get ideas? Observe.Think,Write.I've written them down since'70 when I began ministry at16.Learned habit fr J.Edwardsabout 15 hours ago from web
5. When God wants 2 make a mushroom he takes 6hr.To make an oak tree he takes 60yrs.Which do u want to be? Be patient! Ph1:6about 15 hours ago from web
6. Churches built on shaky foundations dont last.Build on TheWord,not the world; onTruth,not trends;onTheology,not psychology.about 15 hours ago from web
7. Jesus had 30yrs of maturity b4 3yrs of world-shaking ministry.IMPACT requires integrity-which takes yrs of unselfishness.about 19 hours ago from web
8. RT @brettlandry U should RTeverything @RickWarrensays!Seriously if ur looking 4an authentic life.Thx4 kind notes guys.LoveUabout 20 hours ago from web
9. To become like Jesus u must go thru all Jesus went thru: lonliness,fatigue,temptation,hurts.No shortcuts 2maturity! Rom8:17about 20 hours ago from web
10. God doesnt bless most those who deserve it most.He blesses most those whoTRUST him most.Heb11:6 Its"byGrace thruFaith"about 22 hours ago from web
11. Sovereign Factors=God's choices 4u:parents,when&where born, talents,race,etc.But YOU CHOSE how much He blesses u.SeeMt.9:29about 23 hours ago from web
12. Ave.church=Only 10% of members serve in ministry,50%wont,But 40% say"Ive never been asked or dont know how" Go after them!8:46 AM Aug 26th from web
13. FUN 4NightOwls Ecc10:2 ISNT about politics"The heart of the WISE inclines 2 the RIGHT,but the heart of the FOOL 2 the LEFT"10:40 PM Aug 25th from web
14. Purpose Driven Life #2:PAUL “I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step" 1 Cor.9:26(NLT) Also Acts 20:249:58 PM Aug 25th from web
15. PurposeDrivenLife #1:Jesus.At age12:”I must be about my father’s business” At age 33 “It is finished!” That’s PD!9:50 PM Aug 25th from web
16. Hab 3:17-19 is for your members out of work, staff layoffs, and your budget crunch during this recession.11:40 AM Aug 25th from web
17. "Even though...olive crops fail,fields lie barren,flocks die,barns empty-the Sovereign Lord is my strength!”Hab 3:17-19. Pass on!11:37 AM Aug 25th from web

All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.~Bob Hoekstra

An "Unpopular" Promise Regarding Persecution

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)

For a final visit, we return to the category of "unpopular" promises. This promise guarantees persecution for serious believers in Jesus Christ. In a church world where many treasure comfort and popularity, this promise is not well-received.

This promise is given to those who want to live a life of godliness:"who desire to live godly." Godliness is the will of the Lord for His people. "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:11). Our Lord Himself declared that there is great blessing in having a passion for righteous living. "Blessed are those who hungerand thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6a). The blessing is God's pledge to satisfy that heart which yearns for righteousness: "for theyshall be filled" (Matthew 5:6b).

Yet, we have seen that fullness of righteousness is not all that is promised to those who want to walk in godliness. Persecution is also promised. "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." Notice the comprehensive, inescapable dimension of this promise. "All who desire to live godly… will suffer persecution." There are no exceptions. There are no exemptions.

All who sincerely desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ will experience the consequences that He met as He walked in righteousness."Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you"(John 15:20). Jesus was not universally hailed for His righteous path. He was opposed, mocked, conspired against, and betrayed. We need not be startled when measures of similar persecutions befall us.

Of course, this promise of persecution is not given to discourage us from pressing on down the path of godliness. Rather, it is offered toprepare us for the difficulties that are guaranteed as we seek togrow in Christlikeness. The Lord even adds gracious encouragements to righteousness, so we will be strengthened to pursue His holy will in this matter. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). Persecutions can remind us that we are headed for heaven. Persecutions can bring us heavenly measures of sustaining grace along the way.

O righteous Lord, I long to walk in Your paths of righteousness. Strengthen my heart with Your grace that I might press on in godliness. Help me to never shrink back, even though persecutions are guaranteed. Help me to stand true, even though persecutions may become severe. Lord, I count on Your promises to see me through the battles, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Why do so few Christian leaders finish well? (81-4)~Barry Werner

Why do so few Christian leaders finish well? (81-4)

August 6th, 2009 in Accountability, Attitude, Dependence on God, Judges, Leadership Development, Old Testament | leave a response

In the last few weeks we have looked at two Judges who started strong and failed at the finish. Read Judges 6:11-8:32 & 14:1-16:27.

Two of the most famous judges were Gideon and Samson. Both men had a good start but finished poorly. It is not just these two leaders; two thirds of the biblical leaders finished poorly. My personal experience is this two thirds rate of leaders finishing poorly is still true today. Why do so few Christian leaders finish well:

• They somehow dilute the original God-given vision that drove them.
• Their success distorts their thinking moving it from dependence on God to dependence on self.
• Their weaknesses go unaddressed and unchallenged.
• They come to a position where they are no longer accountable to many earthly powers and they forget they are accountable to God.
• They come to a point in life where they feel entitled rather than entrusted.

Do any of the points above describe your attitude? Don’t be one of the two thirds of all leaders that fail to finish well. While a good start helps, a good finish is up to you.

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Tags: Attitude, Finishing Well, Vision

« Are you losing your right to lead? (81-3)

Why does God choose unlikely leaders? (81-5)