Hey, whose truth is true? Is there any real truth? Can anyone really know the truth? Can anyone actually be more right than anyone else?
These questions are being thrown around alot these days... and to answer them quickly.... God, yes, yes and yes. Certainly not popular answers, I know.
But Jesus called Himself the way, the truth and the life. That's THE truth. So either He's right or wrong. For those who say He is ONE truth in many... what are you thinking? If He's right, then everyone else is wrong... and if anyone else is right, then He is wrong. No bones about it, He doesn't leave any room for interpretation.
And on a question of whether something can be more or less true... and if what you believe is good for you and what I believe is good for me... How can opposing statements which are utterly in conflict both be true? When truth is replaced with relativity, logic and reason go out the window. How can someone who believes there is only one God who will brook no competition be right, and someone else be right when they believe in hundreds of gods, or no God at all? Something doesn't add up here.
What is happening, is no one wants to admit they are wrong. I will fully admit that there are times when I have been too full of pride to admit my mistakes, and I suffered needlessly because of it. I see the same thing all around me. People believe they can do whatever they want because it makes them feel good. Selfishness, plain and simple. They think it's right just because they want to do it... well right and wrong don't work that way. For instance, if I am speeding and I get a ticket, can I just say, "well, it felt right at the time, and I wasn't hurting anybody, so I shouldn't get a ticket, because it was right for me to speed..."? NO WAY. I have to pay my ticket, learn my lesson, and slow down. That is a truth. I disobeyed a law, I was in the wrong, and like it or not, I had to pay the penalty. If I steal something from a store, or punch someone in the face, or commit any number of felonies, misdemeanors, or other inappropriate actions... I have to deal with the consequences. How doing that makes me feel doesn't enter into the equation. No matter if I think it's right... it isn't. I am still in the wrong. Saying it's OK, doesn't make it true. Life is like that. There are rules which must be obeyed, there are truths which cannot be ignored... to disobey those rules, and to ignore those truths, is to invite disaster. Not knowing the truth is no excuse, because it is still there, it is still true. And I have come to know the Truth, Jesus Christ. The beauty of God's truth, is that He already knows that we've screwed up, that our disobedience needs to be payed for, that we can't measure up to the truth. So He died for us. He payed for our disobedience, He took our consequences, so that we could live in the truth, so that we could find Him. I dare you to find Him for yourself, and see if He is not true, right and good. In fact, I dare you to seek out truth. I guarantee that God will show you the truth if you seriously seek it, and ask Him to. The best place to start is in His Word, the Bible.
The reason I point to the Bible for truth, is because whenever we find something, we always find it in the last place we look. The reason for that of course, is that after that we stop looking. I have found the truth in reading the Word of God, and I am confident that I need look no further to find ultimate truth. If I were to point out a rainbow to you, would you look on the ground for it? Would you look in a box? Would you look in a hole? Since you know where a rainbow can be found, you would look in the sky of course, assuming you wanted to see the rainbow. Since I know where truth can be found, I suggest that you look in the Bible, again assuming you want to find truth. The deeper you search for truth, the more the Bible stands up to every test you can throw at it, and the more truth it reveals. Find this truth for yourself... I challenge you! Be who you were born to be!
God bless,
Monday, February 28, 2005
Saturday, February 26, 2005
My prayer for Canada
It's been a while since I posted other than devo's... so here goes...
Pray for the country of Canada and its government and people! We need it. We must repent as a nation, and return to God, that He would forgive our sin and heal our land. I will be the first to cry guilty of sinning against God. I have done many things which were disobedient and sinful, and I regret the times when I kept my own pleasure foremost in my mind. Oh Lord God, come to us again! Call your people out of this spiritual darkness we have covered ourselves with. We need a revival, as a country we are spiritually dead. We kill children's bodies before they are born through abortion, we destroy their emotions in their young years through the pain of divorces, in their teen years, we pollute their minds with images impossible to live up to, we slash their spirits with the theory of evolution, and by the time they are grown they are taught to fear man rather than God. "Kyrie eleison!" Lord, have mercy! I pray that the vision of our founding fathers would ring true as the psalm:
"He shall have dominion from sea to sea,
And from the River to the ends of the earth."
It is no coincidence we were once known as the Dominion of Canada.
Lord, save Canada! Revive us as you have other countries. I long to see Your Spirit poured over our young and old, that your love would reign and replace our selfishness and hate.
God keep our land glorious and free,
Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
Pray for the country of Canada and its government and people! We need it. We must repent as a nation, and return to God, that He would forgive our sin and heal our land. I will be the first to cry guilty of sinning against God. I have done many things which were disobedient and sinful, and I regret the times when I kept my own pleasure foremost in my mind. Oh Lord God, come to us again! Call your people out of this spiritual darkness we have covered ourselves with. We need a revival, as a country we are spiritually dead. We kill children's bodies before they are born through abortion, we destroy their emotions in their young years through the pain of divorces, in their teen years, we pollute their minds with images impossible to live up to, we slash their spirits with the theory of evolution, and by the time they are grown they are taught to fear man rather than God. "Kyrie eleison!" Lord, have mercy! I pray that the vision of our founding fathers would ring true as the psalm:
"He shall have dominion from sea to sea,
And from the River to the ends of the earth."
It is no coincidence we were once known as the Dominion of Canada.
Lord, save Canada! Revive us as you have other countries. I long to see Your Spirit poured over our young and old, that your love would reign and replace our selfishness and hate.
God keep our land glorious and free,
Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
Living By the Spirit - Galatians 5:16-26
Yesterday's devo...
Our sinful nature is what God has called us out of to follow Him. When we do choose to follow Him, His Spirit comes and dwells (lives) in us. The sinful nature and the Spirit of God are not like two sides of the same person. They are enemies, they have completely opposing viewpoints, they are two different people. Who we were and who we become are completely different people. When we make the choice to live by the Spirit, we cease to be the old person. Because of this, when guilt and temptation come, we can stand firm and strong, knowing that the sin we are reminded of is no longer ours (we are new, pure, holy children of God) and knowing that God won't let us face a temptation we can't defeat. We are not the same people who gave in to those temptations, and sinned in those ways, before.
Read Galatians 5:16-26
The sinful nature (the old person; who you were; who you see yourself as, often)
- sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery [lust]
- idolatry and witchcraft [rebellion, disobedience]
- hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, faction and envy [disunity, pride]
- drunkenness, orgies and the like [excess, selfishness, greed]
Whoever lives like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Spirit (the new person; who you are; who God says you are)
- love
- joy
- peace
- patience
-kindness
- goodness
- faithfulness
- gentleness
- self-control
*Notice it's not the FRUITS, but the FRUIT. You'll know you're growing in the Spirit when you begin exhibiting ALL of these signs... the fruit is made up of all these things. As a pear tree produces its fruit, a pear, so does a "Spirit tree" or life filled with the Spirit, produce the spiritual fruit.
When living by the Spirit, we have put to death the sinful nature, and its passions and desires, because we now have the passions and desires of the Spirit.
Keep in step with the Spirit, constantly staying with Him so that this fruit will be evident in our lives.
*Verse 26* (many people skip this when reading/talking about this passage, but I think it's important)
Don't think of yourself as so great just because the fruit of God's Spirit is showing through you, don't envy someone else the fruit they show. It is freely given by God, and it's for His glory, not ours. Focus instead on keeping in step with the Spirit, so you can show more spiritual fruit and God can be glorified through it.
Our sinful nature is what God has called us out of to follow Him. When we do choose to follow Him, His Spirit comes and dwells (lives) in us. The sinful nature and the Spirit of God are not like two sides of the same person. They are enemies, they have completely opposing viewpoints, they are two different people. Who we were and who we become are completely different people. When we make the choice to live by the Spirit, we cease to be the old person. Because of this, when guilt and temptation come, we can stand firm and strong, knowing that the sin we are reminded of is no longer ours (we are new, pure, holy children of God) and knowing that God won't let us face a temptation we can't defeat. We are not the same people who gave in to those temptations, and sinned in those ways, before.
Read Galatians 5:16-26
The sinful nature (the old person; who you were; who you see yourself as, often)
- sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery [lust]
- idolatry and witchcraft [rebellion, disobedience]
- hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, faction and envy [disunity, pride]
- drunkenness, orgies and the like [excess, selfishness, greed]
Whoever lives like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Spirit (the new person; who you are; who God says you are)
- love
- joy
- peace
- patience
-kindness
- goodness
- faithfulness
- gentleness
- self-control
*Notice it's not the FRUITS, but the FRUIT. You'll know you're growing in the Spirit when you begin exhibiting ALL of these signs... the fruit is made up of all these things. As a pear tree produces its fruit, a pear, so does a "Spirit tree" or life filled with the Spirit, produce the spiritual fruit.
When living by the Spirit, we have put to death the sinful nature, and its passions and desires, because we now have the passions and desires of the Spirit.
Keep in step with the Spirit, constantly staying with Him so that this fruit will be evident in our lives.
*Verse 26* (many people skip this when reading/talking about this passage, but I think it's important)
Don't think of yourself as so great just because the fruit of God's Spirit is showing through you, don't envy someone else the fruit they show. It is freely given by God, and it's for His glory, not ours. Focus instead on keeping in step with the Spirit, so you can show more spiritual fruit and God can be glorified through it.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
I Kissed Dating Hello... a Manly Man's Guide to Godly Dating
the dating devo for all those who expressed an interest... here it comes:
So you see this really cute girl sitting across from you in class. You know she's a Christian, she's super-nice, and you just caught her smiling at you (at least you're pretty sure it was at you). You think, "God, I'd like to go out with that girl!"
What would you do if you heard God reply, "Yeah, I know. Why don't you go talk to her?"
WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?
Let's assume most of us here don't want to be priests or bachelors all our lives. And, for the sake of argument, let's also assume that we want to follow God's will for our lives, including our relationships. Fortunately, a godly man is a manly man, a man who is commanded to love. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 13 (the famous love chapter), Paul immediately follows up the characteristics of love by saying:
"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me."
Paul is relating loving the way God does to being a manly man!
Now that we know that we can, how do we go about it? What is involved?
#1... everybody's favourite... ATTRACTION.
It's physical, emotional and spiritual.
- you have power over who you allow yourself to be attracted to
- you can choose
- that's an especially good thing when you're married
First & foremost... don't be unequally yoked. Deueronomy 22:10 says:
"Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together."
Now how to apply that?
Well that's easy! I don't even own a plow, an ox, or a donkey! No problem!
*This applies to relationships and dating*
Consider yourself as a manly man ox... if you have work to do for God, and are focused on it, and are teamed up with an awesome female ox (or "fox" for short), the work gets done better, and the focus is on God for both of you. If you get teamed up with a female donkey, however, she hinders your work, the focus slips, and you both end up looking like asses.
That being said, infatuation is a gift from God! YUP, IT'S A GOOD THING!
- it brings about in intense subjectivity to a relationship so you discover everything there is to know about the other person, good and bad
- when it ends (as it will and must and that's OK!), objectivity returns
- that's when you can make the choice, is this someone I can love and be committed to?
- then love can grow... and when it does, it gets better, yes, better than infatuation!
#2... EXPLORATION
- start thinking about "can I see myself spending the rest of my life with this person?" (without the pressure of "I have to")
- know what you're looking for
- if that's primarily physical attributes, guess what? That's SHALLOW!
*Here's a big thing... don't act like you're committed to her when you're in the exploration phase... especially not physically
- treat her as you'd want someone else to treat your wife
*Another thing... we get way too uptight
- going out for coffee with a girl and learning more about her isn't giving your heart away! It's building a relationship and that's both good and necessary (not the coffee, the relationship)
Now, what we all want to know... how do I find the right person?
1.Pray - 'nuff said
2.Live - be a whole person in God (2 whole people become 1, not 2 halves)
- keep doing what God has told you to do
3.Look - if you're interested in someone, act like it, present a little interest, keep your boundaries intact, but explore
- love is a risk, but it's worth it. So TAKE THE RISK!
The wrong person...
- obviously a non-Christian
- if she's called to something, and you're called to something or somewhere different, that's a big clue it's not a match
- if someone is sending out a signal of "Leave me alone!"... FOR GOODNESS' SAKE, LEAVE THEM ALONE!!!
Now if you've got the first 2 phases down, and you think you're ready for #3... Love, leading to #4... Commitment, it's time to find out if you're seriously ready for some godly dating. Here's a few clues that you're not:
1.Quick to "Fall" in love - it's not just a feeling, it's a decision
2.Can't "Just Be Friends" - have to build on friendship (if you go out and break up, will you still be friends?)
3.Always "Need" a Girlfriend - only God can complete and fulfill you, it's unfair to put that pressure on a girl.
4.Only Spend Time With Each Other, Ignore Friends - need individuality... independence as well as dependence
5.Every Time You're With Them, It Gets Physical - back off completely or take a break
6.View Everyone of Opposite Sex as a Possible Girlfriend - this isn't saying you can't find someone attractive
7.No Direction in Your Own Life - need your own direction first, so you can see if she's going where you are or not
8.Never Think of Marriage - purpose of a Christian dating is eventually marriage
9.Haven't Set Standards - set standards, write them out, have them ready in advance, don't just try to figure them out as you go (from my own experience I can tell you this is really helpful!)
If you are ready... GO FOR IT!
- keep in step with God, every step of the way
- BE YOURSELF... don't be phony, it's a huge turnoff... either now or later
*When you find that one girl, COMMIT to love her forever. Don't play around. Do it God's way... the manly way.
So you see this really cute girl sitting across from you in class. You know she's a Christian, she's super-nice, and you just caught her smiling at you (at least you're pretty sure it was at you). You think, "God, I'd like to go out with that girl!"
What would you do if you heard God reply, "Yeah, I know. Why don't you go talk to her?"
WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?
Let's assume most of us here don't want to be priests or bachelors all our lives. And, for the sake of argument, let's also assume that we want to follow God's will for our lives, including our relationships. Fortunately, a godly man is a manly man, a man who is commanded to love. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 13 (the famous love chapter), Paul immediately follows up the characteristics of love by saying:
"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me."
Paul is relating loving the way God does to being a manly man!
Now that we know that we can, how do we go about it? What is involved?
#1... everybody's favourite... ATTRACTION.
It's physical, emotional and spiritual.
- you have power over who you allow yourself to be attracted to
- you can choose
- that's an especially good thing when you're married
First & foremost... don't be unequally yoked. Deueronomy 22:10 says:
"Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together."
Now how to apply that?
Well that's easy! I don't even own a plow, an ox, or a donkey! No problem!
*This applies to relationships and dating*
Consider yourself as a manly man ox... if you have work to do for God, and are focused on it, and are teamed up with an awesome female ox (or "fox" for short), the work gets done better, and the focus is on God for both of you. If you get teamed up with a female donkey, however, she hinders your work, the focus slips, and you both end up looking like asses.
That being said, infatuation is a gift from God! YUP, IT'S A GOOD THING!
- it brings about in intense subjectivity to a relationship so you discover everything there is to know about the other person, good and bad
- when it ends (as it will and must and that's OK!), objectivity returns
- that's when you can make the choice, is this someone I can love and be committed to?
- then love can grow... and when it does, it gets better, yes, better than infatuation!
#2... EXPLORATION
- start thinking about "can I see myself spending the rest of my life with this person?" (without the pressure of "I have to")
- know what you're looking for
- if that's primarily physical attributes, guess what? That's SHALLOW!
*Here's a big thing... don't act like you're committed to her when you're in the exploration phase... especially not physically
- treat her as you'd want someone else to treat your wife
*Another thing... we get way too uptight
- going out for coffee with a girl and learning more about her isn't giving your heart away! It's building a relationship and that's both good and necessary (not the coffee, the relationship)
Now, what we all want to know... how do I find the right person?
1.Pray - 'nuff said
2.Live - be a whole person in God (2 whole people become 1, not 2 halves)
- keep doing what God has told you to do
3.Look - if you're interested in someone, act like it, present a little interest, keep your boundaries intact, but explore
- love is a risk, but it's worth it. So TAKE THE RISK!
The wrong person...
- obviously a non-Christian
- if she's called to something, and you're called to something or somewhere different, that's a big clue it's not a match
- if someone is sending out a signal of "Leave me alone!"... FOR GOODNESS' SAKE, LEAVE THEM ALONE!!!
Now if you've got the first 2 phases down, and you think you're ready for #3... Love, leading to #4... Commitment, it's time to find out if you're seriously ready for some godly dating. Here's a few clues that you're not:
1.Quick to "Fall" in love - it's not just a feeling, it's a decision
2.Can't "Just Be Friends" - have to build on friendship (if you go out and break up, will you still be friends?)
3.Always "Need" a Girlfriend - only God can complete and fulfill you, it's unfair to put that pressure on a girl.
4.Only Spend Time With Each Other, Ignore Friends - need individuality... independence as well as dependence
5.Every Time You're With Them, It Gets Physical - back off completely or take a break
6.View Everyone of Opposite Sex as a Possible Girlfriend - this isn't saying you can't find someone attractive
7.No Direction in Your Own Life - need your own direction first, so you can see if she's going where you are or not
8.Never Think of Marriage - purpose of a Christian dating is eventually marriage
9.Haven't Set Standards - set standards, write them out, have them ready in advance, don't just try to figure them out as you go (from my own experience I can tell you this is really helpful!)
If you are ready... GO FOR IT!
- keep in step with God, every step of the way
- BE YOURSELF... don't be phony, it's a huge turnoff... either now or later
*When you find that one girl, COMMIT to love her forever. Don't play around. Do it God's way... the manly way.
Back to the Basics - Romans 3-5
By the way, this is the 3rd devo. I forgot to mention that last post was one as well, but it was probably evident.
1. The Problem - Romans 3:10-12, 23
- our sin
- we have all turned away and disobeyed God
- we fall short of His glory
*We are separated from God by our sin, the penalty for sin is death.
2. The Solution - Romans 3:21-24; 4:23-25; 5:6-8
God's part - He died for us (in our place) to pay the penalty for our sin
- He redeemed us of our sins so we are no longer liable/guilty
- He justified us as a result of His grace, we are made "just", now we are able to be in the presence of God
Our part - Believe in God
- Have faith in Jesus Christ
*Notice it's not our part to redeem ourselves or become perfect in order for Him to save us... He does that freely, out of His love. What we must do is accept it, accept Him, and the life change will follow.
3. The Result - Romans 4:7-8; 5:1-5
- we are blessed
- our wrongs are truly forgiven, we don't have to keep bringing them up anymore, they are gone... covered... taken care of... God won't throw them back in our face
*so why do we?
- we are at peace with God
- we stand strong in God's grace
- we have a hope... God's glory
Suffering... leads to perseverance... leads to character... leads to hope.
- God's love is poured out into our hearts
4. So What Do We Do About It?
- read the rest of Romans and find out!
1. The Problem - Romans 3:10-12, 23
- our sin
- we have all turned away and disobeyed God
- we fall short of His glory
*We are separated from God by our sin, the penalty for sin is death.
2. The Solution - Romans 3:21-24; 4:23-25; 5:6-8
God's part - He died for us (in our place) to pay the penalty for our sin
- He redeemed us of our sins so we are no longer liable/guilty
- He justified us as a result of His grace, we are made "just", now we are able to be in the presence of God
Our part - Believe in God
- Have faith in Jesus Christ
*Notice it's not our part to redeem ourselves or become perfect in order for Him to save us... He does that freely, out of His love. What we must do is accept it, accept Him, and the life change will follow.
3. The Result - Romans 4:7-8; 5:1-5
- we are blessed
- our wrongs are truly forgiven, we don't have to keep bringing them up anymore, they are gone... covered... taken care of... God won't throw them back in our face
*so why do we?
- we are at peace with God
- we stand strong in God's grace
- we have a hope... God's glory
Suffering... leads to perseverance... leads to character... leads to hope.
- God's love is poured out into our hearts
4. So What Do We Do About It?
- read the rest of Romans and find out!
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
The 3 L's of God: Light, Love, Life - a Study of 1 John
all verses unless otherwise specified are found in 1 John.
light - 1:5-7; 2:9-11
- God is light
- outside of God is darkness
- can't walk with God and walk in darkness
- love for your brother is walking in the light
- hate for your brother is walking in darkness
*WHO IS YOUR BROTHER?
- we are all children of God, any Christian is your brother/sister - 3:1
- obviously your nuclear family (parents and siblings)
- I would hazard a guess that it also means you "neighbour" - see Luke 10:25-37
Therefore... everyone.
... What would it mean to love everyone?
love - 3:1, 11-23; 4:7-12, 16-21; 5:3
- God is love
- outside of God is hate
- can't walk with God and walk in hate
- again with the loving your brother thing... maybe this is important?
- lay down our lives for our brothers, following Christ's example
- be generous with what God has given you... love with your actions, not just your words
- to love is to know God
- not to love is to not know God
- our love for God is only a shadow of His love for us
- His love is the example for ours, and ours shows His
- fear and love cannot coexist
- fear has to do with punishment, it isn't the reason we obey God - we obey Him because we love Him, not because we fear Him
- you can't love God and hate your brother
- to love God is to obey Him
...How can we show God our love through obedience?
life - 1:1-2; 2:17, 24-25; 3:13-15; 4:13-15; 5:9-13, 20
- God is life
- outside of God is death
- can't walk with God and walk in death
yet AGAIN with loving your brother (It MUST be important)
- obey God and you will live... eternally!
- we have passed from death to life
- we live in God, He lives in us
- to have the Son of God is to have life
- not to have the Son of God is to not have life
...What would it mean to be without life? How can we show others life so they can have it too?
light - 1:5-7; 2:9-11
- God is light
- outside of God is darkness
- can't walk with God and walk in darkness
- love for your brother is walking in the light
- hate for your brother is walking in darkness
*WHO IS YOUR BROTHER?
- we are all children of God, any Christian is your brother/sister - 3:1
- obviously your nuclear family (parents and siblings)
- I would hazard a guess that it also means you "neighbour" - see Luke 10:25-37
Therefore... everyone.
... What would it mean to love everyone?
love - 3:1, 11-23; 4:7-12, 16-21; 5:3
- God is love
- outside of God is hate
- can't walk with God and walk in hate
- again with the loving your brother thing... maybe this is important?
- lay down our lives for our brothers, following Christ's example
- be generous with what God has given you... love with your actions, not just your words
- to love is to know God
- not to love is to not know God
- our love for God is only a shadow of His love for us
- His love is the example for ours, and ours shows His
- fear and love cannot coexist
- fear has to do with punishment, it isn't the reason we obey God - we obey Him because we love Him, not because we fear Him
- you can't love God and hate your brother
- to love God is to obey Him
...How can we show God our love through obedience?
life - 1:1-2; 2:17, 24-25; 3:13-15; 4:13-15; 5:9-13, 20
- God is life
- outside of God is death
- can't walk with God and walk in death
yet AGAIN with loving your brother (It MUST be important)
- obey God and you will live... eternally!
- we have passed from death to life
- we live in God, He lives in us
- to have the Son of God is to have life
- not to have the Son of God is to not have life
...What would it mean to be without life? How can we show others life so they can have it too?
Devotion
Hey, this was my first devo at "The Rock". It's actually on devotion, hence the title.
Devotion is not just a word. We need to be devoted to God. When we talk about "devotions", we think about reading and studying the Bible, maybe our quick prayer time with God when we wake up or go to bed... but what is it really?
Think about someone who is "devoted" to a person, a cause, a sports team, a brand of cola... whatever. That person is constantly thinking about the object of their devotion, constantly talking about it, obsessed with it, if you will. That's how we need to be about God.
Devotion is a lifestyle. It's not just a half hour on a Friday night, or going to church on Sunday, or reading your Bible, as good as those things are. It's also about what you do the rest of the week: how you talk to your friends, what you spend all your time doing, the things you watch on TV when no one else is around.
Let's use hockey as an example, since there doesn't seem to be much of it in the NHL this yeart. Imagine a Leafs fan for a moment. Ok, fine, imagine me. On a year when there's hockey, the Leafs are my favourite team. I wear the hat and the sweatshirt, watch the games, talk about them all the time. I'm a devoted fan. Now imagine if I never talked about them, never watched a game unless I was actually in the arena already by some chance, and not only that, but I was constantly telling all my friends how great the Montreal Canadiens were. You'd think I was out of my mind! Certainly you'd never think of me as being devoted to the Leafs.
But that's the way we treat God on a day-to-day basis. We're so concerned with Strongbad, Halo 2, or the next dance, we don't take time out to be with Him, and we don't filter our decisions through Him.
We need to make devotions a 24/7 thing. We need to stop playing aroun with God and get serious. He is the best thing that ever happened to us. We need to start seeking Him the way He seeks us: recklessly, with abandon, and with all that we are... we need to be devoted.
Devotion is not just a word. We need to be devoted to God. When we talk about "devotions", we think about reading and studying the Bible, maybe our quick prayer time with God when we wake up or go to bed... but what is it really?
Think about someone who is "devoted" to a person, a cause, a sports team, a brand of cola... whatever. That person is constantly thinking about the object of their devotion, constantly talking about it, obsessed with it, if you will. That's how we need to be about God.
Devotion is a lifestyle. It's not just a half hour on a Friday night, or going to church on Sunday, or reading your Bible, as good as those things are. It's also about what you do the rest of the week: how you talk to your friends, what you spend all your time doing, the things you watch on TV when no one else is around.
Let's use hockey as an example, since there doesn't seem to be much of it in the NHL this yeart. Imagine a Leafs fan for a moment. Ok, fine, imagine me. On a year when there's hockey, the Leafs are my favourite team. I wear the hat and the sweatshirt, watch the games, talk about them all the time. I'm a devoted fan. Now imagine if I never talked about them, never watched a game unless I was actually in the arena already by some chance, and not only that, but I was constantly telling all my friends how great the Montreal Canadiens were. You'd think I was out of my mind! Certainly you'd never think of me as being devoted to the Leafs.
But that's the way we treat God on a day-to-day basis. We're so concerned with Strongbad, Halo 2, or the next dance, we don't take time out to be with Him, and we don't filter our decisions through Him.
We need to make devotions a 24/7 thing. We need to stop playing aroun with God and get serious. He is the best thing that ever happened to us. We need to start seeking Him the way He seeks us: recklessly, with abandon, and with all that we are... we need to be devoted.
Devotionals?...
Hey everybody,
I've decided to start posting the devo's I've been doing at "The Rock", Rockwood's youth drop-in centre. You're all welcome to use any info you think helpful, and any glory for how great they are goes to God... and if they're not that great, you can blame me. So here goes, starting with the next post...
I've decided to start posting the devo's I've been doing at "The Rock", Rockwood's youth drop-in centre. You're all welcome to use any info you think helpful, and any glory for how great they are goes to God... and if they're not that great, you can blame me. So here goes, starting with the next post...
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Authority
Hey. It has recently been brought to my attention once again how awesome God is, and I've learned more about myself, as usual when I learn about Him. I was at a young adults meeting called Tehillah on Monday in Grimsby, at Lakemount Church, and boy, did I ever sense God's presence there with us.
The worship leader there spoke out near the end of the singing, and mentioned that he felt God's rest there, and basically told us that we should worship God with our spirits, and accept the rest He offers... well, I was feeling really tense, and I figured, hey, rest sounds pretty awesome, but I have to admit, I wasn't expecting much, which was stupid of me, because I've seen God move powerfully in my life before. So, I focussed on God, and just giving Him the praise that is His due, and offering Him all of myself, and all of a sudden, as if a light switch had been turned on, I felt different. Now, I don't always feel a physical sensation when God is moving, and I'm not saying everybody will, or that that's the only way to know, but this time I did feel something. One second, everything was normal, and I was tired, and a split second later, I felt completely rested, and I had a kind of tingling sensation all over. I can't really explain it, but I felt completely refreshed, and I know it was God and not just my wishful thinking, because I wasn't expecting anything of the sort.
Not only that, but the speaker really had some powerful words from God for us, teaching that just seemed so simple, and yet I'd never realized it before. It was all about authority, and how God has given us authority that we need to start exercising, taking authority over areas in our life by speaking right into them and taking a stand. Now, I've got kind of a bad taste in my mouth when I think of the old "Name-it-and-Claim-it" line, which some people use to think God will give every true Christian a Lexus and a mansion on earth, and lots of cash, and no one will ever get sick... I get tired of people twisting truth around into a lie for their own ends VERY quickly. Now I don't think that God wants every Christian to be poor and destitute, living in a shack and riding a scooter to work every day, having no clothes and starving, I know for a fact that He blesses His children here on earth. I've been incredibly blessed myself, but that's another story or three. This message wasn't one of those "Name-it-and-Claim-it" ones in that sense. What the speaker talked about was walking in authority over our "flesh", who we used to be before God got hold of us. She talked about the power behind a name, how God named everything durinig creation, showing His authority over it all, and when He gave man authority over all the animals, he had the first man, Adam name them, showing the authority he had been given. We are to have authority over strongholds in our lives (things that are disobedient and sinful, and won't seem to go away) by naming them. Getting them out in the open removes the fear, shame and guilt we so often feel: the fear that we might get found out isn't there, the shame is gone because we are NOT THAT PERSON anymore, and guilt is not a true feeling, but a legal status, and we have legally (so to speak) been made innocent. No one "feels" innocent, they "are" innocent. When you are made innocent, guilt is no longer appropriate to your situation. Speaking of authority over those strongholds in our lives, she cited Deuteronomy 28:1-7, specifically verse 7, which states:
The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.
In that passage "seven" signifies "no end", meaning they will flee in every direction possible. To put it in terms of a battle, it would be a complete rout. There would be no defense to stand against you, it would be washed away by your attack. Checking the passage closer, I find that it's the blessings for obeying God. When God gives us His authority, He wants us to use it! When we obey, the strongholds will be overrun, the enemy will be routed, the battle will be won.
I learned alot that night, but it had been coming for some time. It was really new, but at the same time it wasn't new. Like this blog, it was hidden in plain sight. I took authority that night over strongholds in my life, speaking in authority over both lust and double-mindedness, speaking them out, I was able to overcome them without the fear, shame or guilt. Frankly, these were 2 things that I really hated about myself, and didn't want to exist in me. Unfortunately I thought if I treated them as if they didn't exist, maybe they'd just go away. Guess what? I still struggled with them! I was fighting them for all I was worth, but without walking in the authority I had received from God, the struggle continued to be extremely difficult. I know alot of guys struggle with the area of lust, (mind you some don't bother to struggle and that's sad) and every one I know of is ashamed of it. It's a lie that we believe that we are the only one who struggles, that everyone would hate us if they knew who we really were, when in reality it is a struggle that the vast majority of guys struggle with. This is off the authority topic (maybe?) but what we really need is to get things out in the open, and deal with it. Take authority over it. Don't let the shame and guilt grow and take you down until you feel as if you can't change, as if that stronghold is you. Guys, get over the past! You have authority over lust! You can take it out before it takes you out! YOU ARE NOT DEFINED BY YOUR SIN!!! God can make you a new creation, and it involves you taking the authority He has given you as His child and running with it. The other tough thing, double-mindedness, was something that kept me fearful of making big decisions, because I always wanted to keep my options open, didn't want to make the wrong decision, wanted to play it safe. Well I've got news for you (and me too). Life isn't all about playing it safe! There's a time to not take stupid risks, and there's a time to take the intelligent risks. Such as trusting God enough to assume that He knows what He's doing and what's best for us, accept that He has placed us where we are, and get about doing what He wants us to do. I think it's time to stop playing around. We say, "I'm a work in progress." Well, that means we have to progress, doesn't it? If we don't get moving, where's the progress? That comes with the authority thing. For far too long I had been deluding myself, telling myself that I'm not who I need to be right now, but one day God will make me who I need to be. Well it's true that God contines to work on us all our lives, but for me that was an excuse. I let myself make stupid mistakes, because I believed in who I thought I was, the person who always fails, who certainly isn't perfect, who often falls but God picks up again. The last while has been a journey from I think I am, to who God says I am. And God says I have authority over sin NOW! That I am made like Jesus... it is a work in progress, but it IS progressing! I have to get off my butt and TAKE the authority I've been given, make the changes and choices that He offers me, I have to be an active part of the process! So that is my choice. Not "I will be an active part of the process", that's the same old thing. I am part of the process! I'm working together with God to change me, and I am accepting that I am worth a lot to Him and I am not the person I thought I was, the failure. I am a success story already in Jesus Christ! Not that I've arrived at where I ultimately need to be, but right now I'm where I need to be, walking with God, going where He goes, doing what He wants done, and living in the authority I've been given by Him. No, I'm not perfect, but I am choosing to "do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with my God". I hope that you'll choose to do the same. God bless you all.
The worship leader there spoke out near the end of the singing, and mentioned that he felt God's rest there, and basically told us that we should worship God with our spirits, and accept the rest He offers... well, I was feeling really tense, and I figured, hey, rest sounds pretty awesome, but I have to admit, I wasn't expecting much, which was stupid of me, because I've seen God move powerfully in my life before. So, I focussed on God, and just giving Him the praise that is His due, and offering Him all of myself, and all of a sudden, as if a light switch had been turned on, I felt different. Now, I don't always feel a physical sensation when God is moving, and I'm not saying everybody will, or that that's the only way to know, but this time I did feel something. One second, everything was normal, and I was tired, and a split second later, I felt completely rested, and I had a kind of tingling sensation all over. I can't really explain it, but I felt completely refreshed, and I know it was God and not just my wishful thinking, because I wasn't expecting anything of the sort.
Not only that, but the speaker really had some powerful words from God for us, teaching that just seemed so simple, and yet I'd never realized it before. It was all about authority, and how God has given us authority that we need to start exercising, taking authority over areas in our life by speaking right into them and taking a stand. Now, I've got kind of a bad taste in my mouth when I think of the old "Name-it-and-Claim-it" line, which some people use to think God will give every true Christian a Lexus and a mansion on earth, and lots of cash, and no one will ever get sick... I get tired of people twisting truth around into a lie for their own ends VERY quickly. Now I don't think that God wants every Christian to be poor and destitute, living in a shack and riding a scooter to work every day, having no clothes and starving, I know for a fact that He blesses His children here on earth. I've been incredibly blessed myself, but that's another story or three. This message wasn't one of those "Name-it-and-Claim-it" ones in that sense. What the speaker talked about was walking in authority over our "flesh", who we used to be before God got hold of us. She talked about the power behind a name, how God named everything durinig creation, showing His authority over it all, and when He gave man authority over all the animals, he had the first man, Adam name them, showing the authority he had been given. We are to have authority over strongholds in our lives (things that are disobedient and sinful, and won't seem to go away) by naming them. Getting them out in the open removes the fear, shame and guilt we so often feel: the fear that we might get found out isn't there, the shame is gone because we are NOT THAT PERSON anymore, and guilt is not a true feeling, but a legal status, and we have legally (so to speak) been made innocent. No one "feels" innocent, they "are" innocent. When you are made innocent, guilt is no longer appropriate to your situation. Speaking of authority over those strongholds in our lives, she cited Deuteronomy 28:1-7, specifically verse 7, which states:
The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.
In that passage "seven" signifies "no end", meaning they will flee in every direction possible. To put it in terms of a battle, it would be a complete rout. There would be no defense to stand against you, it would be washed away by your attack. Checking the passage closer, I find that it's the blessings for obeying God. When God gives us His authority, He wants us to use it! When we obey, the strongholds will be overrun, the enemy will be routed, the battle will be won.
I learned alot that night, but it had been coming for some time. It was really new, but at the same time it wasn't new. Like this blog, it was hidden in plain sight. I took authority that night over strongholds in my life, speaking in authority over both lust and double-mindedness, speaking them out, I was able to overcome them without the fear, shame or guilt. Frankly, these were 2 things that I really hated about myself, and didn't want to exist in me. Unfortunately I thought if I treated them as if they didn't exist, maybe they'd just go away. Guess what? I still struggled with them! I was fighting them for all I was worth, but without walking in the authority I had received from God, the struggle continued to be extremely difficult. I know alot of guys struggle with the area of lust, (mind you some don't bother to struggle and that's sad) and every one I know of is ashamed of it. It's a lie that we believe that we are the only one who struggles, that everyone would hate us if they knew who we really were, when in reality it is a struggle that the vast majority of guys struggle with. This is off the authority topic (maybe?) but what we really need is to get things out in the open, and deal with it. Take authority over it. Don't let the shame and guilt grow and take you down until you feel as if you can't change, as if that stronghold is you. Guys, get over the past! You have authority over lust! You can take it out before it takes you out! YOU ARE NOT DEFINED BY YOUR SIN!!! God can make you a new creation, and it involves you taking the authority He has given you as His child and running with it. The other tough thing, double-mindedness, was something that kept me fearful of making big decisions, because I always wanted to keep my options open, didn't want to make the wrong decision, wanted to play it safe. Well I've got news for you (and me too). Life isn't all about playing it safe! There's a time to not take stupid risks, and there's a time to take the intelligent risks. Such as trusting God enough to assume that He knows what He's doing and what's best for us, accept that He has placed us where we are, and get about doing what He wants us to do. I think it's time to stop playing around. We say, "I'm a work in progress." Well, that means we have to progress, doesn't it? If we don't get moving, where's the progress? That comes with the authority thing. For far too long I had been deluding myself, telling myself that I'm not who I need to be right now, but one day God will make me who I need to be. Well it's true that God contines to work on us all our lives, but for me that was an excuse. I let myself make stupid mistakes, because I believed in who I thought I was, the person who always fails, who certainly isn't perfect, who often falls but God picks up again. The last while has been a journey from I think I am, to who God says I am. And God says I have authority over sin NOW! That I am made like Jesus... it is a work in progress, but it IS progressing! I have to get off my butt and TAKE the authority I've been given, make the changes and choices that He offers me, I have to be an active part of the process! So that is my choice. Not "I will be an active part of the process", that's the same old thing. I am part of the process! I'm working together with God to change me, and I am accepting that I am worth a lot to Him and I am not the person I thought I was, the failure. I am a success story already in Jesus Christ! Not that I've arrived at where I ultimately need to be, but right now I'm where I need to be, walking with God, going where He goes, doing what He wants done, and living in the authority I've been given by Him. No, I'm not perfect, but I am choosing to "do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with my God". I hope that you'll choose to do the same. God bless you all.
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