"So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom."
Psalm 90:12 (AMP)
This is the time of year where people around the world are making resolutions for the New Year. In the church, in particular, we must be very careful about allowing a date to dictate our sacrifice of worship. Too many of us are waiting for the latest prophecy or catchy cliche that will promise prosperity and change in 2010. But, what about 2009? What about all the prophecy and godly instruction we failed to complete during the last twelve months?
Unfortunately, there are still thousands of people around this globe that will never see January 1. For that reason, it's important to understand that NOW is the day of salvation. As people of God, we understand that God operates in seasons... not by our natural calendars. If we are currently in a season of disobedience, repentance is necessary before a change comes. It takes more than a mere change of date.
Let's resolve to savor every moment, with a readiness to repent and continue in Kingdom building TODAY, tomorrow and every day thereafter. There is no doubt in my mind that God will continue blessing us in 2010, but we don't have to wait for the new year in order to offer Him a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, which is our reasonable service. Amen!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
You Just Never Know
This is such an important message. We never know when we are breathing our last breath. There are some that won't even see 2010... and they have NO IDEA! Repentance is nigh! Behold, NOW is the day of salvation!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
How Much CHRIST is in Your Christmas (Annual Post)
This time of year, it's inevitable to read the newspapers without hearing the ongoing debate about Christmas. Is it wrong, is it right? Should we say "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas"? To gift or not to gift? It's a never-ending saga, even in the house of God.
Without getting into tons of history and research, only to come to an endless debate, I want to share one thought with everyone during this holiday season...
So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Saints, during this time, we must remember Christ. We must consider the heart of God. So many of us struggle and argue with traditions and their origins. We want to please our children, but are conflicted about which parts of Christmas should be kept, and which should be dismissed. Truthfully, it's really not that difficult to figure it out - DOES IT EXALT CHRIST? DOES IT DRAW MEN TO THE FATHER?
Even more, what did God tell YOU to do? Have you asked the Father what pleases HIM? Hmmmm...
Now, I leave you with one other thought. Consider this scenario...
A man and woman are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. They have enjoyed a wonderful relationship, held together by the grace of God. At the anniversary dinner, the man leans over the table and looks into his wife's eyes. He tells her how he has enjoyed the wonderful time they've spent together, and presents her with a gift. To her surprise, it's a 4-karat diamond ring! Excited and anxious, the woman removes the ring from the box, and notices some engraving on the inside of the band. When she reads the inscription, she realizes the ring actually belonged to her husband's ex-wife. He purchased this very gift as an engagement ring for his first wife rather than the one he was celebrating.
Now, his wife is disappointed, and somewhat upset. Confused about her reaction, the husband asks her why she is so upset. Pulling herself together, she explains... "I feel like I am receiving left overs. Though I know you love me and that you want me to feel appreciated with this lovely, expensive ring, the fact still remains that when you purchased it, your heart was set on someone else. The original purpose for this gift was to express your love to another woman, not me. I'd rather you give me a new penny, from your heart, than a recycled gift that happens to fit the occasion."
Isn't it funny how we do the same thing to God around this time of year? Many times, we get so caught up in tradition, and we SAY it's being done for God's glory. When we KNOW a particular act or practice came from idolatry, paganism... practices and people that did not please God, yet we try to justify them at this time of year by making it seem like a Christian agenda. We are simply trying to please God with an idol's offering - trying to give Him a used engagement ring. This year, let's give Him something new and genuine from our hearts. Seek His face and give Him praise.
It's useless to get into the origin of Christmas trees, whether Christ was really born in December, etc... We are past that now. We all know the facts. So, we must now draw the proverbial line in the sand. Before we celebrate, let's just ask God what REALLY pleases Him. Whatever He says to do, let's do it. Whatever He says to leave out, let's just leave it out!
Then, and only then, will God get this glory in this season. Saints, we cannot continue to allow the world to dictate how we celebrate, when we shop, what we tell our children, and how we decorate our homes. We are the salt of the earth. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DIFFERENT!
God bless you!
Without getting into tons of history and research, only to come to an endless debate, I want to share one thought with everyone during this holiday season...
So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Saints, during this time, we must remember Christ. We must consider the heart of God. So many of us struggle and argue with traditions and their origins. We want to please our children, but are conflicted about which parts of Christmas should be kept, and which should be dismissed. Truthfully, it's really not that difficult to figure it out - DOES IT EXALT CHRIST? DOES IT DRAW MEN TO THE FATHER?
Even more, what did God tell YOU to do? Have you asked the Father what pleases HIM? Hmmmm...
Now, I leave you with one other thought. Consider this scenario...
A man and woman are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. They have enjoyed a wonderful relationship, held together by the grace of God. At the anniversary dinner, the man leans over the table and looks into his wife's eyes. He tells her how he has enjoyed the wonderful time they've spent together, and presents her with a gift. To her surprise, it's a 4-karat diamond ring! Excited and anxious, the woman removes the ring from the box, and notices some engraving on the inside of the band. When she reads the inscription, she realizes the ring actually belonged to her husband's ex-wife. He purchased this very gift as an engagement ring for his first wife rather than the one he was celebrating.
Now, his wife is disappointed, and somewhat upset. Confused about her reaction, the husband asks her why she is so upset. Pulling herself together, she explains... "I feel like I am receiving left overs. Though I know you love me and that you want me to feel appreciated with this lovely, expensive ring, the fact still remains that when you purchased it, your heart was set on someone else. The original purpose for this gift was to express your love to another woman, not me. I'd rather you give me a new penny, from your heart, than a recycled gift that happens to fit the occasion."
Isn't it funny how we do the same thing to God around this time of year? Many times, we get so caught up in tradition, and we SAY it's being done for God's glory. When we KNOW a particular act or practice came from idolatry, paganism... practices and people that did not please God, yet we try to justify them at this time of year by making it seem like a Christian agenda. We are simply trying to please God with an idol's offering - trying to give Him a used engagement ring. This year, let's give Him something new and genuine from our hearts. Seek His face and give Him praise.
It's useless to get into the origin of Christmas trees, whether Christ was really born in December, etc... We are past that now. We all know the facts. So, we must now draw the proverbial line in the sand. Before we celebrate, let's just ask God what REALLY pleases Him. Whatever He says to do, let's do it. Whatever He says to leave out, let's just leave it out!
Then, and only then, will God get this glory in this season. Saints, we cannot continue to allow the world to dictate how we celebrate, when we shop, what we tell our children, and how we decorate our homes. We are the salt of the earth. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DIFFERENT!
God bless you!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Have Faith IN GOD
Mark 11
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
If you are anything like me, you’ve been taught that your faith can create things in your life. We’ve seen the “name it and claim it” season in the Church, and we seem to have redefined the same as declare and decree”. We are constantly taught that we shall have what we say, and that anything we ask God for shall be given unto us.
Well, what happens when the “thing hoped for” does not come to pass? We know that God is not a liar. For many of us, we were taught or understood that our faith was just lacking. Is that all there is to it? Does God really perform anything we command, simply based on our “faith?”
I thank God for relationship, because He’s dealt with me about this very thing for the last couple of weeks. He told me that we have this “faith thing” all wrong. In a nutshell, our problem is that we are putting “faith” into the wrong things, which means it’s not really faith at all. Yes, faith in the wrong thing(s) is nothing more than deception!
How many times have we seen the sick ask for prayer and healing? Over and over, the preacher or the prophet “decrees and declares” the healing, but it does not come to pass. How does one rationalize this over and over again? I can only begin to imagine the thoughts.
Of course, there are many reasons this scenario could “go wrong,” but I want to deal with just one right now – an incorrect view of faith. Oftentimes, we simply take the Scriptures out of context and feel we can “command” God to do what we wish. Well, our Heavenly Father is not a genie in a bottle! He is, however, the origin and the focus of faith.
It’s very important to understand just that – God is the ORIGIN and the FOCUS of faith! Many times, people ask for prayer or stand in prayer lines believing that they can be healed, but their belief is in the person. They’ve heard the prophetic words, seen the animated preaching, heard the array of tongues and have developed confidence on the power of the person to heal them. This is where their faith is disjointed.
We love to quote verses 23 and 24 of Mark 11. It makes us feel good to know that whatever we declare shall come to pass and whatever we pray for shall be supplied. Yet, we often neglect verse 22. In fact, I’ve never heard it quoted with the former. “Have faith in God!” Simple, but profound.
This is a season to mature in the things of God. We cannot continue to make the hope of miracles, signs and wonders an idol! Yes, many in the church are now “worshipping” the signs. We go to church to see the “move of God”, but not to have a personal experience with Him. He commanded us to seek Him, not the residue of where He’s been.
In a nutshell, faith cannot exist without God, because we need His word (rhema or logos) in order for faith to grow. Remember, “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” This is why the word declares that “without faith, it is impossible to please Him.” God has made us in His likeness and in His image. He operates by faith, and has given us the same. As declared in Hebrews 11, it was by faith that the world was formed. We also know that God gives each of us a “measure of faith.” Faith has no source outside of God.
So then, it makes sense that when we decree and declare things outside of God’s word, they do not come to pass. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. One simply cannot have, or apply faith, if God’s word is not on it. Many of us are spending time making commands to the atmosphere, but have never heard God. How can faith be applied to what God has not said or ordained, if faith comes from Him?
Perhaps the husband that was prophesied 3 years ago has not come due to your lack of faith, but the lack of the word of God in that situation. Did God say it? Did He ordain it to be so? If not, true faith cannot be applied.
One might ask, why then does the word say “whatsoever?” Even Jesus, when He walked the earth, said that He could not do or say anything without His Father’s instruction. Yet Jesus was in tune with the Father. He put His Father’s will first, and allowed it to become His own. Therefore, when He did make a request or give a command, it was for God’s glory. That’s why it came to pass.
In Matthew 17, Jesus cast out a demon after His disciples were unsuccessful in doing so. They asked Jesus why they were not able to do the same, and He said to them “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (vs. 20). Of course, the disciples believed they could perform the miracle, but they lost focus. Their belief now rested in themselves and their own power. They forgot about the source.
Jesus goes on to describe the mustard seed and tell them that if they had faith as a grain, they could remove a mountain with their words. Oftentimes, we assume Jesus is comparing their faith to the size of a mustard seed, but he is actually comparing their faith to the faith of a mustard seed. A mustard seed cannot do anything except what God has ordained it to do. God created it. It operates as He created it to operate. It looks the way God ordained it to look. It grows according to His will and purpose. Therefore, it operates in perfect faith. It is indeed the “substance” of something hoped for and the “evidence” of something that was previously unseen.
When we operate in pure worship and obedience to God, we too can be like the mustard seed, operating as God has called and ordained us to operate, in pure faith. Faith is walking in your ordained place, so that God can bring His will to pass through you!
Faith is suffering, because we are moving in our own wills. We are busy prophesying what we want God to do, rather than what He has already spoken, commanded and ordained (Ezekiel 13:2). Our “faith” is being channeled to our pastors and leaders, but must look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Remember, “faith” in the wrong thing is nothing more than deception!
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
If you are anything like me, you’ve been taught that your faith can create things in your life. We’ve seen the “name it and claim it” season in the Church, and we seem to have redefined the same as declare and decree”. We are constantly taught that we shall have what we say, and that anything we ask God for shall be given unto us.
Well, what happens when the “thing hoped for” does not come to pass? We know that God is not a liar. For many of us, we were taught or understood that our faith was just lacking. Is that all there is to it? Does God really perform anything we command, simply based on our “faith?”
I thank God for relationship, because He’s dealt with me about this very thing for the last couple of weeks. He told me that we have this “faith thing” all wrong. In a nutshell, our problem is that we are putting “faith” into the wrong things, which means it’s not really faith at all. Yes, faith in the wrong thing(s) is nothing more than deception!
How many times have we seen the sick ask for prayer and healing? Over and over, the preacher or the prophet “decrees and declares” the healing, but it does not come to pass. How does one rationalize this over and over again? I can only begin to imagine the thoughts.
Of course, there are many reasons this scenario could “go wrong,” but I want to deal with just one right now – an incorrect view of faith. Oftentimes, we simply take the Scriptures out of context and feel we can “command” God to do what we wish. Well, our Heavenly Father is not a genie in a bottle! He is, however, the origin and the focus of faith.
It’s very important to understand just that – God is the ORIGIN and the FOCUS of faith! Many times, people ask for prayer or stand in prayer lines believing that they can be healed, but their belief is in the person. They’ve heard the prophetic words, seen the animated preaching, heard the array of tongues and have developed confidence on the power of the person to heal them. This is where their faith is disjointed.
We love to quote verses 23 and 24 of Mark 11. It makes us feel good to know that whatever we declare shall come to pass and whatever we pray for shall be supplied. Yet, we often neglect verse 22. In fact, I’ve never heard it quoted with the former. “Have faith in God!” Simple, but profound.
This is a season to mature in the things of God. We cannot continue to make the hope of miracles, signs and wonders an idol! Yes, many in the church are now “worshipping” the signs. We go to church to see the “move of God”, but not to have a personal experience with Him. He commanded us to seek Him, not the residue of where He’s been.
In a nutshell, faith cannot exist without God, because we need His word (rhema or logos) in order for faith to grow. Remember, “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” This is why the word declares that “without faith, it is impossible to please Him.” God has made us in His likeness and in His image. He operates by faith, and has given us the same. As declared in Hebrews 11, it was by faith that the world was formed. We also know that God gives each of us a “measure of faith.” Faith has no source outside of God.
So then, it makes sense that when we decree and declare things outside of God’s word, they do not come to pass. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. One simply cannot have, or apply faith, if God’s word is not on it. Many of us are spending time making commands to the atmosphere, but have never heard God. How can faith be applied to what God has not said or ordained, if faith comes from Him?
Perhaps the husband that was prophesied 3 years ago has not come due to your lack of faith, but the lack of the word of God in that situation. Did God say it? Did He ordain it to be so? If not, true faith cannot be applied.
One might ask, why then does the word say “whatsoever?” Even Jesus, when He walked the earth, said that He could not do or say anything without His Father’s instruction. Yet Jesus was in tune with the Father. He put His Father’s will first, and allowed it to become His own. Therefore, when He did make a request or give a command, it was for God’s glory. That’s why it came to pass.
In Matthew 17, Jesus cast out a demon after His disciples were unsuccessful in doing so. They asked Jesus why they were not able to do the same, and He said to them “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (vs. 20). Of course, the disciples believed they could perform the miracle, but they lost focus. Their belief now rested in themselves and their own power. They forgot about the source.
Jesus goes on to describe the mustard seed and tell them that if they had faith as a grain, they could remove a mountain with their words. Oftentimes, we assume Jesus is comparing their faith to the size of a mustard seed, but he is actually comparing their faith to the faith of a mustard seed. A mustard seed cannot do anything except what God has ordained it to do. God created it. It operates as He created it to operate. It looks the way God ordained it to look. It grows according to His will and purpose. Therefore, it operates in perfect faith. It is indeed the “substance” of something hoped for and the “evidence” of something that was previously unseen.
When we operate in pure worship and obedience to God, we too can be like the mustard seed, operating as God has called and ordained us to operate, in pure faith. Faith is walking in your ordained place, so that God can bring His will to pass through you!
Faith is suffering, because we are moving in our own wills. We are busy prophesying what we want God to do, rather than what He has already spoken, commanded and ordained (Ezekiel 13:2). Our “faith” is being channeled to our pastors and leaders, but must look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Remember, “faith” in the wrong thing is nothing more than deception!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Annual Review and Evaluation - Take Inventory!
If any of you are like me, you work on a job that gives an annual performance review. At least once a year, I sit down with my manager to review my goals and accomplishments. Based on my performance since the last evaluation, I receive a grade and potentially, a raise.
Recently, I’ve received a number of phone calls from people, including those in ministry, who feel as though God has not moved in their lives. Oh, I beg to differ!
I have been thinking today, not only about myself, but many others as well. I can truly see, when I take the time to think about it, how far God has brought me over the last year. Not all my growth is financial or material, but I thank God even for the maturity in the Spirit. That is so important, though often overlooked. God made a promise to His people – that He would not leave us. I believe the word of God today!
I encourage us to journal and take note of our requests. Many may be surprised to see that indeed, God has allowed us to move from glory to glory!
In the same manner, as we reflect over the past year, it’s important to look at what was missed. How many assignments from God remain neglected? When did fear stifle my growth? In what areas was I disobedient or lackadaisical?
Rather than chasing now the new prophecy for 2010, let’s reflect on 2009. God reveals so much through reflection over our own lives.
Amen.
Recently, I’ve received a number of phone calls from people, including those in ministry, who feel as though God has not moved in their lives. Oh, I beg to differ!
I have been thinking today, not only about myself, but many others as well. I can truly see, when I take the time to think about it, how far God has brought me over the last year. Not all my growth is financial or material, but I thank God even for the maturity in the Spirit. That is so important, though often overlooked. God made a promise to His people – that He would not leave us. I believe the word of God today!
I encourage us to journal and take note of our requests. Many may be surprised to see that indeed, God has allowed us to move from glory to glory!
In the same manner, as we reflect over the past year, it’s important to look at what was missed. How many assignments from God remain neglected? When did fear stifle my growth? In what areas was I disobedient or lackadaisical?
Rather than chasing now the new prophecy for 2010, let’s reflect on 2009. God reveals so much through reflection over our own lives.
Amen.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Are You Giving God Your BEST?
2 Samuel 24
19 And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.
20 And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.
21 And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.
22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.
23 All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.
24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
25 And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.
What value has your praise? What sacrifice is behind your worship? So often, the people of God forget that God desires and requires our BEST. While our worship and our praise are given freely, there is a sacrifice that is required. That sacrifice is the key to sanctification. Oftentimes, it’s the difference between talent and calling, ritual and worship or entertainment and praise.
Too often, we try to give God what is left over. David understood that God deserved his best and was willing to give Him just that. It’s far too easy, especially in this day and time, to miss this very simple concept. True worship is sacrificial, and we must offer God our best.
How often do we work all day, tend to the family, cook, clean, then sit down and struggle to give God ten minutes of prayer before wandering off to sleep? How many times have we watched television, gone shopping or traveled and crammed for twenty minutes before delivering a message to God’s people?
Throughout the word of God, we see a pattern of God requiring the best and the first. Salvation is free, but a solid relationship with God requires a cost! Are you truly giving Him your first? Can He count on your best? What choices are we making?
As I think about the “church” in this hour, it seems that many things are a lot more relaxed than they were just ten years ago. People can come “as they are”, as dressing up is no longer required. Musicians are now paid, rather than saved. Preachers present themselves before God’s people wearing layers of make-up, fake hair and press-on nails. Singing talent and “runs” are now respected more than a true anointing. Sin is glossed over and no longer exposed. Young people lack respect for elders, speaking to them as if they are peers. Preachers have sermons that draw attention by using words that were once forbidden in the church. Men look like women. Women act like men. Fornication and homosexuality are nothing more than “strongholds” when they used to be sin. Whatever songs one hears in the world are brought into the house of God and given a different name, though we all recognize the beat and baseline. Dancing and shouting have replaced repentance. I could go on and on and on…
The point is this – Since when did it become so easy to be a “saint?” Who are we to dismiss God’s requirements? Conviction is part of the sacrifice of worship. Living a holy lifestyle requires work. It requires rebuke and may even require pain.
I think back to a church fast I once participated in. As the pastor described the terms of the fast and the purpose for the consecration, he then began to excuse many from the action he’d just described. “If you get a headache, just have some orange juice and bread. Keep a bag of peanuts in case your stomach begins to growl…” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Where is the sacrifice? Isn’t fasting SUPPOSED to hurt? Aren’t you SUPPOSED to be hungry? That’s the point, right???
People of God, this walk with the Father was never intended to be easy. Jesus told us very clearly that persecution and temptation would come. The word of God instructs us to flee and resist. That requires SACRIFICE. We have created this foreign concept called “comfortable Christianity,” and it is not of God.
If we are not willing to sacrifice, we are not worthy of Him. What are we really giving to God? Selah.
19 And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.
20 And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.
21 And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.
22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.
23 All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.
24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
25 And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.
What value has your praise? What sacrifice is behind your worship? So often, the people of God forget that God desires and requires our BEST. While our worship and our praise are given freely, there is a sacrifice that is required. That sacrifice is the key to sanctification. Oftentimes, it’s the difference between talent and calling, ritual and worship or entertainment and praise.
Too often, we try to give God what is left over. David understood that God deserved his best and was willing to give Him just that. It’s far too easy, especially in this day and time, to miss this very simple concept. True worship is sacrificial, and we must offer God our best.
How often do we work all day, tend to the family, cook, clean, then sit down and struggle to give God ten minutes of prayer before wandering off to sleep? How many times have we watched television, gone shopping or traveled and crammed for twenty minutes before delivering a message to God’s people?
Throughout the word of God, we see a pattern of God requiring the best and the first. Salvation is free, but a solid relationship with God requires a cost! Are you truly giving Him your first? Can He count on your best? What choices are we making?
As I think about the “church” in this hour, it seems that many things are a lot more relaxed than they were just ten years ago. People can come “as they are”, as dressing up is no longer required. Musicians are now paid, rather than saved. Preachers present themselves before God’s people wearing layers of make-up, fake hair and press-on nails. Singing talent and “runs” are now respected more than a true anointing. Sin is glossed over and no longer exposed. Young people lack respect for elders, speaking to them as if they are peers. Preachers have sermons that draw attention by using words that were once forbidden in the church. Men look like women. Women act like men. Fornication and homosexuality are nothing more than “strongholds” when they used to be sin. Whatever songs one hears in the world are brought into the house of God and given a different name, though we all recognize the beat and baseline. Dancing and shouting have replaced repentance. I could go on and on and on…
The point is this – Since when did it become so easy to be a “saint?” Who are we to dismiss God’s requirements? Conviction is part of the sacrifice of worship. Living a holy lifestyle requires work. It requires rebuke and may even require pain.
I think back to a church fast I once participated in. As the pastor described the terms of the fast and the purpose for the consecration, he then began to excuse many from the action he’d just described. “If you get a headache, just have some orange juice and bread. Keep a bag of peanuts in case your stomach begins to growl…” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Where is the sacrifice? Isn’t fasting SUPPOSED to hurt? Aren’t you SUPPOSED to be hungry? That’s the point, right???
People of God, this walk with the Father was never intended to be easy. Jesus told us very clearly that persecution and temptation would come. The word of God instructs us to flee and resist. That requires SACRIFICE. We have created this foreign concept called “comfortable Christianity,” and it is not of God.
If we are not willing to sacrifice, we are not worthy of Him. What are we really giving to God? Selah.
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