FUN d MENTAL pastor

Three groups, Three “needs”.

1 Corinthians 1:22-24 

Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

    Jews – Those who know what God has said but they want it confirmed by something seen. In the church today are those just like the crowd who followed Jesus around in John 6.

    “Show us something and we’ll believe”.

    What more was Jesus to show, to prove.

    They were there because they saw the miracles, the day before he made a meal for thousands from a young boys small lunch.

    “Not enough show us more”!

    Jesus discusses his body and blood and says that’s enough.

    Most left.

    Today the cross is behind us… but still there are those who say “Not enough show us more”!

    “Give us some special sign of your presence; then we’ll believe you are here”.

 

    Greeks- those who want to look skilled and sophisticated – important enough for Gods attention. Why not? The world sees their sophistication and abilities. They’re on most people’s A list.

    They want a gospel that brings out their importance.

    Jesus told us to die to ourselves but they think others need to die to their desires and “needs”.

    They like a Jesus that brings prosperity and political clout.

 

    The called – They live by the Death. Their power is in a cross.

    “Whatever grace is extended to me today is because of what Jesus did back then”.

    The world doesn’t find them worthy; they know their worth is in Christ

    The world calls them “morons”; the Father calls them “Sons”.

    The world overlooks them; God chose them, called to them, sought them, redeemed them, and made them His family.

 

    Which group do you fit into?

    Is Christ enough for you today?

Providencial Prayer Answered

It's amazing that God answers prayer even when we haven't spent much time in prayer.

We are @ Les Schwab in Portand, OR since we suddenly found that our power steering and brakes were not working.

Before we knew what exactly we needed to pray for God in His providence already answered.

Sometimes the best prayer is to not panic; and calmly get info before deciding what the problem is.

Saul’s Second Hand Family

1 Samuel 18:28-29 When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David,  29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.

    Saul’s whole family is at this point second hand.

   

    Jonathan and Michal both show a propensity to love others, their father less and less so.

    Saul was willing to use his family’s love of David to find ways to bring about David’s death.

 

    Saul is becoming sicker and sicker with jealousy and bitterness.

 

    He has been told that God was going to bring on a better man. Saul is going to crush anyone who stands in his way.

    Saul shows us that we cannot have a second hand God, and get through life without destroying everything else.

 

    The fullness of his spiritual disease is seen in his using his own daughter’s feelings to achieve his evil plot against the younger and increasingly more popular David.

 

    This disease will not leave him. While David would enjoy the presence of the Spirit for his lifetime, Saul would harbor resentment, destroying his family in the process.

 

    This sadly is where Saul and David become quite alike. Their actions will destroy their families.

    Where they will differ in is that Saul will blame David…

David will own the responsibility of his choices. (see Psalm 51)

 

    Saul’s family goes into obscurity.

    David’s will bring the Messiah to the throne.

Saul’s Second Hand Soldier

1 Samuel 17:38-39  Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head.  39  David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.  "I cannot go in these," he said to Saul, "because I am not used to them." So he took them off.

 

    The contrast between David and Saul is once again presented in Chapter 17 in one of the most well known stories in history.

 

    For the forty days Saul and the army of Israel have been cowering across the valley from the Philistines and their big guy Goliath.

    For forty days Goliath has been taunting their army, their bravery, their God.

    Saul was brave enough to offer a great reward for any soldier who would meet and defeat the giant man. Tax exemption and his daughter to the valiant soldier were waved in front of the Israeli army.

The soldiers obviously discussed the reward with each other; but none were moved to action.

 

They sound a lot like their King.

 

Then here comes David, just in time for Goliath’s daily taunt.

 

David unlike the others wonders why none are going out and showing the lowly Philistine that he is not going to get away saying such things about the Lord of the universe.

 

David is even more intrigued when the reward is announced.

Of course big brothers have to have their comments. The king must present his doubts.

 

But in the end David becomes Saul’s second hand soldier.

 

David may be small, but if would only wear the kings armor and use his sword he could get by. Saul could then take some credit also.

 

David realized that the armor doesn’t make the soldier, but rather that the Soldier is made by his Lord.

 

Saul needed David; but David just needed the Lord.

 

A young man with faith that the Lord would defeat the giant took the step that none in Israel would take for the last forty days.

 

The Lord gained the victory.  

 

 

Blessings,

Pastor Douglas

20090804 Devotion: Saul’s Second Hand spirit

1 Samuel 16:23 Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

 

            The Holy Spirit had been removed from Saul, and God gave him an “evil” spirit to torment him instead.  That was the chances you took before the day of Pentecost. The Spirit could come and the Spirit could leave.

            But, the second hand spirit given to him to torment him is quite unique and is in contrast to the Holy Spirit, or as Jesus would later refer to Him as the Comforter.

            God removed Saul’s comfort and gave him torment instead.

 

            David is the only one before Pentecost (except for Jesus) that it was ever said that the Spirit never left him. He was the prototype Christian.

            Even in his sin the Spirit never left.

            David would ruin his family, but the Spirit never left.

            David would harm his nation, but the Spirit never left.

            God wouldn’t allow David to build a Temple, but David was himself the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

 

            Saul worshipped God through Samuel, David had a personal relationship.

 

            Many people today will end like Saul; holding on to things that bring them torment. They will go to an eternity of torment.

            Christians today need to be like David, whose presence (because of the Spirit) was enough to lessen the torment that others were facing.

Saul’s Second Hand Relationship

1 Samuel 15:30-31 Saul replied, “I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God.”  31 So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.

                Isn’t it interesting to see in the last few words of verse 30 Saul’s relationship with God?  Actually we should call it a lack of relationship.

            While Saul admits sin; his first concern is for Samuel show honor to him before the people of Israel. His whole focus of worship is to be lifted up himself. Apparently he learned nothing in the first 29 verses. God tearing Israelfrom Saul’s grasp will take 18 Years; with Saul fighting it to his last breath.

            What can drive a man like that?

            The answer could be in the words “the LORD your God”.

            Saul‘s relationship with the Lord is through Samuel, he has no direct relationship.

Saul is a man living on someone else’s faith. Worship to Saul is something the Prophet (pastor) does and he watches from the sidelines.

No direct participation or relationship.

God told Saul that he was going to give the kingdom to someone better then him.

He had in mind a twelve year old shepherd boy named David.

Whatever may have been a David’s problems, and there was a few, it wasn’t with his relationship with God.

Listen to the difference in David’s words:

2 Samuel 22:1  David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.  2  He said:  "The LORD is  my  rock,  my  fortress and  my  deliverer;  3  my   God  is  my  rock, in whom I take refuge,  my  shield and the horn of  my  salvation.  He is  my  stronghold,  my  refuge and  my  savior--  from violent men you save me.

           

            Saul worshiped through Samuel; David sings directly to God.

            Saul Worshipped Samuel’s God; David calls the Lord My: Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, Refuge, Shield, Horn of Salvation, Stronghold, and Savior.

            Saul lifted himself up; David was a man after God’s heart.

            How is your relationship?

Citizen Paul - 20090801

Acts 22: 23 - 25 As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and questioned in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this.  25 As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, "Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn't even been found guilty?"  (NIV)

                When I read this passage I couldn’t help but think about what Paul mentions about citizenship in Philippians 3:20: But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ . . .

                How do we deal with this duel citizenship? Is it proper for Christians to uphold their national rights?

                As our nation debates such things as abortion, health care, gay rights we need to remember that just as Paul had done in Acts 22 we can also make use of the rights and privileges of being citizens of the

US

.

                We have the right to speak our minds in a public forum. We have a right to petition, and appeal. We can use any legal means to influence voters and representatives.

                How far does that go?

                As far as it doesn’t confuse us of our primary citizenship.

                Do we gain anything when we protect our earthly rights when we do not take care of our heavenly responsibilities?

                No!

                We cannot be citizens of Heaven if we petition against the government without petitioning the Lord in prayer.

                We cannot be citizens of Heaven if we spend time reading and forwarding emails and spend brief moments in God’s Word.

                We cannot be citizens of Heaven if persuade people how to vote, but not who their Lord is.

                We cannot be citizens of Heaven if we concentrate our goals for power to control here, rather than concentrate on Him who through His control will change us there.

Blessings,

Pastor Douglas

The Lost Outpouring of the Spirit

The Lost Outpouring of the Spirit

Romans 12; 9-13

·         Your love must be real.

·         Hate what is evil, and hold on to what is good.

·         Love each other like brothers and sisters.

·         Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves.

·         Do not be lazy but work hard, serving the Lord with all your heart.

·         Be joyful because you have hope.

·         Be patient when trouble comes, and pray at all times.

·         Share with God’s people who need help.

·         Bring strangers in need into your homes.

(Bullet points by FUNdMENTAL)

The Everyday Bible : New Century Version. 2005 (Ro 12:9-13). Nashville, TN.: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

 

            This generation is looking for an Outpouring of the Spirit. Good for them!

            I do think that is an honorable goal for any generation…

            But, where have we got our ideas on what an outpouring of the Spirit even looks like?

            Some, especially the younger believers connect this with Music. Not just any music (of course), but something that is thoroughly modern, loud, and able to generate movement upon the listeners.

            Some olders have the same musical hang-ups. Just in the opposite direction.

            Large numbers of Christians see outpourings when they see large groups on their TVs or filling large stadiums and other venues. Their unspoken theology is “the bigger the crowd the bigger the Spirit”.

            The “Spirit-Filled” Christians tell us that an outpouring of the Spirit would bring about a mass giving of the sign gifts. We’ll know that the Spirit moved when there are people speaking in tongues and there are miraculous healings.

            We fundamentalists sometimes could be said to believe that there will be an outpouring when we all believe in the same way. Most preferably our way!

 

            This passage in Romans comes right after a short discussion on gifts.

            I was intrigued this last week going through this for Sunday’s preparation that when gifts and the Spirit are mentioned in Scripture there is another word (or concept) right alongside them. . .

            Love.

            Is it possible that we have lost the sign of the outpouring of the Spirit and have come up with manmade alternatives?

            Everyone who has been around the church for a while knows what happened in Acts chapter 2.

Pentecost. The few believers were in an upper room praying and the Spirit came upon them. That went outside and they started to prophesy about Jesus the Messiah. They did this in “tongues”; however you wish to define that, instigating some comment from the established spiritual ones.

 

            But at the end of chapter two when Peter was finished his preaching. They asked “What must we do to be saved…? Peter’s answer was to repent, be baptized and you will receive the Holy Spirit.

 

             However we define the outpouring of the Spirit early in chapter 2, we see another outpouring of the Spirit in verse 2:41. There no mention here that this group received an outpouring of tongues (as in fact most salvation stories in the NT do not discuss the presence of this gift).

 

            In verses 42-47 they are shown to have an outpouring of Love.

 

            We tend to miss that … instead we spend time debating the first part of the day of Pentecost.

 

            Should this be a surprise to us about this outpouring of Love.

 

            John, in his gospel account, has a lot of words spoken by Christ to his disciples about his leaving, the Spirits coming, and how they and the world may know of the Spirit’s presence on behalf of Christ.

 

             John 13:33 Jesus said, “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and what I told the Jews, I tell you now: Where I am going you cannot come.

34 “I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. 35 All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.”[i]

 

            John 14: 15-17 “If you love me, you will obey my commands. 16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper  to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he lives with you and he will be in you.

 

John 15: 12-17 “This is my command: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 The greatest love a person can show is to die for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know what his master is doing. But I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me; I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

 

John 17: 24-26 “Father, I want these people that you gave me to be with me where I am. I want them to see my glory, which you gave me because you loved me before the world was made. 25 Father, you are the One who is good. The world does not know you, but I know you, and these people know you sent me. 26 I showed them what you are like, and I will show them again. Then they will have the same love that you have for me, and I will live in them.”

 

            It doesn’t say anywhere that vibrant music is the sign of anything.

            It doesn’t say anywhere in the Bible that Tongues or Healing is the sign of Spiritual Blessing.

            It does say that the presence of the Holy Spirit brings into our midst LOVE.

            So whatever else is outpoured if there is not Love it is not from the Spirit. (1 Corinthians chapters 12 & 13)

            John 15:16 mentions that Jesus said that that he chose us to “go and produce fruit, fruit that will last.” I believe that it is near impossible to not reference this fruit  with the fruit that  Paul discloses as the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5: 22-23.

It is possible, I understand, that we could punctuate this list this way – The Fruit of the Spirit is love: joy peace patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Even if we chose not to punctuate as such we must acknowledge that there is a reason why Love is at the head of this list.

Love is The Fruit of the Spirit.

Love makes our gifts usable

Love keeps our fervency of praise from being an obnoxious noise.

Love gives life to Orthodoxy

 

True love is what saved us.

Not that frilly and flower love that girls tell us it is.

Males came up with love in the first place:

1 John 4:10 This is what real love is: It is not our love for God; it is God’s love for us. He sent his Son to die in our place to take away our sins.

1 John 4:19-21 We love because God first loved us. 20 If people say, “I love God,” but hate their brothers or sisters, they are liars. Those who do not love their brothers and sisters, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have never seen. 21 And God gave us this command: Those who love God must also love their brothers and sisters.

            No true love that the Spirit would bring out is one that acknowledges that

·         GOD took the first step.

·         Love is upward, then outward, then inward

·         Love is a verb; not a feeling.

·         Love is sacrificial.

·         We praise God’s Love, not our own love for God.

·         The way to show our love to God is to show Love to others.

 

What would churches look like if there was this Spiritual outpouring of love?

Regardless of the makeup of the Gifts given there would be LOVE and we would see churches that are no longer conformed into the image of the world. There would cease to be churches confined into the image of one or two “special” gifts. We would see the end of the church of Pedantic Seminary.

We would see a Church transformed into the image of her Creator, Savior, Sustainer…

 Philippians 2: 1-8  Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does his love comfort you? Do we share together in the spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness? 2 If so, make me very happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and having one mind and purpose. 3 When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. 4 Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.

5 In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.

6  Christ himself was like God in everything.

But he did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for his own benefit.

7  But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing.

He was born as a man and became like a servant.

8  And when he was living as a man, he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God,

even when that caused his death—death on a cross.

 

There is a lost Outpouring of the Spirit: We have grown accustomed to power without sacrifice, exultation without humility; the right to praise God without serving another, abundant life without a cross.

Sign gifts, crowds and fervent singing have me dry and wanting.

The closest I have been to the Spirit lately was in straightening the rest rooms.

Sad part is that , it doesn’t say much about our “Worship” times

---

[i] All Scripture references are from: The Everyday Bible : New Century Version. 2005 (Jn 13:33-35). Nashville, TN.: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Slip Sliding Away

Outlined 20040828

Rev. Douglas Lee Sr.

James 4:13-17

 ¹³ Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Jas 4:13-17). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

 

8 Things that don’t prove God’s Will:

1.  WINNING or LOSING

Ecclesiastes 9:11I have seen something else under the sun:  The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong. . . but time and chance happen to them all.

2.  SECURITY

Acts 20:22-23"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me . . .”                

"I have had time to think and to pray about my situation, and that of my nation, and to have God's will for me clarified. I have come to the conclusion that I have made a mistake in coming to America . . . I know which of these alternatives I Must choose. But I cannot make that choice in security."

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

3.  POSITION

    Psalm 49: 16-20 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed--and men praise you when you prosper--he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life. A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

4.  POPULARITY

    Job 19:14-19

    My kinsmen have gone away; my friends have forgotten me. My guests and my maidservants count me a stranger; they look upon me as an alien. I summon my servant, but he does not answer, though I beg him with my own mouth. My breath is offensive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own brothers. Even the little boys scorn me;  when I appear, they ridicule me. All my intimate  friends  detest me; those I love have turned against me. 

    5.  PEACE

Philippians 1:22-24 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two:
     I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

6.  INTELLIGENCE

Isaiah 55:8-9"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,  neither are your ways my ways,"  declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways  and my thoughts than your thoughts. . .”

7.  IDEOLOGY

Isaiah 40:15-18 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;  they are regarded as dust on the scales;  he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,  nor its animals enough for burnt offerings. Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less thannothing. To whom, then, will you compare God?  What image will you compare him to?

8.  BRAVERY

Psalm 56:3 When I am  afraid, I will trust in you.

Psalms 56:4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be  afraid. What can mortal man do to me? 

 5 Bes of God’s Will

1.  Be SAVED

     John 1:10-13 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 

2.  Be Spirit Filled

Ephesians 5:15-18 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

3.  Be Sanctified

I Thessalonians 4:3-4 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable

4.  Be Submissive

I Peter 2:13-15 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 

5.  Be Willing to Suffer

I Peter 4:12-19 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.   But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. . . So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

How the Other 99% Reacted to Being Healed

“Jesus did. I was hopping along, when suddenly he comes and cures me. One minute I'm a leper with a trade, next moment me livelihood's gone. Not so much as a by your leave. Look. I'm not saying that being a leper was a bowl of cherries. But it was a living. I mean, you try waving muscular suntanned limbs in people's faces demanding compassion. It's a bloody disaster.”        Monty Python

 

That sums up Total Depravity