Memorial Day, not to be forgotten!
Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.
There are a few notable exceptions. Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights (the Luminaria Program). And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.
In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
A New Power for a New Hour
I have been ministering here in Saginaw, Michigan for 6 days now. It has been a very busy schedule but so refreshing. Not only has it been refreshing to leave the 90 degree temps of North Florida and South Georgia to get back into early Spring temps here, but the spiritual atmosphere has been invigorating.
Pastor Ken Cline has been the Senior Pastor of the church for about 2 years now and he has done a great job taking an older church and slowly moving it toward a new era of equipping for mission. Much training has been going on and my coming here was to speak/teach/preach at their weekend seminar called, "Equip 2010". I am embarrassed to say that after teaching for 3 hours on Saturday to leaders, I was caught off guard Sunday morning when a spiritual eruption occured. There has been a lot of change going on here the last year and not all has been fun for the church. Any time there is a transition there is reaction! They certainly haven't been exempt. However, they have taken the high road and remained on point in pursing the calling of the Lord upon them. Rather than becoming enbroiled in trying to defend themselves they have chosen rather to continue to train and focus on the future. The result has been a new influx of young adults who are hungry to know Jesus in a greater way and they want to be used by Him. That is precisely why we saw this outpouring of the Holy Spirit this past Sunday morning, Sunday evening and again in this midweek service on Wednesday. I can't stress this enough, this Pastor prepared the way and then opened the door for the Holy Spirit to come and do whatever He wanted to do. That takes a lot of courage. I applaud Pastor Ken.
I came to this conference with plans and outlines to teach, teach, teach. I did that for a number of hours. Then, when I was so positively affected beginning on Sunday morning by the spontaneous worship of the people, I heard the Lord say, "put up your outline and follow me"! "Yikes, where are we going"? Many were Baptized in the Holy Spirit just like in the book of Acts. Again on Wednesday night, many more experienced the same empowering. That opened the door for a number of older Christians to be drawn in to experience the same wonderful time in the presence of the Lord with many more being renewed and refreshed by His Presence! Then, without any coersion, little children were right in the middle of it all experiencing the Holy Spirit.
When I returned to my room I was basking in the overflow of these meetings and I realized that this was the icing on the cake of equipping. Yes, they needed to be trained but training is not the end of equipping. The Holy Spirit empowering was the most important of all. While I was there seeking to be used to help equip the saints for the work of the ministry, did the Holy Spirit do or say anything to me? Oh yes! He told me to bring a new Pentecost to a new generation. If we don't equip this new generation by exposing them to the truth of Pentecost we will be back where many of us started in the late 1960's and 70's with nice sweet churches without the Power of God to set the captives free. Then the Holy Spirit will raise up a new group who is not ashamed of the Full Gospel. It is time for A NEW POWER FOR A NEW HOUR!
I have been ministering here in Saginaw, Michigan for 6 days now. It has been a very busy schedule but so refreshing. Not only has it been refreshing to leave the 90 degree temps of North Florida and South Georgia to get back into early Spring temps here, but the spiritual atmosphere has been invigorating.
Pastor Ken Cline has been the Senior Pastor of the church for about 2 years now and he has done a great job taking an older church and slowly moving it toward a new era of equipping for mission. Much training has been going on and my coming here was to speak/teach/preach at their weekend seminar called, "Equip 2010". I am embarrassed to say that after teaching for 3 hours on Saturday to leaders, I was caught off guard Sunday morning when a spiritual eruption occured. There has been a lot of change going on here the last year and not all has been fun for the church. Any time there is a transition there is reaction! They certainly haven't been exempt. However, they have taken the high road and remained on point in pursing the calling of the Lord upon them. Rather than becoming enbroiled in trying to defend themselves they have chosen rather to continue to train and focus on the future. The result has been a new influx of young adults who are hungry to know Jesus in a greater way and they want to be used by Him. That is precisely why we saw this outpouring of the Holy Spirit this past Sunday morning, Sunday evening and again in this midweek service on Wednesday. I can't stress this enough, this Pastor prepared the way and then opened the door for the Holy Spirit to come and do whatever He wanted to do. That takes a lot of courage. I applaud Pastor Ken.
I came to this conference with plans and outlines to teach, teach, teach. I did that for a number of hours. Then, when I was so positively affected beginning on Sunday morning by the spontaneous worship of the people, I heard the Lord say, "put up your outline and follow me"! "Yikes, where are we going"? Many were Baptized in the Holy Spirit just like in the book of Acts. Again on Wednesday night, many more experienced the same empowering. That opened the door for a number of older Christians to be drawn in to experience the same wonderful time in the presence of the Lord with many more being renewed and refreshed by His Presence! Then, without any coersion, little children were right in the middle of it all experiencing the Holy Spirit.
When I returned to my room I was basking in the overflow of these meetings and I realized that this was the icing on the cake of equipping. Yes, they needed to be trained but training is not the end of equipping. The Holy Spirit empowering was the most important of all. While I was there seeking to be used to help equip the saints for the work of the ministry, did the Holy Spirit do or say anything to me? Oh yes! He told me to bring a new Pentecost to a new generation. If we don't equip this new generation by exposing them to the truth of Pentecost we will be back where many of us started in the late 1960's and 70's with nice sweet churches without the Power of God to set the captives free. Then the Holy Spirit will raise up a new group who is not ashamed of the Full Gospel. It is time for A NEW POWER FOR A NEW HOUR!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Exchanging the Known Past for the Unknown Future
Numbers 11:4-6 (NKJV)
4 Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: "Who will give us meat to eat?
5 We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic;
6 but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!"
The ongoing walk with the Lord is a never ending journey. The Bible is filled with descriptions of our relationship with God that speaks of a journey. His Word in Psalm 119: 105 says,
“ Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” In the book of acts it is called the Way. Understanding that living with and for God involves a moving, active, changing daily journey helps us to remain stable. A person who thinks that having a relationship with God is about a destination is apt to become disoriented. God is always on the move and always requiring his “followers” to move as well. As long as we live on this planet, there will be no final resting place in the physical sense. Once we accept that truth we are not confused when the Lord requires change in our lives even from things that we might consider good things.
Israel in these verses had been delivered from the bondage of Egypt and were now on the Exodus, the journey toward the Promised Land. They were living by the direct instruction of God Almighty. They were being fed by the hand of God in a supernatural way through Manna. They had cried out for generations for deliverance and now they are walking in that deliverance. Yet, there is pressure in the will of God just like there is pressure in bondage. Pressure, how we hate it. We confused deliverance from bondage and actually thought it meant moving into a Kingdom utopia. What we often miss is the purpose of the deliverance and the journey. The deliverance of the Lord is to break the power of the bondage over us but the journey from that point on is to empty us, cleans us from within, fill us and reshape us for life in this New Kingdom.
Israel didn’t understand the process. They hated this New Kingdom of deliverance and development so much that they were actually preferring the provision of past bondage. Be careful how you look upon your past. Looking back with lust for lost pleasures of bondage could cause you to miss a step with the Lord and you could lose your way. Make a decision to set your gaze on the future and never allow your mind to drift back to the sinful past with desire.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NKJV)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
Numbers 11:4-6 (NKJV)
4 Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: "Who will give us meat to eat?
5 We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic;
6 but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!"
The ongoing walk with the Lord is a never ending journey. The Bible is filled with descriptions of our relationship with God that speaks of a journey. His Word in Psalm 119: 105 says,
“ Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” In the book of acts it is called the Way. Understanding that living with and for God involves a moving, active, changing daily journey helps us to remain stable. A person who thinks that having a relationship with God is about a destination is apt to become disoriented. God is always on the move and always requiring his “followers” to move as well. As long as we live on this planet, there will be no final resting place in the physical sense. Once we accept that truth we are not confused when the Lord requires change in our lives even from things that we might consider good things.
Israel in these verses had been delivered from the bondage of Egypt and were now on the Exodus, the journey toward the Promised Land. They were living by the direct instruction of God Almighty. They were being fed by the hand of God in a supernatural way through Manna. They had cried out for generations for deliverance and now they are walking in that deliverance. Yet, there is pressure in the will of God just like there is pressure in bondage. Pressure, how we hate it. We confused deliverance from bondage and actually thought it meant moving into a Kingdom utopia. What we often miss is the purpose of the deliverance and the journey. The deliverance of the Lord is to break the power of the bondage over us but the journey from that point on is to empty us, cleans us from within, fill us and reshape us for life in this New Kingdom.
Israel didn’t understand the process. They hated this New Kingdom of deliverance and development so much that they were actually preferring the provision of past bondage. Be careful how you look upon your past. Looking back with lust for lost pleasures of bondage could cause you to miss a step with the Lord and you could lose your way. Make a decision to set your gaze on the future and never allow your mind to drift back to the sinful past with desire.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NKJV)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Mergers of Ministries: Things to consider
From time to time I am asked to give input to ministries considering a merger with another ministry. While I was a pastor of a three year old church that I started in 1980, we were a part of a coming together of two congregations. It was an exciting time and a scary time for a couple of years. Our end result was a plus and a gain for the Kingdom of God. A merger of churches or ministries can be a wonderful thing, and a sign to a community of unity in the Kingdom. However, it is a very delicate process and must be approached with much prayer , thought, dialogue and courage.
Pros:
1. The benefits of a larger congregation or ministry
A. More people to serve, improving ministries at all levels.
B. More finances available to expand more ministries
C. More competent leaders to help bring the people to a greater place of service.
D. Positive effects of increase “in the house and in the community”. Success breeds success.
2. The benefits of increasing the sphere of ministry overall.
3. The benefits of increased effects of a greater anointing created by unity. Psa. 133
Cons:
1. The challenge of bringing two congregations into one.
2. The potential of strife caused by a perspective that, “we have lost our closeness and/or idenity”.
3. The challenge of competition among leaders. Determined by how it is handled.
4. The fear of loss by some. (Loss of position, influence, etc)
5. The possibility of losing some who can’t make the shift.
6. The challenge of merging possible different government styles.
7. The challenge of doctrinal variations or interpretations.
Suggestions and Questions:
1. Spend much time in prayer
A. Senior Leaders first come to an agreement that this is the will of God.
B. Make sure you are in agreement doctrinally and philosophically.
C. Get leadership teams together for fellowship and prayer.
D. Senior leaders must be completely clear about lines of authority.
E. Don’t fear an open discussion among leaders regarding all aspects of the merger.
F. Go slow. Think through all aspects of the process. Try to see 3 years down the road.
2. What are you most excited about regarding the possible merger?
3. What concerns you most about the possible merger?
From time to time I am asked to give input to ministries considering a merger with another ministry. While I was a pastor of a three year old church that I started in 1980, we were a part of a coming together of two congregations. It was an exciting time and a scary time for a couple of years. Our end result was a plus and a gain for the Kingdom of God. A merger of churches or ministries can be a wonderful thing, and a sign to a community of unity in the Kingdom. However, it is a very delicate process and must be approached with much prayer , thought, dialogue and courage.
Pros:
1. The benefits of a larger congregation or ministry
A. More people to serve, improving ministries at all levels.
B. More finances available to expand more ministries
C. More competent leaders to help bring the people to a greater place of service.
D. Positive effects of increase “in the house and in the community”. Success breeds success.
2. The benefits of increasing the sphere of ministry overall.
3. The benefits of increased effects of a greater anointing created by unity. Psa. 133
Cons:
1. The challenge of bringing two congregations into one.
2. The potential of strife caused by a perspective that, “we have lost our closeness and/or idenity”.
3. The challenge of competition among leaders. Determined by how it is handled.
4. The fear of loss by some. (Loss of position, influence, etc)
5. The possibility of losing some who can’t make the shift.
6. The challenge of merging possible different government styles.
7. The challenge of doctrinal variations or interpretations.
Suggestions and Questions:
1. Spend much time in prayer
A. Senior Leaders first come to an agreement that this is the will of God.
B. Make sure you are in agreement doctrinally and philosophically.
C. Get leadership teams together for fellowship and prayer.
D. Senior leaders must be completely clear about lines of authority.
E. Don’t fear an open discussion among leaders regarding all aspects of the merger.
F. Go slow. Think through all aspects of the process. Try to see 3 years down the road.
2. What are you most excited about regarding the possible merger?
3. What concerns you most about the possible merger?
Hopefully, these suggestions from experience will help you as you navigate the waters of merging two congregations or even two businesses.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Dealing with Distractions
Being an old golfer and one who loves the grand old game, I have learned that one of the most important aspects of the game is focus. It has been said that the game has to be won between your ears first before you can win on the course.
In any endeavor, one has to learn to block out everything that is in competition with the task at hand. I was thinking about the leadership of Toyota. While it is important that the company deal with their quality control issues, the primary leadership team must stay on point remembering that their job is planning and building arguably the best cars in the world. The President of the company has to address the problems and lead through this season but he better not lose his focus on his main goal.
Leaders must learn this valuable lesson. We all have to deal with crises on a daily basis. It's a part of the job. However, the quicker you can diagnose the problem, get a fix in place and get back to your primary responsibility, the better. As spiritual leaders, we must know that there are enemies that are bent on doing nothing more than distracting us. In the old days of the cold war and communist aggression it was difficult to understand the thinking behind the agenda of communism. What could they possibly gain by stirring up trouble all over the world. If they would see a dissatisfied sector in a society, they would make an appeal to help them overthrow their government or leadership. Then I got it. They believed that chaos in itself was a plan. If they could cause a distraction, the government in power would be forced to stop what they were doing and be forced to deal with the chaos. Then in the midst of the storm they might gain access and control. Control is what all enemies want to gain.
In the church world it is important for leadership to learn this lesson. Stay on point! I gave this example to a great young pastor recently. As a word of encouragement to him I said, "don't let the distractions on the sidelines keep your head out of the game and cause you to lose on the field". Being a lover of sports, he got it!
Let me encourage you to focus and stay on point with that which the Lord has called you to do.
Being an old golfer and one who loves the grand old game, I have learned that one of the most important aspects of the game is focus. It has been said that the game has to be won between your ears first before you can win on the course.
In any endeavor, one has to learn to block out everything that is in competition with the task at hand. I was thinking about the leadership of Toyota. While it is important that the company deal with their quality control issues, the primary leadership team must stay on point remembering that their job is planning and building arguably the best cars in the world. The President of the company has to address the problems and lead through this season but he better not lose his focus on his main goal.
Leaders must learn this valuable lesson. We all have to deal with crises on a daily basis. It's a part of the job. However, the quicker you can diagnose the problem, get a fix in place and get back to your primary responsibility, the better. As spiritual leaders, we must know that there are enemies that are bent on doing nothing more than distracting us. In the old days of the cold war and communist aggression it was difficult to understand the thinking behind the agenda of communism. What could they possibly gain by stirring up trouble all over the world. If they would see a dissatisfied sector in a society, they would make an appeal to help them overthrow their government or leadership. Then I got it. They believed that chaos in itself was a plan. If they could cause a distraction, the government in power would be forced to stop what they were doing and be forced to deal with the chaos. Then in the midst of the storm they might gain access and control. Control is what all enemies want to gain.
In the church world it is important for leadership to learn this lesson. Stay on point! I gave this example to a great young pastor recently. As a word of encouragement to him I said, "don't let the distractions on the sidelines keep your head out of the game and cause you to lose on the field". Being a lover of sports, he got it!
Let me encourage you to focus and stay on point with that which the Lord has called you to do.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Intimacy or Intimidation
It is easy to see why newcomers to the Christian faith might have some struggles trying to understand the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. The God of the Old Testament seems so harsh and demanding while the God of the New Testament seems so loving and forgiving. What’s the deal?
Regardless of how different they may appear, the God of the Old and New are the same God. The Old was a preparation for the New. God, from the beginning of time, wanted to live in intimate relationship with man. When man sinned, that sin was a barricade that kept sinful man from enjoying the presence of a perfectly Holy God. Jesus came and died in man’s place and removed the barricade between God and man. Now through the individual’s acceptance of Jesus, man can come with boldness right into the presence of Father God. It is to be a relationship. For all Christians, that relationship should be one of intimacy. Yet, all too many believers seem to live in a relationship of intimidation rather than intimacy.
The great problem here is that intimidation limits and causes the relationship to remain on a powerless plane. The Christian at this level never moves beyond that first level of introduction. Every time he encounters God, he is uncomfortable and gets little from the experience. On the other hand, a person who has an intimate relationship with the Lord is at peace in God’s presence. That connectivity of intimacy transfers spiritual power that leaves the believer on a higher level than before.
The church was built on a revelation that the Apostle Peter received through that connectivity of intimacy, “thou art the Christ”. Jesus said to him, “flesh and blood did not reveal that to you”. As Christians, we need to move beyond “flesh and blood” Christianity. We need to move beyond only keeping the rules and regulations and enter that place of intimacy with the Lord.
It is easy to see why newcomers to the Christian faith might have some struggles trying to understand the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. The God of the Old Testament seems so harsh and demanding while the God of the New Testament seems so loving and forgiving. What’s the deal?
Regardless of how different they may appear, the God of the Old and New are the same God. The Old was a preparation for the New. God, from the beginning of time, wanted to live in intimate relationship with man. When man sinned, that sin was a barricade that kept sinful man from enjoying the presence of a perfectly Holy God. Jesus came and died in man’s place and removed the barricade between God and man. Now through the individual’s acceptance of Jesus, man can come with boldness right into the presence of Father God. It is to be a relationship. For all Christians, that relationship should be one of intimacy. Yet, all too many believers seem to live in a relationship of intimidation rather than intimacy.
The great problem here is that intimidation limits and causes the relationship to remain on a powerless plane. The Christian at this level never moves beyond that first level of introduction. Every time he encounters God, he is uncomfortable and gets little from the experience. On the other hand, a person who has an intimate relationship with the Lord is at peace in God’s presence. That connectivity of intimacy transfers spiritual power that leaves the believer on a higher level than before.
The church was built on a revelation that the Apostle Peter received through that connectivity of intimacy, “thou art the Christ”. Jesus said to him, “flesh and blood did not reveal that to you”. As Christians, we need to move beyond “flesh and blood” Christianity. We need to move beyond only keeping the rules and regulations and enter that place of intimacy with the Lord.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Intellect and Spirit
Can a person who has a higher educational level have a deeper relationship with God? I have known people who had an earned doctorate and maintained a wonderful faith in God. I have also known adults with an eighth grade education that had deep spiritual knowledge of God and His ways. This is a very important subject because some would think that faith in God and higher education seem to conflict. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
It has been said that no human being has ever attained to the same intellectual capacity of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden prior to their fall into rebellion and sin. In that state before they chose to sin, these two perfect specimens of creation had a powerful relationship with God. It was after their fall from grace that everything around them deteriorated including their intellectual abilities. It is through faith in God that man can experience restoration in every area of life. That includes spirit, body and yes, the mind. As a matter of fact, the Scripture teaches that through the process of regeneration, the mind of man is also renewed. This renewal process would involve greater intellectual capacity. Even more importantly, spiritual renewal brings the mind of God and his ways to the forefront in the mind of man. In Romans 12:2, we read of this process called “the renewing of the mind”. The Greek word here for renewing actually is translated “renovation”. By putting your faith in God and what Jesus did by his supernatural act of redemption on the cross, a renovation takes place in the life of the believer that includes the mind.
What are the benefits of such a renovation? Obviously, there is a new illumination of thought and ideology that brings man into union with the mind and thought of God. Intellectual ability that has been redeemed and renovated by God now is on the right track and working in unison with the Creator of the universe. The outcome will certainly be great discoveries in science, medicine and every field of endeavor. If a person rebels against reconciliation with God and tries to press ahead seeking to develop the intellect alone, the outcome will be something much less than could have been achieved by experiencing God. Many have produced great things in our day without a renewed mind through God. However, how far short have they fallen? What could they have realized with God working in and through their already gifted intellect?
Some of our greatest discoveries have been attained by men and women who knew God personally and depended upon Him for guidance and revelation. Intellect is not a doorway to God and lack of education is not an obstacle to knowing him. Arrogant intellect choosing to ignore God has limited itself to a small sphere. In truth, God is not known nor realized by intellect but by the spirit of man. Nonetheless, when a person comes to know and experience God in a personal, way he will be expanded in all areas of life. This will especially apply to intellectual expansion. True faith and true education should run hand in hand. All should benefit from their union.
Can a person who has a higher educational level have a deeper relationship with God? I have known people who had an earned doctorate and maintained a wonderful faith in God. I have also known adults with an eighth grade education that had deep spiritual knowledge of God and His ways. This is a very important subject because some would think that faith in God and higher education seem to conflict. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
It has been said that no human being has ever attained to the same intellectual capacity of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden prior to their fall into rebellion and sin. In that state before they chose to sin, these two perfect specimens of creation had a powerful relationship with God. It was after their fall from grace that everything around them deteriorated including their intellectual abilities. It is through faith in God that man can experience restoration in every area of life. That includes spirit, body and yes, the mind. As a matter of fact, the Scripture teaches that through the process of regeneration, the mind of man is also renewed. This renewal process would involve greater intellectual capacity. Even more importantly, spiritual renewal brings the mind of God and his ways to the forefront in the mind of man. In Romans 12:2, we read of this process called “the renewing of the mind”. The Greek word here for renewing actually is translated “renovation”. By putting your faith in God and what Jesus did by his supernatural act of redemption on the cross, a renovation takes place in the life of the believer that includes the mind.
What are the benefits of such a renovation? Obviously, there is a new illumination of thought and ideology that brings man into union with the mind and thought of God. Intellectual ability that has been redeemed and renovated by God now is on the right track and working in unison with the Creator of the universe. The outcome will certainly be great discoveries in science, medicine and every field of endeavor. If a person rebels against reconciliation with God and tries to press ahead seeking to develop the intellect alone, the outcome will be something much less than could have been achieved by experiencing God. Many have produced great things in our day without a renewed mind through God. However, how far short have they fallen? What could they have realized with God working in and through their already gifted intellect?
Some of our greatest discoveries have been attained by men and women who knew God personally and depended upon Him for guidance and revelation. Intellect is not a doorway to God and lack of education is not an obstacle to knowing him. Arrogant intellect choosing to ignore God has limited itself to a small sphere. In truth, God is not known nor realized by intellect but by the spirit of man. Nonetheless, when a person comes to know and experience God in a personal, way he will be expanded in all areas of life. This will especially apply to intellectual expansion. True faith and true education should run hand in hand. All should benefit from their union.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Living Faith
Nothing hinders God’s work more than dead religion. What is dead religion? A religion that has all the answers but does not believe God is actively working in daily life. Dead religion is interested in the environment even to the point of worshipping nature but gives no praise to the Creator. It is passionately devoted to human rights with no regard for Divine purpose. It puts total faith in intellectualism, and proves it with active pursuit while growing more and more indifferent regarding the things of God.
We shouldn’t be surprised when we see dead religion in our day. It’s nothing new. Jesus found it and was persecuted by it in his ministry. The Pharisees challenged the living faith of Jesus with all their knowledge, social standing and political correctness. These religious leaders looked good in every outward way. However, rather than hope, they only offered more of the mediocre. Rather than life, they only brought bondage and death. Rather than power, all they could muster was a form of godliness.
Before we begin to cast stones, let us examine our own lives. I am not referring to any group or denomination. I am challenging all who are called by the name Christian to evaluate who we are and what we offer to those around us. Jesus came offering a better way. He came bringing life, hope and a way of escape. The religious community in Jesus’ day was more interested in protecting their buildings, their programs and their personal interests than they were in bringing deliverance and help to those hurting around them. While I deeply appreciate all that God has done for us, let us never forget why we are here. We are not here to perpetuate a religious system. We are here to carry out the same ministry Jesus established when he said, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” May our Lord Jesus help us to shake off the blinding effects of comfort and help us to see those who are looking for the hope we offer in Jesus.
Nothing hinders God’s work more than dead religion. What is dead religion? A religion that has all the answers but does not believe God is actively working in daily life. Dead religion is interested in the environment even to the point of worshipping nature but gives no praise to the Creator. It is passionately devoted to human rights with no regard for Divine purpose. It puts total faith in intellectualism, and proves it with active pursuit while growing more and more indifferent regarding the things of God.
We shouldn’t be surprised when we see dead religion in our day. It’s nothing new. Jesus found it and was persecuted by it in his ministry. The Pharisees challenged the living faith of Jesus with all their knowledge, social standing and political correctness. These religious leaders looked good in every outward way. However, rather than hope, they only offered more of the mediocre. Rather than life, they only brought bondage and death. Rather than power, all they could muster was a form of godliness.
Before we begin to cast stones, let us examine our own lives. I am not referring to any group or denomination. I am challenging all who are called by the name Christian to evaluate who we are and what we offer to those around us. Jesus came offering a better way. He came bringing life, hope and a way of escape. The religious community in Jesus’ day was more interested in protecting their buildings, their programs and their personal interests than they were in bringing deliverance and help to those hurting around them. While I deeply appreciate all that God has done for us, let us never forget why we are here. We are not here to perpetuate a religious system. We are here to carry out the same ministry Jesus established when he said, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” May our Lord Jesus help us to shake off the blinding effects of comfort and help us to see those who are looking for the hope we offer in Jesus.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A stitch in time saves nine
We have all heard it but what does it mean? "A stitch in time" is an old English saying that means to stitch a small hole quickly before it becomes a larger one. Great lesson!
Not a lot surprises me anymore. I am however, still amazed when I see people who face worsening problems dismiss them as if they will take care of themselves. Problems don't fix themselves. Now here's a shocker: God doesn't usually fix problems solo either. Most of the time the Lord will send the answer or remedy to us with instructions on how to apply the fix. It is our job to remain in right relationship with the Father and be able to hear and see and embrace the instructions when they come. One of the great "cop outs" in the Christian world is, "I'm waiting on the Lord". Of course, we know the Lord does have a timing and it is critical that we discern that timing and make sure our actions fit within his time frame. However, all too often the delay is on our part and we like to shift the blame of procrastination to Jesus.
I watched a guy once spend two years at home in "prayer for a job"! What a farce! He wanted the perfect job. Actually, he wanted what he thought was the perfect job. That is not God's way. God is a God who brings "the job" to a person who has taken the initiative and gotten "a job". Ask yourself the question today: "what area of my life is undone because I haven't taken any initiative?" I am convinced that many answers to prayer are delayed not because God hasn't answered but because there has been no "faith activity" on the part of the one needing the answer. When Teresa and I were first married we were transferred to San Diego by the Navy. Teresa had just graduated from business college and had not been able to get a job. My meager pay left us in a bind. We weren't in trouble yet but a week of delay would cause us to be behind the eight ball. We were praying for help. We went for a walk and passed a Denny's restaurant. There was a sign in the window that said, "Dishwasher wanted". I said to Teresa, "I'll be back in a minute". I came back out in about 5 minutes and said, "go on home, I'll see you later, I have just been hired and have to go to work"! I worked there washing other people's dirty dishes for several months as a second job. Teresa did find a job and our financial world improved dramatically. However, before that happened, this little job proved to be a life saver for us. I didn't want to do it but it was a job! Looking back on that experience I know the Lord opened that door and I learned a lot from it. Yes, Jesus wanted me to wash dishes!
Take some initiative. If you need to sell your house, clean it up. If you need "the job", take "a job". Begin to act in line with your need. Procrastination is faith in reverse. It can actually hinder the provision of the Lord. Remember, "a stitch in time saves nine".
We have all heard it but what does it mean? "A stitch in time" is an old English saying that means to stitch a small hole quickly before it becomes a larger one. Great lesson!
Not a lot surprises me anymore. I am however, still amazed when I see people who face worsening problems dismiss them as if they will take care of themselves. Problems don't fix themselves. Now here's a shocker: God doesn't usually fix problems solo either. Most of the time the Lord will send the answer or remedy to us with instructions on how to apply the fix. It is our job to remain in right relationship with the Father and be able to hear and see and embrace the instructions when they come. One of the great "cop outs" in the Christian world is, "I'm waiting on the Lord". Of course, we know the Lord does have a timing and it is critical that we discern that timing and make sure our actions fit within his time frame. However, all too often the delay is on our part and we like to shift the blame of procrastination to Jesus.
I watched a guy once spend two years at home in "prayer for a job"! What a farce! He wanted the perfect job. Actually, he wanted what he thought was the perfect job. That is not God's way. God is a God who brings "the job" to a person who has taken the initiative and gotten "a job". Ask yourself the question today: "what area of my life is undone because I haven't taken any initiative?" I am convinced that many answers to prayer are delayed not because God hasn't answered but because there has been no "faith activity" on the part of the one needing the answer. When Teresa and I were first married we were transferred to San Diego by the Navy. Teresa had just graduated from business college and had not been able to get a job. My meager pay left us in a bind. We weren't in trouble yet but a week of delay would cause us to be behind the eight ball. We were praying for help. We went for a walk and passed a Denny's restaurant. There was a sign in the window that said, "Dishwasher wanted". I said to Teresa, "I'll be back in a minute". I came back out in about 5 minutes and said, "go on home, I'll see you later, I have just been hired and have to go to work"! I worked there washing other people's dirty dishes for several months as a second job. Teresa did find a job and our financial world improved dramatically. However, before that happened, this little job proved to be a life saver for us. I didn't want to do it but it was a job! Looking back on that experience I know the Lord opened that door and I learned a lot from it. Yes, Jesus wanted me to wash dishes!
Take some initiative. If you need to sell your house, clean it up. If you need "the job", take "a job". Begin to act in line with your need. Procrastination is faith in reverse. It can actually hinder the provision of the Lord. Remember, "a stitch in time saves nine".
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Dealing with Distractions
Being an old golfer and one who loves the grand old game, I have learned that one of the most important aspects of the game is focus. It has been said that the game has to be won between your ears first before you can win on the course.
In any endeavor, one has to learn to block out everything that is in competition with the task at hand. I was thinking about the leadership of Toyota. While it is important that the company deal with their quality control issues, the primary leadership team must stay on point remembering that their job is planning and building arguably the best cars in the world. The President of the company has to address the problems and lead through this season but he better not lose his focus on his main goal.
Leaders must learn this valuable lesson. We all have to deal with crises on a daily basis. It's a part of the job. However, the quicker you can diagnose the problem, get a fix in place and get back to your primary responsibility, the better. As spiritual leaders, we must know that there are enemies that are bent on doing nothing more than distracting us. In the old days of the cold war and communist aggression it was difficult to understand the thinking behind the agenda of communism. What could they possibly gain by stirring up trouble all over the world. If they would see a dissatisfied sector in a society, they would make an appeal to help them overthrow their government or leadership. Then I got it. They believed that chaos in itself was a plan. If they could cause a distraction, the government in power would be forced to stop what they were doing and be forced to deal with the chaos. Then in the midst of the storm they might gain access and control. Control is what all enemies want to gain.
In the church world it is important for leadership to learn this lesson. Stay on point! I gave this example to a great young pastor recently. As a word of encouragement to him I said, "don't let the distractions on the sidelines keep your head out of the game and cause you to lose on the field". Being a lover of sports, he got it!
Let me encourage you to focus and stay on point with that which the Lord has called you to do.
Being an old golfer and one who loves the grand old game, I have learned that one of the most important aspects of the game is focus. It has been said that the game has to be won between your ears first before you can win on the course.
In any endeavor, one has to learn to block out everything that is in competition with the task at hand. I was thinking about the leadership of Toyota. While it is important that the company deal with their quality control issues, the primary leadership team must stay on point remembering that their job is planning and building arguably the best cars in the world. The President of the company has to address the problems and lead through this season but he better not lose his focus on his main goal.
Leaders must learn this valuable lesson. We all have to deal with crises on a daily basis. It's a part of the job. However, the quicker you can diagnose the problem, get a fix in place and get back to your primary responsibility, the better. As spiritual leaders, we must know that there are enemies that are bent on doing nothing more than distracting us. In the old days of the cold war and communist aggression it was difficult to understand the thinking behind the agenda of communism. What could they possibly gain by stirring up trouble all over the world. If they would see a dissatisfied sector in a society, they would make an appeal to help them overthrow their government or leadership. Then I got it. They believed that chaos in itself was a plan. If they could cause a distraction, the government in power would be forced to stop what they were doing and be forced to deal with the chaos. Then in the midst of the storm they might gain access and control. Control is what all enemies want to gain.
In the church world it is important for leadership to learn this lesson. Stay on point! I gave this example to a great young pastor recently. As a word of encouragement to him I said, "don't let the distractions on the sidelines keep your head out of the game and cause you to lose on the field". Being a lover of sports, he got it!
Let me encourage you to focus and stay on point with that which the Lord has called you to do.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Observations from visiting a new church, hoping to assist church leaders.
On the road again in my RV. We attended another church Sunday where we were not known nor did we know the congregation. I'm getting into to this as I have never been able to do this because of ministry responsibilities. It was a relatively new church launch with a lot of young believers and a lot of excitement. The church was a part of a National fellowship of churches that is known for a lot of growth and new church launches. Because I am a church planter/launcher, and because I now oversee churches and ministries, it's difficult not to "oversee" when I attend a new church. I have to blank it all out and make a decision to love, blend and worship. I did a fair job and didn't allow myself to process the service until after I left that afternoon
Here were my observations: First, the church was moderately friendly. About two people welcomed us when we entered. It is not unusual to attend a new church and have no one greet us. I know that sounds strange but it is true. We should all work on that. Just as we were a little "sheepish" upon entering an unknown congregation for the first time, I could tell the people were a little nervous about us as well and that was probably why we weren't welcomed more warmly. The building was a store front which is where most new church launches start once they leave the home setting and start trying to reach a community. The building was very clean and neat. The service opened with a young man welcoming the group. He was a little nervous which didn't really "break the ice". The worship team started the worship and it was average. They didn't appear to be worshipping as much as trying to get through the mechanics of the songs. That tends to put a hindrance on the congregation and stops a real flow in worship. It can keep a song service from turning into worship. A relaxed and comfortable atmosphere is so important to worship and fellowship. Of course a church has to use the giftings they have.
When we got to the speaker, the Senior Pastor took the platform. He was a gentle and kind young man. He did an adequate job through the message but at the end, he moved into a very personal story that had a dramatic impact. You could sense that this man was motivated to truly love and help people. He ended without a strong challenge for salvation, although it was included in his presentation. The endtire service was one hour. Then there was coffee and rolls and people seemd to be connected. Once again, as I mentioned in another blog about this earlier, this church is far greater in substance than is demonstrated on Sunday morning. The church is growing and vibrant. It is growing with average worship and preaching. The emphasis of the church is focused on having a real relationship with Jesus and one anohter.
For me it was obvious that this group was making a deliberate effort to focus on spiritual growth in their members more than having a "show" on Sunday. I noticed that they offered home/cell/support groups 5 nights a week which seemed to be their real life flow.
We are all trying to learn as we go and I'm still learning!
On the road again in my RV. We attended another church Sunday where we were not known nor did we know the congregation. I'm getting into to this as I have never been able to do this because of ministry responsibilities. It was a relatively new church launch with a lot of young believers and a lot of excitement. The church was a part of a National fellowship of churches that is known for a lot of growth and new church launches. Because I am a church planter/launcher, and because I now oversee churches and ministries, it's difficult not to "oversee" when I attend a new church. I have to blank it all out and make a decision to love, blend and worship. I did a fair job and didn't allow myself to process the service until after I left that afternoon
Here were my observations: First, the church was moderately friendly. About two people welcomed us when we entered. It is not unusual to attend a new church and have no one greet us. I know that sounds strange but it is true. We should all work on that. Just as we were a little "sheepish" upon entering an unknown congregation for the first time, I could tell the people were a little nervous about us as well and that was probably why we weren't welcomed more warmly. The building was a store front which is where most new church launches start once they leave the home setting and start trying to reach a community. The building was very clean and neat. The service opened with a young man welcoming the group. He was a little nervous which didn't really "break the ice". The worship team started the worship and it was average. They didn't appear to be worshipping as much as trying to get through the mechanics of the songs. That tends to put a hindrance on the congregation and stops a real flow in worship. It can keep a song service from turning into worship. A relaxed and comfortable atmosphere is so important to worship and fellowship. Of course a church has to use the giftings they have.
When we got to the speaker, the Senior Pastor took the platform. He was a gentle and kind young man. He did an adequate job through the message but at the end, he moved into a very personal story that had a dramatic impact. You could sense that this man was motivated to truly love and help people. He ended without a strong challenge for salvation, although it was included in his presentation. The endtire service was one hour. Then there was coffee and rolls and people seemd to be connected. Once again, as I mentioned in another blog about this earlier, this church is far greater in substance than is demonstrated on Sunday morning. The church is growing and vibrant. It is growing with average worship and preaching. The emphasis of the church is focused on having a real relationship with Jesus and one anohter.
For me it was obvious that this group was making a deliberate effort to focus on spiritual growth in their members more than having a "show" on Sunday. I noticed that they offered home/cell/support groups 5 nights a week which seemed to be their real life flow.
We are all trying to learn as we go and I'm still learning!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Christian Heperopia
It is amazing how clearly we can see the faults of others while oblivious to our own weaknesses. Jesus, it seems was always dealing with this problem. I can't think of a time when he dealt with it among unbelievers. He was always dealing with it among religious people and more often than not, among religious leaders.
When we were young converts to Jesus and his way of living, we were like a sponge absorbing all that we could. There is another characteristic to a sponge other than being porous, it is also very pliable and flexible. As youngsters in the faith we were "bright eyed" and open. As we get older we can get closed and narrow in our perspective. Of course, hopefully, that narrower vision is a sign of maturity but it can also be caused by a kind of blindness. Hyperopia is a condition of the eye that we commonly call farsightedness. A person with this problem sees things clearly off in the distance but can't see clearly up close. In Christian terms we would call it Phariseeism. Sounds a lot like "far-a-see-ism" doesn't it? (I couldn't resist that one!)
Let me get to my point in this writing. Christian Hyperopia causes a kind of blindness that leaves us where we see the faults of others more than our own. That farsightedness allows us to develop pride and a self-deception that can wreck our Walk with the Lord. It also causes us to have great difficulty fitting into the Church as God designed. We all have had days of hyperopia. A symptom is when we judge another person's motivation by the motivation of our own heart! In truth, very often our judgment is caused by our putting on others our own weaknesses that we just can't see.
Let us take this thought to Jesus and ask him to heal our vision problem.
It is amazing how clearly we can see the faults of others while oblivious to our own weaknesses. Jesus, it seems was always dealing with this problem. I can't think of a time when he dealt with it among unbelievers. He was always dealing with it among religious people and more often than not, among religious leaders.
When we were young converts to Jesus and his way of living, we were like a sponge absorbing all that we could. There is another characteristic to a sponge other than being porous, it is also very pliable and flexible. As youngsters in the faith we were "bright eyed" and open. As we get older we can get closed and narrow in our perspective. Of course, hopefully, that narrower vision is a sign of maturity but it can also be caused by a kind of blindness. Hyperopia is a condition of the eye that we commonly call farsightedness. A person with this problem sees things clearly off in the distance but can't see clearly up close. In Christian terms we would call it Phariseeism. Sounds a lot like "far-a-see-ism" doesn't it? (I couldn't resist that one!)
Let me get to my point in this writing. Christian Hyperopia causes a kind of blindness that leaves us where we see the faults of others more than our own. That farsightedness allows us to develop pride and a self-deception that can wreck our Walk with the Lord. It also causes us to have great difficulty fitting into the Church as God designed. We all have had days of hyperopia. A symptom is when we judge another person's motivation by the motivation of our own heart! In truth, very often our judgment is caused by our putting on others our own weaknesses that we just can't see.
Let us take this thought to Jesus and ask him to heal our vision problem.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Manipulation
Manipulation is such a powerful, negative force! It has its origins in witchcraft. Manipulation is the counterfeit of real Godly leadership. The purpose of manipulation is to bring another person into a place of submission to the will and purposes of the one doing the manipulating. To manipulate another person is a sin and to allow yourself to be manipulated is death. To allow yourself to be manipulated brings death to your vision, your zeal, your courage and your obedience to God. Jezebel in the Bible is the most obvious example of one who lived by manipulation. She had as her intent to follow this process: intimidation, manipulation, control and finally immobilization.
We have all had the temptation to manipulate. We don't have to learn it, we are born with the instinct. We are most tempted to manipulate others in our weakest hour of faith. To manipulate says, "I don't trust God to work this out". Make a decision that you will not allow yourself to fall to the faithless realm of manipulating people or circumstances. Also make a commitment that you will not allow yourself to be manipulated. You can find yourself in the clutches of manipulation in a moment. It can come from the nicest people. Zechariah 4:6 tells us we are to live, "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord".
Don't allow the enemy to use you on the giving or receiving end of manipulation. It has no part in the life of a Godly leader.
Manipulation is such a powerful, negative force! It has its origins in witchcraft. Manipulation is the counterfeit of real Godly leadership. The purpose of manipulation is to bring another person into a place of submission to the will and purposes of the one doing the manipulating. To manipulate another person is a sin and to allow yourself to be manipulated is death. To allow yourself to be manipulated brings death to your vision, your zeal, your courage and your obedience to God. Jezebel in the Bible is the most obvious example of one who lived by manipulation. She had as her intent to follow this process: intimidation, manipulation, control and finally immobilization.
We have all had the temptation to manipulate. We don't have to learn it, we are born with the instinct. We are most tempted to manipulate others in our weakest hour of faith. To manipulate says, "I don't trust God to work this out". Make a decision that you will not allow yourself to fall to the faithless realm of manipulating people or circumstances. Also make a commitment that you will not allow yourself to be manipulated. You can find yourself in the clutches of manipulation in a moment. It can come from the nicest people. Zechariah 4:6 tells us we are to live, "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord".
Don't allow the enemy to use you on the giving or receiving end of manipulation. It has no part in the life of a Godly leader.
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Power Of Sacrifice
The word sacrifice is used almost 200 times in the Old Testament. The personal sacrifice was a major part of worship and the personal relationship between God and man. This sacrifice was something that men wanted to do and they knew it must involve the best of what they had. When David was purchasing land to make an altar, the land was offered to him free. His comments tell us a lot about his heart. He said, " I will not offer to the Lord from that which cost me nothing". Sacrifice was and is a gift from the heart that cost us. Personal cost is at the heart of the faith life.
It seems popular today to teach that sacrifice is not a part of New Testament Christianity. The argument is that Jesus made a sacrifice for us and there is no longer a need for sacrifice. That is certainly true in regard to our salvation. Jesus paid it all! However, once we are believers and followers of Jesus and the Way, sacrifice is an ongoing part of our walk with Him. The rich young ruler is a prime example of a man who missed the Messiah because he wasn't willing to sacrifice his worldly riches for Jesus. The most famous use of the word sacrifice in the New Testament is found in Romans 12:1. Let me quote it from God's Word translation: "Brothers and Sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God's compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you." Here the word sacrifice is rightly associated with an act of worship. We are not saved by our sacrifices but our sacrifices are certainly a part of our ongoing service and worship.
Some would question this kind of thinking and some even say, "God would not require such sacrifice from me because He loves me and only wants what is best for me". The Scripture is rich with answers to that comment that prove to us that a loving Father is committed to our best in its highest form. When I hear people say, "God would never require me to move from my house, town or family, or make less money", I want to say, "who told you that? Where in the world did you get that idea?" As a matter of fact, as I study the Scripture I come to understand that many people might just be one sacrifice away from their answer to prayer. A resistance to making the sacrifice might keep them stranded in the quagmire of mediocrity. Miracles happen in the atmosphere of reckless abandonment before God.
The word sacrifice is used almost 200 times in the Old Testament. The personal sacrifice was a major part of worship and the personal relationship between God and man. This sacrifice was something that men wanted to do and they knew it must involve the best of what they had. When David was purchasing land to make an altar, the land was offered to him free. His comments tell us a lot about his heart. He said, " I will not offer to the Lord from that which cost me nothing". Sacrifice was and is a gift from the heart that cost us. Personal cost is at the heart of the faith life.
It seems popular today to teach that sacrifice is not a part of New Testament Christianity. The argument is that Jesus made a sacrifice for us and there is no longer a need for sacrifice. That is certainly true in regard to our salvation. Jesus paid it all! However, once we are believers and followers of Jesus and the Way, sacrifice is an ongoing part of our walk with Him. The rich young ruler is a prime example of a man who missed the Messiah because he wasn't willing to sacrifice his worldly riches for Jesus. The most famous use of the word sacrifice in the New Testament is found in Romans 12:1. Let me quote it from God's Word translation: "Brothers and Sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God's compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you." Here the word sacrifice is rightly associated with an act of worship. We are not saved by our sacrifices but our sacrifices are certainly a part of our ongoing service and worship.
Some would question this kind of thinking and some even say, "God would not require such sacrifice from me because He loves me and only wants what is best for me". The Scripture is rich with answers to that comment that prove to us that a loving Father is committed to our best in its highest form. When I hear people say, "God would never require me to move from my house, town or family, or make less money", I want to say, "who told you that? Where in the world did you get that idea?" As a matter of fact, as I study the Scripture I come to understand that many people might just be one sacrifice away from their answer to prayer. A resistance to making the sacrifice might keep them stranded in the quagmire of mediocrity. Miracles happen in the atmosphere of reckless abandonment before God.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Transformation or Inoculation?
It is amazing the things people "think" or "suppose" that God doesn't mind. It is unbelievable the things that people assume that God will bless. It was a shocking revelation when I realized that God isn't obligated to bless everything I do and even those good things that I do in His Name! If I were the Lord, and we are all very glad that I am not, I would be upset by all the quasi-christian thinking, talking and writing out there today. "Quasi" basically means "resembling something". Today there is obviously more "resembling" christianity than true Christianity. The reason I would be so upset if I were the Lord is that this quasi-christian mentality and lifestyle represents God and what people think of God. This only perpetuates more quasi or resembling christianity rather than the real deal.
The problem with this watered down, lukewarm and most often invalid form of christianity is that it inoculates new seekers from getting the real thing. When you are given a shot, like the H1N1 flu shot, you are actually given a little dose of the flu. The point here is to cause you to build up a resistance to the real thing if it comes your way. That is exactly what quasi-christianity does. It gives people a small does of christian antidote that makes them believe they have the real thing when in actuality they have been given a counterfeit. This counterfeit work work in crisis and won't fill the voids in the hearts of men. You see true Christianity is not primarily about getting people into churches or conformity, although these are important parts of our walk, it is about bringing people into the genuine presence of Jesus by exposing them to Truth. This relationship with Truth and Jesus, rather than insulating them from more truth, strips them bare and actually causes them to be more susceptible to catching the full blown condition of true Christianity. That is what Jesus was trying to get Nicodemus to see when Jesus said to him, "you must be born again". If there is not a moment in time where there is a confrontation with Jesus, Truth comes and that person walks away changed for all time, the seeker has been short changed.
In our efforts as believers, followers of the Way, let us make sure that we are not "giving them what they want" in order to gather and keep them and in doing so we have only inoculated them to the life changing message of the true Gospel.
It is amazing the things people "think" or "suppose" that God doesn't mind. It is unbelievable the things that people assume that God will bless. It was a shocking revelation when I realized that God isn't obligated to bless everything I do and even those good things that I do in His Name! If I were the Lord, and we are all very glad that I am not, I would be upset by all the quasi-christian thinking, talking and writing out there today. "Quasi" basically means "resembling something". Today there is obviously more "resembling" christianity than true Christianity. The reason I would be so upset if I were the Lord is that this quasi-christian mentality and lifestyle represents God and what people think of God. This only perpetuates more quasi or resembling christianity rather than the real deal.
The problem with this watered down, lukewarm and most often invalid form of christianity is that it inoculates new seekers from getting the real thing. When you are given a shot, like the H1N1 flu shot, you are actually given a little dose of the flu. The point here is to cause you to build up a resistance to the real thing if it comes your way. That is exactly what quasi-christianity does. It gives people a small does of christian antidote that makes them believe they have the real thing when in actuality they have been given a counterfeit. This counterfeit work work in crisis and won't fill the voids in the hearts of men. You see true Christianity is not primarily about getting people into churches or conformity, although these are important parts of our walk, it is about bringing people into the genuine presence of Jesus by exposing them to Truth. This relationship with Truth and Jesus, rather than insulating them from more truth, strips them bare and actually causes them to be more susceptible to catching the full blown condition of true Christianity. That is what Jesus was trying to get Nicodemus to see when Jesus said to him, "you must be born again". If there is not a moment in time where there is a confrontation with Jesus, Truth comes and that person walks away changed for all time, the seeker has been short changed.
In our efforts as believers, followers of the Way, let us make sure that we are not "giving them what they want" in order to gather and keep them and in doing so we have only inoculated them to the life changing message of the true Gospel.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Not a spurt but a flow!
Productivity is a powerful thing. It is not accomplished by created ideas or bursts of energy alone. Productivity comes with longevity. As Christians, we have within us this living water, this well that is springing up into eternal life as the Scripture says. A part of this power within us is manifested in seasons of great impulses or creative times of ideas flooding us. The difference between a Christian who is successful and one who is not is stewardship. Both have the same Holy Spirit within them. Certainly, some are more gifted than others. However, don't forget, all are gifted. More often than not, it is the person with the lessor gifting who accomplishes more than the more highly gifted person. What is the reason? There could be a number of reasons but one primary reason is again, stewardship. What are you doing with what the Lord does bring to you.
I can remember going to bed and having this wonderful creative thought come to me. Ididn't want to take a chance at interrupting my sleep so I would pray, Lord please bring that back to me in the morning. As morning came, I couldn't remember the idea. Then it occurred to me that ideas are the most valuable things in the world. Everything started with an idea which was the doorway to another idea. My unwillingness to capture the idea was a kind of neglect of God and his speaking to me. What if the great inventors had disregarded their ideas. Einstein, Bell, Edison all listened, captured and developed the ideas that came out of their gifting. They were good stewards over what God gave them. I finally learned the value of being a better steward over the creative flows from God to me. I learned to be prepared with a note by the bed or a recorder in the car to capture what the Lord was revealing to and through my gifts.
It is the beginning days of a new year. Let's make a decision to get prepared to capture these creative impulses that the Lord brings. Then, let's enter the door of creativity and follow the idea to a place of longevity and productivity.
Productivity is a powerful thing. It is not accomplished by created ideas or bursts of energy alone. Productivity comes with longevity. As Christians, we have within us this living water, this well that is springing up into eternal life as the Scripture says. A part of this power within us is manifested in seasons of great impulses or creative times of ideas flooding us. The difference between a Christian who is successful and one who is not is stewardship. Both have the same Holy Spirit within them. Certainly, some are more gifted than others. However, don't forget, all are gifted. More often than not, it is the person with the lessor gifting who accomplishes more than the more highly gifted person. What is the reason? There could be a number of reasons but one primary reason is again, stewardship. What are you doing with what the Lord does bring to you.
I can remember going to bed and having this wonderful creative thought come to me. Ididn't want to take a chance at interrupting my sleep so I would pray, Lord please bring that back to me in the morning. As morning came, I couldn't remember the idea. Then it occurred to me that ideas are the most valuable things in the world. Everything started with an idea which was the doorway to another idea. My unwillingness to capture the idea was a kind of neglect of God and his speaking to me. What if the great inventors had disregarded their ideas. Einstein, Bell, Edison all listened, captured and developed the ideas that came out of their gifting. They were good stewards over what God gave them. I finally learned the value of being a better steward over the creative flows from God to me. I learned to be prepared with a note by the bed or a recorder in the car to capture what the Lord was revealing to and through my gifts.
It is the beginning days of a new year. Let's make a decision to get prepared to capture these creative impulses that the Lord brings. Then, let's enter the door of creativity and follow the idea to a place of longevity and productivity.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Intellect, Wisdom and Prosperity
As we are still in the opening hours of this new year, we are still hearing the greeting "happy new year". With this greeting people also usually attach a blessing such as have a "prosperous new year." Anyone with any life experience at all has come to realize that prosperity or success doesn't come automatically with intellect. There is a host of very successful people out there who never graduated from college. Bill Gates stands at the top the list which includes others like Peter Jennings and Harry Truman. On the other hand, I know some with post graduate degrees who can't get or keep a job. Obviously, education cannot be the measure of intellect either. Again, Bill Gates would be a prime example.
What is at the heart of achieving success and prosperity? I am not going to go into the argument in this writing about the true meaning of success. Let's just assume most of us on this reading list are on the same page here. The heart of achieving success is not found in intellect or education alone. Something else comes into play after intellect is recognized. Wisdom is the key to truly achieving success. When I speak of wisdom, I am talking about an accumulation of life skills that has been sought after and artfully absorbed through experience. A foolish person is one who refuses to hear correction and who believes that they are smarter than others. This foolish person is cutting themselves off from developing wisdom and sentencing themselves to a life of failure and poverty. Prov. 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction." It doesn't say that fools will reject wisdom, they actually "despise wisdom and instruction". The problem here is not one of not seeing their need, they see it but their own pride is a locked gate to gaining the wisdom that would bring the success they so desperately desire.
How can one get past this locked gate and become open to instruction in order to gain true wisdom? After many years of counseling, I am convinced that no person can change and become an open gate through mere will power or desire. There has to be a heart change. Only through recognizing that pride over intellect and knowledge is an affront to God Himself can a person begin to experience change. Then there has to be a humbling of self before God and man in order to see wisdom developed and long lasting success be established. Usually the Lord will have the person be discipled or tutored under one of much less education or intellect. One of my greatest and most respected tutors was a man with a grade school education, but a man of much wisdom.
May the Lord give us all great grace to humble ourselves at the beginning of this new year in order to truly see a "prosperous new year".
As we are still in the opening hours of this new year, we are still hearing the greeting "happy new year". With this greeting people also usually attach a blessing such as have a "prosperous new year." Anyone with any life experience at all has come to realize that prosperity or success doesn't come automatically with intellect. There is a host of very successful people out there who never graduated from college. Bill Gates stands at the top the list which includes others like Peter Jennings and Harry Truman. On the other hand, I know some with post graduate degrees who can't get or keep a job. Obviously, education cannot be the measure of intellect either. Again, Bill Gates would be a prime example.
What is at the heart of achieving success and prosperity? I am not going to go into the argument in this writing about the true meaning of success. Let's just assume most of us on this reading list are on the same page here. The heart of achieving success is not found in intellect or education alone. Something else comes into play after intellect is recognized. Wisdom is the key to truly achieving success. When I speak of wisdom, I am talking about an accumulation of life skills that has been sought after and artfully absorbed through experience. A foolish person is one who refuses to hear correction and who believes that they are smarter than others. This foolish person is cutting themselves off from developing wisdom and sentencing themselves to a life of failure and poverty. Prov. 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction." It doesn't say that fools will reject wisdom, they actually "despise wisdom and instruction". The problem here is not one of not seeing their need, they see it but their own pride is a locked gate to gaining the wisdom that would bring the success they so desperately desire.
How can one get past this locked gate and become open to instruction in order to gain true wisdom? After many years of counseling, I am convinced that no person can change and become an open gate through mere will power or desire. There has to be a heart change. Only through recognizing that pride over intellect and knowledge is an affront to God Himself can a person begin to experience change. Then there has to be a humbling of self before God and man in order to see wisdom developed and long lasting success be established. Usually the Lord will have the person be discipled or tutored under one of much less education or intellect. One of my greatest and most respected tutors was a man with a grade school education, but a man of much wisdom.
May the Lord give us all great grace to humble ourselves at the beginning of this new year in order to truly see a "prosperous new year".
Thursday, December 31, 2009
New Year's Eve
The word "eve" is defined as the day leading up to an event. The event isn't here yet, but it will be tomorrow. Not much of value happens on "eve" days. They are usually spent imagining or dreaming of tomorrow. Then there is the word "post" that is used as a prefix to speak of what happened. Again, this is speaking of a time other than now. What you hoped for has already either been realized, or you are now in disappointment. I'm not a big "eve" or "post" guy. I like "now". I can get my hands around now. Now is still underway and still adjustable. Of course "eve" still promises a lot of hope if we are willing to use today to work on making tomorrow different in a more positive way. Rather than spending all of New Year's Eve in a kind of dreamy fog, why don't we take some time to make it a planning day for tomorrow. Tomorrow we get to see that fresh big "one" pop up on the calendar. Let's be ready for it! Hebrews 11: 1 tells us, "NOW faith is..." Faith is not "eve" and faith is not "post", faith is now.
The word "eve" is defined as the day leading up to an event. The event isn't here yet, but it will be tomorrow. Not much of value happens on "eve" days. They are usually spent imagining or dreaming of tomorrow. Then there is the word "post" that is used as a prefix to speak of what happened. Again, this is speaking of a time other than now. What you hoped for has already either been realized, or you are now in disappointment. I'm not a big "eve" or "post" guy. I like "now". I can get my hands around now. Now is still underway and still adjustable. Of course "eve" still promises a lot of hope if we are willing to use today to work on making tomorrow different in a more positive way. Rather than spending all of New Year's Eve in a kind of dreamy fog, why don't we take some time to make it a planning day for tomorrow. Tomorrow we get to see that fresh big "one" pop up on the calendar. Let's be ready for it! Hebrews 11: 1 tells us, "NOW faith is..." Faith is not "eve" and faith is not "post", faith is now.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Merry Christmas!
Christmas week. I love it! Have a wonderful week with family and loved ones and don't forget to maintain a heart of love and worship to Jesus who came to bring us out of bondage and into His marvelous light!
Luke 2:6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."
Christmas week. I love it! Have a wonderful week with family and loved ones and don't forget to maintain a heart of love and worship to Jesus who came to bring us out of bondage and into His marvelous light!
Luke 2:6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."
Monday, December 14, 2009
Being Called And Being Sent
I don't know many songs from the mid to late 1970's. I remember a lot from the 60's and many from the 80's but the 70's is pretty much a blank. Movies are much the same way. One day I was thinking about it and as I was pondering the blank spaces in my memory I realized why. I came back to the Lord in 1973, responded to the Call to ministry that same year and was immersed in God, revival, training and discipleship for the next few years.
You see, I was so much in the world that my worldview, my tastes and my process of thinking was totally a worldly mindset. It was months before I could even tell a real change was occurring in my attitudes. Romans tells us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by "the renewing of your mind." That was what was happening to me in the 70's and by the way, is still taking place. I had so much of the world in me that if I had just continued walking as I had been walking and thinking the way I had been thinking with the only change being ministry training and a new vocation, I would have been of no value to God.
In the life of every servant of Jesus, there must be this coming out of the world, a season of separation, before there can be an effective sending for Kingdom purposes. There must be a time of sanctification and then an immersion in the things of God in order to see true Kingdom fruit. Otherwise we will find ourselves in the church sending "clouds without rain". We are warned to avoid having "a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof". The sending without first before the drawing away for preparation produces this powerless religion in time.
All the great ones have had this experience. Jesus in the desert, Paul in Arabia, Moses in the wilderness, Joseph in the prison, Jacob at Bethel and the list goes on endlessly. Any person who tries to take a shortcut to ministry will end up in disaster while taking others with him.
What about you and me? If you find yourself already in a place of leadership and you know in your heart that you bypassed the "coming aside" for preparation, and I don't mean training alone. I mean a season of the emptying of you in order to be filled with Him. It's not too late. If asked, the Lord will take you through this process even while you are in a place of service. He does it all the time. Simply see it and pursue Him.
I don't know many songs from the mid to late 1970's. I remember a lot from the 60's and many from the 80's but the 70's is pretty much a blank. Movies are much the same way. One day I was thinking about it and as I was pondering the blank spaces in my memory I realized why. I came back to the Lord in 1973, responded to the Call to ministry that same year and was immersed in God, revival, training and discipleship for the next few years.
You see, I was so much in the world that my worldview, my tastes and my process of thinking was totally a worldly mindset. It was months before I could even tell a real change was occurring in my attitudes. Romans tells us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by "the renewing of your mind." That was what was happening to me in the 70's and by the way, is still taking place. I had so much of the world in me that if I had just continued walking as I had been walking and thinking the way I had been thinking with the only change being ministry training and a new vocation, I would have been of no value to God.
In the life of every servant of Jesus, there must be this coming out of the world, a season of separation, before there can be an effective sending for Kingdom purposes. There must be a time of sanctification and then an immersion in the things of God in order to see true Kingdom fruit. Otherwise we will find ourselves in the church sending "clouds without rain". We are warned to avoid having "a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof". The sending without first before the drawing away for preparation produces this powerless religion in time.
All the great ones have had this experience. Jesus in the desert, Paul in Arabia, Moses in the wilderness, Joseph in the prison, Jacob at Bethel and the list goes on endlessly. Any person who tries to take a shortcut to ministry will end up in disaster while taking others with him.
What about you and me? If you find yourself already in a place of leadership and you know in your heart that you bypassed the "coming aside" for preparation, and I don't mean training alone. I mean a season of the emptying of you in order to be filled with Him. It's not too late. If asked, the Lord will take you through this process even while you are in a place of service. He does it all the time. Simply see it and pursue Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)