Greeting to all
Is Anyone Thirsty?
Isaiah 55
"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near."
(ISAIAH 55:6)
Isaiah 55 is a passage full of invitation and encouragement to come, listen and seek. The human body knows hunger and thirst; we all need food and drink to survive. However, this is an invitation to eat and drink for free and in so doing find sustenance that is good - forever - for the soul.
The New Living Translation starkly warns, "Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake" (v. 3). If we heed the warning and respond to the invitation, then the LORD establishes His everlasting covenant with us: we will receive mercy, pardon and His unfailing love.
In verse 6 we are urged to seek the LORD while we can find Him and to call on Him while He is near. Don't miss the opportunity to seek and find restoration for your soul through Jesus.
Perhaps your greatest need comes because you have never asked for the forgiveness of your sins. Do that today, while there is still time. Or maybe your soul is just tired and weary from the journey. Then turn to Him, the Good Shepherd, the Restorer of your soul.
RESTORATION FOR THE SOUL IS AVAILABLE TO THE THIRSTY, WEAK, BROKEN, NEEDY, CRUSHED, BATTERED AND BRUISED. SEEK THE LORD, AND CALL ON HIM NOW.
WORSHIP - REFLECTION - AND - PRAYER
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Each of us has received a spiritual gift
Greetings to all
Temple Rebuilt
1 Corinthians 12
"In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord."
(EPHESIANS 2:21)
As well as our individual role as the temple of the Holy Spirit, Paul reminds the believers in Ephesus (Ephesians 2:21), Corinth (1 Corinthians 3:16, 17) and us that together we also have a corporate role as a dwelling place for His Spirit. It is therefore vital that we not neglect our commitment to the fellowship of believers God has placed us in. This is more than just regular attendance or some form of religious observance; it's what the book of Acts describes as devotion. "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42).
In 1 Corinthians 12 we read that each of us has received a spiritual gift (or gifts) as a means of helping the entire church. Paul then describes the different gifts given to the many parts that make up the body. He speaks of the need for each person to use his or her spiritual gifts for the benefit of the whole body. If we are negligent in exercising the talents God has given, then the whole body suffers. When we are faithful stewards of His gifts, we bring glory to Him.
ASK GOD TO REVEAL TO YOU THE SPIRITUAL GIFT(S) HE WOULD HAVE YOU USE TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS.
Temple Rebuilt
1 Corinthians 12
"In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord."
(EPHESIANS 2:21)
As well as our individual role as the temple of the Holy Spirit, Paul reminds the believers in Ephesus (Ephesians 2:21), Corinth (1 Corinthians 3:16, 17) and us that together we also have a corporate role as a dwelling place for His Spirit. It is therefore vital that we not neglect our commitment to the fellowship of believers God has placed us in. This is more than just regular attendance or some form of religious observance; it's what the book of Acts describes as devotion. "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42).
In 1 Corinthians 12 we read that each of us has received a spiritual gift (or gifts) as a means of helping the entire church. Paul then describes the different gifts given to the many parts that make up the body. He speaks of the need for each person to use his or her spiritual gifts for the benefit of the whole body. If we are negligent in exercising the talents God has given, then the whole body suffers. When we are faithful stewards of His gifts, we bring glory to Him.
ASK GOD TO REVEAL TO YOU THE SPIRITUAL GIFT(S) HE WOULD HAVE YOU USE TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
His saving grace washes over us.
Greetings to all
Low in the Grave He Lay
Matthew 27:57-66
"So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard."
(MATTHEW 27:66)
Have you ever wondered what Jesus' followers were thinking in the hours following His crucifixion and burial? Is it all over? Why did He have to die? Could we have stopped it? Will they arrest and kill us next?
There would have been tears as they mourned for a beloved friend who they knew had dearly loved them. There would have been doubts as they pondered whether it had all been a sham. There may have been arguments or disagreements. Perhaps they shared stories and reminisced about the miraculous events, parables, boat trips, meals, and debates with the Pharisees.
Having heard Jesus' last words and seen Him take His last breath, knowing His body had been sealed up in a tomb and was being vigilantly guarded, the disciples had little hope. It is not at all unlike the Lord to wield His mighty arm and set His providential plans into motion just when all hope seems gone. When we see beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is not one thing left we can do on our own, His saving grace washes over us.
IF YOU HAD BEEN ONE OF JESUS' FOLLOWERS AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH, WOULD YOU HAVE EXPECTED THAT HE WOULD SOON BE RESTORED TO LIFE?
Low in the Grave He Lay
Matthew 27:57-66
"So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard."
(MATTHEW 27:66)
Have you ever wondered what Jesus' followers were thinking in the hours following His crucifixion and burial? Is it all over? Why did He have to die? Could we have stopped it? Will they arrest and kill us next?
There would have been tears as they mourned for a beloved friend who they knew had dearly loved them. There would have been doubts as they pondered whether it had all been a sham. There may have been arguments or disagreements. Perhaps they shared stories and reminisced about the miraculous events, parables, boat trips, meals, and debates with the Pharisees.
Having heard Jesus' last words and seen Him take His last breath, knowing His body had been sealed up in a tomb and was being vigilantly guarded, the disciples had little hope. It is not at all unlike the Lord to wield His mighty arm and set His providential plans into motion just when all hope seems gone. When we see beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is not one thing left we can do on our own, His saving grace washes over us.
IF YOU HAD BEEN ONE OF JESUS' FOLLOWERS AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH, WOULD YOU HAVE EXPECTED THAT HE WOULD SOON BE RESTORED TO LIFE?
Friday, April 22, 2011
Give thanks for His ultimate act to restore our souls.
Aloha and Greetings to all ---
Christ Took Our Punishment
John 19:16-37
"But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation …" (Colossians 1:22)
We learn from Genesis that Adam and Eve's disobedience led to their ultimate death; consequently, sin's curse will be the death of us all. The Apostle Paul in the book of Romans reminded the early church that sin caused our relationship with God to be broken and that judgement and punishment were necessary to uphold God's law. The sobering truth is that all of us fall short of God's standard (Romans 3:23) and the appropriate punishment for sin is death (Romans 6:23).
The beautiful, yet mysterious paradox is that it was Jesus' obedience that led to His death. In his letter to the believers in Philippi, Paul proclaimed that Jesus became obedient to death, "even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:8).
It is only through trusting in Christ's perfect sacrifice that we can know God's forgiveness and have our relationship with Him restored. "We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins." (Romans 3:22, NLT)
Give thanks for His ultimate act to restore our souls.
As a result of Christ's sacrifice we are made holy and blameless and can stand before God without a single fault. hallelujah!
HE IS RISEN --- HE'S ALIVE --
Christ Took Our Punishment
John 19:16-37
"But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation …" (Colossians 1:22)
We learn from Genesis that Adam and Eve's disobedience led to their ultimate death; consequently, sin's curse will be the death of us all. The Apostle Paul in the book of Romans reminded the early church that sin caused our relationship with God to be broken and that judgement and punishment were necessary to uphold God's law. The sobering truth is that all of us fall short of God's standard (Romans 3:23) and the appropriate punishment for sin is death (Romans 6:23).
The beautiful, yet mysterious paradox is that it was Jesus' obedience that led to His death. In his letter to the believers in Philippi, Paul proclaimed that Jesus became obedient to death, "even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:8).
It is only through trusting in Christ's perfect sacrifice that we can know God's forgiveness and have our relationship with Him restored. "We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins." (Romans 3:22, NLT)
Give thanks for His ultimate act to restore our souls.
As a result of Christ's sacrifice we are made holy and blameless and can stand before God without a single fault. hallelujah!
HE IS RISEN --- HE'S ALIVE --
Thursday, April 21, 2011
He agonized in prayer
Greetings to all
Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-46
"Then he said to them, 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.'"
(MATTHEW 26:38)
Do you struggle with the concept of Jesus being fully human and fully divine? The gospel accounts of the Garden of Gethsemane bring this to the surface. We read that at this critical point in His earthly mission, Jesus was - in all his humanity - troubled and overwhelmed with distress. He knew the enormity of the task ahead, and His sleepy disciples were of little help. Luke tells us that God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus while He agonized in prayer. When the most severe of life's trials overtake us, we can be sure Jesus understands our heartache.
There is a subtle yet significant change between the prayers recorded in verses 39 and 42. In the first prayer Jesus pleads to His Father for an alternative to the suffering ahead but submits Himself to the Father's will. In the second prayer Jesus accepts that there is no alternative and so offers His wholehearted commitment to the will of the Father. Through fervent prayer His soul was restored and He became obedient "to death, even death on a cross."
JESUS IDENTIFIES WITH US IN OUR DARKEST HOURS. IN RESPONSE TO OUR FERVENT PRAYER, HE STRENGTHENS OUR SOULS TO CARRY ON.
Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-46
"Then he said to them, 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.'"
(MATTHEW 26:38)
Do you struggle with the concept of Jesus being fully human and fully divine? The gospel accounts of the Garden of Gethsemane bring this to the surface. We read that at this critical point in His earthly mission, Jesus was - in all his humanity - troubled and overwhelmed with distress. He knew the enormity of the task ahead, and His sleepy disciples were of little help. Luke tells us that God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus while He agonized in prayer. When the most severe of life's trials overtake us, we can be sure Jesus understands our heartache.
There is a subtle yet significant change between the prayers recorded in verses 39 and 42. In the first prayer Jesus pleads to His Father for an alternative to the suffering ahead but submits Himself to the Father's will. In the second prayer Jesus accepts that there is no alternative and so offers His wholehearted commitment to the will of the Father. Through fervent prayer His soul was restored and He became obedient "to death, even death on a cross."
JESUS IDENTIFIES WITH US IN OUR DARKEST HOURS. IN RESPONSE TO OUR FERVENT PRAYER, HE STRENGTHENS OUR SOULS TO CARRY ON.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Greetings to all,
What Can We Learn from the Prayer in the Garden?
Let us notice Christ's prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was a lonely prayer. He withdrew even from His three best friends about a stone’s throw. Believer, especially in temptation, be much in solitary prayer. As private prayer is the key to open Heaven, so is it the key to shut the gates of Hell. As it is a shield to prevent, so is it the sword with which to fight against temptation.
Further, it was Son's prayer. Matthew describes Him as saying, “O My Father.” Mark puts it, “Abba, Father.” You will find this always a stronghold in the day of trial to plead your adoption. Hence that prayer, in which it is written, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” begins with, “Our Father which are in Heaven.” Plead as a child. You have no rights as a subject. You have forfeited them by your treason, but nothing can forfeit a child’s right to a father’s protection. Be not, then, ashamed to say, “My Father, hear my cry.” Again, observe that it was persevering prayer. He prayed three times, using the same words. Be not content until you prevail. Be as the importunate widow, whose continued coming earned what her first supplication could not win. Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving.
And last, it was the prayer of resignation. “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Yield and God yields. Let it be as God wills, and God will will it that it shall be for your best. Be perfectly content to leave the result of your prayer in His hands, who knows when to give, and how to give, and what to give, and what to withhold.
So pleading earnestly, importunately, yet mingling with it humility and resignation, you shall prevail.
Adapted from Spurgeon's Sermons, Gethsemane (No. 493), by Charles Spurgeon.
What Can We Learn from the Prayer in the Garden?
Charles Spurgeon
Let us notice Christ's prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was a lonely prayer. He withdrew even from His three best friends about a stone’s throw. Believer, especially in temptation, be much in solitary prayer. As private prayer is the key to open Heaven, so is it the key to shut the gates of Hell. As it is a shield to prevent, so is it the sword with which to fight against temptation. Further, it was Son's prayer. Matthew describes Him as saying, “O My Father.” Mark puts it, “Abba, Father.” You will find this always a stronghold in the day of trial to plead your adoption. Hence that prayer, in which it is written, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” begins with, “Our Father which are in Heaven.” Plead as a child. You have no rights as a subject. You have forfeited them by your treason, but nothing can forfeit a child’s right to a father’s protection. Be not, then, ashamed to say, “My Father, hear my cry.” Again, observe that it was persevering prayer. He prayed three times, using the same words. Be not content until you prevail. Be as the importunate widow, whose continued coming earned what her first supplication could not win. Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving.
And last, it was the prayer of resignation. “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Yield and God yields. Let it be as God wills, and God will will it that it shall be for your best. Be perfectly content to leave the result of your prayer in His hands, who knows when to give, and how to give, and what to give, and what to withhold.
So pleading earnestly, importunately, yet mingling with it humility and resignation, you shall prevail.
Adapted from Spurgeon's Sermons, Gethsemane (No. 493), by Charles Spurgeon.
Treated without honor in His own town
Greetings to all,
Luke 4:14-30
"All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. 'Isn't this Joseph's son?' they asked."
(LUKE 4:22)
It was no coincidence that on the day Jesus returned to the synagogue in His home town, the Scripture reading was from Isaiah 61, about the year of the Lord's favor. There were set daily readings throughout the year in the Jewish calendar. Recently filled with the Holy Spirit's power, Jesus would be in Nazareth on God's appointed day.
At first the congregation responded well to the message of release for the captives, sight for the blind, freedom from oppression and the time of the Lord's kindness. Great sermon topics, right? When Jesus announced that He was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, Luke records that they spoke well of Him, but were puzzled at His claim. After all, this was His home town, and they knew He was just Jesus, the carpenter's son.
Soon the crowd turned on Him, their anger provoked when Jesus confirmed that a prophet is indeed treated without honor in His own town. And so began Jesus' ministry of restoration that ultimately led Him to the cross for us three years later.
THE GOSPEL IS CLEARLY GOOD NEWS; HOWEVER, IT IS ALSO CONTROVERSIAL AND CONFRONTATIONAL AND DEMANDS A RESPONSE.
Luke 4:14-30
"All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. 'Isn't this Joseph's son?' they asked."
(LUKE 4:22)
It was no coincidence that on the day Jesus returned to the synagogue in His home town, the Scripture reading was from Isaiah 61, about the year of the Lord's favor. There were set daily readings throughout the year in the Jewish calendar. Recently filled with the Holy Spirit's power, Jesus would be in Nazareth on God's appointed day.
At first the congregation responded well to the message of release for the captives, sight for the blind, freedom from oppression and the time of the Lord's kindness. Great sermon topics, right? When Jesus announced that He was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, Luke records that they spoke well of Him, but were puzzled at His claim. After all, this was His home town, and they knew He was just Jesus, the carpenter's son.
Soon the crowd turned on Him, their anger provoked when Jesus confirmed that a prophet is indeed treated without honor in His own town. And so began Jesus' ministry of restoration that ultimately led Him to the cross for us three years later.
THE GOSPEL IS CLEARLY GOOD NEWS; HOWEVER, IT IS ALSO CONTROVERSIAL AND CONFRONTATIONAL AND DEMANDS A RESPONSE.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
IS THE WORD OF GOD SHARP ENOUGH WHERE YOU FELLOWSHIP?
Greetings to all,
Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Are we still struggling with our salvation or are we still lost? We think we are all doing, is right before God, yet not growing as we ought to. Why? Perhaps the Gospel - preached or taught is not "sharp" enough.
You see unregenerate teachers and pastors who are not called by God produce ‘false converts’. Converts that are religious but lost.
Converts who will weep on Judgment day crying: “ Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”
Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Are we still struggling with our salvation or are we still lost? We think we are all doing, is right before God, yet not growing as we ought to. Why? Perhaps the Gospel - preached or taught is not "sharp" enough.
‘The Fruits of A Watered Down Gospel’.
The Church of Jesus Christ is filled with false teachers who preach a false watered down gospel that produces millions upon million of false converts. A gospel that promises wealth, health and prosperity. These false teachers make Jesus their Holy ATM. A gospel that promises love, joy and happiness. A gospel that invites and begs unbelievers to come to Jesus Christ.
The Biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ is not an invitation but rather a command. Imperative words such as: “Repent”, “Believe”, “Enter” the narrow gate are all commands and not invitations. Instead of sinners beating their chests like the publican in Luke 18 crying:
“God be merciful, to me a sinner!”
This watered down gospel gives sinners the impression they are doing Jesus Christ this big favor in agreeing to receive Him as Lord and Savior. Instead of sinners crying out:
“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”
This watered down gospel invites millions upon millions to enter the ‘wide gate’ which leads to eternal damnation; eternal hell. These preachers avoid preaching on sin, judgment, Satan, demons, hell or the wrath of God. They avoid preaching on ‘God’s terms’ for entering His Kingdom. Terms such as self denial, picking up the cross daily and following Jesus. Terms such as ‘Spiritual Bankruptcy’ that every sinner needs to meekly mourn over. Terms such as ‘Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness’. Terms such as the wrath of God, trials and tribulations.
Terms such as:
“… narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and there are few who find it” (Matt 7:14).
These Charismatic preachers are not even called by God into the ministry. These con artists are well versed in manipulating and fleecing God’s sheep and leading millions of false converts to hell. They trick un-repented sinners into walking down the aisle, reciting a short prayer and signing a commitment card. Not only that, they then assure them of their salvation based on untested profession. Assuring anyone of salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit and not man (Romans 8:16). Assuring un-repented sinners of their salvation has to be one of the most abominable acts.
Many of these preachers not only are not called by God, but are not even saved. They are not born again. No wonder their Churches which appear alive are dead.
Many like Nicodemus call themselves rulers, teachers and reverends. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a Jewish Ruler, a teacher of Israel and a member of the Sanhedrin, yet did not understand what it meant to be saved; to be born again.
Jesus told Nicodemus: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. " Nicodemus responded: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" . Jesus again said to Nicodemus: “… Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again " Again Nicodemus answered Jesus saying:
“How can these things be? ".Listen to Jesus’ response this time: “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? … If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? “
You see unregenerate teachers and pastors who are not called by God produce ‘false converts’. Converts that are religious but lost.
Converts who will weep on Judgment day crying: “ Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”
Monday, April 18, 2011
Being "Free to Serve God" is not a concept for a select few.
Greetings in the name of the Lord
Christ Follower – A Full-Time Calling
I believe every true Christ follower wants to walk on the water with Jesus. What I mean by this is simply that we have a desire to live in a daily relationship with our Lord. We want to serve Him faithfully, to trust Him implicitly, and to please Him continuously. Understand that the application of God's will looks different for each believer. Some may sense that God is calling them to the position of pastor. Others may believe they are being called to the mission field. Still others are perhaps sensing the call to a teaching ministry or a music ministry. These are callings that man usually refers to as the full-time Christian ministries. By this we mean that these positions are not only the way a person serves God, but also the way the person earns his income. While this may be true, it is my firm conviction that, just as God never calls anyone to be a part-time Christian, neither does He expect a person to be a part-time servant or have a part-time desire to please Him. Every believer is called to Christian service with the expectation that there will be a full-time desire to please God.
Let's take Paul for example. He was a tent maker. He did this because he did not want to be financially dependent on the churches to which he was ministering. In this way no one could accuse Paul of "being in it for the money." I do not think any of us believe that Paul was only committed to God on a part-time basis or that his secular vocation was what defined him. I am sure if you met Paul on the road and asked him what kind of work he was in, Paul would not have replied, "I'm in manufacturing and sales." That may have been the way Paul earned a living, but I feel certain Paul's reply would have been more along the line of, "I am a servant of the Most High God!" This is what defined Paul; this was his full-time calling!
This means that growing as a Christ follower is not just for those who are being called to a position that allows them to earn their income through the ministry of the gospel.
It means this article is for every born-again believer who has the desire to serve and please God, regardless of how they earn a living.
Being "Free to Serve God" is not a concept for a select few. It is the heart cry of every Christian desiring to live a life surrendered to God, of every person seeking meaning and purpose in life, and of every child of God who longs to one day hear "Well done, good and faithful servant…enter now into the joy of your Lord!" It is the expectation of God that every one of His children learn how to live free to serve Him.
Blessings!
His resurrection that established Him as the Son of God.
Greetings to all .......
Holy Week ...
All believers in Jesus Christ are preparing for a Celebration - The Resurrection. "HE IS RISEN" "HE IS RISEN INDEED"....
Resurrection of Jesus: Why It’s Important!
The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the Christian faith. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he declares:
“And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.” (1 Corinthians 15:14-15).
“And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17). As it turns out, no legitimate scholar or religion today denies that Jesus was a historical figure who walked the earth approximately 2,000 years ago, was a great teacher and miracle worker, and who died on a cross for the crime of blasphemy. Therefore, the only legitimate dispute is whether Jesus was the Son of God who was resurrected from the dead after His crucifixion.
Resurrection of Jesus: Eyewitness Testimonies
The resurrection of Jesus is challenged today on evidentiary grounds. Therefore, to be fair, the evidence should be judged like any other historical event. Based on standard rules of evidence, consistent eye-witness testimony from multiple credible witnesses would be considered the strongest form of evidence available to a litigant. Therefore, if we find such testimony present in credible accounts of the historical record of Christ’s resurrection, we have satisfied a major evidentiary challenge under traditional rules. In fact, we do have multiple eye-witness testimonies regarding the resurrection of Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, Paul established the following:
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”
Manuscript studies indicate that this was a very early creed of the Christian faith, written within a few years after the death of Jesus Christ. Therefore, it’s dramatic that Paul ends the passage with “most of whom are still living.” Paul was inviting people to check out the facts. He wouldn’t have included a statement like that if he was trying to hide something like a conspiracy, hoax, myth or legend.
Resurrection of Jesus: More Eye-witness Accounts
The resurrection of Jesus was also declared in numerous other accounts, including the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene (John 20:10-18), to other women (Matthew 28:8-10), to Cleopas and his companion (Luke 24:13-32), to eleven disciples and others (Luke 24:33-49), to ten apostles and others (excluding Thomas) (John 20:19-23), to the apostles (including Thomas) (John 20:26-30), to seven apostles (John 21:1-14), to the disciples (Matthew 28:16-20), and to the apostles on the Mount of Olives (Luke 24:50-52 and Acts 1:4-9). The ultimate test of credibility for these eye-witnesses was that many of them faced martyrdom for their eye-witness testimony.
This is dramatic! These witnesses knew the truth. What could they possibly gain by dying for a known lie? The evidence speaks for itself, these weren’t just religious faithful dying for a religious belief, these were followers of Jesus Christ dying for a historical event – His resurrection that established Him as the Son of God.
Give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ....
Holy Week ...
All believers in Jesus Christ are preparing for a Celebration - The Resurrection. "HE IS RISEN" "HE IS RISEN INDEED"....
Resurrection of Jesus: Why It’s Important!
The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the Christian faith. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he declares:
“And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.” (1 Corinthians 15:14-15).
“And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17). As it turns out, no legitimate scholar or religion today denies that Jesus was a historical figure who walked the earth approximately 2,000 years ago, was a great teacher and miracle worker, and who died on a cross for the crime of blasphemy. Therefore, the only legitimate dispute is whether Jesus was the Son of God who was resurrected from the dead after His crucifixion.
Resurrection of Jesus: Eyewitness Testimonies
The resurrection of Jesus is challenged today on evidentiary grounds. Therefore, to be fair, the evidence should be judged like any other historical event. Based on standard rules of evidence, consistent eye-witness testimony from multiple credible witnesses would be considered the strongest form of evidence available to a litigant. Therefore, if we find such testimony present in credible accounts of the historical record of Christ’s resurrection, we have satisfied a major evidentiary challenge under traditional rules. In fact, we do have multiple eye-witness testimonies regarding the resurrection of Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, Paul established the following:
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”
Manuscript studies indicate that this was a very early creed of the Christian faith, written within a few years after the death of Jesus Christ. Therefore, it’s dramatic that Paul ends the passage with “most of whom are still living.” Paul was inviting people to check out the facts. He wouldn’t have included a statement like that if he was trying to hide something like a conspiracy, hoax, myth or legend.
Resurrection of Jesus: More Eye-witness Accounts
The resurrection of Jesus was also declared in numerous other accounts, including the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene (John 20:10-18), to other women (Matthew 28:8-10), to Cleopas and his companion (Luke 24:13-32), to eleven disciples and others (Luke 24:33-49), to ten apostles and others (excluding Thomas) (John 20:19-23), to the apostles (including Thomas) (John 20:26-30), to seven apostles (John 21:1-14), to the disciples (Matthew 28:16-20), and to the apostles on the Mount of Olives (Luke 24:50-52 and Acts 1:4-9). The ultimate test of credibility for these eye-witnesses was that many of them faced martyrdom for their eye-witness testimony.
This is dramatic! These witnesses knew the truth. What could they possibly gain by dying for a known lie? The evidence speaks for itself, these weren’t just religious faithful dying for a religious belief, these were followers of Jesus Christ dying for a historical event – His resurrection that established Him as the Son of God.
Give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ....
CONFESSION DOESN'T END AT SALVATION
Greetings to all,
Restored by God's Mercy
Psalm 51
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions."
(PSALM 51:1)
To understand the background to Psalm 51, read 1 Samuel 11-12. Here you will find the account of King David's adulterous affair with Bathsheba, the murder that followed, his encounter with the prophet Nathan, and finally the confession of his sins. Psalm 51 records David's cry to God for mercy, compassion, cleansing, purification, renewal, forgiveness, and restoration from this incident.
The most fundamental restoration of our soul comes when we acknowledge our sinfulness before God and ask for His forgiveness and cleansing. In 1 John 1:8-9 we read, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Only the Creator God can create in us a new heart and renew a right spirit within us. Only the merciful and compassionate God can remove the guilt and shame of our sins and restore our relationship with Him. He is faithful, and He will do it.
CONFESSION DOESN'T END AT SALVATION. CONTINUE TO TAKE TIME TO CONFESS YOUR SINS AND THEN ACCEPT THE FORGIVENESS THAT GOD HAS PROMISED.
Blessings!
Restored by God's Mercy
Psalm 51
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions."
(PSALM 51:1)
To understand the background to Psalm 51, read 1 Samuel 11-12. Here you will find the account of King David's adulterous affair with Bathsheba, the murder that followed, his encounter with the prophet Nathan, and finally the confession of his sins. Psalm 51 records David's cry to God for mercy, compassion, cleansing, purification, renewal, forgiveness, and restoration from this incident.
The most fundamental restoration of our soul comes when we acknowledge our sinfulness before God and ask for His forgiveness and cleansing. In 1 John 1:8-9 we read, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Only the Creator God can create in us a new heart and renew a right spirit within us. Only the merciful and compassionate God can remove the guilt and shame of our sins and restore our relationship with Him. He is faithful, and He will do it.
CONFESSION DOESN'T END AT SALVATION. CONTINUE TO TAKE TIME TO CONFESS YOUR SINS AND THEN ACCEPT THE FORGIVENESS THAT GOD HAS PROMISED.
Blessings!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
A Daily Exercise Plan
Greetings to all
A Daily Exercise Plan
2 Corinthians 4
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."
(2 CORINTHIANS 4:16)
A simple yet profound line from one of the songs I learned as a child in Sunday School is "Read your Bible, pray every day, and you'll grow." Our souls need nourishment:
God's Word is our food and drink. Prayer is the air we breathe.
Paul reminds the Corinthians and us that the treasure of the gospel is held in perishable containers: weak bodies. Any spiritual growth observed in our lives is all for God's glory. Paul doesn't hold back in detailing the challenges ahead for the church. He himself was pressed on every side by troubles, perplexed, hunted down, knocked down, suffering and living under constant danger of death. The outlook for his readers was similar.
If these descriptions sound alien to us in our comfortable Western existence, perhaps we need a spiritual health check.
Have we stopped growing? Christians in the persecuted church daily experience the life described by Paul and yet can say, "Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
ARE THERE AREAS OF WEAKNESS IN YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK WHERE YOU ONCE KNEW GROWTH? IS IT TIME FOR SOME REHABILITATION AND A CHANGE OF DIET?
Let's break bread together --- blessings!
A Daily Exercise Plan
2 Corinthians 4
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."
(2 CORINTHIANS 4:16)
A simple yet profound line from one of the songs I learned as a child in Sunday School is "Read your Bible, pray every day, and you'll grow." Our souls need nourishment:
God's Word is our food and drink. Prayer is the air we breathe.
Paul reminds the Corinthians and us that the treasure of the gospel is held in perishable containers: weak bodies. Any spiritual growth observed in our lives is all for God's glory. Paul doesn't hold back in detailing the challenges ahead for the church. He himself was pressed on every side by troubles, perplexed, hunted down, knocked down, suffering and living under constant danger of death. The outlook for his readers was similar.
If these descriptions sound alien to us in our comfortable Western existence, perhaps we need a spiritual health check.
Have we stopped growing? Christians in the persecuted church daily experience the life described by Paul and yet can say, "Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
ARE THERE AREAS OF WEAKNESS IN YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK WHERE YOU ONCE KNEW GROWTH? IS IT TIME FOR SOME REHABILITATION AND A CHANGE OF DIET?
Let's break bread together --- blessings!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Even in the darkest moment, You were there.
Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
Even in the Darkest Moment
Psalm 139
(PSALM 139:7)
Along with David in his psalm that sings of God's watch over his life, we take comfort knowing there is no place we can go apart from the Lord. Eventually, in my battle with depression, I was restored sufficiently so that I was not only able to sing and play guitar but also to write again, writing about that very thing.
The verse below sings out of His inescapable presence.
Tears are falling down like raindrops from my face Pain is aching in my heart Never knew I'd feel this lonely in a crowd Sometimes daylight seems so dark Bitter-sweet memories of a once contented man and flow within my mind Self-sufficient, independence brought me down How could I have been so blind? And yet … Even in the darkest moment, You were there.
Have you struggled with being downcast to the very core of your being?
Try to see that winter and night are part of the created order and that the Savior, Jesus, goes right with you. He knows our anxious thoughts, yet He leads us in the way everlasting.
IF YOU'RE BROKEN AND NEED THE LORD'S POWER TO RESTORE, COMFORT AND RENEW YOU, THEN INVITE HIM TO HEAL YOUR HEART AND TEND TO YOUR WOUNDS.
Believe!
Even in the Darkest Moment
Psalm 139
(PSALM 139:7)
Along with David in his psalm that sings of God's watch over his life, we take comfort knowing there is no place we can go apart from the Lord. Eventually, in my battle with depression, I was restored sufficiently so that I was not only able to sing and play guitar but also to write again, writing about that very thing.
The verse below sings out of His inescapable presence.
Tears are falling down like raindrops from my face Pain is aching in my heart Never knew I'd feel this lonely in a crowd Sometimes daylight seems so dark Bitter-sweet memories of a once contented man and flow within my mind Self-sufficient, independence brought me down How could I have been so blind? And yet … Even in the darkest moment, You were there.
Have you struggled with being downcast to the very core of your being?
Try to see that winter and night are part of the created order and that the Savior, Jesus, goes right with you. He knows our anxious thoughts, yet He leads us in the way everlasting.
IF YOU'RE BROKEN AND NEED THE LORD'S POWER TO RESTORE, COMFORT AND RENEW YOU, THEN INVITE HIM TO HEAL YOUR HEART AND TEND TO YOUR WOUNDS.
Believe!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
"If the eyes had no tears, the soul would have no rainbow."
Greetings to all
Looking for Rainbows
Psalm 126
"...bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."
(ISAIAH 61:3)
Several scripture passages carried me through dark periods of depression. Verses that spoke of God turning sadness into something good comforted me. "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy" (Psalm 126:5) was ever on my lips and brought to mind this Native American proverb: "If the eyes had no tears, the soul would have no rainbow."
Still, fears of the future persist for us. What if this cancer treatment doesn't work? What if I don't find a job? What if our child never comes home? What if our marriage ends? What if I never come out of this depression? These worries are too much for our human hearts to bear. That's why Jesus instructed us to cast our burdens on Him (Matthew 11:29-30). Our fears need not overcome us, because Jesus has already overcome them at Calvary. If ever there was a case of amazing good coming from great despair, it was at the cross. The rainbow is hung high above us, reminding us how He works - through fears and sadness and grief.
DEPRESSION AND FEAR OFTEN GO HAND IN HAND. BY ALLOWING GOD'S PERFECT LOVE TO CONQUER THE LATTER, WE CAN BEGIN TO SEE HIM CURE THE FORMER.
Looking for Rainbows
Psalm 126
"...bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."
(ISAIAH 61:3)
Several scripture passages carried me through dark periods of depression. Verses that spoke of God turning sadness into something good comforted me. "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy" (Psalm 126:5) was ever on my lips and brought to mind this Native American proverb: "If the eyes had no tears, the soul would have no rainbow."
Still, fears of the future persist for us. What if this cancer treatment doesn't work? What if I don't find a job? What if our child never comes home? What if our marriage ends? What if I never come out of this depression? These worries are too much for our human hearts to bear. That's why Jesus instructed us to cast our burdens on Him (Matthew 11:29-30). Our fears need not overcome us, because Jesus has already overcome them at Calvary. If ever there was a case of amazing good coming from great despair, it was at the cross. The rainbow is hung high above us, reminding us how He works - through fears and sadness and grief.
DEPRESSION AND FEAR OFTEN GO HAND IN HAND. BY ALLOWING GOD'S PERFECT LOVE TO CONQUER THE LATTER, WE CAN BEGIN TO SEE HIM CURE THE FORMER.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
TRULY BROKEN
Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Give Your Broken Spirit
Psalm 31
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
(PSALM 51:17)
Living with depression can be a rollercoaster ride, one you're not sure is nearly over or is just about to go round again. One thing that has been helpful to many people is the blessing of music. Part of the mystery of the early years of my battle with depression was that music, an integral part of my life since I was 11, no longer seemed to be a friend. Unlike my biblical namesake, I was not able to make music that would quiet my spirit or make me well again the way David did for King Saul
(1 Samuel 16:16).
But in time it was the music and lyrics that point to Jesus, sung over and over or finally played on my guitar, which began to soothe my anxious heart. God desires brokenness from us; without it we become self-reliant or even worse, complacent.
The broken and contrite heart - the heart clinging desperately to Jesus - will find its rest in Him. Like David, we may "sing of the Lord's strength in the morning," remembering that the Lord is our "refuge in times of trouble"
(Psalm 59:16).
IRONICALLY, IT IS OFTEN ONCE WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE ARE TRULY BROKEN THAT GOD BEGINS HIS WORK OF RESTORATION.
Give Your Broken Spirit
Psalm 31
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
(PSALM 51:17)
Living with depression can be a rollercoaster ride, one you're not sure is nearly over or is just about to go round again. One thing that has been helpful to many people is the blessing of music. Part of the mystery of the early years of my battle with depression was that music, an integral part of my life since I was 11, no longer seemed to be a friend. Unlike my biblical namesake, I was not able to make music that would quiet my spirit or make me well again the way David did for King Saul
(1 Samuel 16:16).
But in time it was the music and lyrics that point to Jesus, sung over and over or finally played on my guitar, which began to soothe my anxious heart. God desires brokenness from us; without it we become self-reliant or even worse, complacent.
The broken and contrite heart - the heart clinging desperately to Jesus - will find its rest in Him. Like David, we may "sing of the Lord's strength in the morning," remembering that the Lord is our "refuge in times of trouble"
(Psalm 59:16).
IRONICALLY, IT IS OFTEN ONCE WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE ARE TRULY BROKEN THAT GOD BEGINS HIS WORK OF RESTORATION.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
W R A P: Often just being there conveys more than spoken wo...
W R A P: Often just being there conveys more than spoken wo...: "Greetings to all Weeping May Last for a Night Psalm 30 'For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may ..."
Often just being there conveys more than spoken words
Greetings to all
Weeping May Last for a Night
Psalm 30
"For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."
(PSALM 30:5)
Identifying the root causes of my depression was a challenging job. Exhaustion was quickly pinpointed as both a symptom and a cause. There are people who's life are hectic. They take time off from work to allow their bodies to recover from some of the fatigue.
The healing of the mind, however, is more complicated. In the early days, church was an uncomfortable place to be. People would deliberately arrive late and leave early. But dear friends allowed them to weep through songs and sermons, asked with genuine concern how I was, and had the wisdom to say very little while communicating much through a smile or a touch.
Job's friends wept with him for days, a gesture that offered more comfort than their long speeches trying to make sense out of Job's desperate condition. Soon enough Job discovered that the words of God Himself were the only ones to stand by. We have those words, too, spoken by and lived out in the person of Jesus Christ. Hold onto them through the dark night of your suffering until rejoicing comes in the morning.
Good friends don't always need to know the right things to say. Often just being there conveys more than spoken words.
God is love and showing God's love simply by being their for someone and that someone knows that you are their -- brings rejoicing.
Weeping May Last for a Night
Psalm 30
"For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."
(PSALM 30:5)
Identifying the root causes of my depression was a challenging job. Exhaustion was quickly pinpointed as both a symptom and a cause. There are people who's life are hectic. They take time off from work to allow their bodies to recover from some of the fatigue.
The healing of the mind, however, is more complicated. In the early days, church was an uncomfortable place to be. People would deliberately arrive late and leave early. But dear friends allowed them to weep through songs and sermons, asked with genuine concern how I was, and had the wisdom to say very little while communicating much through a smile or a touch.
Job's friends wept with him for days, a gesture that offered more comfort than their long speeches trying to make sense out of Job's desperate condition. Soon enough Job discovered that the words of God Himself were the only ones to stand by. We have those words, too, spoken by and lived out in the person of Jesus Christ. Hold onto them through the dark night of your suffering until rejoicing comes in the morning.
Good friends don't always need to know the right things to say. Often just being there conveys more than spoken words.
God is love and showing God's love simply by being their for someone and that someone knows that you are their -- brings rejoicing.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
We all know we're supposed to share our faith. But how?
Greetings to all
Over the last twenty or thirty years, the idea of churches being culturally relevant has dominated Christian culture and has been one of the most important issues in philosophies on evangelism and outreach. As churches seek to communicate the Gospel they often look to Jesus as having been culturally relevant and base evangelistic programs and practices on this idea.
However, if we were truly following the lead of Jesus, there would not be people like Julia Duin, author of Quitting Church, predicting that, “in 15 years, present trends continuing, the church in America will be half of what it is.”
Could our methods of culturally relevant evangelism actually be missing their mark?
Come Versus Go
It’s odd that most of the conversations on relevant evangelism seem to be focused on church programs and gatherings and that many of our efforts are an attempt to make church into a place that people will come and feel comfortable. But isn’t the whole point of evangelism that the Church gets out of our comfort zones and go to the people?
This is how Jesus starts the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go …”
This issue reveals the bad ecclesiology—the theology of what church is—that many Christ followers have. We often distort the idea of what a Biblical church is. Jesus never wanted us to attract a bunch of non-Christians to some building or meeting. He wanted us to be an attraction outside of the church walls. And He wanted Himself to shine through us where we all work, live, play, shop and do life together.
This issue also reveals misplaced theology of the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5). The way that we do evangelism today in many churches, consciously or unconsciously, communicates that sharing the Gospel should be left for the professionals. “You want your friend to know Jesus? Why don’t you bring them to our next outreach where he can hear it straight from our amazing, seminary-trained Pastor!”
This isn’t the way Jesus worked. He didn’t set up a tent somewhere and invite everyone to come out for a revival every Friday night. Instead, he went out to where the people were. He sent His disciples out, untrained and confused as they all were, to spread His message.
The Church began, not because everyone was invited to an outreach, but because the disciples were out living life together when the Holy Spirit moved through them (Acts 2).
How can churches empower people to evangelize? Instead of holding a Super Bowl party next year at your church, challenge your church to each hold one in their homes and invite friends or co-workers. Don’t have your church throw a big concert or event; instead have members hold a block party for their respective neighborhoods. Or, instead of the annual church spring-cleaning, have your church organize a service day for your community and invite other organizations to join you. These are the lines along which we need to think.
Consumer Versus Disciple
Many Christians have stretched the definition of relevance in the same way that society has stretched the idea of tolerance. In the church, the word “relevant” has become an ideal where non-believers who come to church should be entertained, awed by a facility, enjoy a quality band, love the speaker, and be attracted by the allure of a more modern God. We look at the culture around us and do church in a way that people can connect with easily and want to come back to week after week. This is a good thing, right?
The problem with relevance in the manner described above is that, in a sense, it works. People do indeed come.
But why do people come?
And more so, what happens after they have been coming for some time?
After charging His followers to “go,” Jesus’ next command is to “make disciples.” Jesus wants all people everywhere to follow Him so closely, that they begin to act, speak and think just like Him, and He wants the church to model this.
Sadly, our current view of relevant evangelism too often falls short of creating disciples of Jesus and instead often fuels a consumerist approach to spirituality that actually borders on idolatry.
When we focus the majority of church time, energy and money on new buildings, cool programs, trendy music styles and quality sermons the focus shifts from Jesus to continually keeping people happy and entertained.
Instead, changing our terminology from culturally relevant to culturally aware helps us have a better understanding of what relevance really means.
Paul paints a fantastic picture of this in his sermon to the people of Athens (Acts 17:16-34). He did not embrace their culture of idolatry in order to make people comfortable; instead he was aware of it and took time to understand it. By studying the inscriptions on the idols and reading their popular philosophies, he used both of those things to tell the people about Christ and to call them into a different way of life. By being aware of the ideas and stories within a certain culture, it helps us to better communicate the difference of living in the world and living as a disciple of Jesus.
Do Versus Be
After commissioning Christians to “go make disciples”, Jesus tells us two more things: baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit and to teach. Looking at the original Greek in this passage, we find something rather thought provoking about these commands.
According to Strong’s Lexicon, “to baptize,” means to dip repeatedly or to immerse. Also, “name” was understood much deeper than just a title. Instead, it represented everything that a person was about: their character, interests, authority, deeds, wants, desires, etc. Could it be that Jesus is saying to Christians that we are supposed to go and live our lives in such a way that we immerse people everyday in Jesus?
Then, after we are told to baptize, we are told to “teach others to obey everything He commanded us.” Who were the teachers of Jesus’ day? Rabbis. And what was their main method of teaching? They would have people follow them around, watching and listening to everything they did until they learned to do the same things on their own.
Evangelism is not something that we are supposed to do; it’s something that we are supposed to be. If we ourselves have been immersed into the character and values of Christ, then by simply living our lives, we are immersing others into that same Jesus.
It is theologically incorrect to say that evangelism isn’t your thing and that you only do it once a month at the outreach event. It is something we all should do every day.
Over the last twenty or thirty years, the idea of churches being culturally relevant has dominated Christian culture and has been one of the most important issues in philosophies on evangelism and outreach. As churches seek to communicate the Gospel they often look to Jesus as having been culturally relevant and base evangelistic programs and practices on this idea.
However, if we were truly following the lead of Jesus, there would not be people like Julia Duin, author of Quitting Church, predicting that, “in 15 years, present trends continuing, the church in America will be half of what it is.”
Could our methods of culturally relevant evangelism actually be missing their mark?
Come Versus Go
It’s odd that most of the conversations on relevant evangelism seem to be focused on church programs and gatherings and that many of our efforts are an attempt to make church into a place that people will come and feel comfortable. But isn’t the whole point of evangelism that the Church gets out of our comfort zones and go to the people?
This is how Jesus starts the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go …”
This issue reveals the bad ecclesiology—the theology of what church is—that many Christ followers have. We often distort the idea of what a Biblical church is. Jesus never wanted us to attract a bunch of non-Christians to some building or meeting. He wanted us to be an attraction outside of the church walls. And He wanted Himself to shine through us where we all work, live, play, shop and do life together.
This issue also reveals misplaced theology of the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5). The way that we do evangelism today in many churches, consciously or unconsciously, communicates that sharing the Gospel should be left for the professionals. “You want your friend to know Jesus? Why don’t you bring them to our next outreach where he can hear it straight from our amazing, seminary-trained Pastor!”
This isn’t the way Jesus worked. He didn’t set up a tent somewhere and invite everyone to come out for a revival every Friday night. Instead, he went out to where the people were. He sent His disciples out, untrained and confused as they all were, to spread His message.
The Church began, not because everyone was invited to an outreach, but because the disciples were out living life together when the Holy Spirit moved through them (Acts 2).
How can churches empower people to evangelize? Instead of holding a Super Bowl party next year at your church, challenge your church to each hold one in their homes and invite friends or co-workers. Don’t have your church throw a big concert or event; instead have members hold a block party for their respective neighborhoods. Or, instead of the annual church spring-cleaning, have your church organize a service day for your community and invite other organizations to join you. These are the lines along which we need to think.
Consumer Versus Disciple
Many Christians have stretched the definition of relevance in the same way that society has stretched the idea of tolerance. In the church, the word “relevant” has become an ideal where non-believers who come to church should be entertained, awed by a facility, enjoy a quality band, love the speaker, and be attracted by the allure of a more modern God. We look at the culture around us and do church in a way that people can connect with easily and want to come back to week after week. This is a good thing, right?
The problem with relevance in the manner described above is that, in a sense, it works. People do indeed come.
But why do people come?
And more so, what happens after they have been coming for some time?
After charging His followers to “go,” Jesus’ next command is to “make disciples.” Jesus wants all people everywhere to follow Him so closely, that they begin to act, speak and think just like Him, and He wants the church to model this.
Sadly, our current view of relevant evangelism too often falls short of creating disciples of Jesus and instead often fuels a consumerist approach to spirituality that actually borders on idolatry.
When we focus the majority of church time, energy and money on new buildings, cool programs, trendy music styles and quality sermons the focus shifts from Jesus to continually keeping people happy and entertained.
Instead, changing our terminology from culturally relevant to culturally aware helps us have a better understanding of what relevance really means.
Paul paints a fantastic picture of this in his sermon to the people of Athens (Acts 17:16-34). He did not embrace their culture of idolatry in order to make people comfortable; instead he was aware of it and took time to understand it. By studying the inscriptions on the idols and reading their popular philosophies, he used both of those things to tell the people about Christ and to call them into a different way of life. By being aware of the ideas and stories within a certain culture, it helps us to better communicate the difference of living in the world and living as a disciple of Jesus.
Do Versus Be
After commissioning Christians to “go make disciples”, Jesus tells us two more things: baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit and to teach. Looking at the original Greek in this passage, we find something rather thought provoking about these commands.
According to Strong’s Lexicon, “to baptize,” means to dip repeatedly or to immerse. Also, “name” was understood much deeper than just a title. Instead, it represented everything that a person was about: their character, interests, authority, deeds, wants, desires, etc. Could it be that Jesus is saying to Christians that we are supposed to go and live our lives in such a way that we immerse people everyday in Jesus?
Then, after we are told to baptize, we are told to “teach others to obey everything He commanded us.” Who were the teachers of Jesus’ day? Rabbis. And what was their main method of teaching? They would have people follow them around, watching and listening to everything they did until they learned to do the same things on their own.
Evangelism is not something that we are supposed to do; it’s something that we are supposed to be. If we ourselves have been immersed into the character and values of Christ, then by simply living our lives, we are immersing others into that same Jesus.
It is theologically incorrect to say that evangelism isn’t your thing and that you only do it once a month at the outreach event. It is something we all should do every day.
Monday, April 4, 2011
SLAVE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS
Greetings to all
The way you become free from sin is by becoming a slave to righteousness.
Paul, in one of the most quoted verses of Scripture, makes clear that every person has sinned: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Indeed, your sins hold you so deeply in bondage that they bring death to you: you were dead in your sins (Colossians 2:13).
Every one of us was born a slave to sin, but God offers to free us from that. How? We can choose to become slaves to righteousness: When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. ... But now ... you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God (Romans 6:20,22).
In other words, your default human nature is to follow sin and to consistently choose sin. The way you break free from sin is by following God and consistently choosing God; that is, you become a "slave" to God (to righteousness).
One of the results of being a "slave" to God is being made righteous and holy: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). In other words, when we are freed from bondage to sin by giving ourselves to Christ, a transaction occurs: we are changed from being sinners (i.e., slaves to sin who occasionally mess up and do something right) into being holy ones (i.e., righteous slaves to God who occasionally mess up and do something wrong).
When this transaction occurs—that is, when you become a slave to righteousness—you are made holy, made righteous, cleansed, forgiven, and freed from all sin.
Therefore, the way you become free from sin is by becoming a holy one, which happens by turning your life over to Christ and wholeheartedly following Him, thus becoming a slave to righteousness.
The way you become free from sin is by becoming a slave to righteousness.
Paul, in one of the most quoted verses of Scripture, makes clear that every person has sinned: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Indeed, your sins hold you so deeply in bondage that they bring death to you: you were dead in your sins (Colossians 2:13).
Every one of us was born a slave to sin, but God offers to free us from that. How? We can choose to become slaves to righteousness: When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. ... But now ... you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God (Romans 6:20,22).
In other words, your default human nature is to follow sin and to consistently choose sin. The way you break free from sin is by following God and consistently choosing God; that is, you become a "slave" to God (to righteousness).
One of the results of being a "slave" to God is being made righteous and holy: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). In other words, when we are freed from bondage to sin by giving ourselves to Christ, a transaction occurs: we are changed from being sinners (i.e., slaves to sin who occasionally mess up and do something right) into being holy ones (i.e., righteous slaves to God who occasionally mess up and do something wrong).
When this transaction occurs—that is, when you become a slave to righteousness—you are made holy, made righteous, cleansed, forgiven, and freed from all sin.
Therefore, the way you become free from sin is by becoming a holy one, which happens by turning your life over to Christ and wholeheartedly following Him, thus becoming a slave to righteousness.
God - Intoxicated people
Greetings to all
True worship should create God-intoxicated people.
Everyone worships. Some people worship money, possessions, popularity, prosperity, or other people. They may not sing worship songs to their bank account, but by the way they live they worship (i.e. give value to) their money.
Worship is not just singing songs in church; worship is a lifestyle that places value on its object. True worship of God means that the one worshiping is placing value on God and putting him at the center of life.
That's what Jesus was getting at when he said, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24)
Notice Jesus didn't say anything about singing "worship songs." To worship in spirit and in truth means that everything in your life is centered around God and guided by him -- that your choices reflect him, that your actions are directed by him, and that you words are filtered through him.
In short, true worship is such that the one worshiping should be so enveloped and surrounded in the presence (the spirit) of God.
True worship should create God-intoxicated people.
Everyone worships. Some people worship money, possessions, popularity, prosperity, or other people. They may not sing worship songs to their bank account, but by the way they live they worship (i.e. give value to) their money.
Worship is not just singing songs in church; worship is a lifestyle that places value on its object. True worship of God means that the one worshiping is placing value on God and putting him at the center of life.
That's what Jesus was getting at when he said, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24)
Notice Jesus didn't say anything about singing "worship songs." To worship in spirit and in truth means that everything in your life is centered around God and guided by him -- that your choices reflect him, that your actions are directed by him, and that you words are filtered through him.
In short, true worship is such that the one worshiping should be so enveloped and surrounded in the presence (the spirit) of God.
What if God's will does not make sense?
Greetings to all
At times we may struggle with directions we receive from the Lord. We question whether they are from Him because they . . .
Clash with our personal desires. The mother of James and John asked that her sons sit beside Jesus in heaven. The Lord said no to her selfish ambition and called her sons to a life of humble service to others (Matthew 20:20–28).
Conflict with our human reasoning. Some of the disciples expected Jesus to rule as the long-prophesied King. When He told them He was going to be killed by the religious leaders, His words didn’t line up with their thinking about the future.
Challenge our faith. Christ told the disciples that He would be resurrected on the third day (Matthew 16:21). Peter and the others had to accept Jesus’ words even though many people of the day—including some religious leaders—did not believe in the resurrection of the body (Matthew 22:23).
God’s direction may call for courage as well. We see this clearly in Joshua’s life. The Lord appointed him as the leader who would take Israel into the Promised Land (Josh. 1:1-6). Our heavenly Father may ask us to become a leader in our local church, to participate in a missions trip, or to serve those who are hard to love. He wants us to step forward bravely and obey.
Following God shouldn’t involve guesswork. Scripture is a good source for confirming divine direction, as our Father won’t give any guidance that is contrary to biblical principles. Receiving godly counsel from a pastor or mature believer can also reassure us that we've heard correctly (Proverbs 15:22).
Taken from “Instruction from the Lord” by In Touch Ministries (used by permission).
At times we may struggle with directions we receive from the Lord. We question whether they are from Him because they . . .
Clash with our personal desires. The mother of James and John asked that her sons sit beside Jesus in heaven. The Lord said no to her selfish ambition and called her sons to a life of humble service to others (Matthew 20:20–28).
Conflict with our human reasoning. Some of the disciples expected Jesus to rule as the long-prophesied King. When He told them He was going to be killed by the religious leaders, His words didn’t line up with their thinking about the future.
Challenge our faith. Christ told the disciples that He would be resurrected on the third day (Matthew 16:21). Peter and the others had to accept Jesus’ words even though many people of the day—including some religious leaders—did not believe in the resurrection of the body (Matthew 22:23).
God’s direction may call for courage as well. We see this clearly in Joshua’s life. The Lord appointed him as the leader who would take Israel into the Promised Land (Josh. 1:1-6). Our heavenly Father may ask us to become a leader in our local church, to participate in a missions trip, or to serve those who are hard to love. He wants us to step forward bravely and obey.
Following God shouldn’t involve guesswork. Scripture is a good source for confirming divine direction, as our Father won’t give any guidance that is contrary to biblical principles. Receiving godly counsel from a pastor or mature believer can also reassure us that we've heard correctly (Proverbs 15:22).
Taken from “Instruction from the Lord” by In Touch Ministries (used by permission).
The Good Shepherd
Greetings to all
The Good Shepherd
John 10:1-18
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
(PHILIPPIANS 4:19)
The LORD, David's own shepherd, restores his soul, we read in his 23rd Psalm. David knew from experience that a shepherd must protect the flock from predators, lead them through dangerous terrain and tend to their needs. The lessons he'd learned as a boy would be applied to his battles as a man.
David acknowledges that the LORD, his shepherd, has provided for all his needs. He has been brought to a peaceful, green valley with a gentle stream running through it. He has been made to lie down and rest. However, it is more than a renewal of his physical strength that is given; it is restoration for his soul that he receives.
Not only does our Great Shepherd provide for our daily physical needs, He is passionately concerned about the state of our souls. It is only in looking to Him for protection from the enemy, allowing Him to lead us through hard times, that we will find our souls repaired and renewed once more. The glorious riches of Jesus will fill up even the most destitute and impoverished soul.
SINCE OUR GOOD SHEPHERD HAS GIVEN EVERYTHING TO SAVE US, EVEN LAYING DOWN HIS LIFE, LET'S REST AND BE RESTORED BY THAT GOOD NEWS.
The Good Shepherd
John 10:1-18
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
(PHILIPPIANS 4:19)
The LORD, David's own shepherd, restores his soul, we read in his 23rd Psalm. David knew from experience that a shepherd must protect the flock from predators, lead them through dangerous terrain and tend to their needs. The lessons he'd learned as a boy would be applied to his battles as a man.
David acknowledges that the LORD, his shepherd, has provided for all his needs. He has been brought to a peaceful, green valley with a gentle stream running through it. He has been made to lie down and rest. However, it is more than a renewal of his physical strength that is given; it is restoration for his soul that he receives.
Not only does our Great Shepherd provide for our daily physical needs, He is passionately concerned about the state of our souls. It is only in looking to Him for protection from the enemy, allowing Him to lead us through hard times, that we will find our souls repaired and renewed once more. The glorious riches of Jesus will fill up even the most destitute and impoverished soul.
SINCE OUR GOOD SHEPHERD HAS GIVEN EVERYTHING TO SAVE US, EVEN LAYING DOWN HIS LIFE, LET'S REST AND BE RESTORED BY THAT GOOD NEWS.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
ARE WE SO BUSY DOING THE WORK OF THE LORD THAT WE ARE NEGLECTING TO SPEND TIME WITH THE LORD OF THE WORK?
Greetings to all
Sabbath Rest
Exodus 20:8-11
"For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."
(EXODUS 20:11)
Often our demanding work and church ministry schedules mean that we don't set aside "Sabbath" time for rest. We are, in essence, saying that we know better than God. Sound familiar?
It didn't take long before Adam and Eve disobeyed God's instruction not to eat fruit from the forbidden tree. Instead, they listened to the serpent who convinced them that they would become like God. The tragic irony is that by this act of disobedience, mankind - already "created in the image of God" - was now cursed. Death had entered the equation; our relationship with God was blighted by sin.
Fewer of us now than generations ago earn our living from "toiling on the land." But we all identify with the weariness caused by the daily grind. Too often we learn at great cost that failure to rest body, mind and soul can lead to burnout, breakdown, or depression. And no matter how we search for relief, we will not find it until we are resting solidly in our Savior. Take a rest; take the true rest that Jesus offers.
INSIGHT
ARE WE SO BUSY DOING THE WORK OF THE LORD THAT WE ARE NEGLECTING TO SPEND TIME WITH THE LORD OF THE WORK?
Sabbath Rest
Exodus 20:8-11
"For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."
(EXODUS 20:11)
Often our demanding work and church ministry schedules mean that we don't set aside "Sabbath" time for rest. We are, in essence, saying that we know better than God. Sound familiar?
It didn't take long before Adam and Eve disobeyed God's instruction not to eat fruit from the forbidden tree. Instead, they listened to the serpent who convinced them that they would become like God. The tragic irony is that by this act of disobedience, mankind - already "created in the image of God" - was now cursed. Death had entered the equation; our relationship with God was blighted by sin.
Fewer of us now than generations ago earn our living from "toiling on the land." But we all identify with the weariness caused by the daily grind. Too often we learn at great cost that failure to rest body, mind and soul can lead to burnout, breakdown, or depression. And no matter how we search for relief, we will not find it until we are resting solidly in our Savior. Take a rest; take the true rest that Jesus offers.
INSIGHT
ARE WE SO BUSY DOING THE WORK OF THE LORD THAT WE ARE NEGLECTING TO SPEND TIME WITH THE LORD OF THE WORK?
Friday, April 1, 2011
He restores my soul
Greetings to all.
Can a Soul be Restored?
Psalm 23:1-3
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
(PSALM 23:1-3)
Psalm 23 is a much loved, often read piece of poetry from Scripture. Its comfort has been real to the joyful as well as the troubled.
The psalmist was the shepherd who became king. However, the true author and inspiration is the King who is The Great Shepherd. Our focus this month will be on one phrase from this beautiful psalm: "He restores my soul."
We will examine the richness, complexity and power contained within these words as we ask God to bring them to life in us. Just breaking down that sentence grammatically shows us the focus of the act of restoring our souls. "He" is the subject; "restores" is the action; "my" tells "whose"; and "soul" is the object.
Looking closely at these will reveal the very heart of what Jesus Christ has done for us: living for, dying for, and redeeming our souls. It's no surprise to God that our souls are in need of restoration.
The challenge for us as individuals is to acknowledge our need and accept Christ's restorative healing for us.
If you read this today it is because God lead you to and want you to know the He loves you. His work in you is to restore you into the person He created you to be then His work will be revealed through you..
Pray always....
Can a Soul be Restored?
Psalm 23:1-3
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
(PSALM 23:1-3)
Psalm 23 is a much loved, often read piece of poetry from Scripture. Its comfort has been real to the joyful as well as the troubled.
The psalmist was the shepherd who became king. However, the true author and inspiration is the King who is The Great Shepherd. Our focus this month will be on one phrase from this beautiful psalm: "He restores my soul."
We will examine the richness, complexity and power contained within these words as we ask God to bring them to life in us. Just breaking down that sentence grammatically shows us the focus of the act of restoring our souls. "He" is the subject; "restores" is the action; "my" tells "whose"; and "soul" is the object.
Looking closely at these will reveal the very heart of what Jesus Christ has done for us: living for, dying for, and redeeming our souls. It's no surprise to God that our souls are in need of restoration.
The challenge for us as individuals is to acknowledge our need and accept Christ's restorative healing for us.
If you read this today it is because God lead you to and want you to know the He loves you. His work in you is to restore you into the person He created you to be then His work will be revealed through you..
Pray always....
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