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Sincerely,
Pinelake Church
Monday, April 7, 2008
The Invitation
Scripture:
“Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works in man’s behalf. Come and listen, all you who fear God, let me tell you what He has done for me.” Psalm 66:5,16
Observation:
These are invitations. The psalmist is calling all the earth (v. 1) and those who fear God (v. 16) to see and listen to the great works of our God. He paints a picture of a glorious and powerful God whose opposition trembles, and who creation praises in humble reverence. He tells the story of great and wondrous things God has done like turning the sea into dry land (v. 6). It is an invitation to see and hear the story of God’s glory.
Application:
This is a call to tell the story of the great things God has done in my life. To invite others into the pages of my experiences with God. It is an opportunity to boast in all that He has delivered me from. Am I still enough to be able to see and hear what God is doing in my life and in the lives of people around me, or am I too busy with my own agenda? I need to take time to remember how God has poured His grace over my life. It is easy to get caught up in present troubles and forget about what God has done in the past.
Prayer:
God, help me to be a man who invites others into my life to tell the story of Your grace and love over my life. Help me to remember all the things, even things that may seem small and not as significant as some bigger things, that You have done in my life. Please use my life to invite others to You.
— Jason Elam, worship pastor
“Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works in man’s behalf. Come and listen, all you who fear God, let me tell you what He has done for me.” Psalm 66:5,16
Observation:
These are invitations. The psalmist is calling all the earth (v. 1) and those who fear God (v. 16) to see and listen to the great works of our God. He paints a picture of a glorious and powerful God whose opposition trembles, and who creation praises in humble reverence. He tells the story of great and wondrous things God has done like turning the sea into dry land (v. 6). It is an invitation to see and hear the story of God’s glory.
Application:
This is a call to tell the story of the great things God has done in my life. To invite others into the pages of my experiences with God. It is an opportunity to boast in all that He has delivered me from. Am I still enough to be able to see and hear what God is doing in my life and in the lives of people around me, or am I too busy with my own agenda? I need to take time to remember how God has poured His grace over my life. It is easy to get caught up in present troubles and forget about what God has done in the past.
Prayer:
God, help me to be a man who invites others into my life to tell the story of Your grace and love over my life. Help me to remember all the things, even things that may seem small and not as significant as some bigger things, that You have done in my life. Please use my life to invite others to You.
— Jason Elam, worship pastor
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Righteousness = Gladness
Scripture:
Psalm 64:10 — “The righteous man will be glad in the Lord and will take refuge in Him, and all the upright in heart will glory.”
Observation:
Righteous living leads to a life of gladness and joy. This doesn’t mean life is without trouble. Jesus made it very clear when He said, “In this world you will have trouble.” The good thing is that when trouble comes for the righteous man, he can continue to walk in gladness because he has a place of refuge in the Lord. I guess the key for me is “in the Lord” and “in Him.”
Application:
Am I glad “in the Lord”? or am I glad in stuff — possessions. Is it walking with Jesus and learning more about His heart and taking refuge in Him that brings me gladness and joy, or do I try too often to find my pleasure in temporary things?
Prayer:
God, I desire to pursue righteousness and to live a righteous life… to find my joy in gladness in you only. When enemies attack and life is cruel, may I seek refuge in You and not try to fight alone.
— Jason Elam, worship pastor
Psalm 64:10 — “The righteous man will be glad in the Lord and will take refuge in Him, and all the upright in heart will glory.”
Observation:
Righteous living leads to a life of gladness and joy. This doesn’t mean life is without trouble. Jesus made it very clear when He said, “In this world you will have trouble.” The good thing is that when trouble comes for the righteous man, he can continue to walk in gladness because he has a place of refuge in the Lord. I guess the key for me is “in the Lord” and “in Him.”
Application:
Am I glad “in the Lord”? or am I glad in stuff — possessions. Is it walking with Jesus and learning more about His heart and taking refuge in Him that brings me gladness and joy, or do I try too often to find my pleasure in temporary things?
Prayer:
God, I desire to pursue righteousness and to live a righteous life… to find my joy in gladness in you only. When enemies attack and life is cruel, may I seek refuge in You and not try to fight alone.
— Jason Elam, worship pastor
Saturday, April 5, 2008
God's Amazing Sovereignty
Scripture:
Ruth 1:16 — “But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God.’”
Observation:
Ruth was not required or obliged to give any allegiance to Naomi. Naomi had no more sons to offer and wouldn’t be able to have any more sons that Ruth could marry. Therefore, Ruth had the freedom to return to her home with her family where she still had the opportunity to marry and start a family of her own. Yet she chose to stay with Naomi even though it appeared that Naomi would live out the rest of her life in depression due to the assumption that God was against her. In looking at what becomes of Ruth’s life it is obvious that God’s sovereignty was all over her as she goes on to be one of the four women that is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus.
Application:
By being one of God’s children, I can see where his sovereign hand has been all over my life. Otherwise, my purpose and direction for my life would have superseded his and I would not be living for him today. Even though I have the ability to make my own choices, God is the ultimate Good Father and out of his love for me, he wants me to experience the fullness of this life. And he knows that only happens when I live for the purpose He has created me for. Therefore He will guide and direct my life in a way that allows me the opportunity to experience the goodness that comes from living under the umbrella of his will and purpose for my life.
Prayer:
Father God, You are a good father. You have taken care of me even when I acted like I wasn’t a child of yours. Thank you for your continued love and for not removing your hand from my life. Forgive me for my unfaithfulness. Unlike Naomi, you have everything to offer me, but may my devotion to you be not based on what you can give me but based on what you have already given through your sacrificial love in the death of Christ. As I look to become a father, may I love my children out of the grace and mercy that you extend through your love for me. And may your hand be on their life as it always has been on mine.
— Jared Yates, small groups pastor, college & single adults, Reservoir campus
Ruth 1:16 — “But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God.’”
Observation:
Ruth was not required or obliged to give any allegiance to Naomi. Naomi had no more sons to offer and wouldn’t be able to have any more sons that Ruth could marry. Therefore, Ruth had the freedom to return to her home with her family where she still had the opportunity to marry and start a family of her own. Yet she chose to stay with Naomi even though it appeared that Naomi would live out the rest of her life in depression due to the assumption that God was against her. In looking at what becomes of Ruth’s life it is obvious that God’s sovereignty was all over her as she goes on to be one of the four women that is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus.
Application:
By being one of God’s children, I can see where his sovereign hand has been all over my life. Otherwise, my purpose and direction for my life would have superseded his and I would not be living for him today. Even though I have the ability to make my own choices, God is the ultimate Good Father and out of his love for me, he wants me to experience the fullness of this life. And he knows that only happens when I live for the purpose He has created me for. Therefore He will guide and direct my life in a way that allows me the opportunity to experience the goodness that comes from living under the umbrella of his will and purpose for my life.
Prayer:
Father God, You are a good father. You have taken care of me even when I acted like I wasn’t a child of yours. Thank you for your continued love and for not removing your hand from my life. Forgive me for my unfaithfulness. Unlike Naomi, you have everything to offer me, but may my devotion to you be not based on what you can give me but based on what you have already given through your sacrificial love in the death of Christ. As I look to become a father, may I love my children out of the grace and mercy that you extend through your love for me. And may your hand be on their life as it always has been on mine.
— Jared Yates, small groups pastor, college & single adults, Reservoir campus
Friday, April 4, 2008
Daily Renewal
Scripture:
II Corinthians 4:16 — “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
Observation:
There are so many products in the marketplace to make us look younger or attempt to slow down the process of aging. No matter how effective though, nothing can stop us from aging and eventually dying. But Paul says to “not lose heart” because what is important is what’s happening inwardly.
Application:
Am I being renewed day by day? Do I worry more about my outward appearance than making sure I allow Christ to renew me from within? Since my inward renewed self will ultimately take over for my dying body, do I treat it like it’s the most important thing; the area that Christ is constantly refining, growing, challenging and smoothing out?
Prayer:
Father God, your word says that you care about the heart. Please purify and cleanse my heart so the Holy Spirit can continue to transform me day by day. You said “our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” and it is the fact that the Holy Spirit resides in me that makes me yours. Otherwise my body is good for not much of anything. So use you Spirit to renew me from the inside out.
— Jared Yates, small groups pastor, college & single adults, Reservoir campus
II Corinthians 4:16 — “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
Observation:
There are so many products in the marketplace to make us look younger or attempt to slow down the process of aging. No matter how effective though, nothing can stop us from aging and eventually dying. But Paul says to “not lose heart” because what is important is what’s happening inwardly.
Application:
Am I being renewed day by day? Do I worry more about my outward appearance than making sure I allow Christ to renew me from within? Since my inward renewed self will ultimately take over for my dying body, do I treat it like it’s the most important thing; the area that Christ is constantly refining, growing, challenging and smoothing out?
Prayer:
Father God, your word says that you care about the heart. Please purify and cleanse my heart so the Holy Spirit can continue to transform me day by day. You said “our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” and it is the fact that the Holy Spirit resides in me that makes me yours. Otherwise my body is good for not much of anything. So use you Spirit to renew me from the inside out.
— Jared Yates, small groups pastor, college & single adults, Reservoir campus
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Reflecting the Radiance of the Glory of God
Scripture:
II Corinthians 3:17–18 — “Now the lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Observation:
We are being transformed into the same image of Christ, from one degree of glory to another. What a powerful statement and process! Sometimes I wonder if I am becoming more and more like Christ. His word tells me that I am supposed to be. Bust as I make progress (or at least think I am) I realize all the more the progress I have yet to make.
Application:
Does my face reflect His glory? Is it increasing? Is there a need for me to hide it? Do I got to him often enough that there isn’t time for it to fade? What are some ways that I have been transformed? What are some ways that I have yet to be transformed?
Prayer:
Father God, Please continue to be patient with me through this process of sanctification. I want to be more and more like Christ, but it is such a daunting and impossible task. But you remind me that if I will live for you each day, your Spirit will slowly transform me to be the man you created me to be - a man in the image of Christ. Thank you for not giving up on me.
— Jared Yates, small groups pastor, college & single adults, Reservoir campus
II Corinthians 3:17–18 — “Now the lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Observation:
We are being transformed into the same image of Christ, from one degree of glory to another. What a powerful statement and process! Sometimes I wonder if I am becoming more and more like Christ. His word tells me that I am supposed to be. Bust as I make progress (or at least think I am) I realize all the more the progress I have yet to make.
Application:
Does my face reflect His glory? Is it increasing? Is there a need for me to hide it? Do I got to him often enough that there isn’t time for it to fade? What are some ways that I have been transformed? What are some ways that I have yet to be transformed?
Prayer:
Father God, Please continue to be patient with me through this process of sanctification. I want to be more and more like Christ, but it is such a daunting and impossible task. But you remind me that if I will live for you each day, your Spirit will slowly transform me to be the man you created me to be - a man in the image of Christ. Thank you for not giving up on me.
— Jared Yates, small groups pastor, college & single adults, Reservoir campus
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
A Sweet Smell to God
Scripture:
II Corinthians 2:15-16 — “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?”
Observation:
It is because of Christ I have this fragrance surrounding me. And it is to God that we offer the fragrance of Christ. The fact that other people sense the aroma that is put off and how the scent hits them depends on where they are with Christ.
Application:
Usually when people put on a fragrance it is for their significant other or all others, but here it says that our fragrance from Christ is to God. God is the one I offer my fragrance to, not others. And due to Him filling my Spirit, others can sense the aroma of Christ in me.
Prayer:
Father God, Help me to remember that it’s for you I live my life. Not for others. If my focus remains on you, others will see an example of a Holy life. If I lose focus and begin to look and listen to people instead of you, my vessel of fragrance becomes filled with the wrong perfume and doesn’t smell sweet at all. May I look to you and offer my life to you. Use me as your vessel.
— Jared Yates, small groups pastor, college & single adults, Reservoir campus
II Corinthians 2:15-16 — “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?”
Observation:
It is because of Christ I have this fragrance surrounding me. And it is to God that we offer the fragrance of Christ. The fact that other people sense the aroma that is put off and how the scent hits them depends on where they are with Christ.
Application:
Usually when people put on a fragrance it is for their significant other or all others, but here it says that our fragrance from Christ is to God. God is the one I offer my fragrance to, not others. And due to Him filling my Spirit, others can sense the aroma of Christ in me.
Prayer:
Father God, Help me to remember that it’s for you I live my life. Not for others. If my focus remains on you, others will see an example of a Holy life. If I lose focus and begin to look and listen to people instead of you, my vessel of fragrance becomes filled with the wrong perfume and doesn’t smell sweet at all. May I look to you and offer my life to you. Use me as your vessel.
— Jared Yates, small groups pastor, college & single adults, Reservoir campus
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
It's All His Anyway
Scripture:
Psalm 50:9–12 — “I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.”
Observation:
I so easily forget that God owns everything. It doesn’t take me long before I begin to think that I actually have some possessions, something to call mine. But God reminds me that He is the Creator and Owner of all. The world and everything in it belongs to Him.
Application:
All to often I allow my selfish, human nature to take over and I begin to claim possessions or make entitlements. Do I believe that all God has blessed me with is solely mine? Or is it meant to be used in a way that is a blessing to others? Or are there even times when it is meant to be given away? Realizing that it is all God’s anyway and He can us me as a conduit to bless others.
Prayer:
Father God, Help me to appreciate the many ways you blessed me. Also help me to realize that all this stuff (money, house, land, cars, clothes, etc.) all I have, is from you and therefore yours to do as you please. If I am daily laying down my life and taking on your will; help me to also lay down anything and everything else that I think I may be entitled to or possess and take on the freedom that you want me to live in.
— Jared Yates, small groups pastor, college & single adults, Reservoir campus
Psalm 50:9–12 — “I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.”
Observation:
I so easily forget that God owns everything. It doesn’t take me long before I begin to think that I actually have some possessions, something to call mine. But God reminds me that He is the Creator and Owner of all. The world and everything in it belongs to Him.
Application:
All to often I allow my selfish, human nature to take over and I begin to claim possessions or make entitlements. Do I believe that all God has blessed me with is solely mine? Or is it meant to be used in a way that is a blessing to others? Or are there even times when it is meant to be given away? Realizing that it is all God’s anyway and He can us me as a conduit to bless others.
Prayer:
Father God, Help me to appreciate the many ways you blessed me. Also help me to realize that all this stuff (money, house, land, cars, clothes, etc.) all I have, is from you and therefore yours to do as you please. If I am daily laying down my life and taking on your will; help me to also lay down anything and everything else that I think I may be entitled to or possess and take on the freedom that you want me to live in.
— Jared Yates, small groups pastor, college & single adults, Reservoir campus
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