In Everything... Love

Scripture
1 Corinthians 16:14
And do everything with love.

Observation
This sure keeps coming up in Paul's letter to the church in Corinth. And if I'm not mistaken, seems to be a thread through the life and teaching of Jesus :) And in fact, through the entire Word of God. Do everything - in love.

Application
As I have been in meetings here in Langley BC to select the next president of the Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada, I am certainly wanting the 'yes' and the 'no' to be told in love. May we be able to love deeply, genuinely, with authentic sincerity.

Prayer
Lord, please help me to do everything - in love. May my words be loving, my actions, and my attitude. May I not be proud, boastful, or rude. May I be patient and kind. Amen.

Because I Belong

Scripture
1 Corinthians 15:22
Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.

Observation
BECAUSE we belong. People need a sense of belonging, but how important it is to belong to the right person. Adam gave us the 'gift' of death, the penalty for sin passed out to humanity. But belonging to Jesus is LIFE.

Application
I have no ill feelings towards Adam, especially since we are related :) And I so often am like him. However, I don't belong to Adam anymore. I came from Adam, but I came TO Christ. I now belong to Jesus.

Prayer
Lord, please help me live in such a way that it is obvious "to others to whom I belong". May Your new nature be lived out in such a way that people see I am not my own, I've been bought with a price, I've been redeemed, ransomed, and welcomed as a son. I belong.

Our Highest Goal

Scripture
1 Cor 14:1 Let love be your highest goal!

Observation
Spiritual gifts, order in church services, people coming together in His name. Don't miss this point. Let Love, not order, not programs, not even the demonstration of the Spirit's undeniable presence, be our Highest Goal.

Application
I need to remember this. I don't know how it is expressed. It can't be just being nice. Aim for love. This makes sense in light of the greatest commandments. Love God, Love People.

Prayer
Lord, please help me to Aim For Love. And as a goal, please help me define it, measure it, and know if I am attaining it. I don't want to 'miss the mark'.

This Present Crisis - This Time

Scripture
1 Cor 7:26. Because of the present crisis, I think it is best to remain as you are.

Observation
This is the first time I have ever seen this - because of this PRESENT crisis. Don't get married, or don't try to be free from slavery. Because of this time we are in right now. As I read the rest of the chapter, I see that Paul often refers to 'this time'. I have not observed how sensitive to the time in regards to marriage. I think that must be taken into context about how he sees marriage - his desire for all to be single must have been only at that time - current persecution. A guess a little like war time - it's better for single guys to go away and fight, than to get married and then leave. Perhaps a poor analogy, but I think a similar perspective.

Application
I want to be sensitive to the time that I live in. I have young kids, and although they are now teenagers, that does not give me license to travel on ministry adventures with increased frequency. I need to be, for this time, closer to home. It does not give me license to be out many nights in a week for ministry. That time will come, but it is not this time.

Prayer
Lord, please help me be like Paul and recognize the time that I live in, referring to the world around me and my stage of life. May I redeem the time, this time, making the most of every opportunity.

Free At Last - Keep it That Way!

Scripture
1 Corinthians 6:12 And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.

Observation
Paul writes that the church in Corinth has indeed got the message that they are not under the law. But as he writes to the church in Rome, we are not to continue in sin that grace may abound. There is tremendous freedom found in Christ, but if we are not careful, that freedom can turn into slavery - bondage - just like we were before we met Christ. He references food and sexual sin.

Application
I do believe that on Feb 26th the Lord set me free from being addicted to food. I have now lost weight, and the grip of food is gone. However, I do see that I have the ability to become trapped again, if I present my body as a slave to food. I must not become a slave to anything. Audrey prayed for me last night that I would be able to continue to walk in the freedom whereby Christ has set me free. Today is Wednesday, and I choose again to start fasting lunches.

Prayer
Thank you Lord for the amazing freedom that you have given me - free in all things. Lord, please help me to not become again a slave to food. May I honor you in my body, the tabernacle of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Defeating The Enemy

Scripture
Joshua 7:13 Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the LORD. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things from among you.

Observation
Joshua is recording what the Lord has said about Achan keeping the gold and silver that was the Lords. He calls it the accursed thing. You will never defeat the enemy if you keep what is the Lords.

Application
Tithing. It's as clear as any point in scripture. I feel as I am living this out with our money, but is there anything else in my life that is hidden, that I am refusing to remove, thus the enemy has a place of victory in our home? Paul writes in Corinthians today that a little yeast leavens the whole loaf.

Prayer
Father, all I have, and all I am, is Yours. I truly invite the conviction of Your Holy Spirit in my life. Just like Achan's sin, please expose my sin that I might confess, repent, and life in victory. Amen.

Rely ONLY on the Power of the Holy Spirit

Scripture
1 Cor 2: 4 Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.
Observation
Paul writes that he ONLY relied on the power of the Holy Spirit. He chose to do this. He writes "rather than". He could have spoke very persuasively, and with his amazing intellect could have been very clever. But he knew that this was not going to be helpful for the people. He relied ONLY on the power of the Holy Spirit.
Application
Well, the application seems pretty clear to me. I need to rely ONLY on the power of the Holy Spirit. I know I want to lead the people tomorrow to a place of encountering God, but I cannot do that with mere persuasive words. I need the power of God's Spirit to help me lead them. I also need to be filled with His Spirit. I can't live a distracted life ~ I need to live a focused life, focused on living in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Holy Spirit come, let this (my life) be your home, come and dwell among, all of us who sing this song. Come into this place, shine on every face, fill us with your love and grace, Holy Spirit come.

God Crosses First

Scripture
Deut 31:3 But the LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you.

Observation
There is a huge difference between trying to get God to bless what we are doing, and simply following Him in what He is doing. Moses promises that God will go ahead of them to lead them, or prepare the way for them. He would route their enemies. He would not leave them to be on their own. He would assure then of victory and life,

Application
I need the Lord to lead us into the promised land. In fact, the land is not just promised, but provided for.

Prayer
Father please lead me with Your Word Your Spirit and Your people. Please surround me with Joshua and Calebs.

God, it seems like You are going ahead of me/us to prepare the land for our building. I need Your assurance and confirmation,

Transformed - More Than Meets The Eye

Scripture
Galatians 6:15
It doesn't matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.

Observation
Paul is writing about what really matters. Our righteousness is not found in the law, nor I keeping the law. Keeping the law does not produce transformation, but transformation produces a life that keeps the law of Christ.

Application
Am I still living as a law keeper, or as a man who has been transformed? May the law of Christ be lived out from my transformation, that because I am a new creation, I love God and love people like crazy!

Prayer
Father, please continue to transform me, re-form me, change me. I thank You that I am a new creature, but please let that transforming truth be at work in my members, by Your Spirit. Hallelujah.

Spirit Led Every Part

Scripture
Galatians 5:25
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.

Observation
Living by the Spirit. It really is the Spirit that gives life. Following would indicate that the Spirit is actively leading. In every area, not just the 'spiritual' ones.

Application
I am very fond of the way this version reads. I do want to follow the Holy Spirits leading in every area, but in a way that is not spooky, but rather simply super-natural. His leading, prompting, nudging. It seems as the Holy Spirit does not yell very often, thus needing to be quiet to hear His voice. However, is that just my thought? What does scripture show about the Holy Spirit speaking?

Prayer
Father, please give me ears to hear what Your Spirit is saying to me, that I may be led in EVERY part of my life.

Human Attempt

Scripture
Galatians 4:23 The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God's promise.

Observation
Paul is speaking about Ishmael, and how Abraham tried to fulfill Gods promise his own way. Something was birthed, brought to life, that would grow to persecute Gods promise and plan.

Application
Oh foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you? Oh foolish Barry,who has cast a spell on you? How could I ever think that somehow Gods plan for me would be fulfilled by human effort, a work of the flesh? I need to be a man who walks in the Spirit, so close to the Lord. Only then can I really discover the fulfillment of Gods promises to me.

Prayer
Fill me Lord, with Your Holy Spirit. Baptist me afresh, anew. May I walk in Your Word, walk in Your Presence, and walk in a knowledge of Your plan and path to fulfill Your promises to me.

Re: Not In Our Home

Good one Dad! *Like* :)

On Thu, Mar 8, 2012 at 8:17 AM, Barry Marsten <barrymarsten@me.com> wrote:

Scripture
Deuteronomy 7:26
Do not bring any detestable objects into your home, for then you will be destroyed, just like them. You must utterly detest such things, for they are set apart for destruction.

Observation
As the children of Israel are about to enter the promised land, Moses gives strict instructions about keeping themselves separate from the inhabitants of the land. He is instructing them to avoid the traps that the enemy has set.  Of all that he says, he includes this command, to not bring idols into their homes. Do not have in your homes things that the Lord detests.

Application
This is an important command for my day and age. There are so many things in the world that are traps all around us, it is enough to face them when we are out of our home. I can't have those things in our home. The things I think of would include DVD's, Cable and the internet. What kind of filters do we need to have? What is acceptable violence, language, web browsing. What is amoral (Hogan?), etc. Audrey doesn't want 'cop shows' in our bedroom TV ~ so how does that affect our home? This is something we cannot ignore.

Prayer
Father God, please help all us Marstens to discover how we can honor You in our home in all of these areas. Bring us together in unity on these issues.  Amen

Because Of Me

Scripture
Galatians 1:24 And they praised God because of me.

Observation
Paul's conversion and his changed lifestyle caused people to praise the Lord. He was once an enemy of the cross, and now a servant of Christ, and people praised the Lord because of the marvelous transformation in his life.

Application
I want my life to give the church reason to think the Lord. Even though I am a follower of Jesus now, may there be such a transformation in my life now that people can praise the Lord for the change He has worked in me.

Prayer
Lord, please change me. I don't want to stay the same. I need Your power at work in me to help me become more like You. May I never stop growing from glory to glory. Amen.

Love Foreigners

Scripture
Deut 10:12
So you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.

Observation
This certainly is a theme throughout the old testament ~ being kind to foreigners. It seems as it means a lot to God. It probably helps Israel remember from where they have come, and to live as free people, not taskmasters.

Application
I am not someone who has lived in Egypt. I have never been in slavery, and I have not lived in another land. However, I do want to honor the Lord's command to take care of foreigners. I live in a city that has an ever increasing number of immigrants. I also pastor a church where a number of people have come from other lands, specifically Nigeria and the Philippines. I need to make sure I am showing love to them in tangible ways.

Prayer
Father, thank you for showing me this verse. I pray it might help shape me, and my church. May we love those who are not from Canada, and make them feel loved ~ actually feel it!

Not In Our Home

Scripture
Deuteronomy 7:26
Do not bring any detestable objects into your home, for then you will be destroyed, just like them. You must utterly detest such things, for they are set apart for destruction.

Observation
As the children of Israel are about to enter the promised land, Moses gives strict instructions about keeping themselves separate from the inhabitants of the land. He is instructing them to avoid the traps that the enemy has set. Of all that he says, he includes this command, to not bring idols into their homes. Do not have in your homes things that the Lord detests.

Application
This is an important command for my day and age. There are so many things in the world that are traps all around us, it is enough to face them when we are out of our home. I can't have those things in our home. The things I think of would include DVD's, Cable and the internet. What kind of filters do we need to have? What is acceptable violence, language, web browsing. What is amoral (Hogan?), etc. Audrey doesn't want 'cop shows' in our bedroom TV ~ so how does that affect our home? This is something we cannot ignore.

Prayer
Father God, please help all us Marstens to discover how we can honor You in our home in all of these areas. Bring us together in unity on these issues. Amen

Don't Ever Forget

Scripture.
Deut 6:12 be careful not to forget the LORD, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.

Observation
The children of Israel were not careful to remember. They regularly forgot, distracted by God's blessings and provision.

Application
I need to keep reminding myself and my family of the wonderful things the Lord has done for us, especially that He saved us and set us free from the penalty of sin.

Prayer
Father, thank You for saving me. Thank you for saving my family. May we all live in the awesome awareness of Your forgiveness, love and provision. And may we never forget to be eternally grateful.

Faith?

Scripture
Mark 11:24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

Observation
Jesus actually said these words. It was following Him cursing the fig tree and Peter being amazed that the tree dies so quickly, from the roots up. Anything. Believe.

Application
I honestly am not sure how to interpret this text. There are other Scriptures that come to mind about asking amiss, etc. But what of this text?

Prayer
Father, I pray that you would show me what it means to have this kind of faith. You know the impossible mountain we are facing. Increase my faith I pray.

Be Sure Your Sin...

Scripture
Numbers 32:23 ...be sure that your sin will find you out.

Application
I remember my mom teaching me this verse as a little boy. The illustration she used had something to do with a cookie jar. It wasn't that I took a cookie, but I guess that was something I could relate to. This verse was true for the children of Israel, for me as a boy, and true for me today. Everything that is hidden will be revealed.

Prayer
Lord, please help me to live a life of holiness, not hiding sin, but confessing it. Help me to honor You, and honor my mom.

Serving At Home

Scripture
Mark 9:35. “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

Observation
This is such an important Kingdom concept. Humility in serving. Servant leadership. Greatness through serving. In serving, you learn so much about true greatness.

Application
I think the application for me today is to apply this verse at home, to be a servant to my family. To model and demonstrate a servants heart and a servants actions.

Prayer
Father, please help me live a life like Jesus,who came not to be served, but to serve. Help me be mindful of ways I can serve Audrey, Douglas, Robyn and Emily Dawn