Author: Good Life Church

Scripture: 

“Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!  I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old—things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us.

We will not hide them from their children but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, (and) his might, and the wonders He has done…so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the Works of God, (but) keep his commandments; and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation whose heart was not steadfast (and) whose spirit was not faithful to God.

But we, your people– the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to You forever—from generation to generation we will recount Your praise.”  Ps 78:1-4; 7- 8; Ps 79:13.

Observation:  

The repeated sin of Israel: They (habitually) forgot the Lord, their God—His Works, His Ways, His Love, Mercy, and Grace.  How do we overcome that same habit of forgetfulness?

Application:  

I think the Psalms are a gift from God to show us how to live.  There are a number of principles to be mined but more than that, I can read them in the 1^st person; read them like I was writing them. 

The Psalms have a general pattern: I can release my thoughts, feelings, emotions—including anger, anguish, fears, terror, happiness, joy.  I can acknowledge the wickedness in my heart that no one sees but God, the lies, the double-dealing, pride, and etc. etc.  These are innate in some respects with every person.  But this kind of confession doesn’t stop there.  It continues with a fierce declaration of “But You O Lord are my Rock and my Shield; you are aware of all my comings and goings, the thoughts and attitudes of my heart—and You deliver me.  Therefore, I will….”

I read in Ps 78-79 a familiar condition: I forget the ways and the works of God; I forget all He has done.  Gracious.  When I wonder where God has gone, when I am in anguish and wringing my hands, what I am doing is forgetting God.  I am caught up in the moment and I am letting it capture my heart and mind in sin’s chains.  Just like Israel who sinned continually before the Lord, I forget and commit the same sin.

1^st Thes 5:18 says: “In everything give thanks (be grateful) for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  Doesn’t sometimes saying “Thank You, Lord God” just stick in the roof of your mouth?  It does for me.  But this (among other things) is how being a disciple starts.  How do we recount, talk about, and testify about the God of Heaven and the mystery of the Gospel?  We practice with each other, our family, our children, and then practice outside the local church.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall (the saying starts)?  Practice, practice, practice.  How do you remember to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, (and) his might, and the wonders He has done?  Practice, practice, practice.

Prayer:   

Father God, the best way to remember is to practice remembering; repetition.  Being a disciple is to practice holiness, practical righteousness—practice pursuing You.  I know I don’t have it all together so what can I do?  The Scriptures tell me: I will recount Your deeds, Your works, Your awesome wonders—the little instances where I know You have intervened in my life, where You have delivered me, where You have shown me Your splendor.  I will cherish musing over the mystery of the Gospel all the days of my life and I will be astonished at the mystery of Your Mercy towards me.  These things I will talk about, I will ponder, and I will tell to the coming generations.  Lord God, please make this reflexive in my life and help to keep me from falsely shifting into “christian gear.”  “Make my life a prayer to You; I want to do what You want me to…” Keith Green.  AMEN

Scripture:

⁹ For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. 2 Corinthians 13:9

Observation:

Paul is giving his final warning and encouragement to the people of Corinth. He puts out his heart before them. Test your faith and ensure you are in Christ and know that I only bring the force you force me to. He is blunt and honest with them as he prepares them for the final greeting. Paul reveals his heart towards them and it is a heart we are all called to have, a heart towards others. 

Application:

We are glad when we are weak and you are strong. That is unheard of when it comes to our world now. We are out for ours and for our success, our strength, and our success. I see this practically and literally speaking at the gym. I worked out this morning and see dudes walking around with barely any shirts on showing off their muscles because they want to be the biggest and strongest in the gym. Now, this is not apples to apples but this is a mindset. We always want to be better than the next person. This is what we are taught from an early age. Outwork people, be better than them, elevate yourself so that you can succeed and leave a legacy. Man, this is not the way of the believer!! Elevate others and elevate Jesus and leave a legacy for the name of Jesus, not our name. Don’t have your name written down in history for your sake but for Jesus sake. Restoration is what we pray for…What happened if I prayed for people more than I prayed for myself? I think God would answer more prayers. 9 times out of 10 I pray for me and occasionally pray for others. I repent of this Lord and ask your help in this area of my life. God has called us to care for others and want other peoples success rather than our own. 

Prayer:

Father forgive me for desiring my good rather than others. Help me, Jesus, to care for others more than I care for myself. Help me Lord Jesus to love others and pray for others and know that it is about elevating you by elevating others. Help me, Lord Jesus. 

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 11:2 – 4 –  For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.  But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.

Observation –

When we accept the love and grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are united to Christ  as he is our bridegroom.  This is the greatest demonstration of the love of God to reconcile sinners to Him through Jesus.  Paul is concerned that the Corinthians are listening to false apostles and causing their thoughts and thereby their focus to stray from devotion to Christ. This would be analogous to committing spiritual adultery against Jesus.

Application –

The same struggles the Corinthians faced with false teaching in the first century are just as relevant today. The gospel that Paul taught to the Corinthians is the same gospel today.  I (we) have a sin problem that we can not fix on our own and God loved us so much that aHe sent Jesus to pay for our sins so we can have a relationship with Him.  I must remember this and never get over that love or make it anything different.  I can do this by being in the word and prayer daily. Sometimes, even subtly, I can stray from a pure devotion and turn it into ritual.  When the economy of the world is mixed in the equation with money, success or whatever else is added or omitted, it lessens the gospel.  Only the love of the gospel has the transformative power to change lives and hearts.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for your love and grace in sending Jesus to pay for our sins so we can have a relationship with you.  Help me to stay focused on the true gospel and devotion to you.  Give me wisdom and discernment to see false teaching and confront it.

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 9 “And your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter so that you may be ready (as I said you would be). Otherwise if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready we would be humiliated-to say nothing of you (your humiliation)-for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised so that it may be ready as a willing gift-not as an exaction.

The point is this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. (And) Whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart; not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver. (And) God is able to make all Grace abound to you so that having all sufficiency in all things at all time you may abound in every good work.” 2 Cor 9:2b-8

Observation:

Giving. Management of money and goods leading up to giving. Giving cheerfully, not with a grudge or complaint. Planning giving. Being ready to give. Digging in the old money pouch is a touchy subject sometimes.

Application:

Did I ever start off with being a cheerful advocate of giving? Naw-it is a constant issue with me (just ask my wife who sees me and my sinful tendencies all the time). I have to prepare my heart and command/program my actions to prepare to give-and once presented with the situation I have planned for don’t shrink from execution.

I think that is what Paul is saying to the folks at Corinth: “As you have planned and/or committed to give execute the plan. As you execute without grudge or complaint, hopefully you have prepared to give with joy and cheerfulness. As you review what you did and that you did as planned before God you can sense the Pleasure of God that you overcame your sinful reluctance to give. God loves it!!

So perhaps this is not so much about giving but about overcoming sin.

Acknowledging I have issues with giving, I set out a plan. The plan I set out was to make sure I had $20 in fives in my pocket every pay day so that I would be prepared to give to the poor standing on the corners. Can I be fooled by con artists? Yes-but I have to trust God as the Holy Spirit prods me in the heart. I also (as preparation) must pray for discernment. But-truth be known-I am training myself to trust giving cheerfully to God for the poor. The training isn’t to just shove a bill into a greedy hand and forget about it but to glorify God in my giving. Oh yeah: I can’t forget doing giving in secret. Guess I just blew it here, huh.

Being a disciple isn’t about good intentions. It isn’t even about being accountable. It is about learning how to follow Christ. How do we do that? The Bible is clear: Line upon line; Precept upon precept. Learn from another on how to walk worthy of the Gospel

Make a plan.

Prayer:

Father, planning to be a disciple is different from just wanting to be a disciple-although wanting is seriously the first step. I am convicted to be a disciple: Step by step, methodical, intentional, with purpose and guidance. This is hard because I think that the process is lacking in American Christianity. The best model is perhaps the Guild model (apprentice, journeyman, master). I am so far from that. Oh, well: help me Holy Spirit to get after it-to pursue and like Timothy was advised-to assure my progress is seen and measured. Not in sinful pride, but in complete and humble surrender to Your Majesty. AMEN

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 10:17-18

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Observation:

Paul is in the awkward position of having to defend his authority among a church he started. Why? Because people have risen up against his authority for their own gain. People from within the congregation are taking matters into their own hands when Paul is away. When his letters arrive, they undercut the authority of Paul by questioning his tone. Paul responds by reminding them of his heart for them, the labor involved in starting the church and clarifying he has nothing to prove. 

Application:

Like a teenager who begins to try their parents authority, so the church in Corinth does to its planter, Paul. People are people. Power struggles happen. People don’t want to obey. People want credit. People gravitate towards things being about them. People like me. Everything I see in the church of Corinth I see in my own life. It is easy as a church planter to see myself in this passage through the experience of Paul. However, for every time I have had to deal with the awkwardness of church people with misguided hearts and motives, I have been the church person with a misguided heart or motive. I remember having to pick up the phone and apologize to bosses, pastors and ministry partners that I had questioned, argued with and challenged. When I became the planter, the senior leader, and the shoe was on the other foot, I felt for the first time how hard it is for people you love, have sacrificed for and invested in, challenge and oppose your motives, heart and authority. I still deal with this today, however I am learning through the power of the Spirit the recipe for success. I see it here by Paul. 

How to handle being challenged…

-Humble myself. Before being defensive, realize it is only by grace that I am alive, redeemed and have any authority in the local church. 

-Remind them of my heart before I remind them of my position. A title doesn’t mean anything if the heart and influence isn’t there. So remind them first and foremost of the Love that motivated my work in the first place.

-Remind them that it is God’s approval that is of most consequence. People can be swayed. Sometimes easily. However, at the end of the day, the true measure of our lives and ministry will have little to do with who we won over to follow us and much more who we led to follow Christ. 

Prayer:

Father, what a timely word. Nothing I have accomplished in life or ministry was without your grace, sovereignty and love. May I continue serving and leading from this love and your calling. May I never take the challenge of people personally, but realize that it simply provides an opportunity to point them and others back to you, not me.

Scripture:

2 Cor 8:7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Observation:

Paul shared the excitement and joy of how the Macedonians, a very poor community of believers, gave a generous financial gift.  Paul did not force the Macedonians to give. They gave out of love and joy even though they were living in poverty. The Corinthians were not just gifted in money. They were also gifted in areas that included earnestness and love. Paul nurtured and helped them grow in these areas.

Application:

The attitudes of the Macedonians should be the example I use to give. It should challenge us as church and as a community of believers. They gave money out of love and joy. Christians that have experienced an abundance of grace from God should reflect this love shown to them through giving. It has nothing to do with financial status. It has everything to do with the heart and the understanding of God’s will.

I am to excel in giving, not just do the “minimum amount required”. Sometimes it feels like I look at my giving like a credit card bill. There is the total balance due, a minimum payment and a whole lot of expenses that, when examined, were not that necessary.  If I only pay the minimum payment, there is a cost. God does not want me to pay the minimum. He wants me to give out of my love and abundance.

Prayer:

The joy and urgency that the Macedonians showed is something does not always come through when I look at my giving. Help me to remember that all I have is yours and help me to spend my resources in ways that further your kingdom.

Vs 8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 

Scripture:  

“Therefore: If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold the new has come.

All this is from God who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation-that is: In Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself; not counting their trespasses against them, and; entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.

We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.  For our sake he made Him to be sin (who knew no sin) so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”  2 Cor 5:17-21

Observation:   

What is the Gospel?  It is right here and it is all of a God of Grace’s doing.

Application:  

I think that sometimes the Gospel is the most difficult thing to get my head around.

I can (and have) gotten it mixed up with “it’s all about me”, being heaven bound, getting stuff, being  set free and not still bound up in sin-all of this about me, me, me.  It seems to be the bane of American Christianity for a number of decades.  It has been my speed bump to deal with for a long while.

But, while there are significant promises made by God to believers to be cherished, the Gospel isn’t about me.  It is about Him and His Glory.

The basis of the Gospel is that the Triune God did something on His own divine prerogative that Man is incapable of doing-being reconciled to God.  Man cannot atone for his sin.  Man cannot draw near to God by his own effort and decision.  Holiness cannot be approached by unholiness—without some change that must happen to man-being made into a new creation.

Before time began, the Triune God conceived a Plan to reconcile fallen Man to Himself.  The Son would joyfully submit to the Father to die, to be a sacrifice, a propitiation, to atone for the sins of rebellious Man (Note that this was all before time began).  (Note 2: I can’t say this from Scripture but the thought occurs to me that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, must have supported the Father and the Son through the execution of the Plan.  Maybe.  Sounds good.  Sort of lines up with what we know about the Holy Spirit.)

Therefore, from this passage (and others), we can understand what the Gospel is AND why we can rejoice in it every day.  The unchangeable God did it to reconcile the World, the Cosmos, to Himself and to have a people, priesthood, a holy nation, for His own possession that we may proclaim the Excellencies of Him who called us. (re: John 3:16 and I Peter 2:9)

So then, we preach the Gospel of reconciliation to: first the face in the mirror because we are so prone to forget it daily; then to each other for the same reason of forgetfulness; then to the next generation and; lastly to the populous.  By studying the Gospel we learn to persuade men, not in mere salesmanship, but to the Glory of Him who reconciled us.

Lastly, to emphasize: We must habitually preach the Gospel to ourselves daily because we forget and make it a “so what?” moment.  Make this a point of remembrance as was written a couple of Saturday’s ago.

Prayer:  

Father, thank You for helping me to emphasize remembering the Gospel.  If there was one thing that has made more production in my life it was the Gospel: reviewing every step; searching to uncover other steps relevant to the Gospel; how the Gospel permeates everything that I do and occurs around me; how the creation is subject to the Gospel; and so many things more.  I cannot thank you enough for the Gospel and the Cross.  AMEN.

Scripture : 

2 Corinthians 6 2-3

“In a favorable time I listened to you,
    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. ³ We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,

Observation : 

The Gospel and the deliverance of the Gospel is the most important thing to Paul. He does not want to hinder anyone from receiving the news that changes ones life and even goes into what he and partners go through in order to get the Gospel to others.

Application :

Favorable time? When is it not? There are moments that present themselves to be clear with the Gospel. I think about times of death and funerals and that is a favorable time to share the Gospel as people as in a state of reflection upon their own life. TODAY and Everyday is a day of salvation. The other thing God is showing me is, do I put obstacles in people way? What obstacle does my ministry put I people way of receiving the Gospel? Do we make it to complicated? Do we ask to much of people? Do we ask of people what God does not even ask of us? Have we become Pharisees and created a law in order to have people receive and act in a way WE want them to act rather than God’s way of acting?

Behold, I must make it simple to receive, confess and believe. Jesus meets us where we are and he changes us daily as we spend time with him. May this be my ministry. Confess and believe, and lets begin to walk with Jesus and learn from him.

Prayer :

Father, forgive me for hindering people from coming to you. May I draw people to you Lord and follow you and lead people to you.

Scripture : 

2 Corinthians 3:5 – “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,”

Observation : 

Paul writes to the Corinthian church and in chapter three begins to speak on confidence in God. He makes it key to the believers that the sufficiency that a believer has is not from theirselves but it is found in Christ. Paul uses the image of the glory of Moses coming with the law and says how much more glorious will the ministry of the Spirit be.

Application :

Do I allow my confidence to be found in Christ our in myself? The truth of the gospel is that my sufficiency is found in Christ. Today, I desire to share the truth that Jesus is sufficient and we can be found in Him.

Prayer :

God, thank You for your work in me through the gospel. Thank You Spirit for Your ministry and help me to fully live out your call in my life.

Scripture :

2 Corinthians 4 1-2; 16-18 – Therefore having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not loose heart.  But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways.  We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.   16 So we do not loose heart.  Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look to things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Observation :

Paul is sharing with the Corinthian church that his ministry comes from the mercy of God.  As the ministry is given by God, we must stay the course and not loose passion/zeal for what we are doing and more importantly why we are doing it.  Paul tells the truth of the Gospel and does not add anything nor does he suppress any part.  Although our physical bodies may grow old and tired our spirit (heart) is renewed.  We are going to have challenges while here but they are temporary in pale in comparison to the glory of our eternal promise which lasts forever!

Application :

We are given the opportunity to be in ministry as a blessing by God’s mercy on us.  God does not need me to accomplish His purpose, I am called to play a supporting role.  The Gospel is the gospel – nothing more, nothing less.  I can’t add anything or leave anything out in an effort to make it more palatable.  I must share the truth of the Gospel with love, not in a judgmental way.  My focus needs to be through faith and the spirit on unseen things that are eternal rather than temporal things of this world.  By keeping focused on the gospel message and eternal glory with the Father this will help give me strength to overcome the troubles we face.

Prayer :

Father,

Thank you for your mercy and allowing me the opportunity to be a part in ministry.  Help me to share your love and truth in a kind way.  Let your Spirit give me strength and encouragement as I focus on you and your eternal glory. 

Scripture:

“For this is why I wrote that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven-if I have forgiven anything-has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan (for we are not ignorant of his designs). 2 Cor 2:9-11

Observation:

The subject of the Adversary is always interesting. Scary figure? Evil? Potent or impotent? Ever wonder how this creature fits in the Gospel Plan and narrative? I have and do…

Application:

Concerning this scripture reference is there a direct link from testing and forgiveness to the designs of the devil? I don’t know-it doesn’t read like there is or that Paul is trying to line it up that way. But maybe there is a greater principle in the Gospel to consider and be aware of?

 The biggest foul we hit is thinking that the battlefield is God v. Lucifer. Good v. Evil. That is so far from the Truth. This One against the other is called Dualism and is an error of the highest order-but it is so easy to fall in to. Why? Because if you are like me, we think in either/or kind of thoughts.

 I do. It is hard to think otherwise. We have to train for an alternative way of looking at things. Thankfully the Holy Spirit is there to help us renew our mind and to conform our thinking to the scriptures, the Living Word of God. How did I do it? By asking the question: Where in the Gospel does Satan fit? The plan of the Gospel includes that creature-how then and why?

Looking at limitations there are a couple I have to consider: Not omniscient nor omnipotent nor anything even comparable to the Attributes of God, and; is subject to God as his authority (Job 1 and 2). The creature is a tempter first and foremost (Genesis 3) and a liar. So he leads us to succumb to our sin tendencies. Now to be sure our indwelling sin leans us that way anyway. So it could be said that Satan just takes advantage of what is rolling around in the heart. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that the Sin that we battle is more potent than the devil-I could be off base a little but now we have a clue to his designs.

So how does this apply to this Scripture reference? In this manner: Corinth has a guy who has committed an act that deserved church discipline of some kind. There is an indicator that this was pretty bad earlier in the chapter. There are also indications that some sort of repentance is occurring. Now the local Church has a decision to make: Forgive…or not. But it is not black and white that way…there is a middle decision to make as well.

1. Shall I not forgive because this person hasn’t suffered enough?

2. Shall I forgive but let him dangle and make him earn his way back into good graces?

3. Shall I forgive and welcome him with tears of forgiveness and acceptance?

The design of the devil is executed in the first and especially the second. Why? Because we have self-righteously assumed the mantle of Judge/Condemner. Key word: Earn his way into my acceptance.

Why is this so easy to write for me? Because I fight this tendency every day. How do I fight it? By remembering the Gospel and that Jesus died for me; took the punishment that I deserve even today. I cannot condemn someone who is just like me…

 “How can I judge the ones who fall, when I know in my heart I’m just like them all? I will confess my righteousness, Jesus, must rest in you….” Judge of the Secrets by Devon Kauflin.

Prayer:

Lord God: Thank you for this journaling assignment. I appreciate the ability to get my thoughts down in written format. You reveal my heart and its tendencies so that I can call upon You. The Gospel permeates everything-I want to look through the Lens of your Word in everything I do. AMEN.

Scripture:

2 Cor 1:12-13 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.  For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand.

Observation:

Paul writes to fellow Christians in words they can understand. He is not concerned about being perceived as wiser, more spiritual or smarter than others. He speaks to them at levels they can understand and in ways they can apply.  There were no hidden agendas in Paul’s writings. They were open letters that meant what was said.

We are to live in the world but not rely on the world. We are to be effective in reaching the world by relying on God, not the world, for direction.

Application:

God’s word does not have to be complicated. We do not have to know the Bible inside and out to be effective in spreading His word. I do not have to be a great Biblical speaker or writer or even good at many things to bring people to Christ. I should speak His word clearly with both my words and my life. My words and my life should match. There should be no hidden agendas in my life when it comes to bringing people to Christ.

God’s wisdom is what I should use to mark my actions. Worldly wisdom is not good enough. It will not bring others to accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The world will want us to join them. I must resist and go against the norms of the world. God’s wisdom and God’s grace is necessary.   

Prayer:

The message is not complicated. You loved me and sent your son to die for my sins.  Help me to speak a clear and concise message to those that I come in contact with throughout the day.