What is God Saying Lately?
Sometimes people fall behind in their relationship with God. They become fixated on what He has done in the lives, forgetting to seek Him in fresh ways in the here and now. This has always been a spiritual temptation for people because it takes energy and effort to continue to seek God, learn new things in Him and keep up to date relationally. Actually, we are tempted in all our relationships to become lazy and rely on the ground we have already gained, rather than press ahead toward new vistas of communication, understanding and intimacy.
Israel once experienced an onslaught of venomous vipers that caused many to die in the desert. Many other Israelites were miraculously healed, however, by looking at a bronze snake that was placed on a pole at God’s command. “When anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.” (Numbers 21:9) This was a great work of God, but it later became a kind of snare. It was a sign of God’s power and deliverance, but it became an object of worship. Sometimes it is easier to worship the things God has done than to worship Him directly. Worshiping what He has done doesn’t require the work of maintaining a relationship with Him. This “faith” can easily degenerate into sentimental superstition – which has nothing to do with the Living God. This happened to Israel. They started to burn incense to the image as a form of worship, and in effort to secure protection. How far they had fallen – their eyes were lowered from the Living God to a man made artistic representation of one of His ancient interventions of healing and deliverance. Finally, King Hezekiah had to break the bronze snake into pieces (2 Kings 18:4) in order to break the people free from their lazy idolatry.
Is there any way that your relationship with God has become dull or outdated? Does it seem like your faith was more alive in the past or in the present? When you describe what the Lord has done in your life, do you mention recent or ancient activity? Does your faith seem more like a group of beliefs, rules and behaviors or like a dynamic living relationship with God Himself?
When God chose to reveal Himself as “I Am,” (Exodus 3:14) He wanted His people to know His presence and personhood. What God has done for you in the past is good and very important, and they serve a meaningful purpose now. His intervening acts in your life serve to lead you into a meaningful relationship with Him in the present. What has He been saying to you lately … and what are you doing about it? This is your living faith, and this is what people want to hear.
Keeping things fresh with you,
Pastor Tom
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THIS WEEKEND:
SUNDAY (April 27)
* 10:00am - “God Cares About Those Who Don’t Know Him” Luke 15 [Mark Adams]
NEXT WEEKEND:
SUNDAY (May 4)
* 10:00am - ” (Faith) Power and Proclamation Go Hand in Hand” Luke 5:17-26
- Communion
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
EARLY MORNING PRAYER - Wednesdays 6-7am @ the Church Office - 406 South Huntington Ave.
“MORE THAN MARRIED” Marriage Conference, hosted by Community of Faith Christian Fellowship (www.cfcfboston.org). May 2-3 Sponsored by: Intimate Life Ministries; Cost: $50 per couple; Location:Christian Pentecostal Church of Newton, 150 Lowell Avenue, Newtonville, MA 02460Conference times: Friday, May 2nd 6:30PM -9:30PM; Saturday, May 3rd 9AM- 3PM (break for lunch)
There will be childcare available for a cost. Email sandrah@cfcfboston.org to register for childcare.
“DISCIPLESHIP COUNSELING” Seminar - with Neil Anderson May 2-3. Sponsored by Covenant for New England
This conference is designed for pastors and ministry and church leaders, and key lay people who have a desire to know and minister the complete freedom we have in Christ.
Location: Leon de Juda; Cost: $50 (includes lunch and dinner)
Friday night 7-9pm; Saturday 9am - 9pm.
#1 Mental Strongholds
#2 The Battle for the Mind The spiritual battle for the mind, and how we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.
#3 Sanctification The sanctification process, the nature of the heart, and the need for repentance.
#4 Discipleship Counseling 1 The theology/rationale of Discipleship Counseling and the inclusion of God as the Wonderful Counselor with attention given to who is responsible for what in the help process.
#5 Discipleship Counseling 2 The actual process of discipleship counseling
#6 Video Presentation of an encourager session. Participants will observe Dr. Anderson lead a clinically depressed lady to liberation in Christ
#7 Dr. Anderson will take participants through the steps of Freedom in Christ.
* Brochures are available at church, or send a reply and I can attach one for you. (This will be good, yet intense.)
