Good Is Not Good Enough

Psalms 37:29-31 "The godly will possess the land and will live there forever. 30  The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. 31 They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path."

This scripture gives us insight into the characteristics of the godly and the benefits of living a life that pleases God. The godly possess the land and live their forever, this teaches us that godliness produces a generational blessing, that leaves an inheritance to our children's children.

The godly offer good counsel, they teach right from wrong. This shows us that the godly have influence in their society, they are sought after for counsel and they teach others the difference between right and wrong. Godly people are not afraid to draw a line in the sand and define right and wrong.

They have made God's law their own, the godly are submitted to God, his ways become their ways. They are powerful leaders because they are submitted followers. Their feet will never slip from his path. Their paths are secure and their future is bright. The godly prosper and succeed when others fall by the way side because their feet are firmly planted on God's path.

So what about you, does this scripture define your life. Are you passing down a generational blessing, are you an individual of influence taking a stand on the issues of our day, are you submitted to God's laws? We all can falter and fail along they way, but let's make a refocused commitment to be Godly. Our world is full of good people who go along and get along but our world needs Godly People who will reestablish the truths of God and turn our culture back to Jesus Christ. Good is not good enough, God calls us to be Godly.

Common Ground

1 Corinthians 9:22-23 "When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23  I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings."

Paul said he did everything he could to save people from hell and spread the good news of Jesus Christ. He tried as the NLT says " to find common ground", common ground is a place connection not a place of compromise. Jesus was a friend of sinners but he didn't sin or compromise to reach sinners and neither should we. Our world doesn't need churches that look like, smell like and act like the world. Our world needs to experience the presence and power of God to change their lives. Our culture is recklessly headed toward hell and we the Church should be doing everything we can to share the good news of Jesus Christ with them.

Many times the common ground of connection is their place of need. The great thing about the message of Jesus Christ is that no matter what a persons need is, Jesus is the answer. When you begin to talk to people about their problems, struggles and disappointments you move to a common ground, because people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Once they realize that you care, then the doorway of their heart is opened to message of Jesus Christ. Every time you meet a need (common ground) it opens the door to sow a seed (share the gospel).

Sounds of Revival

Ezra 3:12-13 "But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy. 13  The joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud noise that could be heard far in the distance."

What a beautiful picture of a multi generational effort. The young and old worked together to rebuild the temple, to restore God's house. This scripture not only gives us a picture of all generations working together for the Glory of God.

But it gives us insight into what I believe to be the sounds of revival, which are the sounds of weeping and joy mingled together. When our hearts break over the condition of our nation and the souls of men and when we rejoice over one life that is changed for the glory of God. Weeping and joy mingled together produce the harvest of God. Psalms 126:5-6 "Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 6  They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest."

May the sounds of weeping and joy fill our Churches, may the sound of weeping fill our alters as genuine repentance and godly sorrow produce salvation. May our alters be stained with the tears of those who war in the spirit through prayer and fasting for their families, communities and nation. May the shout of joy fill our sanctuaries as we worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Celebrating who he is and what he has done in our lives as the redeemed of the Lord SAY SO!