Because We Have Turned Aside...

March 5, 2009

Because We Have Turned Aside…

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading in the “So That’s Why” Bible consist of pp. 357-362...1 Samuel 12-14.

I believe that the Word of God has all we need for lives of righteousness and holiness.

I believe that the Word of God gives principles and insights for anything which the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ might face.

I am convinced that we are undergoing the current “economic crisis” due to our turning away from the Lord.

A couple of things have struck me of late.

Judges 21:25
In those days there was no king in Israel:
every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
KJV

The Lord God was to reign over Israel.
The Lord God was to be Protector, Provider.

The people of Israel rejected the leadership of the Lord. God would then discipline them. The people would cry out to God. He would send a leader (a “judge” ) who would lead the nation in the way of righteousness. The nation would then turn away from God. The cycle continued.

Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.

Much of what is happening today is because folk are doing what is right in their own eyes.

They have rejected the counsel of the Lord.
They have rejected that God even exists!!
How many of our “leaders” are actually God-fearing and seek Him? Very, very few.
We know by their fruit.

So, every man did what was right in his own eyes, and there was no king in Israel.
God’s design/desire was not for a king, yet the people demanded one.
Most know that the demand from the people came because they wanted to be like the nations around them.

1 Sam 8:19-22
19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;
20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord .
22 And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
KJV

The people did not want God to be judge over them.
The people did not want God to go out before them.
The people did not want God to fight their battles.

They wanted a King. OUR KING!
They wanted to be like the world.

But there is more to this.

Seriously more.

Why did the people want a king?
Why did they reject the leadership of the Lord?
Why did they come to Samuel and demand a king?

This is a sad, sad truth.

Give heed. Read carefully. Ask the Lord to reveal…

1 Sam 8:1-5
1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.
3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
KJV

The people turned from God to the way of the world (King) due to the actions and deeds of the “servants” of God!!

Samuel was a true servant.
His sons were not.

The sons refused to walk in the ways of the Lord.

The sons turned aside...away from God...toward lucre...money!! Money was their god.

The sons took bribes.

The sons perverted judgment.

Therefore, the people decided to have no part and demanded a King.

The sin of the upcoming “leadership” turned an entire nation away from God!

The same occurs today.

I believe that many turn away from God because of what they see in the “sons” of God.

There is tremendous corruption within the professed church….especially with leadership.

Leaders turn aside from God toward lucre.
They do not teach the full counsel of the Word of God...afraid they will “lose their jobs.”
They would rather turn to the pattern, program and counsel of man...the King...than God.
They pervert judgment.
They pervert the Word of God...many, many deny the Word!
They are far more concerned with status, “success”, comfort, than they are with the Truth of the Lord.

The leaders do this.
The people likewise.

This drives people away from God directly into the awaiting arms of Leviathan.

May the Lord have mercy on us.

Today, repent of such.
Rehearse these things in the ear of the Lord.
Then, listen.

Let us determine to live before the Lord in such a manner that folk will be drawn toward Him...not driven away.

A couple of new Podcasts are available - Vertical Vision
Several new news articles - News
Pray for - Pray for...

If you have not done so yet, check out the beta versions (songs 1-4) of the upcoming Freedom worship project...had a good work session last night...more this afternoon… pray! Yes! We are available to come and worship, etc. etc.
FREEDOM on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

One last thing…

Encourage the worship leadership (and worshippers) in your local portion of the Body of Christ to attend the Adore 2009 Worship Conference. Details...



Date: Saturday, March 28
Time: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., then Night of Worship, 6:30 p.m.
Place: Faith Church, Florence, Alabama

The group discount (6 or more) is $30.

Just received the breakdown for workshops…send the pianist/organist/keyboardists...we will have fun!

8:00-8:30 a.m. Registration

8:30-10:00 a.m. First Session (1 hour 1/2)
"Insights in Songwriting" - Lenny
"Applying Electric Guitar in a Worship Context" - Scott Todd
"Bassics of Worship" - Brad Hanback
Drums/Percussion Workshop - Doug Stokes & Carlos Torres
Acoustic Guitar Workshop - Shane Baker
Vocals - Cindy Walker & Kat Holder
"Heart of Worship" - Brian Holden
Sound/Audio - Tim Wright
"Help! I'm A 'Classical' Musician!" (Keyboards) - Dale Moore

10:00-10:15 a.m. Break

10:15-11:45 a.m. Second Session (1 hour 1/2)
"Business of Songwriting" - Lenny
"Applying Electric Guitar in a Worship Context" - Scott Todd
"Bassics of Worship" - Brad Hanback
Drums/Percussion Workshop - Doug Stokes & Carlos Torres
Acoustic Guitar Workshop - Shane Baker
Vocals - Cindy Walker & Kat Holder
"Heart of Worship" - Brian Holden
"Ok, I know the Keys are Black and White....." (Keyboards) - Dale Moore

11:45 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Third Session (Rehearsal/Q&A) - Lenny, Lindell and Worship Team

6:30 p.m. - Worship Concert.


Blessings!!