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Monthly Archives: January 2012

Psalm 1 – Choosing the Proper Way

26 Jan

I have just finished up a wonderful study over the first Psalm.  This psalm is often a favorite among the people of God.  It is a psalm which imparts wisdom by contrasting the righteous and the wicked.  It falls naturally into two parts:  the blessedness of the godly (vs. 1-3) and the wretchedness of the ungodly (vs. 4-6). 

The blessedness of the godly person (1-3)

The psalmist begins with a triumphant proclamation: “Blessed is the man…”  The psalmist is stating, “How happy is the man…”  The psalmist opens this psalm with a statement that would cause many a nonbeliever to laugh.  He intends to show that the person who devotes himself to living a godly and righteous life is the one who finds true happiness, while the one who lives without regard to God is the miserable person!  The world doesn’t comprehend this truth because they have it the other way.  The God-devoted person is miserable and those who live for themselves find the fun.  Time will prove the psalmist to be correct.

What the godly person refuses (vs. 1)

The Counsel of the Wicked

If we replace the word “counsel” with the word “advice”, we quickly get to the heart of the matter.  The righteous person does not govern his life on the basis of bad advice from bad people.  It seems rather ironic for those who have no room for God often seem eager and read to offer advice to those who are living for God.  We find such advice in our personal conversations, in magazines and newspaper articles, in movies and television shows, and many others just to name a few.

The Path of Sinners

The focus shifts from the advice offered by the godless to their lifestyle or pattern of behavior.  It is one who does not conform to the laws of God.  Seeing this, the godly person avoids its.  He does not stand in this path, to be subject to their influence within their life.

The Seat of Scoffers

There seems to be a growing trend of people who hold nothing sacred, scoffing at God and all that are associated with him.  The psalmist uses the term, “to sit” to imply going a step further than walking and standing.  It suggests remaining and abiding with them and enjoying their company.   Those who are in Christ, always feel out of place and unhappy around those who make fun of God and His decrees.

What the godly person chooses (vs. 2)

Delights in God’s Word

A godly person is one who takes his counsel or way of living from the Word of God.  This is the source of strength, direction, and purpose for their life.  The Word is a delight and they find it to be immensely interesting and relevant.  Some have asked, “What does it mean to delight in the Word of God?  Here is a man who is in love with a woman.  He delights in her.  He yearns to spend time with her.  And when he is with her, he drinks in every word she speaks.  He is intoxicated with her beauty.  So it is with the godly person and the Word of God!

Meditates on God’s Word

The psalmist goes a step further.  The godly person also meditates on the Word of God “day and night”.  The word “meditate” means “to murmur or to mutter”.  It literally means to speak to one’s self in a low voice.  The Word of God is never far from the thoughts and considerations of a child of God.  When he is depressed or distressed, he calls to mind it promises.  When he is uncertain and perplexed, he considers its guidelines.  When his sins loom before him, he ponders it’s message of love and forgiveness made available through Jesus Christ.

What the godly person realizes (vs. 3)

The outcome of the godly person’s refusing and choosing is not left in doubt.  He will be “like a tree.”  For quite some time I didn’t fully grasp what the psalmist was conveying here.  Until I reflected upon my past travels to the Redwood National Forest in Northern California.  I can distinctly recall the strength and stability of these mighty trees.  They were trees of great beauty and refreshing shade.  I also recalled the fruit trees found around the home of my grandparents and their fruitfulness.  All of these things are found in the one who delights in the Word of God.  We have strength and stability in our times of trouble.  He manifests the virtues and qualities that are called the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).  And such a life makes him beautiful and refreshing to others.

The wretchedness of the ungodly person (vs. 4-6)

The psalmist points out the difference by comparing the mighty tree to that of a chaff.  The psalmist’s mention of chaff takes us back to the farming techniques of that time.  The farmer would place the harvested wheat on a stone threshing floor and drive his oxen around it so that their hooves would separate the grain from the husks.  He would then use a kind of fork or shovel to pitch the grain and the chaff in the air.  The grain would fall to the floor to be preserved and the chaff would blow away.

John the Baptist tells us a day or separation is coming.  Regarding Jesus Christ he shared, “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Those who choose to live apart from God and his people in this life will find that they will have no part with them in eternity.  Those who stand with the ungodly in this life will not be able to stand with the righteous in the next.

I hope you can see the wisdom in this psalm and find ways to apply it to your own walk with God.  There is no greater wisdom than adjusting our steps to be in accordance with the path He has set for each of us.

May God bless you richly!

 
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Posted by on January 26, 2012 in Uncategorized

 

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Winter Quest 2012 – “The (Christian) Game of LIFE”

20 Jan

This past weekend, 196 teenagers and adults from various parts of Oklahoma and Texas has the privileged to take part in our tenth year of Winter Quest.  Many years ago, Tony Hall came to small number of us and began to impart his vision for a winter retreat.  He shared, “It is a long time for many of these young people to get together since Reach Week.  We need to put together a winter retreat to help them refocus their walk with God and to rekindle their relationships with each other.”

Over the past ten years we have examined theme’s such as; “Quest for the Best, Standing with Giants, The Chronicles of Christ, Closer, Worship 180, Imagine, Enlightened, and Undone.“  Within these themes we have spent numerous hours examining God’s Word over topics such as Biblical acts of Worship; Heaven, Hell, and the coming Judgment; aspects of Evangelism; The deity of Jesus; and so many more.

This past weekend, we looked at the “The Game of Life”.  We spent time focusing on James’ words in James 4:14 – “What is your life?  For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

What is your life?  What is the meaning of your life?  Many individuals would say their life is all about finding happiness, fulfillment, and/or purpose.  Others may reply that their life is all about finding true love; a love that will last a lifetime.  Still others may share that their life is about displaying compassion, or acquiring power.

James gives us the illustration of a vapor.  Something which is here today and gone tomorrow.  Our life is but a vapor compared to the length and width of eternity.

David shares in Psalm 103:15-18, “As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.”  He understood the brevity of life and the steadfast love of the Lord as being from everlasting to everlasting.  What a beautiful scene for us to ponder today.

Since our earthly life is so short, I hope you will agree that we need to get it “right”.  In an attempt to help those young people who attended Winter Quest this year, we, as a staff, came up with a list of 13 topics (10 classes and 3 sermons) to prayerfully equip them with Biblical information about decisions they must make or aspects of life they will face in hopes of allowing them to gain some clarity of what they need to do to be found righteous before the Lord.

I want to again thank my awesome staff.  For without each and every one of them, we would not have been able to have such a great and powerful weekend.  They were willing to sacrifice the comforts of their own home to spend the weekend investing in the lives of others.

I would like to share with you the lesson/sermon outlines from that weekend.  If you are interested in some FREE materials, please click on this link.  http://kellercofc.org/2011/11/winter-quest-2012/

It is my prayer that we all may learn to invest a little bit more of ourselves in the lives of others so that in all ways, He may be glorified!

May God bless you richly!

 
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Posted by on January 20, 2012 in Uncategorized

 

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You Can Make a Difference If You Try!

12 Jan

I am currently reading, “Growing Up Colt” by Brad and Colt McCoy.  In one of the chapters, Colt shares an statement frequently stated by his parents.  Colt writes, “Dad and I developed our own little ritual back when I was in the first and second grades.  When I didn’t take the school bus and he’d drive me to school, we’d be talking as he pulled up to the student drop-off.  Just before I got out of the car, he’d always remind me that he loved me and that I should do my best and be a leader at school that day.  He said those three things so often that we developed a little routine.  ”Have a good day at school, Colt.  I love you, and remember to do your best -”  Dad would pause, which was my cue. “- and be a leader, ” I answered just before I stepped out of the car”” (Growing Up Colt, page 83).

What an incredible challenge!  The challenge is set before each of us to be a leader in our schools, in our workplaces, our local congregations, and even within our families. Yet far too often we fail to display the proper leadership in these and other vital areas; thus not fulfilling the will of God and as a result leaving us with feeling of failure and a displeased Lord.

God wants us to do some incredible things for His kingdom.  We only need to be available and obedient.  But you may be thinking, “You have got to be kidding me.  You want ME to do something big for God?  No way!” or better yet, “I have committed so many mistakes in my life there is no way I can do something big for God.”

Recently I began to consider a famous episode in the life of Moses in Exodus 3; a surreal experience by Moses with God at the burning bush.  As I began to reveal the layers of life application from this account, I began to consider my own walk with God.  I reflected upon those situations in which I didn’t display leadership or my faith because of my own insecurities.  I ask that you allow yourself to consider some vital applications from this sacred event in history.

God is Bigger Than Your Past

Moses was a man who had quite a past.  We find in Exodus 2:11-15, “One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well.”

God knew all about Moses’ past, yet He still chose to utilize Him for His glory.  God saw something in Moses that Moses didn’t even see in himself.  I find this is often the case for us today.  Isn’t it amazing to serve a God who knows us better than we know ourselves?  God knows our strengths as well as our weaknesses.  God knows our gifts as well our crutches.  God knows everything about us!

God see our past.  He sees something inside of each of us that we may not even see.  In spite of our weaknesses and failures, He still chose you and me and He wants to use us!

God is Bigger Than Your Excuses

In Exodus 3:1-10 we find where God calls Moses to be his voice before Pharaoh.  Instead of jumping for joy at being called to serve Jehovah, Moses begins to question, doubt, and offer excuses as to why he cannot be His messenger.  Please note:

  • “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Ex 3:11)
  • I don’t know what to do…what should I do? (Ex. 3:13).
  • What if they laugh at me and don’t believe me? (Ex. 4:1)
  • I don’t have what it takes; I’m not talented enough! (Ex. 4:10)
  • Don’t you have anyone else who can do it? (Ex. 4:13)

Moses was fearful and doubtful of his own abilities – just like us!  All the time, God just told Moses to focus on who He is and what they could accomplish together (Exodus 6:1:13).  What a great reminder for us today. The reminder to focus on our Heavenly Father and do what is necessary to shift our focus from our own insecurities and failures and to focus on His divine power (2 Peter 1:3).

Even through all Moses’ excuses, it didn’t change how God felt about him or disqualify him from what God wanted to do.  We must learn to persevere by pushing forward with our faith and good works.

God is Bigger Than Your Obstacles

As we continue with the account of Moses going before Pharaoh we quickly learn where Moses returns to Egypt, not knowing what obstacles would be in his way.  In chapters 7-13 of the Exodus account we learn of the stubbornness of Pharaoh, the fickleness of the Israelites, and the pursuit of the Egyptian soldiers.  Yet of perhaps the greatest obstacle of all was the Red Sea.  This sea is 1,200 miles long, ranges from 130-230 miles wide and at the deepest part is 7,200 feet deep.  This is no small puddle my friend!   But through all of these challenges, God was faithful to Moses.  He removed all the obstacles and worked through Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt. (Ex. 14:21-28)

As long as our heart beats we will each face many obstacles in our life.  But always remember that God is bigger than any obstacle you have in your way.  His is willing to part the sea to use you!

As you read this post I want to encourage you to begin the process of working through some of the feelings, thoughts, and excuses you may be exerting and begin to focus on His divine power.  Accounts such as the one we find in Exodus 3 is written to help teach us to overcome whatever obstacle we may be facing (1 Cor. 10:11).  May we each find ways to be used and utilized by our Father for His glory!

May God bless you richly!

 
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Posted by on January 12, 2012 in Uncategorized

 

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Some Lofty Goals

06 Jan

Tom Landry, former coach of the Dallas Cowboys, was once asked by a reporter, “What makes a champion?”  Landry’s answer was power-packed.  “A champion is someone who didn’t give up when he wanted to.”  He went on to say: “Success is not accidental.  We learn how to achieve.  I would like to list four short steps it takes to be a champion in the field of sports.

  • 1 – Faith.  Believing you can win.
  • 2 – Training.  The Cowboys work out four times a week.  They lift millions of pounds of iron each session.  They run many miles to win.
  • 3 – Goals – All winning teams set goals. 
  • 4 – You must possess the will to reach the goal you set for yourself.  This is probably the most important quality of all champions.”

Landry understood what it took to be a champion.  He witnessed firsthand the power of goal setting and then the will to reach the goals that were set.

Cancer survivor Greg Anderson once said, “When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live life.”

Spiritually speaking, we have got to set some goals within our spiritual life that will move us toward being the champion Christian that God desires us to be.

In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul shares with us at least three spiritual goals which would be of great value for us to consider today.

 The Goal of Perfection (vs. 12a)

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”

We often hear people make statements such as, “Nobody’s perfect’” or “I’m not perfect.”  Statements such as these are usually made when they are under conviction about some sin in their life and they think this little sentence gives them an excuse.

It is true that no one is sinless (Romans 3:23) except for Jesus (2 Cor 5:21) Christ.  However Jesus Christ commanded in Matthew 5:48, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Paul also stated in Colossians 1:28, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature (perfect) in Christ.”

Paul is not talking about sinless perfection but about a worthy goal that every Christian ought to set for him or herself.  God’s Word has given us the task of growing into a full grown mature Christian.

The Goal of Dissatisfaction (vs. 13a)

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own.

One noted author once wrote, “A sanctified dissatisfaction is the first essential to progress in the Christian race” (Wiersbe, pg. 88).

Far too often we end up comparing ourselves to other Christians as the measuring stick of our faith.  However; Paul refused to follow this line of thinking.  Instead of comparing himself to other men, he compared himself to himself and with Jesus Christ.

It is imperative for us to constantly evaluate our lives.  This is the only way we will be able to improve in areas in which we are coming up short and strive to grow in those areas. Anytime we become satisfied with anything in our lives other than the passionate pursuit of an intimate relationship with Christ, we are on dangerous ground.

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:1-2)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”  (Matthew 5:6)

 The Goal of Forgetting (vs. 13b-14)

“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

If you are anything like me, you often have a hard time remembering?  If fact, if it weren’t for the large calendar on my desk, I would forget a lot of very important information.

If we are going to be champions for Christ, we need to practice some spiritual forgetfulness.  We need to no longer be influenced by or affected by the past.  Too often we allow ourselves to be weighed down by our sinfulness or shackled by the failures of others.  Paul understood that he would not go back and change the past.  The decisions and actions he portrayed in the past are gone.   Paul chose to focus on the present in order to have a glorious future with our Father and the saints in Heaven.

As we continue through this New Year, may we each take the time to monitor our spiritual walk with God.  May we be open and honest with ourselves about where we are verses where we would like to be.  Do whatever it takes!

May God bless you richly!

 
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Posted by on January 6, 2012 in Uncategorized

 

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