They had become less than what God wanted ~ Bob Coy

CAIN?S EXPRESSION OF SIN

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the LORD." Genesis 4:1 (NKJV)

Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This had a fundamental effect on them. It twisted their nature from something innocent into something guilty. They had become less than what God wanted and desired for them. Sin had infected their hearts, and the process of death began in them.

Yet even though Adam and Eve were now sinners destined to die one day, they still carried the capacity to reproduce. Eve gave birth to a son named Cain, who inherited the traits of his parents. Sadly, his inheritance included their sin, and it's interesting how suddenly it reveals itself:

Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. (Genesis 4:8 NKJV)

It's sobering to think that Cain, who represents the second generation of mankind, is a murderer-and a murderer of his own brother! Notice that it didn't take long for sin to bring man to rock bottom. Just one generation removed from the first sin, man already resorts to the ultimate crime.

Here's what we need to understand; sin isn't passive, neutral, or even slightly abrasive. Sin is highly aggressive and prolific. Left to itself, sin will compound and multiply in both quantity and quality, and Cain graphically illustrates this.

In our own lives, we need to be on guard against sin's aggressiveness. We can't afford to turn our back on it because when we finally turn around to face it, it's going to be much worse than it was before.

Discuss, Dig, Decide

Discuss with your group what you think it would have been like to be the first family on the planet. Share what you would have liked or disliked had you been there. How do you see your own family of origin in this family of origin?

Dig into Genesis Chapter 4. What does this account say to you about the “chain reaction” of sin? What’s significant about verse 24? Based on this verse, why is it so important to resolve conflict within the family? How does your own family handle conflict?

Decide with your group how you might guard against sin creeping into your life. Determine some practical ways to put these preventive measures to use. Put some accountability into place in the areas where you need it.

Least Most: "The Most Impact" Michael James Stone

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

-excerpt from Utmost with the Least Most: "The Most Impact" Michael James Stone

Sometimes the very least I can do seems to have the most impact.

I like to visit church's, I like to sing out loud, I like to smile and I like to encourage.

Sometimes I just don't know how.

I know in the hospital when I lay in bed for weeks at a time I really didn't want to talk to anybody. No one visited me so that was easy until a "student nurse" came by my bed and noticed the little placard at the foot of my Bed that usually had abbreviations for Patient Care like NPO etc.

Mine I had made a little sign that said P. P. Professional Patient for all the times I gave these long boring details of How sick I was to learning doctors and practcing nurses.

One night, a suffering one for me, one student nurse walked in from nowhere and sat down by my bed and grabbed my hand and held it.

I literally about jumbed out of my skin as no one, except in Professional Medicine mode, ever "touched me" and I, in like manner as professional patient mode, never let that touch my heart.

This young woman had my hand and I in my pain and silent suffering let loose and sobbed for the next hour uncontrollably...., not a word was said. Eventually she let go of my hand and left, I never saw her again.

About a month or two later I was down in the Rec Room of the Veterans Hospital I was in and a song came on by Don Francisco :

I know what you've been hearing
I've seen you hide your fear
Embarrassed by your weaknesses
Afraid to let Me near
I wish you knew how much
I long for you to understand
No matter what may happen, child
I'll never let go of your hand

I know you've been forsaken
By all you've known before
When you failed their expectations
They frowned and closed the door
But even though your heart itself
Should lose the will to stand
No matter what may happen, child
I'll never let go of your hand

The life that I have given you
No one can take away
I've sealed it with my Spirit, Blood and Word
The everlasting Father
Has made His covenant with you
And He's stronger than the world you've seen and heard

So don't you fear to show them
All the love I have for you
I'll be with you everywhere
In everything you do
And even if you do it wrong
And miss the joy I've planned
I'll never, never let go of your hand

The life that I have given you
No one can take away
I've sealed it with my Spirit, Blood and Word
The everlasting Father
Has made His covenant with you
And He's stronger than the world you've seen and heard

So don't you fear to show them
All the love I have for you
I'll be with you everywhere
In everything you do
And even if you do it wrong
And miss the joy I've planned
I'll never, never let go of your hand
I'll never let go of your hand

I never saw the nurse again. I never had family or church visit me in frequent times I was hospitalized and I was never bitter because I was, after all, a "professional patient". I knew they just did't know what to do.

But can I let you in on a secret?

The least you can do may be the best thing God can use to touch someone like me,

or anyone else in need.

Jesus met me in my need by the holding of my hand from a stranger I did not know,

but he confirmed it was from Him by a means I know very well.

He spoke to me,

No matter what may happen, child
I'll never let go of your hand

Michael James Stone

Are you the real leader or just the person in charge? (85-2) ~ Barry Werner

Are you the real leader or just the person in charge? (85-2)

September 1st, 2009 in 1 Samuel, Accountability, Authority, Leadership Principles, Old Testament, Servant Leadership | leave a response

As we transition from Samuel to other leaders in the book of 1 Samuel, it will be helpful to look at the difference between a real leader and the person that may be in charge. Some of the Biblical leaders that had positional authority were godly leaders but not all of them. A godly leader will demonstrate personal authority and the person in charge is generally granted positional authority. Some leaders will have both and some only one but if you must choose, choose personal authority. Read 1 Samuel 9, 10 and 13.

John Maxwell hits the nail squarely on the head concerning leaders and the person merely put in charge in his notes in The Maxwell Leadership Bible:

From Serving to Leading

God calls every leader to be a servant, but not every servant is to be a leader. So, how do we take the step to leadership?

In Hebrew, the word we translate as “leader” (nagiyd) comes from a root that conveys the idea of servant hood and being an example to others. The word is variously translated in Scripture as captain, ruler, prince, governor, and noble.

Leaders vs. King

The Hebrew term for “leader” stands in sharp contrast to the word for “king.” The fairly neutral Hebrew term for “king” (melech) allowed for the possibility of independence, for being a maverick. Samuel warned against this very thing when the Israelites asked for a king. Melechs might be renegades, but nagiyds were those under authority, subject to a higher power and fulfilling the wishes of that higher power. Saul was a melech, while Samuel was a nagiyd.

To be a captain, ruler, prince, governor, or noble of the people of God, a person must first come squarely under the authority of God. We can go no further without first understanding this element. Yet a second element is just as important. The Hebrew term nagiyd also means to stand boldly, to announce, to manifest – the natural outgrowth of receiving commands from God. The leader is to boldly stand and communicate God’s commands with conviction.

God’s leader is first to be a servant of the Lord, then an example, then a proclaimer and communicator to the people. And no one did this better than Samuel.

Effective godly leaders strive to be nagiyds and do not settle for being a melech! On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being a nagiyd and one being a melech, how are you doing? What actions do you need to take to move up the scale one number?

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Tags: Personal Authority, Positional Authority

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In case of emergency, dial 911 ~ Greg Laurie

In case of emergency, dial 911

September 11th, 2009 Posted in Pastor's corner, encouragement | No Comments »

Today is the anniversary of one of the darkest days in American and indeed human history, 9/11.

We all remember where we were when the news broke, and how we as a nation watched the unthinkable, the complete collapse of both towers of the World Trade Center, all of it in real time. Of course, the greater tragedy was all the lives that were lost.

Why did it happen? Because of evil in the hearts of the terrorists who wanted to take the lives of innocent people.

I was there

Immediately following this tragedy, I flew to New York City. With the smoke still seeping from the wreckage, I walked the site of what was once the World Trade Center and I wept as I thought of all the lives lost.

I saw the photos of the missing, pasted on makeshift walls with phone numbers to call if this person was found. I saw the shrapnel embedded in the surrounding buildings around the site of the twin towers.

When you viewed this on TV, there was no way to get the scope of how large of a footprint these buildings occupied. Even walking the site, it still seemed unthinkable.

Heroes

While walking the site, I also saw the tireless efforts of firefighters, police officers, and medical personnel doing what they could. There were also hundreds of Christians who volunteered as chaplains, counselors, and just friends, offering food, comfort, and, best of all, prayers.

I am proud to say that our church and the ministry we established in New York City was there from the moment it happened, sharing and showing the love of Jesus in anyway we could.

Dial 911

Those numbers–9/11–are forever etched in our memory. We all know what they represent.

Allow me to bring another interpretation to them for future reference.

We are told that when there is an emergency, we are to dial “911.” Let me remind you that when there is emergency, we can also turn to 911–Psalm 91:1.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1 NIV).

In the next verse, the Psalmist writes, “I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” The chapter goes on to offer God’s promises of blessing and protection for the believer who is dwelling “in the secret place of the most high.”

Tragedy happens to everyone

I wish I could tell you that tragedy only strikes in the life of the godless, but we know the godly also suffer. One only has to read the story of Job, Joseph, David, Paul, and others from the pages of Scripture to see that. And of course,who suffered more then Jesus Christ?

The Bible does not promise a life that is free of suffering, but it does promise the presence of God, who will help us through that suffering.

And for those of us who have put our faith in Christ, we are reminded that death is not the end. We will live forever in God’s presence.

Today, let’s remember in prayer those who lost loved ones on 9/11 and turn to Psalm 91:1 for comfort and clarity.

Those who live according to God's word will ~ Bob Hoekstra

More on Living According to God's Word

You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word…Let my cry come before You, O LORD; Give meunderstanding according to Your word. (Psalm 119:65 and169)

Those who live according to God's word will characteristically have this testimony. "You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD,according to Your word." This is true, because the word of God is ourcomprehensive source of the Lord's direction and of His provision. When God's mercy unto salvation is needed for new life, one must turn to God's word. "Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD—Yoursalvation according to Your word" (Psalm 119:41). When reviving is needed for those who have new life, one must turn again to God's word. "I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word…My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word" (Psalm 119:107 and 25). Whatever the need, the Lord invites us to face it according to His word.

When we do not understand the issues of life that press painfully in upon us, it is again time to run to the Lord and His word. "Let my crycome before You, O LORD; Give me understanding according to Your word." So often, perplexity is our human situation. The word of the Lord can sort it all out.

When the circumstances around us, or the turmoil within us, bring great distress, it is once again time to rely upon the Lord and His word. "Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,according to Your word to Your servant" (Psalm 119:76). What comfort can fill our hearts, as we allow the Lord to speak words of peace and consolation from the Scriptures into our lives.

When our inner man is so burdened that we imagine our spiritual strength is gone forever, we have another great opportunity to seek the Lord in His word. "My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen meaccording to Your word" (Psalm 119:28). God's living and powerful word can bring strength anew to our weary soul.

When we are sinking into a sea of despondency, our God and His word are our sufficient remedy. "Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope" (Psalm 119:116). His life-giving word sustains us, proving once more that our hope in the Lord is never in vain.

When we are trapped or bound and need to be set free, God will again rescue us through His mighty word. "Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word" (Psalm 119:170). The Lord is our great Deliverer!

Dear God of the Bible, I praise You for the comprehensive work of Your word in my life. Day by day, please give me understanding, comfort, strength, and deliverance—all according to Your word!

Anger can shut down communication ~ Charles Stanley

Unrighteous Anger

James 1:19-20

Anger can shut down communication and break relationships apart. If suppressed, this emotion turns into resentment, which poisons thinking and behavior. Unchecked, it can boil over into an explosive expression of rage that hurts not only the intended recipient but others as well.

While we can think of many reasons to justify our anger, the only viewpoint that matters is the Lord's. From the book of Proverbs, we can gain insight into how God views angry people. He says they act foolishly (14:17), stir up strife (15:18), and commit transgressions (29:22). He also warns us not to associate with such individuals (22:24). In contrast, those who are slow to anger have great understanding (14:29) and demonstrate wisdom (29:8, 11). Keeping one's distance from strife also shows honor (20:3).

In the New Testament, the apostle James compared the tongue to a small spark that can set a whole forest on fire. (James 3:5-6) He knew the damage a furious person could do. He also wrote that our anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires for us, nor does it fit who we are in Christ. Jesus paid our sin-debt with His life in order to set us free from sinful behavior.

The few times that Jesus became angry were fully in line with God's purposes. In us, however, that emotion is usually born of self-defense or thwarted desires. If God has convicted you of unrighteous anger, confess your sin and allow the Spirit to reproduce Christ's character in you.

God, wants to spend time with you ~ David McGee

1 Chronicles 13:3

"and let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we have not inquired at it since the days of Saul."
NKJV

Life Lesson

We should seek God for more wisdom.

Today, on September 11, we remember lives taken by terror and heroes who fought valiantly to preserve our freedoms. The recent years have brought recession and financial ruin to many - a financial pain to all. Across the world, people are dying from curable and easily treated viruses and diseases that by no means should claim lives. In this day and age and perhaps as much as ever, we need to seek God's wisdom. We need our elected officials to seek God's wisdom and to be surrounded by Christian men and women who will speak bravely into situations.

If a Nobel Prize Winner came to you and said he wanted to spend some time to teach you certain things that only he knows, wouldn't you invest in that relationship? What if you were suffering from an incurable disease and a world renowned physician told you he knew of an easy cure and would like to share it with you. Wouldn't you listen to him right then and there?

James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." NKJV

Well, the almighty, all-powerful Creator of everything, God, wants to spend time with you to tell you about His plans for your life and about His cure for an incurable disease called sin. Have you invested in the relationship with Him? Have you taken the time to listen to what He has to say to you? Have you read His book? Will you?

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the cost that You paid on my behalf for my sins. Lord, I come boldly to the throne of Your grace and ask You to forgive me afresh. In the presence of You Lord, I ask that You alter me and make me different. Lord, give me a passion to know Your Word so that I can intimately know Your will for my life. I ask You for wisdom and discernment. Grant me the strength to apply this wisdom each day to my own life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Paul prays for things we don’t even think about. ~ Jon Courson

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
	Colossians 1:9-13
You who desire to be prayer warriors, carefully consider this prayer. Notice how Paul prays for things we don’t even think about. We pray, ‘Oh, Lord, help him to get over his arthritis, or be happy in her relationship, or get the new car.’ But what does Paul pray? Under the inspiration of the Spirit, Paul prays that the Colossians would, Know the will of God and walk worthy of Him; Be fruitful and strengthened with His might; Be patient and full of joy. Those are the important issues. Those are the issues of eternity. So if you want to know how to pray for your kids, grandchildren, parents, or husband — listen to Paul pray.

Those Children of Israel ~ Dry Bones

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Those Children of Israel

Those Children of Israel

The phenomenon of Jews joining in on the demonization of Israel is astounding! From Israeli professors to Jewish reporters they are active in the defamation and delegitimizing of the Jewish State. Sometimes they are called "self-hating" Jews. I prefer to use "Jewish Defamers" (I don't think that for a moment that they "hate themselves").

On September 29th, The day after Yom Kippur, I'll be flying off to the States to do a cross-country speaking tour called "The Latest News and Other Jokes" which will feature a bird-watchers guide to these "Cuckoos in our Nest".

Stay tuned for further developments!

-Dry Bones- Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973

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Ever felt like giving up? ~ Mark Balmer

Don’t Give Up – Empty Out Instead!

Posted:

Based on “Under HIS Influence - The Overflowing Lifestyle”

by Pastor Mark Balmer;

9/5-6/09, Message #MB388;

Daily Devotional #4 -

“Don’t Give Up – Empty Out Instead!”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Have you ever been at a point in life where you just felt like giving up?

You just couldn’t give anymore—you were burned out.

Everything you were doing seemed to fall apart. You were filled with the Spirit, but you’d been slowly leaking and, not being refilled, you were trying to do everything in your own strength. Wondering how you got there, you found that you weren’t living under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

The enemy was slowly gaining strongholds in your life; just little doors you left open because you relied on yourself, not the power of the Holy Spirit to guide you. Have you been here?

Are you burned out today?

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth):

The enemy is injecting your mind with the idea that life is just too hard, that you just can’t do it. He wants you to give up. But God has not made it hard for us. No, we make it hard for ourselves.

The LORD your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the LORD your GOD with all your heart and soul. This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach (Deuteronomy 30:10-11, NLT).

We make it hard because we are full of ourselves.

We have an instruction book on how to do life right (the Bible), but life seems difficult because we are worried about the “what if’s” and the unknowns.

If we don’t empty ourselves of self and let the Holy Spirit fill us, we will continue to struggle for the right answers and direction for our life. We will continue to feel burned out because we are not under the influence of the real power—the Holy Spirit.

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Now listen!

Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the LORD your God and to keep his commands, decrees and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, NLT).

If we empty ourselves and let the Holy Spirit fill us, we can walk confidently where God leads us. God loves us and only wants the best for us.

We can be sure that if God is leading us, He will take care of us.

If life were easy, God would not have left us His instruction book and He would not have given us the Holy Spirit to guide us. You are right, you can’t do this; life is too hard alone.

You need to be filled with Holy Spirit on a daily basis.

This power is free to you at no charge, once you become a follower of Christ. God has made it available by His grace. So when you think it is too hard, you are right! Empty yourself of your fear, pride, and whatever other area of sin that Satan has a stronghold over and then ask the Holy Spirit to fill you.

You will be renewed and refreshed.

Cultivating (Additional Reading): Deuteronomy 30; John 14:16

jej

They know they need to learn to be patient ~ Mike MacIntosh

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-5

In Galatians chapter five, Paul lists out the fruits of the Spirit, the characteristics that will be manifested in our lives as we yield to the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. One of those characteristics is longsuffering, which can also be translated patience. So we see that patience is something the Holy Spirit desires to work into our lives. Patience is not something we develop overnight, but it is a part of the growing and maturing process we go through as Christians.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:1-5

This passage in Romans tells us that because we have been justified (past tense), we have peace with God. And since we have been justified, we have been given access to the Father's grace whereby we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. We then see that the tribulations that come our way are designed to produce perseverance (patience), that patience then produces character, and then character produces hope. You see, God is not mad at you. He is not frustrated with you. He's not sending things into your life to destroy you; nothing could be further from the truth.

Satan wants you to give up, to lose all hope that God is for you and with you. Satan loves it when you are impatient and don't allow the tribulations of life to produce patience. But read through Romans 5:1-5 one more time. Take notice of the promises of God to you. Don't listen to the lies of Satan, but trust in the promises and faithfulness of God.

So many people say that they know they need to learn to be patient, but they so easily forget that the road to patience travels through the valley of trial and tribulation. You may not know how you will meet the next rent payment. Or maybe you are facing large health issues. You don't understand how it is all going to work out, but let me remind you that you don't have to understand it all; you don't have to solve tomorrow's problems with today's resources. Allow the Holy Spirit to work patience into the depths of your soul. Don't give up your hope. I know it can be so hard on our flesh, but cast all your cares upon God and trust Him to perfect all that concerns you.

Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever.
Psalm 138:8

Those who wait for the Lord ~ Joyce Meyer

Those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. —Isaiah 40:31

Isaiah teaches us to wait for the Lord when we know our strength needs to be renewed.

Waiting for God means spending time with Him in His Word and His presence. There are certain people we can draw strength from just by being around them. Their very presence, the way they talk and approach life, seems to make us feel better when we are discouraged or feeling down in any way.

Likewise, there are others who can always make us feel worse.

They have a way of putting a negative edge on everything.

When you and I need to be strengthened, we should spend time with God and with people filled with His Spirit. Spending time in God's presence is like sitting in a room filled with sweet-smelling perfume. If we sit there long enough, we take the fragrance with us when we leave. It will be in our clothing, in our hair, and even in our very skin.

Moses was a man of prayer, he spent a great deal of time fellowshipping with and talking to God. He knew that if God did not help him, he would fail miserably. Because of Moses' faithfulness to seek God, he was given an assuring message: "And the Lord said, My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14)

What are you doing with the years God has given you? ~ Greg Laurie

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.

— Philippians 3:8

Today people are thinking about what to do to prolong their lives, whether it is through stem cell research, cloning, cryonics, or the latest potion or lotion. I find myself laughing at some of the things I see advertised with the implication they will help me live longer. I realize that people can eat all the tofu and wheat germ they want, but their lives will end when they are going to end.

Yet some people become obsessed with the concept of living longer. According to a LIFE magazine cover story, there are some scientists who suggest that we can and will stop aging. But the article went on to ask whether we would really want to stop aging. In other words, do we really want to live forever? I guess it comes down to what kind of life you are living. Medical science can seek to add years to your life, but only God can add life to your years and give you a life that is worth living.

Our objective as Christians should not be to merely live long lives; our objective should be to live full lives, meaningful lives, and purposeful lives.

Jim Eliot is one example of a Christian who did this. As a young man, he felt God was calling him to take the gospel to a tribe in Ecuador then known as the Auca. Tragically, Jim was martyred along with four other missionaries in their attempt to share the gospel. Jim once wrote in his journal, "I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus." That is a good thought: Life is not a matter of years; it is a matter of what we do with them. What are you doing with the years God has given you?