Saturday, September 22, 2012

Combat discontentment


A Passionate Life Before God.



It is God’s heart desire to manifest His awesome presence as glory among His people. Throughout Scripture and  history, God’s manifest presence and spiritual fullness are always the sources of powerful blessing, sweeping evangelism through God's Holy Spirit.

It is by God’s awesome mercy that He raises up a standard and restraining evil forces. Indeed, it is “not by might nor by power but by My Spirit says the Lord.” (Zechariah 4:6) 


Through His people, God desires to touch the whole earth. No doubt, it greatly disappoints and saddens God’s heart when His people do not hunger and seek for more of a one on one relationship through Christ. A lack of hunger and active seeking says we are content to continue religious activities and studies without much effort or passion. Sadly, many today have substituted the one hour weekly worship service as "seeking God." Leaving room for God's grace and work most modern saints know far too little about the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, many Christians live a life unbalanced, and unbiblical.   



The Old Testament story of David—a boy who by faith, courage, and divine appointment was thrust into the kingship of Israel. He was king, warrior, psalmist, prophet, and one who foreshadowed the coming of Christ. And he was flawed. But the Book of Acts describes David as “a man after [God’s] own heart” (Acts 13:22). 


Although David was flawed, he lived a passionate life of trusting, seeking, and worshiping God.



1 Samuel 17; 2 Samuel 6; 11:1–12:14; Psalm 51



    • A Man's World: 

—What would it look like to be a person “after God’s own heart”?
—In what ways does David’s life point us to Christ?
    • A Man's Word
—Teaching point one: A life lived before God includes passionate trust.
—Teaching point two: A life lived before God involves passionate seeking.
—Teaching point three: A life lived before God involves passionate worship.

    • A Man's Work: Action Point - 
Express your passionate heart toward God.

           A) A life lived before God includes passionate trust. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all  
                 your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him,  
                and he will make  your paths straight.


         
 B) A life lived before God involves passionate seeking. The Old Testament and New Testament 
              words for "seek" to seek the face of God; to desire ; to examine or explore ; to seek earnestly  
              ; to diligently search for ; to wish for ;  to crave ; to investigate ; to pursue.

            Only God can touch our hearts and give us the desire to seek and to know Him, and to want His will & plans & ways above our own: Intimacy with God and the fullest possible 
fellowship and partnership with Him comes as you desire and seek to know Him & 
His plans and will and His ways. Prayer and spending time with God is all about desire & 
passion for God ; it is not a "religious" discipline in your Christian walk.


"I will give them a heart to know me."   - Jeremiah 24:7
" O Lord, God of our fathers, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements, and decrees..."   - I Chronicles 29:18-19

"For it is God who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose."  - Phil. 2:13


       C)  A life lived before God involves passionate worship. The word passionate expresses an intense 
             desire, an ardent spirit, strong feelings, and the sense of heightened importance. 


Through the personal practice of Passionate Worship, we learn to love God in return. Followers of Christ develop patterns of listening to God, allowing God to shape our hearts and minds through prayer, personal devotion, and community worship. We love God.





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Friday, September 14, 2012

Back To Jesus


Back To Jesus


The Bible tells us of a very special story. In Luke 15 we read the parable of The Prodigal Son. It is so special ... While the son was in the far off land his father waited patiently for him to come home. This is Jesus' call for those who are lost. 

Right now regardless of what you have done, your life circumstances, or if haven't been to church in a while, Jesus open invitation is for you. His open arms of grace and love invites you to give Him all your burdens, and rest in His caring arms. 

Reach out to Him: 

Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful, and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner...Amen.


The Sweet Gospel message of Christ.

Jesus did something really special for each of us. He was beaten bloody, died on a cross to take the place of our sin, rose three days later and ascended into heaven sitting at the right hand of God our Heavenly Father. 

This incredible message has two main uses. The first is for internal purposes—for you personally. It’s for comfort for your own heart, for instruction and encouragement within your family, and for spiritual strength in your congregation. 

The second use for this incredible rescue story is to provide you, your family, with its message for external purposes—evangelism. God has placed you in a context where you have relationships with people who still walk in darkness. Only those who hear the message and believe it will receive its wonderful blessings.


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Benefits of a regular, study





You are invited to share in all the benefits of a regular, study of God's Word. The Word of God can benefit us in more ways than we can possibly imagine. “The Word of God is alive and powerful” (Hebrews 4:12). What’s so great about the Bible is it’s not just some ordinary book, but the living Word — inspired by God almighty. It is literally “God breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). It will do for you what no other book or anything else can.You can make the commitment to Christ to engage the Bible on a regular basis. 

We must read the Bible. “Blessed is he that reads” (Revelations 1:3). 

We must listen to the Word being taught and preached. Luke 11:28 He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
We must be doers of the Word. “Blessed is he that reads and they that hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written therein, for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3). In order to have the Word of God be of full benefit in our lives we have to put it into practice. 
We must meditate on the Word. We are to make the Word of God our meditation day and night (Psalms 1:2-3 and Joshua 1:8). The only meditation we are encouraged to do is on God and His Word. 
We must memorize the Word.  “Thy word have I hid in mine heart” (Psalms 119:11); “I have written unto you young men because you are strong and the Word of God abides in you” (1 John 2:14); “If you abide in me and my words abide in you” (John 15:7). 
We must use the Word. The bible likens itself to a sword (Hebrews 4:12 and Ephesians 6:17). It is part of the armor of God.


1)Make God's Word a regular part of your day. Partner up with a fellow brother in the faith via calls, texts 
   or emails. This is a simple, a great way to help you stay engaged in the Bible each day. 


Readings for the Week of Pentecost 15

M       Mark 1:40-45
          Isaiah 40:25-31

T        1 Timothy 1:12-17
          1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

W       2 Corinthians 9:10-15
          1 Chronicles 17:16-27

TH      1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
          2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

F        Philippians 1:12-18
          Mark 14:3-9

S        Philippians 1:19-26
          Revelation 4:1-11