It has been a long time since I wrote on this blog. Spending time away from the “normal” has given me time to be quiet, and think, and pray and hear from the Lord. There have been a lot of questions running through my mind during this time as I’m sure there has been for you. I thought I would write some of them down so we don’t forget them in a few months when the pandemic is past.
First, what if this is a precursor of the beginning of the end? There are a number of prophecy oriented people that are suggesting it is. We know that wars and rumors of wars seem to be happening all the time any more. But there seems to be an increase in seismic activity with earthquakes and now Covid 19. Jesus said these things must take place but the end is not yet. If this were the beginning of the end, would we welcome it and embrace it?
Second, how prepared are Christians for times like these? Empowered by the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead; confident in the promises of God; foretold by the Lord Himself that times like this would come; we should be the most hope-filled, bold people around. We should relish the fact we can spend time before the Lord, reading and absorbing His word. We should cherish that we can lead our children in considering the goodness of God and His sovereign love. We can celebrate the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel in the darkness. If we were isolated like this and all our electronics went down that we could not stay connected with others through social media, chats, Zoom, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook Live, email, FaceTime, etc, would we be able to survive in a healthy way? Would the average Christian be able to study the Bible for themselves and be able to share the Gospel with others who were looking for hope?
Third, are we prepared to take the cross and the Word of God seriously? I believe it is significant that Easter is being celebrated during this time. “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” This is what Jesus said right before He went to the cross and died. “They will arrest you and put you to death for my sake.” He meant it. “Shut up the prophecy Daniel until the end.....Wise men will understand them.” “He who has my commandments and keeps them, he is the one who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and show myself to him.” Self help tips couched in fun jokes will not cut it in these times or the days ahead. Knowing God’s Word and seriously giving ourselves to it is the only thing that will sustain and guide us. It is eternal. “My word will never pass away” said Jesus. So dying to ourselves and taking up our cross combined with being serious about knowing and living out the Word of God are the only two things that will prepare us to face the days ahead.
I believe my questions are not “downers” during a trying time but expressions of the tensions felt in the souls of many. Their answers are saturated in hope and power. This is challenging but Jesus said that the days ahead are going to be so bad that if they weren’t cut short for the sake of the elect no one would survive. (Matt. 24:22). Many will walk away from the faith in those days and turn on loved ones.
I am not saying for sure that Covid 19 is a precursor of the end. But what if it was? If I were a watchman on a wall and saw trouble coming and did not shout out a warning, I would be neglecting my duty. And since we do not know the day or the hour when these things will take place but we are aware of the season, we must always be ready. I see potential winds blowing that could be the forecasters of the coming storm. So please consider my questions (and yours). And more importantly, consider the answers and pursue them.
Friday, April 10, 2020
Saturday, October 27, 2018
What If?
One of the shows a grandparent can learn from with their grandchildren is Wild Kratts. The Kratt brothers explore for animal life around the planet and expose young learners to the amazing world in which we live. Their shows begin with them telling a little about the animal of the day, their habitat and characteristics, and then ask the question, what if we could become them and live in their world? What if?
I’ve been thinking a lot about “what if” as it applies to us as a church, and us as Christians. Especially as I have been reading through the Gospels, and the letters. What is coming as we read the culture is persecution in a form the American church has not experienced before. What if it was declared a hate crime to talk about certain issues from a Biblical viewpoint in a public setting? What if all tax incentives given for charitable giving or being a religious non-profit disappeared? What if it became a crime to declare that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation? What if?
Something would change. What if how we have viewed church was not really in keeping with the mission we have been given by Jesus? We think in terms of an inspiring speaker, a cool band, smooth programming, and an amazing facility. We tend to think in having a church that is large, well known in the community, and meeting the needs of people. All of this can be fine. But what if we used God’s assessment? What if the lens of Scripture was applied to church?
The number one thing Jesus prayed for in John 17 was the unity of the people in love. Such an overwhelming love that lost itself in Jesus and others. And the picture Jesus gave was that of a family. In a family, we love unconditionally. In a family we train the children. Not that we know everything that we are doing because when we brought Jalonna home from the hospital they did not give us an owners manual. But we loved that little girl and figured out what to do to care for her and train her (and later her brother) to love and serve Jesus and others. We got advice and sent them to school. But we took responsibility for them to be trained in the nurture and life of Jesus.
All this to say, that over the next months we are going to talk about what real church is; where we are headed as a church; and what supernatural visitations we will experience as we ask, “What if?”
Answered correctly and followed, we will be in a position to shift in an instant when any of these cultural changes take place. It will be as if we were the only Christian in our sphere of influence, in our town or in our neighborhood, we will know exactly what to do to keep the mission moving forward for Jesus’ sake.
I’ve been thinking a lot about “what if” as it applies to us as a church, and us as Christians. Especially as I have been reading through the Gospels, and the letters. What is coming as we read the culture is persecution in a form the American church has not experienced before. What if it was declared a hate crime to talk about certain issues from a Biblical viewpoint in a public setting? What if all tax incentives given for charitable giving or being a religious non-profit disappeared? What if it became a crime to declare that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation? What if?
Something would change. What if how we have viewed church was not really in keeping with the mission we have been given by Jesus? We think in terms of an inspiring speaker, a cool band, smooth programming, and an amazing facility. We tend to think in having a church that is large, well known in the community, and meeting the needs of people. All of this can be fine. But what if we used God’s assessment? What if the lens of Scripture was applied to church?
The number one thing Jesus prayed for in John 17 was the unity of the people in love. Such an overwhelming love that lost itself in Jesus and others. And the picture Jesus gave was that of a family. In a family, we love unconditionally. In a family we train the children. Not that we know everything that we are doing because when we brought Jalonna home from the hospital they did not give us an owners manual. But we loved that little girl and figured out what to do to care for her and train her (and later her brother) to love and serve Jesus and others. We got advice and sent them to school. But we took responsibility for them to be trained in the nurture and life of Jesus.
All this to say, that over the next months we are going to talk about what real church is; where we are headed as a church; and what supernatural visitations we will experience as we ask, “What if?”
Answered correctly and followed, we will be in a position to shift in an instant when any of these cultural changes take place. It will be as if we were the only Christian in our sphere of influence, in our town or in our neighborhood, we will know exactly what to do to keep the mission moving forward for Jesus’ sake.
Monday, August 6, 2018
Resolving Old Battles
Most (ok, all) of us have past experiences with us for some or most of our lives. For some, it is like a carry on, not much there, but enough to need to deal with it. Others seem to have checked luggage, at times multiple bags, that weigh us down and slow our progress in life.
But what if we could unload the luggage and fly in life with no baggage at all? Sound good? Oh, wait, we feel like we need what we are carrying. So we are not so willing to part with it. We feel like it is a necessary part of us. We don’t want to forget what happened or let the people off the hook for what they did to us. We are self-aware of the effects. We just are not sure how to live without the luggage.
Bob (not his real name) was such a guy. Raised by up and comers, he knew how to win approval by his actions. Absentee Dad and career-oriented Mom left him with varied baby-sitters when younger and on his own when a teen. He had little direction in life but also found that when his random decisions and actions cast a poor shadow on Dad or Mom, he had their attention then. Life was about not embarrassing them. He found himself looking for an escape from them. He was also looking to fulfill deep desires within, such as being loved.
He found himself using people for his own means and when they disappointed him, he cut ties with them. That is what he was taught. He wandered in a pit of despair for a long time. College was an experiment in searching. A failed marriage; then a second. The bags kept piling up and their weight was overwhelming.
One day one of his few friends starting talking about something amazing that happened in his life. His life was similar to Bob’s life. In his search, he had a conversation with a man who seemed to honestly care. The guy lived next door and had shown kindness to him. He brought him some meals when he was recovering from some minor surgery. The guy even mowed his lawn during that time. He told him about Jesus. How Jesus loved him unconditionally. How He died on the cross for all of our sins. How He came to life again three days later and is alive today. How He is the one who created us and has wonderful plans for our lives if we are willing to follow Him.
Bob’s friend responded by asking Jesus to forgive Him and he began the journey of following Him. He told Bob he never felt this way before. All the old junk of his life did not matter any more. He realized that even then Jesus was showing love to him. And that Jesus has been there wanting a relationship with him all along. He felt free.
Bob was not sure what to say. Was he willing to consider the same decision?
At our church, we offer a special form of spiritual counsel called Transformational Prayer Ministry. It is a spiritual conversation, walking us through the baggage of our lives and seeing how Jesus was there loving us even at those times. The outcome is to let go of those painful things to Jesus. He desires for us to be free, unloading all the experiences and sins that hinder us so we can fly!
Are you willing to consider unloading your bags? If so, contact the church at 688-7165 and make an appointment. You can fly free today!
But what if we could unload the luggage and fly in life with no baggage at all? Sound good? Oh, wait, we feel like we need what we are carrying. So we are not so willing to part with it. We feel like it is a necessary part of us. We don’t want to forget what happened or let the people off the hook for what they did to us. We are self-aware of the effects. We just are not sure how to live without the luggage.
Bob (not his real name) was such a guy. Raised by up and comers, he knew how to win approval by his actions. Absentee Dad and career-oriented Mom left him with varied baby-sitters when younger and on his own when a teen. He had little direction in life but also found that when his random decisions and actions cast a poor shadow on Dad or Mom, he had their attention then. Life was about not embarrassing them. He found himself looking for an escape from them. He was also looking to fulfill deep desires within, such as being loved.
He found himself using people for his own means and when they disappointed him, he cut ties with them. That is what he was taught. He wandered in a pit of despair for a long time. College was an experiment in searching. A failed marriage; then a second. The bags kept piling up and their weight was overwhelming.
One day one of his few friends starting talking about something amazing that happened in his life. His life was similar to Bob’s life. In his search, he had a conversation with a man who seemed to honestly care. The guy lived next door and had shown kindness to him. He brought him some meals when he was recovering from some minor surgery. The guy even mowed his lawn during that time. He told him about Jesus. How Jesus loved him unconditionally. How He died on the cross for all of our sins. How He came to life again three days later and is alive today. How He is the one who created us and has wonderful plans for our lives if we are willing to follow Him.
Bob’s friend responded by asking Jesus to forgive Him and he began the journey of following Him. He told Bob he never felt this way before. All the old junk of his life did not matter any more. He realized that even then Jesus was showing love to him. And that Jesus has been there wanting a relationship with him all along. He felt free.
Bob was not sure what to say. Was he willing to consider the same decision?
At our church, we offer a special form of spiritual counsel called Transformational Prayer Ministry. It is a spiritual conversation, walking us through the baggage of our lives and seeing how Jesus was there loving us even at those times. The outcome is to let go of those painful things to Jesus. He desires for us to be free, unloading all the experiences and sins that hinder us so we can fly!
Are you willing to consider unloading your bags? If so, contact the church at 688-7165 and make an appointment. You can fly free today!
Thursday, July 26, 2018
A Book Every Christian Should Read
My friend Daniel Henderson recently published a book I believe every Christian should read. I won’t spoil it for you, but here is a review I did on Goodreads. The book is titled Transforming Presence: How the Holy Spirit Changes Everything From The Inside Out
In a day when there is so much confusion about spirituality, power, and the work of the Holy Spirit, Daniel Henderson provides some much needed and timely input and clarity through this book. I believe one of the most important parts of the book is the section that points us to the “why.” If we know the “why” of something we will be open to hear the how’s and the what’s. This essential is summarized on page 49:
“Let’s keep the plumb line of God’s purpose in mind. The Holy Spirit was given to glorify Jesus in our hearts, minds, and actions; in our homes and relationships; in our service, fellowship, and worship in His church. All this occurs as a witness to nonbelievers in our relational circle and beyond, into the near and far reaches of a lost world desperate to see and hear of our Christ.”
Daniel pushes for us to examine (and abandon where necessary) our previous understandings of the Holy Spirit as interpreted through the lenses of our traditions and experiences. He also gently prods us to listen to ourselves. Some of our verbiage and songs betray thoughts of the Holy Spirit being a force rather than a Person; something for us to ask God to send rather than responding to the One who has already come.
The clarion call is for us to embrace and respond to the Holy Spirit who is God Himself living in us for the sole purpose of bringing glory to Jesus Christ and to empower us to fulfill His mission on earth. He, the Spirit, works in our minds, emotions and will to accomplish all this.
I believe every reader who approaches with an open mind and heart will be confronted, affronted, encouraged, revived and motivated after reading this book. I commend it to you.
In a day when there is so much confusion about spirituality, power, and the work of the Holy Spirit, Daniel Henderson provides some much needed and timely input and clarity through this book. I believe one of the most important parts of the book is the section that points us to the “why.” If we know the “why” of something we will be open to hear the how’s and the what’s. This essential is summarized on page 49:
“Let’s keep the plumb line of God’s purpose in mind. The Holy Spirit was given to glorify Jesus in our hearts, minds, and actions; in our homes and relationships; in our service, fellowship, and worship in His church. All this occurs as a witness to nonbelievers in our relational circle and beyond, into the near and far reaches of a lost world desperate to see and hear of our Christ.”
Daniel pushes for us to examine (and abandon where necessary) our previous understandings of the Holy Spirit as interpreted through the lenses of our traditions and experiences. He also gently prods us to listen to ourselves. Some of our verbiage and songs betray thoughts of the Holy Spirit being a force rather than a Person; something for us to ask God to send rather than responding to the One who has already come.
The clarion call is for us to embrace and respond to the Holy Spirit who is God Himself living in us for the sole purpose of bringing glory to Jesus Christ and to empower us to fulfill His mission on earth. He, the Spirit, works in our minds, emotions and will to accomplish all this.
I believe every reader who approaches with an open mind and heart will be confronted, affronted, encouraged, revived and motivated after reading this book. I commend it to you.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
It’s Not That Hard
This past weekend at our church Gary Stith gave a humble yet powerful testimony of how seeking to be the best music teacher he could be and showing a loving interest in people’s lives opened opportunities for him to share Jesus with them. It wasn’t hard. It was just doing life in the Spirit. He gave us an endearing picture of doing his daily devotional time down in his basement with his pre-school daughter waking up to join him, cuddled together under blankets. It’s not hard, it is doing life in the Spirit.
We read messages from those Gary worked with and taught. They spoke of his godliness and humility, his generosity and graciousness. They all said that his influence and the impression he made still lingers in their lives today. It’s not hard, it is doing life in the Spirit.
I can graciously say that Gary was embarrassed to have the questions asked and the attention put on him. But he was willing to go through the experience for one sole reason: giving all glory and praise to Jesus. His life has been focused on Him. His heart has been transformed by Him. Jesus’ love for people has flowed through Gary. What I appreciated was how Gary told us his own amazement about the doors opened for him, like being given a professorship at Houghton College without an earned Doctorate. Rare in our world but not in God’s world. Jesus opens doors that no one can open and shuts doors no one can shut.
If you missed the message, including Gary’s testimony, take 45 minutes this week and listen. It may help you to realize that excellence may draw, but love influences. It may also help you realize that leaving a powerful witness for Jesus is not hard, its just doing life in the Spirit.
We read messages from those Gary worked with and taught. They spoke of his godliness and humility, his generosity and graciousness. They all said that his influence and the impression he made still lingers in their lives today. It’s not hard, it is doing life in the Spirit.
I can graciously say that Gary was embarrassed to have the questions asked and the attention put on him. But he was willing to go through the experience for one sole reason: giving all glory and praise to Jesus. His life has been focused on Him. His heart has been transformed by Him. Jesus’ love for people has flowed through Gary. What I appreciated was how Gary told us his own amazement about the doors opened for him, like being given a professorship at Houghton College without an earned Doctorate. Rare in our world but not in God’s world. Jesus opens doors that no one can open and shuts doors no one can shut.
If you missed the message, including Gary’s testimony, take 45 minutes this week and listen. It may help you to realize that excellence may draw, but love influences. It may also help you realize that leaving a powerful witness for Jesus is not hard, its just doing life in the Spirit.
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Independence
Happy 4th of July. We celebrate today as the birthday of our country. It is the day when the Continental Congress declared independence from Great Britain and began the journey toward a Constitution that sought to protect the unalienable rights of every human being, especially those of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Self-governance was its central theme.
Yet we know that God’s design for us is not self-governance in a sinful state, but Spirit-controlled governance in a redeemed state. The mind controlled by our “flesh”, our human intellect and instincts, is death but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)
If we are to win new friends, our desires must line up with God’s desires for them. In fact, our lives must not be able fighting for self at all, but for the ability and opportunity to fulfill our God-given purpose in creation. And that purpose is to bring glory to Him and goodness to others.
As we celebrate today as Christians, the reality is not about patriotism and parades and government, it is about freedom in Christ and ours absolute dependence on Him. In this we rejoice and find true life, liberty and happiness. And we get to share it with others.
Have a blessed day.
Yet we know that God’s design for us is not self-governance in a sinful state, but Spirit-controlled governance in a redeemed state. The mind controlled by our “flesh”, our human intellect and instincts, is death but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)
If we are to win new friends, our desires must line up with God’s desires for them. In fact, our lives must not be able fighting for self at all, but for the ability and opportunity to fulfill our God-given purpose in creation. And that purpose is to bring glory to Him and goodness to others.
As we celebrate today as Christians, the reality is not about patriotism and parades and government, it is about freedom in Christ and ours absolute dependence on Him. In this we rejoice and find true life, liberty and happiness. And we get to share it with others.
Have a blessed day.
Monday, July 2, 2018
Dispensers of Hope and Grace
““Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. Job 6:14 NIV
One of the values we hold is that of God’s grace. When we have received undeserved kindness from the Lord, how can we withhold it from others?
Therefore when we are seeking to walk along side current friends or encountering a new friend, our countenance and words should ooze of grace. Grace is given as a signpost for healing. It points the way to the solution. Grace is one wounded person who has found healing telling another wounded person about the remedy for their condition.Job was suffering. Terribly. And his friends, rather than helping to point him to the solution, were busy telling him about his failings. They were trying to explain to him how his arrogance, his pride, his self-righteousness, were the cause of all his problems. The problem is that they were wrong. Totally wrong.Friends don’t need us to diagnose the cause. They need a remedy. And the remedy is the grace of God. And that remedy is obtained by confession of our neediness and repentance of any sin that we have committed. Challenging conditions do not always mean we have sinned. The Lord may bring a situation to us to strengthen our trust in him, like He did with His friend Abraham in Genesis 22. But even those situations demonstrate our need to turn to and depend on Him.So don’t neglect kindness when dealing with your friends. Point them to Jesus just as you have turned to Him many times in your life. Friends are not dispensers of justice but of grace and hope.#summerofwon
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