Are You Thristy?

The religious technocrats of Jesus’ day confronted him with what they believed were the standards of a life pleasing to God. The external life, they argued, the life of ought and duty and service, was what mattered. “You’re dead wrong,” Jesus said. “In fact, you’re just plain dead [whitewashed tombs]. What God cares about is the inner life, the life of the heart” (Matt. 23:25–28). Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the life of the heart is clearly God’s central concern. When the people of Israel fell into a totally external life of ritual and observance, God lamented, “These people . . . honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Isa. 29:13). 

Our heart is the key to the Christian life. 

The apostle Paul informs us that hardness of heart is behind all the addictions and evils of the human race (Rom. 1:21–25). Oswald Chambers writes, “It is by the heart that God is perceived [known] and not by reason . . . so that is what faith is: God perceived by the heart.” This is why God tells us in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” He knows that to lose heart is to lose everything. Sadly, most of us watch the oil level in our car more carefully than we watch over the life of our heart. 

In one of the greatest invitations ever offered to man, Christ stood up amid the crowds in Jerusalem and said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:37–38). If we aren’t aware of our soul’s deep thirst, his offer means nothing. But, if we will recall, it was from the longing of our hearts that most of us first responded to Jesus. Somehow, years later, we assume he no longer calls to us through the thirst of our heart. 

(The Sacred Romance , 9) 

King Hezekiah

Read 2 Kings 20-In answer to Hezekiah's prayer, the Lord extends his life.

INSIGHT
Hezekiah's contribution to our lives is probably very great. We read of his zeal for the house of Jehovah and for the worship of Jehovah and of his strict adherence to the Davidic traditions (2 Chronicles 29:3-19; 20-27; 30). His delight is in the Word of Jehovah. In 2 Chronicles 31:21, we read of the "work" which Hezekiah began "in the law and in the commandment." Apparently he formed a guild of men for this devout literary work. These "men of Hezekiah" evidently included Isaiah (2 Kings 19:2) and also had a hand in shaping the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 25:1). What a contribution this ancient one has made to our lives today!

PRAYER
The Lord's dominion is forever, and we can praise Him that He never changes:
Sing to Him a new song; 
Play skillfully with a shout of joy. 
For the word of the Lord is right, 
And all His work is done in truth. 
He loves righteousness and justice; 
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 33:3-5).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. 

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness, 
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins, 
And blot out all my iniquities (Psalm 51:7-9).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. 

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, 
where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 
where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal"
(Matthew 6:19-20).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater love for others
• The work of missions in Australia
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the God of all grace, who called us 
to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, 
after you have suffered a while, perfect, 
establish, strengthen, and settle you. 
To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. 
Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11).

TITUS 3

divisive- Creating, or tending to create,negative division, separation, or difference.

Titus 3: 9-11

 ⁹But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. ¹¹You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Often we create division by our words and what we speak over people.  We have the power of life or death in our tongue.  To heal what we have tried to divide we must speak life and ask for forgiveness.  

Where have you been divisive in your family, with your friends, or about the church?  

We must ask for forgiveness and choose to start speaking life.... because I dont want to become, "warped and sinful; he is self-condemned."

Titus 3

Titus 3: 3-8

3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Lets take a moment to thank God for everything he has saved us from.  Take a minute and write in your journal all that he has saved you from, ie. selfishness, cutting, a purposeless life; and write down how he has changed them and transformed you to be more like him, ie. selfless, living a healthy life, living with purpose.

Then take time to just worship and thank him!

Break Out of our suburban mindset

So many times we stay in our suburban mindset and forget that we are part of a body that lives everywhere in the world and has needs that maybe only we can fill.....so what will you do about it?

Watch this trailer for Hillsong United's new video and journal about it afterward!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4NlyZqJhwk&feature=channel_page

Holy Longing

The whole life of the good Christian,” said Augustine, “is a holy longing.” Sadly, many of us have been led to feel that somehow we ought to want less, not more. We have this sense that we should atone for our longings, apologize that we feel such deep desire. Shouldn’t we be more content? Perhaps, but contentment is never wanting less; that’s the easy way out. Anybody can look holy if she’s killed her heart; the real test is to have your heart burning within you and have the patience to enjoy what there is now to enjoy, while waiting with eager anticipation for the feast to come. In Paul’s words, we “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly” (Rom. 8:23). Contentment can only happen as we increase desire, let it run itself out toward its fulfillment, and carry us along with it. And so George Herbert prayed, 

Immortal Heat, O let thy greater flame
Attract the lesser to it: let those fires,
Which shall consume the world, first make it tame;
And kindle in our hearts such true desires,
As may consume our lusts, and make thee way.
Then shall our hearts pant thee. (Love)

There may be times when all we have to go on is a sense of duty. But in the end, if that is all we have, we will never make it. Our Hero is the example. He’s run on before us and he’s made it; he’s there now. His life assures us it can be done, but only through passionate desire for the joy set before us. 

(The Sacred Romance , 199–200) John Eldrege

Allowing God to transform us daily

Here is a cool way to visually see what we have been talking about with the topics of Holiness, blamelessness, self control, discipline, and living an upright life!

Watch this skit by the Skit Guys and think about how it relates in your own life.  How many times do we see ourselves being the guy God is working on?

http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=849dc7c803281df74bb2&utm_source=newsletter0618&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weeklytopvideos

Be Forewarned

We’re certainly warned about forgetfulness in Scripture, both in word and by example. In the Old Testament, the pattern is so predictable, we come to expect it. God delivers his people from the cruel whips of Egypt by a stunning display of his power and his care—the plagues, the Passover, the Red Sea. The Israelites celebrate with singing and dancing. Three days later, they are complaining about the water supply. God provides sweet water from the bitter desert springs of Marah. They complain about the food. God drops breakfast out of the sky, every morning. Then it’s the water again. God provides it from a rock. Enemies attack; God delivers. On and on it goes, for forty years. As they stand on the brink of the Promised Land, God issues a final warning: 

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. (Deut. 4:9,emphasis added)

They do, of course, let it slip from their hearts. All of it. This becomes the pattern for the entire history of Israel. God shows up; he does amazing things; the people rejoice. Then they forget and go whoring after other gods. They fall under calamity and cry out for deliverance. God shows up; he does amazing things; the people rejoice—you get the picture. Things aren’t changed much in the New Testament, but the contrast is greater, and the stakes are even higher. God shows up in person, and before he leaves, he gives us the sacraments along with this plea: Do this to remember me. They don’t— remember him, that is. Paul is “shocked” by the Galatians: they are “turning away so soon from God, who in his love and mercy called you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ” (1:6 NLT). He has to send Timothy to the Corinthians, to “remind you of what I teach about Christ Jesus in all the churches wherever I go” (1 Cor. 4:17 NLT). 

(Desire , 200)  John Eldredge

So What?

If you are like me, we need to ask forgiveness today for forgetting all the things had has done for us and saved us from.  Reflect and write in your journal about all the things God has done in you and through you this year.  After you write something down, stop and thank him for it.  Keep doing this until the page is filled.  If you "cant think of anything" start with your body....you are breathing at the moment, you have all of your limbs, you can see...those are  all things to be thankful for that God has provided you with this year.

Jesus Teaching us who he is every day

Read Mark 8-Jesus uses the miracle feeding of the 4000 as a teaching tool for His disciples.

INSIGHT
After feeding the 4000, it is obvious that the disciples do not understand the significance of the event. Jesus says, "When I fed the 5000, how many loaves did you pick up afterward?" His disciples reply, "Twelve." Then again, "When I fed the 4000, how many loaves did you pick up afterward?" "Seven," they answer. "Do you not yet understand?" the Lord asks them. Then, some days later, Jesus is alone with the Twelve, and He asks them, "Who do you think I am?" Peter replies, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Finally, progress!  

Journal

Get your journal and write down how Jesus was using this event to teach his disciples and us Holiness, blamelessness,discipline, self control, and living an upright life.  

PRAYER
Offer your praise with the following psalm to the Lord who is faithful to us when we are weak:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, 
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; 
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night. . . . 
For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work;
I will triumph in the works of Your hands (Psalm 92:1-2, 4).

As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
Return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm (Joel 2:13).

As you consider the mercy of God, confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. 

Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You are the door. If anyone enters by You,
he will be saved, and will go in and outand find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, 
and to destroy. You have come that we may have life, 
and that we may have it more abundantly (based on John 10:9-10).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
greater faithfulness with your finances,
the President and national leaders and affairs,
your activities for the day,
whatever else is on your heart.

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, 
And establish the work of our hands for us; 
Yes, establish the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17).

Break Out-Titus

Titus 1: 15-16

In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. ¹⁶They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

As leaders of a movement we are called to lead through our actions as God transforms our hearts and minds and guides us on his adventure for our lives.  Also as leaders we are called to a higher standard of living. it says, ""but by their actions they deny him," What actions do you need to change to be above the standard and excellent in every way so that they do not deny who God is and the connection we so desperately want to have with him.  Some things are easy to see like gossip or lust, but others like wasting hours watching tv or playing video games, are not using our lives _Entrusted to God. 

If you want to lead a generation back to the heart of God.....do your actions reflect that?

Break out of your Box today and DO something that physically shows you want to be a part of this movement whether it is praying for someone, checking up on someone who hasnt been to fusion for awhile, or doing a random act of kindness for someone in need.

Breaking in

Titus 1:9

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Reflect on this verse- why do you think it is so important to know what is sound doctrine and what is not? 

Trustworthy method- we need to know what is in the bible first hand not what others have told us

Break in

Today we are going to dig into Jesus' words during the last supper

John 17

¹After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.²For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. ³Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ⁴I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. ⁵And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Draw, Paint, sketch a picture inspired by Jesus' words.  It can be something like a clock because Jesus says it is time, or what you think it is to know God, or what it looks like to bring God's glory to earth.  Throw on some worship and clear your mind.  Even if you are not artistic it is good to break out of our boxes and "in"to new ways of experiencing God.

Salt and Light

Re-read Matthew 4 from yesterday and think back over your comments.

Now look over Matthew 5:13-16

Salt and Light

 ¹³"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

 ¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

So What?

Now take the same definitions from yesterday and see how they apply in this parable.  If we are to be his salt and light we must be Holy and set apart because just as when a circuit to a lightbulb has a bad connection the light flickers in and out; not allowing for a constant stream of light.  If we stay with one foot in the world and one devoted to walking God's path the circuit will not allow for a constant stream because Jesus is our light and if we are suppose to reflect him we have to reflect him fully, not just a little.

How are you going to reflect Jesus today to God's glory? 

Jesus as our demonstration

Matthew 4

The Temptation of Jesus

 ¹Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. ²After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

 ⁴Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'^{a]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[a]}"

 ⁵Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: 
   " 'He will command his angels concerning you, 
      and they will lift you up in their hands, 
   so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'^{b]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[b]}"

 ⁷Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'^{c]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[c]}"

 ⁸Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

 ¹⁰Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'^{d]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[d]}"

 ¹¹Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

So What?

Jesus was able to do this because he was in perfect union with God his father.  That does not mean that he did everything right but that he was in perfect connection and focus on his father which led him to live the life and resist the temptations he did.  Think about the words we pulled out on Wednesday night, and think of the definitions

Holy-pure-dedicated and devoted to service of God, specified and set apart

 Blameless-impossible to discredit, guiltless

Self controlled and disciplined-control of self- body, mind, emotions, soul

American Heritage disciplined-training and experience to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior

Upright-Moral excellence, respectable, just, honest

Leads to guidance and deliverance (proverbs 11)

Take each one this morning and write out how Jesus demonstrated these things during this ultimate trial and test of his connectedness to his father.

We’ve Bought the Lie

After his resurrection, Jesus sends us all out to do what he did: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21 NRSV). And he gives us his authority to do it: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go” (Matt. 28:18–19). Why else would he have given us his authority if we weren’t supposed to use it? 

The attitude of so many Christians today is anything but fierce. We’re passive, acquiescent. We’re acting as if the battle is over, as if the wolf and the lamb are now fast friends. Good grief—we’re beating swords into plowshares as the armies of the Evil One descend upon us. We’ve bought the lie of the Religious Spirit, which says, “You don’t need to fight the Enemy. Let Jesus do that.” It’s nonsense. It’s unbiblical. It’s like a private in Vietnam saying, “My commander will do all the fighting for me; I don’t even need to fire my weapon.” We are commanded to “resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). We are told, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him” (1 Peter 5:8–9); “Fight the good fight” (1 Tim. 1:18); “Rescue those being led away to death” (Prov. 24:11). 

Seriously, just this morning a man said to me, “We don’t need to fight the Enemy. Jesus has won.” Yes, Jesus has won the victory over Satan and his kingdom. However, the battle is not over. Look at 1 Corinthians 15:24–25: “Then the end will come, when he [Jesus] hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” After he has destroyed the rest of the Enemy’s works. Until then, he must reign by bringing his enemies under his feet. Jesus is still at war, and he calls us to join him. 

(Waking the Dead , 167–68) 

Solomon

Read 1 Kings 1-God grants Solomon wisdom.

INSIGHT
Solomon's heart is manifested by the purity of his prayer. He could have asked for a long life; he could have asked for riches and honor. But instead Solomon asks simply for wisdom. What an honest and unselfish prayer. Being honest with God is not as easy as we might think. We all tend to live life with masks on-behind which the real "us" hides-to make a better impression on people. How foolish! God sees behind the mask—as do most people. We can learn from Solomon. God is pleased with honest, transparent prayers.

PRAYER
Offer your praise to the Lord for His wisdom to all generations of those who love Him: 
Thus says the Lord: 
"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, 
Let not the mighty man glory in his might, 
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
But let him who glories glory in this, 
That he understands and knows Me, 
That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, 
judgment, and righteousness in the earth. 
For in these I delight," says the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin: 
Who can understand his errors? 
Cleanse me from secret faults. 
Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; 
Let them not have dominion over me. 
Then I shall be blameless, 
And I shall be innocent of great transgression. 
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 
Be acceptable in Your sight, 
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:12-14).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. 

Now pause to pray this affirmation to the all-wise Lord: 
In you, O Christ, are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (based on Colossians 2:3).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

• Greater wisdom in your daily life
• Wisdom for political leaders
• Your activities for the day

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord: 
To the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, 
be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:17).

Break Out

Lets break out today and love our neighbors as ourselves!  Do something small for a neighbor today like bake cookies, give a note, or mow a lawn to show them the love of Christ!  Get out there and serve.

Break IN

Today we are going to break into God's heart by "listening" for God. Last week we were "looking" for him in an effort to focus our senses to be fully aware of the God that loves us and wants us to experience him fully.   SO today, go outside and listen to the wind blow through trees, listen to kids laugh and giggle, listen to worship music, say the word mom and let it echo in your soul.  Or just sit in your room, outside, or anywhere you can have quiet and let God speak to you.  Push out everything else in your mind.  Focus on him and ask him a question and just wait for the response.  My favorite is to ask how much he loves us.   That usually sends me over the top :)  If God is alive in us and around us how better to listen to him that in us and around us.

The Lord of Hosts

I was reading the prophet Jeremiah a few weeks ago when I ran across a passage that referred to God as “the Lord Almighty.” To be honest, it didn’t resonate. There’s something too religious about the phrase; it sounds churchy, sanctimonious. The Lawd Almiiiighty. It sounds like something your grandmother would say when you came into her kitchen covered in mud. I found myself curious about what the actual phrase means in Hebrew. Might we have lost something in the translation? So I turned to the front of the version I was using for an explanation. Here is what the editors said: 

Because for most readers today the phrases “the Lord of hosts” and “God of hosts” have little meaning, this version renders them “the Lord Almighty” and “God Almighty.” These renderings convey the sense of the Hebrew, namely, “he who is sovereign over all the ‘hosts’ (powers) in heaven and on earth, especially over the ‘hosts’ (armies) of Israel.”

No, they don’t. They don’t even come close. The Hebrew means “the God of angel armies,” “the God of the armies who fight for his people.” The God who is at war. Does “Lord Almighty” convey “the God who is at war”? Not to me, it doesn’t. Not to anyone I’ve asked. It sounds like “the God who is up there but still in charge.” Powerful, in control. The God of angel armies sounds like the one who would roll up his sleeves, take up sword and shield to break down gates of bronze, and cut through bars of iron to rescue me. 

(Waking the Dead , 160) 

Warfare

---

Remember, when Jesus boiled his whole mission down to healing the brokenhearted and setting prisoners free from darkness, he was referring to all of us. Our modern, scientific, Enlightenment worldview has simply removed spiritual warfare as a practical category, and so it shouldn’t surprise us that we can’t see spiritual strongholds after we say they don’t really exist. 

If you deny the battle raging against your heart, well, then, the thief just gets to steal and kill and destroy. Some friends of mine started a Christian school together a few years ago. It had been their shared dream for nearly all their adult lives. After years of praying and talking and dreaming, it finally happened. Then the assault came . . . but they would not see it as such. It was “hassles” and “misunderstanding” at first. As it grew worse, it became a rift between them. A mutual friend warned them of the warfare, urged them to fight it as such. “No,” they insisted, “this is about us. We just don’t see eye-to-eye.” I’m sorry to say their school shut its doors a few months ago, and the two aren’t speaking to each other. Because they refused to fight it for the warfare it was, they got taken out. I could tell you many, many stories like that. 

There is no war is the subtle—but pervasive—lie sown by an Enemy so familiar to us we don’t even see him. For too long he has infiltrated the ranks of the church, and we haven’t even recognized him. 

(Waking the Dead , 159–60) 

The Thief Wants It All

Any movement toward freedom and life, any movement toward God or others, will be opposed. Marriage, friendship, beauty, rest—the thief wants it all. 

So, it becomes the devil’s business to keep the Christian’s spirit imprisoned. He knows that the believing and justified Christian has been raised up out of the grave of his sins and trespasses. From that point on, Satan works that much harder to keep us bound and gagged, actually imprisoned in our own grave clothes. He knows that if we continue in this kind of bondage. . . we are not much better off than when we were spiritually dead. (A.W. Tozer)

Sadly, many of these accusations will actually be spoken by Christians. Having dismissed a warfare worldview, they do not know who is stirring them to say certain things. “Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel” (1 Chron. 21:1). The Enemy used David, who apparently wasn’t watching for it, to do his evil. He tried to use Peter too. “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things . . . Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you!’ Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan!’” (Matt. 16:21–23). Heads up—these words will come from anywhere. Be careful what or who you are agreeing with. 

When we make those agreements with the demonic forces suggesting things to us, we come under their influence. It becomes a kind of permission we give the Enemy, sort of like a contract. 

Some foul spirit whispers, I’m such a stupid idiot, and they agree with it; then they spend months and years trying to sort through feelings of insignificance. They’d end their agony if they’d treat it for the warfare it is, break the agreement they’ve made, and send the Enemy packing. 

(Waking the Dead , 154–55) 

Father of Lies

The devil has more temptations than an actor has costumes for the stage. And one of his all-time favorite disguises is that of a lying spirit, to abuse your tender heart with the worst news he can deliver—that you do not really love Jesus Christ and that you are only pretending, you are only deceiving yourself. (William Gurnall) 

Satan is called in Scripture the Father of Lies (John 8:44). His very first attack against the human race was to lie to Eve and Adam about God, and where life is to be found, and what the consequences of certain actions would and would not be. He is a master at this. He suggests to us—as he suggested to Adam and Eve—some sort of idea or inclination or impression, and what he is seeking is a sort of “agreement” on our part. He’s hoping we’ll buy into whatever he’s saying, offering, insinuating. Our first parents bought into it, and look what disaster came of it. The Evil One is still lying to us, seeking our agreement every single day. 

Your heart is good. Your heart matters to God. Those are the two hardest things to hang on to. I’m serious—try it. Try to hold this up for even a day. My heart is good. My heart matters to God. You will be amazed at how much accusation you live under. You have an argument with your daughter on the way to school; as you drive off, you have a nagging sense of, Well, you really blew that one. If your heart agrees—Yeah, I really did—without taking the issue to Jesus, then the Enemy will try to go for more.You’re always blowing it with her. Another agreement is made. It’s true. I’m such a lousy parent. Keep this up and your whole day is tanked in about five minutes. The Enemy will take any small victory he can get. It moves from You did a bad thing to You are bad. After a while it just becomes a cloud we live under, accept as normal. 

(Waking the Dead , 152–53) 

David

Read 2 Samuel 11-David commits adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his loyal commanders.

INSIGHT
There is greater pain in sin than in righteousness. David clearly loves Bathsheba. Certainly, it would have pained him had he turned his heart away from her before having relations with her. But that pain is nothing compared to the pain he brings on himself and others by taking her as his own. Adultery, murder, the death of their child, the loss of respect, and the memory of the guilt were some of the results of his sin. It is sometimes painful to do the right thing, but it is always more painful to do the wrong thing.

PRAYER
Praise the Lord because He fulfills our lives by giving us talents and abilities to develop:
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; 
Praise Him with the lute and harp! . . .
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:1-3, 6).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. 

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin: 
I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, 
and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned 
and by which they have transgressed against Me (Jeremiah 33:8).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. 

Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the Lord (Lamentations 3:25-26).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
your development of an eternal perspective,
your personal spiritual goals,
your activities for the day.

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, 
and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 1:4).

Break Out

Today lets break out and visit an organization that is helping to save children all over the world and provide them basic needs and education!  Look around, watch the stories under the archives and think what you can do to change the world in just one little person's life.

http://www.worldvision.org/home.nsf/index.htm?open&lpos=top_img_wvLogo

Break IN

We are breaking into God's heart today.  Your challenge today is to try to "see" God in, and around your life today.  Whether it is watching parents with their baby, in a movie, the sunrise, generosity, the wind blow through trees, lets try to experience him and open our eyes to how much he is at work around us.   

Also if you could spend 5 minutes praying for the Leap students heading off to New York we would greatly appreciate it!  Pray for protection as we travel and work, for energy and perseverence, for attitudes, and for us to bless and connect with God's heart in New York. 

Proverbs 5

Proverbs 5:1-2

My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.

These words are given to us my Solomon "the wise."  People from all over the world would come and listen to him and his wisdom.  The first chapters in proverbs are written for young people so they may advance in the wisdom of God and grow in a healthy relationship with him.  Advice...from the wisest man of his time....we might want to pay attention to his words :)

So in chapter 5 he starts out by instructing the young person to listen to his wisdom.  So many times we as young people think we know everything and lose so much wisdom we could gain by listening to those that are older than us.  But it is not just so we can "respect" them but reading on in the verses; we want to pay attention and listen because it will help us maintain discretion (to make good choices which lead to greater freedom) and preserve knowledge (keep the knowledge of God and his treasures-proverbs 2- printed on our hearts).

What does it look like in your everyday life to strive to maintain good decision making and thirst for the knowledge of God (who now everything :) )Imagine if you just spent just an hour a day seeking, striving, thirsting after this.

So What are you going to do?

Cardboard Testimony

After yesterday's Jesus time reflect on the message and then check out this cardboard testimony and rejoice that we are all restored by the blood of the lamb Jesus Christ and the word of our Testimony as his saints and bride!  

http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8616c1559ab4221b3910&mui=6974c0a9b90143e37db255f6dee6ff9d

What is your testimony?  Just one life fully commited to God will change the world!

How He loves us - DO NOT MISS

So we have sang the song, "How He Loves Us," for awhile and it has brought healing, power, God's spirit, and all of us closer to the heart of God.  I would love for all of us to hear the story behind the song and rejoice in a new depth of the song.  So watch the video on youtube with the link below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Chx6s3qXKt4

Think about how this one song and one life has impacted millions. What can your life do if it is given wholeheartedly?  

Now listen to Kim Walker sing it and just sit, lay down, dance and imagine your life fully given. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps&feature=related

Do Whatever Brings You Back to Your Heart and the Heart of God

1 Samuel 16

David is anointed to be king.

INSIGHT
David is indeed an outstanding individual. As a teenager, he is known to be "skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him" (v. 18). In each of these things, David is not just lucky. David works hard at all the things for which he is known, including the fact that "the Lord is with him." Each of us has been given talents and abilities. Like David, if we are to achieve our God-given potential, we must be slaves to the things that advance those abilities.

PRAYER
Offer your praise to the Lord that we are the objects of His tender mercies and powerful leading:
You have dealt well with Your servant, 
O Lord, according to Your word. 
Teach me good judgment and knowledge, 
For I believe Your commandments. 
Before I was afflicted I went astray, 
But now I keep Your word. 
You are good, and do good; 
Teach me Your statutes (Psalm 119:65-68).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. 

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Unto You I lift up my eyes,
O You who dwell in the heavens. 
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, 
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, 
So our eyes look to the Lord our God, 
Until He has mercy on us (Psalm 123:1-3).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. 

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; 
love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, 
is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, 
but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, 
hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
greater trust in God's sovereignty,
the spiritual condition of our national leaders,
your activities for the day.

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, 
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days! (Psalm 90:14).

Advancing who we are

Read 1 Samuel 16-David is anointed to be king.
INSIGHT
David is indeed an outstanding individual. As a teenager, he is known to be "skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him" (v. 18). In each of these things, David is not just lucky. David works hard at all the things for which he is known, including the fact that "the Lord is with him." Each of us has been given talents and abilities. Like David, if we are to achieve our God-given potential, we must be slaves to the things that advance those abilities.
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the Lord that we are the objects of His tender mercies and powerful leading:
You have dealt well with Your servant, 
O Lord, according to Your word. 
Teach me good judgment and knowledge, 
For I believe Your commandments. 
Before I was afflicted I went astray, 
But now I keep Your word. 
You are good, and do good; 
Teach me Your statutes (Psalm 119:65-68).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. 

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Unto You I lift up my eyes,
O You who dwell in the heavens. 
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, 
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, 
So our eyes look to the Lord our God, 
Until He has mercy on us (Psalm 123:1-3).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. 

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; 
love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, 
is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, 
but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, 
hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
greater trust in God's sovereignty,
the spiritual condition of our national leaders,
your activities for the day.

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, 
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days! (Psalm 90:14).