Friday, July 30, 2010
Pride's Conceit - Pride's Defeat
When Uzziah "became powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall" (2 Chronicles 26:16). What a sad commentary on the life of one who early in his reign "did was pleasing in the Lord's sight" (v. 4) and who "sought God" and "sought guidance from the Lord" (v. 5).
Perhaps many of us don't believe that this would apply to us because we are not in places of power or we have not experienced great success. But the principle remains and Solomon says it well in the Proverbs: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" (16:18) and again in 19:23 - "A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor."
Think about how pride debilitates... It separates us from others and places them (and the thought of serving them) beneath us. Pride deceives us into believing that we are better than we are. It deceives us by making us think that all that we are blessed with is the result of our own hard work or ingenuity. We become convinced of own inherent goodness and belive that we are above judgment. Ultimately, we may become too proud to admit we even need a Savior.
It is interesting to note that a not-too-distant descendant of Uzziah had the same issue with pride. The difference? "Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the LORD's wrath did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah" (2 Chron. 32:26).
We need to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any pride within us; because the parts of us that resist God's rule and reign, that refuse to humble themselves in the sight of the Lord, will lead to our own downfall. 'When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2). One more New Testament correlation: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." (1 Peter 5:6).
Perhaps many of us don't believe that this would apply to us because we are not in places of power or we have not experienced great success. But the principle remains and Solomon says it well in the Proverbs: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" (16:18) and again in 19:23 - "A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor."
Think about how pride debilitates... It separates us from others and places them (and the thought of serving them) beneath us. Pride deceives us into believing that we are better than we are. It deceives us by making us think that all that we are blessed with is the result of our own hard work or ingenuity. We become convinced of own inherent goodness and belive that we are above judgment. Ultimately, we may become too proud to admit we even need a Savior.
It is interesting to note that a not-too-distant descendant of Uzziah had the same issue with pride. The difference? "Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the LORD's wrath did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah" (2 Chron. 32:26).
We need to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any pride within us; because the parts of us that resist God's rule and reign, that refuse to humble themselves in the sight of the Lord, will lead to our own downfall. 'When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2). One more New Testament correlation: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." (1 Peter 5:6).
Labels: Pride
Monday, July 26, 2010
The Benefits of God's Word
Last month, I mentioned waiting on "a word from the Lord" (see 6-29 blog). Sometimes we desire "new revelation" and ignore God's original revelation. The Bible is still the most reliable source for us to get instruction and direction!
With this in mind, Psalm 19 gives us wonderful insight into the benefits of God's Word. Check out what David writes and how it can affect our lives....
• The instructions of the Lord are perfect.
• His decrees are trustworthy.
• His commandments are right.
• His commands are clear.
• His laws are true.
• His laws are more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey.
• His laws are a warning and a great reward.
And the benefits?
• His instructions revive the soul.
• His decrees make wise the simple.
• His commandments bring joy to the heart.
• His commands give insight for living.
• His law is a great reward for those who obey them.
In 27 years of ministry, I have noticed a definite decline in Bible knowledge. The Old Testament stories that are so familiar to me, are virtually unknown to many. I hear questions like: "That's really in the Bible?" or, worse yet, statements like, "I just don't have time to read my Bible!" I don't believe that we are just talking about people who don't like to read. Most church "experts" agree that biblical illiteracy is a serious problem in the Church today!
It is time for us to treasure our time in God's Word. It will nourish and sustain us. His Word needs to be in our mouth and it needs to be the meditation of our heart, so that our lives will please Him!
With this in mind, Psalm 19 gives us wonderful insight into the benefits of God's Word. Check out what David writes and how it can affect our lives....
• The instructions of the Lord are perfect.
• His decrees are trustworthy.
• His commandments are right.
• His commands are clear.
• His laws are true.
• His laws are more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey.
• His laws are a warning and a great reward.
And the benefits?
• His instructions revive the soul.
• His decrees make wise the simple.
• His commandments bring joy to the heart.
• His commands give insight for living.
• His law is a great reward for those who obey them.
In 27 years of ministry, I have noticed a definite decline in Bible knowledge. The Old Testament stories that are so familiar to me, are virtually unknown to many. I hear questions like: "That's really in the Bible?" or, worse yet, statements like, "I just don't have time to read my Bible!" I don't believe that we are just talking about people who don't like to read. Most church "experts" agree that biblical illiteracy is a serious problem in the Church today! It is time for us to treasure our time in God's Word. It will nourish and sustain us. His Word needs to be in our mouth and it needs to be the meditation of our heart, so that our lives will please Him!
Labels: God's Word
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Successful Planning
I've written several times about how David "inquired of the Lord" before going into battle or making a decision. 1 Chronicles 13 relates the story of David's plan to move the ark into Jerusalem. This is strategic because the ark represented God's presence and blessing over Israel and over David's reign as king. In his passion, David wants to restore the ark to it's proper place of prominence. While his intentions are honorable, his plan is faulty. The consequence of his carelessness? Uzzah died. David was angry, but he is at fault for not consulting God.
In today's passage, David confesses, "we failed to ask God how to move it [the ark] properly" (1 Chronicles 15:13b). I don't like to think of how many times I have also had good intentions, only to have my plan fall apart or fizzle out. I'm not sure that anyone has ever been killed by my carelessness, but I know that people have been hurt. If only I had inquired of the Lord and been obedient to His instruction! What damage could have been avoided if I had just waited on God's advice and followed His lead. I'm reminded of a strong word of advice from Proverbs (it's repeated in two passages - probably because we are so prone to this mistake!): "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (14:12 & 16:25).
At our church, we are coming up on a couple of milestones - our 30th Anniversary and paying off our mortgage to become debt-free. Our leadership team has been meeting to discuss and plan for the future. We are in the process of developing a master plan that will outline ways to make our facility more effective for ministry. We don't believe that God wants us going back into slavery (the Bible says that the borrower is slave to the lender - Proverbs 22:7), so our planning is tempered by some non-negotiable principles. But the guiding principle throughout this process is seeking the Master's Plan - going to God to discover His will for our church. Again, Solomon confirms this Psalm 127:1a - "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain."
As I've already attested, I've not always heeded this admonition. I can tell you, emphatically, that the greatest moments in my life, my most successful accomplishments, and the sweetest victories have been because I first inquired of the Lord and then followed His lead in obedience. And yes, the worst moments, the most miserable failures, and the times of defeat can be attributed to my own carelessness and disobedience.
The key (not just for those of us in leadership, but for every believer and follower of Christ) is to ALWAYS go to God first. Years ago, we would plan our Sunday services and the worship leader would include at the top of each agenda, "As the Holy Spirit leads." Following His lead is critical to accomplishing His will in our lives and in our ministry. I encourage you to follow the Master's Plan for your life. Wait for God's direction, create your agenda, and believe me, it will be better than any plan than you could conceive!
In today's passage, David confesses, "we failed to ask God how to move it [the ark] properly" (1 Chronicles 15:13b). I don't like to think of how many times I have also had good intentions, only to have my plan fall apart or fizzle out. I'm not sure that anyone has ever been killed by my carelessness, but I know that people have been hurt. If only I had inquired of the Lord and been obedient to His instruction! What damage could have been avoided if I had just waited on God's advice and followed His lead. I'm reminded of a strong word of advice from Proverbs (it's repeated in two passages - probably because we are so prone to this mistake!): "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (14:12 & 16:25).
At our church, we are coming up on a couple of milestones - our 30th Anniversary and paying off our mortgage to become debt-free. Our leadership team has been meeting to discuss and plan for the future. We are in the process of developing a master plan that will outline ways to make our facility more effective for ministry. We don't believe that God wants us going back into slavery (the Bible says that the borrower is slave to the lender - Proverbs 22:7), so our planning is tempered by some non-negotiable principles. But the guiding principle throughout this process is seeking the Master's Plan - going to God to discover His will for our church. Again, Solomon confirms this Psalm 127:1a - "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain."As I've already attested, I've not always heeded this admonition. I can tell you, emphatically, that the greatest moments in my life, my most successful accomplishments, and the sweetest victories have been because I first inquired of the Lord and then followed His lead in obedience. And yes, the worst moments, the most miserable failures, and the times of defeat can be attributed to my own carelessness and disobedience.
The key (not just for those of us in leadership, but for every believer and follower of Christ) is to ALWAYS go to God first. Years ago, we would plan our Sunday services and the worship leader would include at the top of each agenda, "As the Holy Spirit leads." Following His lead is critical to accomplishing His will in our lives and in our ministry. I encourage you to follow the Master's Plan for your life. Wait for God's direction, create your agenda, and believe me, it will be better than any plan than you could conceive!
Labels: Plans
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