Are New Beginnings Really Possible?
As a pastor I have seen many, many people through the years go through a true metamorphosis from the inside out. It is the most fulfilling thing about the Christian ministry to me. Oh, I have spent countless hours working with folks who attended meetings but didn't see much apparent change in character. Their situations went from bad to worse and they created much pain and suffering for others along the way. It can be very discouraging and even cause you to become cynical if your aren't careful and deliberate about your mission in life.
What is the deciding factor regarding remarkable change or sad decline in the life of an individual. Much of it has to do with a simple decision. I have seen wealthy people who had the means to go to the finest rehabilitation centers continue the roller coaster ride never experiencing the change. Others who were poor made radical changes that led to success and stable productive lives and became a blessing to others. Again, a true "never turn back" decision seemed to be the common element that decided between success or failure. Christianity is not something that you try. It requires a decision to radical change and a daily pursuit of Jesus. It's not about emotion either. I have seen weeping with puddles of tears at altars and the one crying leave with not a bit of changed behavior. I have seen others walk to the altar without emotion, embrace the Truth and never waiver from the life of a true disciple of Jesus.
The decision is not the power that brings change. The decision of the one in need is like a light switch that releases the supernatural power of heaven into the realm of daily life. As you begin this new year of 2013 let it begin with a decision. Not a decision to try harder but a decision to look to God as your source in every area of life. His power will flood in if you only flip that switch with a decision! Happy New Beginnings!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary
Luke 1:26Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.28And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favoredone, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
29But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of Hisfather David. 33And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Courage to Self Evaluate
It is not healthy to live under a microscope. I know, I've been a pastor almost 40 years!:)
As a young believer I needed so much change that I became a little obsessed with evaluating my life. I truly wanted to please Jesus and I wanted to be "conformed" to His image. That is a good thing for the most part. However, it can also become morbid. There is a kind of "overboard" self examination that can create a loss of joy and a subconscious feeling that you can change yourself through your own human effort. It will also produce in us a judging of others who are not sizing up to our standards.
In our early formative Christian years, there is a lot of change that is necessary quickly and not hard to see our discern. In almost every sermon or every time we open our Bible we are quickened to change or conform. That is a good thing as well. In our current culture in the world conformity is considered a bad thing. Self expression is a good and conformity is too confining to our eclectic expression. As we grow in our Christian walk we are closer to the image of Jesus and we are confronted with as much change as was once required. However, to assume that our need for self evaluation and change is over would be a great mistake. That assumption (pride) leads to an in-sensitization to the Scripture and the Holy Spirit. I remember preaching a sermon once and a man came to me after the service and said softly, "my wife really needed to hear that sermon!"
Don't allow self evaluating to immobilize you. That's what is called, "the paralysis of analysis." Yet, remain humble and sensitive to the ongoing work of cleansing and maturing that comes from the Word of God and the living presence of the Holy Spirit. We call that process sanctification.
It is not healthy to live under a microscope. I know, I've been a pastor almost 40 years!:)
As a young believer I needed so much change that I became a little obsessed with evaluating my life. I truly wanted to please Jesus and I wanted to be "conformed" to His image. That is a good thing for the most part. However, it can also become morbid. There is a kind of "overboard" self examination that can create a loss of joy and a subconscious feeling that you can change yourself through your own human effort. It will also produce in us a judging of others who are not sizing up to our standards.
In our early formative Christian years, there is a lot of change that is necessary quickly and not hard to see our discern. In almost every sermon or every time we open our Bible we are quickened to change or conform. That is a good thing as well. In our current culture in the world conformity is considered a bad thing. Self expression is a good and conformity is too confining to our eclectic expression. As we grow in our Christian walk we are closer to the image of Jesus and we are confronted with as much change as was once required. However, to assume that our need for self evaluation and change is over would be a great mistake. That assumption (pride) leads to an in-sensitization to the Scripture and the Holy Spirit. I remember preaching a sermon once and a man came to me after the service and said softly, "my wife really needed to hear that sermon!"
Don't allow self evaluating to immobilize you. That's what is called, "the paralysis of analysis." Yet, remain humble and sensitive to the ongoing work of cleansing and maturing that comes from the Word of God and the living presence of the Holy Spirit. We call that process sanctification.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Are we making disciples or drive through christians?(Little "c" intended)
It has been said that converts are made quickly but disciples take time. It is a great temptation though to concentrate on making converts. We can count converts! Counting our disciples can be belittling! Hmmm...I haven't used that word in a long time. Another way to say belittling is "humbling". That means that making large numbers of converts can be exalting but making a smaller number of disciples is humbling! Yet, Jesus said very clearly, Go and make disciples. That would seem to indicate that most of our time and efforts should be spent teaching and training these student/disciples in the ways of Jesus. Yet most training venues in churches today have disappeared. Sunday School has disappeared and most of our efforts are focused on the Sunday Service. There are some who are truly trying to disciple during the week those who attend the Sunday morning service and that is excellent. Yet, way too many are letting the Sunday service be their primary ministry effort.
If we simply let the Sunday morning service be our main attempt at discipling people we are creating a "drive through" church culture. "Drive Through" christians don't really want to hear, they just want to "place an order". They feel better after the service because they went but little has impacted them in a "life changing way". We are called to be Life Changers! Let's tweak where needed and maybe even reevaluate what we are doing all the way around. One thing is for sure, for the most part, "it's broke so let's fix it!
It has been said that converts are made quickly but disciples take time. It is a great temptation though to concentrate on making converts. We can count converts! Counting our disciples can be belittling! Hmmm...I haven't used that word in a long time. Another way to say belittling is "humbling". That means that making large numbers of converts can be exalting but making a smaller number of disciples is humbling! Yet, Jesus said very clearly, Go and make disciples. That would seem to indicate that most of our time and efforts should be spent teaching and training these student/disciples in the ways of Jesus. Yet most training venues in churches today have disappeared. Sunday School has disappeared and most of our efforts are focused on the Sunday Service. There are some who are truly trying to disciple during the week those who attend the Sunday morning service and that is excellent. Yet, way too many are letting the Sunday service be their primary ministry effort.
If we simply let the Sunday morning service be our main attempt at discipling people we are creating a "drive through" church culture. "Drive Through" christians don't really want to hear, they just want to "place an order". They feel better after the service because they went but little has impacted them in a "life changing way". We are called to be Life Changers! Let's tweak where needed and maybe even reevaluate what we are doing all the way around. One thing is for sure, for the most part, "it's broke so let's fix it!
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