This last Tuesday at the Indie small group we started a video series by Francis Chan called "Crazy Love". We watched the first session even though we had not read chapter 1 of the book and, even without the reading material, it was great.
Side note: it was so good that the group that evening unanimously decided we wanted to purchase the reading material so we could go all out with this study.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
Francis spoke about prayer. More specifically he spoke about the way we approach prayer. He posed the question, "If you saw God face to face, what would the first words out of your mouth be?"
That's a good question because for a very long time, when I prayed, it was really like I was praying with closed eyes to a God who was off in the distance listening in an aloof manner. It was like prayer was a time to ask God for answers and help, which is is!
But it is so much more too!
I can recall Joe telling stories of the prayers proclaimed when he was in Zambia and how they were full of people blessing the Lord. They did not just ask of God but they also steadfastly blessed Him. I admit, it took entirely too long for this point to sink in and make a difference in my prayer life.
We pray, yes, but we don't have to limit ourselves to requests. Our time praying can be spent in prayer of blessing and honoring and glorifying and praising our King.
I'm starting to spend more time in prayer just thanking God and blessing Him and it puts my heart in a completely different place. My heart is so incredibly more able to understand His mercy and marvel at His grace. It feels like I've gone from bowing with eyes closed and turned away to standing and gazing into the eyes if my Savior as I personally tell to Him every request and petition.
I am filled with renewed inspiration and motivation to do what He calls me to do.
This week we came across a challenge within our memory verse:
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other
-Romans 12:10
Prayerfully transforming (and loving it),
Hailey
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Stoke the Fire.
So this morning I was a little melancholy. I knew that needed to spend some time in God's word, but was lacking inspiration. Fortunately I had subscribed to a 14 day devotion plan for my phone on Youversion.com by worship leader and songwriter Matt Redman. Matt wrote the song 10,000 reasons, that we used this month as our song of Thanksgiving. His devotion "fires" was "exactly" what I needed. Here it is. For more information, please visit: www.mattredman.com.
Fires by Matt Redman
“God who keeps our fires burning, burning through the darkest night.”
Sometimes life around us can develop a really negative and cynical tone. It could be a discouraging news story or a conversation about ‘what’s wrong with the world’- but you don’t have to venture too far to find a dreary outlook or hopeless mindset. As worshippers of Jesus it’s important we don’t let this attitude seep into our hearts and minds. We’re not to be escapist Christians who keep themselves from the reality of the world, and nor are we to sing a merry song over and above all the pain and noise in an attempt to ignore it or drown it out. No. We must engage with the issues of the day and run headlong into the culture around us. But at the same time we’re called to maintain a different mindset in the midst of it- never losing hope, never giving up on joy, and becoming bright-thinking worshippers, full of truth-filled optimism.
That’s exactly why I love Psalm 18 so much. Towards the beginning of the psalm it’s clear that the writer is not living an easy or hassle-free existence. But still his confidence is in God:
“You O Lord keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” (v.28)
Apply that bright-thinking to our own life today- and let it infuse confidence into all the challenges that may be facing you. God will keep your fires burning, and He will keep the dreams alive.
Psalms 18:28
Thanks to Matt as God's provision to encourage my heart today. I hope you were strengthened as I was.
Joe
Fires by Matt Redman
“God who keeps our fires burning, burning through the darkest night.”
Sometimes life around us can develop a really negative and cynical tone. It could be a discouraging news story or a conversation about ‘what’s wrong with the world’- but you don’t have to venture too far to find a dreary outlook or hopeless mindset. As worshippers of Jesus it’s important we don’t let this attitude seep into our hearts and minds. We’re not to be escapist Christians who keep themselves from the reality of the world, and nor are we to sing a merry song over and above all the pain and noise in an attempt to ignore it or drown it out. No. We must engage with the issues of the day and run headlong into the culture around us. But at the same time we’re called to maintain a different mindset in the midst of it- never losing hope, never giving up on joy, and becoming bright-thinking worshippers, full of truth-filled optimism.
That’s exactly why I love Psalm 18 so much. Towards the beginning of the psalm it’s clear that the writer is not living an easy or hassle-free existence. But still his confidence is in God:
“You O Lord keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” (v.28)
Apply that bright-thinking to our own life today- and let it infuse confidence into all the challenges that may be facing you. God will keep your fires burning, and He will keep the dreams alive.
Psalms 18:28
Thanks to Matt as God's provision to encourage my heart today. I hope you were strengthened as I was.
Joe
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Jesus of Nazareth.
Yesterday I was reading In John 1 and came across this story about Jesus encountering Nathanael that reads, "43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Come, be my disciple." 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter's hometown. 45 Philip went off to look for Nathanael and told him, "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth." 46 "Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael. "Can anything good come from there?" "Just come and see for yourself," Philip said. 47 As they approached, Jesus said, "Here comes an honest man -- a true son of Israel."
I find this interaction intriguing. Philip meets Jesus and believes that He is the Messiah. He goes to find his friend Nathanael to share the great news and Nathanael does not respond very enthusiastically at first. He initially struggles in seeing Jesus as the Messiah because of the word 'Nazareth'. To the Jewish people, to be from Nazareth, was to be from the wrong side of the tracks. Yet that is what God does in the incarnation. Perfect and holy God chooses to identify with the least of these. He chooses to feel the sting of being the butt of everyone's jokes. That is why He is our perfect high priest who knows our pain and struggles.
Even in the midst of Nathanael's judgment of Jesus, Jesus declares Nathanael an honest man. Nathanael seems to be the guy who just shares what's really in his heart and doesn't just tell you what he thinks you want to hear. Nathanael honestly had difficulty with Jesus the first time he met him. But what I love about Nathanael is that he was willing to go and meet Jesus himself before writing Him off completely. Once Nathanael meets Jesus, his life is changed forever. I also love Philip's role in this story. He was that person who wouldn't give up on his lost friend and was able to love his friend through his struggles to believe. Eventually he experienced the joy of introducing his friend to Jesus.
Maybe you know a Nathanael today who is searching but struggling with Jesus. Maybe today is a day to pray for them and maybe even reach out to them through a phone call or a get together and lovingly lead them towards a life-changing encounter with Christ.
in Christ,
Brian
I find this interaction intriguing. Philip meets Jesus and believes that He is the Messiah. He goes to find his friend Nathanael to share the great news and Nathanael does not respond very enthusiastically at first. He initially struggles in seeing Jesus as the Messiah because of the word 'Nazareth'. To the Jewish people, to be from Nazareth, was to be from the wrong side of the tracks. Yet that is what God does in the incarnation. Perfect and holy God chooses to identify with the least of these. He chooses to feel the sting of being the butt of everyone's jokes. That is why He is our perfect high priest who knows our pain and struggles.
Even in the midst of Nathanael's judgment of Jesus, Jesus declares Nathanael an honest man. Nathanael seems to be the guy who just shares what's really in his heart and doesn't just tell you what he thinks you want to hear. Nathanael honestly had difficulty with Jesus the first time he met him. But what I love about Nathanael is that he was willing to go and meet Jesus himself before writing Him off completely. Once Nathanael meets Jesus, his life is changed forever. I also love Philip's role in this story. He was that person who wouldn't give up on his lost friend and was able to love his friend through his struggles to believe. Eventually he experienced the joy of introducing his friend to Jesus.
Maybe you know a Nathanael today who is searching but struggling with Jesus. Maybe today is a day to pray for them and maybe even reach out to them through a phone call or a get together and lovingly lead them towards a life-changing encounter with Christ.
in Christ,
Brian
Monday, November 26, 2012
Act of Marriage - Put on Love.
As Brian shared about how marriage can be like cultivating a garden, I thought about how exciting it is when the harvest comes in. How a good crop produces vegetables and fruit that are both beautiful and delicious. I have even seen artwork depicting a cornucopia of different fruits and vegetables. There is great satisfaction and celebration when the harvest finally comes in.
However, there is a great deal of strategic and arduous work that precedes the harvest. The "fruit of one's labour" is preceded by action and lots of it.
@RickWarren writes, "Don't wait for inspiration to create action. Let your action create inspiration."
That if we choose to speak kind words, we will begin to feel more kind.
That if we will act in a loving way, our hearts will begin to feel a greater love.
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Put in Love.
Sometimes when I put on some new clothes, I just feel energized. Paul tells us to clothe ourselves with all these virtues and most of all to put on love. Action then feeling. So that's what mature love is. A love that works first, then is swept into the powerful emotion of love by the very momentum of it's on action.
Great work if you can get it,
Joe
However, there is a great deal of strategic and arduous work that precedes the harvest. The "fruit of one's labour" is preceded by action and lots of it.
@RickWarren writes, "Don't wait for inspiration to create action. Let your action create inspiration."
That if we choose to speak kind words, we will begin to feel more kind.
That if we will act in a loving way, our hearts will begin to feel a greater love.
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Put in Love.
Sometimes when I put on some new clothes, I just feel energized. Paul tells us to clothe ourselves with all these virtues and most of all to put on love. Action then feeling. So that's what mature love is. A love that works first, then is swept into the powerful emotion of love by the very momentum of it's on action.
Great work if you can get it,
Joe
Friday, November 23, 2012
Still Grateful (Even if it's Friday)
Well today is Friday or more well-known as Black Friday. By the time you are reading this people have already been shopping the deals all through the night. I would like to linger upon Thanksgiving a little bit more. I think that Thanksgiving is a concept that should be a part of every day. Can we ever be grateful enough? I am grateful that God has adopted me as His son. I am grateful that He gives me wisdom when I ask.
I am grateful to have a Bible that I can read and understand. I am grateful to have had men throughout my life who have taught me the Scriptures and challenged me to be a godly man. I am grateful for a church family who supports me and encourages me. I am grateful that God will direct my path when I trust in Him. I am grateful that God is my creator, my provider, my healer, my shepherd, my rock, my refuge, my king, my comforter, and my father. I am grateful that God is my ever present help in time of need.
I am grateful that God Himself resides in me through His Spirit. I am grateful that He gives me strength when I am weak. I am grateful that when He calls me, He also will equip me. I am grateful that in Him is joy, peace and life. I am grateful that He is my portion and that He is enough for me. I am grateful that He gives me living water. I am grateful that He gives me abundant life.
I am grateful that only in Him do I understand real love. I am grateful that He is incredibly patient with me and slow to anger. I am grateful that I am His masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works. I am grateful to be get to be a small part of His plan in rescuing a lost world.
Grateful today,
Brian
I am grateful to have a Bible that I can read and understand. I am grateful to have had men throughout my life who have taught me the Scriptures and challenged me to be a godly man. I am grateful for a church family who supports me and encourages me. I am grateful that God will direct my path when I trust in Him. I am grateful that God is my creator, my provider, my healer, my shepherd, my rock, my refuge, my king, my comforter, and my father. I am grateful that God is my ever present help in time of need.
I am grateful that God Himself resides in me through His Spirit. I am grateful that He gives me strength when I am weak. I am grateful that when He calls me, He also will equip me. I am grateful that in Him is joy, peace and life. I am grateful that He is my portion and that He is enough for me. I am grateful that He gives me living water. I am grateful that He gives me abundant life.
I am grateful that only in Him do I understand real love. I am grateful that He is incredibly patient with me and slow to anger. I am grateful that I am His masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works. I am grateful to be get to be a small part of His plan in rescuing a lost world.
Grateful today,
Brian
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thanksgiving.
We've been singing 10,000 Reasons a lot recently. It has been a great song to keep in mind as we celebrate Thanksgiving today, especially in the second verse where it recounts just a few things about God, Himself, that we can be grateful for and yet how many more things we can find a reason to be thankful.
You're rich in love and You're slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all of Your goodness I will keep on singing
10,000 reasons for my heart to find
I know it seems a bit cliche, but today before you dive into your feast and before you ask the Lord to bless the rich meal, why not think of one thing that you can be really thankful for. 10,000 is a lot to list out but coming up with just a handful can be easy.
I'm thankful for a merciful God that loves me even through all my mistakes, and for the many gifts he has given me.
I'm thankful for being blessed with a beautiful family and precious friends that mean just as much to me.
I'm thankful that I live in a place where I can unashamedly represent my God everyday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hailey
You're rich in love and You're slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all of Your goodness I will keep on singing
10,000 reasons for my heart to find
I know it seems a bit cliche, but today before you dive into your feast and before you ask the Lord to bless the rich meal, why not think of one thing that you can be really thankful for. 10,000 is a lot to list out but coming up with just a handful can be easy.
I'm thankful for a merciful God that loves me even through all my mistakes, and for the many gifts he has given me.
I'm thankful for being blessed with a beautiful family and precious friends that mean just as much to me.
I'm thankful that I live in a place where I can unashamedly represent my God everyday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hailey
Who are you going to agree with?
Bob Kauflin writes, "Satan uses the reality of our sin to condemn & make us hopeless. The Spirit uses it to convict and point us to Christ.
Our sin is real. So who do we agree with?
Do we remain under condemnation and hopelessness, leading to despair?
Do we minimize sins importance and in doing so trivialize the sacrifice Jesus' made on the cross?
Or do we acknowledge our sin, confess it and receive, once again, the grace of the Faithful One, Jesus Christ?
1 John 2:1-2
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
May all truth point us to Christ, even the truth of our own weakness and propensity to wander.
In His Grip,
Joe
Our sin is real. So who do we agree with?
Do we remain under condemnation and hopelessness, leading to despair?
Do we minimize sins importance and in doing so trivialize the sacrifice Jesus' made on the cross?
Or do we acknowledge our sin, confess it and receive, once again, the grace of the Faithful One, Jesus Christ?
1 John 2:1-2
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
May all truth point us to Christ, even the truth of our own weakness and propensity to wander.
In His Grip,
Joe
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Which version will you choose?
How deep does our trust in Christ go? We are all somewhere along that continuum. On Sunday we were discussing Mark 8 in our Sunday morning classes. in verses 34-35 Jesus says to the disciples and the crowd, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.'
So basically following Jesus is surrendering our own version of how we want our life to go and accepting God's version of our life. It also means that we have to carry a cross of shame and suffering just like Jesus did. Lastly it means that our highest aim and motive in all we do is that Jesus would be lifted up and the gospel would go forth. What if we asked ourself this question everytime we made a decision: 'which decision will bring more glory to Jesus and more progress for the gospel?'
I pray that you and me will take another step deeper into this life today. May we dare to enter into the awesome and powerful and dangerous life that God has prepared for us. May we not settle for the plastic, comfortable and 'safe' life that our flesh tries to pull us towards.
In Christ,
Brian
So basically following Jesus is surrendering our own version of how we want our life to go and accepting God's version of our life. It also means that we have to carry a cross of shame and suffering just like Jesus did. Lastly it means that our highest aim and motive in all we do is that Jesus would be lifted up and the gospel would go forth. What if we asked ourself this question everytime we made a decision: 'which decision will bring more glory to Jesus and more progress for the gospel?'
I pray that you and me will take another step deeper into this life today. May we dare to enter into the awesome and powerful and dangerous life that God has prepared for us. May we not settle for the plastic, comfortable and 'safe' life that our flesh tries to pull us towards.
In Christ,
Brian
Monday, November 19, 2012
Sweet Release.
Today's blog is by my sister-in-law Carol Maddrey McKinney. It was her facebook post last night.
Today I watched a little girl, oh about 7 years old, go down to the altar to pray.
When she finished a few moments later, she skipped back to her seat.
If only we adults could leave our burdens like that.
"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you: he will never let the righteous fail." Psalm 55:22
Believe it, then skip back to your seat.
Joe
Today I watched a little girl, oh about 7 years old, go down to the altar to pray.
When she finished a few moments later, she skipped back to her seat.
If only we adults could leave our burdens like that.
"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you: he will never let the righteous fail." Psalm 55:22
Believe it, then skip back to your seat.
Joe
Friday, November 16, 2012
The Cornerstone is also the Rock of Stumbling.
I am excited also about the new song Cornerstone that Hailey wrote about yesterday. I was reading yesterday in 1 Peter 2. In there it speaks of Jesus not only as the Cornerstone but as the Rock that causes people to fall or the Stumbling Block to those who do not believe (1 Peter 2:8). Listen to these words, '4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.'
I love that....'rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him...' As we come to Jesus as our Living Stone and Cornerstone our lives are transformed. Our lives truly do become part of Him and His family and His righteousness covers us. We become His people and we receive mercy instead of judgment because of the cross. Indeed in Christ, we also are chosen by God and precious to him as His children.
But....just like Him we are called to be on display and be subjected to the rejection of men. Just like Noah built the ark in the middle of town out where everyone could see and mock this follwer of God, we are called to let our light shine that we 'may declare the praises of him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light.' (1 Peter 2:9b) As we live for Him, speak of Him, sing about Him some will believe and some will mock.
When our lives are built on shifting sand, we are unable to handle the rejection of men. When our lives are built on the Cornerstone of Jesus Christ, then we are able to stand up when we are slandered and falsely accused, because our identity and purpose are eternally secure in Jesus. So I encourage you today to let your mind and soul receive the blessings that are yours in Christ, so that, when the curses of men come at you they will pale in comparison.
in Christ,
Brian
I love that....'rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him...' As we come to Jesus as our Living Stone and Cornerstone our lives are transformed. Our lives truly do become part of Him and His family and His righteousness covers us. We become His people and we receive mercy instead of judgment because of the cross. Indeed in Christ, we also are chosen by God and precious to him as His children.
But....just like Him we are called to be on display and be subjected to the rejection of men. Just like Noah built the ark in the middle of town out where everyone could see and mock this follwer of God, we are called to let our light shine that we 'may declare the praises of him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light.' (1 Peter 2:9b) As we live for Him, speak of Him, sing about Him some will believe and some will mock.
When our lives are built on shifting sand, we are unable to handle the rejection of men. When our lives are built on the Cornerstone of Jesus Christ, then we are able to stand up when we are slandered and falsely accused, because our identity and purpose are eternally secure in Jesus. So I encourage you today to let your mind and soul receive the blessings that are yours in Christ, so that, when the curses of men come at you they will pale in comparison.
in Christ,
Brian
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Cornerstone.
I am crazy excited about a new song we are going to sing this week.
Crazy.
Excited.
The song is called "Cornerstone" and it is actually a repurposing, if you will, of an old hymn and is featured on the newest Hillsong Live album.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus' name
Christ alone, Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Savior's blood
Through the storm He is Lord
Lord of all
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh, may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless, stand before the throne
Oh, how I wish so badly that I could just sing those words to you right now. The very first line is so powerful, "my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness". But as poignant as that is I think my favorite is actually verse 3 where it says, "when He shall come with trumpet sound, oh, may I then in Him be found". How I so desperately want to be found in Christ. When those trumpets call out I hope I'm standing with hands raised and praise flowing from my lips.
Sometimes worship gets so deep and so personal and so overwhelming that it hurts, physically even. But it is the most beautiful feeling accompanied by the most AWEsome knowledge of eternal salvation.
Here is a link to the video of is song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izrk-erhDdk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Let us not be silent. Let us praise our God.
Psalm 30:12 that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Let us commit is verse to memory this week.
In Him I am found,
Hailey
Crazy.
Excited.
The song is called "Cornerstone" and it is actually a repurposing, if you will, of an old hymn and is featured on the newest Hillsong Live album.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus' name
Christ alone, Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Savior's blood
Through the storm He is Lord
Lord of all
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh, may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless, stand before the throne
Oh, how I wish so badly that I could just sing those words to you right now. The very first line is so powerful, "my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness". But as poignant as that is I think my favorite is actually verse 3 where it says, "when He shall come with trumpet sound, oh, may I then in Him be found". How I so desperately want to be found in Christ. When those trumpets call out I hope I'm standing with hands raised and praise flowing from my lips.
Sometimes worship gets so deep and so personal and so overwhelming that it hurts, physically even. But it is the most beautiful feeling accompanied by the most AWEsome knowledge of eternal salvation.
Here is a link to the video of is song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izrk-erhDdk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Let us not be silent. Let us praise our God.
Psalm 30:12 that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Let us commit is verse to memory this week.
In Him I am found,
Hailey
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Powerless. (guest blog by Greg Johnson, founder and CEO of The David Project)
(http://thedavidproject.com/)
I am the least handy person I know. No, really. A few years ago, I took my car to Goodyear because one of my tail lights was out. I asked them if they could fix it. Of course, they said they could. Then I asked, “Should I leave it with you or wait?” They looked puzzled by my question, which I didn’t understand. They said I could wait. It took them about 2 minutes, which was a clue that it may not have been quite as difficult as I suspected. So, not only am I not handy, I’m not too smart either. $10 for a $1.49 replacement bulb confirms that fact.
Last weekend, I was changing out a light socket that was broken in one of the girl’s rooms. I took the cover off and started poking around with a screwdriver. Yvonne kept saying, “Go turn the power off before you do that.” Oh please – I’m a man!!! As she was telling me that about the 5th time, I hit it with the screwdriver just right and sparks literally bolted from the outlet. So, even though the thing was broken, I learned a “powerful” lesson. There was still current flowing in and around the outlet, it just needed to be harnessed so it could function correctly. And I peed exactly one drop.
I think my walk with Christ has often mirrored that broken outlet – ridiculous power available, but I either refuse, or don’t even realize that I need to make the necessary adjustments to harness it. Paul talks about that very thing in his second letter to Timothy, chapter 3. He uses the phrase, “…having a form of godliness, but denying its power…” (v5) That sums up a lot of what I see in Christianity today, especially in Western culture. Miraculous things are happening by God’s power all over the world every day – healings, dreams and visions – but we don’t see it much in our culture. Why? Well, there many reasons, but probably the biggest one is that we are satisfied just looking enough like Jesus to satisfy our “church peeps” but are too emboldened to the world to really effectively access the power of God. In short, we want enough of God to make us feel better about ourselves, but not enough of him to really change our lives, and consequently, the lives of those around us. Accessing the power available is in direct correlation to the time we spend practicing Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Often, I don’t want to go there, because I am afraid of what it might cost me. And so I sit, a broken outlet on the wall; Lots of power waiting to be accessed, but in desperate need of repair to be used for the purpose intended.
I’m no rocket scientist, but Paul obviously knew there was incredible power accessible to ALL of us. In fact, his leader, Jesus, said in the book of John: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these…” (14:12) He goes on to tell his disciples that he is sending a helper, the Holy Spirit, to help them access the power. So, if I am truly a follower of Jesus, and through him have the power of the all-knowing, all-powerful God living inside of me, but live a powerless existence, then something is wrong. Either I have embraced inaccurate doctrine or I am satisfied with just enough to get by. It’s sad either way. The good news is, IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY! Get rid of the broken things in your life that are hindering the flow of the current of the power of God, embrace what Jesus himself said – that through him we can do even greater things than he himself did – and you’ll be SHOCKED by the results (pun intended). According to Jesus, there MUST be more than this…
By the way, in case you were wondering, I didn’t get electrocuted and I successfully replaced the outlet. Turns out Goodyear doesn’t make house calls
I am the least handy person I know. No, really. A few years ago, I took my car to Goodyear because one of my tail lights was out. I asked them if they could fix it. Of course, they said they could. Then I asked, “Should I leave it with you or wait?” They looked puzzled by my question, which I didn’t understand. They said I could wait. It took them about 2 minutes, which was a clue that it may not have been quite as difficult as I suspected. So, not only am I not handy, I’m not too smart either. $10 for a $1.49 replacement bulb confirms that fact.
Last weekend, I was changing out a light socket that was broken in one of the girl’s rooms. I took the cover off and started poking around with a screwdriver. Yvonne kept saying, “Go turn the power off before you do that.” Oh please – I’m a man!!! As she was telling me that about the 5th time, I hit it with the screwdriver just right and sparks literally bolted from the outlet. So, even though the thing was broken, I learned a “powerful” lesson. There was still current flowing in and around the outlet, it just needed to be harnessed so it could function correctly. And I peed exactly one drop.
I think my walk with Christ has often mirrored that broken outlet – ridiculous power available, but I either refuse, or don’t even realize that I need to make the necessary adjustments to harness it. Paul talks about that very thing in his second letter to Timothy, chapter 3. He uses the phrase, “…having a form of godliness, but denying its power…” (v5) That sums up a lot of what I see in Christianity today, especially in Western culture. Miraculous things are happening by God’s power all over the world every day – healings, dreams and visions – but we don’t see it much in our culture. Why? Well, there many reasons, but probably the biggest one is that we are satisfied just looking enough like Jesus to satisfy our “church peeps” but are too emboldened to the world to really effectively access the power of God. In short, we want enough of God to make us feel better about ourselves, but not enough of him to really change our lives, and consequently, the lives of those around us. Accessing the power available is in direct correlation to the time we spend practicing Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Often, I don’t want to go there, because I am afraid of what it might cost me. And so I sit, a broken outlet on the wall; Lots of power waiting to be accessed, but in desperate need of repair to be used for the purpose intended.
I’m no rocket scientist, but Paul obviously knew there was incredible power accessible to ALL of us. In fact, his leader, Jesus, said in the book of John: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these…” (14:12) He goes on to tell his disciples that he is sending a helper, the Holy Spirit, to help them access the power. So, if I am truly a follower of Jesus, and through him have the power of the all-knowing, all-powerful God living inside of me, but live a powerless existence, then something is wrong. Either I have embraced inaccurate doctrine or I am satisfied with just enough to get by. It’s sad either way. The good news is, IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY! Get rid of the broken things in your life that are hindering the flow of the current of the power of God, embrace what Jesus himself said – that through him we can do even greater things than he himself did – and you’ll be SHOCKED by the results (pun intended). According to Jesus, there MUST be more than this…
By the way, in case you were wondering, I didn’t get electrocuted and I successfully replaced the outlet. Turns out Goodyear doesn’t make house calls
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The scars that remain.
Yesterday as I was driving to work I was listening to an essay written by a 17 year old girl about veterans. It was a powerful writing because it dared to enter into the brutal realites of those who have had to go off to war. It reminded me that those who have served our country, even if they survive, are truly never the same. There are scars, wounds, losses, lost friends, and haunting flashbacks that they continue to bear the rest of their days. It is impossible to do what they do and return back to normal as if nothing happened.
Jesus went to war against sin and death. He walked into a brutal camp of Roman soldiers and a mob that was taunting Him and crying out for His death. He endured sleeplessness, misery, taunting, physical pain after physical pain, and eventually death. Just like our veterans, Jesus will never be able to shake the scars of His war on sin. In fact, in God's final kingdom, we will all have new bodies that are perfect and free of scars and blemishes, except one person, Jesus Christ.
Forever, Jesus will bear the scars from that one day back in history when a roman soldier hammered nails through his feet and hands. He will forever bear the scar of a sword through His side. He will forever be seen as the 'Lamb, looking as if it had been slain' (Revelation 5:6). That is the cost of freedom. So maybe a gift we give to veterans and to Jesus is the gift of grateful lives. Let's not take the freedom they have fought to give us for granted. Let's live honorably and well. As it says in Philippians 1:27, "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.'
Grateful,
Brian
Jesus went to war against sin and death. He walked into a brutal camp of Roman soldiers and a mob that was taunting Him and crying out for His death. He endured sleeplessness, misery, taunting, physical pain after physical pain, and eventually death. Just like our veterans, Jesus will never be able to shake the scars of His war on sin. In fact, in God's final kingdom, we will all have new bodies that are perfect and free of scars and blemishes, except one person, Jesus Christ.
Forever, Jesus will bear the scars from that one day back in history when a roman soldier hammered nails through his feet and hands. He will forever bear the scar of a sword through His side. He will forever be seen as the 'Lamb, looking as if it had been slain' (Revelation 5:6). That is the cost of freedom. So maybe a gift we give to veterans and to Jesus is the gift of grateful lives. Let's not take the freedom they have fought to give us for granted. Let's live honorably and well. As it says in Philippians 1:27, "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.'
Grateful,
Brian
Monday, November 12, 2012
Put the beauty of God on display.
John Piper writes, "Suppose that you were standing by the Grand Canyon at sunset with two other people. You become deeply moved and utter the words, "This is beautiful; this is glorious." The person beside you says, "Beautiful? It's just a big, ugly ditch." And the third person says, "I guess I hear what both of you are saying. And I think those are equally valid statements."
What?
Seriously?
So is beauty entirely subjective?
Is it only in the eye of the beholder?
I believe beauty existed in eternity past and that it originates in God and from God and that He is the standard by which all beauty is measured. To know God is to experience beauty in it's purest form.
King David knew this truth and experienced it personally.
He wrote, One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple. Psalms 27:4
When we experience the beauty of God, our response will be one of wonder and worship.
Hope you have a beautiful day.
A day of wonder and worship,
Joe
What?
Seriously?
So is beauty entirely subjective?
Is it only in the eye of the beholder?
I believe beauty existed in eternity past and that it originates in God and from God and that He is the standard by which all beauty is measured. To know God is to experience beauty in it's purest form.
King David knew this truth and experienced it personally.
He wrote, One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple. Psalms 27:4
When we experience the beauty of God, our response will be one of wonder and worship.
Hope you have a beautiful day.
A day of wonder and worship,
Joe
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Washing Horses.
This week a couple of friends of mine are out of town so I am taking care of their animals. It is a menagerie of characters and I love it.
Monday, after a nice ride in the afternoon, I decide to give the horses a good bath. Well, about 2 horses in I realized that after I put them back into the pasture they were promptly rolling in the dirt and becoming filthy. I had gone to all that effort to tie them up and clean them, wipe them down and make the dogs leave them alone through the whole ordeal. And then they just go and get dirty like I hadn't done a thing. How ungrateful.
But I really couldn't help but think, "Isn't this what we do time and time again?"
We get dirty and covered in our sin, God comes along and lovingly wipes us clean.
Then, whether we do so intentionally or not, we wander off and get covered in dirt again.
And God, ever faithful, cleans us every time.
I'll tell you that there are 5 dirty horses and I don't have plans to clean them. I decided that was more work than I wanted to expend on a task I knew they would prove to be futile.
But I am thankful God doesn't feel that way. And no matter how dirty we get we can always come back to Him and be made clean.
Beautiful.
Washed clean,
Hailey
Monday, after a nice ride in the afternoon, I decide to give the horses a good bath. Well, about 2 horses in I realized that after I put them back into the pasture they were promptly rolling in the dirt and becoming filthy. I had gone to all that effort to tie them up and clean them, wipe them down and make the dogs leave them alone through the whole ordeal. And then they just go and get dirty like I hadn't done a thing. How ungrateful.
But I really couldn't help but think, "Isn't this what we do time and time again?"
We get dirty and covered in our sin, God comes along and lovingly wipes us clean.
Then, whether we do so intentionally or not, we wander off and get covered in dirt again.
And God, ever faithful, cleans us every time.
I'll tell you that there are 5 dirty horses and I don't have plans to clean them. I decided that was more work than I wanted to expend on a task I knew they would prove to be futile.
But I am thankful God doesn't feel that way. And no matter how dirty we get we can always come back to Him and be made clean.
Beautiful.
Washed clean,
Hailey
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Living Hope.
As I post this, the election is undecided.
But before I enjoy a peaceful sleep, I want to share a thought.
As I scrolled through my social media, I saw this from Rick Warren, he tweeted,
"Our hope is not in the man we put in the White House,
But in the Man we put on the cross."
My hope is in the One, who I put on the cross. An amazing thought and even more an amazing love.
Romans 5:8 Paul writes, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Through Christ Jesus, we have a Living Hope.
Peter writes, " Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 1 Peter 1:3-4
I'm reminded of the line from the great hymn,
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness,
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
King Jesus.
With Hope,
Joe
But before I enjoy a peaceful sleep, I want to share a thought.
As I scrolled through my social media, I saw this from Rick Warren, he tweeted,
"Our hope is not in the man we put in the White House,
But in the Man we put on the cross."
My hope is in the One, who I put on the cross. An amazing thought and even more an amazing love.
Romans 5:8 Paul writes, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Through Christ Jesus, we have a Living Hope.
Peter writes, " Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 1 Peter 1:3-4
I'm reminded of the line from the great hymn,
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness,
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
King Jesus.
With Hope,
Joe
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Election Day.
Today is election day. Today is a day that we have the privilege to go and cast our vote for the men and women who we feel will lead our country the best. Today is a day that we get to be a part of entrusting power and authority to others who will make decisions and help pass laws that will impact all of us negatively or positively. At the end of today we will all receive the news regarding who will be leading our nation for the next four years. With that in mind, I was reflecting on a couple of scriptures that I think are particularly relevant on this Tuesday:
'1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.'- Romans 13:1....So no matter who wins today, God is ultimately the One who gives authority and takes it away.
'1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth' - 1 Timothy 2:1-4...So whoever holds the office of president tomorrow night, we need to be praying for them and not preying upon them, and asking God that they might lead our country well.
Also, let's remember that no matter what happens today, the hope of the world is not a government, but it is the church. Jesus said that He 'will build His church and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.' (Matthew 16:18b). So go and vote today....Go and pray today....Go and be the light today and trust in the One who holds everything in His hand and remember that history is 'His Story'.
in Christ,
Brian
'1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.'- Romans 13:1....So no matter who wins today, God is ultimately the One who gives authority and takes it away.
'1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth' - 1 Timothy 2:1-4...So whoever holds the office of president tomorrow night, we need to be praying for them and not preying upon them, and asking God that they might lead our country well.
Also, let's remember that no matter what happens today, the hope of the world is not a government, but it is the church. Jesus said that He 'will build His church and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.' (Matthew 16:18b). So go and vote today....Go and pray today....Go and be the light today and trust in the One who holds everything in His hand and remember that history is 'His Story'.
in Christ,
Brian
Monday, November 5, 2012
People In Love Do Crazy Things.
I actually have heard people say, it's okay to be a Christian, just don't get too excited about it.
C.S. Lewis writes, "Christianity, if false is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important."
I would say that if we truly love God there should be some obsessive, inexplicable behavior in our lives.
There should be some "over the top" behavior,
such as giving to the poor, or going on a mission trip, or serving at a homeless shelter.
Or reading the "whole" bible in a year, or praying out loud everyday, on your knees.
Or fasting, or teaching a bible study......in a prison.
Or moving to China to be a missionary, or giving away a car, or sponsoring multiple orphans, or adopting one into your home.
Or visiting a shut in everyday, or paying for someone's college who is not your child, or giving your annual bonus to help build an orphanage. Or giving your lunch to a fellow student who has none.
Or paying "all" of your taxes.......
I know that people in love do extravagant things. I was talking to a fellow worship pastor this weekend. I had heard that he had sold his beautiful hand made Collings acoustic guitar. I have been looking at buying one, but they are on the pricey side.
This guitar was worth more than my first three cars. (That says something about the quality of my first three cars) He said yes he did sell it, to buy his wife's engagement ring. That must be some ring.
I am reminded of two parables Jesus taught in Matthew's gospel.
Matthew 13:44-45
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Jesus' love was and is extravagant.
So let's be a little crazy today. In response to such love.
Joe
C.S. Lewis writes, "Christianity, if false is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important."
I would say that if we truly love God there should be some obsessive, inexplicable behavior in our lives.
There should be some "over the top" behavior,
such as giving to the poor, or going on a mission trip, or serving at a homeless shelter.
Or reading the "whole" bible in a year, or praying out loud everyday, on your knees.
Or fasting, or teaching a bible study......in a prison.
Or moving to China to be a missionary, or giving away a car, or sponsoring multiple orphans, or adopting one into your home.
Or visiting a shut in everyday, or paying for someone's college who is not your child, or giving your annual bonus to help build an orphanage. Or giving your lunch to a fellow student who has none.
Or paying "all" of your taxes.......
I know that people in love do extravagant things. I was talking to a fellow worship pastor this weekend. I had heard that he had sold his beautiful hand made Collings acoustic guitar. I have been looking at buying one, but they are on the pricey side.
This guitar was worth more than my first three cars. (That says something about the quality of my first three cars) He said yes he did sell it, to buy his wife's engagement ring. That must be some ring.
I am reminded of two parables Jesus taught in Matthew's gospel.
Matthew 13:44-45
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Jesus' love was and is extravagant.
So let's be a little crazy today. In response to such love.
Joe
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)