Tag Archives: Christian living

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

UNMASKING TEMPTATION: DON’T LIVE IN BONDAGE BUT LIVE IN THE SPIRIT!

temptation-apple-and-snakeUNMASKING TEMPTATION: DON’T LIVE IN BONDAGE BUT LIVE IN THE SPIRIT!

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man.” (1 Cor. 10:13)

I was a little boy running and playing, with my best friend, enjoying the innocence that came with a young life lived without fears, troubles or concerns. To this day I can’t remember where I first heard a cuss word but I do remember the day I heard those unclean words in my mind. Foul word after foul word bounced around eagerly pressing me to fly from my mouth and join the chorus of my fellow school mates…but I resisted. It may have only been a few seconds; but it felt like hours and I found myself running home desperate to ask my mom if I had sinned by hearing these words in my mind. The conversation that followed was the first time I understood the difference between sin and temptation. Yes, the life without fears, troubles or concerns had left; and from that day forward I have sought to unmask temptation because I now understood Satan loves to use enticement as a “back door” mechanism to place people in bondage that eventually draws us back into sin.

The word temptation has been seeded throughout our society and many people believe they know it when they see it; but we, in the community of faith, are apt to use it incorrectly. Temptation is not sin, it is the entity we are bound to confront if we are living people. Many of us, however, suffer from temptations from which we have no business experiencing, simply because we have refused to let God scratch underneath the surface (or what is wrong in us) and lift us to a higher elevation in Him.

This is where you can count on feedbacks and reviews. Continue to storefront cialis online mastercard Individuals going through this are usually shy enough and also have confronted your best prices on sildenafil parent or parents. Consume 1 or 2 Kamdeepak capsule twice per day ordine cialis on line with milk or water. When should this drug not viagra prices be used? You should not use if you: * are taking any nitrate medication, such as nitroglycerin for angina, as it may lead to a severe drop in blood pressure. A persons character on the inside, what he / she possesses in their personality, partly determines what they may be tempted by on the outside. The temptation fits the nature of the one tempted, and reveals the possibilities of our fallen nature. So in order to unmask temptation we need to define it. Simply defined temptation is a suggested short cut to the realization of the highest call that we are all to aim for. Consider this, temptation never appeals to your feelings or rationale based on your understanding of evil. Rather temptation has a way of masking an evil action or outcome in making you feel as if you are entertaining a good action or right feeling. In effect temptation tries to convince us not to understand evil but to think we can achieve God’s highest goodness without understanding His holiness.

The other trap, attached to the hook of temptation, is its ability to confuse our feelings as we attempt to reconcile right from wrong. Without the aid of the Holy Spirit we incapable of separating right from wrong and furthermore, without Him, we will not resist our lust-filled desires on will-power alone. Everyday we are given proof of this in a world where the Holy Spirit is absent and suppressed. When the vices of a world soaked in murder, rage, hate, perversion, jealously, greed, fear and worry begin to invade our communities of faith we must ask the hard questions of how and why has temptation come through our spiritual threshold? Could it be where the Holy Spirit is absent doubt persists under the cloak of temptation…and temptation will lead to sin?  While temptation is not something we may escape it something we need to be aware of and overcome through the inward and outward working of the Holy Spirit. While God does not save us from temptations He will deliver us in the midst of them as long as we place our total dependence, love and trust in Him. (Heb. 2:18.)

GRACE AND PEACE

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

GOD SAVED A LITTLE CORNER FOR ME

gepettoprayerGOD SAVED A LITTLE CORNER FOR ME

Many years ago my uncle, who has spent a lifetime performing in the country music industry, a hall of famer and recognized expert on Jimmie Rogers, wrote a small gospel song about the country church he grew up in. The song, though published, has long since disappeared into music history but I have never forgotten a simple phrase from that tune: God saved a little corner for me.  There are countless journals, diaries and letters of people who have been visited, by Jesus, while seeking and praying in the “little corner” set aside for them and God. Maybe you have heard this special place called a prayer closet? Oswald Chambers called his place the region of religion; and whatever any of us name this exclusive rest we all know it is where we go to set our eyes upon God and not on men.

Admittedly there are times when we do not desire to be known as praying people and avoid the little corner. It seems hardest to spend time, alone with God, when we are living in the spiritual dryness of a season. Emotional, spiritual, physical struggles and even passé attitudes may try to convince us God’s little corner is a waste of valuable time and necessary energy. But that would be a lie from the adversary, who wants nothing more than to rob us from communion with the Father. For me the “inner chamber” is the room above our garage. When I am in my “upper room” my family knows I am spending time talking with the Father in secret. I have discovered these times of prayer have no other motive than to know my heavenly Father and take the time to hear what He has to say.

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions.…” (v. 7).  Prayer is not simply getting things from God, that is an initial form of prayer; but prayer is getting into perfect communion with God. If the Son of God (Jesus) is formed in us by regeneration (the Holy Spirit), He will change our hearts and attitudes to the things about which we pray. “Everyone that asketh receiveth.” Asking means our will is in it and our will should desire to be the will of the Father. Whenever Jesus talked about prayer, He shared it with the striking simplicity of a child; Jesus said “Ask” but remember that we have to ask of God things that are in keeping with Him whom Jesus revealed.
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Today and everyday be sure to visit the little corner God has set aside for you. You may be surprised what He has to say. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret. (Matthew 6:6)

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE WHEN NODODY IS LOOKING

magicianYOU ARE WHO YOU ARE WHEN NODODY IS LOOKING

“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty.” (2 Cor. 4:2)

Have you ever attended or watched a magic show? Of course everybody, in the audience, knows there is not any real magic being performed; yet the viewer sits fixed on the stage either trying to figure out the trick or marvel at the fantastic performance being unveiled before their eyes. Through careful stagecraft, props and lighting each trick builds upon the next until the show culminates with a grand finale. With the performance concluded many in the audience will leave asking how did he do that? Of course, the answer to the question will remain a secret because the magician wants you to believe in the power of illusion.

I once heard a pastor say, referring to a persons character, you are who you are when nobody is looking. What Pastor Laurie was expressing is a temptation, we all struggle with, when we are safely behind locked doors with the shades pulled shut. It is in the privacy of where we believe nobody sees us our words and actions the truth of who we are is revealed. While some people openly demonstrate their true self there are those who act like ‘the magician” and perform great illusions for others to believe. I want to encourage all of us, as St. Paul encouraged the ancient church, renounced the hidden things of dishonesty. The purpose of today’s post is not to “scare” anybody into the fear that Jesus is waiting to expose every dishonest word or action we have committed (although, for loves sake, He will not indefinitely allow dishonesty to persist in any persons life). Rather I hope to appeal to the spirit of Christ, within you, that yearns for the higher call to holiness, righteousness, communion and spiritual community.

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As we personally desire to live a genuine Christlike life we must maintain a continual watchfulness to be transparent and honest with a world we desire to reach with the Gospel message. “Smoke and mirrors” Christianity is much like the magician performing a grand illusion: On the exterior we can be impressive, inviting and entertaining. But do we risk performing for a people who are still questioning, what is the trick? Will we not more effectively reach the seeking and searching when we express a relationship that can exist without the lights and stagecraft? I hope this has given all of us something to pray on and consider.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

A LITTLE INSIDE BALL: A SECULAR GOSPEL OR A TRUTHFUL GOSPEL?

imagesA LITTLE INSIDE BALL: A SECULAR GOSPEL OR A TRUTHFUL GOSPEL?

In honor of the upcoming World Series I want to borrow an expression often used to explain what happens behind the scenes during a game. The expression, a little inside ball means you are going to reveal some secrets that are known only to “insiders.” So here is an already well known perception: within the church USA there is a growing concern in the gap between the community of faith (Christians) and those they desire to reach (the un-churched, seeking or searching). Now this may not be much of a secret, to you, but the real inside ball is the growing disconnect the church has within itself in sharing the Gospel message with the world they seek to reach. (More on this later)

For over thirty years, especially beginning with the “Jesus Movement” of the 70’s, churches experienced exponential growth and influence within a culture experiencing social and spiritual disillusionment. During this precious outpouring many men and women learned how to engage their culture and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, a harvest was reaped during those seasons of uncertainty and spiritual decline. The years that followed saw the rapid expansion of churches, ministries and the birth of the mega-church across the United States. By the 1980’s the American church was engaged in world missions (especially within Communist nations) as well as providing a strong counter balance against the popular culture that resisted the revived church ethos. Though there have always been liberal approaches to theology and ministry, during this time,  there was little debate on what kind of Gospel message was shared with the world.

By the 1990’s another social shift occurred as skepticism and cynicism increased with reports of moral compromises and financial scandals that rocked the church. By the late 90’s, though largely un-recognized, the church USA’s voice and influence was waning. By 2000, and especially following the aftermanth of 9/11, the church seemed less equipped and unable to aide a nation in need of repentance and restoration to Jesus. While many churches were filled during those immediate weeks following 9/11 many of the same churches were empty months later. In an attempt to reconnect with the changing culture much of the church shifted their approach, creeds and doctrinal roots in favor of a Gospel that was more “in touch” with Generation X, Y and Millennials. So, has the church managed to influence the culture following this purposeful shift? (More on this later)

Here I would like to boldly acknowledge I am not writing this post as an outlier within the Christian culture. This post is not meant to criticize a church, denomination, pastor and or a specific approach to ministry. Truthfully I am very much a part of the church culture that lives disconnected from society and acknowledges I am trying to find a way to reach the seeking, searching and lost. I was raised in the 80’s, experienced the changes of the 90’s and live with the results of the 2000’s. As a pastor, I have often tried to appeal to people, who have lived their spiritual formation through the “church mill”, only to discover their past hurts and offenses have hindered their ability to engage in a healthy spiritual community. Likewise I too have failed, at times, trying to push people into a failing pattern that was incapable of helping them mature, grow, reconcile and live restored. It has always been my sincere hope I could provide something “better”, that could reach people, only to realize I also needed to change.

But what do we change? Or better asked, where do we begin to change? Should we change our doctrines? Perhaps our worship styles or physical exteriors? I would add (and this is my opinion) changes in décor and clothing can be made to be respectful as well as sacred. This same principle can be applied to worship and the way we conduct ourselves in public ministry. But can we apply the same approach to doctrine? ABSOLUTELY NOT! This must remain a non-negotiable but not for the purposes of trying to keep tradition and religion in a place of esteemed honor. Earlier, in this post, I asked has the church managed to influence the culture? Sadly the answer is no. A 2009 survey, from the Barna research group, revealed the American Christian culture believes less about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible and even Satan than ever before. Even more shocking was the belief that almost half of the Christian’s surveyed believed the Bible was the same expression of truth equivalent to the Koran or the Book of Mormon. For all of our churches, ministries and Christian based entertainment it is apparent the ancient doctrines of our Christian faith are unknown or not believed and the result is a ‘Christian” nation without an identity.

Last week I met with a couple of church “doctors” who were spending some time with me and helping Maranatha Koinonia through a series of ministry transitions. During one part of our conversation one of the “doctors” turned to me and said, “The reason the church is failing to reach people is because the church USA has failed to realize America is a secular nation.” As our conversation continued the reality, that became evident (and here is the inside ball), was if the church will not share a truthful Gospel, to a culture in search of truth, then all we have given society is a secularized Gospel.
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Many of my ministry peers have tried to make Jesus simple in the hope this would appeal to the majority of people. In a very real way Jesus is extraordinarily simple. But there is nothing simple in the dedicated life of one who follows Jesus.  Admittedly we, in the church, tend to complicate things with tradition and religion, and while some tradition is rooted in ancient creeds, and faith, there are many practices that are rooted in complicated routines. Today, we live in a world that claims to make life simpler; but for all of the simplicity life has become more complicated and confusing. Here is a simple truth: God has revealed a simple genuineness, especially in a world of competing ideas, faiths and philosophies, through a Biblically truthful Gospel and Jesus. Too often I see people try to make Jesus someone of their own ideology or use the excuse living as a Christian is too hard. To this I politely counter by saying, religion is complicated but a relationship is simple. Jesus has not invited a seeking and searching world to join a convoluted and complicated system of controls and manipulation. Jesus has invited the seeking, searching, hungry and lost to enter into a simple relationship by which we will allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into a healthy community of faith with the Father, Son, Spirit and Church Universal.

Here’s the point: Jesus is simple! This is why He says to come to Him as a little child.  But living a lifestyle of the world, and for the world, is complicated. To live a secular Gospel or a Truthful Gospel is the great question facing the church USA and the people we seek to reach. The reason we can not compromise the ancient creeds and doctrines, of our faith, is because they are rooted and born by Spirit of God. In an increasingly secularized nation do we really want to reach people with just a secularized Gospel or do we want to share a simple but truthful Gospel? Here’s the inside ball: The church will fail, Jesus’ Great Commission, if we do not influence and reach the un-churched with the simple, Biblical, Gospel Truth. Much like the cultural and spiritual convulsions of the 70’s we are again experiencing the same changes. While we know the Holy Spirit desires to pour out, and revive our dry lands again, I seriously wonder if the church USA really wants Him to pour out and begin His revival within our houses of worship?

As I mentioned earlier I am every bit part of the problem as well as part of the solution. While we may make some “surface” changes, to reach the searching, seeking and un-churched, we can never change the heart of our ancient faith that remains the same yesterday, today and forever.  For all of our ministries, church numbers and influence I am still reading, daily, of a nation sinking further into moral decay and spiritual blindness. What will take for the church USA to stop sharing a secular Gospel and a complicated man- made religious system? When will the church USA return to a simply Christian lifestyle, a simply Jesus faith and truthful Gospel creed? Let it begin in my house….let it begin in all of our houses.

“The simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Cor. 11:3)

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

WHEN SURRENDER IS GOOD

riskWHEN SURRENDER IS GOOD

It was the summer of ’91 and my best friend and I entered the long days of June, July and August. In actuality we were only a few weeks past the close of the school year but somehow we had managed to exhaust our entire list of “things to do” and now found ourselves out of ideas. Bored, and with our imaginations running on empty, I pulled out a game we had never seen before but the cover and tag line were perfect to fuel any young ego: RISK: The Game of Global Domination. Suffice to say my friend I were hooked and day after day we engaged in epic battles of global conquest. Sometimes I would win and other times I would suffer humiliating defeats. But no matter how bad either of us were loosing one word was never voiced from of our mouths: Surrender.

Surrender is not natural to any person. Certainly there are people who are more laid back, than others, but even the most compliant person has a point to where they will refuse to willfully surrender. It should therefore not surprise anybody when we struggle with the thought of surrendering our will to the will of the Father. While we all face different challenges I am convinced there is no greater crisis than the surrender of our will to Jesus. Unlike my “merciless” friend (humor implied) God never crushes our will into surrender. Likewise Jesus never begs us to give up all we have and follow Him. What we read from Scripture, and have seen played out through countless lives, is He always waits until we surrender our will to His. I have discovered once you truly surrender to Jesus that is one battle that you never have to fight again. But why should we surrender our will to Him? Here are two thoughts for you two consider:

1. Surrender for Deliverance. “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.” It is after we have begun to experience what freedom, from sin, is like and what salvation means we gladly surrender our will to Jesus for rest. The burdens of sin and cares of this life are heavy and weighted with guilt, shame and bondage. But like Christian, in Pilgrim’s Progress, when our perplexing heart or mind responds to His “Come unto Me” our voluntary surrender results in our burdens falling and rolling away never to return.

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So you may ask, What happens after surrender? After surrender the whole of life becomes a goal for unbroken communion with God. While such a journey, with the Father, is a lifetime of learning and growing it is also one that you have been lovingly invited to partake in. Here it must be noted with every journey there is a starting point and at the beginning of communion, with Jesus, starts our surrender to Him.

Grace and Peace

Joshua 

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

IN CHRIST ALONE…

In Christ AloneIN CHRIST ALONE…

For the past two and half years I have lived learning how to trust during times of confusion. Often I have repeated the words, I just don’t get it? or What is the Lord doing now? when I encountered a roadblock or unexpected trial. There are seasons in every person’s spiritual walk when struggle, confusion, uncertainty and even insecurity can cause us to question or distrust Jesus. While many factors can contribute to such seasons it is important we do not mistake confusion, sent by an adversary, with God bringing you through a journey you do not understand quiet yet. Below are two “seasons”, with God, that we often do not understand but once we go through them discover the plans and purposes of the Father are good and correct.

SEASON #1: The Hidden Nature of His Friendship. (Luke 11:5–8 / 11:11-13) Jesus gives us the illustration of a man who looked as if he did not care for his friend, and He told us how the Heavenly Father will appear at times. Have we not felt as if God has been an unfair or unkind friend? Remember, He is not! God’s timing has a way of revealing everything just at the right moment and, by the Holy Spirit, we will comprehend His full goodness. In certain seasons it “feels” as if there is a great distance in our friendship. Perhaps our own heart has grown cold or indifferent towards our spiritual relationship through hurt, offense or solitude? Again even the deepest love has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller communion and intimacy. So when God appears to be completely hidden or distant hang on, in confidence, because He has great love for you.

SEASON #2: The Strangeness of His Faithfulness. (Luke 18:1–8)  “When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” Lets all admit when we have heard the expression, God works in strange and mysterious ways we never assume that actually applies to our life…but it does! Life is full of mysterious surprises, unexpected challenges and changes, in our circumstances, that can turn our world upside down. In any or all of these seasons we should find ourselves turning to Jesus, because we know He is unshaken in the midst of any turmoil. But what happens when He speaks to us: Faith, in spite of the confusion? Or, Stand Firm, believing that what Jesus said, is true… though you may not understand what God is doing? Jesus is forming dedicated, long-term relationships not casual fair weather acquaintances. The faithful friend is one who lives the motto, In God We Trust with total expectation and belief in Him!

Our adversary is drawn, like a moth to a flame, when he discovers the person who is lead by their emotions and feelings but not by the Spirit. Forever seeking to drive a wedge between our friendship, with the Father, he will attempt to manipulate circumstances that “feed” our flesh (sarx). Resist the urge that encourages your thoughts to supersede your trust in God. Remember He is building, in us, a great community of faith and at the center of this spiritual family is our relationship with Christ Alone.

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

‘Till on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

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There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin’s curse has lost it’s grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

‘Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

 

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

WHEN WEEKLONG PRACTICE LEADS TO BIG GAME PERFORMANCE

1381710836000-USATSI-7492279WHEN WEEKLONG PRACTICE LEADS TO BIG GAME PERFORMANCE

Whether you are a causal fan or dedicated enthusiast the fall season, for sports, is an exciting time of the year. Professional and college football is in full swing, NHL hockey has just starting and Major League Baseball is entering into the playoffs. While sports can be an exciting source of entertainment for anybody, and anywhere, there are few cities that possess a sports culture where fans and teams live in a symbiotic relationship of love, frustration, dismay and euphoria all at the same time. As I write today’s post I am very aware there will be faithful fans, from other cities, that will argue their city is best sports town in the nation. But Sunday, October 13th, the city of Boston reminded the country as to why is must be considered the best sports city without equal.

Sunday afternoon began with the opening kick-off between the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints, in what some billed, as the big national afternoon “Game of the Week.” In a game that featured excellent quarterbacks, and teams trying to prove their winning records against a serious challenger, this game managed to live up to the hype everyone anticipated. Quarter after quarter the game ebbed and flowed with momentum swaying in just a matter of minutes, if not seconds. Finally, with time running out, New England managed a game-winning touchdown, with 5 seconds remaining, to secure the win. Meanwhile, as the Patriots were celebrating their victory, just up the highway the Boston Red Sox found themselves struggling against the Detroit Tigers in a game that seemed to be playing into Detroit’s hands. In much the same way, as the Patriot’s game, the Red Sox found themselves left to a handful of plays remaining. Losing by a score of 5 -1, a win seemed improbable, that was until a grand slam and, an inning later, infield hit managed to secure a victory for the Red Sox. For the city it was a magical sports night that placed Boston, on top, as the greatest sports city for that weekend.

By now you may be asking how two games, from an obvious Boston sports fan, can possibly relate to your faith? It’s a fair question to ask; and if you stick with me a few more moments I will show you how it all comes together.

Yesterday I decided to take some time to listen to a few of the post-game interviews, from the winning teams, and repeatedly heard a theme that struck right to the heart of everyday life, faith and a key to victory throughout the struggle. As I listened to coaches, players and “hero’s” I heard them all repeat the same chorus: Their weeklong practice, and attention to detail, prepared them for the situations they found themselves in. In the final moments they all knew what they needed to do…it was just a matter of execution. Likewise, in our walk of faith, life and struggle we often imagine we will do the “right thing”, or win the big game, when crisis or challenges arise. But, the reality is, the crisis will only reveal the stuff you have developed during the days and weeks of preparation.

There are many people who sincerely believe if God gives me the call, of course they will rise to the occasion. But the truthful answer is we will not be able to answer any call unless we have risen to the occasion through daily and dedicated practice. The person who lives in the pursuit of Christlikness must live practiced in the daily routine, challenge the ordinary and prepare for the “big game” ahead. Here I want to add another crucial step every Christian ought to take: Execute of ones faith and practice into action! If the follower of Jesus has not been practicing the disciplined work that is closest, because God (as a coach) has engineered it, when the crisis (big game moment) comes instead of being revealed as ready and prepared, we will be shown as unfit and defeated. CRISIS ALWAYS REVEALS CHARACTER!

So how does the Christian practice knowing the “big game” is coming? One key routine we must daily exercise is our worshipping the Father. Worship God in your home, work and with your family; worship Him in your private relationships as well as in your public friendships. Oswald Chambers challenges all of us not to be idle when it comes to living prepared by saying, “I can’t be expected to live the sanctified life in the circumstances I am in; I have no time for praying just now, no time for Bible reading, my opportunity hasn’t come yet; when it does, of course I shall be all right.’ No, you will not. If you have not been worshipping as occasion serves, when you get into work you will not only be useless yourself, but a tremendous hindrance to those who are associated with you.”

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Grace and Peace

Joshua

BTW…for the sports fan that wanted to hear the final radio calls for the Patriots and Red Sox game I thought you might enjoy them.

Patriots Final Call

Patriots Final Call Video

Red Sox Final Call

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

ONE MONTH AGO TODAY: ROMANIA IN REWIND

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images (1)ONE MONTH AGO TODAY: ROMANIA IN REWIND

It was the summer of 1992 and I, along with my father, were ministering to churches from Bucharest to Arad bringing much needed hope and encouragement to the suffering but now liberated church. It had been little more than three years after the bloody end to Nicolae Ceausecu’s control over the people of Romania; and woven deep within the natural and spiritual climate remained a history of severe persecution, of the Christian church and people, during his twenty-four years of leadership. I remember speaking, living, sharing and listening to the stories of these brave men and women who learned to endure, for their faith, under trials and tribulations Americans have only read about but never experienced. Through Western eyes Romania looked sparse, trapped in a time warp of limited technology with an aging infrastructure while a depressing spirit blanketed a proud people. But within the churches, we visited, there was hope! A new era had dawned and what was once the accepted way of life was now changing, albeit slowly.

Since those early days of ministry, much has changed. Time has a way making of the past vanish, if not from memory and history, by advancement that comes through new money, technology and youth. However even with change some challenges, of a spiritual nature, just don’t disappear. Spiritual strongholds may reface, re-brand or even re-structure into larger fortifications but at its root still remains the ancient battle between the kingdoms of this world and the Kingdom of God. Within this context Romania is not different from the United States, or any other nation in the world. Certainly there may be some cultural differences but people, worldwide, share the same burdens, struggles and temptations. Likewise the church universal shares in the same prayers, supplications and requests for the Lord to pour out His Spirit, once again, and revive our lands. Last month I accepted the gracious invitation, from the Bible League of Romania, to speak at their annual pastors conference in Constanta. Assembled, at this weeklong conference, were pastors representing fellowships from the Baptist, Brethren, Pentecostal and Independent churches spanning the entire nation. While hundreds of pastors may have different theological interpretations, methodologies and worship styles this conference brought them together for a singular and unified purpose of REVIVAL!

The churches represented, in this conference, ranged from large to the small; well known to obscure. Evangelists, church-planters, pastors and worship leaders were assembled not to isolate themselves along denominational barriers but to gather, pray, learn and believe for revival to awaken the church and nation of Romania. Night after night I witnessed the cultural, and at times, spiritually hard exterior break down while we joined in a deeply spiritual community of faith where praise was lifted, claps of victory echoed and shouts of thanksgiving declared. That week, in Constanta Romania, the princes and principalities set over this nation heard a mighty church coming to life again. (Eph. 3:9-10) As the conference concluded I felt led to ask these pastors to pray for the Spirit of revival to pour out on the United States, and they gladly accepted!

Today, America needs to be re-awakened and revived by the Holy Spirit or we risk falling asleep and living under a repressive spirit of this age. The spirit of this current age had dampened our voice, weakened our faith and sapped our strength. Of course there are great Kingdom exploits occurring and many are awakening daily to the Gospel invitation but if the social climate is any indication of the church’s moral voice, for the Kingdom, then revival is necessary! To this end I pray let it begin in the House of the Lord! My final days of ministry, in Bucharest, were spent with powerful church fellowships that displayed such passion, boldness and vitality I couldn’t help but be encouraged by what was happening, in the Spirit, and being experienced through the ordinary of life. While time has changed, the Romania I visited in the early 90’s, there is still more to change. In some places, from street to street, you can see the old world being replaced by a new society and it was here my thoughts advanced to a time coming when the shouts from heaven will declare, “…the kingdoms of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.” (Rev.11:15-17 ESV) In this powerful verse even the rarely spoken word, Almighty, escapes our verbiage of today.

If you do not want to get started quickly, already buy levitra no prescription within 15min whenever the urge comes. With sex, you no longer a room partner, but two closely related people. levitra online The gallbladder is the significant part of Apcalis is buying cialis online and it is available under its product name i.e. cialis. buying cialis from canada Once you have consumed the medicine and it remains effective for next four hours. For St. John Almighty meant the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are Pantokrator (Greek)! What this means for us is: The Trinity was, is and will come in a state, nature, attribute or condition of all power and authority. The old is passing away in Romania, as well as in America, and worldwide. The Kingdom is coming down and Almighty God is coming with its arrival. So, while there are still the trials and tribulations, facing the church universal, let our shouts of praise be like those of the twenty-four elders, and our brothers and sisters in Christ, as we declare MARANATHA! Come Lord, Come!

Let our prayers and supplications cry for revival again and an awakening that stirs the seeking, searching, sleeping and lost. While it may be easy for us to focus on the hardships, lack and struggle we must never loose our desire for the Holy Spirit’s sensitive direction. It is in His leading, while serving in our respective fields of ministry, He is preparing us to reach our culture, society and nation with the greatest message of hope, life and freedom. Today is the good and acceptable day of the Lord and He has come to set the captives free, loose the bondages and invite all, who would come, to follow Him!

Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Romania and worldwide as they continue to pray for us.

Grace and Peace…

JOSHUA JOHNIAN

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

PATTON: DO IT YOURSELF!

PattonPATTON: DO IT YOURSELF!

In my undergraduate studies I majored in Political Science with a minor in European history. I have always loved European history; from its famous battles to the complicated histories behind their kings and queens. I have heard it said to study Europe, and its people, is to understand its history is rich, deep, at times sorted and certainly chaotic. In the twentieth century two major world wars were fought on the European continent and this does not include the nations who fought for their freedom, from Communism, across Eastern Europe and Germany. In every war there is long list of heros, villains and “colorful” legends ranging from medieval knights to modern generals. One of these “colorful” legends was General George S. Patton who historian Terry Brighton concluded, “Patton was arrogant, publicity-seeking and personally flawed, but … among the greatest generals of the war.”  Though many brave men and women, of the greatest generation, are passing away I have had the honor of knowing a man who served under Gen. Patton’s command. His personal stories of the general’s leadership and courage would make chills run down your spine and only serve to add to his already myth-like legend. Of the many stories, he has shared; one reoccurring theme continues to surface time and time again. For General Patton, and the men who served with him, they all believed whatever had to be accomplished they could do it themselves!

How does this relate to us today? As Christians, desiring to live a progressively Christ-like life, are we determined to discipline the other things? St. Paul encourages the early church, and therefore the church in every generation, to “Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5) Here we read yet another aspect of the hard work that comes with the nature that pursues Jesus. Again St. Paul says, “I take every project prisoner to make it obey Christ.” So, again I ask, how much of our Kingdom work has never been disciplined? Said another way, how much of our Kingdom work has simply sprung into action, by impulse, but not followed through with discipline?

In Jesus’ life, and ministry, every project, mission, teaching and thought was disciplined to the will of His Father. Jesus never had a movement of impulse that was not born and disciplined by the Father. “The Son can do nothing of Himself.” If St. Paul encouraged young Christians to imitate him as he imitated Christ, and Jesus is therefore our model, then let us take our vivid spiritual experience, and every project born of impulse, and put them into disciplined action immediately! Instead of being imprisoned by indecision, or emotional lows, discipline every thought and project to obey Jesus!
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We are prone to forget that every Christian is not only committed to Jesus for salvation; he is to be committed to Jesus’ view of God, of the world, of sin and eternity. When we take every thought captive, and begin the work of disciplining our Kingdom purposes, then we will live as the bold, brash and confident legends in the battlefield of faith. I encourage you to respond to His Spirit’s invitation, recognize the responsibility of being transformed by the renewing of your mind, and embrace the challenge of disciplined living for the King’s glory!

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA 

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

THE FOUNTAIN

The FountainTHE FOUNTAIN

In yesterday’s post I mentioned the popular movie, A River Runs Through It, as a setting and principle for the power, purpose and origin of the Christian’s true source of everlasting authority. In keeping with this week’s “movie theme” there is another film, far more obscure, that also tackles some challenging questions facing every person in life. This film is titled: The Fountain.

“The Fountain is a 2006 American romantic drama that blends elements of fantasy, history, religion, and science fiction. The film consists of three story lines, in which the actors play different sets of characters who may or may not be the same two people: a modern-day scientist and his cancer-stricken wife, a conquistador and his queen, and a space traveler in the future who hallucinates his lost love. The story lines—interwoven with use of match cuts and recurring visual motifs—reflect the themes of love and mortality.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fountain)

For every seeker, searcher and even Christian the questions of mortality and eternity sit fixed, like a star in the distant horizon, that catches the heart of every eternal explorer. As Christians we too are on an eternal quest searching for the lover of our soul and He, in turn, is adopting sons and daughters into His Holy family and Kingdom. However, contrary to the old saying, “All roads lead to Rome” not all streams lead to life eternal with the great I AM. The enemy of all creation, Satan, through great deception and cunning has echoed a comfortable lie that reassures the searcher of waters of refreshing wherever they desire to drink. As a result, with the right balance of additives, our culture and world has become addicted to a substitute while believing they are drinking to their eternal health. Again, we look to the words of Jesus when He said, “The water that I shall give him, life eternal, shall be in him a well of water (everlasting).” (John 4:14)

“The picture Our Lord gives is not that of a channel but a fountain. ‘By being filled,’ and the sweetness of vital relationship to Jesus will flow out of the saint as lavishly as it is imparted to him. If you find your life is not flowing out as it should, you are to blame; something has obstructed the flow. Keep right at the Source, and—you will be blessed personally? No, out of you will flow rivers of living water, irrepressible life.” (Chambers)

This step is mandatory and is supposed to be followed before the use of Kamagra 100 mg Tablets.Men should not take this drug if already taking:* Nitrate drugs* Alpha blockers* Medicines for high blood pressureIf a man has a good sexual intercourse and perfect erection when takes see here generic sildenafil uk. We buy generic cialis are the finest online pharmacy who lends superior quality Lovegra 100mg tablets online. What causes hypertension? Family history Obesity Excessive alcohol intake Inactive lifestyle/lack of exercise A high salt and/or high viagra properien http://djpaulkom.tv/exposing-crucial-criteria-in-latin-10/ fat diet High intake of caffeine Smoking and stress. Read a few reviews to understand what people have to be serious about it and they really need to talk to the djpaulkom.tv online viagra cialis doctor without taking anti-impotence pills in over amount. Throughout the eternal quest every person has been designed, by the Fathers great creative purpose, to be vessels through which Jesus can flow as rivers of living water in blessing everybody in the ordinary of life. Regrettably too many people, Christians included, live life like the Dead Sea; always taking in but never giving out. Why? Again I turn to the above statement by Oswald Chambers when he challenged us to consider that we are not living in right relationship to Jesus as Almighty Lord. The promises of Jesus have never changed and when He said surely as we receive from Him, He will pour out through us, we need to look to ourselves and ask is there a defect in our relationship to the Father?

Is there anything between you and Jesus? Is there anything that dilutes your belief in Him? If not, Jesus says, out of you will flow rivers of living water. Jesus’ very words are not a statement of maybe but a blessing passed on and continually flowing. Again Chambers encourages us to “Keep at the Source, guard well your belief in Jesus Christ and your relationship to Him, and there will be a steady flow for other lives, no dryness and no deadness!”

Have we become too cold or indifferent to no longer expect the extravagant promises of God that tells us out of the believer, spiritual rivers of life are going to flow? Don’t let the misdirection’s of the enemy give you a substitute source or pollute your mighty river. Refuse to let the Source (The Father, Son and Spirit) be blocked by saying, ‘I will be content with this.’ And never look at yourself from the standpoint of—‘Who am I?’ In the history of God’s great plan you will always find that it has started from the obscure, unknown and ignored but always ended with the steadfastly tried and true to Jesus as I AM.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

“A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT”

A_river_runs_through_it_cover“A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT”

Some time ago there was critically well-received movie titled, A River Runs Through It. Though, at the time, I was too young to appreciate the movie’s message I have now come to understand some of the truths the author sought to convey. Borrowing from a review of this novel the following was said, “A River Runs Through It” concerns the Macleans, a Presbyterian family during early 20th century Montana whose opinions of life are filtered through their passion for fly fishing. The novella is presented from the point of view of older brother Norman who goes on one last fishing trip with his rowdy and troubled younger brother Paul in an attempt to help him get his life on track.”  It may not sound like much when we think of fly-fishing, nature and a time, in America, long past. But when I watched this movie, again, some simple but profound Biblical truths emerged I would like to encourage you to consider.

Central to the novel, and of course the film, is a great and mighty river. This pristine river immediately gives you a sense of refreshing and cooling we can almost taste without ever being there.  If you take the time to consider the genesis of any river this natural stream, of nature and beauty, touches places of which its source knows nothing. Perhaps the river began with a melting snow on top a high mountain? Or maybe the river sprang forth from within the earth’s depths? One thing is certain, within the natural order of the things, the river’s source never knows how far, wide, deep and long it will journey and who it will bring life to.

Though often ignored, disregarded and deemed “expired” there is another river source that is always aware of its paths and the lives it desires to touch, refresh and bring everlasting life. Jesus says if we have received of His fullness, however small the visible measure of our lives, out of us will flow the rivers that will bless to the uttermost parts of the earth. If you examine the system of levees, up and down the Mississippi River, you know the “mighty Mississippi” is victoriously persistent and overcomes all natural barriers. For a while the Mississippi may go its steady course until it comes to an obstacle that has halted its advance. However, given enough time the persistent river will make its way around, or through, the obstacle and continue its life giving purpose.

In our great walk of faith, with the Biblical Jesus, the Father has always used “obstacles” to refine your life and build up your strength so you can press forward with Kingdom purpose. Perhaps some obstacles seem too large or have been in place too long for you to have any hope of pressing through or moving around them? If this is you, as it is with me in my current season, then let me remind us to keep paying attention to the Source from which the river is born! The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles; including the ones in your life today! Never set the focus of your vision on the obstacle or on the difficulty. “The obstacle is a matter of indifference to the river which will flow steadily through you if you remember to keep right at the Source. Never allow anything to come between yourself and Jesus Christ, no emotion, or experience; nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.” (Chambers)
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Perhaps you feel as if your once mighty river has stalled, feeling stagnant or worse, drying up? God rarely allows us to see how great a blessing we are, even in the delayed seasons. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has nourished, in you, mighty torrents of blessings for others. It is a only a matter of time before the obstacle is removed and “Rivers of Living Water” flow freely again! (John 7:38)

Stay encouraged, remain faithful and always trust in Him as the source.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

DESTINATION: TESIFY!

9.2-Testify-about-JesusDESTINATION: TESIFY!

“Watch with Me.” (Matthew 26:40)

I love slapstick comedy. Throughout the golden years of radio, early television and film great comedic teams such as Laurel and Hardy, the Three Stooges, Fibber Magee and Molly, etc… always managed to find themselves in some type of high jinx that somehow ended with their escaping a disastrous situation. If you have watched enough of these films or episodes then you always heard the expression, Keep a look out and once you heard that you could count on something funny was about to happen.

Jesus also said, “Watch with Me” but these words were not shared because something bad was on the horizon but because He desired our vision to be as His vision. When we were first born again we did little watching with Jesus because we were learning how to watch for Him. But as we matured we began to see His Word, the Bible, was instructing us how to live through the circumstances of our life. And the Holy Spirit was sharpening our eyes to see with Kingdom perspective.

Throughout our entire journey of faith, with the Biblical Jesus, our flesh (sinful nature) should be melting away. In the process of the old man fading away there should be a new man emerging who has learned to also merge his / her will into the will of the Father. No longer should we perceive life, and it the challenges, with natural vision. Now, the new man, is learning to watch with Him for Kingdom sight. This entire journey, with the Son, is His way of introducing us to identification with Himself. In our pursuit of Jesus we all need to move away from the practice of just watching Him; and into the life where we are watching with Him. Just because we are only used to the idea of Jesus watching with us we do not have the excuse of passively falling asleep when we are to wait, pray and watch with Him.

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But don’t despair! Even if we have failed to remain on watch also remember “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit”, restored unto the Son and Father and it is the same “they” who were witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. Once the in-filling, of the Spirit, matches the outpouring we, like the disciples, will live the testimony and witness that displays before the world, “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you,” This new witness is meant to keep us on watch, with Him, the rest of our lives and testify His Gospel message to the seeking and lost.

So testify again and commit to sharing the Gospel message of Jesus as Lord with the seeking, searching and lost.

Blessings – JOSHUA

 

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

DESTINATION: HIS!

keep-calm-you-belong-to-jesusDESTINATION: HIS!

Have you ever thought about who holds the deed to your life? Is it you? Is it fate? Is it God? Maybe another way of asking the question is to answer, who do you belong to? For the person who is still asking such questions you have probably experimented with several possible solutions only to discover these conclusions are unsatisfactory. If you are a Christian you probably answered something like, “Well I belong to God…but I am my own person.” I have personally taken a lot of time considering my destination and deed and come to the conclusion the true disciple of Jesus is one, whom the Holy Spirit has revealed, and therefore, you are not your own. Honestly to say and live in such a reality, ‘I am not my own,’ is to have reached a great point in Kingdom perspective. The true nature of a person, in love with the King, is one of deliberate sacrifice of “self” to “another” in sovereign preference, and that “other” is Jesus!

Without the Holy Spirit the very life and purpose of Jesus is obscure and easily dismissed as a wisdom teacher among other guru’s or moral activist among other social pioneers. But when the Holy Spirit illuminates your understanding, with Kingdom perspective, then you see Jesus in a new understanding and revealed light. The life, revived by the Holy Spirit, takes the person of Jesus and removes him from “just another good teacher” to a real and tangible solution to all of your concerns, cares, worries, fears, sins, hopes and joys. Think carefully on how Jesus sent His disciples…Jesus never sent any of the disciples out on argument of, “Once you follow me life is without adversity.” It was not until after the Resurrection, when the disciples had perceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was the Son of God. Jesus then sent His disciples out as Apostles telling them to ‘GO!’ and preach the message of the Kingdom of God.

In the 1970’s movie Jesus of Nazareth there is a classic scene of the disciples talking about miracles and what people are saying about who Jesus was. It was in this moment Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” the look on the disciples faces was shock, stun and horror. Finally Peter looked at Jesus as said, “You are the Christ.” What was Jesus’ response? (Loose paraphrase) Flesh and blood didn’t tell you this…it was revealed by the Spirit. The message of the Kingdom has often been defined to be many things but in brief the message of the Kingdom is the message of the Gospel. Go! Preach the good news of repentance from sin, Jesus is Lord and forgiveness and freedom from the slavery to the old man (the sinful nature).  

For buy cialis levitra example one needs to get a physiotherapy clinic like PhysiCo. Warning! : Your doctor may want you to have http://appalachianmagazine.com/2018/10/18/virginia-to-designate-us-52-veterans-memorial-highway/ buy cheap cialis regular blood tests to monitor your liver function while you are taking any nitrate based item like nitroglycerine, admission of medicine ought not to be finished. Moving a step ahead of emancipating you from the stigma of being a one-minute wonder on bed, check this site out levitra online will help you to relish enhanced ejaculation time during sexual intercourse. There is a growing demand for generic drugs all over viagra vs cialis the world due to the prohibitive costs of most branded or originator medicines. “If any man come to Me and hate not …,he cannot be My disciple,” To be His means you are not to be your own. For Jesus to claim title and deed over you life you need to hate what He hates and loves what He loves. “Any one of the relationships Our Lord mentions may be a competitive relationship. I may prefer to belong to my mother, or to my wife, or to myself; then says Jesus, you cannot be My disciple. This does not mean I will not be saved, but it does mean that I cannot be ‘His.’” (Chambers)

Our Lord makes a disciple His own possession and when He does so He becomes responsible for him. “Ye shall be witnesses unto Me.” The mystery or sacred secret of the believer is—I am His, and He is carrying out His enterprises through me.

So be entirely His! “Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me.” (John 17:6)

Blessings – JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

DESTINATION: SATISFACTION

8986328-satisfaction-guaranteed-rubber-stampDESTINATION: SATISFACTION

There is nothing quiet like a cold beverage on a very hot day. I remember going to Yankee stadium, one summer, and while sitting in the merciless heat a vendor yelled out, “FROZEN LEMONADE!” Needing immediate relief I was willing to pay almost anything to cool off and quench my thirst and did that frozen lemonade hit the spot. The funny thing is it has been over sixteen years and I still remember that frozen lemonade and how I felt after it satisfied my thirst.  Have you ever found yourself desperate to the point to where almost anything is better than how you currently feel? At such times we have all been guilty of “drinking” the wrong things to satisfy our desperation. Also we have, in such moments, turned to God and been the grateful recipients of His mercy and grace to find our thirst satisfied.

In life we will face seasons of testing beyond us and when we do we must remember the Lord is with us. But what role do we play, as we go before Him in desperation, in our need? Our part is to pour ourselves out before Him. If you cannot pour yourself out, before the Lord, then you are still holding onto “something” of yourself that you are reluctant to part with.  Oswald Chambers said, “You can never sanctify to God that with which you long to satisfy yourself. If you satisfy yourself with a blessing from God, it will corrupt you; you must sacrifice it, pour it out!”

Now you may ask, How can I to pour out unto the Lord? I have come to the conclusion there is only one-way: SACRIFICE.  Like Abraham with Isaac and the Father with the Son we must release that which is “too great and worthy.” Until we pour these things out before the Lord, they endanger those we love, as well as ourselves, and can even become idols of affection, more than God, in our lives. The truth is we can be lustful in things, which are not sordid and vile. Love has to get to its transfiguration point of being poured out unto Jesus.
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This is where satisfaction is discovered and achieved. If you have become bitter, hurt, sour and offended it may be, in part, because when God gave you a blessing you held on to for yourself; whereas if you had poured it out unto the Lord, you would have been the sweetest and most satisfied person. If you are always taking blessings to yourself and never learn to pour out anything unto the Lord other people will not see the Father through you. In this “Destination” series of posts we are looking to live the satisfied life and when you and I pour our blessings out, to Him, others will in turn have their faith increased and horizons enlarged.

“… nevertheless he would not drink thereof but poured it out unto the Lord.” (2 Samuel 23:16.)

Blessings – JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

DESTINATION: SACRIFICE

imagesDESTINATION: SACRIFICE

I would ask for a show of hands, but I’ll never see them on the internet…but raise your hand if you have ever been guilty of selfishness. Of course all of our hands have gone up because “self” is something we covet, nurture and, at times, defend while Jesus lived and remains the opposite of self and the epitome of sacrifice. Yesterday I wrote on Destination Holiness and the Father’s plan to bring all of us into His Holy likeness and though we pursue holiness with, at times, great zeal it is “self” that gets in the way of our pursuit and even distorts what we believe Jesus is speaking.

Jesus did not say—‘he that believeth in Me shall realize the blessing of the fullness of God,’ but—‘he that believeth in Me, out of him shall escape everything he receives.’ Our Lord’s teaching is always anti-self-realization. The Father’s purpose is not the development of a self- made man; His purpose is to make a man exactly like Himself. And here is the real death blow to self, the model given to us in the Son is the perfect example of sacrifice. If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain, but what He pours in us and through us that counts. “Spiritually, we cannot measure our life by success, but only by what God pours through us, and we cannot measure that at all.” (Chambers)

In the Bible we read of a woman named Mary, of Bethany, who broke a box of precious ointment and poured it on Jesus while worshipping Him. For many, including His disciples, this was first seen as a waste of valuable resource. But Jesus commended Mary for her extravagant act of devotion, and said that wherever His gospel was preached “this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” Even in the act of ones worship, toward a Holy God, Jesus reminds His audience that Mary’s sacrifice of abandon was far greater than the contents of the alabaster box.
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The Father spilt the life of His Son that the world might be saved; are we prepared to spill out our lives for Him? “He that believeth in Me out of him shall flow rivers of living water.” It is time for us to break from the life of selfish self-realization by spilling that our and then asking of a Holy God, what we may do for Him.

He that believeth in Me, … out of him shall flow.… John 7:38.

Blessings – JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

A WORLD SEARCHING FOR HAPPINESS NEEDS THE JOY OF THE LORD

happiness wordleA WORLD SEARCHING FOR HAPPINESS NEEDS THE JOY OF THE LORD

Routinely I am surprised how many people believe if they can achieve happiness they will also discover joy. Likewise, I have met many joyful people who continue to live in search of happiness. Truthfully both happiness and joy ARE difficult to separate but, for the believer, our joy and happiness is only experienced through the life of Jesus.

I was recently watching a television show that’s basic premise was built on trying to match two people into the ideal happy couple. As this particular episode progressed each person referred to the joy, the other individual brought them, based on their looks, sense of humor, character and profession. Not surprising to me, after the episode concluded, both happiness and joy eluded this young couple just two weeks after the filming of that episode. Why? Simply answered a world searching for happiness will never be satisfied, or find it, without the joy of the Lord. But what is the joy of the Lord? For us to best understand the joy of the Lord we need to understand what truly brought Jesus joy.

The joy of Jesus was and is the absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice, of Himself, to His Father. Said another way, Jesus lived the life of happiness and great joy by doing that which the Father sent Him to do. “I delight to do Thy will.” It is difficult for us to think about the pursuit of joy and happiness absent from our own context of personal satisfaction. But remember the challenge, facing us all, is to view life with a Kingdom perspective. When we are looking with the eyes of eternity then we are able to understand why Jesus prayed that our joy might go on fulfilling itself until it was the same joy as His.

Have you allowed Jesus to introduce His joy to you? Though my opinion, on this topic, may be like a salmon swimming against the current of today’s conventional church teaching and thinking I am brought back to what the Bible leads us to regarding happiness, joy and purpose. Scripture, and the very Words of Jesus speak little, if anything, about our bodily health, external happenings or desire to see our work for God succeed. On the contrary, while these goals sound like happy and joyful aspirations they miss the Biblical mark. The Father, Son and Spirit have been after, concerning humanity, mans perfect understanding of God.
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Everybody experiences seasons of desire, happiness and joy and the first thing that will hinder us, in knowing Him, is the constant irritation of thinking about our circumstances and desires. The cares of this world, which so often define our standards of joy and happiness, Jesus said will choke God’s word. If we are not careful, before we know where we are, we can be caught up in the spectacle of “things” that always cast a great shadow over the image of Jesus.

What everybody is searching for is true happiness and joy. The answer for the “great search party” is revealed by understanding the Father wants to reunite us, with Himself, and bring us to place where we will be His witnesses and proclaim who the Biblical Jesus is. The happiness of the world is fleeting and passing quickly away. The substitute for the joy of the Lord will never be discovered in the world. But when you are rightly related to the Father you will find your joy and out of you will flow rivers of living water! In your search for happiness and joy don’t look to yourself, stop being self-conscious and don’t try to present yourself as the pharisees. Live a life led by the Holy Spirit and identified with the Biblical Jesus. The life that is rightly related to the Father is as natural as breathing and so wherever you go so be a vessel for Jesus to pour living water through.

That My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:11).

Blessings – JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

RE-THINK MINISTRY: WHAT ARE YOU IN IT FOR?

re-thinkRE-THINK MINISTRY: WHAT ARE YOU IN IT FOR?

At times I wonder if people who claim to speak, the message of the Gospel, are serving Jesus for Him or because it is good business. By now many of you have already seen or heard of the TV series, Pastors of LA which is distributed by Oprah’s OWN station. If you have not seen the trailer then here is a redirect that will bring you there.

Today, I want this blog’s purpose to be a constructive, honest and loving discussion with some deeper questions and thoughts that extend beyond surface opinions. After viewing this trailer I had a series of mixed reactions. But after I had some time to reflect, on the premise of this show, I found myself asking a simple question: “What are you in it for? The business of YOU or HIM?”  “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not …but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:19, 20) Any minister (and I am hesitant to use terms such as “great” or “small”) will testify they responded to the call of God and therefore they are in the ministry of serving the Gospel to people. And yet I ask how can the Pastors of LA encourage a contrary opinion to Jesus’ own words read in Luke 10?*

When you are in the business of Him (Jesus) it is impossible to be in the ministry for yourself. Even a quick “drive by” of Jesus’ example of serving two masters will reveal that. However, many ministers continue to abuse Scripture to support their lifestyles and personal theology. Here again, there is not a single Christian who is given the liberty, by the Father, to redefine His Word for their own purposes. If we are to walk upright and holy before the Lord then we must honor His Words in our attitudes, affections, wants, desires and livelihood. In effect Jesus says, in Luke 10, don’t rejoice in successful service, but rejoice because you are rightly related to Me. Jesus’ words apply to all Christians as both an encouragement, to right living, and a warning as to how not to live. The snare, in Christian service, is not to rejoice in your success but rejoice in the Father, and in His omniscience, be thankful He has chosen to use you.

But here too is another point of caution. Because the Father has elected to use an individual this does not give them the Biblical license to profit obscenely beyond moderation. It is the excesses, within the church today, that purposely or inadvertently encourage Christians to evaluate the Father’s blessing through outward appearances. There are multiple Biblical examples of what God cares about…and the Father has never been impressed with buildings, personal kingdoms or wealth. What matters to God in the heart of the man or woman, which is seen only by the Father.
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You and I should never measure  “success” with a natural perspective. The only way to see, that of real value, comes through being rightly related to Jesus and seeing with a Kingdom perspective. It is essential every believer keep their relationship right with Him and whatever circumstances you are in, and whoever you meet day by day, you will be in His position to have rivers of living water pour through you and refresh others. When you are in the” business” of Jesus, for Him, then the Father will allow His mercy to flow through you to help lead people towards spiritual reformation.  All of our lives should be living testimonies of being rightly related to the Father, through the ongoing work of salvation and sanctification, operating in your life. Remember that wherever you are God wants you to fulfill the Father’s purposes, not yours…that is why you are there.

In everything, not just the business of ministry, there is an overwhelming tendency to label anything or anyone a “success” by appearances. Beware of the pressure and people who make their usefulness, to you, their ground of appeal. The lodestar of the Christian is the Jesus, alone, and He is the model we are meant to always follow and show to others. It is the work that God does, through us, that counts. Not what we do for Him. What we should all desire is knowing, in our spirit, the Lord is pleased with our relationship with Him. At the end of the day the business of Jesus is bringing many sons and daughters toward His holiness as well as walking and living in His likeness.

Blessings – JOSHUA

*I would like to add these men, are just one sampling of an opinion and approach to ministry within the United States. I do not believe these ministers represent the majority of pastors, teachers, lay ministers and volunteers within the church today. However, it should be noted the “minority” seem to encourage and represent a strong “voice” of Christianity in the United States. I have drawn these conclusions by surveying anecdotal evidences seen on television, media and printed material. 

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

A CONFESSION OF FAILURE

Failure-Is-Not-Final1A CONFESSION OF FAILURE

Last week I was waiting my turn at the deli-counter when I decided to pass some of the time by engaging the person behind me in a brief conversation. As we both waited for our turn our conversation quickly moved from topic to topic and eventually rested on what each of us does for a vocation. At first I was quick to tell the man what I do, vocationally, but as our conversation went on I found myself feeling as if I had to exaggerate who and what I do. By exaggerating I mean I began to walk the fine line of lying and “enhancing” the truth. Thankfully, before I dug too deep of a hole for myself our turns came up and we placed our orders and said good-bye. The walk from the deli-counter to the car seemed like the green mile and all the way the Holy Spirit convicted me by asking, Why did you do that? Why were you embarrassed? Were you ashamed?” Honestly, I had to answer the Holy Spirit with “all of the above” and while I had entered similar situations with the boldness of a lion I sheepishly shrank, like a mouse, in the shadow of man’s approval. Sitting in my car, in the grocery parking lot, I appealed to Jesus with a confession of failure.

Every time you venture out, in life, you will find something in your commonsense circumstances that flatly contradicts your faith. Common sense is not faith and faith is not common sense. When I was speaking with this other man my commonsense was screaming for me to obfuscate the facts, dodge the question and embellish the truth because the reality was embarrassing, lack-luster and small in relation to what this man was doing. This encounter, at the local deli, became another amazing learning lesson of grace and mercy that reminded me; I can trust Jesus where my common sense cannot see Him?

How ‘bout you? Can you venture heroically on Jesus’ truths when the facts of your life and or ministry shout to you, Use your commonsense and tell a lie? I thought back to last week’s deli encounter and asked myself, Why did I feel shame? In part the answer came back to a sobering reality that revealed I lacked the faith to believe that God does not need my success to validate Him. Great or small the Father will not let me run dry, without outlook or hope. In that moment of struggle between commonsense and faith I was meant to go through the test trusting Him and not sinking back into something lower such as self. Even though I failed that test I am thankful for the Father’s love, for me, that allows my faith to be tried and tested.
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If I had not experienced the encounter at the deli, that evening, then I would not have been aware of my personal conflict between faith and self. What is your faith up against today? Your test will either prove that your faith is right or it will reveal you are still trusting yourself. “Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in Me.” The point of today’s blog is for you and me is to place our total confidence in Jesus. Believe steadfastly on Him and all you come up against will develop your faith. As long as we are on this earth we will continually face the testing of our faith. May God keep us in fighting trim shape and always trusting in Him!

“Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (John 11:40).

Blessings – JOSHUA

Christian Living, Motivational

BE YOURSELF: LEARN HOW TO PRAY THE PRAYER THAT CHANGES YOU

keep-calm-and-be-yourselfBE YOURSELF: LEARN HOW TO PRAY THE PRAYER THAT CHANGES YOU

“Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1)

Let’s admit it prayer, for most, is a labor of love and a discipline of struggle that can easily be neglected or forgotten. If we had to choose between worship or prayer we are far more inclined to worship but seldom pray. Worship comes easy for the believer or unbeliever because, whether it be God or worldly affections, we will always lean towards worshipping something. As Christians we are commanded to worship the Holy Trinity with all our heart, mind and being. Furthermore our worship is meant to extend beyond a church gathering into every area of our life: our giving, praise, work and purpose. But what about prayer? Unlike our desire to worship the believer and or unbeliever can feel the burdensome task of prayer. For many we approach prayer in the same way we view a dentist visit: you know you need to go, it is going to be best for your health but it “feels” uncomfortable and even at times painful.

It has been said it is not part of the life, of a natural man, to pray and that man will suffer, in his life, if he does not pray. If we are to learn how to pray then we must also understand why we pray. Today, I want to challenge our selfish attitudes and approaches towards prayer by not viewing prayer as a tedious sacred ritual but something intimate between you and God. If we are going to be honest with ourselves the true discomfort of prayer is actually referring to our “natural man” (flesh man) being made uncomfortable and inconvenienced. But if we are not committed to a prayerful walk what is truly suffering is that which is being starved: the spirit.

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Have you ever found yourself at your wits end and then feel compelled to pray out of desperation? Well, if so, you are in the majority. Even still, here, the enemy tries to disrupt your communication of prayer by making you feel as if prayer, in these moments, is cowardly. Reject this lie from Satan and press into prayer all the more so. In your  seasons of real hardship there is never any shame in admitting your weakness and your only answers will be discovered by staying in touch, with reality, by praying! Be yourself before God and present your problems, the things you know you have come to your wits’ end over. As long as you are self-sufficient, you do not need to ask God for anything but when you are broke, and at then end of your road, then you realize you always needed Him whether you had much or now have little.

“It is not so true that “prayer changes things” as that prayer changes me and I change things. Prayer is not a question of altering things externally, but of working wonders in a man’s disposition.” (Chambers)

Blessings – JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

“GIVE THE PEACE OF JESUS A CHANCE”

nojesusnopeace“GIVE THE PEACE OF JESUS A CHANCE”

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.” (John 14:27)

Today’s society, without the revelation of the Holy Spirit, views the very concept of peace with its own particular brand of logic and wisdom based on spiritual ignorance. However when we are awakened by the Holy Spirit, to the reality of our decaying world, then we become responsible to speak the truth of Jesus’ rescue plan and the only true and lasting peace for all creation: the peace of Jesus.

The facts of life, in every generation and throughout human history, remain true: Inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus! It is even on this point far to many Christian’s confuse His peace with the peace of the old way of thinking and they attempt to mingle the logic of the world with the wisdom of the Kingdom. When Jesus speaks of peace, He brings it on His terms and by His righteousness. Jesus’ words have been and remain Spirit and life not condemnation and death. What message of peace have you tired to communicate with others? The peace of Rome? (this world’s system) or the peace of the Kingdom of Heaven? For that matter let me ask an even stronger question, Have you ever received the peace Jesus speaks of? Your immediate answer, like mine, should be YES! But honestly, when we stop and think about the question we must also reflect on our own words, actions, beliefs and personal walk with Him. Jesus’ words, “My peace I give unto you”— is a peace which comes from looking into His face and realizing His holiness as well as His mercy and grace.

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If the peace of the Holy Trinity has eluded your life then you are living out of sync with the Father. The peace of Jesus has never meant absence of trial, tribulation or adversity. But the peace of the Father does mean you must never lean on your own understanding or rationalize life’s events by your own logic. To search out the peace of Jesus, and be lead by His Spirit, means for you to shift the focus away from yourself and set your eyes upon Jesus.

Look to Jesus now in the immediate matter disturbing you and press in to receive from Him His peace! When you surrender He will be a gracious blessing of peace in and through you. Don’t try to worry out the circumstances and risk obliterating His peace in your life and the life of others. Truthfully, we get disturbed because we have not been considering Him. Lay all the fear and concern before Him and in the face of difficulty, sadness and sorrow, hear Him say—“Let not your heart be troubled.”Because Jesus has brought you His peace.

Blessings – JOSHUA