Life Journal 06-29-2008 Woe to the Complacent

Woe To The Complacent

(S) Scripture
Amos 6:1 (NIV) 1 Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!

(O) Observation
Amos is preaching to a people who thought that being an Israelite was all God required. They were complacent in what it meant to be the people of God and they were falsely secure. They thought these external things made them "good with God"

Amos warn them that judgment is coming because they had not trusted in or acknowledged God. They were content in themselves and sorely mistaken.

(A) Application
I see many Christians in this same boat. They think that because of some emotional experience or intellectual understanding or some decision they made long ago they are "good with God," and it just isn't so. They think they can live anyway they choose and do anything they want - after all God loves them and must forgive them. They misunderstand forgiveness and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. It is sad but here they are complacent and falsely secure but unaware that judgment is coming.

I must never think that way or fall into that trap. I must continually trust and acknowledge God and follow him only.

(P) Prayer
Lord make me so aware of your presence that I will know when I have turned from you to trust my own ways. I want to always trust You. Amen

Life Journal 06-27-2008 Using Godly Tools

Using Godly Tools

(S) Scripture
Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow." 2 Chronicles 25:8 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Amaziah has amassed an army from Judah but hires soldiers from Israel as well. God was opposed to Israel at this time. When Amaziah sought the counsel of the "man of God" he was told not to take the Israelite soldiers into battle because God opposed them and God could either help or overthrow Amaziah.

God wants his people to trust Him in their battles and not to trust in their own devices or abilities or armies. It is never good to enlist the ungodly to fight with us. The outcome is that God will overthrow us in the face of our enemy.

(A) Application
I wonder how often I enlist the ungodly or worldly to help me accomplish what I think is God's will. Whether it is people, or things or forces or methods if they are not godly they lead to destruction. How often have we used secular ideas and methods to attract people and then wonder why things failed or the people did not stick with their decisions.

We must rely only on God and use the resources He provides. I will take care to be sure that the resources I use to accomplish God's work will meet with His approval because I want his help and not to be overthrown to the enemy.

(P) Prayer
Lord, let me trust only in you and the resources you provide and approve. Make me keenly aware when I am about to use resources that do not meet your approval. I do want and need your help in all things. Amen

Life Journal 06-26-2008 Forfeiting Grace

Forfeiting Grace

(S) Scripture
Jonah 2:8 (NIV) 8 "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.


(O) Observation
No idol has the power to save and yet many put their trust in them. Idols are not just other gods but also things we worship or put in the place of God.

People have put their trust in power and position and wealth - others believe in the power of crystals and such and in so doing they forfeit the grace that could be theirs because they are not trusting in God.

(A) Application
If I want to experience God's grace then I must be constantly sure my trust is in God and not in other things. I cannot trust in my abilities or personality or money or position. These are all empty. I cannot trust in other people either. I must trust in God alone. It is easy to get distracted and turn my trust to other things. I must keep careful watch i this area if I want my life to glorify God.

(P) Prayer
Lord, I confess that I take my eyes off you and put them on other things. Forgive me, my desire is t trust you and to live in your grace. Let me experience you today. Amen

LIfe Journal 06-25-2008 Put Away Fear

Put Away Fear

(S) Scripture
Timothy 1:7 (NIV) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

(O) Observation
As Paul is encouraging Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you" (vs.6) he reminds Timothy not to be afraid. God has not given a spirit of fear but of power, love and self discipline. That is everything he will need to do what God has called him to do.

(A) Application
As I think about the invitation to teach and train pastors in Kenya I get somewhat afraid. IS this legit? Is it safe? Why me? This passage reminds me that God gives power, love and self discipline not fear. God is not the author of fear. Sometimes I confuse "being careful and thorough" with fear of the unknown. This opportunity opens many doors and has the potential to impact all of western Kenya. I must not be afraid or stupid but must trust that God is in control and will provide what I need.

(P) Prayer
Lord, let me again know your power, love and self discipline. Let me put away my fear and follow you. Amen

Life Journal 06-24-2008 Be Careful Who You Listen To

Be Careful Who You Listen To

(S) Scripture
2 Chronicles 24:17-18 (NIV) After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. 18 They abandoned the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God's anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem.

(O) Observation
Jehoida, the priest, had mentored Joash since the king was a child. Joash had followed his instruction. Joash had restored the temple and done many other good and godly things for the people. But after Jehoida died Joash began to listen to counselors who were far from God. Their counsel led to God's judgment and anger. Joash should have continued to do what Jehoida had instructed and ignored his "new" counselors.

(A) Application
I must be careful in the counselors I choose and in listening to the counsel they give. It must be from God. It is easy to take an expedient road or abandon a difficult path when your counselors are encouraging you to do so, but the end of that is destruction. I must be very careful is choosing those I listen to.

(P) Prayer
Lord, let me be so aware of You that counsel that is not from you will stick out like a sore thumb. Help me to choose counselors wisely. Thank you for guiding me as I walk by faith in the power of your Spirit. Amen

Life Journal 06-23-2008 Remembering a Mentor

Remembering a Mentor

(S) Scripture
1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NIV) 1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

(O) Observation
As Timothy was taking the leadership of the church in Ephesus Paul gives him this instruction about how to treat people. Respect is seen through this instruction. The idea of "with absolute purity" removes any hint of improper or immoral relationships. People will follow when you treat them like this.

(A) Application
Ward Robinson was my uncle and a respected pastor in the American Baptist Churches -USA. He spoke at my installation as pastor for the first church I served. He gave me this advice in order to have a long term pastorate:
1. Treat everyone with respect
2. Do not show favoritism even though you will have favorites
3. Deal with conflict immediately
If you practice those three things you will be able to stay a long time at this church. I have tried to practice this in my ministry. I believe it works. I was at First Baptist Wheeling, WV, for thirteen years and am completing six years here at FBC Charlotte.

His advice came right out of this passage in 1 Timothy. He was to me as Paul was to Timothy. Today I have been reminded of the role mentors play in your life. I thank God for Uncle Ward and hope to be of similar help to a young pastor that will come after me.

(P) Prayer
Lord, thank you for Uncle Ward, his wise counsel and the example he set for me. I am a better pastor because of his influence. Thank you for using his life in mine. Amen

Life Journal 06-22-2008 Hey Preacher, Watch Yourself

Hey Preacher, Watch Yourself

(S) Scripture
1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV) Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

(O) Observation
Paul tells Timothy that what a preacher believes and how he lives is of utmost importance to God and his ministry. The result of sticking with (persevering) your life and doctrine is that a right relationship with God comes to you and your hearers.

(A) Application
I can never divorce how I live from what I believe. I must be sure that what I believe is from God and that my life reflects what I believe. I must then live it out day by day. There are no "one hit wonders" who are successful in the pulpit. We have seen too many fall recently. My faithfulness is important to me and also to the people who hear me preach. To be an effective witness for Jesus I must be sure my doctrine is correct and my life reflects it.

(P) Prayer
Lord, Let me live a life of integrity based in your Word and Will. Amen