Saturday, October 27, 2012

Holistic Spirituality: part 4


As we continue to consider Holistic Spirituality and having an Integrated Life, consider some of the facets that we almost daily face.

1. The Lie of Compartmentalism

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
Colossians 3:23

2. The Focus of Our Heart

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

3. Splendor in the Ordinary

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:25-29
And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17
So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [the one I claim to be] and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." John 8:28-29
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

4. Temptations to Lose Our Focus

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, Ephesians 3:17

The subtle challenge at every turn of Materialism

Pleasing others: looking for Honor in the sight of others (Fear of Man)

5. Seeing Life from the Other Side

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26-27
And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33
To become a disciple of Jesus is to accept now that inversion of human distinctions that will soon or later be forced upon everyone by the irrestible reality of his kingdom. –Dallas Willard

6. The Highest Ambition

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, Philippians 3:10
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' Matthew 22:37
If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. Romans 6:5
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
Romans 6:8

7. A Single-Minded Pursuit

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:1-2

8. Jesus Christ: a component of Life or the Center of Life?

Monday, October 22, 2012

some early moring encouragement


In my devotions this morning I read the following by AW Tozer, may it encourage you as well.
 
Problems and Pressures: by A.W. Tozer

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Romans 8:35)

Jesus did not promise any of us that consistent Christian living would be easy! He did not promise a release from daily problems and pressures. He did not promise to take us to our heavenly home on a fluffy pink cloud! We live our lives in the knowledge of the grace of God, but we dare not forget that our Lord came to die for us and to express the never-changing moral and redemptive will of God for His people. Before we condemn the Jews of Bible history for their failures, we must be sure that we are not overlooking spiritual and moral shortcomings of our own! As Christian believers, you and I must be careful about the reasons we give for not heeding God's Word and God's warning from heaven. Have we taken His grace seriously enough that we have sought forgiveness for spiritual carelessness, indifference and apathy?

 

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Holistic Spirituality: part 3

Last time we looked at…
Seek The Fear of the Lord
Seek the Lord in Awe and Humility
Seek the Lord and distinguish between the Temporal VS the Eternal
Now consider Seeking The Lord by Seeking Wisdom, “seek a Heart of Wisdom”

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

The world exalts Knowledge, which we clearly need, God exalts wisdom. 

Where are the wise today?  Why do people lack wisdom today, except for the lack of God’s Word in our culture and a lack of Fearing God.

The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. Proverbs 10:27

The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

Here are some questions that revolve around wisdom and can spur us towards wisdom.

All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. Psalm 90:9
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

8 Key Questions

Q: What is Wisdom?

Q: How do we pursue Wisdom?

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11

Q: What are the conditions for attaining Wisdom?

Q: What is the Fear of the Lord?

Q: Why have so few people developed this twin attitude of awe and humility?

Q: What can enable us to reject the temporal value system and choose the eternal value system?

Q: How do we grow in our faith?

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:7-8

Q: How can we increase in our knowledge of God?

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Holistic Spirituality: part 2

After acknowledging that Jesus Christ is the Center of Everything, we must begin to seek Him out.

Seek The Fear of the Lord

And he said to man, 'The fear of the Lord--that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'" Job 28:28
 
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give m
e an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. Psalm 111:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1


Seek the Lord in Awe and Humility

The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Seek the Lord and distinguish between the Temporal VS the Eternal

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:2
We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. Psalm 90:7
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17

 Next Time Seeking the Lord with a Heart of Wisdom

All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. Psalm 90:9
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12