July 25, 2011 Monday Message:
David: “The LORD is my light and my salvation — whom then shall I fear?” Psalms 27:1a
In David’s language, it’s not just, “the Lord.” David is speaking, probably shouting, the actual name of God – YHWH. Go ahead – try it first with some names that you already know. Shout them out!
“Bob is my light!”
“Nancy is my salvation!”
And now with God’s name: “Yahweh is my light and my salvation!!!”
See how that works? Good job!
And there’s emphasis on the “IS.” So this is a rather bold statement! David is crazy about God just as Paul was crazy for Jesus. David’s love for God was all consuming. This is the same David who, while celebrating the return of the Ark to Jerusalem, caroused up and down the street singing songs, playing musical instruments, dancing and blowing the shofar — over-the-top worship!
Whom then shall I fear? First, fear no man. Christ’s light may shine through us or reflect off of us, but no one among us is the source of that light. And no one among us can grant the others salvation.
If God is your source of light and the anchor of your salvation, whom should you fear? Fear our triune God: the Lord YHWH, his Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Show our God all the honor, respect and glory suitable for the creator of all that we know, and all that we don’t know. Celebrate in a big way, like David, who was “certain that he would see the LORD's goodness in this present life.” Psalm 27:13
Are you as “certain” as David?
Norton Lawellin
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Hope through Jesus
July 18, 2011 Monday Message:
“Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” Romans 8:34 (NLT)
When Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice on the cross, the sacrifice that would rescue all of mankind from our sinful condition, it wasn’t a short-term deal. You see, when Jesus takes on a task, he sees it through to completion.
So when Jesus rose from the dead and subsequently ascended into heaven, he didn’t take a holiday. Jesus said that he would “go to prepare a place for us.” John 14:2b (NKJV) Also, God said that he would prepare a city for us. Hebrews 11:16b (NKJV) Sounds like they’re on the same page? Well remember that the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are of one mind. “The Father and I are one.” John 10:30 (HCSB)
Jesus is pleading your case before the Father, right now. Your sponsor, your advocate, is sitting at the right hand of the Father, bending his ear, right now. Reservations have been made for you in the heavenly city, a place has been prepared, and Jesus will not change his mind about bringing you home. He’s like a rock, the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (HCSB)
If your faith, hope and trust reside in Jesus, then we’ll all meet in heaven. “You were given this hope when you were saved.” Romans 8:24a (NLT)
That’s what the Bible says.
Norton Lawellin
“Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” Romans 8:34 (NLT)
When Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice on the cross, the sacrifice that would rescue all of mankind from our sinful condition, it wasn’t a short-term deal. You see, when Jesus takes on a task, he sees it through to completion.
So when Jesus rose from the dead and subsequently ascended into heaven, he didn’t take a holiday. Jesus said that he would “go to prepare a place for us.” John 14:2b (NKJV) Also, God said that he would prepare a city for us. Hebrews 11:16b (NKJV) Sounds like they’re on the same page? Well remember that the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are of one mind. “The Father and I are one.” John 10:30 (HCSB)
Jesus is pleading your case before the Father, right now. Your sponsor, your advocate, is sitting at the right hand of the Father, bending his ear, right now. Reservations have been made for you in the heavenly city, a place has been prepared, and Jesus will not change his mind about bringing you home. He’s like a rock, the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (HCSB)
If your faith, hope and trust reside in Jesus, then we’ll all meet in heaven. “You were given this hope when you were saved.” Romans 8:24a (NLT)
That’s what the Bible says.
Norton Lawellin
Monday, July 11, 2011
First vs Last
July 11, 2011 Monday Message:
Jesus: “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35b (TNIV)
2000 years ago, the Pharisees were first. They were trusted with God’s law and knew every word.
But Jesus discerned that while the Pharisees understood the words, they did not understand the intent, the spirit behind God’s laws. They had memorized each rule on an individual basis, but could not see the big picture, how they should truly love God and also love their neighbor. Trust Jesus to turn the system upside-down!
Jesus says each of us is to serve: serve God, serve the church, serve each other. The word in verse 35 is not doulos, which would mean a slave, one who has no choice in serving. Rather, the word used is diakonos, a deliberate, voluntary choice to freely attend to the needs of others.
According to Jesus, greatness in the kingdom is not determined by status, but by service. By turning the system upside-down, he was actually amending things, putting things back the way they belonged in the first place.
Remember to wash a few feet this week!
Norton Lawellin
I’ll be teaching “First, Last, and Everything In Between,” at New Hope Center Chapel this Friday, 7PM.
Jesus: “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35b (TNIV)
2000 years ago, the Pharisees were first. They were trusted with God’s law and knew every word.
But Jesus discerned that while the Pharisees understood the words, they did not understand the intent, the spirit behind God’s laws. They had memorized each rule on an individual basis, but could not see the big picture, how they should truly love God and also love their neighbor. Trust Jesus to turn the system upside-down!
Jesus says each of us is to serve: serve God, serve the church, serve each other. The word in verse 35 is not doulos, which would mean a slave, one who has no choice in serving. Rather, the word used is diakonos, a deliberate, voluntary choice to freely attend to the needs of others.
According to Jesus, greatness in the kingdom is not determined by status, but by service. By turning the system upside-down, he was actually amending things, putting things back the way they belonged in the first place.
Remember to wash a few feet this week!
Norton Lawellin
I’ll be teaching “First, Last, and Everything In Between,” at New Hope Center Chapel this Friday, 7PM.
Monday, July 4, 2011
A Message with Power!
July 04, 2011 Monday Message:
Paul: “Our Gospel came to you not as mere words, but as a message with power behind it - the effectual power, in fact, of the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 1:5a (Phillips)
The Good News in the Bible is much greater than any collection of words. What sets words in scripture apart from words in newspapers, magazines, and nowadays the internet, is that God’s words come with power - the power for healing, the power for miracles, the power to change minds, change hearts, and change lives. The Gospel comes with the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit can change the heart of one who hears God’s message of truth, and give each of us exactly what we need – comfort for the distressed, instruction for those who seek, and conviction for those weary of fence-sitting.
Paul actually writes that the Gospel “be-comes” to you; you “grow” into it. God’s Word seems to get better all the time, its power increases, and your understanding of the teaching increases. The power of the Holy Spirit within you increases, your confidence to carry the message increases, and your assurance of salvation shines on your face. Everyone can clearly see that you are radically changed in a positive way!
So grab your Bible, call on the Holy Spirit, and “…let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Romans 12:2a (NLT)
Norton Lawellin
Paul: “Our Gospel came to you not as mere words, but as a message with power behind it - the effectual power, in fact, of the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 1:5a (Phillips)
The Good News in the Bible is much greater than any collection of words. What sets words in scripture apart from words in newspapers, magazines, and nowadays the internet, is that God’s words come with power - the power for healing, the power for miracles, the power to change minds, change hearts, and change lives. The Gospel comes with the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit can change the heart of one who hears God’s message of truth, and give each of us exactly what we need – comfort for the distressed, instruction for those who seek, and conviction for those weary of fence-sitting.
Paul actually writes that the Gospel “be-comes” to you; you “grow” into it. God’s Word seems to get better all the time, its power increases, and your understanding of the teaching increases. The power of the Holy Spirit within you increases, your confidence to carry the message increases, and your assurance of salvation shines on your face. Everyone can clearly see that you are radically changed in a positive way!
So grab your Bible, call on the Holy Spirit, and “…let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Romans 12:2a (NLT)
Norton Lawellin
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