Freedom, Contentment, Presence Part 5
Fini
Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." [6] So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
"I will not fear, what can man do to me?"
The fear of man is probably one of the most common sins that keeps us from breaking through from covetousness to contentment. "What will other people think?" "What will others say?"
We covet the approval or others and we are not content to be different. We want to fit in, to be a part of so we fear not fitting in or being a part of. We fear what people might say to us and of us. We fear that if we truly plant our feet for God we will be odd - peculiar - and hence be maligned and rejected.
Uhhhhhh - what part of the cost of discipleship did you not get? Did no one tell you that being rejected and maligned was part and parcel of the Christian walk? Did no one tell you that you have to REJECT the world to gain heaven? Being His means you are none of the world's. We are to be in and not of the world - but the cost is great and it can be painful.
What can man do to you if indeed you begin to grow from covetousness to contentment? Reject you? And why would you want to be accepted by those who wouldreject your growth in HIm, those who even reject Him? Why do we need that new suit or that new dress? Is it because the old are not wearable any more? Are the old rent and torn and unmendable? Then perhaps we do NEED those new clothes. Do we need that new anything? Do we even need the "thing" we have?
Christ came for one, to set us free - free from the penalty of sin - free from the power of sin but not from the presence of sin. So He gave us His presence in the Holy Spirit as a counselor and comforter - one who comes alongside to help. But are we addressing those things in our lives for which we need His help?
We choose comfort over contentment and then we wonder why our walks seen so halting and short. We wonder why we do not have the wind for the long haul. We limp along.
We live lives of bondage and that bondage is by choice - the choice to follow our covetous desires and the common covetousness of our culture. We are "wanting" oursevles into shallow, weak and ineffective lives in Christ.we are making the links in the chain that binds us to this world and the ways of this word. And so the author of Hebrews adminishes us - indeed commands us:
Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." [6] So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
Only in centering and building our lives on the gospel can we ever hope to fe free of covetousness, bound in contentment and living out the presence of the Lord in our hearts.
Oh, will you not see and allow the Spirit to convict your hearts of the covetousness in which you have become content and are bound by the fear of man. Will you not let Him drive you to yur knees crying out for the freedom He provides? Will you not repent of and reject the covetousness and face the rejection of man for your efforts?
Oh Lord, have mercy on me, a miserable sinner.
Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts
Monday, April 14, 2014
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Worship 002
Deuteronomy 11:16 ESV
Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them;
We can not help but acknowledge that our hearts are at best fickled and at worse they are deceitful beyond measure. Even though we are redeemed and set apart for, in and to Him our hearts are still prone to waywardness, rebellion and self-seeking. Certainly, as we mature, we expect to see our hearts grow stronger and wiser and more faithfu but there's no easy or quick (or here, definitive) way for that to happen.
Examining our hearts in light of the Word under the guidance of the Spirit was a practice, indeed a duty the Puritains placed great emphasis on. This examination was not just some curosry "check-up" but a deep and intense examination a spiritual angiogram if you will. They saw this as essential not only for maturation in the faith but for the glorification of God. I believee that regardless of how much time and effort we spend in the Word and prayer, if we do not purpose it to examine our hearts, it is little more than busy work.
David prays:
Psalm 139:23-24 ESV
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! [24] And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
A very bold prayer and one we would be well advised to not just pray asking but pray demanding. It's a risk, it's dangerous because God must say "Yes!" It is a risk and an danger because it will result in a deep and perhaps painful challenge to many of the things we thought we had right.
But unless we are willing to pray this and accept what He shows us we have casue to question if indeed we are His or not. To ignore the need for self- and God's examination of our hearts and/or to fail to acknowledge and respond to what is found is a sin of self-protective rebellion and a self-abusive sin.
It is perhaps in regard to worship that our hearts need close examination - which too little of which is ever done. The church has wandered into the morass of comfort, convenience and culture that has alienated her from her head and sorely weakened her witness. We have stacked so many pretty things, practices and ideas around worship that only a very dim light can be seen.
Where we should be focused on what God prefers we focus on what we prefer. Instead of seeking and practicing what God requires we seek and practice what our flesh and the unbeliever requires. Our worship has become more about us and less and less about God.
We promote worship as contemporary or traditional. The real issue is whether it is acceptable or unacceptable, holy or profane, reverent or rebellious. We have not only brought strange fire to God's worship but we have laid aside some of the most fundamental tenets of the faith. We have abandoned the main and plain truths for the bright and shiny deceptions. We have made worship an issue of "What's in it for me (us/them)?" instead of "What's in it for Him?"
This is nothing new. The first murder resulted from unacceptable worship. So we can take some strange comfort in the fact that this is a common and continuous problem. but that strange comfort must convict us and bring us to repentance. it should drive us to the Word to do the hard work of examining OUR hearts in regard to worship and what we think, believe, want, don't want, etc.
We must prayerfully cry out for God to show us how to worship Him not just in spirit but in truth as well. The "how" of our worship is a clear indication of the "who" of our worship. We need, individually and collectively to examine our worship (inside and out) to see if it is what He wants.
Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them;
We can not help but acknowledge that our hearts are at best fickled and at worse they are deceitful beyond measure. Even though we are redeemed and set apart for, in and to Him our hearts are still prone to waywardness, rebellion and self-seeking. Certainly, as we mature, we expect to see our hearts grow stronger and wiser and more faithfu but there's no easy or quick (or here, definitive) way for that to happen.
Examining our hearts in light of the Word under the guidance of the Spirit was a practice, indeed a duty the Puritains placed great emphasis on. This examination was not just some curosry "check-up" but a deep and intense examination a spiritual angiogram if you will. They saw this as essential not only for maturation in the faith but for the glorification of God. I believee that regardless of how much time and effort we spend in the Word and prayer, if we do not purpose it to examine our hearts, it is little more than busy work.
David prays:
Psalm 139:23-24 ESV
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! [24] And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
A very bold prayer and one we would be well advised to not just pray asking but pray demanding. It's a risk, it's dangerous because God must say "Yes!" It is a risk and an danger because it will result in a deep and perhaps painful challenge to many of the things we thought we had right.
But unless we are willing to pray this and accept what He shows us we have casue to question if indeed we are His or not. To ignore the need for self- and God's examination of our hearts and/or to fail to acknowledge and respond to what is found is a sin of self-protective rebellion and a self-abusive sin.
It is perhaps in regard to worship that our hearts need close examination - which too little of which is ever done. The church has wandered into the morass of comfort, convenience and culture that has alienated her from her head and sorely weakened her witness. We have stacked so many pretty things, practices and ideas around worship that only a very dim light can be seen.
Where we should be focused on what God prefers we focus on what we prefer. Instead of seeking and practicing what God requires we seek and practice what our flesh and the unbeliever requires. Our worship has become more about us and less and less about God.
We promote worship as contemporary or traditional. The real issue is whether it is acceptable or unacceptable, holy or profane, reverent or rebellious. We have not only brought strange fire to God's worship but we have laid aside some of the most fundamental tenets of the faith. We have abandoned the main and plain truths for the bright and shiny deceptions. We have made worship an issue of "What's in it for me (us/them)?" instead of "What's in it for Him?"
This is nothing new. The first murder resulted from unacceptable worship. So we can take some strange comfort in the fact that this is a common and continuous problem. but that strange comfort must convict us and bring us to repentance. it should drive us to the Word to do the hard work of examining OUR hearts in regard to worship and what we think, believe, want, don't want, etc.
We must prayerfully cry out for God to show us how to worship Him not just in spirit but in truth as well. The "how" of our worship is a clear indication of the "who" of our worship. We need, individually and collectively to examine our worship (inside and out) to see if it is what He wants.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Finger Thinking 041713 There ain't nothing friendly about Casper the ghost!
I have a dear friend and brother who has written a book titled Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes. It's been out for a while and has done pretty well but it is interesting that so little attention has been paid to this work not to mention the insights and guidance the author can provide for believers as well as non-believers.
I find it distressing that so little attention - not to mention credibility is given to this critical subject. The Gospel of Mark is replete with references to demons and possession and yet the church today keeps its head in the sand when it comes to the enemy and his little helpers.
Oh, I know - that was then - this is now - right? Hooey!! To deny the existence, operation, danger and influence of the demonic is to deny the scriptures - period!
Yeah - today we'd rather just call it mental illness and give it a pill. Well folks, after 20+ years of working with psychiatrists, psychologists and their patients that assumption does what assume always does. It leaves folks - even those who are afflicted with some mental illness out in the cold when it comes to the work of the Prince of the power of the air. So, they are just "honey out of luck!"
There is nothing "fantastical," or "sensational" in this book. It was not written to tickle your ears or feed your flesh. It does provide the reader with a sound and clear BIBLICAL perspective on our latest cultural IED - ie: ghost hunting.
Mom's and Dads who would never consider allowing their kids to play with Ouija Boards of Tarot Cards will actually sit and watch these hellish TV shows with them. I find that utter irresponsible and terrifying! Oh - these same parents will let thie kids watch the MTV and reality trash as well. No wonder our kids are numb and dumb.
But - this is about a book, an important book and a ministry, an important mnistry and the fact that the church - the "common" church is just too given to cultural compromise to get off its duff, get its head out of the sand and look at a very very serious issue.
Yeah, I guess I'm a little irritated! Ok, I'm a lot irritated. Self-denominated believers just can't seem to be bothered with the fact that Satan and his little helpers have their own TV shows and a teaching young and old alike lies straight out of the pit of hell.
Yes, the subject is outside our comfort zone - but "we" (believers) are supposed to be uncomfortable here anyway. Unfortunately we have grown to find "fictional" sin on TV and in movies and demons being contacted and engaged as "ghosts" to be entertaining.
To be honest, if I had my choice I vote for the gladiatorial games and circuses of ancient Rome over the lies we see on TV. Patti and used to watch a show called Castle until the two main characters started carrying on an affair right in the house where his college age daughter and his mother lived. So much for that show! So now we live on Duck Dynasty and old TV shows on Netflix.
But back to my point - BUY the book - know the truth - then USE it!!!!!!
James 4:17 NASB
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
I find it distressing that so little attention - not to mention credibility is given to this critical subject. The Gospel of Mark is replete with references to demons and possession and yet the church today keeps its head in the sand when it comes to the enemy and his little helpers.
Oh, I know - that was then - this is now - right? Hooey!! To deny the existence, operation, danger and influence of the demonic is to deny the scriptures - period!
Yeah - today we'd rather just call it mental illness and give it a pill. Well folks, after 20+ years of working with psychiatrists, psychologists and their patients that assumption does what assume always does. It leaves folks - even those who are afflicted with some mental illness out in the cold when it comes to the work of the Prince of the power of the air. So, they are just "honey out of luck!"
There is nothing "fantastical," or "sensational" in this book. It was not written to tickle your ears or feed your flesh. It does provide the reader with a sound and clear BIBLICAL perspective on our latest cultural IED - ie: ghost hunting.
Mom's and Dads who would never consider allowing their kids to play with Ouija Boards of Tarot Cards will actually sit and watch these hellish TV shows with them. I find that utter irresponsible and terrifying! Oh - these same parents will let thie kids watch the MTV and reality trash as well. No wonder our kids are numb and dumb.
But - this is about a book, an important book and a ministry, an important mnistry and the fact that the church - the "common" church is just too given to cultural compromise to get off its duff, get its head out of the sand and look at a very very serious issue.
Yeah, I guess I'm a little irritated! Ok, I'm a lot irritated. Self-denominated believers just can't seem to be bothered with the fact that Satan and his little helpers have their own TV shows and a teaching young and old alike lies straight out of the pit of hell.
Yes, the subject is outside our comfort zone - but "we" (believers) are supposed to be uncomfortable here anyway. Unfortunately we have grown to find "fictional" sin on TV and in movies and demons being contacted and engaged as "ghosts" to be entertaining.
To be honest, if I had my choice I vote for the gladiatorial games and circuses of ancient Rome over the lies we see on TV. Patti and used to watch a show called Castle until the two main characters started carrying on an affair right in the house where his college age daughter and his mother lived. So much for that show! So now we live on Duck Dynasty and old TV shows on Netflix.
But back to my point - BUY the book - know the truth - then USE it!!!!!!
James 4:17 NASB
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
Think - Pray - Do!
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