Have you ever read the story of King Josiah? He is known as the Reformer. His story is prophesied in 1 Kings 13:2 and unfolds in 2 Kings 21-23 and 2 Chronicles 33-35.
He was not born into a godly legacy. His father and grandfather before him were kings of Judah, but they had done evil in God's eyes. It was the kings responsibility to lead the people of God, but they had been leading the people in worship of false God's. They had set up idols and alters even in the Temple of God. They had built living quarters for male prostitutes in the Temple of God. This is the legacy that Josiah was born into. This is the example he was shown, and no-one expected anything more of him. Except God. We are all accountable to God and will all give an account for our lives.
Josiah became king when he was 8 and he did good in the eyes of the Lord. He reformed the country of Israel and turned back to the Lord. He feared God, hated sin, and loved righteousness. He found the book of the Law and read it to the nation, making a vow that he would serve the Lord and leading the nation in prayers for repentance. Josiah, led by the Lord, tore down all the shrines and alters. He burned all the unholy sites with their relics and scattered the ashes. He fixed up the temple and once again made it a place of worship to the only God of Israel.
Josiah broke the pattern of godlessness and started a new legacy. But where did he learn it?
Each of us are responsible for our actions and for what we do with our lives. We will all give an account. And the thing I love, is that, with God there is forgiveness (Psalm 130). Josiah's life was a miracle. An 8 year old with a soft heart towards the Lord. A boy without a father grow into a strong man with holy desires. A legacy of sin and bondage turned into a legacy of repentance. Bad leadership turned into a showcase of wisdom and discernment. Josiah turned away God's wrath, if only for a time.
How will I respond to God's law? How will I steward that truth? How will I use my leadership? What legacy will I leave?
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Discernment
I would rather have discernment than gold. Discernment is having a keenness of insight and judgement. Most of a young persons afflictions come as a result of lack of discernment. Often times, with wisdom comes discernment. There is discernment that helps one make wise choices in daily decisions and there is also spiritual discernment that the Holy Spirit gives that helps one know when something is of God or of man. So much of Paul's letters in the New Testament are giving warnings to the present and future church. Warning of wolves that will come and try to lead the sheep astray, of preachers who will preach to promote their own following or bank account rather than the Kingdom, and of many other blasphemous and heretical teachings. Times are coming and are here when people who lack discernment will choose to not believe in hell and sin.
The best way to get discernment is to constantly be in the word of God. Test man's teachings against the word of God. Don't let your ears be tickled by preaching that does not measure up to God's Holy Word. Don't live your life in a way that doesn't measure up to God's Holy Word. Disaster comes when we don't listen to that little voice in us that warns against something bad. Compromise is at an all time high while discernment is at an all time low.
I pray for discernment to know which boys I will need to run off my doorsteps as they try to prey on my daughter, I pray for the wisdom to follow Godly preaching/teaching and to know when it's not. I pray for discernment to never offer someone more responsibility than they can handle and to know the difference between someone who wants to serve out of pride or out of overflow. I pray that I would have discernment to know when my own fears are threatening to stop me from doing or saying what God wants me to. I pray for the conviction to be able to pit my life and doctrine against God's Holy Word and through discernment, see the changes I need to make. And I pray that everyone who reads this would want to, as James tells us to, ask God for wisdom because he gives generously to all without finding fault.
Proverbs 16:16 says, "How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver."
The best way to get discernment is to constantly be in the word of God. Test man's teachings against the word of God. Don't let your ears be tickled by preaching that does not measure up to God's Holy Word. Don't live your life in a way that doesn't measure up to God's Holy Word. Disaster comes when we don't listen to that little voice in us that warns against something bad. Compromise is at an all time high while discernment is at an all time low.
I pray for discernment to know which boys I will need to run off my doorsteps as they try to prey on my daughter, I pray for the wisdom to follow Godly preaching/teaching and to know when it's not. I pray for discernment to never offer someone more responsibility than they can handle and to know the difference between someone who wants to serve out of pride or out of overflow. I pray that I would have discernment to know when my own fears are threatening to stop me from doing or saying what God wants me to. I pray for the conviction to be able to pit my life and doctrine against God's Holy Word and through discernment, see the changes I need to make. And I pray that everyone who reads this would want to, as James tells us to, ask God for wisdom because he gives generously to all without finding fault.
Proverbs 16:16 says, "How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver."
Friday, September 12, 2008
Family
In a couple days I am going away for a week with some of my family to the beautiful island of Kauai. In my opinion, family is a gift we get to steward and give account for. Family is the training ground for learning how to become the man or woman God has called you to be. Now, obviously something isn't working when young people come out of their families having an identity crisis, riddled with Father/Mother wounds and relying on culture to tell them who to be.
I was given a gift when i was born. This isn't me bragging, but, like Hebrews 13 says, bringing a sacrifice of praise which is lips that acknowledge God. The gift I was given was a father who was in love with Jesus and in a covenant relationship with my mother. My father taught me how to be a man, how to be a husband and how to be a father. He modeled humility to me.
Society is getting corrupted all around me, and I am given a gift... I am made a father. How will I do? Just because someone is raised a certain way, doesn't determine who they will be. Will I forget the godliness I saw growing up, or will I choose godliness for my house?
I CHOOSE GOD'S WAY. My earthly father and I now share a responsibility of laying our lives down for the Families God has blessed us with. And like him, I don't know what my kids will choose, or who they will grow up to be. But I will lead them. I will be an example for them.
"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
I was given a gift when i was born. This isn't me bragging, but, like Hebrews 13 says, bringing a sacrifice of praise which is lips that acknowledge God. The gift I was given was a father who was in love with Jesus and in a covenant relationship with my mother. My father taught me how to be a man, how to be a husband and how to be a father. He modeled humility to me.
Society is getting corrupted all around me, and I am given a gift... I am made a father. How will I do? Just because someone is raised a certain way, doesn't determine who they will be. Will I forget the godliness I saw growing up, or will I choose godliness for my house?
I CHOOSE GOD'S WAY. My earthly father and I now share a responsibility of laying our lives down for the Families God has blessed us with. And like him, I don't know what my kids will choose, or who they will grow up to be. But I will lead them. I will be an example for them.
"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Friday, September 5, 2008
Abba
One of the great joys of my life lately is being a father. My daughter and I love each other so much. After a days work, I come home and we are so excited to see each other. She trusts me and when I hold her she feels safe and secure. I don't know how kids know, but when someone else holds her, she knows if it's not her parents. Her best smiles and giggles are for her daddy. She has my heart and from what I've seen, I have hers.
Tonight my heart was just breaking because I don't love God enough. I was thinking on Romans 7 where Paul says:
"24Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin."
My heart breaks for my sin and the sin of my nation. Wickedness happens all around me while God is not acknowledged. We forget to gaze upon God. We have lost our first love. And it was as I was grieving this that I realized that I need to see God how my daughter sees me. My heart needs to burn for my papa.
If you have children, meditate on this. Learn from the way they love and trust you. Intensify the way you love them. If you don't have children, observe a baby with their mom or dad.
God won't relent til he has all of you. You are made to be his son or daughter. I pray you would feel his Fatherly love.
Tonight my heart was just breaking because I don't love God enough. I was thinking on Romans 7 where Paul says:
"24Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin."
My heart breaks for my sin and the sin of my nation. Wickedness happens all around me while God is not acknowledged. We forget to gaze upon God. We have lost our first love. And it was as I was grieving this that I realized that I need to see God how my daughter sees me. My heart needs to burn for my papa.
If you have children, meditate on this. Learn from the way they love and trust you. Intensify the way you love them. If you don't have children, observe a baby with their mom or dad.
God won't relent til he has all of you. You are made to be his son or daughter. I pray you would feel his Fatherly love.
Monday, August 25, 2008
How?
How do I become a good worker? How do I know "the one" is "the one"? How do I be a person of influence? How do I know what is right and wrong?
So many people are asking so many questions. So many people are offering so many wrong answers. Can there be truth?
The Bible says, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." God's word is the timeless truth. The cure for sin is holiness. God's word teaches us God's character and what he thinks is important.
My uncle taught me that if you want good fruit you need to work on your roots. The fruit that you produce will be a product of the depth of your roots. My uncle shares a story of a cherry tree that kept falling over in his garden. It seemed like morning after morning he would go out and straighten it out. It had lush leaves, but upon closer inspection, it had rotted off at the roots. He also talks about removing a few other fruit trees to allow more light in the garden. The walked out to the stumps and the plum tree had 9 shoots coming out of the stump. The stump remaining from the Delicious apple tree had 125 shoots growing out of it, each twig attempting to become a tree. My uncle's lesson from nature is that poor roots cannot support healthy trees. And, as long as there is any life in a good root, it will attempt to produce a good tree.
God rewards faithfulness. Look to your roots, stay humble, look to The Word, seek the Lord, and He will guide your steps.
(story is taken from Practical Happiness by Bob Schultz)
So many people are asking so many questions. So many people are offering so many wrong answers. Can there be truth?
The Bible says, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." God's word is the timeless truth. The cure for sin is holiness. God's word teaches us God's character and what he thinks is important.
My uncle taught me that if you want good fruit you need to work on your roots. The fruit that you produce will be a product of the depth of your roots. My uncle shares a story of a cherry tree that kept falling over in his garden. It seemed like morning after morning he would go out and straighten it out. It had lush leaves, but upon closer inspection, it had rotted off at the roots. He also talks about removing a few other fruit trees to allow more light in the garden. The walked out to the stumps and the plum tree had 9 shoots coming out of the stump. The stump remaining from the Delicious apple tree had 125 shoots growing out of it, each twig attempting to become a tree. My uncle's lesson from nature is that poor roots cannot support healthy trees. And, as long as there is any life in a good root, it will attempt to produce a good tree.
God rewards faithfulness. Look to your roots, stay humble, look to The Word, seek the Lord, and He will guide your steps.
(story is taken from Practical Happiness by Bob Schultz)
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Obeying God
I finished Hebrews and jumped back into the OT to study up on Joseph. I don't know how much you all know about this cat. This guy had a rough upbringing. His dad was Jacob. Jacob is the guy who deceived his dad by dressing up as his older brother so he could steal his blessing. He also traded his older brother a bowl of stew for his birthright. He also wrestled with God, physically. Kind of a deceitful dude, though I know God loved him. He ended up marrying a couple decent gals and had a grip of kids. His oldest kid, Joseph's oldest brother, went ahead and slept with his dad's concubine. It wasn't his mom, but the act was one of defience. Seen as him trying to take his inheritance pre-maturely. All of his brothers seem to be conniver's and are jealous for their dad's attention. Not surprising that they would throw Joseph into a dry cistern and sell him into slavery.
So Joseph goes to live in a land where no-one knows him, no-one shares his belief in Yahweh, and he's been questioned and abandoned by his 'loved ones'. What draws me to Joseph is how he handles himself after this. Joseph was a man that we should all aspire to be like. This dude, in his prime, was propositioned over and over again by his boss' wife, in a foreign land, and had the opportunity to have some sex with no strings attached. What would you do? Joseph was rock solid in his convictions and HE RAN FROM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIN!
Though he was punished, though he was misunderstood, though he alone worshiped Yahweh, though his own family gave him up...Joseph never compromised. His obedience to the voice of God sustained him. God gave him his identity. God lifted him up. Joseph was faithful, and in the end he was given control over the strongest kingdom in the world. Pharaoh told him that nothing would happen in Egypt unless he, Joseph, said it would. It also says that not only did all of Egypt come to Joseph for grain during the famine, but the whole world did. Joseph was able to run from sin because when he heard God speak, he obeyed.
It is so simple, and the rewards are so great. I want to be able to obey God like that dude. In Egypt Pharaoh was worshiped as a god, yet Pharoh came and asked God's friend for advice. Simple obedience protected Joseph from the sin. As Joseph lifted God up, God lifted Joseph up.
So Joseph goes to live in a land where no-one knows him, no-one shares his belief in Yahweh, and he's been questioned and abandoned by his 'loved ones'. What draws me to Joseph is how he handles himself after this. Joseph was a man that we should all aspire to be like. This dude, in his prime, was propositioned over and over again by his boss' wife, in a foreign land, and had the opportunity to have some sex with no strings attached. What would you do? Joseph was rock solid in his convictions and HE RAN FROM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIN!
Though he was punished, though he was misunderstood, though he alone worshiped Yahweh, though his own family gave him up...Joseph never compromised. His obedience to the voice of God sustained him. God gave him his identity. God lifted him up. Joseph was faithful, and in the end he was given control over the strongest kingdom in the world. Pharaoh told him that nothing would happen in Egypt unless he, Joseph, said it would. It also says that not only did all of Egypt come to Joseph for grain during the famine, but the whole world did. Joseph was able to run from sin because when he heard God speak, he obeyed.
It is so simple, and the rewards are so great. I want to be able to obey God like that dude. In Egypt Pharaoh was worshiped as a god, yet Pharoh came and asked God's friend for advice. Simple obedience protected Joseph from the sin. As Joseph lifted God up, God lifted Joseph up.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Don't be Scared
I just went on a three day fishing trip with my brother to Montana where a good friend lives. Now I love these guys. We've seen a lot of dirt together, and they have seen my live change dramatically. They were there for my wedding and my brother came up the week my daughter was born. They know me pretty well, but there is still somewhat of a tension in some area's of our relationship. You see, I have some convictions that, if I had enough power, I would probably force them on everyone. I know it's not right, but I tend to be more of a pharisee. Put up rules, have things black and white. I attribute it to the life that I have lived. I am not proud of a lot of things I have done and would never want to be the man I was. I love that Christ says that when i come to him, I am a new creation, the old self has gone. And now that I am free from those things which ran my life, I get frustrated when i see men who claim to love Jesus, not have the same convictions as me.
When I write it down and look at it, I seem really judgmental. I don't go around condemning people, in fact, I went on this trip actively trying to not push my agenda or convictions on my brother and friend. I wanted them to know that I loved them. So, as I am finishing up Hebrews, in ch. 13, it says, "Through HIM(Jesus) then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." And what that speaks to me is that I cannot just infer Jesus in my life. I can't assume that people know what my convictions are from. So, I made it a point to speak Jesus' name in my conversations during that fishing trip.
I don't know if my brother and friend and I will ever share all of the same beliefs, but I know that Jesus radically changed my life and I GET TO speak his name and give him credit. I don't need to change anyone's mind about what they believe. No one changed mine. That job is already filled by Christ. God reveals Jesus, and all of us who have been changed get to offer up our sacrifice of praise. Verbal acknowledgment of the power of Christ's blood.
When I write it down and look at it, I seem really judgmental. I don't go around condemning people, in fact, I went on this trip actively trying to not push my agenda or convictions on my brother and friend. I wanted them to know that I loved them. So, as I am finishing up Hebrews, in ch. 13, it says, "Through HIM(Jesus) then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." And what that speaks to me is that I cannot just infer Jesus in my life. I can't assume that people know what my convictions are from. So, I made it a point to speak Jesus' name in my conversations during that fishing trip.
I don't know if my brother and friend and I will ever share all of the same beliefs, but I know that Jesus radically changed my life and I GET TO speak his name and give him credit. I don't need to change anyone's mind about what they believe. No one changed mine. That job is already filled by Christ. God reveals Jesus, and all of us who have been changed get to offer up our sacrifice of praise. Verbal acknowledgment of the power of Christ's blood.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
No Compromise
I'm starting to notice a disturbing trend with many young adults. Compromise. Are we ignorant to what Satan's work schedule is? What time's does he take off? None. If we are not in the Word, recognizing our need for Jesus' sacrifice, we will get touched by Satan. He doesn't take plays off and he is one cunning, cold cat. From my own experience, he loves using shame to take away a person's identity as God's child. He lies to our minds about how temporary pleasures are worth it and if it feels good it must be alright. He uses the things of this world to break down our defenses; tv, movies, ads, popularity, and the really big one, relationships.
I would say 9 times out of 10 the compromise I am seeing in young adults is in regards to sexual purity. I know for myself, when I was young I made a pledge to God to remain pure till my wedding day. But then I got a chance to put that to the test. Man, did I fail. And that shame plagued me for years. Why is it so hard to not compromise?
Hebrews 12:16 says, "See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears."
I imagine you could put something in like, ...who for a fun night with his girlfriend cheated on his future wife...Or whatever. Do you get it? We are letting our desires dictate what is okay. But Jesus said blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Doing things God's way, with God's blessing, produces so much more joy and satisfaction. I know because I have done it. So, my encouragement to you is to live lives of purpose and to have strong convictions. Live lives of no compromise.
I would say 9 times out of 10 the compromise I am seeing in young adults is in regards to sexual purity. I know for myself, when I was young I made a pledge to God to remain pure till my wedding day. But then I got a chance to put that to the test. Man, did I fail. And that shame plagued me for years. Why is it so hard to not compromise?
Hebrews 12:16 says, "See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears."
I imagine you could put something in like, ...who for a fun night with his girlfriend cheated on his future wife...Or whatever. Do you get it? We are letting our desires dictate what is okay. But Jesus said blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Doing things God's way, with God's blessing, produces so much more joy and satisfaction. I know because I have done it. So, my encouragement to you is to live lives of purpose and to have strong convictions. Live lives of no compromise.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Humility
God spoke to me recently through Martin Luther King Jr. and a passage in Hebrews/Psalms.
I was on youtube watching Jr.'s last speech, (www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0FiCxZKuv8) which was very good. You kind of get the feeling that he knew he wasn't going to make it. And while Jr. was a mere human with his own faults, he was a God gifted leader of men that change the face of history. And, in his speech, he verbally lays down his life and says the only thing he cares about is doing God's will.
His speech is full of Bible referance's, but this one stuck out to me. A day after watching the video, I was in the book of Hebrews, chapter 10. Hebrews is so chunky, full of revelation of Jesus. So, in the book it's talking about how much better Christ's sacrifice was than the old way of goats and what not, and it says of Jesus, "Behold, I have come to do your will, O God." The author of Hebrews was quoting Psalm 40, where it says that burnt offerings the Lord does not require. Jesus, came to get rid of the old way to God, and by coming ONLY to do God's will, we all have a way to God.
So, as I was soaking all that in, what I took away was that I can have that same call and desire that Jr. spoke of and that Jesus lived out. For the most part, I am very selfish. And I believe that Jr. knew his time was short. And obviously Jesus had revelation of himself. It's when we come to the end of ourselves that we can start living for something else.
I am convinced that the life lived for Christ, promoting his will, is a life well lived.
What drives your life? Have you ever come to the end of yourself? How does God's will shape your life?
I was on youtube watching Jr.'s last speech, (www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0FiCxZKuv8) which was very good. You kind of get the feeling that he knew he wasn't going to make it. And while Jr. was a mere human with his own faults, he was a God gifted leader of men that change the face of history. And, in his speech, he verbally lays down his life and says the only thing he cares about is doing God's will.
His speech is full of Bible referance's, but this one stuck out to me. A day after watching the video, I was in the book of Hebrews, chapter 10. Hebrews is so chunky, full of revelation of Jesus. So, in the book it's talking about how much better Christ's sacrifice was than the old way of goats and what not, and it says of Jesus, "Behold, I have come to do your will, O God." The author of Hebrews was quoting Psalm 40, where it says that burnt offerings the Lord does not require. Jesus, came to get rid of the old way to God, and by coming ONLY to do God's will, we all have a way to God.
So, as I was soaking all that in, what I took away was that I can have that same call and desire that Jr. spoke of and that Jesus lived out. For the most part, I am very selfish. And I believe that Jr. knew his time was short. And obviously Jesus had revelation of himself. It's when we come to the end of ourselves that we can start living for something else.
I am convinced that the life lived for Christ, promoting his will, is a life well lived.
What drives your life? Have you ever come to the end of yourself? How does God's will shape your life?
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