Friday, May 27, 2011

You and I were made to worship!!!

How come in the midst of any situation, we would rather sit around in self pity and try to handle rather than cry out to our Maker?  This thought often plagues my mind.  I know personally when something happens... I stress, worry and then I am reminded to cry out to God.  Why do we attempt to do it in our own strength rather than rest in the arms of a loving God who desires to bring us through? Why do we carry the burden when God desires to carry it for us???

This seems to be a reoccuring theme over the past week or so.  Several things have happened and my heart has felt burdened.  Then this morning I sit down to finish up my Bible study and I am taken to this verse...

"Men cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for reief from the arm of the powerful.  But no one says, "Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night..." Job 35:9-10

A great reminder that when joys, blessings, trials, and heartache come my way... instead of being a sponge soaking it all in pleading to be squeezed... I need to be a duck that lets it slide right off onto the back of God. 

So many times we expect God to carry us through hard times... but many times God desires us to stand with Him to build our faith.  He doesn't expect us to do it on our own like a three year old trying to do everything independently.  He wants complete control and surrender of our lives in order that our lives glorify Him.  You and I were created to worship... even in the tough times ... because ultimately God is still God and He is still on His throne despite the circumstances of our life.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Old and new collide

Recently on Sunday morning we have been going through a study on Truth called Believe it or Not.  Truth is true whether we believe it or not.  Just because we believe something to be true doesn't make it true.  God's word is (and should be)  absolute truth in our lives... however our society is redefining "truth".  

Absolute truth:  It's true for ALL people, for ALL times, in ALL places.

For example (be aware your toes might get a little squished on this one)-  God's word says "Do not kill"... why??? because our God is life and calls us to love one another.  Murder is not showing love.  However our countries law states that abortion is legal.... contrary to God's word.  Even though it is "ok" by our countries eyes... it is not ok in God's eyes.  Absolute truth!

With defining that, on Wednesday night we have been going through Levitical law... I was taught growing up that levitcal law was not for us so it didn't apply to us...it was just there to show how man can't meet up to God's standards ( however in the church I grew up in we had "legalistic rules" like no drinking and no dancing.)  It was all about the rules... not about the relationship.  We serve a personal God who desires a relationship... not just a bunch of rule following robots!

Old ideas colliding with new ideas.... Levitical law is truth... yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  So even though we are under grace, we still should follow Levitical law because they were set up to protect and guide us.  We are not bound to the law (nor are we saved by it)  but we should desire to follow it in order to serve our God and build a closer relationship with him.  What makes us think that we can pick and choose what is truth in our life?  God desires our hearts to serve Him rather than our sacrifices. 

The truth will set you free from the lies of the enemy.  The truths of God's word should be followed from the heart as an act of service in our worship to Christ... why because Jesus is truth and grace!!!