Tuesday, February 8, 2011

God's way, not your way......

I have been in the book of Colossians this week and plan to stay there until I get all that God has for me to learn from this book.  Paul wrote to the folk in Colossae from his prison cell.  He was of course imprisoned for spreading the Gospel. He was writing to the people of Colossae because he had heard that they were being influenced by false ideas and practices instead of operating and trusting in Christ.

 I will focus today on Colossians 2:8:  See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.


We often times are like the people of Colossae.  We follow whatever teaching our Pastors and other leaders tell us.  We cling to their words instead of the word of God. We must be careful as adults and as young people to know the word of God for ourselves.  Pastors and leaders are usually very well meaning, but are also human.  They are open to the same attacks as we are as it relates to keeping our eyes on Jesus and His teaching. You must know the word of God in order to match it up to what you are being taught or told, to verify its validity.  Oftentimes we choose to believe that what we are being taught is true because it appeals to the way that we are already operating.  We must be careful to do what God says and commands because it is what is best for us.  We should not lean to our own way of doing things because we feel as if God isn't moving fast enough or isn't delivering the "quick" results that we desire. This command in Colossians 2:8 is applicable to ALL areas of our lives and all areas in the life of the Church - relationships, trials and tribulations, money.  It is an all inclusive Gospel message.

I urge you to not sit back and allow deceptive philosophy to be taught and implemented in the form of programs and campaigns in your church and in your life.  Speak up and out, respectfully and with grace, using the scripture to gently lead those promoting these deceptive philosophies back into a right relationship and order with God.  We cannot depend on human tradition.  We MUST do things in accordance with the word of God, with no exception.   Proverbs 14:12 tells us: There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.  If we continue to do things the way that seems right to us, it will certainly end in death.  Jesus is all sufficient.  Everything we need is found in Him.  You do not have to rack your brain trying to come up with solutions to the areas in your life that are problematic.  He already has the answer.  Lean on and trust in Him.  Choose the God's way -- His way is found in His Word.  


May God bless you and keep you!  Stay in the Word of God.....

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Pastor Bsett's E-Devotion

"When you fast , do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  But when you fast , put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.   (Matthew 6:16-18 NIV)

I usually don't share too much the details of how often I fast, because of this text, spoken by Jesus.  Fasting should be personal, between you and your Father in Heaven.  It should not be broadcasted because it should not be obvious to men/women  that you are fasting as Jesus stated.  Saying that (hoping I'm not contradicting myself, but I must share) I have just completed a season of fasting - a period of where I abstained from food, and completely sought the LORD.  It was a wonderful experience, one that I have not felt in a long time.  It makes me realize how much I need to fast.  As I sit here today, I miss that time of seeking the LORD.  And that is not to say that I did not pray or read my bible today, but to be in a period of fasting is different.  I can't explain how it's different, but it is just different.  I am desiring more of God's presence in my life, and that only comes through fasting.  I have come to understand that in order to be able to walk in God's authority, fasting must become a regular discipline in the life of the believer.  It must be a discipline to abstain from food, and seek the LORD for a period of time.  Once you do this, you will realize that you can't do without it.  This life will have you frustrated and thinking about 10 things at once.  We need time to just think about the LORD.  When we do this, we will see how much the LORD will reveal to us and how much we won't trip on stuff that doesn’t really matter.  Most of all, I've found that while fasting, the LORD will begin to prepare you for whatever is ahead of you.  Without fasting, we enter into what the LORD has for us unprepared.

Jesus began this verse by saying "when you fast"…….we cannot apply His teachings unless we do fast.

Father in Heaven, as the deer pants for streams of water, our soul pants for you!  We thank you for another day and for the blessings you give us with each day.  Give us the desire to fast more LORD!  Give us the desire for intimate fellowship with you!  Prepare us for your work, building up the kingdom of God on earth!  We will give you all praise and all glory for what you do through us!  In Jesus name, Amen.