Category: Intimacy

Be Still

9/30/2014

"Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10.

The power of these verses is not simply in what it says but also where it lies in the context of the verses around it. Psalm 46 is a very tumultuous Psalm. It begins with a declaration not to be afraid though the very earth around us is melting and the mountains fall into the sea. Quite the unnerving scenario. It goes on to describe nations raging, entire kingdoms being displaced, war, and desolation. Yet in the midst of this turmoil is the admonition for us to "Be still". Literally the Hebrew word used here, "rapha", means to relax and let go; to release our need to control the world around us; to cease our struggle to have everything our way; to surrender our hold on the things of this earth. In the midst of a world wildly out of control, what security can we possibly find that would bring peace to our chaos? The knowledge that God is still God. The awareness that, despite the way circumstances may appear, He knows exactly what He is doing. Nothing has caught Him off guard, nor is He intimidated by unfolding events around us. We rest in the knowledge that the Almighty King of the Universe has ways that we don't need to understand. The creator of all that exists knows His own plans and is under no obligation to explain His actions to us. He simply says, "Be still and trust me." When all is said and done, the fact that He will still be God is more certain than the sun rising tomorrow. Regardless what happens, He will be exalted among the nations, and He will be exalted in the earth. And why is this knowledge supposed to calm our hearts? The answer lies in verse 11. This same God, "the Lord of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge."

2 Comments

I'm In

9/27/2014

0 Comments

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1 NKJV)

Imagine that I wanted to send a friend a book, then decided to write him a note on a small piece of paper as well. I wanted to be sure that he got them both so I put the note inside the book. Though they are separate items, I wouldn't have to mail them seperately. I would simply need to mail the book. Because the note is in the book, it goes where the book goes. Spiritially speaking, this is what it means to be "in Christ". When by faith, I surrender my life to Him, and trust Him for forgiveness, God places me "in Christ". I no longer have to strive for God's favor; I have it because Jesus has it. I no longer have to strive to be holy; I am holy because HE is holy. I simply remain in Him and all the benefits, blessings, resources, power and love that are His are now mine. This understanding explains why Jesus put such an emphasis on abiding in Him in John 15:

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:4-11 NKJV)

When we abide in Him our Christian life lives itself. God no longer demands perfection from us because He has included us in His son who is perfect. Does this release me from living a holy life? Absolutley not. Rather, it enables Christ's holiness to surround, flow through and be reflected in my life. My focus then becomes abiding, not striving. He died to sin, therefore, because I am in Him, I am dead to sin as well. He lives in righteousness, therefore, because I am in Him, I live in righteousness as well. This truth motivated the Apostle Paul's revelatory proclaimation in Galations 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Are you abiding? I hope so. It's the only way to live.

"Lord, I abide in You today. I rest in Your favor, acceptance, and redemption. Because I am in You, I will live in Your life, love with Your love, and walk in Your power. Strengthen my faith and let my patterns, thoughts and actions reflect this truth today. Thank You for including me. In Jesus' name, Amen."

0 Comments

Standing in the Counsel

9/25/2014

0 Comments

“But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings. (23) "Am I a God near at hand," says the Lord, "And not a God afar off?” Jeremiah 23:22-23 NKJV

God spoke to Jeremiah in a time when those calling themselves prophets of God were giving messages of peace and comfort to people who had no intention of trying to serve God or ever turning from their sin. In this passage the Lord reveals the root of both the sin of the prophets as well as the lack of salvation among the people with one phrase: “If they had stood in my counsel.”

Two words in the phrase are of great significance: the word “stood” and the word “counsel”. “Stood”, is the Hebrew word “amad” which can also be translated, “continue”, “stay”, or “abide”. The word “counsel” in Hebrew is “sod”, which carries with it a connotation of privilege. It can also be translated, “secret session” or “familiar converse”, indicating a depth of relationship between the one being counseled and the Counselor. Some scholars have translated this word, “intimacy”.

The ramification of this is a strong admonition to those who claim to speak for God; The Almighty requires intimacy with His messengers. This passage is clear that the effectiveness of the prophet is directly related to his decision to live with his ear and heart tuned to the voice of the Most High. This requires time in His presence. It mandates a regular shutting out of the world and humbly waiting at the Throne of God for both the message and the power to proclaim it. Look at what God says would have happened if the prophets had sought Him: the people would have heard the words of God, and would have turned from their sinful acts as well as their sinful habits.

Preacher, does your preaching result in changed lives? Do you find yourself struggling to find things to preach? Do you spend a great deal of time seeking illustrations and ideas that will speak to the emotion of your listeners or gimmicks to engage their attention? Perhaps the question you need to consider is this: are you regularly alone with the Father? Are you listening to His voice and His voice alone? Are you waiting in His presence at His feet, or are you so filled with the importance of your own education, talent and agenda that you don’t have time?

The transforming power of God does not, and never will, come through human intellect, eloquence or ingenuity. God couldn’t care less about your knowledge, degree or skilled tongue. E.M. Bounds said it well, “…a pulpit without a closet will always be a barren thing.”

Grasp this truth: you have no business speaking for God if you are not daily speaking with God. The saving work of Jesus is a miraculous thing and can only be accomplished by miraculous means. God has never relegated His miraculous power to any vessel or messenger that was content to operate of his own accord. If our ministry and message come up short of the power of God, it may very well be that we have neglected the Presence of the One who called us in the first place. Close your books, clear your calendar and do what you need to do to find the “Secret Place of the Most High.” The salvation of those God has entrusted to your care may very well depend on it.

Pastor Chet Todd

0 Comments

Author: Chet Todd

Hello, I'm Chet. From the time I was a child I knew God had called me to preach and teach. My prayer is that God will use me to help others grow closer to Him.

Be Still

I'm In

Standing in the Counsel

Author: Chet Todd

Archives

Categories

Location

Sunday Service Times

Contact Us