Point of View

A majority of you have been part of the TGN crew for over a year (at least).  Well, it's time to move you to the next level.  I trust in God, that YOU know how to pray.  If you don't think you do, rebuke that right now!  Prayer is simply talking to God.  Even the simplest prayers are heard by God in the Name of Jesus.  If satan just told you that "God won't hear you."  I live to remind you right now, that satan is nothing but a LIAR.  So begin by praising God and just speaking from your own heart.  I want to encourage you to build your prayer life.  Then get into the Word for the day.
 
Always feel free to check out past prayers & the Word from TGN here


www.biblegateway.com
Mark 8 (NKJV)

:29-33 Jesus Predicts His Death & Resurrection

29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”
30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.  31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

-----------------------------------------------------------

Before this point, Jesus doesn't speak plainly and directly to His disciples about His death and resurrection.  Before this, it simply wasn't the time.  Ecclesiastes 3:1, tells us there is a time for everything under heaven.  God is a purposeful God.  So there is order in everything that He commands and does.  This was the appointed time to begin preparing the disciples for what was going to happen to Jesus by telling them that He would soon die.

In this moment, Peter was not considering God's purposes, but only his own natural human desires and feelings.  He was seeing the words of Jesus from a human point of view, and not from a godly/eternal point of view.  Peter saw only part of the picture.

Are you making Peter's mistake and only seeing part of the picture as well?

From what view do you see the Christian life?

Human point of view:  It's a life of "can't haves," "don't dos," "rules," "unattainable perfection (so people fake it)," "hypocrisy," "better thans," "of telling everyone else they are wrong," "it's hard," "not fun," "of doing a bunch of things I don't want to, in order to get into heaven," "you're suppose to be poor," "it will place me on the road to wealth and ease," "it's only about me & God," "it's not about me enough," "it's all in God's hands, so I don't have to do anything," "I just don't get it," "the Bible is written by man," "it's a life where I can sin intentionally, and just ask for forgiveness," "it doesn't support my lifestyle,"... and the list of lies can go on and on and on.

How many of the above views are still rooted in your head?

God's perspective:  It is a life with Him.  A life where we're not separated from the God of this universe; the God of FOREVER.  We are forgiven!!!!  I mean absolutely forgiven and covered by the powerful blood of Jesus.  Takes some time to let this wonderful TRUTH sink in.  No matter how long it takes you to get it, it will remain just that- TRUTH!  It is a life of freedom.  It is a life of peace, amongst the chaos that surrounds us.  It is a life of joy that is stable, and consistent because it doesn't depend on the temporary; but on the Everlasting.  It is a life where everything of the Kingdom of God is ours.  It is a life of love.  It is a life of doing for others willingly.  It is a life where I don't have to be perfect; I only need to aim (direct one's efforts) for perfection (2 Corinthians 13:11)- because my God is perfect.  And the goodness of God can go on and on and on; destroying each and every lie that exist against it.

It is true: The Christian life isn't easy!  This is because WE LIVE IN A SINFUL WORLD.  This is because a real relationship with the Holy God, will NEVER support our sin.  We're constantly fighting a battle, inside and outside of ourselves; from our decisions- to trying not to react to the person we would rather not have to interact with (come on, we all have at least one of those!- usually at the work place LOL). 

This life with God will often involve hard work, persecution, deprivation, and deep suffering; but it is worth it!  And the best thing, is that we are never alone as we live it.  Regardless of when we feel strong or weak, our God is always with us.

So ask yourself throughout the day today & every day:  "Do I have in mind the things of God, or the things of men?"  And make your decisions from there.  Watch for change in the little things, as you look at things from the right perspective.  You will see a difference.  And remember no matter what, it's a good thing that you made the decision to honor God.  Honoring God is NEVER done in vain.


**************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Daily Prayer:  LORD, thank You for Your perspective.  Help me to put my perspective second to Yours.  Making every decision, according to Your promises for my life.  Trusting You and honoring You in each and every step and decision I make; and with every word that I say.  May I live with integrity, humility and obedience.  Obedience doesn't remove anything worthy from my life.  So help me to see obedience as the way to go, instead of the way to avoid.  All things through Christ Jesus.  Thank You Jesus.  Amen.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************

This week will jump back into some more Hip Hop for God:

Today's Featured Hip Hop Artist: LeCrae www.myspace.com/lecrae






Resources: biblegateway.com, NIV Women's Devotional Bible- Classic Edition, Life Application Study Bible.