LEARN

The Pharisees in John 8 ask Jesus a question. Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say? As I look at this question I think, had they actually come to Jesus to learn something, I am sure they would have. However, as we know, they were not there to learn. They were there to try to trap Jesus so that they would have basis to accuse Him. So here is the question for us today. Why do we come to Jesus? Why do we go to church? Why do we pray? Why do we read the bible? Why do we do anything else that has to do with our faith? When we come before Jesus, do we come to learn? Or do we come for some other reason? Maybe we are not like the Pharisees in that we are not trying to trap Jesus to have a basis to accuse Him. But if we are not coming to Him to learn, well then we are not going to learn. And that is really sad because we could learn a lot if we continually came to Jesus with a heart open to hearing what it is that He wants to speak to us.

There is something that I know has happened as I have continued to grow in my faith. The more I know, the more I realize how much I don't really know. The more time I spend coming to Jesus with my agenda or to let Him know how much I know, the less I learn. But the more I come to Jesus seeking to learn, the more I learn. I am not talking about knowing the bible better or being able to remember verses or stuff like that, although those things are a beneficial byproduct of coming to Him. I am talking about learning about myself. Learning about the things in me that need to change so that I not only can draw closer to Jesus, but I can also begin to be more and more like Him.

We are called to learn. Let's be those who continue to do so all of our days.

Pastor Dale

LOVE

Being judgmental is pretty much the opposite of what we are called to do as followers of Christ which is to love one another. In John 8 we can see the Pharisees bringing this woman caught in the act of adultery before Jesus, not because they are trying to show her love but because they are trying to trap Jesus. There does nothing about what they are doing that could be considered loving toward Jesus or toward this woman. They decide basically that she is not worth anything except to be a pawn that can be sacrificed to further their agenda. When we judge we are doing the exact same thing. We are basically bringing that person before Jesus and pointing out everything that they are doing that we have decided is wrong. Or maybe they have actually done something that is opposed to God's word. Then we feel completely justified in throwing them at the feet of Jesus and pointing out all that they have done wrong. This is not the way Jesus operates with us and it is not the way we should operate with others.

We are called to love people. The bigger problem is that when we choose not to do that, when we choose to be judgmental instead, we are not only choosing not to love those people, we are also choosing not to love God. 1 John 4:20-21 says this, Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

Let's be those who love God and love people, no matter who they are or what they have done. Isn't that the way Jesus loves us??

-Pastor Dale

Listen

One thing that can cause us to be judgmental is not listening when we come to Jesus. In John 8 the Pharisees are bringing a woman caught in adultery before Jesus to try to trick Him. In verse 2 the bible says that Jesus was in the temple courts and the people were gathered around listening to Him teach. The Pharisees were clearly not there to listen to Jesus. Had they been listening at any point in Jesus ministry they would have already known the answer to their question. They did not want to hear what Jesus had to say on that subject or any other because it might cause them to have to do something different. It would definitely cause them to have to stop being judgmental. That is really the problem when we are not listening. We do stuff or say stuff or don't do stuff because that is what we feel like we need to do for whatever reason not because Jesus told us to. That is in no way putting your faith and trust in Jesus. That is putting your faith in yourself and what you think is best. When we come to Jesus and we have our own agenda already laid out, we are probably not going to be listening to Him. Not listening to Jesus will cause you to become a person who Judges others. When you continue to judge others, you will continue to not listen to Jesus.

However, if we choose to listen to Jesus we will walk in the love, grace, and forgiveness that He continually walks in with each of us. That is an excellent way to allow your faith to affect what you do. Let's stop being people who are judgmental and start being people who listen to Jesus.

-Pastor Dale

CHANGE.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ, yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:7-14

I think that we often see this passage of scripture as a good idea or something we should try to do when we get around to it. We think that pressing on means going to church a couple of times a week or trying to pray or read the bible on a semi-regular basis. I think that needs to change. If we are going to be those who press on and strain toward the CHANGE that God wants to take place in our lives, then we need to start taking proactive steps rather than just reacting to circumstances and situations. We have not been called to some mediocre, come when you feel like it, add it to your life if it is convenient, religious practice. We have been called into a dynamic, intimate, constant, ever-growing relationship with our creator through Christ Jesus. When we are convinced of that, we will walk in the fact that we are More Than Conquerors. We will begin to take territory in our lives rather than succumbing to the enemy's schemes. Let's press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of us.

Pastor Dale

Healing

As we spend time talking about the healing that Jesus offers to each of us, it is good to remember that we all need it in one way or another. Especially when we are talking about Him healing our hearts. Additionally it is important to remember that it doesn't really matter how your heart became damaged. The fact is we need healing. Jesus wants to heal us. Let's be those who receive the healing that Jesus has for us.

The Father's Business: Unity

I just want to take a minute and remind everyone that our Father is all about unity. His word says "We are the body of Christ and each one of us is part of it." For us that means that we get to begin by BELIEVING that is the truth. You are a vital part of the body of Christ. Secondly, it is important for us to BE the part that God has called us to be. Ask God what He wants you to do and do that. Lastly, we are part of the body to BENEFIT the rest of the body of Christ. As we do what it is God has called us to do we should remain focused on benefitting the body as a whole and benefitting those we come into contact with. Let's be about our Father's business, let's be about unity.

Pastor Dale

Forgive

To be those who truly forgive, we have to pray. We have to get the mind of Christ and how He sees others to be able to forgive. If we try to do it on our own, it will be difficult and sometimes frustrating. As we walk in forgiveness through prayer remember these four points: Personal: Pray for the person you need to forgive.

Refocus: Pray that you would always remember that God is in control and if He chooses to forgive, so should we.

Allow: Allow yourself to receive forgiveness.

Yield: Completely surrender yourself to God and His will.

The Lord's Prayer in Matt 6 is an excellent blueprint so that we can remain in a place of prayer and continue to forgive as the Lord forgave us.

The Father's Business: LOVE

If we are going to be those who are about our Father's business then the first thing that we need to do is to LOVE. Love God and love each other. To do that we have to stay connected to the Father and be recipients of His love at all times. When we do that it is much easier for His love to flow through us rather than trying to muster up love on our own power. As we stay connected to Him and receive the love that He so freely gives, we can then give out love. Four things to remember as you love one another:

1. Listen: Listen to what people are saying. Take the time to hear them and to understand them.

2. Overlook: Overlook petty faults and things that don't really matter. Instead of figuring out everyone's mistakes, overlook them and look for the positives.

3. Value: Value means to regard or highly esteem. What that means for us is to consider others better than ourselves.

4. Express: Express love in practical ways. Use the first three points to find ways to practically express love to others.

As He has loved us, so we should LOVE one another!

Incapable

God is calling each of us to do what it is that He desires for us to do. At that point, we are not incapable of doing it. He will give us all the tools necessary to accomplish His will. No longer should we be people who tell God what we can't do. Let's become people who allow God to work in our lives for His glory. You are capable of doing what God calls you to do. When you feel like you are incapable, remember: 1. FOCUS: Keep your attention directed toward Jesus and not on whatever circumstances are in front of you.

2. FOLLOW: Do what it is God tells you to do. He does not call us to understand everything, He calls us to follow Him.

3. FEAR: Be one who fears the Lord. This does not mean to be afraid of Him but to have a reverent awe that the creator of the universe wants us to participate in His plan.

4. FALL: Worship the Lord in everything you do. This is not just about singing. It is about living a life that worships Him every minute of every day. Offer your body as a living sacrifice, this is your spiritual act of worship. Rom12:1

-Pastor Dale

Wisdom

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: ²for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; ³ for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; ⁴ for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young⁵ let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance⁶ for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. ⁷The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

This passage at the beginning of Proverbs really breaks it down for us. Are we those who love to gain the instruction, wisdom, and understanding that the Lord wants to so freely give us or are we more like the fool, the one who despises wisdom and instruction? I think as believers we would say that we don't want to be fools. We want to be people who seek the instruction the Lord has to offer. The problem is that sometimes our actions don't line up with what we say. We learned last Wednesday that in the book of James, the main thing that James was talking about was listening and DOING. Let's not be those who say we are one thing but never back it up. Let us not be people who say with our mouths that we want to draw closer to God but in our hearts are far from Him. Let's listen to the Lord and do what He says, not because it is a requirement for salvation but because we have been saved!

Peace :)

Pastor Dale

Find The Good

¹⁹ I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.²⁰ I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.²¹ Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope. ²² Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail.²³ They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ²⁴ I say to myself, The Lord is my portion;therefore I will wait for him. ²⁵ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;²⁶ it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. ²⁷ It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. ²⁸ Let him sit alone in silence,for the Lord has laid it on him. ²⁹ Let him bury his face in the dust ^- there may yet be hope.³⁰ Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,and let him be filled with disgrace.³¹ For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.³² Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.³³ For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

Lam 3:19-33

On Sunday one of the points we went over was to FIND the good. Specifically, instead of finding all of the bad things in other people and being judgemental, we should be people who look to find the good. I think this passage in Lamentations is a good reminder for us not only to find the good in others but to remember to find the good that God continually does in our lives. The first two verses speak of the author's problems. Affliction, wandering, bitterness, and gall are the things that he lists that are obviously causes to why his soul is downcast. At that point, the author has a choice to continue to find the negative things going on in his life and focusing on them or he can do what he does which is turn his focus to the good that God does in his life. He starts finding the good and in that he IMMEDIATELY has hope. If today you find your soul downcast, read this passage of scripture and be reminded of the good that God has done, is doing, and will continue to do for you and let that give you hope. Your circumstance might not immediately change but your attitude about it can. As you read this, I challenge you to FIND THE GOOD!!

Peace :)

Pastor Dale

Peace

As I sit here this evening, I am so thankful for the peace that Jesus offers us. Philippians 4:7 says, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This is such an amazing statement. God's peace is larger than our understanding. This peace, when accessed, allows us to get through tough times. It allows us to forgive people who have hurt us, even if they didn't ask for it. It allows us to walk through trials and persecution without letting them bring us down. In addition to that, it allows us to have peace when things are going great. When everything is falling in line. When relationships are growing and life seems to be flowing along nicely. But, do we have peace in one situation and not the other? Do we freak when bad things happen and we are OK if everything is going good? Or do we do well when things are falling apart but lack peace when things are going good, always waiting for the other shoe to drop? These are questions we have to ask ourselves. If we have peace when things are going great but not when things are going bad, or vice versa, do we really have peace? Or have we just learned how to cope in certain situations? Only you can answer that question, but what I can tell you is that God's peace transcends all understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. And that type of peace allows you to get through the good and the bad connected to the one who provides the peace. Peace. :)

Pastor Dale

Welcome

Welcome to my first ever blog. My hope is that I can give you some practical application during the week through this blog. I probably won't post on here daily but it will be regularly enough that you should come back and check it often. If you ever have any comments or questions or feedback, please feel free to contact me at dale@lifechangechurch.info. For today, be blessed and be a blessing. :) Pastor Dale