I Just Couldn't Help Myself

"I just couldn't help myself."  That's how I once heard a young person describe himself at the time of the infraction (and to be quite honest I have heard it from more than just young people).  His only excuse was that he was unable to stop himself, unable to resist, more or less he was saying he was out of control.  And that was probably more true (of him and of us all to often) than we would like to admit.  But he (and we) are just as much to blame because he (and we) put himself in that situation.

You see, I have come to the understanding that what precedes a sin is of equal or greater importance than the sin itself, particularly when you look preventing it's re-occurrence.  Often we focus on the decision to do the deed but we neglect to see what brought us to where we were and stopping it at that point was nearly impossible.  Whether it be an aggressive act, an impure thought or deed, taking something that isn't yours (in all it's senses) or simply being unkind, impatient or unchristian, all of it is preceded by thoughts and decisions that put is in a place intellectually and emotionally where we are so predisposed to that sin that we can barely help ourselves.  We have set ourselves up.  So I would suggest that setting yourself up is what needs to be scrutinized and may be a sin in and of itself.  Certainly that is what Jesus was saying in Matthew 5:28, "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."    Jesus is saying that we are as responsible for what led us to sin as well as the sin itself.

So my question for you today is, are you setting yourself up to sin.  What you do, what you think, what you long for and the decisions you make are all part of the package.  Turn it all over to Jesus and ask Him to help you to think straight, feel correctly and act in such a way that you are setting yourself up to succeed spiritually and not to fail.

Coming in from the cold

It was cold outside and my dog wanted in.  So I went out to clean off his feet but all that I ended up doing was fighting with him.  What should have been a quick 60 second clean off ended up being a 5 minute wrestling match with 85 lbs of German Shepherd.  While dipping his paws into the warm water and toweling them off he spent the whole time struggling with me and trying to walk away.  I told him it would be a lot easier if he just cooperated but he didn't seem to listen.  I was very frustrated with him... until I realized I do the same thing with God.  We all do don't we?  We want to come in from the cold but we don't want to let Him do what He has to do to clean us up. We struggle with Him and we walk away.  And the sad part it is for our good, not His.  Maybe we just need to stop and say, "have thine own way, Lord."

Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth chances

I just felt impressed to remind you that God is a God of second chances.  No matter how many times you mess up, He is still there for you.  He will take you back again and again and again.  Jesus told Peter to forgive 70 times 7 in Matthew 18:22.  That is to say there is no limit to the forgiveness of God.

So don't give up on God because He never gives up on you.

Top of the to-do list

I was pretty proud of myself... for about two seconds.  Then I realized I hadn't gotten anywhere at all.  I was in the process of checking off several things from my to do list and thinking I had really gotten something accomplished.  Then I realized there were as many things to add to it as I had checked off.  I also realized that the list was longer this week than it was the week before.  How could I ever keep up with all that? And to top it all off I had not gotten to any of the spiritual readings I had hoped to and had barely spent any time in prayer that day.

Has this ever happened to you?  You get so busy with life that there's no time for God.  It's not your intention to short change God.  You just have a lot to do. But that doesn't change the fact that you need time with Him.  It's not that the other things aren't important but it can never be at the expense of your personal devotions.  It's a matter of priorities.  God needs to come first always.  Make sure the first thing you do is to spend time with Jesus.  If not it can get pretty crowded in the middle of the pack.

Walking with Jesus

In Matthew 28:20 Jesus reminds us "...lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  And while that is a comfort when things go poorly, what about when everything is fine.  Are we as mindful of His presence in our ordinary, day-to-day life?  Do we celebrate our victories with Him on our mind as much as when we run to Him in our hour of need.  Like the old negro spiritual says, "I want Jesus to walk with me."  Just make sure it is in every moment and in every circumstance.

Do you worship during your worship?

People often ask me as a pastor for advice, "how do I make my daily devotional more meaningful?"  They tell me that they feel really bad but they almost dread their personal time with God because it has become very routine and stale.  A perfunctory prayer for guidance, protection of family members and a celestial to-do list is followed by a quick bible verse, a page out of the devotional or scan through the day's Sabbath school lesson.  "But something is missing", they say.

What's missing from your worship is just that...worship.  It's not that there is anything wrong with what is already there, but if our time with God does not include all the aspects of a relationship with Him, including worship, it will eventually become flat and lifeless.  And by worship I don't mean thanking God for His blessings, answered prayers and the like.  That's different, and many who are unsatisfied with their worship do thank God as part of their prayers.

But thanksgiving and worship are two very different things.  Worship and adoration are about who God is, where thanksgiving is about what He has done.  We need to look comprehensively at our relationship with God and see beyond an intellectual study followed by a quick review of transactions requests past and present.  There is a spiritual need in all of us to praise God for who He is and recognize our place as His loving, grateful and submissive subjects.

So maybe if you are in the same spot as those who have spoken to me let me make a few suggestions and you can take whatever works for you.  Try praising God in your prayers.  I use the ACTS format for prayers a lot and the A stands for adoration.  Simply give God the praise for being a great, wonderful, powerful, merciful, gracious, generous, loving creator.  If you have the space and time, try singing a hymn of praise as part of your worship.  What I do is put on a song of praise on the stereo or computer while I pray and hum/sing my praises.  (Youtube has lots of wonderful worship music.)  Find what works for you.  Each person praises God differently.  Just make sure you worship in your worship.

What's your go juice?

The other day I was out jogging and saw a travel coffee cup in the middle of the street.  I wondered who the owner might be as there was no house immediately in front of where it lay save a couple of likely dwellings that sat a short distance away.  It was an expensive stainless steel design but now was a little warped and the decorative plastic was broken strewn all around.  Apparently it had been unceremoniously run over by perhaps a hurried soccer mom taking her kids to school.  I'm sure it was owner, some busy professional had placed it on the hood of his or her car before loading the briefcase.  Later in their hurry forgot it there and sped ignorantly off to work.  Though the bliss of their ignorance must have been short lived.  One thing is for sure.  Considering our society's obsession with the fruit of the bean they will badly miss their morning pick me up and probably be less than pleasant to deal with.

So I ask you today, "What is your morning pick-me-up?"  Is it coffee that brings sunshine to your day or is it time in the Word of God that give you strength?  Is your day just not right if you don't steal away to commune with God in prayer and mediation on the scriptures?  It is not my intention to brow beat those who can't live without their java fix.  I merely want you to think about where your energy comes from.  One may abstain from all forms of mocha and still rely on some other second rate energy source.  

So what is your go juice?   Is God your power source?  Would you be as inconsolable without your morning devotional as that business exec was without his joe?

This past Wednesday we had a nice bible study during prayer meeting.  Some have asked for a copy of the notes.  Here they are.

An Exceptional Encounter with God- Moses on Sinai (Exodus 34)

Preface-

Ex 33:7-11

Only out of a regular encounter with God comes the true desire for an exceptional encounter with Him.

Ex 33:12-23 (particularly 18)

An exceptional encounter with God is something we must seek.

Section 1- Ex 24:1-2

An exceptional encounter with God can not take place as part of an ordinary, day-to-day experience.

Section 2- Ex 34:3-7

An exceptional encounter with God leads to an exceptional revelation of Himself to us: His Character.

Section 3- Ex 34:8

An exceptional encounter with God and an exceptional revelation of His Character leads to an exceptional response from us: exceptional worship.

Section 4- Ex 34:9-11

An exceptional encounter with God leads God to begin an exceptional new work in Your life.

Section 5- Ex 34:12-27

An exceptional encounter with God and an exceptional new work lead us to make an exceptional commitment as well.

Section 6- Ex 34:28

An exceptional encounter with God requires exceptional sacrifice

Section 7- Ex 34:29-34

An exceptional encounter with God leaves us exceptionally changed.

Missionaries

The "Singhs" came to our church this evening to tell us about their upcoming missionary project.  They are a young couple who have recently finished college and were looking for a way to serve God.  Then a friend called and said that he and his wife were going to India and wanted to know if they would like to join them in an area where people had never heard about Jesus Christ.  In due time the Lord started opening doors for them, one after another after another.  Now they are about to join their friends in an unreached area in the Himalayas.

I love seeing how young people open themselves up to God and  He leads them on exciting missions for Him.  They are called to India.  Where are you called to serve?  What are you called to do there?  God knows the answer to that question but have you asked Him recently?  And have you ever thought about being a part of helping missionaries like them?  I encourage you to contact me for more information about the "Singhs"(raqueldean at gmail).

Evil

I was watching a crime show on TV the other day and one of the characters made an interesting comment about criminal behavior.  He said, “There is also evil in this world.  Even armed with all our science and degrees it remains impenetrable. Perhaps because its depths are unfathomable.”  Jeremiah concurs when he says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" (17:9).  Let us not forget what is inside of us so that we may look to Him who died for us and that He may save us from ourselves.

Phone Posting

Publishing a post to my blog from my phone so literally all the world can see... hmm. Daniel 12:4 tells us in the end "knowledge shall increase". Another sign.

Thoughts from 8th Grade Evangelism

I am so impressed on how the meetings have gone with the Helen Hyatt Elementary 8th graders.  Never did I imagine at that age or even in high school that a young person could do an evangelistic series.  Fellow academy students preached only once a year at church.  Now young people man the pulpits at home and travel around the globe to preach the gospel.  In a way this is a fulfillment of Joel 2:28, "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions." God is empowering His young people as never before.

Estoy tan impresionado por la campaña de los niños de octavo de Helen Hyatt Elementary.  Ni habria pasado por mi mente a esa edad ni en high school hace una campaña de evangelismo.  Cuando estaba en la academia apenas predicabamos en la iglesia y eso solo una vez al año. Ahora los jovenes estan en nuestros pulpitos y viajando por el mundo para predicar el evangelio.  De una forma se esta cumpliendo lo que dice Joel 2:28,"Y después de esto derramaré mi Espíritu sobre toda carne, y profetizarán vuestros hijos y vuestras hijas; vuestros ancianos soñarán sueños, y vuestros jóvenes verán visiones."  Dios esta moviendo a nuestros jovenes como nunca.