On my fifteen-minute drive down I-85 to work this morning, I was praying to God asking Him to fill me with His Holy Spirit and make ME a place where His Spirit would want to dwell. As I spoke these words out loud, I was reminded of John chapter 2 where Jesus performed His first miracle of turning water into wine. I have been studying this chapter this week trying to pull some symbolism out the events taking place. What I was reminded of were the six water jars that were used to hold the water. The text is found in John 2:6-7 and says this, “6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. The first hint of symbolism found by my simple mind was the number six. The second was purpose of the jars and the third was what Jesus told the servants to do.
The number six, according to all of my resources, is the symbol for man, in the bible. That means us, me and you. We are not God, we are mere men, made of flesh, and we live in a broken world because of the sin of Adam. But, John 1:14 says, 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”Jesus came so that our flesh would become His Word! But, how does that manifest? Hold on.
Secondly, the jars were used for ceremonial washing. Ceremonial washing was a man made tradition and not part of the law. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” What Jesus DID come to abolish were man made traditions that the religious teachers held over the heads of the people. MOST of these traditions, the religious teachers could not even fulfill themselves yet the people were condemned for not fulfilling them!
Now, here’s where I think it gets good! In verse 14 Jesus tells the servants to “Fill the jars with water.” They didn’t take water that had been already used for traditional washing and turn it to wine. They used new water and “filled them to the brim.” Here the water symbolizes of course baptism with water and baptism in the spirit, exactly what I was praying this morning. But, the most intriguing part of this is what came to me as I was praying this morning. The jars had to be EMPTY to be FILLED!
When we are emptied of fleshly desires, focused on what the God says and not what man says, then we make place for His Spirit to dwell and His Word to be made flesh within us. How do I become EMPTIED, to be FILLED? Matthew 6 gives us some great starting places, “When you pray”(6:5), “when you fast”(6:16), and “when you give “(6:2) Thank you Jesus for giving me the keys to the kingdom and revelation that will empty this flesh so your Word will manifest in me!
For Donald Hobbs
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Cam Newton and the "SCC"
Cam Newton and the SCC?
As a Christian I know I could learn a thing or two from Cam Newton and his actions throughout his football career this year and in the midst of all the unwanted turmoil. I know some of you Alabama fans aren’t going to like this but that’s okay. And others of you are going to say that he may still be guilty but guilt or innocence is not the issue here, it is his actions. As a football player playing for Auburn University he is governed by the rules of the SEC (Southeastern Conference), and if he steps outside those boundaries he can be declared ineligible to play. But, Cam has displayed on and off the field a Christian boundary that I call the S.C.C. Self-control, Courage, and Commitment.
SELF-CONTROL is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and although it is listed last if you can make it first, all of the others will come much easier. (Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control) All of these fruits come to those who fellowship with God but the Spirit expects us to start somewhere as James 4:8 suggest, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” By practicing self-control and with the help of the Holy Spirit, all of the other fruits become gifts to others. Our Heisman Trophy winner is not being proclaimed as a Savior here or some super-disciple, just a man that has practiced self-control in a very adverse situation. Needless to say, the fruits from his actions have been a gift to others!
COURAGE has definitely been displayed in Cam’s action time and time again on the playing field by leading his team to victory despite what the scoreboard read. In his personal life, when all the cards looked to be stacked against him and there was nothing that he could do about it, he remained courageous. These circumstances remind me of Joshua, as he was about to lead the Israelites into the promise land just after Moses death. God said to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go! I know I could use some of that Cam/Joshua courage every day of my life!
COMMITMENT is something we witness little of in today’s society. There are marriages splitting up left and right with no thought of reconciliation. There are people jumping from church to church. There are those of us proclaiming to live in accordance to God’s word, talking the talk but not walking the walk! All of the unfaithfulness arises in times of turmoil. How are my commitments? Am I living up to what I promised to do in my marriage, job, church, and my walk with Christ? I’m afraid not! Luke 14:28 says, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost of whether he has enough to complete it. I think we can all take a hard look at Cam Newton as an example and see where he counted the cost before entering in and has stayed committed.
As I said previously, I am not glorifying Mr. Newton in the category with Christ but he has certainly set some boundaries in his life that comply with the S.C.C.! Self-Control, Courage, and Commitment, if he’s following these in his life, most likely he won’t have any problems with the SEC.
BY Donald Hobbs TO and FOR Donald Hobbs
As a Christian I know I could learn a thing or two from Cam Newton and his actions throughout his football career this year and in the midst of all the unwanted turmoil. I know some of you Alabama fans aren’t going to like this but that’s okay. And others of you are going to say that he may still be guilty but guilt or innocence is not the issue here, it is his actions. As a football player playing for Auburn University he is governed by the rules of the SEC (Southeastern Conference), and if he steps outside those boundaries he can be declared ineligible to play. But, Cam has displayed on and off the field a Christian boundary that I call the S.C.C. Self-control, Courage, and Commitment.
SELF-CONTROL is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and although it is listed last if you can make it first, all of the others will come much easier. (Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control) All of these fruits come to those who fellowship with God but the Spirit expects us to start somewhere as James 4:8 suggest, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” By practicing self-control and with the help of the Holy Spirit, all of the other fruits become gifts to others. Our Heisman Trophy winner is not being proclaimed as a Savior here or some super-disciple, just a man that has practiced self-control in a very adverse situation. Needless to say, the fruits from his actions have been a gift to others!
COURAGE has definitely been displayed in Cam’s action time and time again on the playing field by leading his team to victory despite what the scoreboard read. In his personal life, when all the cards looked to be stacked against him and there was nothing that he could do about it, he remained courageous. These circumstances remind me of Joshua, as he was about to lead the Israelites into the promise land just after Moses death. God said to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go! I know I could use some of that Cam/Joshua courage every day of my life!
COMMITMENT is something we witness little of in today’s society. There are marriages splitting up left and right with no thought of reconciliation. There are people jumping from church to church. There are those of us proclaiming to live in accordance to God’s word, talking the talk but not walking the walk! All of the unfaithfulness arises in times of turmoil. How are my commitments? Am I living up to what I promised to do in my marriage, job, church, and my walk with Christ? I’m afraid not! Luke 14:28 says, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost of whether he has enough to complete it. I think we can all take a hard look at Cam Newton as an example and see where he counted the cost before entering in and has stayed committed.
As I said previously, I am not glorifying Mr. Newton in the category with Christ but he has certainly set some boundaries in his life that comply with the S.C.C.! Self-Control, Courage, and Commitment, if he’s following these in his life, most likely he won’t have any problems with the SEC.
BY Donald Hobbs TO and FOR Donald Hobbs
Monday, April 12, 2010
No Need To Worry
The FAST pace in which MOST of us live today, it is so easy to get caught up in our daily battles with the future concerning work, finances, relationships, even CHURCH! When our daily battles about the future dominate our thoughts and our actions, we develop a harmful and occasionally embarrassing virus that causes growths that hender the steps of our walk with God! They are called WORRY WARTS! And they keep us from living the ABUNDANT LIFE that Jesus said we could have in John 10:10! Here are SEVEN reasons Jesus gave us NOT to WORRY!
"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?" Matthew 6:25 says that the same God that created you can be trusted with the details of your life
In Matthew 6:26 Jesus says, "look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly father feeds them. And aren't you more valuable to him than they are?" Worrying about the future hampers you efforts for today!
Worrying is more HARMFUL than it is helpful. Jesus confirms this by saying in Matthew 6:27, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?"
Jesus continues in Matthew 6:28-29 to say, "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lillies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Soloman in all his glory was not dressed as beautiful as they are." When we DEPEND on God alone, He never ignores us!
Worrying shows a complete lack of faith and understanding of God!
Matthew 6:31,32 "So don't worry about these things saying, 'What will eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly father already knows all your needs."
"Seek the Kingdom of God, above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:33 Worrying keeps us from the REAL CHALLENGES God wants us to persue!
"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:34. Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry!
So free yourself from focusing on your daily battles with the FUTURE that causes WORRY and slow down enough to spend time in prayer and in God's Word lest you forget the promises of GOD!
Jesus loves YOU!
"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?" Matthew 6:25 says that the same God that created you can be trusted with the details of your life
In Matthew 6:26 Jesus says, "look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly father feeds them. And aren't you more valuable to him than they are?" Worrying about the future hampers you efforts for today!
Worrying is more HARMFUL than it is helpful. Jesus confirms this by saying in Matthew 6:27, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?"
Jesus continues in Matthew 6:28-29 to say, "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lillies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Soloman in all his glory was not dressed as beautiful as they are." When we DEPEND on God alone, He never ignores us!
Worrying shows a complete lack of faith and understanding of God!
Matthew 6:31,32 "So don't worry about these things saying, 'What will eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly father already knows all your needs."
"Seek the Kingdom of God, above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:33 Worrying keeps us from the REAL CHALLENGES God wants us to persue!
"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:34. Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry!
So free yourself from focusing on your daily battles with the FUTURE that causes WORRY and slow down enough to spend time in prayer and in God's Word lest you forget the promises of GOD!
Jesus loves YOU!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Why DOES God allow GOOD people to suffer?
Job 38:4-6
Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone-
Toward the end of Job, this Scripture is God's rebuke to Job's friends on their attempts to explain why good people suffer. God makes it plain that we don't even have the frame of reference for those questions. Our role is to watch our own hearts before God and come before Him with humility, knowing that some things are reserved for God and God alone.
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org
Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone-
Toward the end of Job, this Scripture is God's rebuke to Job's friends on their attempts to explain why good people suffer. God makes it plain that we don't even have the frame of reference for those questions. Our role is to watch our own hearts before God and come before Him with humility, knowing that some things are reserved for God and God alone.
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org
Friday, January 8, 2010
What's keeping you from your promise? Exodus 4:24
Exodus 4:24 At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him.
WHY was God going to kill Moses?
God was going to kill Moses because of sin. The sin of Moses in Exodus 4:24-26 is not stated explicitly, but the surrounding events give substantial clues as to the nature of Moses’ transgression. God had instructed his messenger to warn Pharaoh to free Israel, or risk losing his firstborn son (Exodus 4:21-24). Moses had been specially groomed by God for eighty years for this mission, and now the time for action had come.
Moses was to lead his people out of Egypt and to be an example to Pharaoh’s house, to the nation of Egypt, and to all the nations that heard of those happenings (Exodus 18:10-11; Joshua 2:10-11). Accordingly, Moses’ personal life had to be in order before he could direct the spiritual lives of the Hebrew people. It seems that Moses had neglected to administer the sacred rite of circumcision, the act that symbolized the Almighty’s covenant with His chosen people.
Perhaps this was the result of pressure from his surrogate Midianite tribe. It is also possible that he was persuaded by Zipporah not to circumcise his son, since she apparently found the practice revolting (4:25). This would explain her violent outburst; she felt that she had saved her husband from death by shedding the blood of her son. Whatever the cause, Moses’ outstanding sin made him unfit to serve as a spiritual leader, and the situation had to be rectified before he could carry out his mission effectively. Indeed, as soon as Zipporah performed the act, the Lord “let him go.” In summary, God was going to kill Moses because Moses was supposed to teach the Israelites God's Law, yet Moses was not obeying God's Law himself.
And what about you? Has God been grooming you all your life for you to be the next great leader? Is there an area of disobedience that needs to be examined? Our ignorance or oversight may be keeping you or me from our promise. Time to check ourselves and do as David did and ask the Lord to search our hearts and reveal to us unknown disobedience.
Peace
WHY was God going to kill Moses?
God was going to kill Moses because of sin. The sin of Moses in Exodus 4:24-26 is not stated explicitly, but the surrounding events give substantial clues as to the nature of Moses’ transgression. God had instructed his messenger to warn Pharaoh to free Israel, or risk losing his firstborn son (Exodus 4:21-24). Moses had been specially groomed by God for eighty years for this mission, and now the time for action had come.
Moses was to lead his people out of Egypt and to be an example to Pharaoh’s house, to the nation of Egypt, and to all the nations that heard of those happenings (Exodus 18:10-11; Joshua 2:10-11). Accordingly, Moses’ personal life had to be in order before he could direct the spiritual lives of the Hebrew people. It seems that Moses had neglected to administer the sacred rite of circumcision, the act that symbolized the Almighty’s covenant with His chosen people.
Perhaps this was the result of pressure from his surrogate Midianite tribe. It is also possible that he was persuaded by Zipporah not to circumcise his son, since she apparently found the practice revolting (4:25). This would explain her violent outburst; she felt that she had saved her husband from death by shedding the blood of her son. Whatever the cause, Moses’ outstanding sin made him unfit to serve as a spiritual leader, and the situation had to be rectified before he could carry out his mission effectively. Indeed, as soon as Zipporah performed the act, the Lord “let him go.” In summary, God was going to kill Moses because Moses was supposed to teach the Israelites God's Law, yet Moses was not obeying God's Law himself.
And what about you? Has God been grooming you all your life for you to be the next great leader? Is there an area of disobedience that needs to be examined? Our ignorance or oversight may be keeping you or me from our promise. Time to check ourselves and do as David did and ask the Lord to search our hearts and reveal to us unknown disobedience.
Peace
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Galatians 5:16
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
How many times have we made New Year resolutions only to find ourselves discouraged by the 2nd week (maybe even the 2nd day!). Every New Year we intend to stop this or lose that - so much so that we resign ourselves each year to making a list with the assumption that we won't keep it. But the apostle Paul gives us an important hint in what it takes to truly change: we don't make a decision to keep away from the desires of our sinful nature, we make a decision to live by the Spirit! We need to focus our gaze on where we want to go instead of looking at what we want to avoid. Let's start this New Year by taking our gaze off of our weaknesses and refocus it on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. When we do, we find that He can change us more than our resolutions!
How many times have we made New Year resolutions only to find ourselves discouraged by the 2nd week (maybe even the 2nd day!). Every New Year we intend to stop this or lose that - so much so that we resign ourselves each year to making a list with the assumption that we won't keep it. But the apostle Paul gives us an important hint in what it takes to truly change: we don't make a decision to keep away from the desires of our sinful nature, we make a decision to live by the Spirit! We need to focus our gaze on where we want to go instead of looking at what we want to avoid. Let's start this New Year by taking our gaze off of our weaknesses and refocus it on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. When we do, we find that He can change us more than our resolutions!
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