Month: August 2013

Leviticus 4:22
“When a ruler hath sinned, and done somewhat through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD his God concerning things which should not be done, and is guilty;”

It is interesting that one of the first people God deals with about sin is the ruler. Before God deals with the common person, He deals with those in charge. The reason God deals with those in charge is because they must not think their position excuses them from sin. They must not think that they can do things and get away with it just because they have a position.

In my lifetime, I have watched many leaders live as if they are above the laws that they are to enforce. I have watched political leaders think they can lie, cheat and intimidate those whom they lead and think they can get away with it. I have watched pastors and spiritual leaders act in ways that are not becoming of their position. Likewise, parents must realize that they are not above the rules by which they expect their children to live. Position does not excuse you from the laws that you are to enforce, rather, if anything, leaders should hold themselves to a higher standard than to what they hold their followers. As a leader, you must always remember that your position does not place you above the rules. Every leader, no matter what area it may be in, is to live by the same rules that the follower is to obey.

Moreover, those in position are just as fallible as those whom they lead. If you are not careful, you will think your position will keep you from falling into sin, and that just isn’t true. Every leader must be very careful that they realize they are still human. They must realize that a position does not take away their fallibility. This is why leaders must live by the same rules they expect their followers to live by. If they don’t, then they will find themselves falling into sin like others have. Your humanity does not change because you are a leader.

Furthermore, when a leader sins, they need to face their guilt just like a follower. Admitting your wrong does not make you a weaker leader; rather, it strengthens you as a person and as a leader. Nothing frustrates followers more than leaders who won’t admit when they have done wrong. If you are a leader and you do wrong, then don’t make others force you to admit your wrong, instead, be the first to step up and admit it.

Finally, position does not mean you shouldn’t be punished. We must always remember there are consequences to sin. Leaders are not above those consequences. When King David sinned, he faced the consequences of his sin. When King Saul sinned, he had to face the consequences for his sin. God did not excuse the consequences just because they had a position. The sooner you face the consequences for your sin, the sooner you can move on and help those whom you lead.

To hold a position is a privilege, and the greater the position the greater the consequences to your sin. If you will always keep in mind that you are human, and that no position excuses you from the consequences of sin, then you will have a better chance of avoiding sin. Only those who take their position for granted and think they are above the rules end up falling into sin. Whatever your position may be, always keep in mind that position is never an excuse to do wrong.

Exodus 33:3
“Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.”

To have something, and then to lose it must leave the emptiest feeling. To know the joy and fulfillment of experiencing one’s presence, and then to know that they will no longer be with you is a terrible feeling. Several times in the Scriptures I see where someone experienced the presence of God and then lost it. Each time it left an empty feeling.

In the verse above, God told the children of Israel that He would no longer “go up in the midst of thee.” Imagine what the children of Israel must have felt. They saw God work in their midst in the land of Egypt. They saw God deliver them from Pharaoh’s hand. They saw God part the Red Sea and go before them. They saw God send manna from Heaven every day. They knew what it was like to have the presence of God. Yet, God said He would no longer be in their presence. Oh, the emptiness this left. This emptiness was there all because of sin.

I think of Samson who knew what it was like to have the presence of God. From his birth, Samson had God’s mighty power upon his life. He was set apart by God to deliver the children of Israel from the Philistines. He felt God’s presence working in his life several times as he defeated Israel’s greatest enemy. He knew the satisfying feeling that God’s presence gave. Yet, because he never dealt with his sin, he lost the presence, and the emptiness that it left must have been great.

I think of Saul who in the beginning years of his reign experienced the presence of God. He experienced God’s presence in such a manner that he prophesied when others could not. He knew what it was like to have God’s presence. Yet, one act of disobedience left him without the presence of God. One act of sin left an emptiness that he never got back.

We could talk of the disciples on the road to Emmaus who knew God’s presence, and in a moment it was gone. We could talk of Judas Iscariot who experienced that presence, and in an act of greed he lost it. To have the presence of God, and then lose it because of sin can leave an empty feeling.

Friend, don’t ever take for granted God’s presence in your life. No, you will never lose your salvation, but you can lose that sweet power of God on your life. If you know what it’s like to have God work through you, I implore you not to take that presence for granted.

Always realize that it only takes one act of sin to lose the presence of Almighty God. No, you won’t lose your salvation, but you will lose the sweet power of God on your life. To know what it’s like to have God’s power, and then for there to be that emptiness of the absence of God’s power is a terrible feeling.

Before you ever choose to sin, ask yourself if you are willing to lose the presence of God’s power in your life. God is not obligated to empower you again, so don’t do something that would cause you to lose His sweet power. I encourage you today to be sure that there is nothing between you and the Saviour. If there is, remove it so you don’t lose His presence in your life. Don’t ever give God a reason to say that He will no longer be in your midst. Always live your life so that God will want to be in your midst because you make Him feel welcome.

Exodus 18:13
“And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.”

Moses found himself in the same trap that many pastors are in today. Moses had become the spokesperson for God to the children of Israel. The mistake the children of Israel made was that they didn’t pray to God like Moses did. Instead, they stood in a line to get advice from Moses. According to the Scriptures, this line was so long that Moses advised the people from “morning unto the evening.” It is no wonder that Moses’ temper was so short. Anybody who would have to deal with judging people this long on a daily basis would become frustrated.

What is interesting is that Moses didn’t go to the top of Mt. Sinai to get answers from God about the issues these people needed solved. No, Moses had to study the Scriptures that they had and spend time daily in prayer to get the wisdom from God with which to help these people. These people were literally wearing Moses out when they could have solved many of their issues by going to God themselves and learn His wisdom regarding their situation.

One of the most troubling things I see in churches today is how the people weary their man of God. Don’t get me wrong, the ministry is all about people, but I watch people needlessly wear the man of God out with questions that they could have answered themselves if they would go to God. Let me make this clear, I am not against you going to your pastor to get advice regarding situations that you face in your life, but I am against you going to him before you go to God.

Many Christians today have made their pastor their god. They’re pastor probably gives the same advice as God would give, but before they go to God, Christians run to their pastor. Before you ever go to your pastor to get his advice on your situation, I believe there are some things you should do so that you can keep from expending your man of God.

First, daily study the Scriptures to find God’s wisdom concerning your situation. I have found in my own life that God oftentimes gives me wisdom about a situation I am going to face before I face it. When God gives me His wisdom concerning situations, I write them down in a journal and keep them for later. If you will keep a journal of your daily Scripture reading and what you’ve learned, you will find much of the advice you need has already been given to you.

Second, go to God in prayer and ask Him for His advice concerning your situation. I know this sounds very simple, but sadly most people have never even prayed about their situation before they run to their pastor for advice. God has the wisdom for you, but He will not give it to you until you ask Him for it in prayer.

Third, listen to the weekly sermons of your pastor. Most of the time you will find God has already given you the wisdom you needed in the preaching time. This is why it is critical for you to listen intently to every sermon that is preached. You may not need the content of the sermon today, but you will need it sometime down the road. Listen to sermons and take notes so that you can use the godly advice from the sermon in your time of need.

Once you have taken these three steps, and if God has not shown you what to do in your situation, then go to your pastor for his advice. You will find that you can keep from wearying your pastor if you will let God show His advice to you through your personal time with Him. Yes, it is good to go to your pastor for advice, but be sure you go to God before you go to your pastor.

Exodus 1:17
“But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.”

As a Christian, you must never lose sight of Whom you are serving. We often hear how we are to be loyal to authority, and I agree to this to an extent, but we must determine to which authority we are to be loyal. If we follow the wrong authority, then we could easily find ourselves following them into compromise or sin.

One of the best stories to show us which authority to follow is the story of the midwives. The midwives worked directly for Pharaoh. Because the children of Israel were growing so rapidly in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh called the midwives in and told them that every time a male child was born that they were to kill the baby. You must understand that these midwives probably had worked for Pharaoh for many years. They had developed a loyalty to this man. Yet, he asked them to do something that was against God’s Word. Because Pharaoh asked them to do something that was against God’s Word, they “did not as the king of Egypt commanded them.” This disobedience to the king of Egypt put their lives in jeopardy, but they feared God more than they feared Pharaoh. They realized that God was their highest authority, and they must serve the higher authority. This action resulted in God blessing the midwives.

Christian, you must determine whom you are serving. I know we often say that we are serving God, but are we? I hear Christians often say they are serving God, but I watch them follow people straight into compromise or sin. I’ve watched people sit and listen to preachers preach heresy, and never change churches. I’ve watched people stay in a church that has compromised hoping to save the church. Though it’s been years since the church started their compromise, these Christians have stayed in the midst of compromise and are still trying to change it.

Friend, keep your eyes on God, for it is He Whom we are to serve. When any authority asks you to do something different than what God’s Word teaches, then you ought to obey God. Your loyalty should never be to a man or an institution, for you are not supposed to be serving them, but you are to be serving God.

One may ask, “How long do we stay in a place that is compromising?” When you hear a preacher preach something that is in direct contradiction to the Word of God, then you must go to him with a right attitude and discuss his position. If he made a misstatement, then allow him to be human. However, if he explains it’s a misstatement but continues to teach or preach something that contradicts God’s Word, then you must leave. These midwives did not wait to see if Pharaoh would change his stance, they immediately did right. Likewise, your action to truth should be an immediate action. You should never allow yourself to linger in a place of compromise.

If you are going to successfully live the Christian life, then you must determine to truly make Christ the One Whom you serve. Yes, you should follow and obey authority, but you must let your loyalty be to God and not man. Loyalty to man will always lead to compromise; whereas, loyalty to God will keep your eyes focused on the truths of the Word of God. God’s blessings on your life will only continue if you serve Him no matter what the cost may be.

Genesis 35:1
“And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.”

At some time or another you will have to get right with God. We often feel that getting right with God only has to do with those who fall into what we call “deep” sin; however, all sin is “deep” sin. All sin is bad. Anytime we sin we must get right with God. Just like Jacob had to get right with God to receive God’s blessings; likewise, you must get right with God if you want God to bless you. I find there were seven steps Jacob took to get right with God that every person who wants to be right with God must take.

First, you must change your direction. Notice, Jacob decided to “go up.” If he was going up, then that means his life must have been headed downward. Your direction ultimately determines your destination. Anytime a person does wrong, they are headed downward. You will never get right with God until you make the decision to change your life. You will never get right with God until you decide to change your direction to an upward motion. In other words, change your actions to right actions.

Second, you must go to church. Bethel is symbolic of church. “Bethel” means, “house of God.” I have always found when a person wants to get right with God, they will have no issue with going to church. They won’t just go to church for one service, but they start attending all services. You will never get right with God until you make church a regular part of your life.

Third, you must use the altar. Jacob set up an altar once he got to Bethel. Once you change your direction and start going to church, you need to start using the altar. There are two altars you must use if you want to get right with God. The first altar is the church altar. I find those who won’t go to the altar have a pride issue, and a person will never get right with God until pride is removed. The second altar is the personal altar. In other words, you must spend time daily with God in the Scriptures and prayer.

Fourth, get rid of your gods. Part of the reason a person sins is because they have allowed gods in their life. A god is anything that gets between you and God. In other words, your sin is your god. Get rid of it if you want to be right with God.

Fifth, you need to change your actions if you want to be right with God. Verse 2 talks about Jacob being clean. You must clean up what you do if you are going to get right with God. You can make a decision to get right, but you truly get right when you stop doing what is wrong.

Sixth, change your appearance. It’s interesting that they changed their garments when they got right. A person who gets right with God will have no issue about dressing the way God says to dress. If you want to be right with God, you will have no problem looking the way God wants you to look.

Seventh, bury your sinful past. In verse 4, Jacob buried the gods under a tree. You will never truly be right with God when you continue to praise your sinful past. Bury your past and don’t bring it up again. There is nothing praiseworthy or talk-worthy about your past. You sinful past is wrong, and you need to bury it.

If you want to get right with God about your past, then you must follow these steps. You will find if you miss one step that you will struggle with staying right with God. I challenge you to follow these steps with every sin you have. You will find these steps can help you to overcome your sin for good.

Genesis 22:1
“And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.”

A strange statement is made in the verse above when it says, “that God did tempt Abraham,…” When you think of temptation, you normally equate it with Satan and your flesh. We rarely, if ever, equate temptation with God. Yet, God tempted Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his only son.

You must understand that there is a difference between God tempting us and Satan tempting us. Satan tempts us to do wrong, while God tempts us to do right. Satan tempts our flesh, while God tempts our faith. Satan tempts us to destroy us, while God tempts us to build us. Satan’s temptation always leads to heartache, while God’s temptation always leads to fulfillment. Satan’s temptation destroys our potential, while God’s temptation increases our potential.

Temptation doesn’t always have to deal with sin. In fact, God tells us that He will not tempt us with sin in James 1:13 when He says, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:” James 1:2 shows us that there are different types of temptations when He says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;” So, you must understand that the Scriptures do not teach that God doesn’t tempt us, but that He doesn’t tempt us to do wrong.

So, what is the purpose of God’s temptation? James 1:3-4 shows us that purpose when it says, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” God’s purpose for tempting us is to grow our patience and faith so that we can be a more complete Christian. The purpose of God’s temptation is to get us to do more right than what we are doing now. God tempts us to step out on that which we normally would not do so that our influence and faith will reach more people for Him.

Friend, is God tempting you? You can always discern God’s temptation because it has nothing to do with your flesh. You will find that when God tempts you, your flesh will want nothing to do with it. Abraham didn’t want to sacrifice his only son, and that was how he was able to discern that it was God’s temptation. When God tempts you, your flesh will immediately step in and tell you that you shouldn’t do it because it is foolish. Yet, God’s temptation is trying to grow your faith.

Furthermore, just like you must yield to the temptation of the flesh to sin, you must yield to God’s temptation if you are going to grow your faith. You must always remember that God has never tempted you to hurt you, but his temptation will always bring greater joy and fulfillment. God’s desire is that you will become a Christian who is “perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” In other words, God is simply trying to make you the type of Christian who doesn’t lack in any area of your life.

Yes, God can tempt you, and when He tempts you, you should yield to His temptation. God is trying to lure you into doing more good so He can bless you more. Certainly, it takes faith to trust God’s temptation, but God has never led you to wrong in the past, and He certainly isn’t going to start leading you to wrong today. I challenge you to accept God’s temptation and see what great work He has in store for you.