As a church and charity planter with glocal vision, I am very inspired by this video, this man, and their mission.
My wonderful wife and I believe whole heartedly in Ephesians 3:20
Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us in Jesus Christ. Amen
Looking forward with great anticipation for what 2011 will hold for those who believe on His Name!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
CNN Hero Narayanan Krishnan
I am very inspired by the kindness of this man. I believe he is very close to Christianity and just needs someone to share with him the truth of Jesus. He truly defines what it means to be missional, and if we could just change our thinking as pastors and lay leaders in the church, we would make such a greater impact. This video reflects what we want to do at our charity The Joseph House. As church planters, we've decided to take a "back-door" approach to our plant. While there are many methods in church planting, we believe this is the truest way to engage our community and world. It is natural,organic and genuine.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
meaning of missional by Frank Viola
the following was posted on a blog site called futuristguy
1. What does “missional” mean to you?
I found the link on The Blind Beggar and came over here to see what was happening. The post and comments generated a lot of thinking … thanks for an opportunity to synthesize some of what I’d already been pondering for a long time.
After thinking about the meaning of “missional” for at least a year, I think I’m finally getting a handle on the “what,” “so what,” and “now what” of it all. And as it turns out, it’s a much bigger picture than I realized!
To me, “missional” means everyday discipleship that brings our personal presence into all venues where we have influence. This is both individual and corporate – living out and the character of Christ as individuals and Kingdom culture as a community of sojourners among our neighbors and neighborhoods. There will always be a dynamic tension or paradox between missional individuals and community. We cannot sustain being missional on our own, but if we are not being missional individually we cannot sustain being mission-shaped corporately.
Being missional involves being both contextual (relevant in our engagement with these cultures) and countercultural (resistant and challenging to the anti-biblical aspects of these cultures). It neither colonizes (attempts to control the culture or make it conform externally) nor syncretizes (lets the culture control us). Mission-shaped engagement with our neighbors and our/their cultures calls forth expectancy, creativity, and responsibility. It also challenges us to advocate for those who have been victimized, to call out those who perpetrate evil and injustice, and to be present with people in the midst of the mundane moments, pains, and joys of their life.
Living this kind of intentional, mission-shaped life requires us to practice regularly the disciplines of:
GIVING (sharing, blessing, praying),
RECEIVING (listening, asking, thanking), and
PERCEIVING (Who/What did I notice that was a surprise? What do I wish I’d done differently/more Christlike just now? How was the Triune God providentially at work in it?)
Persevering in these disciplines develops our missional consciousness and our conscience.
The practices of giving, receiving, and perceiving help transform us from religious consumers into spiritual-cultural producers. Missional attitudes and actions make an incremental difference in the lives of ourselves and others over time, as we root ourselves into the locales and spheres of influence God providentially graces us with. As Tolstoy said, “True life is lived when tiny changes occur.” So, being missional is about living out an incarnational life of gradual changes in the commonplace activities of each day together. It is about sacrificial obedience that costs, not seeking for super-spiritual or super-supernatural or self-serving experiences that we think will pay off.
2. Do you feel that this is a good word – why or why not?
“Missional” is a fairly good word to use … when applied with understanding of it as a term of spiritual production, not religious consumption. However, many now seem to want to USE the term WITHOUT LIVING by the terms of the term. I have to wonder if their name-it-and-claim-it approach relates more to marketing promotion than to missional paradigms. If they don’t want to use the word appropriately, then they should not use it at all.
This misapplication is very naughty behavior, even if driven by sincere desires to reach people for Christ. Purveyors of missional emptiness ought to be sent to theological time-out until they have repented of their dilution of the term’s terms, meanings, and methods!
3. To your mind, what is the difference between a “missional church” and a “non-missional” church? Give examples if you like.
Oh, oh …now there’s The Big Question: differences between missional church and non-missional church. I’m a researcher on paradigms and cultural systems, so I’ve got a lot of technical blah-blah-blah ideas and reasons on that subject. Let me say the relatively non-technical stuff here, and leave the rest for my blog or somewhere else, sometime else.
I like what Brother Maynard said in his summary of the Missional SynchroBlog in June 2008: “Live your faith. Share your life.” That keeps things integrated and holistic – and that’s the essence of the missional paradigm. The reverse: “Live your life. Share your faith” is reductionist. The essence of non-missional is compartmentalizing – it divides evangelism and missions and discipleship and etc. away from the rest of life.
I’ve blogged about the differences this way:
What makes mission and missional different? Mission requires “incursion” – people commute into the community, and then return to their home turf when they are finished. Missional requires “incarnation” – people root into the community, because that is their home and they never finish.
I also think a key difference lies in the realm of being collaborative producers instead of passive consumers. In non-missional churches, there are deep-level paradigm assumptions that set up surface-level operating systems that block people from being discipled as spiritual producers; they keep people immature religious consumers. And while creativity is definitely a reflection of God’s image in us, I’ve yet to figure out what aspect of God’s personhood or character consumption reflects
1. What does “missional” mean to you?
I found the link on The Blind Beggar and came over here to see what was happening. The post and comments generated a lot of thinking … thanks for an opportunity to synthesize some of what I’d already been pondering for a long time.
After thinking about the meaning of “missional” for at least a year, I think I’m finally getting a handle on the “what,” “so what,” and “now what” of it all. And as it turns out, it’s a much bigger picture than I realized!
To me, “missional” means everyday discipleship that brings our personal presence into all venues where we have influence. This is both individual and corporate – living out and the character of Christ as individuals and Kingdom culture as a community of sojourners among our neighbors and neighborhoods. There will always be a dynamic tension or paradox between missional individuals and community. We cannot sustain being missional on our own, but if we are not being missional individually we cannot sustain being mission-shaped corporately.
Being missional involves being both contextual (relevant in our engagement with these cultures) and countercultural (resistant and challenging to the anti-biblical aspects of these cultures). It neither colonizes (attempts to control the culture or make it conform externally) nor syncretizes (lets the culture control us). Mission-shaped engagement with our neighbors and our/their cultures calls forth expectancy, creativity, and responsibility. It also challenges us to advocate for those who have been victimized, to call out those who perpetrate evil and injustice, and to be present with people in the midst of the mundane moments, pains, and joys of their life.
Living this kind of intentional, mission-shaped life requires us to practice regularly the disciplines of:
GIVING (sharing, blessing, praying),
RECEIVING (listening, asking, thanking), and
PERCEIVING (Who/What did I notice that was a surprise? What do I wish I’d done differently/more Christlike just now? How was the Triune God providentially at work in it?)
Persevering in these disciplines develops our missional consciousness and our conscience.
The practices of giving, receiving, and perceiving help transform us from religious consumers into spiritual-cultural producers. Missional attitudes and actions make an incremental difference in the lives of ourselves and others over time, as we root ourselves into the locales and spheres of influence God providentially graces us with. As Tolstoy said, “True life is lived when tiny changes occur.” So, being missional is about living out an incarnational life of gradual changes in the commonplace activities of each day together. It is about sacrificial obedience that costs, not seeking for super-spiritual or super-supernatural or self-serving experiences that we think will pay off.
2. Do you feel that this is a good word – why or why not?
“Missional” is a fairly good word to use … when applied with understanding of it as a term of spiritual production, not religious consumption. However, many now seem to want to USE the term WITHOUT LIVING by the terms of the term. I have to wonder if their name-it-and-claim-it approach relates more to marketing promotion than to missional paradigms. If they don’t want to use the word appropriately, then they should not use it at all.
This misapplication is very naughty behavior, even if driven by sincere desires to reach people for Christ. Purveyors of missional emptiness ought to be sent to theological time-out until they have repented of their dilution of the term’s terms, meanings, and methods!
3. To your mind, what is the difference between a “missional church” and a “non-missional” church? Give examples if you like.
Oh, oh …now there’s The Big Question: differences between missional church and non-missional church. I’m a researcher on paradigms and cultural systems, so I’ve got a lot of technical blah-blah-blah ideas and reasons on that subject. Let me say the relatively non-technical stuff here, and leave the rest for my blog or somewhere else, sometime else.
I like what Brother Maynard said in his summary of the Missional SynchroBlog in June 2008: “Live your faith. Share your life.” That keeps things integrated and holistic – and that’s the essence of the missional paradigm. The reverse: “Live your life. Share your faith” is reductionist. The essence of non-missional is compartmentalizing – it divides evangelism and missions and discipleship and etc. away from the rest of life.
I’ve blogged about the differences this way:
What makes mission and missional different? Mission requires “incursion” – people commute into the community, and then return to their home turf when they are finished. Missional requires “incarnation” – people root into the community, because that is their home and they never finish.
I also think a key difference lies in the realm of being collaborative producers instead of passive consumers. In non-missional churches, there are deep-level paradigm assumptions that set up surface-level operating systems that block people from being discipled as spiritual producers; they keep people immature religious consumers. And while creativity is definitely a reflection of God’s image in us, I’ve yet to figure out what aspect of God’s personhood or character consumption reflects
distinctions by topher
IHA and ADH
IHA
INCARNATIONAL An incarnational community cooperatively goes into cultures that already exist, and become like them to reach them. They believe that God is already present in these cultures and therefore, their role as missionaries is not to bring God into that group, or take that group out of the culture into a sacred space, but they help others to see how God is already working in and around them in the ordinary as well as the miraculous.
HOLISTIC A holistic community sees God's hand in the ordinary situations of life. They are able to see and understand the prevenient grace of God at work in places that have not been reached by the church. Rather than relying on programs and services to proclaim the gospel, they are able to show the gospel lived out in their ordinary lives and in ordinary situations. People then see a spirituality that is holistic, meaningful, and relevant to their yearnings for an almighty God that meets them where they are at and a church that meets them in the same way- where they are, as they are.
APOSTOLIC An apostolic community recognizes the responsibility that each believer has been given to play a role in the kingdom. Each member is a leader. As each member is living by the two-fold practice of LISTEN & OBEY, they are simultaneously learning how to feed themselves spiritually and be accountable and communal. They therefore, become less reliant on community for spiritual nourishment, while choosing to be involved in community out of obedience, love, accountability, friendship, worship, wisdom, and co-labor-ship. The apostolic community typically shares a common set of "missionary practices." These are spiritual disciplines that provide common ground for the community as well as a means for the members of the community to LISTEN & OBEY. As the members of the community gather, these lifestyle disciplines provide an informal liturgy for the community, with much to share, and much reason to worship the Lord together.
ADH
ATTRACTIONAL An attractional organization seeks to create a spiritually comfortable and sanctified place within a culture that can serve as it's community's hub. They then attempt to invite people into this space, with the hopes of extracting them out of their old community and transplanting them into the new christian community. The focus is on providing alternative 3rd places so that people can meet new friends, and find new clubs, and new activities to be involved with during the week. This type of organization is also sometimes referred to as "EXTRACTIONAL."
DUALISTIC A dualistic paradigm sees the world as divided between the sacred and the ordinary. Although God is in both places, we are expected to encounter him more fully and deeply in the sacred spaces than in the ordinary. This is because sacred spaces are designed for an encounter with God. Through the use of architecture, lighting, artwork, alters, ceremonies, music, etc... these spaces are also protected against unnecessary distractions or possible stumbling blocks that could hinder someone from making a connection with God or with another believer in fellowship.
HIERARCHICAL A hierarchical organization is an organization that is characterized by the separation of clergy and laity. The laity entrust the work of the kingdom to the few qualified leaders, who then provide vision for the laity and the steps necessary to achieve that vision. The clergy (or staff) provide services to the laity which include: the sacred space to meet, a vision for the organization's role in the Kingdom, teaching (in the form of a sunday message, and often classes offered during the week), small group coordination and management, mission trips, counseling, etc...
IHA
INCARNATIONAL An incarnational community cooperatively goes into cultures that already exist, and become like them to reach them. They believe that God is already present in these cultures and therefore, their role as missionaries is not to bring God into that group, or take that group out of the culture into a sacred space, but they help others to see how God is already working in and around them in the ordinary as well as the miraculous.
HOLISTIC A holistic community sees God's hand in the ordinary situations of life. They are able to see and understand the prevenient grace of God at work in places that have not been reached by the church. Rather than relying on programs and services to proclaim the gospel, they are able to show the gospel lived out in their ordinary lives and in ordinary situations. People then see a spirituality that is holistic, meaningful, and relevant to their yearnings for an almighty God that meets them where they are at and a church that meets them in the same way- where they are, as they are.
APOSTOLIC An apostolic community recognizes the responsibility that each believer has been given to play a role in the kingdom. Each member is a leader. As each member is living by the two-fold practice of LISTEN & OBEY, they are simultaneously learning how to feed themselves spiritually and be accountable and communal. They therefore, become less reliant on community for spiritual nourishment, while choosing to be involved in community out of obedience, love, accountability, friendship, worship, wisdom, and co-labor-ship. The apostolic community typically shares a common set of "missionary practices." These are spiritual disciplines that provide common ground for the community as well as a means for the members of the community to LISTEN & OBEY. As the members of the community gather, these lifestyle disciplines provide an informal liturgy for the community, with much to share, and much reason to worship the Lord together.
ADH
ATTRACTIONAL An attractional organization seeks to create a spiritually comfortable and sanctified place within a culture that can serve as it's community's hub. They then attempt to invite people into this space, with the hopes of extracting them out of their old community and transplanting them into the new christian community. The focus is on providing alternative 3rd places so that people can meet new friends, and find new clubs, and new activities to be involved with during the week. This type of organization is also sometimes referred to as "EXTRACTIONAL."
DUALISTIC A dualistic paradigm sees the world as divided between the sacred and the ordinary. Although God is in both places, we are expected to encounter him more fully and deeply in the sacred spaces than in the ordinary. This is because sacred spaces are designed for an encounter with God. Through the use of architecture, lighting, artwork, alters, ceremonies, music, etc... these spaces are also protected against unnecessary distractions or possible stumbling blocks that could hinder someone from making a connection with God or with another believer in fellowship.
HIERARCHICAL A hierarchical organization is an organization that is characterized by the separation of clergy and laity. The laity entrust the work of the kingdom to the few qualified leaders, who then provide vision for the laity and the steps necessary to achieve that vision. The clergy (or staff) provide services to the laity which include: the sacred space to meet, a vision for the organization's role in the Kingdom, teaching (in the form of a sunday message, and often classes offered during the week), small group coordination and management, mission trips, counseling, etc...
Thursday, November 11, 2010
I recently attended a local Acts 29 workshop for Pastors and church planters. The guest speaker was a guy by the name of Jonathon Dodson. He was a very intelligent dude in his 30's, who brought a huge amount of info to the thirty men sitting. I was able to take some notes and have decided to post his outline while I await the MP3.
The premise (for those in attendance) was to "deconstruct' the way we think and/or do church.
I. Missional Church
What is it?
-Not a church with a mission
All churches have a mission i.e. doctrine, social
A missional church is a church AS a mission, not a church WITH a mission.
So then we must make a conceptual shift between old church and missional church
Vocation
Church WITH a Mission
•what you do
•extraordinary (elitist)
•project forums - event driven
Natural
Church As a mission
•who you are
•optional • essential core
ordinary people
people focus (disciple)
Three things need to happen for shift
•correctional (head)
•practical reorient life back into mission
•effectual
This is not a dichotomy!
Missio dei means the God sender. Mission is an attribute of God, and is not something God does! We must have a better understanding of theology proper. If you want to have a church you must start right now!
Three ways not to be missional
•event driven (consumeristic)
•evangelism driven (soul winning at expense of social renewal)
This has also become answer driven; right spiritual answer, ticket to glory. The right answer does not mean salvation; believing right fact, brings no discernable evidence
• social driven
Missiology syncretized
Syncretistic missiology
•institutional church- forced
•intuitive missional church - natural
Gives example of "gospel conversion" using Colossians 1:3 as proof text.
•Christ
•church
•mission
When planting, you actually don't launch a church, you really launch a service, because doing church as a mission means you are the church already doing the church work in the context of your own life.
You cannot be missional inviting people to hear a sermon 1.5 hrs per week
Quote- 'You are saved into full time ministry, not to go into ministry" Jonathon Dodson
(At this point he gives an example of communal commands. Not necessary to publish this ex.)
Session II.
institutional
pulpit- (all you know)
adopts programs of mission
intuitive missional not rely on teaching preaching alone
repent of old stuff
create a culture of prayer
discern missional leadership patterns bible
Finally, ends session talking about ways to be intuitive in your descriptions of sin and the need for repentance as it relates to our post mod culture.
Quote- ''biblical exegesis is like underwear, it holds everything up"
'' people will complain because their idols are being removed"
(on implementing Missional concept in your church)
I asked who his mentors were? He responds by asking, dead or alive? I say, both.
•John Piper
•Tim Chester
•Abraham Kiper
Recommended Books
•You can change by Tim Chester
•Future of faith by Harvey Hex
•Praying life by Paul Miller
The premise (for those in attendance) was to "deconstruct' the way we think and/or do church.
I. Missional Church
What is it?
-Not a church with a mission
All churches have a mission i.e. doctrine, social
A missional church is a church AS a mission, not a church WITH a mission.
So then we must make a conceptual shift between old church and missional church
Vocation
Church WITH a Mission
•what you do
•extraordinary (elitist)
•project forums - event driven
Natural
Church As a mission
•who you are
•optional • essential core
ordinary people
people focus (disciple)
Three things need to happen for shift
•correctional (head)
•practical reorient life back into mission
•effectual
This is not a dichotomy!
Missio dei means the God sender. Mission is an attribute of God, and is not something God does! We must have a better understanding of theology proper. If you want to have a church you must start right now!
Three ways not to be missional
•event driven (consumeristic)
•evangelism driven (soul winning at expense of social renewal)
This has also become answer driven; right spiritual answer, ticket to glory. The right answer does not mean salvation; believing right fact, brings no discernable evidence
• social driven
Missiology syncretized
Syncretistic missiology
•institutional church- forced
•intuitive missional church - natural
Gives example of "gospel conversion" using Colossians 1:3 as proof text.
•Christ
•church
•mission
When planting, you actually don't launch a church, you really launch a service, because doing church as a mission means you are the church already doing the church work in the context of your own life.
You cannot be missional inviting people to hear a sermon 1.5 hrs per week
Quote- 'You are saved into full time ministry, not to go into ministry" Jonathon Dodson
(At this point he gives an example of communal commands. Not necessary to publish this ex.)
Session II.
institutional
pulpit- (all you know)
adopts programs of mission
intuitive missional not rely on teaching preaching alone
repent of old stuff
create a culture of prayer
discern missional leadership patterns bible
Finally, ends session talking about ways to be intuitive in your descriptions of sin and the need for repentance as it relates to our post mod culture.
Quote- ''biblical exegesis is like underwear, it holds everything up"
'' people will complain because their idols are being removed"
(on implementing Missional concept in your church)
I asked who his mentors were? He responds by asking, dead or alive? I say, both.
•John Piper
•Tim Chester
•Abraham Kiper
Recommended Books
•You can change by Tim Chester
•Future of faith by Harvey Hex
•Praying life by Paul Miller
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Evening Prayer
I pray tonight, for all those sorts and conditions of men to whom Jesus gave special thought and care;
For those lacking food or drink or raiment (clothing),
For the sick and all who are wasted by disease,
For the blind,
For the maimed and lame,
For lepers,
For prisoners,
For those oppressed by an injustice,
For the lost sheep of our human society,
For fallen women,
For all lonely strangers within our gates,
For the worried and anxious,
For those who are living faithful lives in obscurity,
For those who are fighting bravely in unpopular causes,
For all whoa re laboring diligently in Your vineyard.
Grant, O Father, that Your loving kindness in causing my own lines to fall in pleasant places may not make me less sensitive to the needs of others less privileged, but rather more incline me to lay their burdens upon my own heart. And if any adversity should befall myself, then let me not brood upon my own sorrows, as if I alone in the world were suffering, but rather let me busy myself in the compassionate service of all who need my help. Thus let the power of my Lord Christ be strong within me and His peace invade my spirit. Amen
Evening Prayer from A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie, 1949
For those lacking food or drink or raiment (clothing),
For the sick and all who are wasted by disease,
For the blind,
For the maimed and lame,
For lepers,
For prisoners,
For those oppressed by an injustice,
For the lost sheep of our human society,
For fallen women,
For all lonely strangers within our gates,
For the worried and anxious,
For those who are living faithful lives in obscurity,
For those who are fighting bravely in unpopular causes,
For all whoa re laboring diligently in Your vineyard.
Grant, O Father, that Your loving kindness in causing my own lines to fall in pleasant places may not make me less sensitive to the needs of others less privileged, but rather more incline me to lay their burdens upon my own heart. And if any adversity should befall myself, then let me not brood upon my own sorrows, as if I alone in the world were suffering, but rather let me busy myself in the compassionate service of all who need my help. Thus let the power of my Lord Christ be strong within me and His peace invade my spirit. Amen
Evening Prayer from A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie, 1949
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Litany of Humility
Oh Jesus meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That in the opinion of the world, others may increase, and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Written by Rafael Cardinal Merry Del Val
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That in the opinion of the world, others may increase, and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Written by Rafael Cardinal Merry Del Val
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Another beggar illustration Acts 3
I am amazed once again this week as I study yet another account of God's providential hand on the life of a single beggar.
This week our text lays out a perfect illustration of the mercy, purpose and most importantly, the supremacy of God over all things. Even a debilitating disease such as lameness.
What fascinates me about this passage is that if we would be honest with ourselves we should be willing to admit that we are truly no different than this beggar sitting at the gate beautiful.
So many times in life’s journey we find ourselves desperate for God. There are points where I have discovered an endless sense of frustration and hopelessness unless Christ be not for me.
The thought of never being able to contribute to God's Kingdom due to past mistakes is a killer. Then we know there are many a people struggling with guilt and shame.
Perhaps you find yourself in a situation that is to secretive to announce, lest everything around you fall apart? Or maybe the marriage that has consumed your entire life has only become worse as the years press on and you feel stuck without hope?
Just maybe you are one with a disease and you're having to hold on to family and friends and to whatever shimmer of hope someone has given you?
Think with me a moment..
Was this beggars inability to help feed himself, or work and contribute to society out of God's sovereign control? Did this beggar somehow find himself off heavens radar for 40 years to just now be noticed?
God had a plan for him though it never ever seemed to have come to pass, until suddenly on a normal day of begging, God showed up.
We see several elements of the healing here that we can apply to our spiritual, emotional and physical infirmities and afflictions.
First, he had to be broken and humble. Next, he needed to be a willing participant to God's moving.(some of us find ourselves bitter or angry and resentful and unfortunately we will remain as we are with no hope in sight)
Then this beggar needed to look with expectancy, and finally, he needed to appropriate a measure of faith given to him from God to obey the Apostles orders to take hold of, and to rise.
(Never exercising muscles you have not used for years or even know about takes a tremendous amount of determination and trust in God.)
The result- he leaped up for joy and shouted praises to God! He became free and liberated.
If you are in a position of being pressed down hard upon the floor of your circumstance, show some contrition before God. Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.
Just as He did for this beggar...so He shall do for you.
Do you believe this?
This week our text lays out a perfect illustration of the mercy, purpose and most importantly, the supremacy of God over all things. Even a debilitating disease such as lameness.
What fascinates me about this passage is that if we would be honest with ourselves we should be willing to admit that we are truly no different than this beggar sitting at the gate beautiful.
So many times in life’s journey we find ourselves desperate for God. There are points where I have discovered an endless sense of frustration and hopelessness unless Christ be not for me.
The thought of never being able to contribute to God's Kingdom due to past mistakes is a killer. Then we know there are many a people struggling with guilt and shame.
Perhaps you find yourself in a situation that is to secretive to announce, lest everything around you fall apart? Or maybe the marriage that has consumed your entire life has only become worse as the years press on and you feel stuck without hope?
Just maybe you are one with a disease and you're having to hold on to family and friends and to whatever shimmer of hope someone has given you?
Think with me a moment..
Was this beggars inability to help feed himself, or work and contribute to society out of God's sovereign control? Did this beggar somehow find himself off heavens radar for 40 years to just now be noticed?
God had a plan for him though it never ever seemed to have come to pass, until suddenly on a normal day of begging, God showed up.
We see several elements of the healing here that we can apply to our spiritual, emotional and physical infirmities and afflictions.
First, he had to be broken and humble. Next, he needed to be a willing participant to God's moving.(some of us find ourselves bitter or angry and resentful and unfortunately we will remain as we are with no hope in sight)
Then this beggar needed to look with expectancy, and finally, he needed to appropriate a measure of faith given to him from God to obey the Apostles orders to take hold of, and to rise.
(Never exercising muscles you have not used for years or even know about takes a tremendous amount of determination and trust in God.)
The result- he leaped up for joy and shouted praises to God! He became free and liberated.
If you are in a position of being pressed down hard upon the floor of your circumstance, show some contrition before God. Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.
Just as He did for this beggar...so He shall do for you.
Do you believe this?
Monday, May 24, 2010
A firm grip (1 thess 3:8)
So often life seems to be like an ocean of perpetual trouble. Wave after wave and swell after swell all amounts to a persistent hardship. As the trials and temptations come, we always find ourselves within a heartbeat or two of either victory or defeat.
If you are like me you have asked God on a number of occasions- why all the tests? I have even answered my own question with; because you are such a sinner, that’s why! As if this is to bring any comfort to my situation, right?
We know however that God is good, and that there is nothing He will withhold from those who walk uprightly. Even the super saints better known as the Apostles had difficulties. This should be a great comfort to us in whatever we face today.
In the text before us, we read that the afflictions pressed so gravely against the Apostles and their companions that life became grievous. Satan hindered their work, all the while men scourge and beat them for the good news. What a day job, huh?
In suffering, we tend to hold on to any type of good news, especially when it comes as a result from the cause of our suffering.
Such was the case with Paul and the believers in Thessalonica.
Paul had sent Timothy to them only to find out that they were holding firm to their faith. This good news seemed to overshadow Paul’s dark imprisonment.
Nothing hurts the inner man more deeply then hearing that one of our brothers or sisters have given up on the race and have turned their backs on Christ. However, nothing brings more joy to our weary heart knowing that our brothers and sisters whom we may have lost contact with over time are still running, enduring and trusting. This makes our joy complete.
Standing firm in our faith can only be attributed to persevering in the effectual call provided by the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, we have personal responsibility to follow hard, and to abide. Ask God to strengthen your grip today.
If you are like me you have asked God on a number of occasions- why all the tests? I have even answered my own question with; because you are such a sinner, that’s why! As if this is to bring any comfort to my situation, right?
We know however that God is good, and that there is nothing He will withhold from those who walk uprightly. Even the super saints better known as the Apostles had difficulties. This should be a great comfort to us in whatever we face today.
In the text before us, we read that the afflictions pressed so gravely against the Apostles and their companions that life became grievous. Satan hindered their work, all the while men scourge and beat them for the good news. What a day job, huh?
In suffering, we tend to hold on to any type of good news, especially when it comes as a result from the cause of our suffering.
Such was the case with Paul and the believers in Thessalonica.
Paul had sent Timothy to them only to find out that they were holding firm to their faith. This good news seemed to overshadow Paul’s dark imprisonment.
Nothing hurts the inner man more deeply then hearing that one of our brothers or sisters have given up on the race and have turned their backs on Christ. However, nothing brings more joy to our weary heart knowing that our brothers and sisters whom we may have lost contact with over time are still running, enduring and trusting. This makes our joy complete.
Standing firm in our faith can only be attributed to persevering in the effectual call provided by the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, we have personal responsibility to follow hard, and to abide. Ask God to strengthen your grip today.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Tap In
We exit 1 Thess. two with one last thought found in V.13.
When the true believers recieved the Word of God as truth and not from man, it found it's way into their heart only to work it's self out powerfully.
There is a lot nonsense in the world today.It would be hard pressed to number all of the philosophies, ideal's, and religions that dominate societies culture. It is almost as if the world is spinning in circles with so many belief systems, all of which point a way to some form of life or tranquility, or promise.
The Bible states in Ecclesiastes 3 that God has placed eternity into the hearts of man. This explains that man's great search began from the point of conception.
One man once said that every road leads to God, but only one road leads to heaven.
The Apostles had truth. The Apostles spoke truth, and desired only to be pleasing to God while doing so. Thankfully, the truth prevailed powerfully into the hearts that would recieve it, but not to everyone.
When one believes in the inspired Word of God, they become infused with the knowledge of truth, then powerfully transformed into the image of God through a process called sanctification. The truth of God is the cause for the transformation, and, one cannot not bear fruit if undertaken by it's power.
Seek to tap into Gods Word today and allow it to drive you into His presence. At that very moment you will find, like the believers in Thessalonica, a powerful transforming process begin in your heart, that will never dissappoint.
Tap In...
When the true believers recieved the Word of God as truth and not from man, it found it's way into their heart only to work it's self out powerfully.
There is a lot nonsense in the world today.It would be hard pressed to number all of the philosophies, ideal's, and religions that dominate societies culture. It is almost as if the world is spinning in circles with so many belief systems, all of which point a way to some form of life or tranquility, or promise.
The Bible states in Ecclesiastes 3 that God has placed eternity into the hearts of man. This explains that man's great search began from the point of conception.
One man once said that every road leads to God, but only one road leads to heaven.
The Apostles had truth. The Apostles spoke truth, and desired only to be pleasing to God while doing so. Thankfully, the truth prevailed powerfully into the hearts that would recieve it, but not to everyone.
When one believes in the inspired Word of God, they become infused with the knowledge of truth, then powerfully transformed into the image of God through a process called sanctification. The truth of God is the cause for the transformation, and, one cannot not bear fruit if undertaken by it's power.
Seek to tap into Gods Word today and allow it to drive you into His presence. At that very moment you will find, like the believers in Thessalonica, a powerful transforming process begin in your heart, that will never dissappoint.
Tap In...
Monday, April 26, 2010
Do you have the Truth?
We never came with words of flattery, nor did we seek glory from people
(1 Thess. 2:5,6a)
Dr James MacDonald recently tweeted this;
"I love my church because they can listen to a hard message, receive it ,and come back for more". Encouraged!
Truth- God's people can handle it. As a matter of fact, we want nothing less than the truth.
Now let's play the role of Pilate for a second and ask ourselves, what is truth? (John 18:38)
Well, Truth is absolute and authentic. Truth is unchanging. Truth is morally good. Truth is liberating.
As Christians, we anchor our feet in Truth and stand confidently upon it.
In John 14:6 Jesus claimed to be the Truth and the Life.
Jesus IS Truth we can trust.
Paul, Silas, and Timothy spoke truth into peoples lives, and never concerned themselves with the havoc it could have created to them personally. They chose not to flatter people with meaningless words in order to gain their approval, because they're intentions were never to seek popularity or self-promotion.
They also understood that Gods Word did not need their help in any way in order to have its perfect work carried out into the lives of those to whom it was delivered.
They knew the Truth, and their job duty was to give it out boldly and practically, and then leave the rest to God.
What a shame it is today to hear people profess Christ but fail to speak the truth about Him.
True Christians speak truth even if it wounds the heart, because true Christians receive the implanted word and bear fruit because of it.
A liar on the other hand speaks words to pacify the sinning soul. A liar preaches his or her agenda using the name of Christ for their own personal gain.
Rejoice today that we have great biblical examples like Paul, Silas and Timothy. These men not only spoke the truth, but believed it so much so that they exemplified it in their daily lives to the point of becoming willing participants of self-sacrifice.
Do you have the Truth?
(1 Thess. 2:5,6a)
Dr James MacDonald recently tweeted this;
"I love my church because they can listen to a hard message, receive it ,and come back for more". Encouraged!
Truth- God's people can handle it. As a matter of fact, we want nothing less than the truth.
Now let's play the role of Pilate for a second and ask ourselves, what is truth? (John 18:38)
Well, Truth is absolute and authentic. Truth is unchanging. Truth is morally good. Truth is liberating.
As Christians, we anchor our feet in Truth and stand confidently upon it.
In John 14:6 Jesus claimed to be the Truth and the Life.
Jesus IS Truth we can trust.
Paul, Silas, and Timothy spoke truth into peoples lives, and never concerned themselves with the havoc it could have created to them personally. They chose not to flatter people with meaningless words in order to gain their approval, because they're intentions were never to seek popularity or self-promotion.
They also understood that Gods Word did not need their help in any way in order to have its perfect work carried out into the lives of those to whom it was delivered.
They knew the Truth, and their job duty was to give it out boldly and practically, and then leave the rest to God.
What a shame it is today to hear people profess Christ but fail to speak the truth about Him.
True Christians speak truth even if it wounds the heart, because true Christians receive the implanted word and bear fruit because of it.
A liar on the other hand speaks words to pacify the sinning soul. A liar preaches his or her agenda using the name of Christ for their own personal gain.
Rejoice today that we have great biblical examples like Paul, Silas and Timothy. These men not only spoke the truth, but believed it so much so that they exemplified it in their daily lives to the point of becoming willing participants of self-sacrifice.
Do you have the Truth?
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Are you a man pleaser?
So we speak not to please men, but to God who test our hearts. 1 Thess 2:4
One of the greatest temptations that often comes upon God’s servants is the desire for position.. This self- centered ambition is always problematic for newbie’s, and can even find it’s way among the mature.
The root of position is covetousness.
When we focus our attention upon others, we always begin to want what they have, and, want to be treated the same way. We feel that we deserve the attention, and so begins the long arduious journey of self- promotion.
Our idea’s, our plans, our vision, our goals, our gifts, our whatever, becomes our agenda.
However, our text reveals to us that we do not see a desire for position in the lives of these faithful stewards of God.
Thankfully, they willfully choose not to be men pleasers, and, the only position Paul & co wanted was to be right with God.
They took the high road, that lead to the low road. The low road never brings about popularity, and if it does, it is not the kind that self is ever interested in.
Jeremiah 17:5 says that pleasing men will bring about a curse, and it will never become what you envision it to be.. Men are sinners and men will always fail you, and the sad truth is that, if you are trying to please man, you are living a duplicitous life.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look wholly at his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.
By this you will never be disappointed.
One of the greatest temptations that often comes upon God’s servants is the desire for position.. This self- centered ambition is always problematic for newbie’s, and can even find it’s way among the mature.
The root of position is covetousness.
When we focus our attention upon others, we always begin to want what they have, and, want to be treated the same way. We feel that we deserve the attention, and so begins the long arduious journey of self- promotion.
Our idea’s, our plans, our vision, our goals, our gifts, our whatever, becomes our agenda.
However, our text reveals to us that we do not see a desire for position in the lives of these faithful stewards of God.
Thankfully, they willfully choose not to be men pleasers, and, the only position Paul & co wanted was to be right with God.
They took the high road, that lead to the low road. The low road never brings about popularity, and if it does, it is not the kind that self is ever interested in.
Jeremiah 17:5 says that pleasing men will bring about a curse, and it will never become what you envision it to be.. Men are sinners and men will always fail you, and the sad truth is that, if you are trying to please man, you are living a duplicitous life.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look wholly at his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.
By this you will never be disappointed.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
You know what kind of men we proved to be among you.. 1 Thess 1:5
The life of Paul, Silas and Timothy exemplified the type of men we are to follow, if we are going to make any positive impact in the Body of Christ. It is true that we have many men and woman today God is using mightily in order to bring about great advancements in kingdom work. Find them, see what makes them tick, and follow them.
In Thesssalonica, Christians everywhere were compelled to preach the gospel because these three guys had lives sold out for Jesus Christ. The result was that this infection spread so fast it nearly became impenetrable. The world could stop this Jesus who was the Christ, nor even His servants for that matter.
We understand that it is the Holy Spirit's job alone to energize the fruit production in the life of a believer, but God uses the faithful witness of His chosen vessels to help aid in His divine purpose in the lives of fellow regenerates.
Everyone influences someone.The question you need to ask yourself is, whom am I influencing, and what are they doing because of my influence?
This is a good standard for measuring your own productivity.
In Thesssalonica, Christians everywhere were compelled to preach the gospel because these three guys had lives sold out for Jesus Christ. The result was that this infection spread so fast it nearly became impenetrable. The world could stop this Jesus who was the Christ, nor even His servants for that matter.
We understand that it is the Holy Spirit's job alone to energize the fruit production in the life of a believer, but God uses the faithful witness of His chosen vessels to help aid in His divine purpose in the lives of fellow regenerates.
Everyone influences someone.The question you need to ask yourself is, whom am I influencing, and what are they doing because of my influence?
This is a good standard for measuring your own productivity.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Are your tears genuine?
For you know that afterwards when he (Esau) desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, even though he sought it with tears.
Contrition is viewed by some as weakness. They say that God wants a manly man. I believe that contrition is formed in a man or woman whom God has genuinely broken, where in their desperation, tears of gratitude and adoration flow.
Esau had tears, but they were not produced because of genuine repentance, but rather they came as he understood the consequences of his rebellious heart. He could have cared less about his birthright, and so when his blessing had been taken away, he cried.
Our satisfaction is being in Christ. He is our blessing. There is no position or person or place that can take the place of intimacy with Jesus. Everything that comes after this are just added graces.
If my son inherits a car from me, he does so on account that he is my son, and I desire to bless him. If he should decide that he no longer wants to be my son, and rejects me a his father, then I take a way his last name and the car goes with it. It does not matter to me that he cries and is angry because he no longer gets the car. I am more hurt that he does not want to be my son any longer
I am thankful however, that once a son to the Father, always a son. Once He regenerates the darkness of your rebellious heart and seals you with His Holy Spirit, we are sure to inherit our blessing, and I am confident, though we walk away in sin, Father will bring us back to him. Esau was just not elected.
The next time you shed tears before God, make sure they are genuine.
Contrition is viewed by some as weakness. They say that God wants a manly man. I believe that contrition is formed in a man or woman whom God has genuinely broken, where in their desperation, tears of gratitude and adoration flow.
Esau had tears, but they were not produced because of genuine repentance, but rather they came as he understood the consequences of his rebellious heart. He could have cared less about his birthright, and so when his blessing had been taken away, he cried.
Our satisfaction is being in Christ. He is our blessing. There is no position or person or place that can take the place of intimacy with Jesus. Everything that comes after this are just added graces.
If my son inherits a car from me, he does so on account that he is my son, and I desire to bless him. If he should decide that he no longer wants to be my son, and rejects me a his father, then I take a way his last name and the car goes with it. It does not matter to me that he cries and is angry because he no longer gets the car. I am more hurt that he does not want to be my son any longer
I am thankful however, that once a son to the Father, always a son. Once He regenerates the darkness of your rebellious heart and seals you with His Holy Spirit, we are sure to inherit our blessing, and I am confident, though we walk away in sin, Father will bring us back to him. Esau was just not elected.
The next time you shed tears before God, make sure they are genuine.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Draw near to God and be satisfied
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
In order to seek the Lord we must possess faith. The greatest problem among so many Saints today is our laziness. As Christians, God equips us with enough faith to draw near to Him, but we fail to appropriate it.
The good news is that when we finally figure out that prayer is the first most important element of fellowship with the Father, we find a super-natural ability given, and a deeper, more intimate relationship with God occurs.
This is our reward.. It is not necessarily our requests and petitions answered, or that the position we have been patiently waiting for finally materializes.
Our reward is intimacy with the Father.
When this dynamic happens, there is no other place you would rather be, and there is nothing more satisfying. Everything else that may come after this, is just added grace.
Draw near to God today and be satisfied.
In order to seek the Lord we must possess faith. The greatest problem among so many Saints today is our laziness. As Christians, God equips us with enough faith to draw near to Him, but we fail to appropriate it.
The good news is that when we finally figure out that prayer is the first most important element of fellowship with the Father, we find a super-natural ability given, and a deeper, more intimate relationship with God occurs.
This is our reward.. It is not necessarily our requests and petitions answered, or that the position we have been patiently waiting for finally materializes.
Our reward is intimacy with the Father.
When this dynamic happens, there is no other place you would rather be, and there is nothing more satisfying. Everything else that may come after this, is just added grace.
Draw near to God today and be satisfied.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Jesus is our promise ( Hebrews 10:36)
You have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. ( Hebrews 10:36)
Trials, suffering, brokenness and weakness are all things that pertain to the will of God, however, it is not as if God’s will is to inflict pain on His children, as it may seem sometimes, for enjoyment. Rather, His will is quit the contrary.
When He established the garden, it was a place for man to have full reign and dominion. Man’s will had never been free(er) than in the garden,where freedom & un abated love and sex were climaxed at the pinnacle of expressional emotion. (for whatever that was worth!) The Garden was a place where fellowship with God was a routine meeting face to face. It was literally paradise on earth, until the conception of sin was introduced. After the inception took place, disruption occurred which broke communion with God, which of course necessitated the law, only to be infinitely replaced by Christ’s substitution on the cross.
Trails, pain and weakness have become tools God uses to engage in our lives as part of the process to help aid us back to a spiritual garden(so to speak) that was intended for us to have in the first place. What He had sown in perfection, we have gown in corruption.. Hence, the weeding process becomes the sanctifying work of regeneration..
Today we only see dimly as in a mirror, and the IMAGE of what or who we see is Jesus Himself. He is the image of the invisible God, and He becomes the promise, because Jesus is Himself, eternal life.
Now you may say we have eternal life now, and indeed we do, because we have Him who dwells in us, thanks to the Ascension and Pentecost. But even this is only a glimpse of what is to come.
Jesus told the Pharisee’s that the disciples did not fast because the Bridegroom was with them, but soon when the bridegroom would be taken from them, then they would have need to fast and pray.
This illustration clearly indicates that presently though comforted and guided by the Holy Ghost, it His Ghost that we have but not his face to face fellowship, that the disciples were privy too. It becomes clearer to see then that soon we will have the promise of His face to face fellowship, and not just a glimpse.
Soon, we will see God as He is, and we will enjoy a restored fellowship with Him like the fellowship exemplified way back in the garden with God and man.
Heaven is our reward, and Jesus is the substance of heaven which ultimately makes Jesus the promise.
As Christians, this alone should be enough incentive to endure all things He places in our lives, in order to obtain our inheritance, the promise of our salvation, the One who holds the keys to death& Hades.
Trials, suffering, brokenness and weakness are all things that pertain to the will of God, however, it is not as if God’s will is to inflict pain on His children, as it may seem sometimes, for enjoyment. Rather, His will is quit the contrary.
When He established the garden, it was a place for man to have full reign and dominion. Man’s will had never been free(er) than in the garden,where freedom & un abated love and sex were climaxed at the pinnacle of expressional emotion. (for whatever that was worth!) The Garden was a place where fellowship with God was a routine meeting face to face. It was literally paradise on earth, until the conception of sin was introduced. After the inception took place, disruption occurred which broke communion with God, which of course necessitated the law, only to be infinitely replaced by Christ’s substitution on the cross.
Trails, pain and weakness have become tools God uses to engage in our lives as part of the process to help aid us back to a spiritual garden(so to speak) that was intended for us to have in the first place. What He had sown in perfection, we have gown in corruption.. Hence, the weeding process becomes the sanctifying work of regeneration..
Today we only see dimly as in a mirror, and the IMAGE of what or who we see is Jesus Himself. He is the image of the invisible God, and He becomes the promise, because Jesus is Himself, eternal life.
Now you may say we have eternal life now, and indeed we do, because we have Him who dwells in us, thanks to the Ascension and Pentecost. But even this is only a glimpse of what is to come.
Jesus told the Pharisee’s that the disciples did not fast because the Bridegroom was with them, but soon when the bridegroom would be taken from them, then they would have need to fast and pray.
This illustration clearly indicates that presently though comforted and guided by the Holy Ghost, it His Ghost that we have but not his face to face fellowship, that the disciples were privy too. It becomes clearer to see then that soon we will have the promise of His face to face fellowship, and not just a glimpse.
Soon, we will see God as He is, and we will enjoy a restored fellowship with Him like the fellowship exemplified way back in the garden with God and man.
Heaven is our reward, and Jesus is the substance of heaven which ultimately makes Jesus the promise.
As Christians, this alone should be enough incentive to endure all things He places in our lives, in order to obtain our inheritance, the promise of our salvation, the One who holds the keys to death& Hades.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Have you entered in? (Hebrews 9:3)
Behind the second curtain was the second section called the most Holy of Holies (Hebrews 9:3)
The Author of Hebrews here describes to us the O.T tabernacle. This was the most holy place where the presence of God dwelt before Jesus. It was divided into two sections, the first being a place where the priest would enter in to perform their rituals and duties for the sins of the people. It had all of the furnishing; a lamp -stand, a table; and showbread of Presence.
The second section behind the curtain or veil, was the most Holy of Holies where the actual presence of God dwelt. If the high priests had any un- confessed or uncovered sins, they would instantly become dead guys, and had to be pulled out by a rope.
Jesus is our High Priest, and upon His sacrificial death on the cross, the curtain was ripped from top to bottom, providing us a direct passage to the most Holy of Holies without any fear of dying and needing to be lassoed like a running scared calf in the eyes of a cowboy.
Many Christians today however, only enter into the first section of the tabernacle, so to speak. They attend church with the lamp stand present, the table (alter) available, and the bread ready to be consummated, but they go no further then simple observation. Perhaps there is a deep intuitive concern of fear they may die? But there is nothing wrong with this, because after all, death is synonymous with Christianity.
But to think, that just by entering into the tabernacle and recognizing Jesus as the light and bread of life, thereby providing also an alter for self sacrifice , is good enough for an intimate relationship with God, it is not.
We must enter in through the torn veil and actually fellowship with God, with the provision Jesus had made for us. It starts in prayer with confession and adoration. This is where true transformation occurs, and where you can be excited to enter in to a deep and intimate quiet fellowship with God, a private session with the Creator. This secret place is where we find strength,enjoyment, encouragement, and direction.
I will never forget after my session as guest speaker at a convention one year, sitting and listening to one pastor speak about an old time preacher who once said this; 'prayer is like having an audience with God'!
Seek to labor in prayer today, and you just may find yourself entering into the most Holy of Holies. Now as you worship, thank Jesus for providing a way for you to enter in boldly, confess your sins, and make your requests be made known to God, and then...enjoy!
The Author of Hebrews here describes to us the O.T tabernacle. This was the most holy place where the presence of God dwelt before Jesus. It was divided into two sections, the first being a place where the priest would enter in to perform their rituals and duties for the sins of the people. It had all of the furnishing; a lamp -stand, a table; and showbread of Presence.
The second section behind the curtain or veil, was the most Holy of Holies where the actual presence of God dwelt. If the high priests had any un- confessed or uncovered sins, they would instantly become dead guys, and had to be pulled out by a rope.
Jesus is our High Priest, and upon His sacrificial death on the cross, the curtain was ripped from top to bottom, providing us a direct passage to the most Holy of Holies without any fear of dying and needing to be lassoed like a running scared calf in the eyes of a cowboy.
Many Christians today however, only enter into the first section of the tabernacle, so to speak. They attend church with the lamp stand present, the table (alter) available, and the bread ready to be consummated, but they go no further then simple observation. Perhaps there is a deep intuitive concern of fear they may die? But there is nothing wrong with this, because after all, death is synonymous with Christianity.
But to think, that just by entering into the tabernacle and recognizing Jesus as the light and bread of life, thereby providing also an alter for self sacrifice , is good enough for an intimate relationship with God, it is not.
We must enter in through the torn veil and actually fellowship with God, with the provision Jesus had made for us. It starts in prayer with confession and adoration. This is where true transformation occurs, and where you can be excited to enter in to a deep and intimate quiet fellowship with God, a private session with the Creator. This secret place is where we find strength,enjoyment, encouragement, and direction.
I will never forget after my session as guest speaker at a convention one year, sitting and listening to one pastor speak about an old time preacher who once said this; 'prayer is like having an audience with God'!
Seek to labor in prayer today, and you just may find yourself entering into the most Holy of Holies. Now as you worship, thank Jesus for providing a way for you to enter in boldly, confess your sins, and make your requests be made known to God, and then...enjoy!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Faith does not save you
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. (Rom 11:6)
Just previous to this profound verse, Paul writes another declarative statement saying, “so then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.
We must be careful not to read Romans 10:17 as an order of salvation, because then it would place all the responsibility on faith and hearing. The proper order should be as follows;
God had mercy(in eternities past) on you, by giving grace to you, in order that you would be saved. By the quickening of your dead heart to hear the gospel, He lavished faith on you as a gift by which you became saved.
Faith does not save you. Jesus does.
Faith in itself can be produced from within as an act of works, but this is not saving faith. Saving faith come by hearing, because of grace that has opened the blockage in your ears to hear, that has made you become alive &
softened your heart to receive, and now equips you with the ability to act (faith).
Just previous to this profound verse, Paul writes another declarative statement saying, “so then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.
We must be careful not to read Romans 10:17 as an order of salvation, because then it would place all the responsibility on faith and hearing. The proper order should be as follows;
God had mercy(in eternities past) on you, by giving grace to you, in order that you would be saved. By the quickening of your dead heart to hear the gospel, He lavished faith on you as a gift by which you became saved.
Faith does not save you. Jesus does.
Faith in itself can be produced from within as an act of works, but this is not saving faith. Saving faith come by hearing, because of grace that has opened the blockage in your ears to hear, that has made you become alive &
softened your heart to receive, and now equips you with the ability to act (faith).
Friday, February 19, 2010
Do you have the Word in you? (John 8:36)
I know you are the offspring of Abraham, yet you seek to kill Me because My words find no place in you.
Salvation comes through the offspring of Abraham, but since the Jews were so full of unbelief and hardness of heart, God offered the Gentiles salvation in order to provoke the Jews to jealousy. Eventually, the veil will be removed once and for all, and they will be grafted back into the fold (Romans 9-11) but until that happens, it is as if they still kill Jesus(place Him back on the cross) because of their unbelief.
It is interesting that I have never met a Jew who was willing to talk about or accept Jesus as their Messiah. How sad that their hearts are no diff today than they were two millenniums ago.
Practically speaking, a good salvific test would be to ask yourself if the Word lived inside of you? You may be able to answer that question by taking a survey of your everyday life. How is your devotional life? How do you treat others when wrongly assaulted? How do you handle malice or gossip? What flows out of your mouth? What interests you, and how many hours per day do you spend doing those things?
Taking an honest look at your actions and behavior should tell you enough about where the Word stands in your heart presently.
Today, be honest with yourself and take the survey. Make the necessary adjustments, and get on board with living in mission with Jesus.
Salvation comes through the offspring of Abraham, but since the Jews were so full of unbelief and hardness of heart, God offered the Gentiles salvation in order to provoke the Jews to jealousy. Eventually, the veil will be removed once and for all, and they will be grafted back into the fold (Romans 9-11) but until that happens, it is as if they still kill Jesus(place Him back on the cross) because of their unbelief.
It is interesting that I have never met a Jew who was willing to talk about or accept Jesus as their Messiah. How sad that their hearts are no diff today than they were two millenniums ago.
Practically speaking, a good salvific test would be to ask yourself if the Word lived inside of you? You may be able to answer that question by taking a survey of your everyday life. How is your devotional life? How do you treat others when wrongly assaulted? How do you handle malice or gossip? What flows out of your mouth? What interests you, and how many hours per day do you spend doing those things?
Taking an honest look at your actions and behavior should tell you enough about where the Word stands in your heart presently.
Today, be honest with yourself and take the survey. Make the necessary adjustments, and get on board with living in mission with Jesus.
Monday, February 15, 2010
The inner place behind the curtain (Hebrews 6:6-20)
This entire portion of Hebrews 6:9-20 is off the charts, literally. The salvific nature of the texts bleeds assurance for those who are heirs of the promise.
God is ever-present, always taking notes on our service to Him. We are encouraged to press hard into faith and patience in order to obtain the promise.
The fact that God swore to Himself that He alone would redeem the Elect and bring them to heaven becomes that inward hope, that pushes us closer to Him. It is that sure and steadfast anchor, that is immovable and is settled deep down into the inner place behind the curtain of our soul.
The secret place of our being that is ours. That part of our lives where we will be forced to answer to, and visit someday.The ambiguity and disturbing wonder of death, will become known and understood by all.
There Jesus traveled alone, underneath the dark shadows of sheol, and He conquered it’s power, released it’s grip, and tore the veil, ushering in heavens light to the heirs of promise.
Now standing with arms stretched wide with love and victory His invitations declares, “come and enter into the joy of thy salvation”!!
Jesus indeed paid it all.. all to Him I owe. Sin has left it’s crimson stain.. He washes white as snow! Amen.
God is ever-present, always taking notes on our service to Him. We are encouraged to press hard into faith and patience in order to obtain the promise.
The fact that God swore to Himself that He alone would redeem the Elect and bring them to heaven becomes that inward hope, that pushes us closer to Him. It is that sure and steadfast anchor, that is immovable and is settled deep down into the inner place behind the curtain of our soul.
The secret place of our being that is ours. That part of our lives where we will be forced to answer to, and visit someday.The ambiguity and disturbing wonder of death, will become known and understood by all.
There Jesus traveled alone, underneath the dark shadows of sheol, and He conquered it’s power, released it’s grip, and tore the veil, ushering in heavens light to the heirs of promise.
Now standing with arms stretched wide with love and victory His invitations declares, “come and enter into the joy of thy salvation”!!
Jesus indeed paid it all.. all to Him I owe. Sin has left it’s crimson stain.. He washes white as snow! Amen.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Naked and ashamed
In his letters to the Romans, Paul told his readers that not all Israel was Israel. We have a perfect example of this with the seven sons of Sceva. Their dad was a Jewish high priest, who certainly knew all of the Jewish customs and practices which he had set himself apart to do unto God.
They watched Dad’s life, his duty and position throughout their entire childhood and most likely, his life became apart of their every day routine. His lifestyle literally should have had become the fabric of who they were going to be, but as we read, it was just the opposite.
These sons of Sceva were no different than the two sons of Eli, the high priest in the book of Samuel.
They all grew up having an outward appearance of a relationship with God, but knew Him not.
These “magnificent seven gunslingers” thought they had the know withal to cast out demons, and they were quick to the draw. But on this day, it had backfired on them. Not only did this demon leap upon all seven of Sceva’s boys, but it overpowered them and forced them to tap out naked. What a funny sight this may have been to witness as it literally ripped off all of their outward cloths of righteousness and left them running down the street with only their holsters on.
Talk about getting spurred in the old keaster.
One man calls this smoking tennis shoes!!
We can have all the signs of Christianity adorned in our lives. The right speech, Christian hair, a professing mouth, and still not be saved.
Had these boys been truly regenerated, they would have known better to never be involved with private exorcisms, because God calls us to preach the Word , not wrestle with demons, (even though our battle is not against flesh and blood), for a hobby.
Who’s to blame? Perhaps Sceva. Like Eli, he too gave up the influence of the Lord to his sons who eventually decided to go and run a muck.
Religion before relationship, will have this effect every time.
I love what John Piper once tweeted. he said this,
“no parents have the luxury of teaching their children nothing, while they wait for their regeneration”
In Sceva’s case, his boys went down into history as the seven moons over Miami..
The good new was that God had used this event to clean house, and we read that the people burned their books of magic and sorcery and astrology, and the Lord continued to increase the disciples.
They watched Dad’s life, his duty and position throughout their entire childhood and most likely, his life became apart of their every day routine. His lifestyle literally should have had become the fabric of who they were going to be, but as we read, it was just the opposite.
These sons of Sceva were no different than the two sons of Eli, the high priest in the book of Samuel.
They all grew up having an outward appearance of a relationship with God, but knew Him not.
These “magnificent seven gunslingers” thought they had the know withal to cast out demons, and they were quick to the draw. But on this day, it had backfired on them. Not only did this demon leap upon all seven of Sceva’s boys, but it overpowered them and forced them to tap out naked. What a funny sight this may have been to witness as it literally ripped off all of their outward cloths of righteousness and left them running down the street with only their holsters on.
Talk about getting spurred in the old keaster.
One man calls this smoking tennis shoes!!
We can have all the signs of Christianity adorned in our lives. The right speech, Christian hair, a professing mouth, and still not be saved.
Had these boys been truly regenerated, they would have known better to never be involved with private exorcisms, because God calls us to preach the Word , not wrestle with demons, (even though our battle is not against flesh and blood), for a hobby.
Who’s to blame? Perhaps Sceva. Like Eli, he too gave up the influence of the Lord to his sons who eventually decided to go and run a muck.
Religion before relationship, will have this effect every time.
I love what John Piper once tweeted. he said this,
“no parents have the luxury of teaching their children nothing, while they wait for their regeneration”
In Sceva’s case, his boys went down into history as the seven moons over Miami..
The good new was that God had used this event to clean house, and we read that the people burned their books of magic and sorcery and astrology, and the Lord continued to increase the disciples.
Friday, February 5, 2010
God’s wisdom in suffering Hebrews 2
One of the ways God helps us to not neglect our salvation is through suffering.
As children of God, we all partake of the same source. (heb 2:11) As Jesus suffered, the Bible states that He was made perfect through His suffering. But If Jesus was already sinless why was it, that He needed to be made perfect again? The answer to that, is that while in His divinity, He was already perfect, it was in His humanity, He needed to learn as we do, (through the process of obedience and suffering)in order to be that faithful and merciful High Priest, who could make propitiation for our sins..
Jesus was tested by the testing’s we go through, and was perfect in them. On the other hand, when we go through trials, we struggle and grow weary, we doubt, or become angry and most often fail, at first. However, the more the hammer beats against the anvil, the better shape we become. This process keeps us true to our calling. How can we neglect such a great salvation, when we are in constant reminder of it?? It is all the more difficult to do, especially, when we are no longer hating the instrument God is using to shape us by.
As a life long welder, I have learned the ability to almost fashion anything I want to make out of carbon steel, with heat and a hammer. The steel always becomes the easiest to work with when the temperatures exceeds 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. The rest involves skill.
Jesus is the captain of our souls, our master- crafter, shaping us into the image of the Son. Every stroke of His hand is by divine design, and has enough love invested in it, to see you right on through to heaven.
As children of God, we all partake of the same source. (heb 2:11) As Jesus suffered, the Bible states that He was made perfect through His suffering. But If Jesus was already sinless why was it, that He needed to be made perfect again? The answer to that, is that while in His divinity, He was already perfect, it was in His humanity, He needed to learn as we do, (through the process of obedience and suffering)in order to be that faithful and merciful High Priest, who could make propitiation for our sins..
Jesus was tested by the testing’s we go through, and was perfect in them. On the other hand, when we go through trials, we struggle and grow weary, we doubt, or become angry and most often fail, at first. However, the more the hammer beats against the anvil, the better shape we become. This process keeps us true to our calling. How can we neglect such a great salvation, when we are in constant reminder of it?? It is all the more difficult to do, especially, when we are no longer hating the instrument God is using to shape us by.
As a life long welder, I have learned the ability to almost fashion anything I want to make out of carbon steel, with heat and a hammer. The steel always becomes the easiest to work with when the temperatures exceeds 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. The rest involves skill.
Jesus is the captain of our souls, our master- crafter, shaping us into the image of the Son. Every stroke of His hand is by divine design, and has enough love invested in it, to see you right on through to heaven.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Impossible
“and how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation” (heb 2:3)
The author of Hebrews uses terms like ‘escape’ and ‘drift away’ in order to get the readers attention, however, the greater word used here is ‘neglect’. How can you neglect, or rather, not exercise your salvific obligation to grow in Christ, if indeed you have been given the keys to understanding? The great responsibility is upon your shoulders now that you have come to the knowledge of truth in Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit of God.
We are never called to just believe, and then become lazy-
Our belief will be productive, and, if we are producing, the outcome will be that we are not neglecting, but if we do drift, the Holy spirit will realign our hearts with His.
Salvation happens for a believer in eternity’s past, and is presently occurring as we speak, because if we are truly saved, then part of the production will be that we are working out our salvation,(whatever that may be) daily. (phil 1:12)
We can trick others, but we cannot fool God, because He knows our hearts.
To understand that He will hold us accountable to what we now know,is by this truth alone, why we shall not escape. This is enough information for us to echo the same sentiment as the Author when he asks, ‘How shall we escape‘? Good question. The answer is ..we will not! Impossible.
The author of Hebrews uses terms like ‘escape’ and ‘drift away’ in order to get the readers attention, however, the greater word used here is ‘neglect’. How can you neglect, or rather, not exercise your salvific obligation to grow in Christ, if indeed you have been given the keys to understanding? The great responsibility is upon your shoulders now that you have come to the knowledge of truth in Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit of God.
We are never called to just believe, and then become lazy-
Our belief will be productive, and, if we are producing, the outcome will be that we are not neglecting, but if we do drift, the Holy spirit will realign our hearts with His.
Salvation happens for a believer in eternity’s past, and is presently occurring as we speak, because if we are truly saved, then part of the production will be that we are working out our salvation,(whatever that may be) daily. (phil 1:12)
We can trick others, but we cannot fool God, because He knows our hearts.
To understand that He will hold us accountable to what we now know,is by this truth alone, why we shall not escape. This is enough information for us to echo the same sentiment as the Author when he asks, ‘How shall we escape‘? Good question. The answer is ..we will not! Impossible.
Christology (pt.1)
1.Virgin Birth
Why was the virgin birth significant?
a. The miracle confirms salvations comes from the Lord, and not man
b. It declares the hypo-static union of God.
1. Jesus was fully God and fully man
c. Jesus did not inherit mans sins. The line of Adam was interrupted.
Why was the virgin birth significant?
a. The miracle confirms salvations comes from the Lord, and not man
b. It declares the hypo-static union of God.
1. Jesus was fully God and fully man
c. Jesus did not inherit mans sins. The line of Adam was interrupted.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Sometimes, we must rest our faith on others
So take heart men, I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.(Acts 27:25)
Paul already had warned the Pilot, Centurion, and crew members not to sail to Crete, but they failed to listen. The consequences became devastating, so much so, that all was lost except lives.
At this point in the narrative, Paul is not able to visit synagogues, nor is he able to stir up any Jewish assembly with the truth. One might think that he is in some kind of limbo state of ministry, sitting instead of preaching, resting instead of laboring. Not so however. Just because there are times of pause, it does not mean that God is not moving on your behalf. Paul the evangelist, preacher, testifier, now becomes a prophet, foretelling the dangers ahead with divine wisdom.
It takes great faith to walk with the Jesus. It takes a perpetual faith. A faith that has the potential to move mountains, uproot trees, heal the sick, sustain us in darkness and give to others when fear and doubt abound.
R Kent Hughes tells the story of not having the faith once to continue with what God had asked him and his family to do. He had become nearly paralyzed by his circumstances; and felt as if he could go no further. Whatever had been going on in their lives had taken a hard toll on this man of God, and, in his fragile state, he began to doubt.
Then his wonderful bride, a woman of substance and grace spoke to him in that moment of desperation saying, “Hold on to my faith-we will get through this!”
Mrs. Hughes had just enough faith to keep them sustained. Certainly, it was not her faith that was humanly produced or manufactured, but a gift given to her at the precise moment of time, and, she was able to share the gift with her husband.
First call out to the Lord and He will save you- trust in His Word, and not on any person, place, or object. While this process is taking place, find a brother or sister whom you can link arms with, who just may have enough sustainable strength for the both of you, and together you can share your dependency upon God ‘side by side’. You will make it to Heaven. This is true Christian community at it’s best.
Paul already had warned the Pilot, Centurion, and crew members not to sail to Crete, but they failed to listen. The consequences became devastating, so much so, that all was lost except lives.
At this point in the narrative, Paul is not able to visit synagogues, nor is he able to stir up any Jewish assembly with the truth. One might think that he is in some kind of limbo state of ministry, sitting instead of preaching, resting instead of laboring. Not so however. Just because there are times of pause, it does not mean that God is not moving on your behalf. Paul the evangelist, preacher, testifier, now becomes a prophet, foretelling the dangers ahead with divine wisdom.
It takes great faith to walk with the Jesus. It takes a perpetual faith. A faith that has the potential to move mountains, uproot trees, heal the sick, sustain us in darkness and give to others when fear and doubt abound.
R Kent Hughes tells the story of not having the faith once to continue with what God had asked him and his family to do. He had become nearly paralyzed by his circumstances; and felt as if he could go no further. Whatever had been going on in their lives had taken a hard toll on this man of God, and, in his fragile state, he began to doubt.
Then his wonderful bride, a woman of substance and grace spoke to him in that moment of desperation saying, “Hold on to my faith-we will get through this!”
Mrs. Hughes had just enough faith to keep them sustained. Certainly, it was not her faith that was humanly produced or manufactured, but a gift given to her at the precise moment of time, and, she was able to share the gift with her husband.
First call out to the Lord and He will save you- trust in His Word, and not on any person, place, or object. While this process is taking place, find a brother or sister whom you can link arms with, who just may have enough sustainable strength for the both of you, and together you can share your dependency upon God ‘side by side’. You will make it to Heaven. This is true Christian community at it’s best.
Held by providential design (Acts 24: 23-27)
The Holy Spirit had warned this once freed man, that going to Jerusalem would be full of adversity. He had great privileges of travel and fellowship, encouraging the saints and being led by the Spirit. The brethren begged him to remain with them, but he refused.
As expected, he was captured, beaten and held, and escorted by soldiers, in order to escape death. Now, he has become locked up and held by providential design.
On many occasions however, he had been able to share with the Governor about faith, righteousness, self-control, and judgment.
Paul did not talk about Faith in Faith- but Faith in Christ having identified our need to live by Faith (Romans 1 ). He also needed to explain why Jesus was the one to have Faith in. This would take a careful examination of Jesus and His Tri-une nature.
Now once the deity of God is explained, then, Paul explains His righteousness being imputed upon sinful, unworthy people whom come when they are called.
The evidence of Justification and righteous imputation brings forth a self-control aided by the Holy Spirit. A self-control that cannot be mastered in this life but rather perfected by the Master in His righteousness. Now that we’ve covered all the essentials, we can now discuss penal substitution that allows the righteous to be freed from the impending judgment of a holy God. For those whose sins are not covered are commissioned to death and hell.
A perfectly orchestrated message for his audience which alarmed Felix the Governor. For two years Paul neither wooed or persuaded Felix or his wife into the Kingdom of God. Paul knew it must be the work of the Holy Spirit to accomplish that, because He alone is our deposit unto Salvation.
Paul planted, and worked along with his companions for just two people for two years.
And sometimes we think we are not effective unless we have a great audience.
I confess I have become guilty of this, Have you?
As expected, he was captured, beaten and held, and escorted by soldiers, in order to escape death. Now, he has become locked up and held by providential design.
On many occasions however, he had been able to share with the Governor about faith, righteousness, self-control, and judgment.
Paul did not talk about Faith in Faith- but Faith in Christ having identified our need to live by Faith (Romans 1 ). He also needed to explain why Jesus was the one to have Faith in. This would take a careful examination of Jesus and His Tri-une nature.
Now once the deity of God is explained, then, Paul explains His righteousness being imputed upon sinful, unworthy people whom come when they are called.
The evidence of Justification and righteous imputation brings forth a self-control aided by the Holy Spirit. A self-control that cannot be mastered in this life but rather perfected by the Master in His righteousness. Now that we’ve covered all the essentials, we can now discuss penal substitution that allows the righteous to be freed from the impending judgment of a holy God. For those whose sins are not covered are commissioned to death and hell.
A perfectly orchestrated message for his audience which alarmed Felix the Governor. For two years Paul neither wooed or persuaded Felix or his wife into the Kingdom of God. Paul knew it must be the work of the Holy Spirit to accomplish that, because He alone is our deposit unto Salvation.
Paul planted, and worked along with his companions for just two people for two years.
And sometimes we think we are not effective unless we have a great audience.
I confess I have become guilty of this, Have you?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
To turn a blind eye
And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful Titus 3:4-8
We find here in our text Paul’s last instructions given to Titus. This entire Epistle is all about good works performed by the regenerated Christian. Paul has already laid the foundation in chapter 3:4-8 on the basis of our good works, and now he commands Titus to insist on keeping the rules of engagement.(v8)
To often we become complacent in our Christian walk with God, and enamored at times by the pressing needs of our own circumstances we fail to help others. However,the very heart of the gospel is about others, and how often do we turn a blind eye?
The good works before God is to remember the poor any way that we can help, to give assistance to the widows who are really widows, and to provide homes and love to orphans and to the fatherless.
This is the social call of Christianity, and we must devote ourselves to these very causes.
The danger comes when we spend to much of our efforts on the social side of ministry only to neglect the proclamation of the word, which is the greatest means of help. Preaching converts the soul, heals past wounds, gives direction, hope and humility, then the good works follow, in that order.
Jesus said, “to him that has an ear, let him hear”. The same could be said about eyes. If you have heard the Word, now pray God gives you the eyes to see the needs around you. Pray for Jesus’ heart and ask Him today to give you the opportunity to be a difference maker.
Jesus served people and spoke truth into their lives. This was His mission, and it should be yours as well.
Don’t turn a blind eye.
We find here in our text Paul’s last instructions given to Titus. This entire Epistle is all about good works performed by the regenerated Christian. Paul has already laid the foundation in chapter 3:4-8 on the basis of our good works, and now he commands Titus to insist on keeping the rules of engagement.(v8)
To often we become complacent in our Christian walk with God, and enamored at times by the pressing needs of our own circumstances we fail to help others. However,the very heart of the gospel is about others, and how often do we turn a blind eye?
The good works before God is to remember the poor any way that we can help, to give assistance to the widows who are really widows, and to provide homes and love to orphans and to the fatherless.
This is the social call of Christianity, and we must devote ourselves to these very causes.
The danger comes when we spend to much of our efforts on the social side of ministry only to neglect the proclamation of the word, which is the greatest means of help. Preaching converts the soul, heals past wounds, gives direction, hope and humility, then the good works follow, in that order.
Jesus said, “to him that has an ear, let him hear”. The same could be said about eyes. If you have heard the Word, now pray God gives you the eyes to see the needs around you. Pray for Jesus’ heart and ask Him today to give you the opportunity to be a difference maker.
Jesus served people and spoke truth into their lives. This was His mission, and it should be yours as well.
Don’t turn a blind eye.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
God wants to work through you
The Gospel Coalition...
Our unbelief does not come out and say an honest No to God. We know better than to be so blatant. Our unbelief cloaks itself in evasions. But faith is decisive, clear, definite, blunt, wholehearted. A. W. Tozer, The Counselor (Camp Hill, 1993), page 116, defines the difference:
“Unbelief says: S0me other time, but not now; some other place, but not here; some other people, but not us. Faith says: Anything He did anywhere else He will do here; anything He did any other time He is willing to do now; anything He ever did for other people He is willing to do for us! With our feet on the ground, and our head cool, but with our heart ablaze with the love of God, we walk out in this fullness of the Spirit, if we will yield and obey. God wants to work through you!”
Wherever you and I are today, God is here. He wants to work through you and me. Let’s call out our evasions as unbelief, let’s forsake the script we thought God would follow, let’s offer ourselves to him for his purpose. Right here, right now, is holy ground. Let’s yield and obey and see what only God can do.
Our unbelief does not come out and say an honest No to God. We know better than to be so blatant. Our unbelief cloaks itself in evasions. But faith is decisive, clear, definite, blunt, wholehearted. A. W. Tozer, The Counselor (Camp Hill, 1993), page 116, defines the difference:
“Unbelief says: S0me other time, but not now; some other place, but not here; some other people, but not us. Faith says: Anything He did anywhere else He will do here; anything He did any other time He is willing to do now; anything He ever did for other people He is willing to do for us! With our feet on the ground, and our head cool, but with our heart ablaze with the love of God, we walk out in this fullness of the Spirit, if we will yield and obey. God wants to work through you!”
Wherever you and I are today, God is here. He wants to work through you and me. Let’s call out our evasions as unbelief, let’s forsake the script we thought God would follow, let’s offer ourselves to him for his purpose. Right here, right now, is holy ground. Let’s yield and obey and see what only God can do.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
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