Monday, January 31, 2011
21 Day Fast
We ended our 21 day fast last night and it was AWSOME !!!! The church was packed as full as I have ever seen. There was at least 6 that gave their live's to Jesus and lots of healings (Body and Soul). So that brings me to ask "Why did we fast 21 days? I was ask at the start of the fast why we did it for 21 days and I didnt know so that was a big question that was on my mind from the start. While I was fasting i was reading the Bible and went to Daniel 10:2 and my question was answered. "Daniel 10:2 In those days I, Daniel was mourning three whole weeks. 3. I ate no pleasant bread, neithercame flesh nor wine into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled."
This Passage is a source for the Idea of a 21 day fast. As you set apart these three weeks to seek God, know that God has already heard your prayer. He is already at work on your behalf. What specific clarity of vision are you seeking from God during this time? Write down your prayer so you can reflect on it at the end of the 21 days. Spend time praying for God to speak to you and give you strength.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
PRAYER it does a body good
Like the old milk commercial ‘Prayer.. it does a body good.’ Prayer is not
a hocus pocus moment for snake handler types. It is not using the right
words of “Presto-chango” or shouting “Abracadabra”.. and much more than 3
wishes allowed to your average Genie in Lampville. Of course in our finite
believer brains cluttered with infinite impatience (oxymoron?) we as
believers often reduce prayer to.. MAGIC.
In fact this morning as I type I have a specific very real worry on my mind
that I am praying about for someone I care about. What I am impressed on
regarding this need for prayer is that I need to share my heart to God
regarding this matter than.. LET GO.
PEACE BE STILL.. are the words Jesus used to calm the sea, and PEACE BE
STILL is the challenge for all of us when life is raging like a stormy sea.
Everyone of us have challenges, stress, loneliness, sadness, tragedy,
sickness, and/or death that greet us daily. This is a fallen world and I
know for myself I make this worse as like Peter I take my eyes off Jesus
and focus on the problems (the raging sea) of my day.
So no matter your circumstance, know that our prayers are heard by a God
who loves us, and wants what is best for us. The challenge is that this
scriptural truth of a loving God becomes cluttered in an imperfect world
that feels anything but loving.
So my prayer today if for God’s answers in my life and for a world that
needs Him. May there be peace in my mind even when I have circumstances
that challenge this peace. May I learn to trust God and lean not in my own
understanding.
One last reminder.. let’s be as the Bible teaches in an attitude of
prayer. Pray without ceasing.. meaning we communicate with God throughout
our day. This type of prayer should be the natural communication of
thanksgiving & praise, repentance, for protection & guidance, and the
desires of my heart. Flowery lofty language is not needed, but instead
honest ongoing communication about our worries and dreams with our loving
God. THIS IS A GOOD PLACE TO BE, then PEACE BE STILL is possible in all
circumstances.
a hocus pocus moment for snake handler types. It is not using the right
words of “Presto-chango” or shouting “Abracadabra”.. and much more than 3
wishes allowed to your average Genie in Lampville. Of course in our finite
believer brains cluttered with infinite impatience (oxymoron?) we as
believers often reduce prayer to.. MAGIC.
In fact this morning as I type I have a specific very real worry on my mind
that I am praying about for someone I care about. What I am impressed on
regarding this need for prayer is that I need to share my heart to God
regarding this matter than.. LET GO.
PEACE BE STILL.. are the words Jesus used to calm the sea, and PEACE BE
STILL is the challenge for all of us when life is raging like a stormy sea.
Everyone of us have challenges, stress, loneliness, sadness, tragedy,
sickness, and/or death that greet us daily. This is a fallen world and I
know for myself I make this worse as like Peter I take my eyes off Jesus
and focus on the problems (the raging sea) of my day.
So no matter your circumstance, know that our prayers are heard by a God
who loves us, and wants what is best for us. The challenge is that this
scriptural truth of a loving God becomes cluttered in an imperfect world
that feels anything but loving.
So my prayer today if for God’s answers in my life and for a world that
needs Him. May there be peace in my mind even when I have circumstances
that challenge this peace. May I learn to trust God and lean not in my own
understanding.
One last reminder.. let’s be as the Bible teaches in an attitude of
prayer. Pray without ceasing.. meaning we communicate with God throughout
our day. This type of prayer should be the natural communication of
thanksgiving & praise, repentance, for protection & guidance, and the
desires of my heart. Flowery lofty language is not needed, but instead
honest ongoing communication about our worries and dreams with our loving
God. THIS IS A GOOD PLACE TO BE, then PEACE BE STILL is possible in all
circumstances.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Gift of Insults
There once lived a great warrior. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger. His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him.
One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.
Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.
Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?"
"If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?"
"Unknown"
One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.
Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.
Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?"
"If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?"
Friday, January 14, 2011
MEMBERS OF ONE ANOTHER
Christians pride themselves on being people of the Book. By this we mean that we love the Bible and we strive to follow what’s written in the Word of God as closely as possible.
However, in practice we quite often fall very short of that mark. Strangely, one of the areas where we stray from the clearly written instructions of the New Testament is the practice of gathering as a Church.
Hear me out.
If we read the letters of Paul, Peter and James we'll see what they considered to be essential for the life and growth of the Church. Therefore, there's no reason for us to do anything other than exactly what the Apostles say when it comes to gathering together. In fact, the very word for "church" in the New Testament is "ekklesia" which means "sent ones" or "a gathering together".
In other words, it should go without saying that if Paul were to enter one of our Church buildings today he should expect to see us participating in the ways that he and the other Apostles commanded.
Let's look at what the Apostles considered normative ekklesia:
“What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:26
According to this verse, Paul considers the following things to be essential to the health of every Church:
Coming together (“When you come together”)
Open participation (“Everyone”)
People-led worship (“Everyone has a hymn”)
People-led teaching (“Everyone has...a word of instruction”)
People exercising their spiritual gifts freely(“Everyone has...a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation”)
How do we know that Paul considers these activities to be important and essential? Because he tells us: “ALL of these MUST BE DONE for the STRENGTHENING of the Church.”
If we ask Paul's opinion about church growth, he would tell us that it's vital that every believe participate in the leading of worship, the teaching of God's Word, and the sharing of the gifts of the spirit. Do we care what Paul's opinion is on this subject? Is it up to us to just decide for ourselves to dismiss Paul's instruction as mere suggestion and go with what we prefer?
Notice also that Paul's concern is for the Church to be "strengthened". His priority is for the believers to grow deeper, not larger in number. It's quality, not quantity that he is concerned with here.
But this isn't the only place where we find the Apostle's instruction regarding the activities of the Church.
According to the New Testament:
We should confess our sins to one another and pray for one another when we gather together: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16
We should instruct one another when we gather together: “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Romans 15:14
We should teach and admonish (gently correct and encourage) one another and sing together: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
We should comfort and build up one another: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
We should urgently warn one another to follow Christ: “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
We should encourage good works in one another: "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works" Hebrews 10:24
We should use our spiritual gifts to bless others: "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10
Notice all the "one another's" here? The ongoing ministry of the members to one another was one of the fundamental elements of church in the New Testament.
There are 58 "one another's" in the New Testament. Twenty one of these verses (the vast majority) command us to love one another. Four of them command us to encourage one another. Three of them command us to serve one another and two of them remind us to forgive one another. The rest speak of instructing one another, being patient and kind to one another, submitting to one another, singing to one another, or putting the needs of others above our own.
Taken all together, these "one another's" remind us that we are responsible for one another spiritually. Helping our brothers and sisters move towards greater Christ-likeness is dependent upon our active participation as contributing members of the Body of Christ.
This means we cannot do it alone. We need one another. And that also means that you are an important part of this process. You are necessary. You matter. We cannot grow as the Lord Jesus intends us to grow without your willing obedience to God's command to love, serve, and encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ.
My prayer has been that the Lord would help me to invest more of myself in the community of believers I find myself in today. Honestly, I've been holding back a little too much lately, and I know that I can only get out of the experience what I pour into it.
We are given as a gift to the Body and the Body is God's gift to us. Let us practice these "one another's" with all that is within us and trust Jesus to build His Church, just as He promised He would.
"But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be." (1 Corinthians 12:18)
"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one another." (Ephesians 4:25)
However, in practice we quite often fall very short of that mark. Strangely, one of the areas where we stray from the clearly written instructions of the New Testament is the practice of gathering as a Church.
Hear me out.
If we read the letters of Paul, Peter and James we'll see what they considered to be essential for the life and growth of the Church. Therefore, there's no reason for us to do anything other than exactly what the Apostles say when it comes to gathering together. In fact, the very word for "church" in the New Testament is "ekklesia" which means "sent ones" or "a gathering together".
In other words, it should go without saying that if Paul were to enter one of our Church buildings today he should expect to see us participating in the ways that he and the other Apostles commanded.
Let's look at what the Apostles considered normative ekklesia:
“What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:26
According to this verse, Paul considers the following things to be essential to the health of every Church:
Coming together (“When you come together”)
Open participation (“Everyone”)
People-led worship (“Everyone has a hymn”)
People-led teaching (“Everyone has...a word of instruction”)
People exercising their spiritual gifts freely(“Everyone has...a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation”)
How do we know that Paul considers these activities to be important and essential? Because he tells us: “ALL of these MUST BE DONE for the STRENGTHENING of the Church.”
If we ask Paul's opinion about church growth, he would tell us that it's vital that every believe participate in the leading of worship, the teaching of God's Word, and the sharing of the gifts of the spirit. Do we care what Paul's opinion is on this subject? Is it up to us to just decide for ourselves to dismiss Paul's instruction as mere suggestion and go with what we prefer?
Notice also that Paul's concern is for the Church to be "strengthened". His priority is for the believers to grow deeper, not larger in number. It's quality, not quantity that he is concerned with here.
But this isn't the only place where we find the Apostle's instruction regarding the activities of the Church.
According to the New Testament:
We should confess our sins to one another and pray for one another when we gather together: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16
We should instruct one another when we gather together: “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Romans 15:14
We should teach and admonish (gently correct and encourage) one another and sing together: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
We should comfort and build up one another: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
We should urgently warn one another to follow Christ: “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
We should encourage good works in one another: "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works" Hebrews 10:24
We should use our spiritual gifts to bless others: "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10
Notice all the "one another's" here? The ongoing ministry of the members to one another was one of the fundamental elements of church in the New Testament.
There are 58 "one another's" in the New Testament. Twenty one of these verses (the vast majority) command us to love one another. Four of them command us to encourage one another. Three of them command us to serve one another and two of them remind us to forgive one another. The rest speak of instructing one another, being patient and kind to one another, submitting to one another, singing to one another, or putting the needs of others above our own.
Taken all together, these "one another's" remind us that we are responsible for one another spiritually. Helping our brothers and sisters move towards greater Christ-likeness is dependent upon our active participation as contributing members of the Body of Christ.
This means we cannot do it alone. We need one another. And that also means that you are an important part of this process. You are necessary. You matter. We cannot grow as the Lord Jesus intends us to grow without your willing obedience to God's command to love, serve, and encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ.
My prayer has been that the Lord would help me to invest more of myself in the community of believers I find myself in today. Honestly, I've been holding back a little too much lately, and I know that I can only get out of the experience what I pour into it.
We are given as a gift to the Body and the Body is God's gift to us. Let us practice these "one another's" with all that is within us and trust Jesus to build His Church, just as He promised He would.
"But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be." (1 Corinthians 12:18)
"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one another." (Ephesians 4:25)
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
JESUS loves me !!!
The Old Testament is chalked full of great miracles like Creation (aka Big
Bang), Noah’s Ark (aka the Big Boat), the defeat of Goliath (aka the Big
Boy) where Vegas had David as a 2000 to 1 underdog, Jonah in the belly of
the Big Fish (aka Jaws.. the prequel ), there was the parting of the Red
Sea (the Big Crossing), Daniel (uneaten) in the Lion’s (Big Cats) Den. In
the Gospels are loaded with the miracles of Jesus including making water
into wine, healing the blind, the sick, and even raising Lazarus from the
dead. Jesus walked on water, calmed the seas, and after being crucified on
the Cross for our sins rose from the dead as a sacrafice of love for our
sins.
These were all jaw dropping miracles BUT all these and more are wrapped in
the great truth that Jesus loves me! Jesus loves me, this is know.. cute
Sunday School song, but.. why would the creator of this world love? It’s a
miracle.
It is nearly impossible to get to know the preacher (no knock against them)
in any modern day big church but here we have the perfect heart of our
omniscient, omnipresent creator involved with His creation to the point
where all the above mentioned miracles occur. God is NOT indifferent to His
creation, though mankind often walks the other way, God is always there.
In this 24/7 world of distractions from our creator, let’s return to the
two greatest commandments. Love the Lord your God will all your heart,
soul, and mind and others as yourself.
Obeying these commands must be heart behavior and not following them as a
to-do list for good people. To love and serve someone, to put them first
and others ahead of our own needs for me is motivated by the perfect love
of God. It is not corny to have a life motivated and inspired by love of
God. It is the starting point of life with real purpose.
While the Bible is full of the begats, and tedious Leviticus O.T. rules,
and includes but is not limited to the very real history of the world..
from the BEGINNING.. it is much more.. it is a love story from God to
mankind.
These writings in the Bible shout the truth of a personal God who loves us
enough to send His us his son. From the Old Testament stories of
providence, to the gospels of Jesus Christ, to the Acts of the first
church, to the Revelations to John of what is to come... these are all LOVE
STORIES from a loving God... an indifferent God would not be so involved or
patient with mankind and it's often displaced actions of free will.
Jesus love me this I know! Peace be Still! Jesus love me this I know! The
rest is details.
Bang), Noah’s Ark (aka the Big Boat), the defeat of Goliath (aka the Big
Boy) where Vegas had David as a 2000 to 1 underdog, Jonah in the belly of
the Big Fish (aka Jaws.. the prequel ), there was the parting of the Red
Sea (the Big Crossing), Daniel (uneaten) in the Lion’s (Big Cats) Den. In
the Gospels are loaded with the miracles of Jesus including making water
into wine, healing the blind, the sick, and even raising Lazarus from the
dead. Jesus walked on water, calmed the seas, and after being crucified on
the Cross for our sins rose from the dead as a sacrafice of love for our
sins.
These were all jaw dropping miracles BUT all these and more are wrapped in
the great truth that Jesus loves me! Jesus loves me, this is know.. cute
Sunday School song, but.. why would the creator of this world love? It’s a
miracle.
It is nearly impossible to get to know the preacher (no knock against them)
in any modern day big church but here we have the perfect heart of our
omniscient, omnipresent creator involved with His creation to the point
where all the above mentioned miracles occur. God is NOT indifferent to His
creation, though mankind often walks the other way, God is always there.
In this 24/7 world of distractions from our creator, let’s return to the
two greatest commandments. Love the Lord your God will all your heart,
soul, and mind and others as yourself.
Obeying these commands must be heart behavior and not following them as a
to-do list for good people. To love and serve someone, to put them first
and others ahead of our own needs for me is motivated by the perfect love
of God. It is not corny to have a life motivated and inspired by love of
God. It is the starting point of life with real purpose.
While the Bible is full of the begats, and tedious Leviticus O.T. rules,
and includes but is not limited to the very real history of the world..
from the BEGINNING.. it is much more.. it is a love story from God to
mankind.
These writings in the Bible shout the truth of a personal God who loves us
enough to send His us his son. From the Old Testament stories of
providence, to the gospels of Jesus Christ, to the Acts of the first
church, to the Revelations to John of what is to come... these are all LOVE
STORIES from a loving God... an indifferent God would not be so involved or
patient with mankind and it's often displaced actions of free will.
Jesus love me this I know! Peace be Still! Jesus love me this I know! The
rest is details.
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