The Power Behind the People
Sandy Westra
S: I Cor. 3:7 "So neither he who plants, nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."
O: Paul was admonishing the Corinthian church members because it appears that they were becoming divided over "following" various personalities--Apollos, Paul, etc. Paul reminds them that they are losing sight of whom they should be focusing their devotion--GOD himself. Worldy teachers and leaders are merely servants, performing necessary and important work, but always subserviant to the master--God. This passage reminds me that GOD is the one who makes things grow. People are certainly vital instruments to fulfill God's work, but they have no power of their own to make anything grow.
A: As I consider the very real possibility that Andy and Jacie will be leaving Bridgeway, my natural inclination is to worry about the fate of our church if that happens, since both of them have been so foundational in shaping and maintaining what Bridgeway is.
This passage says to me: "Stop worrying! Andy and Jacie are simply tools used by God. GOD is the force behind what Bridgeway is and He's not going anywhere! He has every power to continue to make it thrive and be healthy."
Also from today's Bible reading: Joshua 1:6-9: Three times it says "Be strong and courageous." The Israelites were facing uncertainty and trepidation as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, but God promised great blessing on the other side. "Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
March 13, 2009
Keep a Spiritual Shovel Handy!
Sandy Westra
S: Deut. 23:14 "For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you."
O: This passage hit me kind of funny to be found in the Bible--the verses before this refer to the mundane issue of designating places outside of the camp to relieve yourself, and being sure to have something with you to dig with--always cover it up! Vs 14 goes so far as to say if God saw such things lying around, he might turn away from the people...pretty serious stuff.
A: I think this passage can be read with a deeper spiritual application, too. I see two forces at work here--God and us--to facilitate God's unleashing his full power on our behalf. Vs 14 says God makes the first move to come into "our camp" because it is his desire to help us. Our job, then, is to create an environment where God is pleased to stick around. He is offended by our "crap" (pardon the French!). Even after we've been washed clean by Jesus' blood, we need to daily strive to keep our "spiritual grounds" as neat and tidy as we can. Our hearts should be an attractive environment for the Holy Spirit to reside.
It awes me that what I do or harbor in my heart might have an effect of facilitating or hindering God's action in my life. I need to keep a spiritual shovel handy at all times!
Sandy Westra
S: Deut. 23:14 "For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you."
O: This passage hit me kind of funny to be found in the Bible--the verses before this refer to the mundane issue of designating places outside of the camp to relieve yourself, and being sure to have something with you to dig with--always cover it up! Vs 14 goes so far as to say if God saw such things lying around, he might turn away from the people...pretty serious stuff.
A: I think this passage can be read with a deeper spiritual application, too. I see two forces at work here--God and us--to facilitate God's unleashing his full power on our behalf. Vs 14 says God makes the first move to come into "our camp" because it is his desire to help us. Our job, then, is to create an environment where God is pleased to stick around. He is offended by our "crap" (pardon the French!). Even after we've been washed clean by Jesus' blood, we need to daily strive to keep our "spiritual grounds" as neat and tidy as we can. Our hearts should be an attractive environment for the Holy Spirit to reside.
It awes me that what I do or harbor in my heart might have an effect of facilitating or hindering God's action in my life. I need to keep a spiritual shovel handy at all times!
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