A hot tempered man stirs up strife; but he who is slow to anger quiets contention
- Proverbs 15:18
I recently had two young men accuse me of not responding to several issues, right away. The accusations were said in such a way that it made me out to be a coward.
In their mind, it would of been far better to deal with the issues immediately rather then to wait and let time pass. My hesitancy portrayed me as a frightened and confused leader. "I don't know how you deal with things, but I like to take care of stuff right away, he said to me angrily. True that! Ten years ago, I would have echoed the same sentiment, and would have reacted the same way as well.
I remember years ago my Pastor saying that it was far better to act rather than to react. Another words, he was instructing us how to avoid unnecessary muck.
So how do we accomplish this? By first praying and allowing time for you and the situation to cool off. During this period of cool down, God will begin to minister to your heart and reveal to you any sin that needs confessed on your part before proceeding. This will also bring clarity to the problem. Finally, humlity is absoluelty necessary, even if it makes you look weak.
I once shared with a loved one about a certain friend of mine whom I considered very meek. She commented back by telling me that often times meek people are weak people. I responded by saying, "Well, if that were the case, Jesus was a very weak individual then because He was the meekest man of all!
Nothing more was said.
If I would have reacted pridefully to the presuppositions of my accusers, the devil would have won. Instead, for starters, I quoted James 1:20 "For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God". (I admit I was anger as well)
Then, James 1:19 "Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger."
Needless to say, these two verses alone justified the two weeks it took me to respond. They also silenced the Enemy, seared the tongue of these two Black Mamba spitting youngster types, and allowed me to walk away as the one who really was in charge of the situation.
This is what being obedient to the Word looks like.
Sometimes, the road to obedience produces unnecessary scars. If you don't believe me, just ask Jesus.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Ready yourself (for the mission)
The beginning of the Gospel of Mark starts off with a description of a preacher. This preacher, Jesus would later declare as the greatest Prophet to ever live.
The illustrious beginning of the Goods News of reconciliation starts in the heart as one hears the word of truth and becomes transformed by it. God has chosen to use man to proclaim His Word, and John was considered a forerunner pioneering the way for the rest of us.
The uniqueness of John was his character as well as his call. But think with me for a second. He was not greatly known, nor did he care to be so. He was not an author, or a theologian and he had never contributed to anything significant that we know of prior to the beginning of his ministry. What we do know is that his father was a high priest, his mother was a godly woman, and he came to baptize Christ as well as to be a crying voice. This man was a simple, rugged, perhaps uneducated man who possessed understanding, obedience and courage, and God used him mightily!
You might feel, like I have on so many occasions, that isolation and obscurity have left your life meaningless. Perhaps your living a mundane and transitory life because of your circumstances and you feel disheartened. Others around you are being used, while you feel like you've been placed on a shelf. You follow popular organizations who raise up leaders, and certain Facebook and Twitter folks grow exponentially with their websites or blogs ministries and then there is little old you, feeling as if you're nothing more than an old 747 sitting on an abandoned air field.
Relax! You're not alone. Many great men and woman have been right where you are at today. It's just not your time.
One of my closest friends, whom I had the great privileged to disciple once said this to me- "It'll happen Jerbear, the worlds just not ready for you yet"!
So…while you wait for the world to finally ready itself to listen to your crying voice, here are a few suggestions.
1) Have an understanding: Know your Bible, your calling and your stuff! Read good books and write down your thoughts. Prepare yourself. Pray and watch for God's timing.
This downtime is prep time!
2) Be obedient: Sit and wait patiently and don't lose heart. A heart that is lost can never help save hearts that are lost. Trust and believe that it will happen. Remember all the promises of God are Yes and Amen! (2 Corinthians 1:20)
3) Be courageous: Step out in faith and get on board with Jesus. He can handle the details. When it is time to "go", you will be equipped. Trust in Him and lean not on your own understanding!
The illustrious beginning of the Goods News of reconciliation starts in the heart as one hears the word of truth and becomes transformed by it. God has chosen to use man to proclaim His Word, and John was considered a forerunner pioneering the way for the rest of us.
The uniqueness of John was his character as well as his call. But think with me for a second. He was not greatly known, nor did he care to be so. He was not an author, or a theologian and he had never contributed to anything significant that we know of prior to the beginning of his ministry. What we do know is that his father was a high priest, his mother was a godly woman, and he came to baptize Christ as well as to be a crying voice. This man was a simple, rugged, perhaps uneducated man who possessed understanding, obedience and courage, and God used him mightily!
You might feel, like I have on so many occasions, that isolation and obscurity have left your life meaningless. Perhaps your living a mundane and transitory life because of your circumstances and you feel disheartened. Others around you are being used, while you feel like you've been placed on a shelf. You follow popular organizations who raise up leaders, and certain Facebook and Twitter folks grow exponentially with their websites or blogs ministries and then there is little old you, feeling as if you're nothing more than an old 747 sitting on an abandoned air field.
Relax! You're not alone. Many great men and woman have been right where you are at today. It's just not your time.
One of my closest friends, whom I had the great privileged to disciple once said this to me- "It'll happen Jerbear, the worlds just not ready for you yet"!
So…while you wait for the world to finally ready itself to listen to your crying voice, here are a few suggestions.
1) Have an understanding: Know your Bible, your calling and your stuff! Read good books and write down your thoughts. Prepare yourself. Pray and watch for God's timing.
This downtime is prep time!
2) Be obedient: Sit and wait patiently and don't lose heart. A heart that is lost can never help save hearts that are lost. Trust and believe that it will happen. Remember all the promises of God are Yes and Amen! (2 Corinthians 1:20)
3) Be courageous: Step out in faith and get on board with Jesus. He can handle the details. When it is time to "go", you will be equipped. Trust in Him and lean not on your own understanding!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Hope deferred
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desired fulfilled is a tree of life.
- Proverbs 13:12
God calls into existence all things that do not exist. (Rom 4:17)
This is a fundamental truth of the Bible. It expresses the communicable attributes of God to His creation by the things that He creates. He has the preeminence in all things, and in Him all things are created. Including hope.
Hope is designed to press us forward. In a general sense, hope can often be something that is an illusion, an imagining that is desperate, or feeble, or even futile (wishful thinking!).
In general, it is legitimate to see ‘hope’ as a future expectation, even if it be illusory! (JR)
Hope teaches us patience which in turn causes us to wait patiently, but at some point hope can disappoint, especially when it is not a biblical hope, and becomes the source of our trust.
To hope in hope will bring disappointment, and make our heart sick.
In hope Abraham believed against hope, meaning (at least in my estimation), that hope became his starting point, but his belief in the promise of God that the words spoken to him would indeed come to pass, took over.
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God (Rom 4:20)
We are not saved by grace through hope, rather, we are saved by grace through faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of the things unseen, so then we must walk by faith and not by hope.
I don't hope in my salvation. I know I am saved, through faith in Christ.
Hope waits, faith walks. If hoping in something begins to make our hearts sick, then it just might be time to step out in faith and believe God for it. Hope and faith work in conjunction with one another. They are inseparable.
A desire can only be fulfilled as we trust God to fulfill it.
Every desire starts off in hope, but must end in faith!
This is what builds character, and character hope, and hope will not disappoint.
Let's together unite our hope in the soon consummation of these:
1. Righteousness (Gal. 5:5): b). Salvation (1 Thess. 5:8) c); Resurrection of the dead (Acts 24:15); d) redemption of bodies (Rom.8: 23, 24); e). Eternal life (Jn.17: 3) and f). The return of Jesus (Rev. 22:20).
- Proverbs 13:12
God calls into existence all things that do not exist. (Rom 4:17)
This is a fundamental truth of the Bible. It expresses the communicable attributes of God to His creation by the things that He creates. He has the preeminence in all things, and in Him all things are created. Including hope.
Hope is designed to press us forward. In a general sense, hope can often be something that is an illusion, an imagining that is desperate, or feeble, or even futile (wishful thinking!).
In general, it is legitimate to see ‘hope’ as a future expectation, even if it be illusory! (JR)
Hope teaches us patience which in turn causes us to wait patiently, but at some point hope can disappoint, especially when it is not a biblical hope, and becomes the source of our trust.
To hope in hope will bring disappointment, and make our heart sick.
In hope Abraham believed against hope, meaning (at least in my estimation), that hope became his starting point, but his belief in the promise of God that the words spoken to him would indeed come to pass, took over.
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God (Rom 4:20)
We are not saved by grace through hope, rather, we are saved by grace through faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of the things unseen, so then we must walk by faith and not by hope.
I don't hope in my salvation. I know I am saved, through faith in Christ.
Hope waits, faith walks. If hoping in something begins to make our hearts sick, then it just might be time to step out in faith and believe God for it. Hope and faith work in conjunction with one another. They are inseparable.
A desire can only be fulfilled as we trust God to fulfill it.
Every desire starts off in hope, but must end in faith!
This is what builds character, and character hope, and hope will not disappoint.
Let's together unite our hope in the soon consummation of these:
1. Righteousness (Gal. 5:5): b). Salvation (1 Thess. 5:8) c); Resurrection of the dead (Acts 24:15); d) redemption of bodies (Rom.8: 23, 24); e). Eternal life (Jn.17: 3) and f). The return of Jesus (Rev. 22:20).
Monday, January 10, 2011
Fishing can be discouraging
Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me and I will make you become fishers of men."
This sounds so inviting, doesn't it? It also sounds very easy. The formula is simple: Follow Jesus, then you'll have instant success! But that's so wrong on so many levels.
Listen, if there is one thing I know for certain after many years of fishing for both fish and men it's this: Fishing can be discouraging.
The excitement always builds as you prepare for and anticipate your event. The normal thing to do is to go down your check list before heading out. Is all your gear loaded? Check. Is the weather outside nice? Check. Are the fish biting? Check. Is the choice spot open? Check. Great, now all you have to do is bait and wait!
Check This: It hardly ever goes according to your plans. As a matter of fact, more often than not, you'd wish you had gone skunk hunting instead.
I remember hearing a funny story from a popular Evangelist once. He tells of an event that his church put on annually in Mexico. This one year however went very different. After all the prayer and preparation, and the thousands of dollars invested for the salvation of souls, when it came time for the alter call, a single dog came forward!
Jesus' statement does not promise success in the sense of seeing multitudes of people becoming regenerated every time we give an invitation. Even the gifted struggle and labor on many occasions for the single soul. It is the work of the Father that brings a person to Christ.
"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him. (John 6:44)
That being said, it's hard for everyone. While it may come a little easier to those called with the gift of evangelism, it is still painstakingly difficult and laborious. The trials and temptations are equal to the calling.
Bottom-line: Fishing can be discouraging, and it often takes a lot of sweat and tears, and sometimes, blood and guts.
Keep fishing. If Jesus would leave the ninety-nine to go after the one, then this should be all the motivation you need to keep your pole in the water.
This sounds so inviting, doesn't it? It also sounds very easy. The formula is simple: Follow Jesus, then you'll have instant success! But that's so wrong on so many levels.
Listen, if there is one thing I know for certain after many years of fishing for both fish and men it's this: Fishing can be discouraging.
The excitement always builds as you prepare for and anticipate your event. The normal thing to do is to go down your check list before heading out. Is all your gear loaded? Check. Is the weather outside nice? Check. Are the fish biting? Check. Is the choice spot open? Check. Great, now all you have to do is bait and wait!
Check This: It hardly ever goes according to your plans. As a matter of fact, more often than not, you'd wish you had gone skunk hunting instead.
I remember hearing a funny story from a popular Evangelist once. He tells of an event that his church put on annually in Mexico. This one year however went very different. After all the prayer and preparation, and the thousands of dollars invested for the salvation of souls, when it came time for the alter call, a single dog came forward!
Jesus' statement does not promise success in the sense of seeing multitudes of people becoming regenerated every time we give an invitation. Even the gifted struggle and labor on many occasions for the single soul. It is the work of the Father that brings a person to Christ.
"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him. (John 6:44)
That being said, it's hard for everyone. While it may come a little easier to those called with the gift of evangelism, it is still painstakingly difficult and laborious. The trials and temptations are equal to the calling.
Bottom-line: Fishing can be discouraging, and it often takes a lot of sweat and tears, and sometimes, blood and guts.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Self examination
"whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent."
-Proverbs 11:12
What would cause a man to belittle his neighbor? We know that it would not be because the neighbor was full of blessings and service, or even because the neighbor was peaceful and respectable. Perhaps the root cause of the belittlement comes by the way of an offence, or maybe the source is pride and jealousy?
If we were to observe this proverb a little more closely, I think our clue would come from the second half of it. "A man of understanding remains silent." This statement declares that either an offence had occurred, or, that jealousy abounds, which is the cause for the slander and defamation.
Whatever it may be, self examination can be the key to unity and peace.
The Bible states in 2 Corinthians 2 13:6 that we are to always be about self- examination to see as to whether or not we are truly in the faith. Verses such as Matthew 7:5 instruct us to remove the plank in our own eye, and only by doing so, we come to recognize that what looked so insurmountably bad in our neighbor life was really an insignificant thing. Progressing through this exercise gives us the ability to see more clearly, and helps us make righteous judgments. We find the real issue of the whole matter, is a matter of the heart.
True self examination will always silence your opinions of others. It will always humble you. Whatever you have become, whether gifted with intellectual knowledge, riches, or even popularity, a steady dose of self examination will help you realize that it is all due to God's grace and favor upon your life. All of this good could literally come to an end at a moments breath should you fail to practice truth, and not give Him the glory and honor due his Name. If you're prideful and jealous, self examination will reveal this, and cause you to humbly thank Him for the blessing He has bestowed upon you, and bring you true repentance.
In any case, the process of self examination produces silence and silence produces understanding, so as they say, silence is golden. Do you have an issue of the heart? Do what you now know, and then you'll know what to do.
-Proverbs 11:12
What would cause a man to belittle his neighbor? We know that it would not be because the neighbor was full of blessings and service, or even because the neighbor was peaceful and respectable. Perhaps the root cause of the belittlement comes by the way of an offence, or maybe the source is pride and jealousy?
If we were to observe this proverb a little more closely, I think our clue would come from the second half of it. "A man of understanding remains silent." This statement declares that either an offence had occurred, or, that jealousy abounds, which is the cause for the slander and defamation.
Whatever it may be, self examination can be the key to unity and peace.
The Bible states in 2 Corinthians 2 13:6 that we are to always be about self- examination to see as to whether or not we are truly in the faith. Verses such as Matthew 7:5 instruct us to remove the plank in our own eye, and only by doing so, we come to recognize that what looked so insurmountably bad in our neighbor life was really an insignificant thing. Progressing through this exercise gives us the ability to see more clearly, and helps us make righteous judgments. We find the real issue of the whole matter, is a matter of the heart.
True self examination will always silence your opinions of others. It will always humble you. Whatever you have become, whether gifted with intellectual knowledge, riches, or even popularity, a steady dose of self examination will help you realize that it is all due to God's grace and favor upon your life. All of this good could literally come to an end at a moments breath should you fail to practice truth, and not give Him the glory and honor due his Name. If you're prideful and jealous, self examination will reveal this, and cause you to humbly thank Him for the blessing He has bestowed upon you, and bring you true repentance.
In any case, the process of self examination produces silence and silence produces understanding, so as they say, silence is golden. Do you have an issue of the heart? Do what you now know, and then you'll know what to do.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Church Hero Wess Stafford from Compassion
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!
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!
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.
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