PURE

"But the wisdom from above is first pure..." (James 3:17).

"Pure" implies sincere, moral, and spiritual integrity.  We are wise when our ideas and words are sincere (free of deceit), moral (ethical), and marked by spiritual integrity (honesty).  Wisdom is pure.  It is free of mixed motives and lacks any type of self-preserving shadowing.  It is truth--through and through.

You will likely today be asked many times for your opinion on things.  Attempt to let your words be saturated in purity: sincere, moral, and marked by spiritual integrity.  If you find yourself crafting your words today in such way that they cease to be pure--stop and pray--then try to speak again.  We are so used to bending the truth (lying) in order to either avoid offense or to protect ourselves--that it becomes very difficult at times to "speak the truth in love" (Ep. 4:15).

WISDOM

"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.  This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing" (James 3:14-16).

This is what wisdom does not look like:  "bitter jealousy", "selfish ambition", and "arrogance".  Let me take a moment to unpack these words:

• bitter - "harsh"
• jealousy - "zeal, envy, resentment, a particularly strong feeling of resentment against someone. The idea is of a fierce desire to promote one's own opinion to the exclusion of others" (Rogers & Rogers, p560).
• selfish ambition - "The word suggests the vice of a leader who creates a party for his own pride: it is partly ambition, partly rivalry" (R & R, p560).
• arrogance - "to boast against.  The word is used sometimes to denote the triumph of one principle over another" (R & R, p561).

Get this, if we are making life decisions with these emotions and motivations in our heart, then we are likely making big mistakes.  We are not acting wise at all.  As you make decisions today, include some evaluation in terms of these words.  Catch yourself before you invite "disorder and every evil thing" into your day.

Gentle

"Who among you is wise and understanding?  Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom" (James 3:13).

Who among us has the insight to make correct decisions?  Who can we trust to give advice?  James says to first look for the one who has "good behavior"--the one who literally demonstrates a beneficial way of life.  To say it simply, who do you know that lives their life in such a way that you would like to be like them?  Secondly, James tells us to look for "gentle" expressions of wisdom.  The word "gentle" in the Greek carries the idea of meekness, not arrogant, without malice and revenge.  Gentleness is a fruit (evidence) of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23) and is taught by Jesus to be a virtue blessed by God (Matthew 5:5).  So, there are two things to look for when you receive (or give) advice today:  1) A beneficial manner of living and, 2) a gentle expression of wisdom.

BLESSING

"Don't say to yourselves, 'The Lord has given us this land because we are so righteous!'" (Deut. 9:4). "The Lord your God is not giving you this good land because you are righteous, for you are not--you are a stubborn people" (Deut. 9:6).

 

It is a mistake to think that we have somehow earned God's blessing--that He is good to us because we are "being good". It is the essence of God's grace to give something that is not deserved. It is unmerited favor. God blesses because He loves--not because we are good enough to deserve it. It is in our nature to assume that prosperity flows out of our obedience to God and that pain must then always be a consequence of disobedience. Biblically, that kind of thinking just doesn't hold up. In the Bible, we find examples of righteous people experiencing great pain and sinners enjoying great prosperity. Surprisingly, both are expressions of God's love. So, today as you journey, bask in the good times as an undeserved and loving gift of God. . . . and as you struggle through the difficulties, know that pain is useful to forever change us for the better. May we humbly accept the gracious gift of God--both the pleasant and the painful.

WATER

"Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character" (Deuteronomy 8:2). "For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water with springs that gush forth in the valleys and hills" (Deuteronomy 8:7).

Friends, we are on a journey. Our journey has a beginning and our journey (at least on this planet) has an ending. The journey, at times, includes painful testing and perhaps broken humility as God grows and perfects us. Sometimes, in the middle of the dry desert, it's good to remember that we are headed somewhere. The path through the barren places really is taking us somewhere. If today is a struggle for you--try to forget the hot sand for a moment--and think about the cool water, awaiting...just ahead. Then walk a bit faster...

FEET

I've been reading and rereading Luke 7:36-50 this morning. <If you have time look it up and read it> I have found myself captivated by the story this morning--not that I haven't read it before--but I'm captivated by it today because I am experiencing it. I've been sucked into the story and I find myself this morning at the feet of Jesus weeping and kissing His feet. I'm pouring out the very best gifts that I have--an alibaster jar of ability, gifting, talent, experience, and success. I'm pouring it all out at the feet of Jesus. It's all that I really have. And there are those who would criticize--who would say that I'm not good enough, those who would list my sins, those would categorize my shortcomings and conclude that I am of no use to Jesus--that I'm disqualified. How could God use Dave? Doesn't He know who Dave is and what Dave has done? It's true that I am a sinner (pride, arrogance, selfishness, people-pleasing, fear, lust, codependency, gluttony, laziness, just to name a few). It's also true that God has canceled a very large debt for me. It's clear that in grateful response, my love for Jesus has grown exponentially. And so, like the immoral woman, I find myself at the feet of Jesus, kissing Him with my tears. My teaching...it happens at the feet of Jesus. My ministry...it happens at the feet of Jesus. My everything...it happens at the feet of Jesus.

GREATNESS

"I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the most insignificant person in the Kingdom of God is great than he is!" --Jesus (Luke 7:28).

This is a startling statement that Jesus is making. "Of all who have ever lived, NONE is greater than John."--Not Abraham, not Isaac, not Jacob, not David, not Solomon, not Moses, Not Elijah, not anyone! Jesus says that John the Baptizer is the greatest person who has ever lived. Even more startling, however, is His next statement: "Even the most insignificant person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!" Amazing! If you are in the Kingdom of God--even if you are the most insignificant citizen--you are greater than John, whom Jesus said was the greatest ever! Wow! I've always thought that in heaven, we would crowd around guys like Samson and Gideon as sort-of heavenly celebrities. Not so, according to Jesus--they will be crowding around you! Let's live our lives today on purpose, living up to the greatness that God has declared us to be!

GIVING

"If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving--large or small--it will be used to measure what is given back to you" (Luke 6:38).

 

The Bible is full of conditional promises--"If" we do something, "then" God will do something in response. In this case, If we give--then God promises that we will receive! A further condition is that the measure that we will receive is the same measure that we have given. Large giving prompts large receiving. Small giving prompts small receiving. I don't think that our primary motive for giving should be receiving--but the promise stands: Givers receive! You and I will likely have opportunity placed before us today to both give and to receive. May we, in faith, give LARGE!

DECISIONS

"One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles" (Luke 6:12-13).

How often do we make major decisions without bothering to pray? I don't mean a quick, "God bless me" kind-of-prayer. I mean a "Jesus'-stay-up-all-night-kind-of-prayer". Decisions require prayer. Jesus prayed all night before He selected the twelve men who would serve as His apostles. Why pray? Because only the Father knows the right choice. We're not smart enough to reason it out. Many times it cannot be reasoned out. God's ways are not our ways. His ways are as high as the stars of the heavens. If you are about to make a decision today, put it off a bit longer. Get alone with God for a few hours or a few days--however long it takes to hear His opinion on the matter. It's the only one that counts.

LAND

 

Yesterday, June 13th, marked our 18th month of existence as a church. We are now 1 1/2--still a toddler in terms of growth and maturity and yet we are capable of making a lot of noise....lol. We have wandered around quite a bit over the past 18 months experiencing six different worship locations. Yet we have not wandered aimlessly--God has led us every step of the way. Each location, no matter how short a stay, has been a necessary step in our journey as a church.

 

Monday is a tough day for pastors. It sits in contrast to the excitement and wonder of Sunday worship. Most pastors experience some level of depression on Monday, as emotionally and experientially, the day just doesn't live up to Sunday. The joke among pastors is that we freshen up our resume on Monday and throw it away again on Tuesday. Believe me, I'm no exception. Yesterday, I entertained the idea of quitting. I say it out loud because I know that some of you sometimes think about quitting too. It's not easy to be a part of a church plant. It's not easy to be a mobile church. It's not easy at all.

 

Late yesterday afternoon, I received two exciting bits of information. First of all, Tina received word that a large publisher is VERY excited about her new book and that she should expect a proposal from them today. This is the very publisher that we have most desired from the beginning (by the way there are now 5 publishers interested) . Secondly, Retta shared with me that the remaining obstacles to drilling were removed yesterday and that they will begin to set up to drill for oil the first week in July. In case you've missed it, we believe that God will use the tithe off of this oil well to provide Grace River with a building. So, on our 18th month birthday--while I'm thinking about quitting--God is just getting started!

 

Today, my Bible reading included this: "I am giving all this land to you! Go in and occupy it . . ." (Deut. 1:8). "Look! He has placed it in front of you. Go and occupy it . . . Don't be afraid! Don't be discouraged! (Deut. 1:21). "And you saw how the Lord your God cared for you again and again here in the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place" (Deut. 1:31). My friends, I believe that we are on the verge of entering into some wonderful days together as a church--a new place. Even if we're not--I'm still not quitting--not today! God is Good!

 

P.S. I just ran upstairs to read this to Tina before sending it. Smiling, she handed me her Bible and showed me what she had been reading this morning in her quiet time: "Lord, remember David and all that he suffered. He took an oath before the Lord. he vowed to the Mighty One of Israel, I will not go home; I will not let myself rest. I will not let my eyes sleep nor close my eyelids in slumber until I find a place to build a house for the Lord, a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel" (Psalm 132:1-5). God is REALLY Good!

SICK

"Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do. I have come to call sinners to turn from their sins, not to spend my time with those who think they are already good enough" (Luke 5:31-32).

 

This verse was Jesus' explanation to the religious as why he spent so much time with sinners and tax collectors. This is good news for sinners--not so good news for the religious. If you think that you, "are already good enough", then you likely will not find a place for Jesus in your day. In more practical terms, whether or not you spend time with Jesus today is an indication of whether or not you think you need him. The sick seek out the doctor--the sinners seek out the Savior! What will you do today?

APPOINTED

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,

that the blind will see,

that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors,

and that the time of the Lord's favor has come"

--Luke 4:18-19, NLT

Jesus was appointed...I am appointed....You are appointed! If, like Jesus, the Spirit of the Lord is upon us, then we are appointed. The reason is, that wherever the Spirit is--the Spirit is working! Whomever the Spirit fills--becomes the Spirit's agent for the Spirit's work. What is His work? He is preaching Good News to the poor; He is releasing captives; He is giving sight to the blind; He is freeing the downtrodden from their oppressors; he is bringing God's favor. May we join the Spirit in His work today!

TESTING

"Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan River. he was led by the Spirit to go out into the wilderness, where the Devil tempted him for forty days" (Luke 4:1-2).

Three things jump out at me this morning from these verses:

#1 Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit. He was filled with the Spirit preceding a time of great testing. Perhaps the filling was preparation for the testing. Our "Spiritual Highs" may precede times of difficulty--which is why we need the high.

#2 Jesus was led by the Spirit away from the Jordan River into the wilderness. The Holy Spirit, who now filled Jesus, led Him away from the comfort of the river into the harsh wilderness. Though it was the Devil who tempted Him--it was the Spirit of God who led Him to the place of temptation.

#3 Jesus was tempted by the Devil for forty days. In the Bible, numbers mean everything. The number "40" is "10" X "4". The number "4" represents the earth--the world--and everything in the world. The number "10" represents testing. Therefore "40" is a time of testing in the world.

Perhaps, like Jesus, the Spirit has led you to a place of testing today. If so, then God is preparing you and setting you apart for something new. In the midst of your discomfort--worship God--and seek your comfort from Him. You are not alone!

AFFIRMED

"One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. And a voice from heaven said, 'You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you'" (Luke 3:21-22).

It's noteworthy that the only time we hear the Father affirming the Son is at His baptism. There are certainly many places in the Bible where affirmation is given or at least inferred, but here we have the audible voice of God speaking His pleasure over Jesus. The voice didn't come when Jesus healed. The voice didn't come when Jesus taught. The voice didn't come when Jesus resisted sin. The voice didn't come when Jesus died on the cross. The voice didn't come when Jesus rose from the dead. The Father's voice came when Jesus was baptized!

Don't minimize this important act of obedience towards God. Jesus' final instruction to the church is to go and make disciples, to baptize them, and to teach them (MT 28:18-20). Have you been baptized as an adult believer? I would be happy to meet with you to discuss baptism, to answer your questions, and to show you what the Bible says about baptism--just give me a call. Our July 3rd worship service will include a time of baptism for those that desire it. It's a great way to celebrate Independence Day!

FRUIT

John the Baptist is preaching repentance in Luke 3. He warns of a coming judgment for all those who do not bear good fruit. Among other things, he defines good fruit as feeding the hungry.

"If you have food, share it with those who are hungry" (Luke 3:11).

Yesterday, we shared our food through the car show. A truck full of food along with some finances was given to the Weld County Food Bank. Thanks to all of you who gave of your time and your talent to make the show a success. Thanks for feeding the hungry!

VISION

"With God's help we will do mighty things..." (Psalm 60:12).

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of sitting in my living room along with Tina and listening to one of our Grace River members describe an awesome vision for ministry that God has given to her. This is not unusual. Hardly a week goes by that someone is not describing to me what God has placed upon their heart. Not every vision that I hear about has happened--but some of them have and more of them will. The car show that Grace River is hosting this weekend is the result of someone's vision. Vacation Bible School next week at the park started with someone's vision. No doubt about it--God is stirring our hearts with big ideas. The Bible says that without vision, the people perish (Pr. 29:18). That must mean that with vision, the people prosper! God is giving us vision! "With God's help WE WILL DO mighty things!

WATER

This is a word of prophecy that Balaam spoke over Israel promising blessing to the people.  Balaam had been hired to curse Israel by an enemy king--but instead he delivered a blessing.

"How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob; how lovely are your homes, O Israel!  They spread before me like groves of palms, like fruitful gardens by the riverside. They are like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters.  Water will gush out in buckets; their offspring are supplied with all they need" (Numbers 24:5-7).

Almost eleven years ago, as Tina and I were praying about our future ministry, God impressed upon me that the place where we would serve would be a place like this--a place of abundance with nice houses and lots of water.  Windsor certainly fits the description.  This word takes on added meaning now that we have partnered together as Grace River.  I'm encouraged today in that God seems to be saying that there will be great blessing along the riverbank.  May the water gush out in buckets--may we all be supplied with all that we need.  As you consider points of need that you may have today, imagine the river of God watering the dry and thirsty places where you live.  May you be drenched in His provision this very day!

Decisions

DECISIONS

"We can gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answer" (Proverbs 16:1, NLT).

God knows what you should do next because He planned it for you.  He planned your day today.  You will likely make some decisions today--you will gather your thoughts and you will determine the best course of action.  Let me suggest that you would be wise to include God in your decision-making process.  He knows what you couldn't possibly know--the future.

In a few minutes, I will go out to the garage and I will move our garbage cans out to the curb.  Why?  Because I KNOW that the garbage truck is coming today.  How would your day be different if you made decisions based on certainty rather than just guessing?  God gives the right answer...everytime!