BETTER is...One day with God (1)

(S1)

Which is better: a day at the beach or a day in the mountains? Bringing back bell bottoms/big hair? Walks in the park/ride on the subway? A mile run/jog to the mailbox? Fords/Chevy’s? McDonalds/Burger King? Cookies/cupcakes (or both)?

We may not all agree on which is better, but can agree that there is GOOD and there is BETTER?

The Psalmist tells us, that BETTER is a day with God, than a day without Him.

(MSG) One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship (BETTER), beats thousands spent on any island beach without you O God (GOOD).

To know and live into God’s BEST for us... We have to let go of the GOOD to grab a hold of the BETTER

Who doesn’t like BETTER? Financially/relationally/physically/ spiritually? I am not talking about the things we can’t control, but decisions we make that affect the whole of our life ~ choosing the BETTER with Jesus over what’s GOOD; what the world has to offer

Pursuing the GOOD life.

The word ‘good’ has a very different meaning for very many people; however, there are some aspects of ‘the good life’ that most people can probably agree on such as: Material comfort—Wellbeing—Engagement in meaningful activities/work—Loving relationships—Belonging to a community.” What Is The Good Life & How To Attain It 14 Dec 2015 by Jo Nash, Ph.D

We all want…to be financially sound, have a satisfying career, to acquire nice things, healthy relationships; family, children, friends, good marriages, a fulfilling single life. All the conveniences and the simple pleasures that make life easier

I do, you do; we all want a good life! There is nothing wrong with that, but the tragedy is, many times we are missing out by settling for the good when God has something indescribably better!

Series—When life hands you choices—Choose BETTER!

Over the next five weeks, I will un-wrap this idea that BETTER choices can give us a BETTER life. I will give practical steps you can take, that can help you discover God’s BEST for your life

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy (GOOD). I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (BEST)

To do that, we have to learn, to let go of pursuing GOOD, so we can grab hold of the BETTER—an abundant life of God’s BEST—in a relationship with Jesus Christ!

(S2)

Psalm 84—An example of “the better,” that awaits us, by setting our hearts and minds on a daily walk in God’s presence.

10 BETTER is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; 11 the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless (or who walk with him)

Good are the blessings of this life, but BETTER, is a moment, an hour, a day, week, year, and life with God.

Better is ours to choose, but we often choose good, over better. How does choosing better look or not look?

VIDEO

(S3)

Some ways are good, but some are just better.

Who likes steak? I’m a meat and potato guy~ big thick juicy steak, cooked to perfection. Growing up, we only ate steak one way ~ well done, which to us seemed good! Then, I met Jenny and learned the Tom Houlihan way to cook meat. Medium rare ~ seared on the outside, warm and tender on the inside.

But better doesn’t always seem better at first, when we are used to good.

I remember the first time I cut into it, and red blood came oozing out. I was sure it was moooooving…But, after taking my first bite, I quickly discovered, it was better! Incredibly better! (repeat). You may disagree, but here is what I noticed ~ the flavors were rich; and it was so tender I could cut it with a butter knife! I had only known good, not yet realizing there was BETTER. How have I cooked steaks since? BETTER, or at least that’s my opinion.

Similarly, we can look to the world for how to live the good life — seeking short term pleasures, fulfillment in things, people and relationships, or just pursuing a live of fun, which can all seem good, until we discover the BETTER the Psalmist is speaking of.

(S4)

BETTER is a day with God than a day without!

Most are familiar with the story of the wise men— They set out on a long and dangerous journey of seeking something better.

To find it, they had to leave their GOOD life behind, for the opportunity to know BETTER— being in the very presence of God incarnate; in the flesh—Jesus

Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him, opening their treasures and presenting him with gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.

They gave up their treasured goods; the finest the world had to offer, to know the BETTER; God BEST

My calling—Good life for the BETTER God had to offer me

God has a BEST for us! You have to choose it! It may mean giving up good for better

(S5)

10b I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Courts—Temple area outside of the inner sanctuary/Holy of Holies, where God dwelled. Being in the courts meant being in close proximity to God, which for most was all they would ever know. People had a burning desire to be near to God! Why they would make the yearly journey at passover—leaving the good life…yearning for the better

2 My soul yearns (the deepest seat of our appetites, where our emotions rise from- like a volcano—even faints (this is to long for something so much, as to exhaust oneself to the nearness of death)—for the courts of the LORD (to just be near him; so much that )—my heart and my flesh cry out (to be overcome with emotion) for the living God

Do you have that burning desire to in the presence of better?

Truth is, we don’t always choose better—Sometimes, we are not even sure we can get out of bed in time to get in our cars and go five miles or less, to be in worship with God.

Choosing BETTER, a day with God.

Christianity in the latter part of the 20th century, it was evident that there was a desire to be in the presence of God. Churches were filled; Sunday schools were bursting at the seams with children, youth and adults, who gathered regularly.

Today its easy to justify our lack of wanting to truly be with God, by saying things like;

I can pray and talk to God anywhere, I can study the bible at home or listen to it while I am driving, my faith is personal, I don’t need a church family...

When we settle for good, we are missing out on the better; a day with God—not just Sunday, but every day, moment, week, life living into God’s best for us

10b I would rather stand at the threshold (be a door keeper) of the house of my God,

For the Psalmist, standing at the gate, the furthest place at the temple, from God’s presence, in the hottest time of the day

“”From an unused root meaning to be hot” James Strong, Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon (Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995).

Anything is better than being away…A bad day with God is better than a good day without God!

I would rather be at the lowest position in the temple (better)…than dwell in the tents of wickedness (good).

The delights of the world seem good—but when we trade them for BETTER ~ a living God-honoring relationship with Jesus. If we do this long and often enough, we discover that good is rarely better.

(S6)

Cows near dump (Nicaruaga) —They exchanged the good for the best God has for them

After I had committed my life to Christ, there was a time I indulged in what my friends called harmless fun activities. They would say, don’t be a stuffy, judgmental goody two-shoes Christian, certainly God wants you to have fun, party – after all Jesus did. (wine)—You know what, for a while, it was fun, (driving home stinky drunk).

“sin is a lot like a sneeze; it feels good coming out, but then there is snot everywhere! Pastor Craig from life church

(S7)

GOOD leaves us in a mess—BETTER cleans us up!

Good is GOOD...but being with BETTER is best.

Jesus tells us, like he told his disciples; choose better, choose me, who gives a better life.

How do we let go of the good to grab hold of the better?

(S8) —

Live with an ongoing, unending, AWARENESS of God’s presence.

“One of the markers of God’s presence is self-forgetfulness.” J.D. Walt

We are so used to Self as our reference point to Jesus as our reference points

Being other centered is being Jesus centered

By recognizing that better is a relationship with Jesus. Better is God living in us and us choosing to live for him, with an ongoing, unending, awareness of presence. Since Jesus gave the Spirit of God, after his resurrection, our bodies are now the temple of God.

1 Corinthians 6:19 “19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”

We don’t have to go somewhere to be with him, like the wise men. You can literally have a day, a week, a month, and a better year with God.

You only have to let go of the good and grab hold of the better.

How do we have a better day with God?

…Three habits, to develop, so you can start to live into God’s Best and have the BETTER living life for Jesus Christ.

(S9) — Better is...

1. Being in constant COMMUNION with God.

Choosing to live into the union we have with God by talking daily with him; centering our thoughts on living the way that reflects the will of the spirit. We do this by being in constant conversation with the one who gives life.

Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires (GOOD); but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires (BETTER).

More and more, we live in a world in which we are always connected. We have come a long way from party lines, and actually writing letters.

Our lives are in constant communication with others. Connecting more often when were apart, then when were together (less to talk about).

It is GOOD we have this advanced technology, but the truth is we have become a disconnected people in a connected world, missing out on better.

BETTER is to be in constant communication with God, so we can make choices that better align with the spirit already living in us.

Romans 8:10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God, or because you have chosen better.

Think about it this way.

- You find yourself feeling overwhelmed, or just exhausted - the spirit speaks to you what Jesus’ said, “come to me all who are weary….

- You’re reminded of a loved one who has died…the spirit says, “trust in me, I bring you peace, and turn your sadness into joy.

- You’re on your way to work, not looking forward to it…you see a beautiful sunrise and all God’s blessings in your life, come to mind.

- Someone takes your parking spot or pulls out in front of you, instead of using sign language, the spirit reminds you show God’s grace instead and just smile

- You run into a rude employee at the store and the spirit leads you to show compassion – maybe there having a bad day.

Theater running out of popcorn

Being in constant union with God is choosing BETTER.

(S10) — Better is...

2. Being ready to respond in instant OBEDIENCE to God.

The word court also has a deeper meaning in the Hebrew; it means “to sound a trumpet,” or to hear the very voice of God, by responding in obedience to his purpose for our lives.

Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Better is not only hearing God, but about responding to what we hear and by being obedient to doing his will.

Ever been prompted by the spirit?

Doris-driving by the hospital

I have learned that whenever I hear God in this way, to not question it and instantly obey his directive!

A note of caution; be careful that what you are hearing is the spirt of God!

Don’t look at the menu and say god should I order the half rack or the whole

and expect him to answer; go for it___________ !

That’s not the better I’m talking about!

God only speaks truth and if what you are hearing does not align with God’s word, than it may be good, but it’s not the BETTER…with him is his only desire for us.

We choose Better, when we develop the habit of instant obedience to God!

(S11) — Better is...

3. A daily DESPERATION for God.

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good

When we discover God’s goodness, we grow in desire to be with him. We become desperate for his love and seek better days by choosing to be in his presence.

When life hands you choices, choose better!

Psalm 63:1-3 “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.”

Better is a day with God than a day without God — Live with an ongoing, unending, awareness of God’s presence.

— Being in constant COMMUNICATION with God

— Ready to respond in instant OBEDIENCE to God

— Daily DESPERATION for God.

(S12)

Let go of the GOOD and grab a hold of the BETTER

Will you let go of the good so you have more room in your life for BETTER?

When we do, listen to God’s promise…

3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

Do you live in constant communication with God? Do you listen and live in instant obedience to his will? Do you have a desperate appetite for being near him? Do you settle for the good life or desire the indescribably better that God has for you?

Good news! For us being at the threshold of God; the gate to his presence is found in Jesus Christ with us and in us.

John 10: 7 Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.

If you only have a medium-well done steak, all you will never want is a good steak! But if you choose better…

If you keep God at a distance (good), but never indulge in and hunger for a growing relationship with Jesus..

Taste and see….that the Lord is good!

When life hands you choices, choose better…better is day with God.

And Jesus is the better he has for us.