Those who are drawn to God's lovingkindness ~ Bob Hoekstra

Once More on David and the Lord's Lovingkindness

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Yourpleasures. For with You is the fountain of life. (Psalm 36:7-9)

As we go further into these verses, David confesses to God another reason why he had such a yearning for the Lord's lovingkindness. "Yougive them drink from the river of Your pleasures." Those who are drawn to God's lovingkindness (desiring to face all of life on the basis of His loving commitment to His people) find a delightful spiritual river from which to drink by faith.

This world is a dry place, spiritually speaking. As we saw previously, David understood this clearly. "O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry andthirsty land where there is no water" (Psalm 63:1). In this dry and barren world, David experienced much anguish. He served a king who wrongfully persecuted him. "Saul saw and knew that the LORD waswith David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him; and Saul wasstill more afraid of David. So Saul became David's enemy continually" (1 Samuel 18:28-29). David had a wife who mocked his love for God. "And as the ark of the LORD came into the City of David,Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart" (2 Samuel 6:16). He had a son who betrayed him. "NowAbsalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate…Moreover Absalom would say, 'Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice'…So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel" (2 Samuel 15:2, 4, 6).

In this barrenness of unfaithful relationships, David sought after the Lord earnestly. "I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for Youlike a thirsty land" (Psalm 143:6). In stark contrast to such heart-breaking, human disappointments, David found the Lord's lovingkindness to be like a satisfying river of spiritual delights. "Yougive them drink from the river of Your pleasures." He found the Lord to be an ever-flowing supply of true life. "For with You is the fountainof life." In the Lord's lovingkindness, David found loyal love, steadfast commitment, and abounding grace.

Dear Lord, my fountain of life, the world as been a dry and thirsty land for me as well. There has been opposition, rejection, and betrayal. Lord, I want to come to You day by day to drink by faith from the lovingkindness that You alone can pour forth, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Harvest 2009 Southern California Recap ~ Greg Laurie

2009 Southern California Recap

September 6th, 2009 Posted in Harvest Crusades, video | 4 Comments »

Watch the recap video here.

It’s that I want you to have fruit. ~ Jon Courson

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
	Philippians 4:17
A difficult area for ministers is to address the subject of finances because it can appear to be self-serving. Nevertheless, Paul hits this issue head-on by saying, ‘It’s not that I want a gift. It’s that I want you to have fruit.’ When the person gets to heaven who gave the tithe which is the Lord’s and offerings which are above and beyond that, I guarantee he’s not going to say, ‘Phooey, I tithed faithfully. If I hadn’t tithed, I could have had a new patio set. And if I had only saved that extra hundred dollars from that offering, I could have had a new barbeque.’ No. For the next zillion years, he’ll never regret what he gave to the Lord today. The old adage is true: You can’t take it with you — but you can send it ahead. Read the book of Ezra. See the listing of the names verse after verse, page after page, recording the exact amounts people gave for the building of the temple. Why would God ‘waste’ so many verses about what people were giving to that project? I believe it’s because in it He is saying, ‘I notice what people give to Me and record it forever.’

God uses His Word to lead us ~ Charles Stanley

The Book of Books

Isaiah 55:9-11

Step into almost any bookstore, and you will find volumes covering all topics imaginable. Want new direction for your life? Self-help sections are extremely popular and accessible. Are your children disobeying? Parenting literature abounds. But do all of these "expert" authors have trustworthy credentials?

There is a place to find guidance and information that won't ever mislead: the Bible will bless and benefit everyone who reads and applies its wisdom. Here's what Scripture's Author?"the God of truth" (Isa. 65:16)?says about His own Word:

1. The Bible gives direction for life (Ps. 119:105). God uses His Word to lead us, no matter what our circumstances may be. The Holy Spirit can take even simple verses, which seem general at first glance, and apply them to our specific situation.

2. Scripture strengthens us when we grieve or face difficulty (Ps. 119:28, 116). By spending time processing what God says, we're reminded that He loves us, cares about our situation, and can handle whatever we're facing. Worry and pain turn into peace, hope, and joyful confidence.

3. God's Word helps us understand our inner motivations (Heb. 4:12). Scripture acts like a mirror that lets us see ourselves as we truly are.

The Bible is the very mind of God put into words so that man can know his Maker more fully. In deepening our understanding of the heavenly Father, we learn how to live successfully and die unafraid. To what extent do you depend upon this amazing Book as your foundation for life?

Leadership: Are you afraid of confrontation? (84-3) ~ Barry Werner

Are you afraid of confrontation? (84-3)

August 26th, 2009 in 1 Samuel, Exhortation, Leadership Principles, Old Testament, Relationships | leave a response

Many leaders avoid confrontation at all costs. Effective leaders understand the role and positive benefit of confrontation when properly handled. Read 1 Samuel 10:17-19; 12:12-25; 13:7-15, 15:14-29.

A true spiritual leader obeys God when doing so is difficult. Again and again Samuel encountered stressful situations in which he had to confront and rebuke others for failing to trust and obey the Lord. He managed each of these confrontations with clarity, decisiveness and objectivity.

Some things leaders can learn from Samuel concerning confrontation:

• Samuel stated the problem clearly. “But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses. And you have said, ‘No, set a king over us’” (10:19a).
• Samuel stated the problem simply. “Samuel explained to the people the regulations of the kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord” (10:25).
• Samuel spoke to those he confronted face to face. “Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the Lord at Mizpah…” (10:17).
• Samuel gave enough background to insure everyone was working from the same information. “But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’ – even though the Lord your God was your king” (12:12).
• Samuel spoke the hard truth when necessary. “You have acted foolishly” (13:13a).
• Samuel set a clear criterion for resolution. “If you fear the Lord and serve and obey Him and do not rebel against His commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God – good!” (12:14).
• Samuel sought a response. He spoke with purpose and urged the people to obey God. “Be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you” (12:24).
• Samuel did not confront for personal gain. His sole goal was resolution of the situation. “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right” (12:23).
• Samuel gave hope that with resolution the situation could return to something positive. “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart…the Lord will not reject His people, because the Lord was pleased to make you His own” (12:20-22).

If you think back to the story of the fall of man in Genesis, God was the first leader to confront members of His team who violated established standards. Effective leaders are not afraid of confrontation in part because they do not have a personal agenda but simply want an equitable solution.

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Tags: Clarity, Confrontation, Decisive, Objective

« Do your words and actions always match? (84-2)

Does integrity permeate every area of your life? (84-4)

We get to communicate with Almighty God ~ Bob Coy

WHY SO DIFFICULT?

So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. Genesis 3:6 (NLT)

Most of us would agree that prayer is among the most amazing experiences imaginable. After all, we get to communicate with Almighty God! So why is it such a challenge for us to do it? Why does it seem like everything in the Christian life is easier than prayer?

To arrive at the answer we need to go back to the beginning, to the garden where mankind first fell. Prior to their disobedience, Adam and Eve enjoyed a pure and perfect relationship with God. Conversing with Him came naturally, and there weren't any barriers between them. Sadly the presence of sin introduced an immediate change.

...the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. (Genesis 3:8 NLT)

Sin brought about a relational rift, and man's relationship with God has never been the same. It's true that Christ has restored us to right standing with God. But while we're free from the penalty of sin, we're not free from its presence. Our sinful nature still taunts and tugs at us, and this is why prayer is still such a challenge for us.

We carry that sinful gene that wants to do what Adam and Eve did, that wants to run and hide from God, to turn away from communing with Him. But it doesn't have to direct our actions or dominate our character. When we determine to be led by the new nature that Christ has birthed in us, we can reclaim a piece of what was lost in Eden. We can turn and talk to the One who wants to talk to us.

Discuss, Dig, Decide

Discuss with your group what makes communication so challenging. Share about a time this week when you were trying to communicate, but a barrier of some sort frustrated you.

Dig into Genesis 3:1–8. What was the cost of Adam and Eve’s disobedience? What does this passage teach you about the enemy who seeks to destroy our connection with God? Why would Satan seek to deter and destroy our communication with the Lord?

Decide as a group to eliminate those things in your life that are drawing you away from genuine communion with God. Take an inventory of anything that competes for your attention as you seek to connect with God through prayer. What steps can you take to be free from these distractions?

Learning to recognize the voice of God ~ Joyce Meyer

In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart]. —Psalm 5:3 While learning to recognize the voice of God, you must find times just to be still in order to hear God's leading in your life.

A busy, hurried, frantic, stressful lifestyle makes it very challenging to hear God. Find a place to get quiet before God. Get alone with Him and tell Him that you need Him and want Him to teach you how to hear His voice.

Ask Him to tell you what He has for your life. Ask Him what He wants you to do. Ask Him to show you what you are doing that He doesn't want you to do.

Present yourself to God, and listen.

Even if you don't hear from Him, you will honor Him by seeking Him. He promises that if you seek Him, you will find Him—you will get a Word from God.

He will lead you by an inner knowing, by common sense, by wisdom, and by peace.

I've found that God doesn't always speak to us right away or necessarily during our prayer time.

He may end up speaking to you two days later while you are in the middle of doing something completely unrelated. I honestly don't know why God sometimes waits to respond; but I do know if we will be diligent to seek God, if we show Him that we want His will, He will speak to us.

"Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying. This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21)

It may not be in our timing, but God will speak to us and let us know the way we should go.

As you wait for answers from God, concentrate on obeying Him in order to keep a clear conscience.

You will not have joy if you know God has told you to do something and you haven't obeyed.

But if you follow God's voice, you will be radically and outrageously blessed.

Twitter Proverbs from Rick Warren

1. Dr. Greg Koukl NOW LIVE, “Defending Your Faith” Saddleback’s Ahmanson Lectures on Apologetics-6 http://bit.ly/38sfdiabout 13 hours ago from web
2. Marriage doesn't create problems;it reveals them Nothing exposes our inate self-centeredness faster. Pr.18:10, James4:1about 15 hours ago from web
3. Dr. Dinesh D'Souza NOW LIVE, “How Do I Know God Exists?” Saddleback’s Ahmanson Lectures on Apologetics-5http://bit.ly/38sfdiabout 16 hours ago from web
4. Dr. William Lane Craig, NOW LIVE, “How Did the Universe Begin?” Saddleback’s Ahmanson Lectures on Apologetics-4http://bit.ly/38sfdiabout 21 hours ago from web
5. Dr. Norman Geisler, NOW LIVE, “If God exists, Why is there evil?” Saddleback’s Ahmanson Lectures on Apologetics-3http://bit.ly/38sfdiabout 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
6. Ask God to use ALL who teach his Word today."I wont sin by failing to pray for u."1Sam12:23 Please pause&pray,then RT. Thx!10:02 PM Sep 5th from web
7. Dr. J.P Moreland NOW LIVE, “Has Science Made Belief in God Obsolete?” Saddleback’s Ahmanson Lectures on Apologetics-2http://bit.ly/38sfdi6:49 PM Sep 5th from TweetDeck
8. Dr Darrell Bock, teaching right now on "Jesus from the Earth Up" Saddleback's Ahmanson Lectures on Apologeticshttp://bit.ly/38sfdi4:56 PM Sep 5th from web
9. @UYWILarry Rick,thx for being a Kingdom revolutionary! LARRY,the Church was global centuries before globalization! Jn17:183:40 PM Sep 4th from web
10. "Come&see"(attraction) &"Go&tell"(proclaimation) are both biblical evangelism.To all, Jesus says"COME!" To believers,"GO!"3:23 PM Sep 4th from web
11. God loves ALL styles as long as worship is "in spirit & truth"(Jn 4:24) It must be Authentic&Accurate.Devotional&Doctrinal.3:16 PM Sep 4th from web
12. No music is "sacred",just the lyrics.Music preference shows ur background,not theology. FACT:God likes some music u dont!3:06 PM Sep 4th from web
13. 30 yrs ago I cut "impossible" out of my dictionary because its not in God's vocab."With God all things are possible"Mt19:262:51 PM Sep 4th from web
14. When Kennedy said "We're going to the moon" it was still impossible.Never confuse decisionmaking & problemsolving.2:46 PM Sep 4th from web
15. Make the decision THEN solve the problems."if you wait 4 perfect conditions you'll never get anything done."Eccl 11:4(NLT)2:44 PM Sep 4th from web
16. Your LifePurpose comes in 3 stages:1WHATGod wants u to do. 2 HOW& WHERE 3WHEN(timing) Delays between stages test ur faith.10:38 AM Sep 4th from web
17. Saddleback this wkend: FAITH& REASON;Norm Geisler,JPMoreland,Darrell Bock,William Lane Craig,Dinesh D'Souza,Greg Koukl! 6 messages9:18 AM Sep 4th from web
18. "Surrender your WHOLE body to be used for righteous PURPOSES.”Rom 6:13(TEV) Which part of you is the least converted?8:32 AM Sep 4th from web
19. Discipleship is thinking,feeling &doing:Head,heart&hands!Rom 6:13 Churches &people usually overstress1 &neglect the other28:30 AM Sep 4th from web
20. Humility isnt thinking less of yourself. It's thinking of yourself less.If you focus on others, you forget you.1Cor10:24