come apart - we are not of this world

Lord God,

Help us to separate ourselves from this world and its expectation.

Teach us to follow you, that it may be well with our souls.

We yield ourselves now to an eternal vision of our purpose.

Our dwelling place is with you - our allegiance is to you - our peace is in your grace.

Father we want to spend time with you, we come now before your throne with thanksgiving and praise.

We know you wish to converse with us lord - our whole lives are yours ---

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Dead Men's Bones And Uncleanness

These are the words of Jesus.

These words were not aimed at sinners without, but at hypocrites within.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. - Matthew 23: 27-28

Then as now there are those that misrepresent God by screaming at those outside while ignoring their own faults, or hiding them. And just in case you think this is an ancient issue and not relevant to today - notice it is aimed directly at leaders. In verse 24: Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

It reminds me of a story told of a fire and brimstone style teacher, he was listing and condemning sins within the church that need to be addressed. From the back of the room he was supported by an old guy shouting out encouragement:

We need to deal with gossip (Amen!)
We need to quit drinking in excess and be filled with the Holy Spirit instead (You tell 'em Preacher!)
It is time to tell the truth, the whole truth, without fear (Hallelujah)

The preacher decided to try a test:

We need to be a good example to the kids and quit chewing tobacco ( silence)

The pastor went on with the message and met the old fellow at the exit after the service.

"Hey George, why did you stop with the amens? "

"Pastor you crossed a fine line - you done went from preachin' to meddlin'. "

For a church full of George type parishioners that want to feel superior, all a "leader" has to do is pick a sin that is not represented in the church - and preach against it. That is a political solution - but not a Godly one. State churches are frequently like this - condemning what the majority or government condemns - ignoring what God says.

The local church is as vulnerable to playing politics as the televangelist.

The only political appointee among Christ's disciples was the Zealot - Judas Iscariot.

A preacher that sells out his Godly commission for a satisfied church will end up displaying a form of godliness but denying the power of God. They have to deny the Holy Spirit, they are not following God's lead - there is no power in their ministry - only show.

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. - Matthew 7:3-5

whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness




Father God,

It is hard to swim against the tide. Help us to focus on finding error within ourselves.

I admit to finding it easier to discover other's error than my own, forgive me and help me to gain in understanding and wisdom.

Holy Spirit,

I ask you to lead me in my reading of the Bible, not just that I may grow, but that I might also lose that which is of no eternal value.

Jesus,

You died for us, help us to not cheapen your sacrifice by preaching an acceptable gospel.

The focus is on you lord Jesus, knowing your love for us, we want your will - not ours.

Father, we come to you with this prayer - that we please you and not men. In Jesus name accept us into your presence , we come to converse with you now ---

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The Taste Of Humble Pie

It is so easy to get an inflated opinion of ourselves.

We know a bit more about a subject than most others - perhaps with degrees in science, business, or theology.

we might be a bit smarter than most - good grades may come easily.

Maybe we are better at sports or with tools than others.

We can find our attributes easily - and other's faults even easier.

The difference in all of us is exceedingly small - when measured against the optimal. Much like we are all about the same size - when measured against the size of the Earth.

Today I overheard a couple of laborers talking. They were discussing Christianity in partial sentences, labored thought apparent in their conclusions. Their conclusions however were drawn from the Bible and were solid. They might not have known the proper theological terms for what they were discussing - they didn't need fancy words.

I realized these thoughtful laborers could be closer to God than myself, and have a better understanding of who they are in Jesus Christ than I do.

We are human and full of faults and errors, it is our very nature. God works with each of us as individuals, and helps us according to his plan for us.

He works on my faults according to his time table in his order. He is smarter and wiser than I am, and he loves me more than I love myself - I do not come close to his attributes - but I can follow his advice.

That is true for all of us - we all fall far short of the measure of God - in that we are all very close to each other.

We did not make God in our image - he made us in his image.

God is who he is - we can learn how to grow closer to him - he has already paid the adoption price.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:10

It is easier to be humble if we realize how close we are to each other, and how far we are from God.


Father God,

We come to you knowing that you are, and that you reward those that diligently seek you.

God - the scripture says you are no respecter of persons - our rank, wealth, or accomplishments do not effect your view of us - neither does the lack of rank, wealth, or accomplishments.

We come to you as we are, knowing that you consider us from our position within your son Jesus. We seek to understand you and ourselves better.

Jesus,

We know you love us, we thank you for the huge sacrifice you made as an adoption price to purchase our way into the family of God.

Thank you that we can come to you right now - as we are - and you will help us clean up our lives. We realize that acquiring forgiveness is a one time decision based on acceptance of Jesus Christ.

We also realize cleansing and optimizing our lives will be a life long pursuit, we turn ourselves over to your guidance.

Holy Spirit,

Thank you for calling attention to our faults and need of God prior to our accepting the Lordship of Jesus. Thank you now for directing our study of the word, helping our understanding of who we are - and who you are.

Fill us to overflowing with love - let your love pouring out of us be the measure of our accomplishments within you.

We love you lord, because you first loved us, we continue this discussion with you now understanding that you will assist our communications ---

Lord ---

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Who Are Your Priorities?

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" - Jesus Christ - Matthew 16: 24-26 ( KJV)


People are far more important than things.

That is the only one thing God is taking off this planet - people.

God is smarter and wiser than us, and he loves us more than we love ourselves.

We can stomp our feet and complain at what he does - or we can appreciate that as a loving parent removes dangerous objects from their children's reach - so God will protect us from the beautiful dangers of this life.

We often think of the gospel in relation to ourselves - what do we believe - what do we need to do.

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, Psalm 17:8

We also need to think of the gospel in terms of those we love and those we will meet. How do we communicate God's love so they are prepared for the choice between things and people.

God is love - things will vanish - people will endure.


Lord God,

we come to you knowing that you will lead us in a way that is good for us - and for every one we deal with.

Help us to understand that we will not understand everything that happens to and around us.

We are willing to follow you - to stay in your perfect will.

Holy Spirit,

we ask that you guide us - so that we may follow.

lead us into righteousness, by the sacrificed blood of Jesus we are made righteous.

Jesus,

We thank you that all things work together for good to those that love you and are the called according to your purpose.

We trust your purpose lord.

Lead us.

Father,

we join in prayer now with other believers - surrendering ourselves to your leadership in love.

Let this be the start of a life lived fully, a life lived according to your purpose.

We enter into conversation with you now - direct us lord ---

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A Psalm Of Wisdom

Father God,

Thank you for loving us.

Thank you for providing the bible that we might read and understand your word.

Jesus,

Thank you for sending the holy Spirit that he might lead us into your truth.

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. - John 16:12-14

Holy Spirit,

Lead us now into such truth as we are able to bear. Prepare us that we may be able to bear more.

God,

May our hearts be steadfast - seeking your truth rather than bowing to the traditions of men.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. - Psalm 1: 1-4

Father we come to fellowship with you - your love has led us to you - teach us from your word, help us to meditate in it day and night.

Lord we are here to talk with you now ---

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Choose Today Whom You Will Serve

Father God,

We Love you.

Thank you that we can learn to have healthy relationships from and with you.

We are selfish, you have been giving - while retaining what is essential.

We change without reason, you have been constant in love.

In all things you have acted with love, both giving and withholding according to your greater wisdom.

You know what is best for us - have the Holy Spirit guide us - help us to listen, that we may walk according to your perfect will.

Thank you that you are not controlling - but are directing us with wisdom and in love.

We wish to restrain ourselves - that we may better reflect your presence in our lives.

Our love for you is a reflection of the love that you first gave us.

We pray that others may see this love shining from us and desire a relationship with you also.

Jesus,

It is with joy that we approach you.

You gave so much, and we enjoy such privilege through you, that we are in awe of the process.

That you have made this privilege available to all that seek you causes us to be filled with wonder.

Help us to share the joy and authority endowed through our relationship - so that others may apprehend that which has apprehended us.

We recognize also that you have rescued us from a life of futility and an eternity separated from you.

You have given us a choice to follow you; and dwell in heaven - or to follow Satan - and dwell with him in his punishment in Hell.

Jesus you sacrificed yourself to prepare the way for us to enter heaven.

We therefore turn away from following Satan and this world's empty lusts and misguided goals.

Instead we in love and joy choose to follow you Jesus.

Jesus Christ - you are by choice our God - not by place of birth or by other's demands - but by our own personal choice.

Holy Spirit,

We know you appeal to those that have not accepted Jesus to turn away from sin and toward Jesus Christ.

We know you dwell with those of us that have accepted Jesus to teach and comfort us - we make ourselves available to you now.

We ask that you further fill us to overflowing that others may be touched by you through us, and that we might exhibit the power of God in our lives.

Lord God,

You are the same - yesterday, today, and forever.

We ask that we may approach that constancy. Help us to remain in your presence.

We continue this discussion and prayer now - dwelling with you in your love ---

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Our Growing Joy In Christ vs. Temporary pleasures

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Look at Paul's life.

From a respected Jewish leader and teacher to a persecuted and then prosecuted leader of a Jewish sect.

It is a life he chose.


Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. - IICorinthians 11: 24-28


We talk of how the short term and diminishing pleasures of this world are a poor substitute for the growing joy of a relationship with Jesus Christ. The joy keeps growing for eternity contrasted with a life dedicated to self where repeating a pleasurable act is eventually less satisfying with each occurrence.

But instant gratification is understandable to those that do not have a relationship with God. Moreover a choice to engage in whatever is pleasurable to you is perhaps logical if your life may end in seconds and there is no eternity.

Happily life is not necessarily so futile - you can build a relationship with Jesus Christ that will endure, and that years from now will be stronger and more joyful. This relationship can be eternal. You do have a choice.


Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. - ICorinthians 15: 12-20


Father God,

Thank you that we can come to you knowing that you love us.

We give ourselves over to growing closer to you, to learning how to live in the joy that you have promised.

O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. - Psalm 34:8

Jesus,

Thank you for loving us and for in faith dying that you might be the first fruit of a family of believers living eternally with you. You were the adoption price for entering a family relationship of peace and joy. We marvel at what you have accomplished.

Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. - Romans 14:4

Holy Spirit,

Draw us to the truth, teach us and direct us as we grow in the wonderful promise that is now available to us.

• Eternity is ours.

• Joy for eternity is ours.

• A relationship with the living and loving God is ours.

• In Jesus Christ
  

God we love you because you first loved us.

In Jesus Christ's holy name we now continue in conversation and fellowship with you ---

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Life is to be lived

"It is surely harmful to souls to make it a heresy to believe what is proved." - Galileo


The question is -what has been proved?

Most that I have heard argue for Intelligent Design are compromisers. They have a limited idea of where science fits into faith or faith fits into science. ID seems to have been created to fight evolution - not to offer a truth.

There are other choices that fit the science - I'll list but two.

The first is so simple it may seem facetious. Adam and Eve were both created as fully mature individuals - the earth may have also been created mature. We know there were dinosaurs - we can sum up this theory by saying Adam may have had a belly button.

The second takes the contested prehistory records and puts them back on their feet. The Earth and its inhabitants are not evolving - they are decaying.

Devolution makes much more sense than Evolution. So much more sense the subject is avoided by those that are uncomfortable with a theory that incorporates a possibility of a creator.

We know systems are not self ordering. Devolution accepts that God created the universe - and it has been decaying ever since.

Intelligent Design as I have heard it explained -has avoided staking a claim for Biblical inerrancy by compromise. Evolutionary Theory as I studied it has compromised away from proved science such as entropy, and from logic, to fight faith.

There is room for many other theories - and current science will accommodate many more.

We are still in the dark ages.



Father God,

we come to you knowing you are, and that you are a rewarder of those that diligently seek you.

We seek you now.

We ask for you to have patience with us as step by step we individually overcome our many errors. You know our frame - that we are but dust.

Yet God you have created us with a holy purpose, that we might join in your family as your adopted children - this is indeed glorious.

Teach us today as much as we can learn - we know that this learning in itself will be a joy.

Jesus,

We put away temporary and declining pleasures that can even for an instant separate us from the growing joy of our relationship with you.

Thank you for forgiving us again when we fail.

Lord teach us to accept truth - your word is truth.

Holy Spirit,

lead us now as we come before the throne of God, call to remembrance the word of God and its meaning in our lives.

Father we enter before you now, you who placed the stars in the heavens and the breath in our bodies.

God we ask to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, your son, that you willingly sacrificed as our adoption price into your family.

In the name of Jesus we come to you now to converse with you, we enter in with joy ---

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You and God together can accomplish anything

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Father God,

Thank you for caring for us.

We know you have made the earth and the fullness thereof, and we know you have made it and us for a purpose.

God we ask that you will lead us into that purpose that we were created to fulfill. With you all things are possible

We thank you in Jesus Christ's holy name.

Amen (so be it)


The fullness of the Earth was created by God.

Our lives have a purpose. As individuals we each have a way of completing marvelous achievements. You and God together can accomplish anything.

God has the power, but he has given authority to mankind on the earth. That leaves you several choices.

• You can choose to go it alone - and try to understand the spiritual.

• You can unite with Satan and his fallen angels. Satan and his demons understand the spiritual and will use your authority to their ends - and your unpleasant end. Satan is but a creature. He is without power and without authority - except for what he steals or is loaned.

• You can unite with God and use your relationship with him to learn how to apply the authority he has given you - this is by far the strongest combination. God is the creator - not a created being with delegated authority.
  

You and God together can accomplish anything.

Spend time in prayer - conversation with God - seeking and learning.

If you feel powerless to effect change, spend time with God who has the power. Reading the Bible teaches us to recognize God's voice and to understand the aspects of the authority we have available.

If you want to explore a relationship with God - click here.


Jesus,

We thank you for your overwhelming love and sacrifice - made so we may have a relationship with you.

Holy Spirit lead us into knowledge as we read the Bible. We wish to study and to learn of our potential. Guide us and direct us into the truth.

Father God we come before you right now. We are joined with other believers, regardless of distance or time, to converse and discover your perfect will for our lives.

We ask that you reveal yourself and your plans for us ---

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