Tag Archives: 320

“Boasting in Christ” Gal. 6:14

by • on 11:59 PM • in 320, Life Journal

S – Scripture

Galatians 6:14 (NASB)
14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

 

O – Observation

The Apostle Paul was a very godly man with a great calling of God upon his life. He understood the temptation of the human heart to brag, so Paul declared, “May i never brag on my own achievements. But if I do brag, let it be about the cross of Calvary and what Jesus Christ has done in my life.” Paul fully recognized the power of Calvary. First to the death of his old nature, and then into the victory of the new nature in Jesus Christ. There is no power outside the cross of Calvary, but in it, nothing can stop you. Paul’s prayer and focus was that he had been crucified to this life. He recognized that he no longer had the right to determine what he wanted to do with his life, where he would live, and what he might do for a career. He simply had died at Calvary with Christ and now his life belonged to the Savior. Paul realized the brevity of life, and that this is nothing worth bragging about, but only those things which are eternal. A man may work his entire life and accumulate a vast array of worldly possessions; he may be a business man that transforms the skyline of New York City; and his name may even be in the book of “Who’s Who of America”‘; but without Jesus Christ, life is worthless. Paul said, “I’m not going to brag about my career; how intelligent that I am; or even what a great Apostle that I am….If I brag, it’s going to be on Jesus Christ and the power of the cross in my life!”

A – Application

It’s so easy to get side tracked in life, especially now with our bad economy. It’s so easy to lose focus, to become consumed on the things of this world that are passing by. I think about all the people who have lost so much in this life time, especially since the collapse of our economy. I wonder how many people used to brag about their portfolios? Or maybe their 3rd home in the Swiss Alps? Or if they miss arguing about which BMW to take to dinner? I think the crash of our economy has really brought home the true values of life. Unfortunately many people have not dealt well with it, and some have even taken their own lives – so sad. I am so blessed today that I don’t need to try to impress anyone. I don’t need to have a professional portfolio put together so that at night when I go to sleep, I feel like I am “somebody”. I am somebody! In fact in Christ and through His cross, I am somebody great in the kingdom of God and my precious Savior loves me!!! What else could I hope for, what else do I truly desire…whatelse is there? I can hardly think nothing, but the cross of Jesus Christ, and I can brag on that! And I will! As Paul said “Whatever has been gained to me, has been lost eternally”. Wow! convicting, and refocusing! Today I will glory in the fact that I have been crucified with Christ, and that through this, the world and all its temptations have died to me, and I to it.

P – Prayer

Lord Jesus I love You! And i thank You for setting me free from the bondage of self-ambition! Thanks You that in You alone today I will find my joy, peace and fulfillment. The world has nothing on You Lord, teach me to not look to it for my fulfillment. In You alone, I find my delight. In Your cross, I rejoice today! In You I live and move and have my being and I love You for loving me! May I live today as if it were my last day on earth to bring You glory. Today if I brag, may it be about You and the work that You are doing in my life. Amen.

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“Love Thy Neighbor” (Daily Devotions 3.14.11)

by • on 11:44 PM • in 320, Life Journal

S – Scripture

Galatians 5:14 (NASB)
14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

O – Observation

In this one word (love), the complete law is fulfilled. To love ones neighbor is the final mark of truly being sold out to Jesus Christ! Many  people think that keeping the law is what impresses God and grants them salvation, joy and fulfillment. But in reality, only through love is the law fulfilled. Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ – God floods our hearts with His love (Romans 5:5), thereby the complete law is fulfilled. The evidence of salvation is meted out in a person’s love for their neighbor. The disciples asked Jesus “who are my neighbors”, and the Lord responded by saying “everyone God puts in your life are your neighbors”. That makes it really hard because that means we don’t get to choose our neighbors, and therefore we don’t get to choose who we will love. We must love everyone that God puts in our lives. Paul had been struggling against the Judaizers who had been falsely teaching the Christians of Galatia that they needed to keep the law and be circumcised in order to truly be ‘saved’, but that is simply not true. The purpose of the law is to condemn. The purpose of the law is to be a schoolmaster that simply reveals that all men are under condemnation for having broken the law. Only through repentance and faith can one escape the penalty of God’s justice. The evidence of being born again is love, especially love for God’s people. That love is meted out through serving others. In this one word ‘love’, the complete law is fulfilled – “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”.

A – Application

 What a huge conviction! As Paul says in 1 Cor. 13, without love, I am nothing. Being a true disciple of Jesus Christ is not determined by how much money I give, how often I read my bible, or even by how many times per week that I attend church. My true love for God is demonstrated by my love for my neighbor! Man is that convicting! I often don’t love my neighbor as God loves me and when God shows me this, He is simply showing me that I am really not in love with Him the way that I think that I am in love with Him. I must not love in word and tongue only, but in action and deed if I am to truly love my neighbor as myself. It has been stated that “I only love God as much as I love the person I love the least!” Lord help me!

P – Prayer

Lord help me today to love my neighbors as myself. Sometimes I think it would be easier to move than to love my neighbors, but Lord I know that it’s really a flaw in my walk with You that prevents me from loving others as You love me. I surrender to You today Lord and I ask that You would fill me with Your perfect agape love for all that you bring across my path today. Your love is perfect, Your love is unconditional, Your love is merciful. When I struggle to love others, may I open my heart to You and allow you to love them through me. Bless this day I as seek to live for You. Amen

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“My Assignment” (Daily Devotions 2.18.11)

by • on 12:17 AM • in 320, Exhortation, Life Journal

S – Scripture

“ From thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, you shall number them, everyone who enters the service to do the work of the tabernacle of meeting.
31 And this is what they must carry as all their service for the tabernacle of meeting: the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, 32 and the pillars around the court with their sockets, pegs, and cords, with all their furnishings and all their service; and you shall assign to each man by name the items he must carry.  Numbers 4:30-32 (NKJV)

O – Observation

Here again God is clearly spelling out the duties of each of the priest. Not only did God not call each priest to have to do all the work, but God also broke down each duty and assigned each work load by name to each of the priests. That way each day, each priest knew exactly what he was and wasn’t supposed to be doing. Just as important in what God had assigned each priest, was for them to realize what He had NOT assigned them to do. Every boat is designed to only hold so much load. No matter how large a boat maybe, if you over stress it, it will sink. Even the Titanic was limited in what it could haul and endure. Had God assigned all the priest ‘general duty’, the result would have been nothing but chaos and very few things would have been accomplished. Then ultimately none of the priests would have made it to age 50 (retirement then)  because they would have burnt out from exhaustion.

A – Application

God has not called me to be everywhere to everyone. Today as I head back into the office, God has assigned to me by name, the specific ‘boards and sockets’ that I am to carry. I’m not called to carry the entire temple. Even Jesus had a very specific calling. His ministry was not to be everything to everyone, nor was it to be everywhere whenever someone called His name. Jesus let a lot of things go, and that was what enabled Him to end HIs ministry with the declaration “it is finished”. Now to me, that doesn’t sound right, because the way I think, ‘Lord, how could Your ministry be finished when there are so many people who still have never heard of You. And there are still so many people who need to be healed???” Yet, the Lord was able to say “It is finished” simply because He focused on and stayed true to His ministry. He didn’t live to impress people or seek to meet anyone’s approval. He just stayed focused, so at the end He could say “it is finished”. I’m also reminded of the Apostle Paul who at the end of his life declared “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  Hallelujah! That excites me to realize that today, God has called me to carry ‘my 5 boards’…not 6 or 7 boards, but just my 5. I need to stay focused on being the best ’5-board carrier’ that I can be. And when I walk out of the church, if I see other boards laying on the floor (projects undone; phone calls unmade; computers un-scanned), I just need to walk away and stay true to my God-given responsibilities. One step at a time, 5 little boards – nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. I may be able to carry 6 or 7 or even 10 boards for a while, but what will happen is, when I take on too much – I will burn out before my race has ended.

P – Prayer

Father today, You load me up with my daily responsibilities. Guard me from those who’d seek to over burden me. Guard me from self-inflicted pressure to do too much. Help me stay focused on only the 5 boards You place upon my shoulders. Give me wisdom to know what my duties are and the courage to say ‘no’ when someone suggests adding another board. Thank You Lord that Your yoke is easy, and that Your burden is light. When I start to feel overwhelmed Lord, teach me to stop and pray, and ask You if I’m trying to do too much. Thank You for the warning signals that keep me from total failure. Guard my heart today, I love You! Amen

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“Seeking God’s Face” (Daily Devotions 2.14.11)

by • on 4:48 PM • in 320, Life Journal

S – Scripture

“Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? and who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face-even Jacob. Selah.

O – Observation

King David sought to answer the most important question in a man’s life - “Who may dwell in the presence of the LORD?” David realized that there could be no greater place to be than in the presence of God. David realized the holiness of the LORD and declared that only those with clean hands, a pure heart and one who has not slandered or secretly hated his neighbor may dwell in the presence of the LORD. God is holy and only those who live a holy life may enter and abide in His presence through daily consecration. David declares the blessing of the LORD are upon this type of person.

A – Application

If I want to dwell in the presence of the LORD today, then I must have clean hands, a pure heart, and not be living in deceitfulness. The blessing of God are waiting to be poured out upon my life today, if I will do these things – as I seek the face of my LORD! God promises to bless me with His righteousness and His blessing today as I abide in Him.

P – Prayer

“Lord today I seek You with all of my heart, mind and being. Today Lord, I seek Your face. I seek to abide in Your holy hill and to stand in Your presence. Guard my heart, mind and lips that I may not secretly allow any sin to break my fellowship with You! I love You and surrender to live a holy life to You alone!” Amen.

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“20/20/20″ (320) – Exodus 16:1-31

by • on 9:05 PM • in 320, Sermon Notes

“20/20/20” (320)

Exodus 16:1-31

 

Introduction

A. During last month’s sabbatical,

1. One of our Drs had us read through several really good books on burnout

a. And we really learned a lot

C. But then Pastor Wayne gave me this book called ‘DIVINE MENTOR’

1. Which really caught my attention, because as of recent;

a. I have had several people ask me to mentor them

b. I thought, “I’d love to, but I’M SO BUSY, I don’t know where I’ll find the time”

D. So I read this book by Pastor Wayne Cordeiro called ‘Divine Mentor’ and I couldn’t put it down!

1. This is easily in the top 3 books I’ve ever read!

E. It’s NOT about how to do church, or be a better Christian, or how to develop more programs;

1. It’s a simple book about being MENTORED BY GOD’S WORD!!!

2. EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES

F. Statistically speaking, Christians spend an average of

1. 4 hours / day or 28 hours / week watching TV

2. And typically less than 30 minuets / day in DAILY DEVOTIONS

3. And sadly, many Christians don’t even open their bibles all week, until Sunday

a. And some people don’t even do that

G. They have determined that the human mind will only retain about 10 % of what it takes in

1. That means if you spend 10 minutes / day reading your bible;

a. You will only retain about 60 seconds, and for many, not even that much

H. Unfortunately what’s happening for most American Christians;

1. Is they are relying too heavily on Sunday morning church for their spiritual feeding

2. Which if the sermon was 30 minutes;

a. You’d be attempting to live on about 3 minutes of bible teaching/ week

b. Or about 26 SECONDS/ DAY

I. Can you imagine what would happen if you only ate one meal / week?

1. You’d die

2. In a matter of less than 1 ½ months, you’d be dead

J. Think of eating ONCE/ WEEK and only retaining 10% of the NUTRITION that you ate;

1. You’d be in big trouble, really fast;

2. Yet, that’s exactly what MOST CHRISTIANS today are doing with their spiritual lives;

a. And they are DYING on the VINE

K. Marriages are falling apart at alarming rates;

1. There are more Christians getting divorced than unbelievers

2. Suicide is up at an unprecedented rate

3. Teen pregnancy, drug addiction, alcoholism is common place today –

4. DEPRESSION, and depression medication for Christians is at the highest rate in history

L. All of these things are happening today in the lives of Christians all across America

1. The lives of Christians, just like you and I!

2. MAYBE YOU’RE ONE OF THESE STATISTICS?

M. For the past 12 years, I have been on a DAILY-READ THRU THE BIBLE PROGRAM;

1. And over the past year, I didn’t even finish because it became so LEGALISTIC

a. I’d read the daily appointed portion of scripture

b. Put a check in the little box, and then be off to my day

c. And I wasn’t really hearing from God

N. Even less likely to hear from God are those who rely on reading daily ‘Devotionals’ for sustenance

1. Only God’s Word is Divinely inspired

2. As good and helpful as daily devotionals can be, they are not necessary INSPIRED of God

O. Just think, if every day, God wanted to personally speak to your heart;

1. And He wanted to personally MENTOR YOU and give you WISDOM and TELL you what to do;

a. Would you want to hear from Him?

P. How many days we all get out of bed and are facing tremendous challenges in life?

1. Marital

2. Financial

3. Relational

4. Health

Q. Wouldn’t it be GREAT IF GOD SHOWED UP AND TOLD US WHAT TO DO?

1. How many of us would like to learn how to have GOD HIMSELF FEED US & mentor us daily?

2. HE WILL!

3. And HE WANTS TO

R. Do you realize that God is ALWAYS SPEAKING?

1. It’s just that we’re not always listening

S. And what we NEED is NOT another DEVOTIONAL written by the latest popular preacher;

1. Nor do we need to come to church every day

2. Nor do we necessarily need to buy an easier to read bible

So what is the answer?

EXODUS 16:1-31

A. So how do we do this in practical terms?

1. How can we daily be mentored by the Lord through His Word?

B. God wants to mentor you and I,

1. And WHO does God want to use to MENTOR YOU?

C. MOSES, DAVID, JOSHUA, JEREMIAH, PAUL, PETER, MATTHEW, SOLOMON, RUTH, BOAZ….

1. You get the idea!

D. Can you imagine getting up every morning knowing that God WANTS TO SPEAK to YOUR HEART?!

1. Can you imagine that the VERY THING that you need an ANSWER ON…

a. God WANTS to TELL you what to do?

E. You don’t need to go to your pastor, spouse or another believer;

1. But you can boldly go directly to the THRONE of HEAVEN —EVERY MORNING;

a. And hear directly from the heart of God!

F. “Lord, we’re facing bankruptcy…what should we do?!”

1. “Lord, my marriage is falling apart, I need wisdom, what should I do?”

a. Let God mentor you through King Solomon

2. “Lord my health is failing, and I’m afraid, what should I do?”

a. Go sit at the feet of Jesus, and be mentored by all who were sick

G. You and I can even be mentored by those who made terrible choices!

1. Judas Iscariot; Isabel; Demas; Absalom

H. Well, how do we put this into a PRACTICAL FORMAT?

1. Here’s what we do:

I. Journal our Daily Devotions

A. We begin to hear the voice of God through journaling our DAILY DEVOTIONS

1. And it’s critical that we journal for a number of reasons

2. It’s critical that we WRITE DOWN the specific WORD the Lord gives us each morning

3. And then meditate upon it throughout the day

II. Must have a daily reading program

 A. Everyone in our church should be on the same daily reading program

1. The reason for this is that this BUILDS UNITY

B. The most important reason that we are all reading and journaling on the same scriptures is because;

1. One of the big benefits of this system is that it will draw us together corporately

C. Again, one of the biggest problems with so many Christians today is their desire to be autonomous

1. Autonomy creates division and really keeps us from being in fellowship w/ each other

D. If we are all daily reading from the same passages of scripture -

1. Then when we share with one another what the Lord is speaking;

2. We will all be able to relate with one another!

E. And when we get together, either inside or outside the church;

1. We can share w/ one another, what God ‘gave us for the day’

F. One of the big questions we will begin to ask each other is:

1. “WHAT DID THE LORD SHOW YOU TODAY?!”

G. and it really builds excitement upon the word of God!

1. And we begin to EDIFY ONE ANOTHER as we SHARE the Word of God w/ each other!

H. This system incorporates a read through the bible program reading, in one year

1. It actually includes reading the O.T. once; and the N.T. twice

I. I have ordering forms on the back table for the various JOURNALING BOOKS

1. There is the FULL VERSION called ‘LIFE JOURNAL’

2. A REDUCED reading version called ‘LIFE JOURNAL – 1ST STEPS’ – same reading, but less

3. CHILDREN’S LIFE JOURNAL – kids all read the same portions of scripture, but much less

J. We’ll put in an order this week, and we’ll sell you these journals at whatever the cost is – 7-8$???

1. Sign up for them on the back table if you’re interested,

2. They also include this bible reading program

III. “320” method, or system

A. This is sort of the heart of journaling and your daily devotions

1. 20 minutes reading

2. 20 minutes journaling

3. 20 minutes sharing with others and prayer time

B. You can journal alone in the morning or afternoon, whenever is best for you

1. Whatever time of the day that you are at your best

C. We can also journal in groups and just meet in public places or our homes

1. And I pray that we even see many ‘LIFE GROUPS’ formed from this

2. Christians getting together, in HOME FELLOWSHIP SETTINGS, and just JOURNALING

D. Many Christians meet at places like Starbucks, or whatever and journal in PUBLIC – witness

1. The 1st 40 minutes are YOU ALONE WITH GOD

2. The last 20 minutes you are simply sharing with the others what God gave you!

E. It’s just fantastic, and it’ll make you EXCITED AGAIN ABOUT THE WORD OF GOD

1. And you’ll even get excited about getting up in the morning to HEAR FROM GOD!!!!

F. God promises that HE WILL SPEAK TO YOU PERSONALLY if you will daily get your manna

What you need to journal:

• Bible

• Journal

• Pen

• Day planner or a note pad

On our journaling page, we will use the acronym “S.O.A.P.”, which stands for -

 

S – for Scripture

Open your Bible to the reading found under today’s date of your Bible bookmark.

Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that

particularly spoke to you that day, and write it in your journal.

O for Observation

What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and

reveal Jesus to you. Paraphrase and write this scripture down in your own works, in your

journal.

A for Application

Personalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps

it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or corrections for a particular

area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today.

P for Prayer

This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight

on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two way conversation, so be sure to

listen to what God has to say! Now, write it out.

My Example from Exodus 20:4

S – Scripture

Exodus 16:4  “Then the Lord said to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in MY law or not.”

A. So that’s the very specific verse that God gave us this morning,

1. And that’s the verse I’m going to mediate on all day

2. You may even chose to write it down on a 3×5 index card and carry in your pocket-meditate

O – Observation

“It was God who spoke to Moses. God took the initiative to meet His children’s needs. God didn’t put the weight on Moses’ shoulders to daily feed the people. God made the provision, but He also required that His people come out and partake of His manna. God also gave them each a certain quota, He knew what they needed and how much they needed and God provided exactly what each person needed.

A – Application

A. Here’s where we apply the verse to our own lives

1. “OK, I know that God is speaking to my heart…

2. “What’s He wanting me to hear, see, do, change?”

B. How does this verse APPLY TO MY LIFE?

“God has already taken the initiative to provide for all that I have need of. God does not expect me to be sustained by being fed once a week. He personally desires to feed me every day. He has made the provision and has the answers to all my needs. All I need to do is to respond to Him, open His word, and feast on His daily manna. Some days will be harder than other days, and on those days, God will have just the right amount of manna to cause me to live in victory.”

P – PRAYER

“Father teach me to daily come with boldness to Your throne. Teach to me come to You first. Teach me to daily feast on Your Word. Teach me how to be mentored by Thy Word, through Thy Spirit, so that I might live the life of victory that you have provided for me. I love You! Amen.”

A. You can also end your prayer time by covering all your prayer requests

After you have journaled and prayed, then find someone to share what God has given you.

A. The last thing we need to do is to find someone to SHARE what the Lord has shown you

1. Spouse

2. Friend

3. Call me

4. Parent – anyone, especially another person who is also JOURNALING

B. You share with them,

1. And then they will share back with you

C. I can’t think of any other greater way to MEND MARRIAGES & FIX FAMILIES that by

1. Sharing the WORD of God together!

D. Pastor Wayne has couples who were on the virge of divorce 2 weeks ago;

1. And GOD has RADICALLY HEALED their marriage!!!

2. Imagine that?!

E. THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD!

1. It’s there!

2. All we must do is DAILY PARTAKE!

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