Itching Ears or God's Word Hidden in our Hearts?

Itching Ears or God's Word Hidden in our Hearts?

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Scriptures: Psalm 119:10 – 12; II Timothy 4:1-5

In II Timothy 4:3–4, Paul warns of a trend that we will see.   It is a time when men and women will not endure sound doctrine, but instead will be drawn to teachers who teach fables (stories) and are not teaching doctrine.  He says that “they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

In Psalm 119:10 – 11, the Psalmist writes “With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!  Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

So, each of us (including myself) has a choice before us. We can choose to listen to the teachers who seem to be teaching fables and not teaching the word of God, or.....

Listen to the teachers who respect the word of God (see Psalm 119:160; II Timothy 3:16) and teach it in its entirety, fearing God and not man. And then, read, meditate and begin to hide God's word in our hearts so that we will be able to stand in our day of trials and temptations.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

Those who worship God must worship in spirit and truth

Those who worship God must worship in spirit and truth

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Scriptures: John 4: 21 – 24; Psalm 150

In John 4, we read of the story of the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus. Concerning worship, Jesus tells her that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. He also says that the Father is seeking such (true worshipers) to worship Him.

So, what is true worship? Can we only truly worship with a certain style of music? Psalm 150 names several instruments that we can use to worship and praise our Lord with. But the last verse in that Psalm says “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” That sounds like an open invitation from God to use whatever we want to use to praise and give Him glory with...guitars, drums, etc.

Probably like most christians, I have certain styles of music that I tend to prefer over others. A couple of weeks ago, I was able to attend a gospel concert with a gospel quartet singing hymns and other songs. The style of music is not my favorite style. But as I listened, I began to worship the Lord.

I watched as others (many in their senior years) were worshiping and getting ministered to by the Lord. Just like christian rock bands that I have listened to and learned to respect, the words of the songs that the gospel quartet were singing sounded like they came “word for word” from the bible. I sensed the same Spirit at this concert that I do when singing the more contemporary worship songs at church or at home.

God wants us to focus off of ourselves and on Him in true worship. It's not that He (God) needs to be worshiped. We have a need to worship something or someone. We have a need to worship God. Because of that need, we will end up putting ourselves into something or someone. But there is truly only one place (actually person) who is worthy of our praise and worship. Only One is truly worth pouring ourselves out for. That is God in the person of Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

Paul and Barnabas...God's “perfect” will in their separation?

Paul and Barnabas...God's “perfect” will in their separation?

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Scriptures: Acts 15:36-41; Ephesians 4:2-4; Philippians 2:1-3

In the book of Acts, we read of Paul and Barnabas going their separate ways. Paul chose to take Silas with him, going through Syria to strengthen the churches there. Barnabas chose to take John-Mark with him.

God did use both new teams (Paul and Silas) and (Barnabas and John-Mark).

John-Mark came back later and was considered “useful” in the ministry by Paul. So most likely, Barnabas took John-Mark “under his wing” and began pouring into him...discipling John-Mark.

And Paul and Silas did go to Syria to strengthen the churches there.

But was it God's perfect will for Paul and Barnabas to have a sharp disagreement over John-Mark?

Maybe, Barnabas could have approached Paul and told him that God had put it on his (Barnabas's) heart to disciple John-Mark. Maybe Paul could have told Barnabas to go ahead with the grace of God and do that. But neither one of them (Paul and Barnabas) were perfect. Just like the rest of us, they still had a sin nature that is selfish.

Later in the book of Ephesians, Paul writes to the church there to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”. Then in Philippians, he stresses to be of “one accord, one mind and esteem others better than yourself”. It seems that Paul had a “change of heart” somewhere along the way.

Evidence that God does change us from “glory to glory” over the years as we follow Him daily.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

OVERFLOWING BLESSING

Give and you will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over,
will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Luke 6:38

If you're a baker these words speak to you about how to measure  flour shaking it and patting it down to fill in the air pockets so your measurements might be exact or your recipe will not come out like you were expecting. The only thing different between your recipe and God's recipe of return to his children is the when cooking there is no room for overflow. God's recipe is not only packed in without air pockets but overflowing filling us back up with even more than what we started with.
In those times when you fell truly lead by God to give in whatever form, we don't need to worry about what we see as dwindling amount of personal resources to suit the task. If God has endorsed it we can feel free to go ahead with complete contentment and willingness in knowing that He will always give back far more than what we can expect.
The content woman, when required to give of her time, love, resources, herself, is secure in knowing that she possesses enough to do it. She also looks forward to experiencing the promises of a great and vast return on her investment.
I know that at times we think to ourselves, my energy level is low,my love tank is almost empty, my patients has been all used up and the week isn't even over, my wallet is emptier than I thought and my financial needs are never ending. Just  when you feel that you have nothing to give because of all those reasons that makes us feel justified, we hear a still small voice saying "Give and it will be given to you." We trust in the Lord that we know will give us back in abundance because He has told us so. His blessings will be piled up high with His favor and grace in a a rounded heap that spills off to the sides  with more than you can hold.
This is the reward for the woman resolved to contentment. So "Give and you will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
It seems that the best way to get more is to give the little you think you have left in the way and the time He leads you to do so, even when doing so seems impossible because you don't feel you have enough.
So, sisters, resolve to be content and look up towards heaven with holy anticipation of the overflowing blessings that will pour down onto you. Be responsive to God's prompting to serve and be prepared for God's overflowing blessing.