Remember, trust, obey, and teach others (Psalm 78:1-72)

Listening to  There Is a Battle for Your Memories (Protecting Our Memories) - Bill Johnson Sermon | Bethel Church. Bill Johnson's sermon reinforces Psalm 78 while adding a practical application for the believer's inner life. Psalm 78 primarily focuses on corporate memory by teaching Israel to remember God's works and teach future generations. Johnson extends this to personal spiritual formation, arguing that our memory shapes our faith, expectations, and ability to recognize God's work today. Johnson's message surfaces what may be the central principle underlying Psalm 78:

Memory shapes faith, faith shapes perspective, perspective shapes obedience, and obedience shapes the next generation.

Psalm 78 warns that Israel's failures did not begin with outward rebellion. They began when the people forgot (Psalm 78:11, 42). Johnson applies that same principle to believers today by arguing that spiritual warfare often begins with our memory. If we fail to intentionally remember what God has done, our present circumstances become larger than our memory of God's faithfulness, leading to fear, unbelief, and ultimately disobedience. This makes intentional remembrance not merely an act of reflection but a discipline that protects faith and sustains hope. 

Hear and Pass On God's Truth

• Listen carefully to God's instruction. (Psalm 78:1-2)
• Learn hidden lessons from the past. (Psalm 78:2-3)
• Tell God's works to every generation. (Psalm 78:4,6)
• Never hide God's truth from children. (Psalm 78:4)
• Teach God's commands faithfully. (Psalm 78:5-6)
• Every generation must teach the next. (Psalm 78:6)
• tri-bible.ai/#who-its-for
  
• Discipleship includes preserving God's testimony. (Psalm 78:4-7; Deut. 6:4-9)

Remember God's Works

• Place your hope continually in God. (Psalm 78:7)
• Remember God's mighty miracles. (Psalm 78:7,11-16,42-55)
• Never forget God's mighty works. (Psalm 78:11,42)
• Remember God's power to save. (Psalm 78:42-55)
• Recall God's victories over enemies. (Psalm 78:43-55)
• Remembering God's works is a spiritual discipline. (Psalm 78:7,42; Ps. 103:2)
• God's past faithfulness should shape present expectations. (Psalm 78:7,11-16; Mark 8:17-21)
• Biblical meditation fills the mind with God's works. (Psalm 78:7,42; Josh. 1:8)

Trust God's Character

• Trust God's care, not your cravings. (22-29)
• Believe God's promises without doubting. (Psalm 78:22)
• God faithfully provides daily needs. (Psalm 78:15-16,23-29)
• God makes impossible paths possible. (Psalm 78:13,15-16)
• God faithfully guides His people. (Psalm 78:14,52-54)
• God fulfills His promises. (Psalm 78:54-55)
• Remember God's benefits: forgiveness, healing, redemption, renewal. (Ps. 103:2-5)
• God's unchanging character defines our identity. (Psalm 78:35,38-39; Heb. 13:8)

Obey God Wholeheartedly

• Obey God's commands wholeheartedly. (Psalm 78:7,10)
• Keep God's covenant faithfully. (Psalm 78:10,37)
• Give God wholehearted loyalty. (Psalm 78:37)
• Do not harden your heart. (Psalm 78:8)
• Do not become spiritually unreliable. (Psalm 78:57)

Guard Against Unbelief

• Do not test God's patience. (Psalm 78:18,40-41)
• Do not grieve God's heart. (Psalm 78:40-41)
• Reject every form of idolatry. (Psalm 78:56-58)
• Faithfulness matters more than strength. (Psalm 78:9-10)
• Miracles alone cannot produce faith. (Psalm 78:32)
• Craving more leads to judgment. (Psalm 78:30-33)
• Negative memories can become excuses for unbelief. (Psalm 78:11,22,32,42)
• Current circumstances should not redefine God's nature. (Psalm 78:22,32,42; Mark 8:17-21)

Respond with Genuine Faith

• Seek God with sincere hearts. (Psalm 78:34-37)
• Lip service never pleases God. (Psalm 78:36-37)
• Repentance includes remembering God's faithfulness. (Psalm 78:34-35)
• Hope is restored by recalling God's interventions. (Psalm 78:35,38-39)

Remember God's Character

• God is merciful and forgiving. (Psalm 78:38-39)
• God remembers our human weakness. (Psalm 78:39)
• God disciplines those He loves. (Psalm 78:21,31-33,59-64)
• Sin, Discipline, and the Race We Must Run
  
• God remains faithful despite human forgetfulness. (Psalm 78:38-39)

Lead with Integrity

• God chooses leaders after His heart. (Psalm 78:67-71)
• Shepherd others with integrity. (Psalm 78:70-72)
• Lead others with wisdom and skill. (Psalm 78:72)
• Leaders cultivate a culture of remembrance. (Psalm 78:70-72)

New overarching theme

This progression is exactly what Psalm 78 describes:

Remember God's works
        ↓
Trust God's character
        ↓
Obey His commands
        ↓
Experience His faithfulness
        ↓
Teach the next generation
        ↓
They remember God

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The reason people forget about God and live miserable lives (Jeremiah 2-3:5)

key verses: 

"...Why then do my people say, ‘At last we are free from God! We don’t need him anymore!’... for years on end my people have forgotten me." Jeremiah 2:31-32

AIM: Every calamity's root is forgetting the God that made you and rescued you to be holy.

A) Leaders stopped asking 'Where is the LORD?' and turned to idols ruining their future (1-13)

1-3) another message to Jerusalem, "remember eagerness as young bride follows, Israel holy first child protected"

 - Interesting "holy first child" is not Isaac 

4-6) Listen LORD, "worship worthless idols, become worthless. Didn't ask 'where is the LORD who saved/led out of Egypt'

• God's desire for us is salvation in relationship with him (Hosea 13-14)

7-9) fruitful land, you defiled/corrupted. Priests didn't ask 'where is the LORD?' teachers ignored Him, prophets name of Baal (Numbers 25 sex plague, 1 Kings 18:21 tested,  Romans 11 explains) - worthless idol. Children's children charged.

• Similar message from Zephaniah 1:2-3) everything on earth, all mankind will be destroyed, Zephaniah 1:4-6) hand against Judah, Baal worship, idolatrous priests, astrologers, apostate believers
• 1 Kings 16:29-34) Omri, evil, worse than others, married Jezebel, worshiped Baal, setup Asherah pole, Jericho rebuilt costing life of oldest and youngest sons.

10-13) sent searching elsewhere exchanging glorious God for worthless idol, abandoned fountain of living water, dug cracked cisterns 

• Rescued, kept.. so now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light (Psalm 56:13 Coram Deo))

Application: Getting off course starts with wicked leaders. Yet the Lord is interceding on your behalf, giving you a thirst for his righteousness. Your broken cisterns can't hold this holy water. We are lost. Pray the Father draws us to himself. Give us the gift of faith - let us repent of ignorance, help me to release my grip on worthless idols. Awake my soul. 

B) God delivered us from slavery, yet we've used our freedom to leave him (14-22)

14-17) "why Israel enslaved, tormented, destroyed? you rebelled against God, though he leading you"

18-19) "what gained from wicked world? punishment, shame - see evil bitterness = fearlessly abandon LORD."

20-22) "freed from slavery, yet said 'I won't serve God' - prostituted instead, stained guilty

Application:   I need to stop rebelling against God and let him led me in the fear of the LORD.

C) We claim to be right with God, yet we are living apart from him, living a lie (23-3:5)

23-25) "you deny worshiping images of Baal, yet lust is obvious, panting after other gods 'I can't stop'

26-27) "thief, shame only when caught, leaders bring idols, turned backs to LORD, in trouble cry out 'come and save us!'

28-30) you don't call on idols because you know the are lifeless, your rebellion punishes children, they don't respond to LORD discipline - because you killed your prophets

31-32) listen to the words of the LORD, why MY people claim freedom from God, forgetting him:

• 33-34) plot, scheme, win lovers, clothes stained with blood of innocent/poor
• 35) you say, 'I've done nothing wrong, God's not angry with me!' - claim you've not sinned
• 36-37) flit from ally to ally for help, Egypt/Assyria let you down, despair/exile - LORD rejected nations you trust
• 3:1) Divorce is final, you prostituted yourself, why are you trying to come back?
• 2-5) Look, shrines of defilement, adultery to other gods, polluted land with brazen prostitution/wickedness, spring rain fails - shameless fake repentance, fake obedience, "you keep on doing all the evil you can."

Application: People claim freedom from God because we don't live as we claim to believe. Lord, I've sinned against you in every way. I've surrounded myself with idols and have grown callous to your discipline. I've lived a life 'I can't stop' - a lie. I don't want to live a lie, but to live in Spirit and Truth. 

Thank you Father, Lord - you're mercy is made new everyday. Help me follow where you lead, the way you lead. Amen. Thank you for conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgement. Revelation 22:15

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Intriguing variation in human experience, to choose or not to choose?

"choose" shows up 111 in the Bible. I was thinking about God's role in giving us Eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that understands and then read Many People Have a Vivid ‘Mind’s Eye,’ While Others Have None at All. One thing is for sure that God can and does give people a new perspective.

God chooses mercy and compassion

• The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. - Exodus 33:19

God wants us to ask him for mercy and compassion, Matthew 9:38

• When He (Jesus) saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. - Matt 9:36-38, Luke 10:2

Prayer empowers (Luke 6:12,13) and word (2 Thessalonians 3:1) for miraculous discernment (Acts 13:2) and service (Matthew 10:1)

Many choose hell (1) but you can choose to obey God (2)

1. “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. - Matthew 7:13
2. Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Romans 6:16

Faith comes by hearing The good news of Jesus Christ and it's impact on everyone (Romans)

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Cultivating a negative attitude toward the will of God is the first step toward disappointment and defeat

I love Warren Wiersbe, in the book "This is the Life" he writes how Christians fall into worldliness:

"Most Christians don’t suddenly dive into worldliness; instead, they gradually drift back into the old lifestyle and sometimes don’t even know what’s happening. They first get friendly with the world (James 4:4) and then little by little begin to be “spotted” (defiled) here and there by the world (1:27). If they don’t repent and return to the Lord, they start loving the world (1 John 2:15) and becoming conformed to the world (Rom. 12:2). 

Compromisers don’t take seriously God’s words of warning in Scripture or His chastening (Heb. 12:1–11), and the day comes when they find themselves condemned with the world (1 Cor. 11:32). Scripture records the tragic endings of believers who were “saved, yet so as through fire” (1 Cor. 3:13–15). Lot and his family come to mind (Gen. 13:11–13; 19:1–29; 2 Pet. 2:7–8), and so does the family of Korah (Num. 16), along with Samson (Judg. 13–15), Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), and Demas (2 Tim. 4:10). "

He goes on... "Cultivating a negative attitude toward the will of God is the first step toward disappointment and defeat. God’s will is not chains (Ps. 2:3) but cords of love (Hos. 11:4). His will is not a bit and bridle (Ps. 32:8–9) but the secret of joyful freedom. “And I will walk at liberty, for I seek your precepts” (119:45). God wants us to know His will (Acts 22:14), obey His will from the heart (Eph. 6:6), understand His will (5:17), and delight in His will (Ps. 40:8). God’s will is not a buffet dinner where we choose only what pleases us. His will is a rich and nutritious meal prepared especially for us, and we must accept all of it. “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work,” said Jesus (John 4:34). God’s will is not punishment but nourishment. The will of God is the expression of the love of God to each of His children, the invitation to a rich and fruitful life. “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations” (Ps. 33:11). His will comes from His heart.

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God's word and Spirit changes the perverse to be meek and obedient

I was reminded of "Success" where failure would have been better as we've been studying Hebrews the past few weeks. I came across this:

The Holy Scriptures are the word of God. When God sets it home by his Spirit, it convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully. It makes a soul that has long been proud, to be humble; and a perverse spirit, to be meek and obedient. Sinful habits, that are become as it were natural to the soul, and rooted deeply in it, are separated and cut off by this sword. It will discover to men their thoughts and purposes, the vileness of many, the bad principles they are moved by, the sinful ends they act to. The word will show the sinner all that is in his heart. - Matthew Henry Commentary (Hebrews 4:11-16)

Perverse defined:

• Turned aside; hence, specifically, turned away from the (morally) right; willfully erring; wicked; perverted.
• Obstinately in the wrong; stubborn; intractable; hence, wayward; vexing; contrary.
• legal, of a verdict Ignoring the evidence or the judge's opinions.

Meek and obedient define:

• Submissive, willing to comply with the commands, orders, or (instructions) of those in authority.

Commandments of Jesus,
Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3)
Jesus teaches love precedes obedience and the indwelling Holy Spirit

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Angelic touch brings freedom for Peter and death to Herod (Acts 12)

In Acts 12 we see that angels can manifest and interact with people, bringing help in time of need or bringing judgment when a ruler has gone too far. We see divine intervention in Peter and Herod's life based on their character. We've seen the character of Peter living life obeying God and now we see the life of Herod against God. We also see that the prayers of the church matter, even when not everyone praying believes. And that being shrewd involves gaining support around an unreasonable king. I love the faith I see in this chapter, no fighting but trusting in God and witnessing miracles.

AIM: No matter what, the word of God spreads and flourishes

Acts 12
A) Angel frees Peter as people prayed
1-4) King Herod arrests/persecutes the church, James (John's brother) killed by the sword, Peter arrested during Unleavened Bread, public trial scheduled after Passover.
 - 5) Church earnestly prayed to God for Peter.
Principle: Prayer is our best response to any situation.  Intercessory Faith, believe in God on behalf of another
6-7) Night before trial, Peter sleeping between two soldiers, angel wakes him up "get up" chains fell off
 - 8-10) Put on clothes and sandals, follow the angel, they passed the guards at two gates, suddenly the angel left.
11-14) Peter came to himself, went to Mary (John Mark's mom), they were praying, Rhoda "Peter's at the door"
 - 15) they didn't believe her, they thought it was "his angel"
 - 16-17) Peter told them what happened and left
Application: divine appointments should be shared with others in the church.

B) Herod plays god and Angel strikes him dead
18-19) Herod looked for Peter, cross-examined guards and had them executed, went to Caesarea
20) Herod quarreled with people of Tyre and Sidon got support from Blastus (trusted servant) to seek peace with Herod for food.
21-23) Fancy Herod addresses people who praised him as a god, he didn't praise God, angel struck him down, eaten by worms and died
24)  But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

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David experiences God through righteous friends, deliverance from evil Saul (1 Samuel 21-24)

AIM: David's life marked by confidence in God (guidance and protection)

A) David's flight and Saul's revenge (1 Samuel 21-22)
21:1-9) Saul's rage contrasted with Johnathan's prayer "go in peace" (1 Samuel 20:42), priest helps David with mercy, bread, and sword
 - Principle: God's righteousness, acts of compassion, not coldhearted ritual observance
 - Lies: John 8:44 - Showbread: Exodus 25:23-30; Leviticus 24:5-9
 - Mercy, not sacrifice: Micah 6:8; Matthew 12:1-8, Word as food: Matthew 4:4
10-15) David responds to pressure with fear and lies instead of faith (acts crazy, Achish/Gath/Goliath's hometown)
 - Psalm 34 David praise God for deliverance, promises, and eternal salvation/resurrection
22:1-5) David goes to cave about 400 mighty men join
6-19) Saul kills Ahimelek and family because Doeg, Edomite told about help to David
20-23) Abiathar, son of Ahimelek escapes tells David who blames himself but promises protection
 - Psalm 52, links Doeg informing Saul and David's trust in God's justice

 - David didn't waste time on regrets but focused on the next right thing

B) David seeks the Lord at Keilah through Abiathar (1 Sam 23)

23:1-6) Philistines attack Keilah, David inquires Lord's direction with Abiathar - God promise victory

 - David follows God and wins, as should we 

 - Use of Urim and Thummim in ephod, used as lots or dice with which priest discerned God's will.  Exodus 28:6-13; Exodus 28:30; 

 - Offering ourselves alive, renews our minds and enables us to discern God's perfect will Romans 12:1-2

7-13) Keilah citizens fear Saul, yet David's men are increasingly aware of God's protection

14-23) Saul wants David dead, David receives strength through Jonathon's encouragement

 - Principle: encouragement is easy but its effect is immeasurable.

24-29) Saul pursue David, but turns to fight Philistine

 - Principle: God can relieve oppression through physical rescue or even by the repentance of our enemies

 - Psalm 54: Prayer for deliverance: 1-4) Present power of God to bring peace, 5-5) future promises of God to bring justice

C) Saul in David's hands, is reconciled (1 Sam 24)

24:1-7) Saul enters David's cave, David cuts his robe

 - David, convicted of doing wrong, repents and does the next right thing

 - Application: ask God to help you identify habits of rebellion, receive help only God can give

8-22) David seeks Saul's good rather than harm

Principle: Lovingkindness leads others to repentance

 - The world says, kill him. But God convicts of the righteous way

 - Psalm 57, 142 relate to David's time in the cave

 David's need for God (Psalm 57:1-4), praise is his greatest desire (5-11), pain of abandonment and distress (Psalm 142:1-4), praise for presence and power (5-7)

Applications: 

God is perfectly sufficient for everything - he is our refuge, delivers us when we turn to Him

• Deliverance: Psalms 34:4; 91; Isaiah 43:1-5 

God requires our righteousness

• Joy in trials: James 1:2-4
• Rejection promised: John 15:18-16:4
• Leaders’ mistreatment: Matthew 9:3, 11, 34 

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Saul anointed, confirmed, then rejected as king (1 Samuel 9-15)

AIM: Rebellion is the only alternative to obedience to God's voice (1 Samuel 15:22-23)
 - Giving more (Offerings) won't cut it
 - Taking less (Sacrifices) won't either
The message: Do you think all God wants are sacrifices-empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production.

 - Just obey because the alternative is equal to divination\witchcraft
 - Just obey because insubordination/stubbornness/presumption/arrogance equals iniquity (planning of sin) and idolatry (putting someone/something in place of God).

Saul came from humble beginnings and was given everything by God, his downfall was that he didn't listen to God until he couldn't hear his voice anymore. This is a great story contrasting trusting in God versus ourselves and it's consequences.  When we reject the written word of God, we lose the ability to hear the God speak in our hearts. I think a God hardened heart is simply the absence of God, pushed away by the person who chooses rebellion rather than obedience. No offerings or sacrifices can replace simple obedience to God.

Saul was humble (1 Sam 9:21)...Then it happened when he turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart; and all those signs came about on that day. - 1 Samuel 10:9

Don't turn from following the LORD, serve the LORD with all your heart (1 Sam 12:20)
Fear the LORD, serve Him in truth with all your heart; consider great things He has done for you (1 Sam 12:24). Saul is 30 years old and ruled for 40 years (1 Sam 13:1).

 - They wanted a different king than God (1 Sam 12:12-13), so blessings OR curses:
If you will fear the Lord and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the Lord, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God.
If you will not listen to the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the command of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you, as it was against your fathers. Even now, take your stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes. 1 Samuel 12:14-16

The people were terrified as they followed and fled their king, in a panic Saul attempted what only Samuel (the spiritual leader) could do (1 Sam 13:2-12). Samuel pronounced judgment: "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you (1 Sam 13:13)." Curses were pronounced, yet Saul continued with only a 1/3 of his men, no weapons and a half-baked plan (1 Sam 13:14-14:5).

Meanwhile, Jonathan (Saul's son)  thought "perhaps the LORD will work for us" as he remembered, "the LORD is not restrained to save by many or by few (1 Sam 14:6)". I think God put a plan in his heart and the armor bearer was witness to him "do ALL that is in your heart, and here I am with you according to your desire (1 Sam 14:7)."
 - God uses others to confirm his will in our lives, like John the Baptist and Jesus, like Ananias and Paul
 - Service and spoken encouragement goes from both directions of authority

Jonathan put into a play a plan with defined milestones and success criteria:
 - crossover to men, reveal ourselves. If they say wait, we'll wait. If they say come, we will go up because the LORD has delivered them into our hands. "This shall be the sign to us (1 Sam 14:10)."
 - Jonathan crawled up to them, killed twenty and the earth quaked, causing fear in the camp (1 Sam 14:11-15). Philistines in confusion killing each other, the LORD delivered Israel that day (16-23).
 - When we see God at work, we can go "all in"

Saul speaks a heavy burden of fasting on his people for his own glory (1 Sam 14:24), Jonathan unknowingly defies his father and speaks mutiny against Saul (25-30). They struck Philistines, rushed greedily and ate animals with the blood, Saul built an altar to the Lord to atone for sins (31-35).

Saul's plan starts with himself (1 Sam 14:36), "do whatever seems good to you... Let us draw near to God here."
 - The LORD didn't answer Saul, so he asked others to seek him, escalates to putting someone to death even his own son (1 Sam 14:37- 42). People went along "what-evs".
 - When it came down to killing Jonathan, people protest and rescued Jonathan (43-46).
 - Saul had a family, fought Philistines all his days, rewarded valiant men with staff positions (47-52)

Saul is anointed king, given instructions to completely destroy the enemy of God, yet he spares what he thinks is good (1 Sam 15:1-9). He did this in order to "sacrifice to the LORD your God (1 Sam 15:15)"
 - God "regrets" Saul as king because "he has turned back from following Me and not carried out My commands." Samuel distressed and cried all night to the LORD (1 Sam 15:11).
 - Turned his back is, akin to backsliding (Heb 6:4-6), regret is akin to grieving the Spirit (Eph 4:30), by moving away from Christ
 - Application: Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith (2 Cor 13:5), confess your sin (1 John 1:9), Return and be healed of faithlessness (Jeremiah 3:12,22). Righteous rise when they fall down (Proverbs 24:16). Let me help you back into fellowship (James 5:19) away from temptation (Galatians 6:1). If we confess our sins to one another, the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective (James 5:15,16). Pray, and don't lose heart (Luke 18:1).
Saul defends his behavior, then blames the people for his disobedience (1 Sam 15:12-21)
 - Key truth from 1 Samuel 15:22-23: Obeying the voice of the LORD is better than offerings/sacrifice because rebellion is the only alternative.

Saul tries to bargain with Samuel, tearing at him - but Samuel points to the offended party "you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you (1 Sam 15:26)." Saul knows he sinned but wants honor before people, that he may worship the LORD your God - again seeking the approval of others, even Samuel - but the result was Saul worshiped the LORD (if even briefly (24-31). Samuel grieved over Saul, LORD regretted that He made Saul king over Israel (32-35).

1 Samuel 9-15
A) Saul was anointed as king of Israel (1 Samuel 9-10)
9:15-20) Lord tells Samuel the day before he met Saul, he'll meet this guy to be anointed as ruler/king
 - God gives specific instructions
21-24) Saul, the smallest tribe, least in Benjamin
9:25-10:8) Samuel anointed Saul with oil, king over Israel (6) Spirit of Lord upon you, prophesy, changed into another man
10:17-19) God didn't think it was a good idea to give them a king, because God is our true king
 - our wants are not always good for us
 - God is our best king because he's the owner of all, good and can be trusted, loves people

B) Saul was confirmed as king (1 Samuel 11-12)
12:6-11) Samuel reminds the people of Moses, Aaron, Jacob, Moab
• How did Samuel cause the people to remember how good God had been to Israel?
• How would life be different if you honestly trusted in Jesus and asked God’s forgiveness?
Principle: God forgives sin.

C) Saul was rejected as king (1 Samuel 13-15)
• How was Jonathan different from his father, Saul?
• How is God calling you to complete obedience today?
Principle: God is serious about our obedience to His Word.

How do I avoid grieving the Holy Spirit?
Three Surprising Ways to Grieve the Holy Spirit

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Defiled and unbelieving rebels, sharply corrected to get back to pure faith (Titus 1:10-16)

Words direct our lives. We can either have diseased talk making us worthless for any good deed or we can base our lives on God's word - allow him to change us as well as those in the faith to correct us when we are speaking or living outside the will of God. Titus opens with a sort of warning, "there are MANY rebellious men", they are characterized by empty talk and lies, their own words condemn them. The result of living a rebellious life is summed up as "those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him..."

Titus 1:10-16
For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
 - The message says it this way, "For there are a lot of rebels out there, full of loose, confusing, and deceiving talk. Those who were brought up religious and ought to know better are the worst. "

Goes on to say
who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.
 - AMP says, "rebuke them sharply so that they will be sound in the faith and free from doctrinal error
 -  Doctrine is a statement of position or belief (Law, rule, policy, proclamation, concept), several tenants built into a faith (Creed, dogma, gospel).
 - MSG says, "Get on them right away. Stop that diseased talk of Jewish make-believe and made-up rules so they can recover a robust faith."

 - To be sound in faith or have a robust faith is to be pure, evidenced by what we do.
To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

Lord give me the grace to follow where you lead, give me a heart of repentance and purify me that I would obey even when it's not convenient. 

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Ministry makes a difference ONLY when people follow Jesus Christ

Ministry does not make a difference when it helps people follow the world (godlessness), the flesh (selfishness) or the devil (evil). Worldliness can be defined as "whatever makes sin look normal and righteousness seem strange." The flesh can be summarized as, "I do what I do because I want what I want." The devil wants to kill, steal and destroy and is manifested in suicide, murder, and cruelty. On a side note about the devil stealing, to rob someone is to take something from them when they are present. Think "Armed robbery", a thief occurs when something is stolen when nobody is home. Don't let the devil steal your ministry, but stay awake and be vigilant.

Ministry without eternal impact, reminds me of the prosperity gospel (which is mainly wrong in that the focus is on YOU). Biblical Christianity focuses on GOD. Yes, but some preaching and teaching from prosperity teachers are true. I know many people who have been awakened to the things of God by some of these teachers. Just like others have been awakened through apologetics and healing ministries. But the litmus test must be in what it brings people to wholeheartedly follow after. Are they in it for ME or in it for GOD?

Following Jesus Christ 

• Leave yourself behind, saying yes to God and no to past patterns (100% NO is easier than wondering if now is an okay time for ____________)
• Don't take provisions, trust God to provide (for me this was an entirely new career path and God has provided!) - "Leave Egypt" 
• Know the mission, fulfill the mission wholeheartedly 
• Lifetime of preparation for an eternity of service ("your best life later" though it really does start now)

Are you helping people follow Christ or the world?

The way to know is what are you focused on. What do you pray about? What troubles your soul? What do you rejoice about? What makes you sing?

The World's Pattern of ISMs (from bsfinternational.org)

• Secularism also known as humanism, relativism, pragmatism, pluralism, hedonism and materialism. This is the pursuit of life apart from God. The Bible calls this the pattern of this world (Romans 12:1-2). Secularism says the physical world is all there is.
• Humanism or humanitarianism looks at our lives apart from God, with humanity as the center. Biblically Nebuchadnezzar had the mindset of a secular humanist. Humanism essentially says that everything revolves around humanity and exist for our glory.
• Relativism, if humans are the center then there can be no absolutes. Everything is relative. Ironically, humanism devalues human life because values become meaningless. If truth, goodness, and beauty exist, we cannot find them through relativism because we need absolutes to discover absolutes. When relativism rules, we cannot learn to sift through error to discover what is true, good and beautiful.
• Syncretism attempts to reconcile beliefs or practices fo different religions and philosophies. Syncretism assumes some or all religions are equally true, valuable and valid. This error was seen in the early church where Gnosticism tried to deny Jesus Christ had a real body and died a real physical death on the cross (1 John 4:1-3).

Main point, whatever we add to the gospel of God's grace is always less than the gospel and cannot save. And the gospel is found and understood in the whole Bible:

Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, (Luke 24:44-46)

Brothers, Train Up the Next Generation

• Disciple faithful men 2 Timothy 1:14, 2:2
• Beware Hezekiah Syndrome 2 Chronicles
• Avoid Temporal Shortsightedness
• Cultivate Far-Seeing Vision
• Invest in the Next Gospel Generation

Ministry Is Supernatural, not professional
“I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Galatians 6:17). “I am crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20). “I die every day!” (1 Corinthians 15:31). “For the sake of Christ I am content with weaknesses” (2 Corinthians 12:10). “He was crucified in weakness . . . we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God” (2 Corinthians 13:4). “We are the aroma of Christ . . . a fragrance from death to death . . . a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Corinthians 2:15–16).
Pastors say, “Who is sufficient for these things!” And then they look to God. Professionals say, “Education and training and savvy are sufficient.” And then they look to experts.

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"Success" where failure would have been better

In software development we often see "success" where failure would have been a better outcome. For instance a user interface that allows a person to save data in an inappropriate state may show "success" but in reality it's a total failure that will be realized later on. An inappropriate state may be a date in the past or credit card number is not valid or an address is not valid. Worse yet, without being alerted to the inappropriate state with instructions to correct it - a person may never understand what went wrong and never see true success. 

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? ...our prayer is that you may be fully restored... building you up, not for tearing you down. - 2 Cor 13:5-10

Examples of False Positives abound and keep people mediocre

• Golf: You hit the ball forward but the mechanics of a good swing results in a good hit every time ( a computer can hit a ball better than people to show this is true). 
• Typing: You type pretty quick with "hunt and peck" but you'll never hit 80 words per minute that way. 
• Software: Development team codes for the "happy path" might not realize that failure would be possible - so we don't code for it and don't test for it. (Mature software systems have thousands of tests to ensure integrity every step of the way)

In business and in life it's best to find a problem and head it off before it causes major issues downstream.

So it is in life, we often see success where failure would have been better. Ask any older person for an example and they should be able to give you some juicy big ones. These examples start with "If I could do it over I would have..." and generally speaking the longer something goes on the more consequential it is and the harder it is to see past the "false positives" and make change happen. Speaking for myself, when I started a business that was immediately profitable - I would have hired Wells Fargo to handle my payroll and file my quarterly taxes, thereby avoiding gigantic fines from IRS. I had the "false positives" of having all the paper work done, an accountant and money in the bank but I was blind to the looming failure until a year later when an IRS agent came to visit. The smaller things in life also have "false positives" but eventually lead us into ruin, we see this in our health, relationships and work.

I would define "False Positives" in life as something that feels good momentarily but result in long lasting negatives

 - Detrimental to our health

• Sitting around/doing nothing/procrastination. My friend has a saying "motion is lotion and rest is rust"
• Eating something that "tastes good" rather than eating what your body needs. A coach once said "listen to your body, thirst for water, hunger for protein"

 - Detrimental to our relationships

• Telling someone "off" in the heat of moment, instead of waiting when we are more level headed
• Not sharing how you feel in order to "keep the peace", when inside you lack peace

 - Detrimental to our work

• Showing up to a meeting without objectives, agenda or engaged participants
• Going to class, getting the diploma without actively learning
• "Completing a task" that doesn't satisfy the requirements
• Occupation/Job/Paycheck that lacks Vocation/Calling/Reward in itself

Often times we older people get stuck in our ways and just give up on moving into change because we keep receiving "false positives".

I call it "going through the motions"

God answers the challenges of life with one word: Grace

• Let God's love comfort you and guide you. Let his daily grace happen to you - a grace that will change you, shape you and lead you to a life that is eternally altered. - Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year

Grace of God is:

• Sufficient for us, God's power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9)
• Saves us, when accessed through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• For the humble who submit themselves to God (James 4:6-7)
• The reason we work hard (1 Cor 15:10)
• God's love in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:8)
• Available to everyone who trusts Jesus (Titus 2:11-14) our redeemer (Romans 3:24)

It is God's Grace that alerts us to these False Positives and gives the correct path

Hebrews 4:12-13

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

• He's looking to strongly support those whose heart is completely His (2 Chronicles 16:9)
• He sees all of us (Psalm 33:13) and knows our thoughts and desires (Psalm 139:4), he sees the evil and the good (Proverbs 15:3)
• He sees every path (Proverbs 5:21) and guides us
• He sees our iniquity [immoral, grossly unfair behavior, wickedness, sinfulness](Jeremiah 16:17)
• We have nowhere to hide from God (Jeremiah 23:24)

Take Corrective Action

The Holy Scriptures are the word of God. When God sets it home by his Spirit, it convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully. It makes a soul that has long been proud, to be humble; and a perverse spirit, to be meek and obedient. Sinful habits, that are become as it were natural to the soul, and rooted deeply in it, are separated and cut off by this sword. It will discover to men their thoughts and purposes, the vileness of many, the bad principles they are moved by, the sinful ends they act to. The word will show the sinner all that is in his heart. - Matthew Henry Commentary (Hebrews 4:11-16)

It only takes a moment to reach God in prayer in Jesus' name.

http://biblehub.com/hebrews/4-16.htm

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"Chuck-it list", 12 things to stop doing before I die

I came across a humor book called the chuck-it list, it's got funny captions for journal pages like, "monuments I'll never visit, road trips I'll never go on, events I'll never compete in" it's meant to inspire like writing a bucket list but with a lot less pressure to follow through on the ideas. I was disappointed because I thought it was brilliant to actively think about attitudes, behaviors and habits that we should strive to "chuck" out of our lives. So I've made my list of 12 things to stop doing before I die. The Bible calls this "putting off the old man"

12. Independence - The is one of life's grand illusions. No matter how much success I experience or what I have above and beyond my needs - I'm not independent from God and people. My goal in life is to live and breath acknowledging God who gives life and can take it away and people he's brings into my life to help me (that I might help them too).

• We all depend on God for life (Job 33:4;10:12;12:10;27:3;32:8; Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 42:5) our life is sustained by God (John 15:5) and our spirit returns to God when we die (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
• We depend on each other by God's design (Romans 12:4-5)

11. Lying - This is a problem for most people have because it seems like an effective coping mechanism for areas that we fall short in. It's even worse for Christians because when we are dishonest in any way we are knowingly sinning against God and he hates it (Proverbs 6:16-19). I need to be truthful to God, myself and others.

• Lying comes from the devil (John 8:44) and exposes what is in our heart (Matthew 15:18-20
• Don't lie to one another, see you've put off the old self and put on the new self - being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (Colossians 3:9-10). 
• Lying never pays off, only hurts myself and others (Luke 8:17, Exodus 20:16)

10. Insensitivity - Insensitivity really shows itself in the lives of people around me. I'm reminded of my kindergarten fish, my good intention of feeding him (with a months worth of food while I went to school) didn't matter. The fish was dead. I need to be sensitive to God, his call and to people around me (loved ones, friends, neighbors and strangers).

9. Brashness -By this I mean arrogance, cockiness, self-assurance, self-confidence to the point of being disrespectful, insolent and rude. I would do well to slow down sometimes and take on modesty leading to civility, courtesy, graciousness and good manners. Being brash is like being the unrighteous "revilers" spoken of in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, I need to chuck it.

8. Nearsightedness - as long as I can remember I've been nearsighted. The good thing is that if I was interested in something I'd have to get closer, but corrective lenses fixed that issue. I like the idea of outliving enemies in that after a while they can come around and be friends. The best way to live is beyond our own lives. I want to think about my legacies, legacy. I want to spend my moments with eternity in mind.

7. Powerlessness - I won't walk by a person in need when I have the ability and means to help and I won't hold back a friendly smile. I will live in the truth of Christ in me and be filled with gracious power of God. I will view problems and opportunities with the attitude of what can I do.

• I can give freely of my time, treasure and talent with peace and blessing of God (Proverbs 11:24; 1 Peter 4:7-11)

6. Greed - By this I mean wearing "golden hand cuffs" that may keep me away from the calling that would better utilize the skills, abilities and desires received from God. Greed can also show itself in holding back parts of my life from God.

• Preoccupation with riches leads to temptations/cravings and strife (1 Timothy 6:9-10; Proverbs 28:25)
• Contentment with God, being heavenly minded is key (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 6:24; )
• Greed is a sin like sexual perversion found in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

5. Lust - This is covetousness, wanting what others have and wanting more of everything for myself (Exodus 20:17; Luke 12:15), "Build a bigger barn for all my stuff" is the wrong way (Luke 12:16-21). Put to death these desires that lead to sin and death (Colossians 3:5; James 1:14; 2 Timothy 3:6). Regarding 2 Timothy 3:1-9, Matthew Henry says, "God is to be loved above all; but a carnal mind, full of enmity against him, prefers any thing before him, especially carnal pleasure...All must be ever learning to know the Lord; but these follow every new notion, yet never seek the truth as it is in Jesus."

• She who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive (1 Timothy 5:6)
• We've all been enslaved by all sorts of desires, yet God in loving-kindness saves us with grace and mercy (Titus 3:3-15)

4. Doubt - The opposite of doubt is faith, meaning trust in the Lord with all my heart and not my own understanding. Chucking doubt will show itself when in all my ways I acknowledge him and turn away from evil (Proverbs 3:5-8). Trusting in the Lord means asking him in faith with no doubting (James 1:6; Matthew 21:21). While I'm chucking doubt, I need to have mercy on those who doubt (Jude 1:22) - serve others as Jesus commanded, in the way he commanded.

3. Guilt - Guilt can take the form of anxiety. The bible says that, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." and There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (1 John 1:9; Romans 8:1). The way to chuck guilt is to confess sin to God, submitting myself to him in fear and true repentance (James 4:7; Psalm 103:11-12). I need to cast my cares onto him knowing that he cares for me (1 Peter 5:7), I need to patient with myself and others believing in God (2 Peter 3:9)

2. Disobedience - Could be the hardest thing of all. I was raised in a "grace" focused church, where it was drilled into me that we don't earn our way into heaven but that faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). I'm enticed by my own desires and lured into sin (James 1:14-15), Jesus said plainly if you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15). We live in times of difficulty and the Bible warned us about this (2 Timothy 3:1-7). I need to listen to Jesus and not my culture and put my action where my heart is. So I'm chucking disobedience and obeying God (Acts 5:29).

1. Blasphemy - There is one unpardonable sin in the whole of the Bible. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Luke 12:10; Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:29). My friend brought up the meaning of the unpardonable sin. Hebrews 10:29 that says, "How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?" This shows itself when we hear the word of the Lord and are convicted - yet refuse to receive the gift of salvation. This is the reason that at the end of time those not listed in the book of life will be throne into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:1-11,12-15), they worship the beast who blasphemies God (Revelation 13:1-18). Definitely on the "chuck it" list.

Putting Off The Old Man
Job 33:4
31 Bible Verses about Dependence
Ecclesiastes 12:7
Lying, Greed, Covetousness, Lust (2 timothy 3:6) Commentary, Doubt,Commandments of Jesus, Guilt, Disobedience, Blasphemy
brashness

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