Contrasted Hearts

Scriptures:

Amos 4: 9 yet you have not returned to me,” declares the LORD.

 

Amos 4: 13 He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth— the LORD God Almighty is his name.

 

Amos 5:4

This is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: “Seek me and live;

 

Psalm 86: 2 & 3
Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant
who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.

Observation:

The Lord is speaking through the prophet Amos and reminding the children of Israel of all the things that have happened to them and the expected outcome of these ‘life lessons’ God was presenting to them. It was God’s heart that the people of Israel would ‘get it’ and then return to the Lord. This was not the case. They kept running from Him. They had forgotten whom He was – and that His name was Almighty. They had become almighty to unto themselves and missed the admonition: Seek the Lord and live. Life is found in the Lord. He has revealed His love to us so that we might know Him and in knowing Him we might live.

 

David’s heart stands in contrast to Israel as from the depth of his heart, David cries, ‘guard my life, for I am devoted to you.’ This is the heart that God wanted Israel to have but they did not choose to live in that place.

 

Application:

It is easy to drift from God and not heed His warnings and learn the lesson He wants to teach us. We can repeat again and again, until we learn that God is the source of life and will have mercy on us as we seek Him and are devoted to Him. Israel (in the book of Amos) or David calling on God all day long? The choice is ours!

 

Prayer:

Dear God, help me to follow after you and not drift from you. Help me to learn the lessons you are teaching me and to learn them quickly and respond well by running to you and receiving your mercy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Being Salt

S: Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for fertilizer. It is thrown away. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!” Luke 14:34&35

 

O: Salt can lose its flavor. When it gets wet and then dries, nothing is left but a tasteless residue. Many Christians blend into the world to avoid the cost of standing for Christ. Jesus says if Christians lose their distinctive saltiness, they become worthless. Being “salty” is not easy, but if a Christian fails in this function, they fail to represent Christ in the world. How salty are you?

 

A: Just as salt flavors and preserves food, we are to preserve the good in this world, keep it from spoiling, and bring new flavor to life. This requires planning, willing sacrifice, and unswerving commitment to Christ’s kingdom.

 

P: Dear Lord, help me to stand up for what I believe in. I want to be a witness to others and an example of your love to them. Help Foursquare church as a whole God to also show love to people and that they matter to you. Thank you for this opportunity to work at LFC and help spread your word. You have brought my life so much joy, thank you. ~Amen

Eternal life now.

Scripture:

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1st Timothy 6:11-12)

Observation:

Here Paul was talking about people who were seeking after money. He concludes talking about the fact that these people end up with all kinds of problems and then instructs Timothy to run away from anything like what he had just described. Instead he urges Timothy to live a life that represents God. Eternal life is something that Timothy can represent in his day to day life.

Application:

I also can grab hold of the eternal life that I am called to today. Salvation is not just something that I am called to get after I die. I can follow Christ today and represent the new life I have in everything that I do. A big part of this is not grabbing on to things of this world like money. If I allow my pursuit of anything in this world to take the place of my pursuit of God that thing is an idol.

Paul I think today would tell me still to flee from those things. Good advice.

Prayer:

Jesus, help me to live out my eternal life today. Help me not to put things of this world before you because You are all that I need today and tommorrow and forever. Amen.

Worship Moves Us To A Trusting Place During The Battle

Scripture:

2 Chronicles 20: 17 – 23
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’
” Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with very loud voice. Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
       “Give thanks to the LORD,
       for his love endures forever.”

 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. (NIV)

Observation:

Jehoshaphat uses some seemingly unorthodox methods to win a battle. But in worship and trust to the Lord he and the army declare how holy and splendid their God is. They praised the Lord for his enduring love. Worship is an unusual stratagem for an army but this is no usual army. They are ones who are able and ready to war, but have a promise in their hearts – they are ones who are competent to do battle, but today their battle is to stand in worship and the ‘spiritual warfare’ worship brings. They have a promise in their hearts – ‘Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’ While Jehoshaphat and his armies are focused on God and living in a place of trust during the battle, their enemies are confused and actually begin fighting each other. 

 

Application:

Worship makes more of a statement than adoration alone (though it is that) it is a statement of trust in the midst of battle. Worship moves us to a place of allowing the “battle to be the Lord’s” Worship takes our cares and places them upon God and it takes our warring hands and plans and allows them to be placed in the hands of the Lord. May we take our cues from the Lord, follow His promptings and trust Him, even in times of struggle and battle. Worship is always the right thing to do and often times the warring we need in times of battle. May we be ready to work and fight as the Lord leads but equally as ready to worship and let the Lord war for us.   It is possible to get in God’s way and attempt to defend us when the Lord is ‘our defense.’

 

Prayer:

Dear God, use Jehoshaphat and his army to remind me of obedience, even when it seems odd or awkward. Remind me to trust you in all things and be ready to work and war, but also to be ready to step aside and let you do what only you can do. You are splendid, you are holy, you are loving and your love endures forever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

REMAIN FOCUSED

  

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 1-3, Psalm 82 and 1 Timothy 1

 

SCRIPTURE:

Psalm 82: 2-3 (New International Version)

How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

 

1 Timothy 1:5 (New International Version)

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.

 

2 Kings 2:16-18 (New International Version)
“Look,” they said, “we your servants have fifty able men. Let them go and look for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has picked him up and set him down on some mountain or in some valley.”  
      ”No,” Elisha replied, “do not send them.”

But they persisted until he was too ashamed to refuse. So he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him. When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?”

 

OBSERVATION:

2 Kings says that Elisha told the fifty men, his servants, do not go look for Elijah. But they kept asking… persisted until he said go. These men went out and searched for three days and then returned without Elijah and he simply says “Didn’t I tell you not to go?” When I read that I thought how they wasted their time. He knew they would not find him! Yet they chose to go and waste their time and look anyway. This was a reminder to me to not only listen when instructed but to stay focused on what I am suppose to be doing and NOT to waste time and loose focus.

 

Don’t loose focus the goal is to love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith! Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

 

APPLICATION:

Take advantage of the opportunities in my personal life to impact others in a positive way with the love of Christ and to utilize the opportunities I have at church to serve others and impact our community with the love, grace and power of the Jesus!

 

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for your love, grace, comfort and direction. Enable me to be strong and focused on the very things that are on your heart! My prayer is that you would use Lompoc Foursquare Church (the people) to make an impact on our community for your name and your glory and that many would be saved. Loving through acts of service!

 

 

Do What Is Right – Even If None Follow

Scripture:

I Kings 22: 4; 41 – 44

But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the LORD.” Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.  Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. In everything he walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. Jehoshaphat was also at peace with the king of Israel.

 

Observation:

Jehoshaphat possessed a great heart to follow God and to give Godly advice. In this passage we find him telling the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.” This was obviously more than advise but how he lived his own life. When Jehoshaphat became king himself, seeking the counsel of the Lord, was how he ordered his life. The scripture tells us that in everyway he walked in the ways of his father Asa and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. However the people continued to worship false Gods.

 

Application:

It is a reminder to us that we are to do what is right, even if none follow – even if none applaud our efforts of understand why we do what we do. We do what is right for the Lord. And nothing feels as good as obedience. The old song: “ I have decided to follow Jesus,” comes to mind and especially the line, “though none go with me, still I will follow…all the way.” The best way to live is to seek the counsel of the Lord.

I can best do this by: gaining the principles from His word, seeking out those who know God and have a proven life of following Him, and living in the confines of his providential and moral will. Someone has said it is easier to do difficult things when others encourage you and I agree. But if no one goes with you, encourages you in doing what is right – you go anyways.

 

Prayer:

Lord and God, Jehoshaphat speaks to my heart today. It is as I can hear him say: “Give wise counsel – live wise counsel.” I am also reminded of the principle of, doing what is right for you and because of you, regardless of reward, affirmation or partnership. Give me the courage to do what is right. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

‘I am with you in spirit’

Scripture:

Colossians 2: 1- 5

I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Observation:
Paul expresses his struggle for others and the reason he is dealing with this struggle. It is to see people encouraged in their heart, united in their love and experiencing the full riches of Christ. Paul is a leader who wants the best for those that he leads and deeply wants them to know Christ. He wants them to have the deep treasure opened to them: wisdom and knowledge. Here we find the phrase, “even thought I am not there, I am with you in spirit.” This statement has been met with misunderstanding and confusion. There is nothing like having someone with you, attending a party, at home etc. when you would like them there. All the statements of “my heart is with you” or “I am with you in spirit” mean very little when you would like them there with you. But I understand this. There are people in my life that even when I am not with them, I am caring for them, praying for them and in some cases struggling because I cannot see them. Struggling, like Paul, contending in the spirit to see it go well with them and their faith confirmed in Christ.

 

Application:

Do you struggle for others to know the Lord? Do you struggle and contend for people to have an encouraged heart and to live in unity of love? Do you struggle to see people live in the fullness of Christ? To some these questions are answered quickly with a ‘yes!’ But to others, they are not that concerned for others, but certainly should be. Do you have people in your life that you long to see? Ones for whom you pray, and when you are away from them you are with them in spirit? Our hearts, attitude, prayers, faith can be pulling for people, even when we are not with them. There are some that I truly miss a lot as I write this, but I will, even while being absent from them, think of them, pray for them and contend for them in the faith. May we all grow more concerned for others and there for people even when we are not there with people.

 

Prayer:

Lord, help the people I lead to grow deeper in you. Help those that I have not seen in some time, continue to grow in you. There are some that I truly miss, some that I long to see, I hope they are doing well Lord. I believe for them, contend with them, think of them fondly and am with them in spirit. May your Spirit be with them and fill them. In Jesus Name, Amen

“As For Us…”

2 Chronicles 13: 10 – 12
“As for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him. The priests who serve the LORD are sons of Aaron, and the Levites assist them. 11 Every morning and evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the LORD. They set out the bread on the ceremonially clean table and light the lamps on the gold lampstand every evening. We are observing the requirements of the LORD our God. But you have forsaken him. 12 God is with us; he is our leader. His priests with their trumpets will sound the battle cry against you. Men of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.”

 

Philippians 4: 8 & 9

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

 

Observation:

“As for us” is an amazing phrase. It is spoken in the midst of a time in which people rebelled, some totally violated God’s law and order, others were blessed with success only due to that of their forefathers, like David and the promises God made to him about his future and legacy. In the midst of the wars of Jeroboam and Rehoboam, in which 400,000 on one side and 800,000 on the other side fought it out – we find these words, “As for us.” These words set the stage of contrast. As I read them, I can hear the heart of those who speak them. As for us, we have not forsaken God, we have not ceased to worship Him. We start our day with worship and offerings and keeping all the requirements of our God. As for us, we are with the Lord. As for you, you have forsaken Him. With us: God is our leader and He is there for us. With you: God will not allow you to succeed.  As for us – God is our God and even in a land of rebellion, fighting, hatred, sin, we will not be deterred from our focus on God. We will stand in contrast of all – that is how we live – As for us.

Paul’s writings to the Philippians church is also an “As for Us.” It has to do with how we think and what we focus our lives upon. It is his final shot to them as though he is saying, “As for Us.” We are thinking in contrast to the rest of the world, we process differently because we belong to God and desire His peace to be with us. Think truth, nobility, right and pure, let it fill your mind and flood your thoughts. Focus on lovely and admirable, if it is worthy of praise, if it is worthy of the early rising to declare it to God – then think about it. “And whatever you learned from me,” Paul says, you put it into practice and live your life as an “As for Us.”

 

Application:

My observation today is very much an application – it is a firm reminder of the contrasted life we are called to live and present to God in the midst of a land of rebellion and confusion. We are to live with focus that is clear and honors God. It is easy to be pushed away from that which is right but, may we not forsake God, deny God our best and give Him our love and adoration.

 

Prayer:

Lord, you know how easy it is for my mind to focus on that which does not give you glory or my steps to wander in places where I should not go. So, I ask you to allow me to known as one, that God never forsook and one that lived in contrast to the world. May I be able to say, “As for Us.” As for me and my house, we will serve You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, the one who lived in contrast and did not deny His God-given purpose. Amen  

Time for Being Mature

 

Scripture:

 

Philippians 3: 12 – 16
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

 15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

 Observation:

Paul, of all people does not have the call of God for His life figured out. He cannot realize fully, nor can we, why God took hold of him and why Jesus Christ appeared to him, spoke to him and transformed his life. Paul is open to learning more and discovering the call in its fullness. He models for us the heart of a life-long learner but not with mere theology or academia but to garner the heart-beat of God in his life. In order for Paul to do this he gives us some key principles:

·         Forget the past.

·         Fight to move ahead.

·         Focus on the goal

·         Finish to get the prize.

If we too want to be mature, we should take see it as Paul does. Not sitting back and waiting for more knowledge but moving forward by forgetting, fighting, focusing and finishing and by living out what we already know.

Application:

I need to move into this place of maturity and not allow distractions from the past or current weakness in my judgment to keep me where I am or to move me backward. I want to run my race and run for Him. IN all things may I apply these principles- I will grab hold of all God has done, spoken, revealed and desires for me.

 

Prayer:

Lord help me to live out what I know and what you have already shown me so that I may gain deeper knowledge into why you grabbed hold of me. Give me the courage and power to follow hard after you. Amen

Sharp Tools Will Serve God Well

Scripture:

 

Ecclesiastes 10:10; 11:10; Psalm 94: 18 & 19 & Ephesians 5: 15 & 16

If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body… When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (NIV)

 

Observation:

As I read today’s scriptures, it was apparent to me that there was a consistent thread running through them all. When the ax is dull it simply takes more work to bring about the same result. This is true of the gifts and talents that God has provided for us. When they become dull due to anxiety and weariness it creates trouble to our heart and to our bodies – it wears us out and we loose the capacity to deeply engage in our best gifts and utilize them with excellence. When we become weak and worn not only is more work required and we may have a tendency to slip. It is essential to know that God’s love that supports us and His heart that we not become dull and filled with anxiety. It is as if the Apostle Paul were reading today’s verses. He speaks with clear warning: Be careful how you live – don’t be unwise and miss opportunities that could be used for God.

Application:

Anxiety is a contributing factor to our dullness and a loss of joy. This causes us to easily miss opportunities that could advance God’s Kingdom. Due to dullness some of our sharpest gifts take more effort to use or may not get used at all. I must be able to have “sharpening times” with God, His word, time with family, close and dear friends, people with whom, just their look and smile, bring a shaper sense to my life. I must also spend time being sharpened. As a tool is sharpened, it is removed from its task and intended purpose and brought to a place where it can be sharpened. The key is: it must be removed from the place of work. Rick Warren once said, we should “divert daily, withdraw weekly and abandon annually.” This is something I must do a better job at along with the admonition to give my anxiety to the Lord – to “banish” it from my heart. Like a Survivor contestant being “banished” from the island or wilderness, I must “banish” anxiety from my heart. I must remove myself from my work in order to become sharper when I reengage and discover the tools I have work so much better now and my gifts are being used with much less effort.

 

Prayer:

Lord God, the one who sharpens my life, there are so many lessons from today’s reading. I could literally write about them for pages. But instead, I ask you for the courage and the wisdom I need to remove myself from the task and step away with you to be sharpened. I don’t simply seek time off, but time in which I consistently consider your will and way and your best for me. Sharpen me God so I might be effective for you. Take the anxiety off my heart as I lay it down at your feet. May I live for Your glory and for Your Kingdom and for Your Name. Amen.