When Revival Is A Hindrance
Contrary to what you may have heard, Pentecost was not a revival. It was a time on God's clock when the church was birthed and activated. Even then there was such a draw to remain around the comfortable fire of Jerusalem that no one wanted to leave. Then the Lord allowed (or caused, depending on your doctrine) persecution to drive the church away from stagnation to activation. It's also very interesting what the KJV says in Acts 8:1 "And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles." The Scripture goes on to say that those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit that Jesus has promised empowered and equipped but it also activated. To be empowered and equipped without being activated leads to a drying up on the vine.
During the last decade there were hundreds of thousands of people who traveled great distances to experience some kind of refreshing "in the Presence". That is a wonderful thing but if it doesn't lead to activation the end result will always be negative. It would actually be better to have never been empowered and equipped if activation doesn't follow. Of course the activation of which I speak is doing the work of Jesus among the world.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Why Do You Do What You Do?
Bobby Jones is still considered by many to be the greatest golfer of all time. He was the only golfer in history to win the British Amateur, the U.S. Amateur, the British Open and the U.S. Open all in the same year. Yet, at 27 he retired from competitive golf and never turned pro. When asked why he wouldn't become a professional and turn his skills into cash he said, "it's a game. You aren't supposed to make a living from a game." Bobby Jones played golf because he liked the competition but mostly "for the love of the game". Although he was practically born with a club in his hand he never lost his fascination with golf and became one of the games greatest students and teachers.
Make sure today that you are following a path toward a pursuit that doesn't involve only monetary reward but something deep within knows you are in it for "the love of the game".
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Bobby Jones is still considered by many to be the greatest golfer of all time. He was the only golfer in history to win the British Amateur, the U.S. Amateur, the British Open and the U.S. Open all in the same year. Yet, at 27 he retired from competitive golf and never turned pro. When asked why he wouldn't become a professional and turn his skills into cash he said, "it's a game. You aren't supposed to make a living from a game." Bobby Jones played golf because he liked the competition but mostly "for the love of the game". Although he was practically born with a club in his hand he never lost his fascination with golf and became one of the games greatest students and teachers.
Make sure today that you are following a path toward a pursuit that doesn't involve only monetary reward but something deep within knows you are in it for "the love of the game".
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Over Adjustment
From time to time I hear of some terrible automobile accident resulting in horrible damage or even loss of life. After an investigation the findings come back that the driver ran off the road and overreacted leading to what the accident report says is "over adjustment". More often than not the driver is either young with little experience or elderly with diminishing abilities. The reaction of both groups in the pressure of the moment results in disaster. There is a great life lesson here. Don't let the circumstances dictate your course of action in a time of crisis. The only way you can make sure you handle a crisis properly is through training. Then when the emergency does arise, trust your training. This is true in scuba driving, combat, driving and life in general. I have learned that becoming good at something does not mean you will maintain that level of proficiency in an ongoing way. We need refresher training as well, especially as we grow older.
The Scripture tell us in Hebrews 12:11 that "no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been TRAINED by it". Notice here the Word says, "to those who have been trained by it". Not everyone allows training to take place from discipline. That will result in making the same mistakes over and over again. It will also lead to a life of "over adjusting" to circumstances resulting in costly mistakes. We should train ourselves to always respond and never react to situations. Reactionary behavior creates a knee jerk reaction that too often leads to even greater problems than the original one. Responding lends itself to action taken after thought and patience leading to decisions coming forth from training. What about the instant crisis where there is not time for contemplation? Even more reason for training and retraining in order to respond in the moment according to our training. It has to become second nature.
In dealing with people and relationship crises, never allow yourself to be rushed or pressured into a decision. It is fine to say, "let me get back to you on that". Give this some thought and the next time a crisis arises, trust your training!
From time to time I hear of some terrible automobile accident resulting in horrible damage or even loss of life. After an investigation the findings come back that the driver ran off the road and overreacted leading to what the accident report says is "over adjustment". More often than not the driver is either young with little experience or elderly with diminishing abilities. The reaction of both groups in the pressure of the moment results in disaster. There is a great life lesson here. Don't let the circumstances dictate your course of action in a time of crisis. The only way you can make sure you handle a crisis properly is through training. Then when the emergency does arise, trust your training. This is true in scuba driving, combat, driving and life in general. I have learned that becoming good at something does not mean you will maintain that level of proficiency in an ongoing way. We need refresher training as well, especially as we grow older.
The Scripture tell us in Hebrews 12:11 that "no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been TRAINED by it". Notice here the Word says, "to those who have been trained by it". Not everyone allows training to take place from discipline. That will result in making the same mistakes over and over again. It will also lead to a life of "over adjusting" to circumstances resulting in costly mistakes. We should train ourselves to always respond and never react to situations. Reactionary behavior creates a knee jerk reaction that too often leads to even greater problems than the original one. Responding lends itself to action taken after thought and patience leading to decisions coming forth from training. What about the instant crisis where there is not time for contemplation? Even more reason for training and retraining in order to respond in the moment according to our training. It has to become second nature.
In dealing with people and relationship crises, never allow yourself to be rushed or pressured into a decision. It is fine to say, "let me get back to you on that". Give this some thought and the next time a crisis arises, trust your training!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Are You Expecting?
I just returned from Richland, Mississippi where I had the privilege of ministering all weekend at Restoration Church. Pastor Freddie Brown had led his church in 30 days of fasting and prayer asking the Lord for "Breakthrough". I had never been there before so I didn't really know what I would find there. To my great joy, the congregation was seriously engaged as a Body in this faith venture. There is a big difference between a pastor who announces a season of fasting and prayer and the people tolerate his plan, and a congregation taking ownership of the venture and actually expecting great things. The latter was the case at Restoration Church. The flip side to this scenario would be when a pastor announces fasting and prayer because it seems like a good idea, but his heart isn't in it. Often about the only thing that happens if there is not a joint ownership by the pastor and congregation is hunger. However, when both are moving in faith, as was the case in Richland, breakthrough happens. I was blessed to stand in the pulpit and see a congregation hanging on ever word and expecting from God. Pastor Freddie had expectancy in his eyes and heart. Observing and experiencing this was not only encouraging but it was also challenging.
The Lord has promised that if we "draw near to Him, He will draw near to us". I believe there is a corporate application here. May we embrace the Lord Jesus for breakthrough as a people and we WILL see breakthrough!
I just returned from Richland, Mississippi where I had the privilege of ministering all weekend at Restoration Church. Pastor Freddie Brown had led his church in 30 days of fasting and prayer asking the Lord for "Breakthrough". I had never been there before so I didn't really know what I would find there. To my great joy, the congregation was seriously engaged as a Body in this faith venture. There is a big difference between a pastor who announces a season of fasting and prayer and the people tolerate his plan, and a congregation taking ownership of the venture and actually expecting great things. The latter was the case at Restoration Church. The flip side to this scenario would be when a pastor announces fasting and prayer because it seems like a good idea, but his heart isn't in it. Often about the only thing that happens if there is not a joint ownership by the pastor and congregation is hunger. However, when both are moving in faith, as was the case in Richland, breakthrough happens. I was blessed to stand in the pulpit and see a congregation hanging on ever word and expecting from God. Pastor Freddie had expectancy in his eyes and heart. Observing and experiencing this was not only encouraging but it was also challenging.
The Lord has promised that if we "draw near to Him, He will draw near to us". I believe there is a corporate application here. May we embrace the Lord Jesus for breakthrough as a people and we WILL see breakthrough!
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