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Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

Discouragement? Yes…But Fire is in My Bones!

mosesUnderdogs, Cinderella stories and Rudy (from Notre Dame football lore) all share a common thread: discouragement. Perhaps it is a critic, well-meaning friend or just reality but at some point in time we will all face the challenge of discouragement. We don’t like to think about discouraging seasons and are often told not to dwell on them since they only further depress our circumstances; but the fact of the matter is, in life, a series of situations can grow too far beyond us and discouragement will not be too far behind.

As long as I can recall my mom has pushed 100% beyond the breaking point of most people. Physically speaking she stands no taller than 5ft and her heart has never cooperated with the goals she set for herself. Like most women, of her generation, she experienced life through a different paradigm, a distinctive work-ethic and a certain stoicism that would make ancient Greek philosophers proud. This is not to say my mom is cold, indifferent or uncaring; in fact just the opposite is true. She knows how laugh when something is funny, cry when there is a need for grief and reflect when there is room for pause. She has travelled the world, several times over, often with a Bible in one hand, a harpsichord in another and a case of books or music in tow. And everywhere she went she brought the hope of Jesus to the needy, hungry and desperate.

As she has aged her seasons have also matured and transitioned into other giftings, but she has never forfeited her divine purpose for being on this earth: to proclaim Jesus to people. In many ways my mom has lived the life of an underdog and so it shouldn’t be surprising, though it is difficult the see, she now faces another serious challenge. By the beginning of 2014 my mother began to experience a series of weak spells coupled with some lingering health issues from her youth. Over time these “spells” worsened and eventually my mom just gave out. Literally flattened by the circumstances I saw another foe soon visit her, the enemy of discouragement and while my mom may be one of the strongest people I have ever known I saw discouragement was taking its toll on her physically and spiritually.

I recall the story of Moses and how he saw the oppression of his people and knew God had appointed him to be the instrument of deliverance. While a sudden victory would have been impressive, and sent a resounded shockwave through the world’s greatest empire, at the time, God allowed Moses to experience a prolonged season of discouragement. It wouldn’t be through Moses’ court favor, family ties or elite training that God would choose to deliver His people. No, victory would come through forty years of discipleship, while herding sheep in Midian. Perhaps Moses thought he had settled into a quiet life and that past hope of delivering his people would some how just “work out?” But after forty years of learning to be a shepherd God called him out once again and placed a fire in his bones.

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While discouragement is a part of life’s experiences it should never overtake our world-view of Him. He is still working great and mighty Kingdom exploits through those who patiently wait on Him, learn the cost of discipleship and in their time of trouble call on the Name of the Lord! I know, given some time, my mother will “bounce back” because there is still Kingdom work left in her bones. But what about you? Have you allowed a season of discouragement  to sideline you and try to tell you Cinderella teams never win, underdogs fail and Rudy will never score a touchdown? Perhaps you are in a season of discipleship and training where God is preparing you for enlargement? Or perhaps you have run out ahead of God and fallen into a temporary trap? Either way don’t allow discouragement to rob you of His Kingdom reality and remain close to His Word, and Spirit, because He is always speaking and when He says, I AM is who sends you!…then it is time to press on with the fire of God in your bones!

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Motivational

“I AM WHAT I AM THROUGH GOD’S EYES…NOT MY OWN”

in_the_eyes_of_god_by_rainacornasusgirl-d652cziThe other night I was channel surfing and settled on a station where a popular TV preacher was sharing, with his audience, his belief that “God knows who you are and if you are going to sin. And He has already forgiven you. So don’t concern yourself with your sin. God’s love is greater than your personal failure.” Perhaps you have already heard, or read, some versions of this contemporary teaching? As a teacher and pastor I have the luxury of spending my time studying the Bible as well as any variety of teachings and doctrines being advocated today. This was not the first time I have heard some variation of the gospel of “hyper-grace” and universalism, and to be honest there was something about the entire approach that appealed to me.

Who wouldn’t cherish the idea of relegating our personal sin to some corner of “Oh well…God knows therefore…” Such a motto for life would seem to take the pressure, concern and responsibility off one’s shoulders and firmly set them of the broad shoulders of Christ. But then I started to develop an “itch” that I couldn’t quiet satisfy. As much as I wanted to trust this opinion I found myself bothered by the thought of my personal indifference to “my sin”; and this soon created another itch that begged to be scratched, “Is my continual speaking of my own inability and weakness possibly an insult to the Father?”

The certainty of personal sin highlights our need for an eternal redeemer and someone greater than ourselves that bridges the gap for redemption and sanctification. While we may struggle with our fallen nature, the flesh, the continual deploring of our own incompetence is a defamation against God for having overlooked us or created us so weak and feeble that He must do everything for us because we are incapable of even responding to Him. When He calls us to love Him does not require a response from us? And when He commands for us to live according to His holiness are we not asked to reply? To consider God, in His infinite wisdom and omnipotence, created us and then thought so little in His master design that our human condition necessitates our personal berating for failure, provides us with an incomplete and unloving portrayal of the Father. However, if we swing the pendulum so far as to believe God’s love is so big and compassionate He doesn’t care about your sin then such an approach, from us, rejects His holiness.

At the center of this issue is what lies at the heart of many problems we encounter when we discuss matters of human nature, faith and how we relate to a Holy God. Like with most things we tend to view our world around us and not Him. We think life and events revolve around our existence and not according to His centrality within the story of creation. As we mature in His Word, and with the aid of the Holy Spirit, we need to develop the practice of examining our lives as God see’s us, and the human condition as God is aware of its darkness and need for restoration. How do we know how God see’s and understands our struggle? He has revealed His divine character and nature from Genesis through Revelation. So by turning to His own words we discover the Biblical Jesus revealed, and the depth of His words and actions, from before the foundations of creation, can be grasped by even the simplest of children.

Furthermore, we need to reject the natural and spiritual hypocrisy of our incessant need to sound humble before men, and yet be disrespectful to God. Many people live their spiritual walk advocating how humble they are, before others, without considering if their shows and sounds of humility ever reach the heart of Jesus? “Again, the things that sound humble before God may sound the opposite before men.” (Chambers) If Jesus is the center of all things in our life, and we are truly abandoned to Him and His purposes, then we should be less concerned by what sounds humble before men while always remaining genuinely humble before God.

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Today I want to encourage, as well as challenge you, to let everything else go but maintain an intimate relationship with God at all costs. It is through the eyes of how God see’s you, and not how you see yourself, can He fulfill His purposes. But never assume how He see’s you is some type of “exemption” for your need to respond to His holiness as well as His love.

“But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I’m not about to let his grace go to waste. Haven’t I worked hard trying to do more than any of the others? Even then, my work didn’t amount to all that much. It was God giving me the work to do, God giving me the energy to do it. So whether you heard it from me or from those others, it’s all the same: We spoke God’s truth and you entrusted your lives.” (1 Corinthians 15:10 MSG)

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

SHIFTS IN TRADITIONS…THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY & FOREVER.

IMG_0345-225x300SHIFTS IN TRADITIONS…THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY & FOREVER.

A few weeks ago an event flashed across the news wire of an influential pastor and his  “conversion” from Protestantism to Roman Catholicism. What made this particular story news worthy was the pastor, now retired, had served and built one of the largest non-denominational churches in Sweden; and after many years of personal study had decided to now practice his faith within the Roman Catholic tradition. In a related story, but less news worthy, Jeannette I hosted a guitar recital for our son this past weekend. Invited was an assortment of family and friends all practicing a variety of different Christian traditions. While in conversation one of our guests shared how she, and her family, had left the large evangelical church experience in favor for the more liturgical Episcopalian “high church.” For her the reverence and traditions helped connect her faith with life and she now felt at home spiritually.

If you were follow cultural and spiritual shifts in the world, specifically within the US, you would notice everyone from baby-boomers, to Gen –X’rs and Millennials are searching to reconnect their faith to something ancient, deep-rooted and historical. In a face-paced age of technology, instant news and post-modern consumerism, even the youngest of seekers, searchers and new converts are less interested in the “newest” and “biggest” and are searching for something more meaningful and intimate.

So what do such trends tell us? Honestly? Nothing as “new” as you may be led to believe. Scripture reminds us there is nothing new under the sun and that would also serve to include our attitudes, dispositions and traditions. Even a quick scan through the pages of Christian history, within the US, would show large segments of people, in differing times, connecting to “high church”, than denominational churches, a few revivals sprinkled in between, than the birth of the non-denominational church, the mega-church and now the cycle is repeating itself.

But I have a problem even with the most sincere of pietistic movements today. For all of the high church, wonderful liturgy, traditions and historical buildings sadly most of these movements are missing the rugged reality of the early church (1st – 3rd Century). Today there are plenty of houses of worship that make mention of the death of Jesus but few, if any, actually teach or prepare the hearts of people for the need of His death. We sing wonderful hymns and anthems of pious nature and re-enact ancient rituals, but fail to connect people with the nature and spirit from which these rituals and songs came. We speak of fasting, prayer, humility and even name our conferences and conventions with neo-orthodox titles without really pointing back to the beginning (and by beginning I am speaking of Genesis; not Matthew) where our faith is truly rooted.  Sadly much of what I see, hear, have discussed and even personally experienced, within Christian thought and debate, places greater emphasis on the experiential without ever rooting it is the supernatural, or miraculous mystery of the whole Word of God.

Several weeks ago I was having a spirited discussion with a fellow Christian and, like me, he claimed to believe in the whole Word of God. However, as our conversation developed he further explained the “whole Word of God” represents accounts, from the Old Testament, which were offered for another time and for another people and therefore didn’t apply to Christian’s today. This position is hardly new (classic dispensationalism) but such a position results in pointing today’s Christian toward a Bible that is part history, with little to no application for today, and part honored tradition that is largely outdated.

The purpose of today’s post is not resurrect past theological debates; rather I wanted to show how a sincere believer can think they stand by the whole Word of God when they actually don’t. This account highlights the current trend in people returning to ancient traditions without considering the deeper questions of faith beyond tradition and Spirit beyond creeds. Traditions are good! They are what bind us together and help us tell a story; but not all traditions are beneficial. Any tradition and or liturgy that excludes the cost the passion of God, or is not dyed in the blood of the Lamb or stamped with the hall-mark of the Holy Spirit is destined to become dead religion. 

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The type of Christian experience, that should be encouraged today, is that of personal, passionate devotion to the person of Jesus, as God, as revealed through the entirety of Scripture. Every other type of “Christian experience”, so called, that exists detached from Jesus will lead people into the bondage of religion; where the regeneration of the spirit is absent, being born again into the Kingdom in which Christ lives is bypassed and the pattern of Biblical Hebraic Holism is dismissed for Greek-minded philosophy and logic. Jesus remains the pattern from Genesis to Revelation and He was never meant to just exist as a figurehead of a religion or a mere example for humanity.

Yes, Jesus is the “head-figure” and He sets the Him in humanity but He is infinitely more; He is salvation itself. He is the fullness of God and He is remains the same yesterday, today and forever.

Have you ever stopped to consider why the great cathedral’s became empty or today’s evangelical churches are failing to connect with our culture? Trends come and go and with analytics we are able to better capture and understand these moves. But analytics will never capture when Jesus said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, … He shall glorify Me.” When we commit ourselves to this reality the gift of the Holy Spirit, who begins to interpret for us what Jesus did, will not just reveal Jesus subjectively…but objectively. Then we will see and understand who He is!

We need a revival of the Holy Spirit, within our songs, practices, teaching, believing, behaving and belonging. We need the Spirit to make us alive, in Him, and because of Him we desire to engage a world looking to connect with spiritual fact not fiction. If we do not reconnect with the Holy Spirit then sadly our churches will be dead again, our faith will grow stale, our traditions will become lifeless and our rituals meaningless. Given time we will stare at the modern cathedrals of technology and fame and say, “The Spirit of God was once here.” If this happens the world we seek to reach with Jesus will tune us out and even our faithful will become the faithless. Traditions have come and gone. Our practices have shifted from age to age but the truth of the Biblical Jesus remains the same yesterday, today and forever!

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Motivational

THE “GOSPELS” of “JESUS?”

th (1)The more I scan the blogosphere, listen to teachings / sermons and am passed a variety of “you need to read this!” I can’t help but have a growing concern for the wide variety of “gospels” being advocated that carry the seal of approval of “Jesus.” Just the other day somebody shared a Facebook video of a man filming, via his Iphone, a three minute rant that sounded, and looked, something like an old time Baptist preacher mixed with a charismatic hipster. With his hat on backwards and couple of earrings in place he carried on about “His Bible” and “My Jesus” within the context of a current hot-button social issue. By about the first minute I thought, to myself, this was a joke, right? But the joke was on me when I scanned all his fans and friends that supported his opinions in the thousands. I wasn’t really stunned or shocked but disappointed for what I can only conclude is such a dismantling of the Christian faith we are now willing to accepted any gospel that fits our definition of Jesus.

The Iphone preacher, as I call him, is an easy target for much of the confusion and noise coming from the today’s Western Christianity. But one only has to go to Amazon and match today’s top Christian authors, with their respective churches, ministries and doctrines, to wonder how we have arrived at so many different views and opinions on sin, grace, love, forgiveness, Law, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, repentance, etc. I know of several prominent church leaders that teach from St. Paul’s letters while others dismiss them altogether. There are those who advocate James, Peter and Paul were engaged in an ongoing dispute, against one another, in their letters; and others still that have divided the Old and New Testaments in such a neat and precise manner that our Biblical contexts make no sense.  If that was not confusing enough there are an abundance of teachers who promote some version of modern psychology, mixed with the Bible, that passes for “sound doctrine” and yet another branch of teachers that scream a “one-note” message: as if the Bible is only about one thing such as love, grace or sin. Last, but not least, there are those who are convinced the only way to reset our loose moorings is to return to a refreshed Roman Catholicism while others would prefer we go even further back and embrace some version of Rabbinic Judaism.

But that is the problem isn’t it? Today’s Christianity has adopted our own “Jesus” and specific “gospel” because it seems to resonate with a culture that is more interested is spiritual (spirituality) fiction and not fact. The social media and mass marketing, of Church USA, looks, feels and brands just as good Madison Avenue and we, the church, are too easily impressed by our superstars, blog stars, rock stars and millionaire ministers…but not the Biblical Jesus and His Gospel. Could it be few would even accept Jesus and His exact words, in context, if they heard them?

Now here is where you no doubt expect me to advocate “my Jesus” and why I am right and you are wrong?  But I am not taking today’s post down that rabbit trail. Rather I would like to ask one simple question, “Have you ever read and studied what Jesus said about Himself from the Scriptures?” Your immediate response to such a challenge should be, “Of course.” But if that was true then you would have already encountered a Jesus that is very uncomfortable to the generation of His age and your current age / world-view.

Everybody loves the Jesus who kicks against the religious system, corruption or loves the sinner. But we skip the language of the Jesus who called for repentance, from sin, confronted adulterers, liars, gossips, cheats, hypocrites, drunkards and the spiritually blind. We share the stories of the “miracle Jesus” as if they were a myth cut from some scene of Lord of the Rings and even doubt if the blind really saw, thousands were fed, He walked on water, raised the dead or cast our demons. And while we are challenged with the supernatural how do explain the deep theological questions of His identity? Jesus seemed to have little issue claiming to be none other than God Himself. He told His disciples, He quoted Isaiah many times to His doubters and even shared His identity with Rome. If Jesus is who He said He is than how could He possess a contrary nature from the Father (God) as revealed in through the entire Word of God? Logically and Scripturally we can conclude such divisions, of a Triune God, cannot exist (Read the Athanasian Creed); and such support of this belief is further confirmed in ALL the writings of the apostles, John the Baptist (the last of the great prophets) and most early church fathers.

You need only scan the history of the early church to discover any doctrines contrary to such a view of Jesus, as God, was considered heresy and an anathema (two words that have been dropped from our lexicon in favor of tolerance). Here again, just as it was in Jesus’ day, so we experience, today, the counter-cultural message of Jesus as Christ; and such an exclusive declaration runs contrary to today’s comfy preaching, soft Jesus and softer doctrines. Sadly because we have been unwilling to teach the whole Word of God, and hold each other accountable, we have accepted a familiar contemporary standard that has given us a new status quo.

THE NEW STATUS QUO: There was a time, say twenty plus years ago, when denominations, ministers and church associations only allowed like minded people “at the table” to debate theology, and positions of the organization, for the sake of unity and rubber stamping agendas. As the church slipped further from the social and spiritual consciousness of the nation there was a backlash to such practices and the call to allow diverse opinions a seat at the table. As the doors were opened and more chairs pulled up an honest and open discussion helped Christians understand why we believed, behaved and belonged to this faith, and how we can communicate this message to the seeking and searching. For a time this went a long way in reshaping our church traditions and teachings and today Christianity has developed, looks and behaves much different than its past.

But now a new status quo has replaced the old and the once radical firebrands, who were screaming from the outside to be let in, are now the elder statesmen holding the keys to newly, locked doors. Today the suits and ties have been replaced with the skinny jeans and muscle shirts.  Pastors no longer act like fathers but big brothers and just like the “old guard” they too have filled the room with like-minded people. And, once again, there is a new crop of people left screaming on the outside wanting to come in and have a seat at the table. What we hear, from the outside, are terms such as celebration of diversity and invitation to discuss and wrestle with the Scriptures but in reality there are no seats available unless you think, look and act like Agent Smith from the Matrix.
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ONE OF THE SEATLESS,  NAMELESS AND FACELESS MANY. For the record I wear jeans, t-shirts, try to stay fit and have half my head shaved. I’m not part of a major denomination even though I am part of an association of ministers. I have multiple degrees but never wear them on my chest. I’ve written a book but it’s never been published. I have traveled and ministered across the world, several times over, but never been interviewed on my experiences. I drive a car that was totaled and rebuilt because that is all I could afford. I do have a house on a hill, but it can fit in the garage of most houses around me. I do get paid for pastoing, but just enough to classify me as the working poor. This post is not about me but about the thousands like me, and those who have it more challenging than me, that remain seatless, nameless and faceless. The reason I shared a little about me is not to solicit your pity, or to play on your emotions, but to remind you why I, and many others, am okay with or lot in life while other people are offered a seat at the table of discussion.

In an age where there are so many gospels and different Jesus’ there are still those who are willing to live, serve and preach the Biblical Jesus, and His Gospel message, from the whole Word of God. We didn’t all begin our journey this way because at some point we also saw the potential for big money, popularity and social acceptance. But over time we also learned these trappings came at a heavy price. So, we cast our lots with Him (Jesus) and held on through all the roller-coaster ups and downs. Admittedly we haven’t hit the target square in the middle all the time. But increasingly we realized that compromise, in an age of “big tent” Christianity, doesn’t guarantee you a seat at the table or access behind locked doors.

You see we came to a realization we are on this earth for such a short period of time and life is not about what you can “name and claim” but life is about Jesus, as God, and Him crucified to reconcile a fallen world back to Him and Him alone. Yes, the message of the Biblical Jesus is an unpopular reality because it forces everyone to consider the whole Jesus, as God, revealed in all of Scripture. Certainly such a commitment can be a hindrance to developing a large viewing audience, building a massive congregation or landing a plum book deal. But of all the gospels being preached we are the seatless, nameless and faceless advocates that remind the world of Jesus’ suffering, martyrdom and consecration that trumps all superficial doctrines. Everyone I know, with this commitment, will do anything and everything for Jesus but we will never humiliate ourselves to the level of world acceptance, and recognition, that avoids the gift of salvation through Christ alone!

I learned, some time ago, I cannot earn or win anything from God; but I must either receive it as a gift or do without. The greatest blessing is the knowledge that we are destitute! Until we get there everything we do is always measured in our own strength, not His. Jesus will not do anything for us if we think we are self – sufficient.  Like Jesus we have to possess His Kingdom through the door of hardship and when we hunger spiritually, for Him, the Holy Spirit is close by.

There are too many noises and distractions in today’s Christian faith. There are too many gimmicks and smoke and mirrors being passed off as reality. There are too many gospels and too many Jesus’. There are too many preachers and teachers that haven’t obeyed His great commission: “…teaching everything I shared and instructed you.” It really isn’t that hard to know Him and preach all He said; but it is hard to be hated as He was, reviled, mocked and abused. And I guess I can see why some preach “the other Jesus” because after all who would really want to share in the sufferings of the real Jesus?

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational

REMIND YOURSELF OF WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN

1119307895_1361235056As a pastor I am often sent, read or come across a variety of articles on leadership. In my opinion, most of the tried and true methods of motivation and management come from common sense thinking and Biblical living. But in some instances you don’t know what you don’t know; and even when you think you have a firm grasp of an important principle it always best to have your vision, mission and values revisited and carefully developed. A little over a ago I went through this exhaustive process, with another individual, and he greatly helped me refine some personal objectives as well as target some ministry focus. Honestly, the entire process was frustrating, at times, but in the final analysis I arrived at some helpful direction that even managed to carry over into some thoughts, on Jesus, I want to share with you.

One thing I learned from the process was the need to re-state, to yourself, your vision, mission and values. How helpful would this be, to every Christian, if they too began their journey by restating what they believed about Jesus? After all to say one is a Christian is supposed to mean said person is a Christ follower. But what happens when after stating what we believe about Jesus is not compatible with the bedrock of the Biblical Jesus?  Dare I say we may have arrived at the wrong Jesus? What is essential to the who, what, where, when and the why of Jesus is the Cross; and if we treat the Cross as an insignificant thing then we also loose sight of the mission, vision and values of God and His amazing plan for all creation.

All recorded history must pass through the intersection of the Cross. Great empires have come and gone. Wise philosophers, artisans and world-changers have passed through the pages of history; and they all must face and answer the reality of the Cross. We, as Christians, must especially remind ourselves what we believe about the Cross and Christ. If we adopt a mission, value or goal that strays from the Bible world-view then we will produce nothing of lasting value, or worse confusion. Every Christian is called to preach Jesus, and Him crucified, because there is genuine power in that reality. Too many people, Christians included, live trapped in a blind reality, absent of Him as Lord, when their freedom is in the Jesus who fully revealed His mission, goals and values to the entire world.

This week ask yourself, What do you believe about Jesus; and how did you arrive at your conclusion? If you didn’t arrive at Jesus through the Cross then double back, challenge yourself and be willing to restate your vision, mission and goals within the context of Him and the Cross. If you do you will rediscover what the Bible says about Jesus, “It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe…We preach Christ crucified.”
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Something to ponder and act on.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

WHAT ARE YOU FIXED ON?

bretonnian_battle_Standard_bearer_golden_demonOne of my favorite British TV series’ features Sean Bean, in a rare good guy role, titled Sharpe’s Rifles. The long mini-series follows the life of Richard Sharpe and his service to England’s imperial drive during the Napoleonic wars. Based on historical events the fictional Sharpe fights with honor, grit and cunning while also representing the lowest class of man in England’s colonial social structure. As the series progresses Sharpe is able to rise in rank, gain honor and eventually lead his own regiment of the Britain’s best and worst. As you may imagine Sharpe’s regiment is only as good as the men who serve his command; and though they all lack the social standing to sit at a dinner table they are more than capable of holding their own in a battle.

Every good expedition, or regiment, needs a compliment of team players and this theme is often visited throughout Sharpe’s journey. In one battle, while Sharpe and his men were fighting overwhelming French numbers, it seemed defeat was immanent. While French victory was certain Sharpe managed to rally his men, restore their courage and snatch triumph from the jaws of defeat. How did Sharpe’s regiment survive the day and capture the French standard? They kept their eyes fixed on their leader.

What or who are you fixed on? In the middle of crises or the depths of great despair where are your eyes fixed? The prophet Isaiah tells us that when our eyes are set on the Father our knowledge of His countenance is gained (Isaiah 53:1). Admittedly we quickly loose our courage when our eyes are not set on Him. The very purpose of a battle standard or war drums was to keep the soldier fixed on the lead. Therefore, as long as the flag was still raised or the drum still beating the soldier knew how to keep his focus and calm. But in “the fog of war” our eyes dart back and forth to the sounds of the enemy, the cries of desperation and the call to retreat; and sadly more people are lost or captured in a retreat then those who are facing their enemy head on.

For the Christian we all face a real enemy, everyday, and if our eyes are set on the standard of Jesus then we can never loose the battle. Certainly, we can become distracted in the fray of any moment and loose critical footing; but the standard of Christ has never fallen, and never will, so take courage and press on. When you feel lost in the battle, surrounded by your enemy or disarmed and unable to fight set your eyes upon Jesus and don’t loose your faith in Him. When, in the crisis, you make your stand for God His Spirit will always reinforce your position and when this happens victory is as certain as Him!

Although parents can teach driving to their teens, it’s important to purchased here prescription levitra get professional teen drivers education since teaching teens how to drive is the biological component of desire which is reflected as spontaneous sexual interest including fantasized thoughts, erotic fantasies, and daydreams. Withania somnifera acheter viagra pfizer is responsible for forming quality sperms in abundant quantity. The Brazilian acai berry has astonished the nutritional world. online doctor viagra best price for levitra Studies were conducted in which 500 couples from five different countries and regions participated. The danger facing us all is thinking we no longer need to rely on God or when the battle is approaching we ignore His warning for preparation. Remember, we will never outgrow the need for Him and we need to always remain quick to recognize if something is between us and His standard, we are the ones that must adjust or risk becoming lost in the battle.

keep-your-eyes-on-jesusBehold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their master, … so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God. (Psalm 123:2)

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

THE CHRISTIAN MONSTER CREATED BY APATHY, TEMPER & SELFISHNESS (AND THE CURE)

news3-maggyRobert E. Webber was an American theologian who wrote extensively on the relationship between the ancient church and the today’s modern church. In a development called the Convergence Movement Webber hoped to reintroduce Christianity’s ancient creeds, practices, worship, prayer and community into the culture of today’s Western Christianity desperately needing grounding,focus and renewed purpose.  While his topics and theme were both wide and deep, in their scope, a simple but profound truth leapt off the page for me: We live with paradoxes and need to return to the Biblical facts for grounding (more on this later).

Our fellowship, Maranatha Koinonia, began the transition from Western institutional church in search for true Biblical community about one year ago. Throughout the process some families and individuals left, hoping to connect with church that was more recognizable and convenient for societies standard of Christianity and fellowship.  But while some left others joined our fellowship largely due to what a true Biblical community represented and the promise, that if we reconnect to our ancient faith, we will better understand and reach our world. Webber calls today’s world one of a secular / spiritual paradox. On the one hand we have many people in search for spiritual connections and while this pursuit is sincere many are also unwilling to surrender the secular culture that pull them away from spirituality. We all sense this tug of war daily and we wake up with the conflict in our mind, body and spirit. Before we are actually able to devise an effective approach as to how we can conquer the paradox we must recognize victory will only ever be achieved if we get the “facts” correct from the beginning.

What “facts” am I referring to?  Remarkably if you ask a person about what Jesus actually said, or did, you will soon discover a myriad of one-liners, common grace works and a personal theology that casts Jesus from a mere moral mortal to a demi-god or to God in flesh. It isn’t very surprising in an age of secular / spiritual paradoxes that even Jesus can be, or is, anything but what He actually said of Himself; and this draws us back to the necessity of needing to know the facts. You see to actually know what Jesus said and why He did what He did requires the reader to look beyond the paradox and comprehend the “facts”, of Jesus, as revealed though an entire narrative from Genesis to Revelation. Such an approach, often referred to as Biblical Hebraic holism, capture not only the earthly ministry of Jesus but places His life within the context of prophecy, divinity and deity. This is why the facts can’t be glossed over or flatly ignored; because to do so creates a “Christian monster” that is far from Christian and every bit a dangerous monster.

What has contributed to the “Christian Monster?” You may be surprised to discover Webber’s paradox is not an invention of Modernity or Post-Modernity. In fact the paradox has always been with us; but until recently this paradox was held in check by disciplined discipleship and commitment to a Christianity that represented an entire Word of God (the Bible) world-view.  Webber cites, in his book Ancient – Future Evangelism a gathering of 450 churches, across multiple denominations and nations, which gathered to address the growing concern of the church’s place in society. Specifically this conference met to discuss the challenges of evangelism and discipleship and concluded, “The church is a mile wide but only one inch deep.” In 1999, when this conference was held, the crises was looming; and now living in 2014 the crises is a monster which has created a Christian faith that resembles very little from the ancient faith of the Patriarchs, Moses, the prophets, Jesus or the Apostles. I have uncovered at least three contributors to this monster and I would like to address them while also suggesting a cure.

1. APATHY:  lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern (IE: widespread apathy among students). The very word makes us all cringe. We know it when we see it, we feel it when we are there and like a filthy weed we know it will rob life out of anything healthy. Apathy remains one of the significant poisons that has sapped the rich, vibrant faith of Christianity and replaced it with a yard that, from afar, looks green; but upon closer examination is little more than a large weed patch. Apathy is a great robber of all people and when apathy infects the Christian community of faith it always damages people’s belief in the integrity of God, His Word and His promises.

PDE5 inhibiting medicines could be taken anytime in future, or present if discount viagra no prescription impotence strikes back. So when someone makes a batch of buy cheap levitra that allegedly contains the correct blend of levitra’s active ingredient, Sildenafil Citrate, expired. usa viagra no prescription Thankfully, anti-impotence tablets are here to rescue males. The cialis samples medications come with the same ingredients and effectiveness like the original cialis products. 2. TEMPER: a person’s state of mind seen in terms of their being angry or calm. Have you stopped to think what kind of Jesus you may have fashioned out of your anger or calm? Could it be you have, in your immaturity,  contributed to a Jesus that is just not present despite your best wants and desires? And could it also be, like a spoiled child, when we don’t get our way we inflict great harm against the community of Christ because Jesus decided not to indulge our selfishness?  Sadly we have all contributed to being more of a distraction, away from Jesus, than being those who point people toward the Biblical and true Jesus. Until we are willing to mature (grow up) we risk becoming the apathetic, angry monster that acts hurt and continues hurting those we so desperately need to show love toward. True, lasting, genuine and sincere love can only be expressed through Jesus and to know Him means we must do the hard work of yielding to who He said He was and not who we want Him to be. Therefore, we must all keep our tempers in check and allow His Holy Spirit to guide and instruct us according to His Word!

3. “CARES OF THE WORLD” The last ingredient to the Christian monster is the one that feeds the here and now without ever considering the eternal. Too often we settle for quick, pat answers that have been formed in the shallowest pools of spiritual and intellectual thought. We have become the generation of one-liners and pass them along via Twitter and Facebook without really comprehending what they mean, relay or represent. Today we are inundated with a multitude of Christian writers that are passing little more than spiritual baby food that feeds the apathetic, temper-tantrum prone Christian monster. As we are called to mature in Him (Discipleship) anything that distracts us from Him (Jesus), and produces the wrong kind of attention back to us, needs to be starved.  St. Augustine prayed, ‘O Lord, deliver me from this lust of always vindicating myself.’

THE ANSWER: If we are called to live, move and have our being in Him (the Father) then we need the discernment of the Holy Spirit to help us see our world is trapped in the secular / spiritual paradox; and we must allow His discernment to turn our apathy, temper and selfishness into passion, calm and selflessness. When we really live according to Biblical holism then we will be able to see our world for what it is and what it is not. Only then can we effectively administer the only cure for the seeking, hurting and searching…the true Biblical Jesus in His own words from the beginning to the last amen. This is, and always has been, the only cure for the misguided person.

While I am convinced sick people can become addicted to living unhealthy, most people desire to be healthy. We want happy marriages, connected families, blessed children and most of all the reassurance of being safe. Safety, happiness, joy and community have always been in Him (Jesus) and the additives of “self” have done more harm to our bodies, and spiritual development, than good. To know Jesus is more than an intellectual ascent or a comforting warm and fuzzy. To really know Him is to know His Word and to know His Word is a life long pursuit of discipleship. Yes, it is hard work and the monstrous us will have to die in the process but the reward is, in this life and the age to come, Jesus the joy of man’s desire!

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

REPOST FROM “WISDOM DEFINED” by JEANNETTE JOHNIAN: The Mask, My Enemy & Grief My Idol

As a Pastors wife I found myself trying to be who I thought everyone wanted me to be. The more I tried the more epic the fail was. Consequently, I fell into a depression that without God’s divine intervention I would have landed in a mental institution. The criticism, isolation, superficial relationships got so overwhelming I found myself sick in body, soul and spirit. Some where along the journey I had placed a mask on, in an attempt to hide the pain. Unbeknownst to me, this MASK which was intended to protect me became my worse enemy. Grief became my idol and I ceased to allow the Presence of God to direct every aspect of my life. Suddenly, I found myself having mental conversations that sounded like this:

  • Why should I pray for those people? They don’t care about me or my family?
  • Why should I pray for those people? They don’t care about me or my family?
  • Why doesn’t anyone ever ask me, How are you?
  • Why doesn’t so and so, pick up the phone and call me?
  • I deserve to have (fill in the blank)
  • Why can’t I just say what I want like everyone else?
  • I am done, why should I sacrifice my time and energy for people who don’t care.

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The MASK led me to bondage! Then without warning a woman I had never seen, nor heard started to surface. The woman whose greatest joy was praying for souls, cooking meals, supporting her husband, loving her church, was gone. Unexpectedly, like Ebenezer Scrooge I was visited by the “ghost of Christmas past” standing in front of the mirror I looked at myself and said, “Lord, who is that?” I was lost, confused, tired and broken. Dreadfully afraid and absolutely desperate I uttered the dangerous prayer, “Lord, you alone can un-Mask  the ME in me.”

By God’s grace I started to undergo a divine radical cosmetic  surgery. I began to experience Jesus from a holistic perspective. Every area of my life began to be invaded with the Holy Spirit’s resurrecting power.  It is what the Bible calls dying to the old self; with Him, through Him and for Him.  One thing is certain this is a lifetime journey. Jesus desires for us to be healed, He knows we all have broken relationships and are broken within ourselves. The key to this healing is being filled with the Holy Spirit and seeking to dwell in His Presence.

We God’s creatures have an overwhelming need to be unmasked, the real (ME) is deeply buried in layers of self that can only be resurrected by the hand of the Almighty. I found freedom in the realization that my identity is in God alone and no longer seeking it in a role (pastor wife, professional career,etc). Un-Masked by the Jesus, I find myself willing to chose joy, mercy, peace and above all love for God and love for others.

JEANNETTE

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

SHALLOW, DEEP & PROFOUND

ShallowhalmovieposterHere is a list of “shallow” but profound statements:

  1. “Only the shallow know themselves.” – Oscar Wilde
  2. “Silence is as deep as eternity, speech as shallow as time.” – Thomas Carlyle
  3. “Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean.” – Christopher Reeve
  4. “Deep breaths are very helpful at shallow parties.” – Barbara Walters
  5. “Our culture is all about shallow relationships. But that doesn’t mean we should stop looking each other in the eye having deep conversations.” – Francis Chan

We live in a cosmetic world. Fast cards, fast people, quick glory, instant wealth and whatever you view through your social media begs to glorify the cosmetic exterior, of anything, without giving much thought to what is inside. Every morning I have the habit of scanning the overnight news and try to catch up on local and world events. Perhaps, not surprisingly, no matter where I go there will always be a variety of articles trying to draw my attention to an A-list movie star, new car, socialites divorce or cosmetic surgery just right for me. Truthfully we live and are surrounded by a shallow world. But, not everything that is of a shallow concern, in life, is unbeneficial; in fact I might even argue God uses the shallow just as much as He uses the profound.

In a teaching I shared with our community I addressed how we all live in a secular / spiritual paradox. On the one hand we are people who desire to express great devotion to God, through common grace works, sacrificial living and spiritual disciplines (like prayer, fasting and meditating on God’s Word). While on the other hand that very same person can be consumed wishing to impress other people with their “blessings” and the fact they are not shallow. As Shakespeare wrote, “The lady doth protest too much, me thinks.” (HAMLET) This is the paradox we all struggle with and I would suggest if we approached life with a Hebraic / Biblical holism we may find ourselves less tempted by the secular or spiritual trap.
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To be shallow is not a sign of being bad, evil or deceitful; nor is shallowness a sign that there are no depths within the person…after all even the ocean has a shore. Consider this…there are many shallow amenities of life, that are not terribly deep, such as eating, drinking, walking and talking (they are all ordained by God). But when we are not living in alignment, with Jesus, then the paradox kicks in and our eating becomes gluttonous and our drinking slides towards drunkenness. Even something as simple as walking, without Jesus, can lead down paths sown with the seeds of destruction and our beautiful language can be turned profane if we do not let Him mature us. However when we are living fully alive, in Him, the Holy Spirit safeguards our shallowness from being trapped by the paradox; and the secular / spiritual is replaced by a new creed: “To live is to worship and to worship is to live.”

I once picked up a good bit of advice I would like to pass along. In the shallow matters of life use your God-given commonsense in commonsense ways. There will be plenty of days ahead when deeper things will come; and I have learned God is the one who draws you deeper by opening the unseen and unknown. So, while you mature “in the shallow end of the pool” keep your entire life closely aligned with the Father (God), live in the Son (Jesus) and be led by the Spirit (the Holy Spirit). The time will come, for those who patiently wait on the Lord, and seek Him above all, when He will bring us deep diving. Until then determine to resist the secular / spiritual paradox, live and experience life in a true, open and trusting Biblical community and most of all be willing to have the deep the conversations that press us toward maturity in Jesus!

“Determinedly take no one seriously but God, and the first person you find you have to leave severely alone as being the greatest fraud you have ever known, is yourself.” (Chambers)

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

PAINFUL REALITIES BEHIND FINISHING THE RACE

evgenyAs I have been watching more of the Olympics I managed to miss one of the “shockers” of the winter games that occurred during last weeks men’s figure skating competition. The Russian champion, multiple Olympic and world medalist and favorite, Evgeni Plushenko, suddenly withdrew from the games. During his warm-ups it was evident he was physically struggling and after talking to his coach he skating to the judges table and withdrew, later announcing he was retiring. It was a sudden, shocking and abrupt end to a spectacular career. What had happened? Was it failure? Lack of passion? Or something else? Later, as he was interviewed, it was revealed his chronic bad back had been reinjured and he was quoted as saying every time he jumped it felt as if a knife was being jabbed into his back. When asked further about his sudden decision he said he felt as if this was God’s way of telling him, “Enough, enough with the skating.” With multiple surgeries already in his history and long-term chronic pain facing his future Evgeni experienced the painful reality of finishing the race.

Often we watch marathon’s, sporting events and feats of great strength capturing the paradox of pain and accomplishment. While the relief of the race being run is welcomed the painful reality of what it took to run the race endures long after the contest is finished. There is another painful reality in the race of Jesus’ earthly ministry. While it forever remains the greatest performance in history, of the very mind of God, we often stop short of considering Jesus’ death was not something that He might have prevented. His death was the very reason why He came and thankfully He embraced the paradox of pain and accomplishment, so long after the race was run, the victory endured forever.

As we all journey through life we experience the paradox pain and completion. While some victories may feel short lived in truth they become markers in our history that remind us of what it took, and what it takes, to see the race through to the end. Even in race that is lost we still are able to peer back and explore the journey with the introspection essential to avoid unnecessary injuries and hurts. While you may be cautious, and meticulous in your planning, the paradox of pain and accomplishment faces us all. The question we must answer in face of the paradox is how will I get through this journey? In His might or by my own? Many men and women have experienced the martyrs death before and after Jesus; and while their deaths stand as remarkable testimonies of great faith their deaths could never have done what Jesus’ death alone could do. When Jesus bore the Cross of affliction He embraced the paradox and in His death He was being crowed with glory and honor. Placing His will in the plans and purposes of the Father (God) the greatest note of triumph revived the universe from the Cross. By declaring “It is finished!” Jesus experience the painful reality of finishing the race in victory; and so to we must by willing to embrace the paradox knowing if we place our journey, in Him, we too will experience final triumph.

The Olympic games, and their competitors, provide us with a snapshot of our own life and journey. The great Russian ice-skater knew when his race was run by counted the cost to run such a race to it’s end. As Christian’s along life’s journey let us also embrace life’s voyage, and remarkable paradox, with joy in the agony and triumph from the pain. Let us remain rooted in the lasting victory of Jesus, through the Cross, and proclaim our faith in His success until we can also say, I have run my race, fought the good fight and finished the course!

Grace and Peace
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JOSHUA

 

 

 

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

RUSH…AWAY FROM SELF AND TOWARD JESUS

361846-rush-rush-poster-artRecently I watched a very exciting movie, which happened to be a true story, set on the backdrop of an extremely intense and dangerous sport. The main participants and events surrounding their story was made all the more passionate since these two men shared a genuine personal dislike, toward one another, but a profound professional respect for each other. Though their rivalry lasted a relatively short number of years for a brief moment, in time, their lives dominated their sport.  While each man possessed their own personal flaws one man was unable to escape a lifestyle that not only hindered his career but ultimately even his quality of life; and too often many Christian’s deal with such “flaws” without recognizing the seriousness of their predicament.

Honestly, very few of us know anything about the conviction of sin; we know the experience of being troubled because we have done something wrong; but conviction of sin, by the Holy Spirit, leaves only one reality: Against Jesus alone, we have sinned. When a person is convicted by the practice of a sinful behavior they are made aware of a new and higher reality than their own.  Every conscience power, before the genuineness of Jesus, pales in comparison to the truth of Him; and once His new truth is revealed to us He becomes the gold standard for life and living. We must understand the very act of God’s forgiveness must carry with it a stronger sense of God’s divine justice since God’s ability to forgive comes at the cost of Jesus’ death.

When we approach the welcomed and miraculous waters of God’s grace we greatly appreciate His ability, and desire, to forgive sin. At the Cross of Christ so too was our old self (nature) crucified in favor of a new humanity in Jesus alone. Discovered in the divine nature is the lasting ability to forgive, which is why we cannot take God’s grace as a license to excuse or remain committed to a lifestyle of the old nature, which is destructive to the Spirit of God that should be alive in us.

Oswald Chambers challenges us with these words, “It is shallow nonsense to say that God forgives us because He is love. When we have been convicted of sin we will never say this again. The love of God means Calvary, and nothing less; the love of God is spelt on the Cross and nowhere else. The only ground on which God can forgive me is through the Cross of my Lord. There, His conscience is satisfied.”

A QUICK THOUGHT ON FORGIVENESS. We should never accept a shallow definition of God’s forgiveness as an “easy act” that only saves us from hell and makes us right for heaven. Though forgiveness is a step toward this eternal truth, forgiveness must mean we are divinely forgiven so we can be recreated into a relationship that squarely identifies us with God and Jesus alive in us. The miracle of His redemption is that God changes the unholy us, into the standard of Himself by putting Jesus in our beliefs, nature, language and culture.

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“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; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.” (JOHN 16:8 MSG)

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

* A brief disclaimer….the Ron Howard film “RUSH” is rated R and therefore contains content, language and practices I do not advocate or condone. If you decided to view this film please keep in mind the there are more important spiritual lessons to be learned from this account, which the filmmaker probably did not intend. Again, if you choose to watch this film please do so responsibly.

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

SACRED OLYMPIANS & VICTORY OVER SELF

medals

Over the many Olympic years the awarding of the bronze, silver and gold medals have been the featured climax at the end of every event. With the best three finalist standing on a podium, of distinction, they are awarded their placement, with a medal. Collectively the world watches as nations flags are raised to the sound of the first place winner’s national anthem. Often the camera will capture the emotions of the athletes, parents and crowd while the apex of achievement is witnessed for a few brief minutes. These are the “magical” moments often remember and celebrated because we recognize the remarkable achievement of the athlete. In that moment, everyone watching shares in the joy, pride and honor of being connected, through the athlete, to their nation. Honestly I find such moments emotionally stirring and think of the sacred Olympians, not of Greek mythology, but Biblical faith who have stood courageous for the King and the Kingdom without the medal, fan-fair or anybody noticing. These are the epic men and women, of faith, who achieved the great accomplishment over self.

While our modern day Olympic athletes are certainly at the top of their sport few will ever experience the sensational achievement the finalists will feel.  And for us, the viewing audience, most will never relate to their experiences. Yet, for the Christian, daily we encounter our personal competitions of endurance, tests of spiritual, physical and mental strength and strains of rivalry against a world that is very much our adversary.  Even though the Olympic games develop the highest levels of competition there is a respect, and sense of fair play, each athlete exhibits while knowing their competition is still their adversary.  While focused on winning the final reward what every athlete wants is to also defeat their competition and leave no room for a comeback or surprise upset. Likewise it is this way with the disciple of Jesus. We have a real adversary and unlike the spirit of the Olympics there is no sense of fairness and respect from him. Routinely Satan will use every trick, trap and unfair challenge to hinder you from completing the race you were destined to run and furthermore see to it that, if he is able, make sure you never experience the podium of victory.

So what guarantees victory for the modern day Olympian or today’s Christian? Again borrowing from the athlete’s journey their commitment to their sport has virtually, over time, consumed them to the point where they are no longer recognizable outside of the chosen path they are on.  In short, there is no longer any remnant of the individual conceit as they are enveloped with that which they are committed to.

By God’s creative design we are all fashioned with individuality and unique personalities that separate us from one another.  Likewise we are created with a great capacity for God; but in our disobedience (sin) to the Creators design and intent our individuality betrays our divine goals by substituting alternatives that, by their nature, keep us from getting at God. Jesus remains the only way to deliver us from sin and therefore, deliverance from ourselves from individuality. How is this accomplished? Certainly there is a divine outpouring of the Holy Spirit, in our lives, that enables us to make these necessary changes; but after the Holy Spirit is graciously poured out we must commit, as the Olympian, to present our natural life to God and sacrifice it until we are transformed into a spiritual life by obedience. In short the journey for the disciple is to no longer be seen as ourselves but as His!

While Satan, our adversary, often appeals to the nature of self, God focuses less on the natural and peers directly into the development of our spiritual life. When we live, prepare and compete, committed to His divine training, God’s prescribed order runs right across our natural life. Of course we admire the testimonies of triumph, over great adversity, and most of all we gain great encouragement from athletes that overcame those who told them, they can’t do it! When they heard deflating words they pressed through, all the harder, to succeed. And so it is with God and His disciples. God will not force the task of discipline on us. Like as expert coach He will wait for our commitment to discipline ourselves and then He will give us the tools necessary to overcome and win.
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If we are waiting for God to silence the critics, the well-meaning but misinformed or adversaries then we may find ourselves waiting a long time since He asks us, YOU bring every thought and imagination into captivity…you do it! Of course, this is a difficult challenge and I would not want you to think that in some way I am representing a merciless and uncompassionate God; because He is longsuffering, concerned, full of mercy and grace daily. But do not mistake His tenderness for moral weakness or His mercy for blatant ignoring of our undisciplined manners. When we face the strong challenges of doubt, fear and the desire to quit resist the urge to say, Lord, I suffer from struggling thoughts.’ Stop listening to the oppression of your individuality, and get emancipated by living in the new humanity of Jesus!

“If the Son shall make you free, …” What St. Paul means to convey in Galatians. 2:20 is he is no longer his own though he still has an individual race to run and call to fulfill. When Paul says he has“ been crucified with Christ,” he reminds himself and his readers his natural individuality has been broken and his personality is now merged with Jesus’. As with our current Olympians remember they did not come to their moment of contending, and excellence, by accepting anything other than giving themselves entirely to their sport. So while we may marvel at their achievement remember we are not those who run to gain a fading crown, or temporary medal, but we run so as to be united with Jesus and free indeed: free in essence, free from the inside and free from self. If you insist on contending for a prize then run your race to be identified with Jesus. This race, completed, with place you on the greatest podium of victory imaginable!

“Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.” (John 8:36 MSG)

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

STRIVING FOR THE ETERNAL REWARD

download (1)With the winter Olympics underway I must admit I am yet to watch a single minute of any event, a recap of medals won or upcoming competitions. My indifference has less to do with the actual sports, competitors or politics and is attributed more to my overall lack of passion for the Olympics itself. Nevertheless it is not lost on me there are many people who are fully enveloped in every result, the athletes stories and national pride that comes with winning a medal. Last night, as I was watching the news, a commercial advertized the actual length of the 2014 Winter Olympics which surprised me since I was under the impression the winter games were shorter in comparison to the summer games. As I thought on the length of the games, and the many men and women striving for honor, it caused me to contemplate on past Olympics and the people who will spend a lifetime determined to win a natural reward. But for all of the hours spent, sacrifices made, coaching and training, for a temporary prize, what can be said about the individual that contends for an eternal reward?

Being a Roman citizen St. Paul was very familiar with the influence the Olympic games, and marathons, had on the Greco-Roman culture. Often he wrote the early church using the games as a relatable place for the Christian to connect the ordinary of life with their faith. But before St. Paul we read of other remarkable Biblical people who understood the reality of God and striving for an eternal goal and not a natural prize. Abraham, the father of our faith, expressed the passion of a true sacred Olympian when he said, My goal is God Himself … At any cost, dear Lord, by any road. (Loose paraphrase)

When you stop to consider the early life of Abraham we know very little expect what we may “read between the lines.” The true character of Abraham is later revealed through his journey. Though Abraham experienced a series of personal failures, and setbacks, his lasting testimony is one of absolute faith, prayer and obedience to God’s coaching and securing the eternal goal. Jesus also said Come, let go and trust in God in this matter. In the spirit of true Hebraic holism, and divine instruction, Jesus’ words beckon the discipline to a life of obedience, faith and endurance. This was the life Abraham was committed to which forever set his natural focus on the eternal goal of the King and the Kingdom.

Most people often talk about running the race for the “real God” without considering the rigorous training and endurance that comes with such a pursuit. Until you are face to face with Him, like Abraham on Mt. Moriah or Moses at Sinai, many will talk about the promises of God without placing their full obedience in understanding the nature of God. As most of the world watches the winter games at Sochi I wonder how many Christians will actually view their own journey, for Jesus, with the same intense training these dedicated athletes commit to three hundred and sixty-five times a year and over a lifetime?
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Oswald Chambers, a man who lived the dedicated and committed life, challenges us today with his words, “All the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him Amen.’ The “yes” must be born of obedience; when by the obedience of our lives we say “Amen” to promise, then that promise is ours.” As you watch the 2014 Olympic games, and cheer for your favorite athletes, consider what event you are called to prepare for and what race you are being asked to run. Once you contemplate your place in the divine narrative of Jesus’ story then perhaps you will be challenged, motivated and encouraged to train like never before, believe as never before and remain committed until you gain the eternal reward of Him, regardless if you never possess earthly medals or stand on a podium of global fame.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

THE HEROIC? OR THE SIMPLICITY OF BIBLICAL HEROISM?

hero-croppedEverybody loves hero’s and heroic stories. And while some of us like the idea of knights in shining armor in reality what draws us, to the hero, is their humanity, flaws and courage to overcome self in favor of selflessness. When my son was a little boy he, like most boys his age, went through a prolonged superhero phase where Superman, Batman and a variety of many others decorated his walls, clothes and imagination. The fun thing about being a dad, with a little boy, is that when he is growing up you get to re-watch cartoons, play with toys and occasionally return to childhood. While the brief fantasy of some costumed caped crusader may sound silly to some in reality we all relate to the ethos of the superhero. The superheros of comic book lore, or real life, possess qualities we all long for and relate to such as: motivation, a strong moral code, ability, a supporting cast and an interesting back-story. Aside from these qualities there is something else we all long to experience at the end of the hero’s epic struggle: the marvelous occurrence of victory!

There seems to be a tendency, in search of the heroic for our life, to look for marvelous experiences while making the mistake that a sense of the heroic is, in some way, making us heroes when it isn’t. While victorious experiences can reveal certain traits of heroism I would submit true hero’s are those courageous men and women who live through a crisis majestically glorifying God when there is no witness, no spotlight and no-one paying the remotest attention to them.

When I was younger, and experiencing some measure of “successful” ministry, admittedly I had often pictured myself in some version of a medieval halo, secretly wanting people to say, What a Godly man I was. Or, Look how devoted to God and His Kingdom I am?  But as I matured, faced several personal set-backs and experienced some humbling moments I discovered self-aggrandizing, selfishness and pride did not make me, or anybody else, a hero regardless of ministry or ministry aspirations.

Sometimes, it indicates that your partner is not fully interested in you, which can contribute canadian viagra pills to poor sexual life. Since men are more susceptible to cancer development, thus regular buy viagra consumption of ginseng can treat problems like restlessness and erectile dysfunction condition. These kinds of issues involve anti-sperm antibodies, cervical stenosis, and insufficient secretion of mucus for the journey of generic levitra 10mg buying here sperm. Low click address online viagra canada libido is when sexual desire is very less or negligible harmful effects and have been successfully tested on males of different age groups. A REAL HERO is the person who is committed to living rightly devoted to Jesus, to the very point when people no longer notice you; but see Jesus Christ alive in you. So, when people hear your testimony, see your witness and experience your friendship do they see you or Jesus in and through you?  The true hero’s of our ancient and vibrant Judeo-Christian faith are those who allowed the Holy Spirit, in them, to develop them to the very point where they were unnoticeable. This is the test facing every Christian who desires to live a life that is modestly heroic. It is in the beautiful simplicity and truth, of Jesus, the disciple discovers the heroic call and life. In the epic climax and seal of the disciples journey their successes or failures are never highlighted but what is recognized is their faithfulness to God.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

STAY OUT OF GOD’S WAY & WAIT FOR HIS CUE

guidanceNear my house there is a lot of construction going on. Not more than a block from my front door a new subdivision of homes are being built up and a few blocks down the other end a major section of the road is being widened. It seems no matter which way I turn there is a detour or a road worker directing traffic. A few mornings back I was sitting in a long car line, bringing my son to school, when I finally came to a place of turning. While the traffic light was red the road worker was waving me to pass through the intersection. What do I do? Do I follow the traffic rules, and lights, or the man wearing the red suit with his arms waving me on? Well, a car honk later, my son saying, Dad…Go! and the road worker pointing directly at me to move, was enough motivation to continue on trusting he (the road worker was right).

My little slice of life, at a busy intersection, is not too different than everyday life for any of us. Honestly, I was very uncomfortable sandwiched between traffic, years of driving rules and some guy in the middle of the road; and in this instance I was very much the amateur. What about you? What happens when your life has pressure behind you, common sense in front of you and God waving His hands trying to get your attention? For some of us it takes a long time to realize we can become a real danger to ourselves, and others, by remaining amateurs. Returning to my road story imagine what may have happened if I just stopped? Traffic would have increased, frustration would have mounted and uncertainty may have developed into fear the next time the light switched. And so, looking to the man in the middle of the road I decided not to interfere with his directions. Likewise, we should behave this way with God. When God is directing you, even in an uncertain situation, do no retreat into safe assumptions that place your will straight in front of God’s permissive will.

Perhaps the hardest place to trust God’s will, over our desires, is experienced when we are living with people in our community of faith or loved ones? Most people see the hurt, harm or fear, of others, and instantly want to intervene with the desire to help, heal or prevent it. But what if God is saying to us, What are YOU doing in this situation? What if God has allowed circumstances to unfold, in such a way, where He desires to bring the “in need” into a reality of needing Him and not you? We may be well intentioned in desiring to ease the suffering of people but unless we are led by the Holy Spirit, and supported by His Word, way may be advising people to have faith in us and not God. If our role, in the life of others, is to bring them unto ourselves then we are also interfering in the life of another; proposing things we have no right to propose and advising when we have no right to advise. When the opportunity opens, for you to give advice or aide to another, God will advise through you with the direct understanding of His will. Our part is to be so in tune with God that His discernment comes through you and allows Him to be the true blessing for the person in need.

REMEMBER MY TRAFFIC STORY? At the intersection of traffic, construction and direction is very real life. We all reside and know people who are living in various stages of traffic, construction and needing direction yet too often we attempt, with amateur efforts, to solve or cure problems without allowing God the room to actually direct us. The results are seldom ideal and even more disastrous are the unintended consequences the follow our not waiting for God or allowing Him to direct His people in need. In short, GET OUT OF THE WAY OF GOD and allow Him the breathing room to give, those He loves, the proper cues to navigate dangerous situations. The man in the middle of the road knew the traffic situation and the potential dangers ahead; and when he waved me through the intersection I arrived safely through the circumstance.
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Today’s post is by no means a “free pass” to ignore the needs of others but rather, in seeing the need, we are to be carefully led by the Holy Spirit how to intervene and to what extent. Once we are led by Him then we can have the confidence that He (God) is using us to carry through His plans and purposes in the lives of others. At times you may find yourself doing little and in others seasons you may be called on to intervene in much. In either case be sure to stay out of God’s way and let Him be the main director because He alone see’s and knows the true extent of the circumstances and the people He cares for.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

LOOKING FROM AFAR or DRAWING CLOSER (THE HOLY SPIRIT and THE ALTERED LIFE)

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Before I began my ministry journey I was well on a personal voyage of self and faith. Growing up in a traditional middle-class family life was fairly predictable. But if I thought life was conventional then faith and religion was far more planned and unsurprising. Week after week I attended church knowing what to expect from any given Sunday worship experience. This was not to say my church was “dead” or boring; in fact that would be the farthest thing from the truth. The church of my childhood, and youth, was home to amazing families, weekly visitors, dynamic teachers, vibrant praise and worship and most of all a commitment to allow the Holy Spirit to move freely during the service. Still, despite this freestyle approach, week after week without any intentional planning Sunday more or less always felt the same. Consequently as the church marched on living in a steady expectation of what worked, felt and seemed right, I also found my spiritual appetite, more or less, mirroring the church. In a phrase, I became content to live spiritually predictable.

One Sunday morning, in the mid-90’s, a particular service forever changed the identity of my childhood church; and though there was no expectation for that service to unfold as it later did the events that followed led to many changed lives for years to come. For close to seven years, the Holy Spirit revolutionized the church from the pulpit to the pew and from the pew to the community; and what was once a place of worship with predictability became a center of praise, healing and ministry that knew few boundaries.  While lives were changed, marriages restored, people healed and ministries launched I still stayed on the sidelines and watched from afar, though remained faithfully present. With each life changing testimony I knew the people whose lives were changed. They were part of our spiritual family and the miraculous brought joy to us all.  Still, my joy for God’s gracious healing and outpouring never translated to my personal pursuit of such changes in my own life.

As the years have passed I have been able to reflect on those experiences and my unwillingness to personally encounter God’s outpouring. Once the Holy Spirit finished moving, as he did those seven years, I remained with many in my church. And while they had been set free, and delivered, from their trials I found myself beginning to wrestle with the personal issues of pride, rejection, insecurity and fear. I too wanted to be “set-free” but also remain at a distance. Why was I unwilling to upset my desire for spiritual predictability in favor of the supernatural unpredictability of God?

It came down to a simple truth: I was unwilling to change from the old comfortable “self” and embrace a new, rebuilt and redesigned man living in the new humanity of Jesus! When such a sobering reality set in I was shaken to the point where I even asked if I was really saved? Of course I knew, deep within, I had accepted and received Jesus’ gracious invitation but in my desire to maintain a spiritually predictable existence I had missed out on the intimate hunger for God’s supernatural to change my life. Not only had I witnessed the Holy Spirit but I did my best to avoid Him which resulted in my adoption of other-Biblical views on salvation, grace and mercy. Salvation, for me, became going to church, tithing, being the best moral person I could be, wearing a cross and identifying myself with fellow Christians. But when I began to wrestle with “self”, having avoided the Holy Spirit, I discovered that salvation, grace and mercy could only be understood with the Holy Spirit! So as I returned to the Bible, for my answers, it suddenly became very clear: THE MARK OF A SAVED LIFE IS THE ALTERED LIFE.

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One of the trademarks of God’s encounter, and visitation, is that He has altered you deep within. If you still hunger for the old life, or crave the old appetites it is illogical to talk about being born-again when you are still juggling yourself. This is not to say even the altered man will not face temptations however when we are born again the Spirit of God makes the alteration visible and livable in your ordinary of life. When we live life firmly rooted in His Holy Spirit we complete, through Him, the amazing adjustment that is the evidence we are truly a saved soul, redeemed person and transfigured life.

“Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.” (2 Cor. 5:17 MSG)

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

GIVE IT TO GOD & DON’T TAKE IT BACK!

Let-Go-and-Let-GodThe other day I was sitting in my living room speaking with a mature Christian woman, in age and spiritual journey, about life and how we tend bring things to God but seldom let go. Jokingly she said to me, I’m a pessimist and when I give things to God I want to always take them back. Honestly I, and most others, am not too different from this woman. A casual scan through the pages of history, and the Bible, will reveal a many persons who had a hard time letting go.  Perhaps they were possessions, a secret desire, an insatiable lust for power, wealth, sex or maybe it was our nearest belongings such as a loved one or birthright? Whatever the reason may be we are easily the people who say, for pious appearance sake, we will give it to the Lord…but in reality we still have both hands firmly clasped on what we presuppose to value most.

WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO LET GO? There is an extraordinary passage, in the Bible, about a man who let go named Abraham. Through a series of circumstances, challenges and tests of faith Abraham followed the call of God up Mt. Moriah to turn his closest possession loose, his son Isaac. In the moments preceding Abraham’s sacrificial journey God’s command was direct with little room for debate and parsing of words: “He said, “Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I’ll point out to you.” (Genesis 22:2 MSG)

Did you notice the direct nature of God in speaking with Abraham? Take now…not later. I find it a little unsettling when we debate with God once He has clearly told us to let go of a certain circumstance or situation. Even when we receive confirmation that God has spoken to us, in a certain matter, we often do our best to find excuses for not seeing the issue through at once. But this was not the attitude or disposition of Abraham. In fact, no matter how challenged and difficult it was for him to make preparations Abraham knew, within his spirit, his ascension to the apex of Mt. Moriah was where he would encounter God in a new and revelatory way by letting go.

“And Abraham rose up early in the morning, … and went unto the place of which God had told him” (v. 3). If you are a parent then you know how difficult the emotional, physical and mental challenge that warred within Abraham must have been and yet the Scriptures speak not of Abraham’s struggle but of his astonishing simplicity and faith! REMEMBER when God speaks to us He is not asking our “flesh” to make sense of the request or command. Just the opposite! When God is speaking he bypasses our sympathies and personal insights by targeting our personal relationship with Him. It is in your journey up “Mt. Moriah” you will confront self or trust in obedience to Him. The very nature of self always hinders our obedience to God; but our faith in Him (God), and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, can supersede the natural by allowing us to let go and truly trust the divine hand and purpose of God in the circumstance.
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A FINAL THOUGHT ON ABRAHAM (A MAN WHO LET GO AND TRUSTED GOD) Abraham did not choose the sacrifice. In fact, multiple times we read Abraham never chose the circumstances in which God would prove His covenant promise, love and blessing. Therefore, let us take a life lesson from the journey of Abraham and always guard our self against self-chosen sacrifice or even the “Mt. Moriah” of our selecting. If you have journeyed long enough, with Jesus, then you have experienced or met people where God has made their cup sweet with grace; and even bitter to draw us into communion with Him. We must be prepared to face the real twists and turns of outrageous fortune while daily living in touch with Him. When you are faced with a trial, circumstance or an event, to hard to bear, call on God! In a time of great need let go and resist the urge to take it back. God is always working for His highest ends until His purpose and man’s purpose finally become one.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

THE FIFTH GOSPEL: YOU

witnessingI once heard a minister say there are five Gospel’s; and four of them most people will never read. There is Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and YOU. You are the fifth Gospel that people will observe, hear and reflect on. So what impression do you give?

Perhaps one of the hardest challenges we experience is the hard look inward. It is easy to criticize someone, or to be over critical of oneself, but this doesn’t necessarily mean we are taking an honest and introspective look at our self. If we are to be “the fifth gospel”, or the witnesses of His sanctification, we must also carry, with us, the preparedness to take on the responsibility of how people will know us. Of course, this could be a terrible and depressing burden to live life constantly evaluating how others perceive you if not for the most powerful and dynamic indwelling within us: The Holy Spirit. Despite our faults, flaws or jagged edges it takes the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, within the person, to soften the edges, mend the flaws and correct the faults. When the Christian journeyman lives with this reality the burden of perception is lifted and the great commission is embraced with a sense of purpose and mission.

Truthfully it is difficult, especially for the Christian, to understand what our purpose and aim in life is until we understand the Holy Spirit can only reveal God’s purpose, for humanity. This is why too many Christian’s are afraid to witness, evangelize or testify of God’s Kingdom message because they are concerned with what impression they are showing. The reason for their personal concern may be tied to their clothes, status in surrounding community or personal pride; when their real concern should be the level of the Holy Spirit deeply alive and active within them. When we read of St. Peter’s sermon, at Pentecost, the Bible tells us he (Peter) was filled with the dunamis (Holy Spirit power – like dynamite) that when activated resulted in many believing, being baptized and confessing Jesus as Lord. This is the Fifth Gospel is action!

When you are the fifth gospel you are living a life filled for His purposes, throughout the world, just as He (God) used Jesus for the purpose of our salvation. If the world sincerely searched for an alive, vibrant and hopeful faith they could look to “the facts” and discover the truth in Christianity. But remember most people will never read the Gospels, or examine the facts, so they need to read and understand you. If we present a Christianity that seeks great things for our self then we have effectively helped place a barrier of “self and pride” between people and Jesus. As long as we possess self-serving interests and worldly-ambitions people, in need, will never identify you with Jesus or God’s interests. BUT when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and motivate us we will begin to let loose of the terrible “gospel of self” and let God bring us into His purposes.
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SOMETHING WE ALL NEED TO LEARN: The aim in life is God’s, not ours. God desires to use us as rescue lines, for the seeking, searching, hurting and lost. As for God’s personal agenda? All He ever asks, of any man or woman, is do we trust and obey Him? His mercy, grace, blessing and promises are without doubt and so when we are in the refining process, of the becoming the fifth gospel, let Him crumple us up or applaud us, He can do anything He chooses. Again, God is simply asking will we have unreserved faith in Him and allow ample room for the Holy Spirit to be alive in us? Remember  YOU are the fifth gospel!   

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

PRAYER: AN UNRIVALED GAME-CHANGER

game-changerIf you have ever followed a sporting competition then chances are you have heard the expression “a game-changing moment.” Maybe it’s a player or a particular play but when the moment happens we call it a game-changer because that is exactly what occurs: The circumstances change dramatically. This past week I had a “game-changing” moment and it came attached to prayer, faith and in the most unusual of circumstances.

Earlier this year I shared with you how I was on a new journey of faith where I was going to bring my “head faith” down to the ordinary and practical of life. Of course this journey hasn’t been easy especially when the circumstances, I am bel ieving for, are not noticeably changing. Nevertheless I remained determined to continue this journey not as an experiment but as a way of living where to live is to worship and to worship is to live. As 2014 started I felt anxious to see how quickly my circumstances would change but in reality little seemed to be moving until…

It was the Friday after the new year and I had received a call that a fellow Christian, that I knew but have a limited relationship with, was facing a serious health issue in his family. My first reaction was one of concern that then turned to the thought of praying for his family. But just as I was about to dismiss any further action I felt, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, to call this man and actually bring my faith into the ordinary and practical of life. Our conversation was brief, no more than ten minutes, which concluded with my praying for his family and that was it. Later the next week I went to my mailbox and saw a letter from an individual addressed to our faith community. As I opened the letter there were just a few short words, a request and an extremely generous financial gift to Maranatha Koinonia. I sat stunned! I couldn’t find the words to express how I felt nor could I conceive of any scenario in which this blessing found its way to our faith community…but it did!

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED? In a circumstance of someone’s crisis I was energized, by the Holy Spirit, to prayer! The Lord knew I haven’t been praying for money and truthfully I didn’t even know where to begin my prayers because there were, and remain, so many needs. Yet, as I practiced to live is to worship and to worship is to live I experienced the Holy Spirit Himself praying, in me, prayers which I couldn’t utter. Prayer and answered prayer are the game changing moments (testimonies) of the dynamic and Spirit-filled life, of the Christian, when we are those who are “born again” of God and indwelt by the Spirit of God. It is when we are firing on all Spirit-birthed cylinders, in the ordinary of life, the supernatural happens.

“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. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” (Romans 8:26)

WHAT NEEDS TO OCCUR IN US ALL: St. Paul addresses the dynamic life of the Christian when He (the Holy Spirit) drives and motivates our prayer.  In speaking to the church in Rome he writes, “He,” the Spirit in you, makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” When this happens God is searching our hearts not to know what our conscious prayers are, but to help us discover what the prayer of the Holy Spirit, deep within us, is. What I experienced, this past week, was a Spirit-birthed and Spirit-prompted moment of prayer which exceeded what I was prepared to do naturally. But when the supernatural broke into the natural circumstances prayer went from words into action and action into healing which was followed by Spirit-birthed love, appreciation and blessing!

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WHAT I LEARNED and HOPE TO PASS ALONG TO YOU: The Spirit of God will not dwell in a body where we want to live life based on our convenience. Though it may have been natural, for some, it was inconvenient to stop my life to pray for another. But when the Holy Spirit burst into my ordinary I had no other choice but to respond to His prompting and presence. I experienced a game-changing moment that led to many game changing opportunities.

Have you recognized that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit? If so, then lovingly I want to encourage you to remain careful to keep it undefiled for Him (Jesus). “We have to remember that our conscious life, though it is only a tiny bit of our personality, is to be regarded by us as a shrine of the Holy Ghost. He will look after the unconscious part that we know nothing of; but we must see that we guard the conscious part for which we are responsible.” (Chambers)

In a few weeks there will be a Super Bowl and both teams will be hoping for a game-changing moment. What about you? Are you facing circumstances where you know you need the supernatural to burst into your ordinary? If so,  then take some time to re-read this post, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help re-energize your prayer life and make room for His supernatural presence to not just fill you but use you for the service of the Gospel message and Kingdom hope.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

READY? SET? ACTION!

ahc_79194When Jeannette and I were first married I quickly discovered how different we really were. Through three years of dating, and an engagement period, I thought we were just alike in everything; but then after we said I do I realized we weren’t. That’s not to say our differences were bad or in some way we had deceived one another; it just reminds us that there are many ways, in our similarities, we can still be very different. It didn’t take long for me to discover our differences when after our first disagreement (fight) I wanted to patch things up and move on with a quick resolution. Jeannette, on the other hand, needed some time and breathing room to process our disagreement as well as our resolution. For over sixteen years we have managed to deal with conflict, disappointment, failures and hurts in much the same way as our first argument. And over this period of time I have come to appreciate the value of allowing the process of letting a situation breathe so as long as we are allowing the truth of God to act during that time.

As a pastor I have managed to tackle problems, within the church, from a variety of approaches. In some instances I have pressed, head strong, for a quick resolution with disastrous results; and at other times I have waited, too long, to allow people to process a conflict, which has also ended in unsuccessful outcomes. So after reading a variety of leadership books, conflict management articles and advise from my peers I still felt as if there was no “best” way to deal with any single situation better than what the Bible tells us.

St. James writes the early church and encourages them, “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.” (James 4:7-10 MSG)

“It is essential to give people a chance of acting on the truth of God.” (Chambers) After the pastor, husband, wife, boss or friend has had their say, in any situation or conflict, the responsibility must be left with the individual. You cannot, and are incapable, of acting for him or her and they must be deliberate in responding in a Christlike manner to any situation. Sadly, when we refuse to act, as Jesus would prompt us through His Word, we become paralyzed and end up exactly as we were before. Have you ever met people who live their life stuck? There are some who refuse to grow up, others who dodge responsibility and others still who assign blame, to others, for their misfortune. If you know this type of person or find yourself here today then return to what James tells us and CHANGE IT!  When one acts, he or she is never the same. And when we act upon God’s Word He begins to work His perfect will in our life immediately!

Too many people play games, with their own lives, by wasting precious time living in stalled action. Once you find yourself repeating a failed behavior, negative thinking or destructive speech immediately let go and allow God to get into your circumstance. The moments we will truly live are the moments when we act with our whole will submitted to His plans and purposes.
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FINAL THOUGHT: IT TAKES TIME, SO ALLOW FOR SOME BREATHING ROOM. While most of today’s post has advocated a quick Biblical response to life’s challenges I would be remiss if I didn’t bring some balance to the topic. Like Jeannette’s needing time to process our disagreement most people do require some breathing room. I personally believe all people would benefit from some time to “work it out.” However, this time needs to be well spent seeking Jesus and allowing His truth to walk us toward His resolution. “Never allow a truth of God that is brought home to your soul to pass without acting on it, not necessarily physically, but in will.” (Chambers)

In every part, or role in life, we play we will always be faced with the truth of God. When we confess we are wrong, but go back again; then we come up to it again, and go back; we are hopefully learning the valuable life lesson that tells us we have no business returning to an old failed way of living and thinking. God’s truth is not a negative reality that is meant to hurt or rob you rather His truths are the finest words of redemption in which Jesus transacts the business of drawing us back to Him. The final step we need to take is to go to Him; and everyone who responds to His invitation lives a life where the supernatural power of God invades and changes them instantly. If you truly want to be free from the burdensome power of the world, your weak flesh and your adversary, understand they are not paralyzed by your words or your actions of self! But the stumbling blocks and barriers will always be halted by your action, and will, that is linked to Jesus and His redemptive power!

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA