I am on the road this week and next touring our District and attending sectional councils. I enjoy the opportunity to meet with and talk to many of our ministers. The fellowship is good and the Light for the Lost meals are excellent. Food and fellowship - it's a part of community and worship in the early church - and should still be in today's church.
As I was reading Mark 5 this morning in my motel room, the thought of "pressing in" sprung up. There was a woman who had been sick for 12 years. She had been to many doctors, but to no avail. She heard that Jesus was in the crowd, so she worked her way through the crowd in order to at least touch his clothes. Have you ever tried to move through a crowd in order to get near someone? It can be difficult. There is a lot of pushing and shoving going on as others also seek to get near the same individual. It can be frustrating. But this woman continued forward through the crowd. She "pressed in." Her determination was rewarded. She was able to touch Jesus' garment. Her determination was faith. Her faith was rewarded. Jesus turning around asked, "Who touched me?" Can you imagine that? Dozens bumped into Jesus. Dozens probably touched Jesus, but we read that only one was healed in that crowd of people. It was the one who "pressed in" with faith. Don't give up. Just keep pressing in.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Calming the Storm
Two phrases stood out as I was reading Mark 4:35-41. Jesus had spent the day teaching by the Sea of Gennesaret to the crowd of people through parables. Because of the size of the crowd he had stepped into one of the boats nearby to use as his platform. The day was ending so, Jesus still in the boat, told his disciples that it was time to go over to the other side of the Sea of Gennesaret. Now comes the first phrase that caught my attention. It is the response of his disciples. Verse 36 says that "they took him along, just as he was, in the boat." Just what did that mean? Did it mean that the disciples made no preparations? Did they just push off and head out into this huge unpredictable body of water without the proper preparations?
Whatever the answer to my thought, the real point to be made is that disciples responded to Jesus immediately. The second phrase that caught my attention in this passage was Mark's comment that "there were other boats with him" (verse 36). Not only did Jesus' boat with the disciples on board have to face the storm, but so did other boats. So often, we think our storm is unique to us or that our storm does not affect others, but it does. The way in which we ride out the storm can have a positive or negative impact on those who arenearby.
The story ends with Jesus speaking to the storm. To the wind and waves, he said, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind and the waves responded, and the sea became calm and the wind died down. As we allow Jesus to take control of the circumstances and situations that are beyond our abilities, we will experience a calm. And others nearby will witness that peace and experience it for themselves. You can have a positive influence on others who are nearby you.
Whatever the answer to my thought, the real point to be made is that disciples responded to Jesus immediately. The second phrase that caught my attention in this passage was Mark's comment that "there were other boats with him" (verse 36). Not only did Jesus' boat with the disciples on board have to face the storm, but so did other boats. So often, we think our storm is unique to us or that our storm does not affect others, but it does. The way in which we ride out the storm can have a positive or negative impact on those who arenearby.
The story ends with Jesus speaking to the storm. To the wind and waves, he said, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind and the waves responded, and the sea became calm and the wind died down. As we allow Jesus to take control of the circumstances and situations that are beyond our abilities, we will experience a calm. And others nearby will witness that peace and experience it for themselves. You can have a positive influence on others who are nearby you.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Healing and Restoration
I read from the Gospel of Mark today in my early morning devotions.
Mark 3:1-6 NIV
[1] Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. [2] Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. [3] Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone." [4] Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent. [5] He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. [6] Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
This man had a hand that was deformed. It was withered and twisted. The Gospel of Luke tells us that it was his right hand. It probably hang uselessly at his side. Perhaps it was an embarrassment to him and he kept it hidden in the folds of his garment. It may even have kept him from working in gainful employment. Tradition says that this man had been a mason or brick layer. He onced earned his living with his hands. Now he begs for bread. That hand kept him from writing, playing, and doing many things he desired. The shriveled hand was a blemish in his life. It had a crippling effect on him. There are many today in the same state physically, paralyzed and deformed. He is also symbolical of many today who are paralyzed by anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, and sin.
Can you imagine the scene? Jesus calls out to the cripple man who sits among many others. He commands the man: "Stand up in front of everyone." I can imagine the look of bewilderment and surprise on that man's face. I can sense his fear as he struggled within himself to face the reality of his need before friends and strangers that surrounded him. He had to make a decision: Was Jesus going going to do something for him or not?
Faith in Jesus Christ is the first step in the process of restoration and healing. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)
The next thing Jesus said to the man was "stretch out your hand." What a shocking thing to say to man with a parlyzed and deformed hand. There is no way that hand could be stretched out. The hand had not been used for years. He had become accustomed to hiding his condition for far too long. He had learned to navigate through life with his deformity. Now he was being told to reveal and acknowledge his crippling condition.
The second step in our process of restoration and healing is found in obedience. The longer this man gazed into the face of the Son of God, the more compassion and kindness he felt. He realized that Jesus would never ask anything from him that would not be beneficial for him. With his good hand, he grasped his shriveled hand and began to pull it from the folds of his garment where it had been hidden. As he lifted his hand higher and higher, he became aware of a strange sensation. His fingers began to straighten. He could hear and feel his bones cracking and his muscles and tendons stretching. He dropped his good hand and looked at his once withered hand. He was healed. His crippled hand had been restored to perfect condition.
What crisis do you face? Stand up! Stretch out your hand! Be saved, Be restored, Be healed, all in the name of Jesus Christ!
Mark 3:1-6 NIV
[1] Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. [2] Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. [3] Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone." [4] Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent. [5] He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. [6] Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
This man had a hand that was deformed. It was withered and twisted. The Gospel of Luke tells us that it was his right hand. It probably hang uselessly at his side. Perhaps it was an embarrassment to him and he kept it hidden in the folds of his garment. It may even have kept him from working in gainful employment. Tradition says that this man had been a mason or brick layer. He onced earned his living with his hands. Now he begs for bread. That hand kept him from writing, playing, and doing many things he desired. The shriveled hand was a blemish in his life. It had a crippling effect on him. There are many today in the same state physically, paralyzed and deformed. He is also symbolical of many today who are paralyzed by anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, and sin.
Can you imagine the scene? Jesus calls out to the cripple man who sits among many others. He commands the man: "Stand up in front of everyone." I can imagine the look of bewilderment and surprise on that man's face. I can sense his fear as he struggled within himself to face the reality of his need before friends and strangers that surrounded him. He had to make a decision: Was Jesus going going to do something for him or not?
Faith in Jesus Christ is the first step in the process of restoration and healing. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)
The next thing Jesus said to the man was "stretch out your hand." What a shocking thing to say to man with a parlyzed and deformed hand. There is no way that hand could be stretched out. The hand had not been used for years. He had become accustomed to hiding his condition for far too long. He had learned to navigate through life with his deformity. Now he was being told to reveal and acknowledge his crippling condition.
The second step in our process of restoration and healing is found in obedience. The longer this man gazed into the face of the Son of God, the more compassion and kindness he felt. He realized that Jesus would never ask anything from him that would not be beneficial for him. With his good hand, he grasped his shriveled hand and began to pull it from the folds of his garment where it had been hidden. As he lifted his hand higher and higher, he became aware of a strange sensation. His fingers began to straighten. He could hear and feel his bones cracking and his muscles and tendons stretching. He dropped his good hand and looked at his once withered hand. He was healed. His crippled hand had been restored to perfect condition.
What crisis do you face? Stand up! Stretch out your hand! Be saved, Be restored, Be healed, all in the name of Jesus Christ!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Pride
The Bible has a lot to say about pride and self-centeredness. Pride is destructive. In my recent reading I quote the following from David Lim's book, Spiritual Gifts, A Fresh Look.
"Pride is really a problem of insecurity. That is what drives a person to envy what others have and to lift himself up. A secure person does not need to exalt himself."
I would have to say that Jesus was the securist individual there was and is. After all, in Philippians 2:1-11 we read that he "emptied himself." He put aside his godly form and became man. He did not think that equality with God was something he had to grasp. And eventually God exalted Jesus Christ.
How secure are you? In Christ we find true identity. In Christ we can become authentic people. My favorite saying for the past few months has been a quote from Rex Miller, in his book, The Millenium Matrix: "Authenticity derives it power from a clear sense of identity."
"Pride is really a problem of insecurity. That is what drives a person to envy what others have and to lift himself up. A secure person does not need to exalt himself."
I would have to say that Jesus was the securist individual there was and is. After all, in Philippians 2:1-11 we read that he "emptied himself." He put aside his godly form and became man. He did not think that equality with God was something he had to grasp. And eventually God exalted Jesus Christ.
How secure are you? In Christ we find true identity. In Christ we can become authentic people. My favorite saying for the past few months has been a quote from Rex Miller, in his book, The Millenium Matrix: "Authenticity derives it power from a clear sense of identity."
Monday, February 19, 2007
Authentic Relevant Influence
I am presently reading a book for my AGTS graduate class called, Spiritual Gifts: A Fresh Look by David Lim. I would like to share three quotes from Lim's introduction as food for thought.
"Perfection in the person who operates the gift is not the issue - genuineness and sincerity are."
"W. I. Evans exhorts: 'The need of the Pentecostal people is not primarily to pray for the gifts. Gifts are here. Our need is to seek God and press into God in living faith so that the gifts lying dormant, enough to set the world on fire, may come into exercise.'"
"The church will be as relevant as the people who compose it and will change as the people grow with the times and mature in Christ."
Three words come to mind as I wrote these quotes: authenticity, relevancy, and influence. What are your thoughts as you read these words? Let me know.
"Perfection in the person who operates the gift is not the issue - genuineness and sincerity are."
"W. I. Evans exhorts: 'The need of the Pentecostal people is not primarily to pray for the gifts. Gifts are here. Our need is to seek God and press into God in living faith so that the gifts lying dormant, enough to set the world on fire, may come into exercise.'"
"The church will be as relevant as the people who compose it and will change as the people grow with the times and mature in Christ."
Three words come to mind as I wrote these quotes: authenticity, relevancy, and influence. What are your thoughts as you read these words? Let me know.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Sorry - no blog!
The past two days, I have been very busy with our Ministers Institute. First we got dumped on by a major snow storm. It resulted in our speaker, H.B. London being unable to get a connection into Portland. So we had to make other plans on the fly. God's word tells us to be instant in season and out - so that is what we did. We adapted and readjusted the schedule and had a marvelous time with one another and with the Lord. This much I can say - "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps" (Proverbs 16:9 New Living Translation). The life of ministry is exciting. So often the unexpected occurs - sometimes, not always what we think is good - but the LORD - He is the one that brings good out of that which we may think is not for the best. His plans and purposes are always better!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Valentine's Day
We are getting hit hard by a major "downeaster" snow storm today. It will undoubtedly wreck the plans of many who were going to do something special to celebrate today. Yesterday, Fox News was interviewing some individuals who were trying to have Valentine's day "played down" because the day did not recognize everyone (singles, etc.). That got me to thinking about why or how Valentine's day ever came to being celebrated.
H.B. London from Focus on the Family presented some traditional legends in his "Pastor's Weekly Briefing." So I quote from his email:
"Many legends have developed over the years as to the origin of Valentine's Day, but most agree that it refers to a man named Valentinus who was martyred in the late third century during the reign of Claudius II. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, three men with the name Valentinus, which was common at that time, were martyred between 269 and 273 AD. Two of the most popular legends that have endured come from the 15th Century. One claims that on the night before Valentine was to be martyred for being a Christian, he passed a love note to his jailer's daughter that read, "From your Valentine." Another states that during a ban on marriages of Roman soldiers by the Emperor Claudius II, St. Valentine secretly helped arrange marriages. Claudius felt that in order to create a perfect army, soldiers should not have to deal with the distractions of marriage. Valentine believed that men who were about to face danger and possible death could only exhibit the required bravery if they were sent off to battle with the love of a wife.
Another theory — regarding the observance of Valentine's Day on February 14 — is that it is the Church's response to the ancient Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia on February 15. In the fifth century, Pope Gelasius abolished Lupercalia and declared that the feast of St. Valentine would be on February 14.
Valentine's Day has also now become a time to celebrate the permanence of marriage and to encourage couples to renew their vows."
I hope it is not just one day a year that you recognize that special someone in your life. It should be something that occurs every day of your life. Speaking of H.B. London, he is suppose to be flying in today for our Minister's Institute which begins today. I wonder how the storm is going to disrupt our schedule? Undoubtedly, God has an alternative plan for us, if H.B. cannot make it.
H.B. London from Focus on the Family presented some traditional legends in his "Pastor's Weekly Briefing." So I quote from his email:
"Many legends have developed over the years as to the origin of Valentine's Day, but most agree that it refers to a man named Valentinus who was martyred in the late third century during the reign of Claudius II. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, three men with the name Valentinus, which was common at that time, were martyred between 269 and 273 AD. Two of the most popular legends that have endured come from the 15th Century. One claims that on the night before Valentine was to be martyred for being a Christian, he passed a love note to his jailer's daughter that read, "From your Valentine." Another states that during a ban on marriages of Roman soldiers by the Emperor Claudius II, St. Valentine secretly helped arrange marriages. Claudius felt that in order to create a perfect army, soldiers should not have to deal with the distractions of marriage. Valentine believed that men who were about to face danger and possible death could only exhibit the required bravery if they were sent off to battle with the love of a wife.
Another theory — regarding the observance of Valentine's Day on February 14 — is that it is the Church's response to the ancient Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia on February 15. In the fifth century, Pope Gelasius abolished Lupercalia and declared that the feast of St. Valentine would be on February 14.
Valentine's Day has also now become a time to celebrate the permanence of marriage and to encourage couples to renew their vows."
I hope it is not just one day a year that you recognize that special someone in your life. It should be something that occurs every day of your life. Speaking of H.B. London, he is suppose to be flying in today for our Minister's Institute which begins today. I wonder how the storm is going to disrupt our schedule? Undoubtedly, God has an alternative plan for us, if H.B. cannot make it.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Four Dimensions of God's Love
This morning, I continue with yesterday's blog. The text is Ephesians 3:14-21. There are four dimensions of God's love that Paul wants us to not just understand, but to grasp. He wants us to experience the fullness of God's love. Those dimensions describe a cube or a box. They are width, length, height, and depth. So the question, I ask you this morning is - How do you measure God's love? Most often, we measure God's love by our circumstances and situations. We measure God by what we have or don't have. We measure God's love by the prayers that He answers or does not answer. We measure God by our feelings.
It is sort of like a jack-in-the-box. As we pray for a need, the handle begins to turn. When our answer to prayer comes - God appears! But if there is no answer - if God does not appear - we think the box is broken. Our measurement of God is limited by our thoughts and understanding of God. So then how do we measure God's love?
Consider God the width of God's love. The width of God's love may be the most obvious thing that distinguishes His love from human love. We love certain people, but not others. We love certain types of people, but not others - it could be by size, weight, age, or color of skin. But God loves everybody. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." God loves everybody! The width of God's love is all inclusive!
Consider the length of God's love. This could be refering to time. God's love is from everlasting to everlasting. It isn't just available on Sunday morning. There are no "business hours" when it comes to God's love. He never takes a vacation. He is not inconvenienced or bothered by disruptions to His schedule.
It means that God never gives up on us. I must admit that mine does. When I offer people love, they have a certain amount of time to respond before I give up on them. God isn't like that. His love is more like the Energizer Bunny - it just keeps going and going and going. God's love is so long it will never let us go.
Consider the height of God's love. This might refer to a high standard or quality, for God's love far surpasses any human love that we may know. We determine quality by comparing one thing to another. There is not a thing that we can humanly compare to God's love. It far surpasses any comparison. God's love is of such high quality, that it will never let you down.
Consider the depth of God's love. Depth is used to describe the depths of the sea or the depths of a miry pit. It's also used in the parable of the seeds to describe the seed that lands on rocky soil and springs up quickly, then dies, because there is no depth to the soil. It looks good, but there is nothing to it. It like the reality TV shows - they appear to be real - but they aren't. Because there is no depth to the show.
God's love is the exact opposite. It is absolutely real! It has depth! His love also is capable of reaching into the depths of one's heart and being. He able to reach into our deepest need.
So this Valentines Day, why not allow God's box of love to be expanded in your life. My prayer for you is Paul's prayer that you may "know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
It is sort of like a jack-in-the-box. As we pray for a need, the handle begins to turn. When our answer to prayer comes - God appears! But if there is no answer - if God does not appear - we think the box is broken. Our measurement of God is limited by our thoughts and understanding of God. So then how do we measure God's love?
Consider God the width of God's love. The width of God's love may be the most obvious thing that distinguishes His love from human love. We love certain people, but not others. We love certain types of people, but not others - it could be by size, weight, age, or color of skin. But God loves everybody. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." God loves everybody! The width of God's love is all inclusive!
Consider the length of God's love. This could be refering to time. God's love is from everlasting to everlasting. It isn't just available on Sunday morning. There are no "business hours" when it comes to God's love. He never takes a vacation. He is not inconvenienced or bothered by disruptions to His schedule.
It means that God never gives up on us. I must admit that mine does. When I offer people love, they have a certain amount of time to respond before I give up on them. God isn't like that. His love is more like the Energizer Bunny - it just keeps going and going and going. God's love is so long it will never let us go.
Consider the height of God's love. This might refer to a high standard or quality, for God's love far surpasses any human love that we may know. We determine quality by comparing one thing to another. There is not a thing that we can humanly compare to God's love. It far surpasses any comparison. God's love is of such high quality, that it will never let you down.
Consider the depth of God's love. Depth is used to describe the depths of the sea or the depths of a miry pit. It's also used in the parable of the seeds to describe the seed that lands on rocky soil and springs up quickly, then dies, because there is no depth to the soil. It looks good, but there is nothing to it. It like the reality TV shows - they appear to be real - but they aren't. Because there is no depth to the show.
God's love is the exact opposite. It is absolutely real! It has depth! His love also is capable of reaching into the depths of one's heart and being. He able to reach into our deepest need.
So this Valentines Day, why not allow God's box of love to be expanded in your life. My prayer for you is Paul's prayer that you may "know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Monday, February 12, 2007
Four Dimensions of God's Love - Introduction
With Valentines Day fast approaching my thoughts turn to love. Love is more than an action or a response. It is a decision.
Paul wrote to the church these words. It is a prayer for the believers in Ephesus. In fact, his first prayer for the church at Ephesus is found in Ephesians 1:15-19. In that prayer, Paul prays that the believers might know Chist better . . . that they might know the hope to which Christ had called them . It is a prayer for knowledge and growth. But in Paul's second prayer which we are about to look at, Paul prays that the church would grasp hold of of that which would pave the way for God's work among them. He prays that they would get hold (grasp) of God's love.
Eph 3:14-21 NIV
(14) For this reason I kneel before the Father, (15) from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. (16) I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (17) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, (18) may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, (19) and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (20) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (21) to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
There is a difference between knowing God's love and experiencing God's love. Do you know about God's love or are you experiencing God's love? I know that the molecular structure of water is a combination of two molecules of Hydrogen and one molecule of water (H2O). But knowing that does not do me a bit of good on a hot sunny day in August after I have worked up a sweat mowing the lawn. I could care less about chemical composition of water. My understanding of water does not quench my thirst. My need is much greater than a deeper insight into the meaning of water. What I need is to reach into the fridge and pull out a bottle of Poland Spring water and take a good swig. If you know that God loves you, but you don't know His love, it's like someone who studies water without drinking it.
Tomorrow, we'll look at the four dimensions of God's love as described by Paul in this passage: width, length, height, and depth. Those dimensions describe a cube - a box, if you will. Just how big is this container? How big is your container? Are you boxing God in? or are you allowing God to expand your box of love?
Paul wrote to the church these words. It is a prayer for the believers in Ephesus. In fact, his first prayer for the church at Ephesus is found in Ephesians 1:15-19. In that prayer, Paul prays that the believers might know Chist better . . . that they might know the hope to which Christ had called them . It is a prayer for knowledge and growth. But in Paul's second prayer which we are about to look at, Paul prays that the church would grasp hold of of that which would pave the way for God's work among them. He prays that they would get hold (grasp) of God's love.
Eph 3:14-21 NIV
(14) For this reason I kneel before the Father, (15) from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. (16) I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (17) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, (18) may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, (19) and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (20) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (21) to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
There is a difference between knowing God's love and experiencing God's love. Do you know about God's love or are you experiencing God's love? I know that the molecular structure of water is a combination of two molecules of Hydrogen and one molecule of water (H2O). But knowing that does not do me a bit of good on a hot sunny day in August after I have worked up a sweat mowing the lawn. I could care less about chemical composition of water. My understanding of water does not quench my thirst. My need is much greater than a deeper insight into the meaning of water. What I need is to reach into the fridge and pull out a bottle of Poland Spring water and take a good swig. If you know that God loves you, but you don't know His love, it's like someone who studies water without drinking it.
Tomorrow, we'll look at the four dimensions of God's love as described by Paul in this passage: width, length, height, and depth. Those dimensions describe a cube - a box, if you will. Just how big is this container? How big is your container? Are you boxing God in? or are you allowing God to expand your box of love?
Friday, February 09, 2007
Effectiveness in the PostModern World
I am presently reading the book, Paul, the Spirit, and the
People of God by Gordon Fee. I like what Fee wrote in his Overture. It ties in with Earl's blog on the x-factor.
"If the church is going to be effective in our postmodern world, we need to stop paying mere lip service to the Spirit and to recapture Paul's perspective: the Spirit as the experienced, empowering return of God's own personal presence in and among us, who enables us to live as a radically eschatological people in the present world while we await the consummation. All the rest, including fruit and gifts (that is, ethical life and charismatic utterances in worship), serve to that end." (p xv)
Wow! Those two sentences say a lot. Have a great weekend. I'm off to Maine Bean for that fresh cup of "Cabin Comfort" on this brutally cold morning,
People of God by Gordon Fee. I like what Fee wrote in his Overture. It ties in with Earl's blog on the x-factor.
"If the church is going to be effective in our postmodern world, we need to stop paying mere lip service to the Spirit and to recapture Paul's perspective: the Spirit as the experienced, empowering return of God's own personal presence in and among us, who enables us to live as a radically eschatological people in the present world while we await the consummation. All the rest, including fruit and gifts (that is, ethical life and charismatic utterances in worship), serve to that end." (p xv)
Wow! Those two sentences say a lot. Have a great weekend. I'm off to Maine Bean for that fresh cup of "Cabin Comfort" on this brutally cold morning,
Thursday, February 08, 2007
X-Factor Blog - Check It Out!
Rather than write my own blog this morning, (I'm clueless what to write today, to be honest.) I want to redirect you to another person's blog this morning. He's a good friend and is touch with today's culture. He wrote an interesting blog on the "X-factor" in our churches. You can read Earl's blog by clicking on this link http://www.earlcreps.com/ I am sure it is going to make for some good discussion and comments.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Use it or lose it!
I was reading from Matthew 25:14-28, the words of Jesus about the prarable of the talents. He used this parable to explain or describe what the Kingdom of God is to be like with His return. Three servants are each left with a differing amount of money. To one was given five talents, to another two talents and to a third one talent. The five talent guy doubled his money while the master was away. The two talent guy doubled his amount also. But the one talent guy buried his money out of fear. The master when he returned commended both the five talent and two talent guys with the same words: "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (verses 21 and 23) But to the guy who did nothing with what had been given him, the master in the parable had words of rebuke: "You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
God has blessed each one of us in differing amounts and ways. He wants us to use that which He has blessed us with for His purposes. To ignore doing anything positive with what we have is a travesty. The warning is "use it or lose it!"
This is true in the physical world as well as the spiritual world. People who stop exercising lose the muscle that they have gained. People who use their brain and then stop using it begin to suffer memory loss. People who stop using their God given gifts and responsibilities will lose out, also. Serve the Lord with all your heart , mind, soul and strength.
God has blessed each one of us in differing amounts and ways. He wants us to use that which He has blessed us with for His purposes. To ignore doing anything positive with what we have is a travesty. The warning is "use it or lose it!"
This is true in the physical world as well as the spiritual world. People who stop exercising lose the muscle that they have gained. People who use their brain and then stop using it begin to suffer memory loss. People who stop using their God given gifts and responsibilities will lose out, also. Serve the Lord with all your heart , mind, soul and strength.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
A Storehouse of Power Within you!
Your life is more trhan a "lifeless religion" when the Holy Spirit is unleashed from within you. So the question may be asked, "What does the Holy Spirit do?" Here's a short list for you to consider.
1. He convicts us of sin.
John 16:8-9 The Message
When he comes, he'll expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin;
2. He teaches and guides us to the Truth!
John 16:13-1413 The Message
But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said.
3. He comforts us!
John 14:17 16 The Message
I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. 17 This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can't take him in because it doesn't have eyes to see him, doesn't know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!
4. He prays for us!
Rom 8:26 The Message
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.
5. He gives us Spiritual gifts.
1 Cor 12:7-8 The New Living Translation
A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.
6. He Leads us through life.
Acts 16:6-10 NIV
Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
1. He convicts us of sin.
John 16:8-9 The Message
When he comes, he'll expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin;
2. He teaches and guides us to the Truth!
John 16:13-1413 The Message
But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said.
3. He comforts us!
John 14:17 16 The Message
I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. 17 This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can't take him in because it doesn't have eyes to see him, doesn't know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!
4. He prays for us!
Rom 8:26 The Message
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.
5. He gives us Spiritual gifts.
1 Cor 12:7-8 The New Living Translation
A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.
6. He Leads us through life.
Acts 16:6-10 NIV
Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Monday, February 05, 2007
The Presence
First, let me congratulate all you Colt fans, even though I was cheering for the Bears. It's good to see Peyton Manning get a ring, to go with all his previous accolades.
I was reading Moses words, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (Exodus 33:15-16 NIV).
That word "Presence" really stands out. It is a word rich in meaning. Think about it. Nothing else can take the place of the presence of a person - no telephone call, no email, no instant message, no picture - nothing replaces presence a a very special person in your life. Presence is all about life and relationship! Moses was not going anywhere without God's Presence. He said God's Presence distinguished them from all the other people of the world. The Holy Spirit is the mark of God's Presence in the believer's life. Is the Holy Spirit making a difference in your life? Is the Presence of God distinguishing you from all others?
I was reading Moses words, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (Exodus 33:15-16 NIV).
That word "Presence" really stands out. It is a word rich in meaning. Think about it. Nothing else can take the place of the presence of a person - no telephone call, no email, no instant message, no picture - nothing replaces presence a a very special person in your life. Presence is all about life and relationship! Moses was not going anywhere without God's Presence. He said God's Presence distinguished them from all the other people of the world. The Holy Spirit is the mark of God's Presence in the believer's life. Is the Holy Spirit making a difference in your life? Is the Presence of God distinguishing you from all others?
Friday, February 02, 2007
Super Bowl Weekend
My Pats are out, but two well deserving teams are in this Sunday's Super Bowl. Hard to believe that this is the 41st game to be played. I can remember watching the first one in black and white on an old Philco TV set as Joe Namath and the NY Jets won an upset victory. I have missed few games since then. I am a subscriber to an email newsletter, "The Pastor's Weekly Briefing: by Focus on the Famly. This weeks email carried an article about the two coaches. I have cut and pasted the article in for your reading. In fact you may want to subscribe to the weekly email news yourself. Sign up today at www.parsonage.org/forms/subscriptions.cfm. It's free!
"The Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts are headed to Super Bowl XLI this Sunday. Much has been made of the fact that Lovie Smith of the Bears and Tony Dungy of the Colts will become the first African-American head coaches in the 41-year history of the NFL's marquee game. "It means a lot," said Dungy. "I'm very proud to represent African-American coaches." However, both coaches are also representing Christ. "The Lord set this up in a way that no one would believe it," said Dungy. "The Lord tested us a lot this year, but He set this up to get all the glory."
Dungy and Smith are close friends. Smith was one of Dungy's assistants when the two were with Tampa Bay from 1996-2000.
On Feb. 3, one day before the big game, Dungy will join Campus Crusade for Christ's Athletes in Action for the annual Super Bowl Breakfast, which emphasizes men of faith in football and honors those who have shown exceptional character. He was the keynote speaker at last year's breakfast, where he shared a message about God's love weeks after his 18-year-old son died from a suicide.
The Super Bowl Breakfast will announce the winner of the Bart Starr Award, honoring exemplary character and leadership. The award is one of few individual honors selected by the NFL players themselves. Finalists for this year's award are Warrick Dunn, running back for the Atlanta Falcons; John Lynch, safety for the Denver Broncos; and Peyton Manning, quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts.
Speakers at this year's breakfast will include Tony Dungy, legendary Green Bay Packers' Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr, and ex-San Francisco 49ers' All-Star tight end Brent Jones. The program will showcase life stories and personal faith testimonies of Dungy, Starr and football players from this year's Super Bowl teams. Jones will emcee the event."
Enjoy the game! I'm hosting a Super bowl party for our church's youth group. It will be an evening of fun, fellowship, and relationship building. A couple of years ago, I did this and we had nearly fifty teenagers filling the house. Go Bears!!!!!!
"The Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts are headed to Super Bowl XLI this Sunday. Much has been made of the fact that Lovie Smith of the Bears and Tony Dungy of the Colts will become the first African-American head coaches in the 41-year history of the NFL's marquee game. "It means a lot," said Dungy. "I'm very proud to represent African-American coaches." However, both coaches are also representing Christ. "The Lord set this up in a way that no one would believe it," said Dungy. "The Lord tested us a lot this year, but He set this up to get all the glory."
Dungy and Smith are close friends. Smith was one of Dungy's assistants when the two were with Tampa Bay from 1996-2000.
On Feb. 3, one day before the big game, Dungy will join Campus Crusade for Christ's Athletes in Action for the annual Super Bowl Breakfast, which emphasizes men of faith in football and honors those who have shown exceptional character. He was the keynote speaker at last year's breakfast, where he shared a message about God's love weeks after his 18-year-old son died from a suicide.
The Super Bowl Breakfast will announce the winner of the Bart Starr Award, honoring exemplary character and leadership. The award is one of few individual honors selected by the NFL players themselves. Finalists for this year's award are Warrick Dunn, running back for the Atlanta Falcons; John Lynch, safety for the Denver Broncos; and Peyton Manning, quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts.
Speakers at this year's breakfast will include Tony Dungy, legendary Green Bay Packers' Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr, and ex-San Francisco 49ers' All-Star tight end Brent Jones. The program will showcase life stories and personal faith testimonies of Dungy, Starr and football players from this year's Super Bowl teams. Jones will emcee the event."
Enjoy the game! I'm hosting a Super bowl party for our church's youth group. It will be an evening of fun, fellowship, and relationship building. A couple of years ago, I did this and we had nearly fifty teenagers filling the house. Go Bears!!!!!!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
What do people notice about you?
In reading Acts 3:1-10, think about three these three thoughts. Peter and John are on the way to the Temple to pray when they see a crippled beggar.
1. What did the cripple man see when Peter and John said, "Look at us."? Did the man notice what they were wearing? Did he see just a physical appearance of Peter or John? or did he something more? Just what do people see when they look at you?
2. You can't give what you don't have. Peter and John did not have any silver or gold to give to the beggar. But they did have something else to give - the power of Jesus Christ within them, to heal the man. What do you have to give? Spiritual power or material resources? What is needed more in your life?
3. What you do have to give, where does it come from? Peter and John reveal the source of their power in their response to the amazed crowd that witness the healing. "Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we have made this man walk?" (Acts 3:12) Later in Acts 4:7, the religious leaders questioned Peter and John, "By what power or what name did you do this?" In verse 13 of Acts 4, the religious took note that Peter and John were just "unschooled, ordinary men" who had been with Jesus. Where does what you do have come from? Is it from God? Is it from self effort?
1. What did the cripple man see when Peter and John said, "Look at us."? Did the man notice what they were wearing? Did he see just a physical appearance of Peter or John? or did he something more? Just what do people see when they look at you?
2. You can't give what you don't have. Peter and John did not have any silver or gold to give to the beggar. But they did have something else to give - the power of Jesus Christ within them, to heal the man. What do you have to give? Spiritual power or material resources? What is needed more in your life?
3. What you do have to give, where does it come from? Peter and John reveal the source of their power in their response to the amazed crowd that witness the healing. "Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we have made this man walk?" (Acts 3:12) Later in Acts 4:7, the religious leaders questioned Peter and John, "By what power or what name did you do this?" In verse 13 of Acts 4, the religious took note that Peter and John were just "unschooled, ordinary men" who had been with Jesus. Where does what you do have come from? Is it from God? Is it from self effort?
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