John 1: 12-13

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. – John 1: 12-13

Many times we talk about our experience with God in terms of our decision. But the Bible places that moment in a rich context – we were brought to that point of decision by the will of God! There is a mystery here: we decided to follow Jesus because God gave us the right to decide. In no way could we create that right ourselves! This places us squarely dependent upon the God from whom all blessings flow. That dependence positions us as a child, and therefore an heir, to all that our heavenly Father has to give us.

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about God and our own will.  We wouldn't BE without God so of course, he had to GIVE us the free will we use to choose.  So, the right to decide had to be granted and the choice had to be given.  My finite mind barely grasps this concept of "free will" versus "God's Will."   I prefer to follow under his law and so I choose to obey His will.  I could choose to not follow His law, but then He gave me that choice too.  

Joshua 3:5

Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” – Joshua 3:5

The word “consecrate” means “to set ourselves apart”.  Are we willing to believe that God will do amazing things among us if we set ourselves apart to be ready for it?

my world

A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? – Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

No matter your status in life, there is no fulfillment without God.  I wonder this about people all the time who claim not to have "religion."  Having religion or not, having God, accepting God, is fulfillment.  It does make the day easier, the work more joyful, the food taste better, the drink quench the thirst.  Solomon had everything in the world, and yet was unfulfilled in his soul as he wavered back and forth in life and in God.  

I know what it is like to be unfulfilled in my soul.  To wonder why I'm doing this or that.  When I accepted the rich forgiveness of Grace, it changed my day to day gratefulness.  Everything is better.  When we are grateful to God for what he blesses us with, no matter what it is..... there is satisfaction.

Hebrews 11:24-26

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. – Hebrews 11:24-26

The writer of Hebrews gives us an interesting twist: Moses suffered for Christ. But Jesus hadn’t been born yet! Yet how could a murderer like Moses interact with God? Only through grace! Jesus was in the burning bush, the cloud by day and fire by night. When Moses chose allegiance to God over the pleasures of Egypt, he was guiding all of us to our Savior. Even if that choice causes suffering, there is a greater value in the grace that Christ gives than anything the world can provide.

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

1 Peter 3:15-16

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. – 1 Peter 3:15-16

Have you ever met a Christian who was prepared to correct everyone around them but didn’t have gentleness or respect for those who disagree? In an age of reality TV we have lost the art of respectfully disagreeing. One of the things that I have come to realize is that it’s my job to answer those around me who ask about Christ, but it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to win their hearts. This keeps me from taking on the pressure to be right or win the argument. We can win the battle but lose the war for someone’s soul. Sometimes the greatest statement is how we endure ridicule or slander. Remember Jesus, who when He was slandered didn’t retaliate. Sometimes it’s our suffering that becomes our greatest witness.

Today’s commentary by:

Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

What a great scripture and this preacher's commentary is right on.  Respectfully disagreeing is a lost art in today's world.  It's probably a lost art in my world.  I still harbor great anger toward some people who ridiculed and slandered me. I have great THOUGHTS of retaliation for things people have done to me.  If I followed Jesus example, I would put those thoughts away as He often explained that our thoughts can rule us if we let them.  God grants us the ability through him to release our disagreement in a gentle and respectful way with a clear conscience.  May God clear my conscience and bless me with better gentleness in the future. 

John 15:18-19

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. – John 15:18-19

One of the hallmarks of the Christian faith over the ages is that many Christians have been vilified for their convictions. When the Christians were thrown to the lions of Rome the spectators cried out, “Kill the atheists.” To proclaim allegiance to Christ was to be in rebellion to the deity of Caesar. This Christ allegiance compels us to engage our culture, but in doing so we expose the separation that the world around us has from God. That exposure is rarely met with open arms. At some point in our Christian faith we must draw the line and stand for something that will infuriate people. It is happening now in India, Malaysia, China, Iraq, Iran and, at a lesser level, even in the United States. But this is the path that Jesus took and He calls us to follow him. He chose us to break the holds of worldly conformity and to bring us into significance. We are chosen out of the world into our true citizenship; the Kingdom of heaven.

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

This is so hard.  To be called out.  It's tough to be hated, so this scripture if very comforting to me.  I have been watching Creflo Dollar lately and I'm so impressed with his ability to call out sin as to what it is..... sin.  He's been doing it in a way I haven't seen in YEARS.  He is not placating or making nice, he is quoting scripture and calling out people.  He will be hated, because Christ was  hated.  When you call people out for their sins, they have a tendency to want to get back at you.  They want to stone you for not believing the way that they do.  They want to break your belief, find sins in your life that show you to be a hypocrite, which we all are.  They want to tear your eyes out.  But a few want to know......

I have been given the talent of encouragement and encouragement is a great thing.  But, it is very difficult when you have to encourage someone to leave a sin behind that they don't want to leave.  How to walk away when they hate you for pointing out and encouraging a new way that needs to be taken.  How to be there for them if they decide to change.