Saturday, August 22, 2015

Reverence

Ever notice in some churches reverence (Deep respect and awe for God.) is a thing of the past? I am not saying contemporary services are a bad thing, I've seen a lack of reverence in very traditional services too. In America, people seem to think they are sitting in their living room whether in their living room, at a theater, or in a sanctuary. Many times checked out - talking, texting, looking at their watch hoping the pastor winds it up in time to flip on the tube and see the kick off.

For those who will be worshiping in a church tomorrow, I pray we are all filled with awe and respect for the Lord and His house. I pray we remember we are not in our living room; conversations can wait; cell phones and Ipads will still function when turned back on after the service.


So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God.

You must follow the Lord your God and revere only him; and you must observe his commandments, obey him, serve him, and remain loyal to him.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Life & Weather

Like weather, life can be dramatic, life can be be beautiful, life can be boring, life can be inconvenient (think blinding rain at rush hour). Summer weather patterns in southeast Texas are fairly routine - hot & humid. Yesterday it was 106 and sunny, then late afternoon severe weather warnings were issued for our area. As the sun set, wind gusts of 62 mph were recorded, vertical and horizontal rain began to pour from the sky, plenty of thunder and lightning and of course a little hail to add to the mix and drama.

We can be in the midst of a tranquil season in life - maybe even boring when the phone call comes which turns our world topsy turvy, or your spouse walks in the door from work and announces he wants a divorce. At times, life is filled with drama. How we react is to the situation is very important. Do we press into God? Do we act like we star on a reality show - being paid to behave badly? Or are we somewhere in between?

I think somewhere in between describes many of us at times. I've reacted badly - sharing my judgmental, critical opinion with anyone and everyone. I've reacted by immediately seeking God and staying close to Him and keeping my mouth shut when required. I've also reacted badly initially and then turned to God and His wisdom, seeking Him and staying close to Him which to me is the "in between".

Remember ladies, we need to press into Him, not share all on social media. We need to seek Him in prayer and the Word. We may need the counsel of a couple godly friends or pastor as well as asking a couple of discreet friends to be in prayer for us.

The Bible tells us:

And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith? So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed, always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our body.

I will not abandon you as orphans, I will come to you. In a little while the world will not see me any longer, but you will see me; because I live, you will live too.

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Cafeteria Christians

Cafeteria Christian is a new term to me, it is another term for Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. An extensive survey among American teens who professed to be Christians was conducted 10 years ago. A majority of the participants said they like the Bible but could not recall a verse or anything from it. They also think Jesus is a great guy but they knew little to nothing about the Cross or the purpose of Christ's death and resurrection. Their basic beliefs are:

A god exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on earth.

God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and most world religions.

The central goal in life is to to be happy and feel good about oneself.

God does not need to be particularly involved in one' life, except when God is needed to resolve a problem.

Good people go to heaven when they die.

I see many adults with the same beliefs, much of what the teens listed as their beliefs parallel many of the mega churches in America. What a watered down God, no Savior, and inwardly focused list.

We are to love and serve the Lord and others. Our focus is on the God and His glory as well as the Cross and the debt paid by Christ Jesus. The only inward focus should be searching our heart for sin so we may repent.

The Bible tells us:

I Cor 8:5-6 If after all there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we live, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we live.

Matt 18:14 In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that one of these little ones be lost.

John 13: 34 “I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

Phil 1:6 For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.

Rom 3:21-24 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (although it is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed— namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

I pray for those preaching this type of message to repent and return their focus to God, the Cross, and the Bible.

Remember Ladies: It is not about me, it is about Him.