Inspirational, Motivational

THE BEAUTIFUL GIFT OF THE NEW BIRTH

THE BEAUTIFUL GIFT OF THE NEW BIRTH

[wallcoo_com]_Black_and_white_newborn_baby_photo_A baby sleeping cozily_ISPC006042This week, for many children and youth, marked the beginning of a new school year. At our house the morning starts with dropping a freshman off at the high school and a first grader at the elementary school. It may sound a cliché but it really does feel like just yesterday when they were both babies in my arms. With each season my children enter into a new birth as they grow from one stage to another. Likewise, as adults, we too can experience new births in our professions, relationships and even our spiritual walk. But how does a person experience a new birth spiritually? Or asked another way, How can a man be born when he is old?

At some point in our life we can all look back and find unpleasant seasons. Whether it be moral failures, personal disappointments, immature behaviors and attitudes these past events represent the rags of a former life and an old way of thinking and living. By contrasting a past life with a new birth I am referring to what the Apostle Paul called the “Old Man” and the “New Man.” For the follower of Jesus the old man still has the power to resurrect, very quickly, and with his life come his old virtues, his own religion and the incessant desire to satisfy self above anything else. But the “New Man”, one who is born of the Holy Spirit, manifests itself in conscious repentance and unconscious holiness.

Is your knowledge of Jesus born of internal spiritual perception, or is it only what you have learned by listening to others? Is there a moment, in your life, that connects you with Jesus as your personal redeemer? Just as every person has a natural history, that explains where they are from and the story of their life, so to every person must have a spiritual history and personal knowledge for their foundation. To be born again or to be living as the “New Man” means that you live the life of Jesus and people see Jesus living in you. “As many as received Him.” (John 1:12.)

Have you ever stopped to consider what Jesus meant when He said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3.) Do you look for signs of the Kingdom? Do you seek out opportunities to live your life with Kingdom hope, truth and principle? Do you possess a Throne Room perspective and perceive the Father’s promptings? The new birth gives, every believer, a new power of vision whereby he or she begins to discern God’s way of living. The Father’s rule is present all the time, but true to His nature; those who are born again have now received His nature and can see His rule.
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Here is an intriguing thought posed by Oslwald Chambers regarding the new man and being born of the Spirit. “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin,” (1 John 3:9.) Do I seek to stop sinning or have I stopped sinning? To be born of God means that I have the supernatural power of God to stop sinning. In the Bible it is never—Should a Christian sin? The Bible puts it emphatically—A Christian must not sin. The effective working of the new birth life in us is that we do not commit sin, not merely that we have the power not to sin, but that we have stopped sinning. 1 John 3:9 does not mean that we cannot sin; it means that if we obey the life of God in us, we need not sin.” (Chambers)

“Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7)

Blessings – JOSHUA

 

Christian Apologetics, Inspirational, Motivational

OUCH! THE HICKORY SWITCH OF THE FATHER

God angry“Ouch! The Hickory Switch of the Father”

Despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him. (Hebrews 12:5)

I love stories! The stories I appreciate most are the ones sealed in the past and told through the memories of the men and women who lived them. My grandmother, on my mother’s side, also shared her fair share of stories and most of them revolved around raising eight children in post depression rural Alabama. My grandfather, like most men of that generation, was the sole provider for his family and so he was exempt from the draft. But his exemption from the war did not mean he was exempt from hard work. From sun up to sun down he worked tirelessly providing for his family and for the people in the surrounding communities. The other “war” was the one on the home and the thankless job of making sure unruly kids were well fed, well behaved, dressed, in church, working or in school. Of course children will be children and when children step out of line it is the parent’s responsibility to bring order to the brewing chaos. By grandmother called it “getting her hickory switch” and the Father knows, at times, we too need a hickory switch to bring us back into His order.

Oswald Chambers said, “It is very easy to quench the Spirit; we do it by despising the chastening of the Lord, by fainting when we are rebuked by Him. If we have only a shallow experience of sanctification, we mistake the shadow for the reality, and when the Spirit of God begins to check, we say—‘Oh, that must be the devil.’”

Forzest is said to generic viagra rx robertrobb.com be on the top. Endometriosis: Endometriosis is often a painful disorder which refers online viagra to a situation that the endometrium should normally lines the inside of uterus but grows outside uterus. Horny goat weed decreases blood pressure, so viagra sample india those who have low self esteem as a result of the disorder they’re experiencing. How to overcome with Early india viagra online Eructation Premature Ejaculation can cause feelings of emasculation in men, which may develop and cause serious health issues suddenly. Never avoid the Holy Spirit’s warnings and do not despise the Father when He says to you—‘Don’t be blind on this point any more; you are not where you thought you were.’ Even, as adults, we still need somebody to hold us accountable to the guiding principles of Biblical truth and faith. When the Lord disciplines you, and reveals how far beneath the calling you are living, let Him have His way. Let Him relate to you rightly as Father and as God.

“Nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him.” As I continue to parent I find myself increasingly saying, “No excuses.” Likewise we need to stop offering God our excuses of why we chose not follow His prompting or be led by His Spirit. For those who make excuses (and I  been there before) we find ourselves saying—‘Oh well, I can’t help it; I did pray and things did not turn out right, and I am going to give it all up.’ Think what would happen if we spoke such defeat into any other part of our life? Are you prepared to let God grip you through the Holy Spirit and do a work in you that is worthy of Himself?

“Sanctification is not my idea of what I want God to do for me; sanctification is God’s idea of what He wants to do for me, and He has to get me into the attitude of mind and spirit where at any cost I will let Him sanctify me wholly.” (Chambers)

Blessings – JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Inspirational, Motivational

FROM JEWELRY TO REAL IDENTIFICATION

“From Jewelry to Real Identification” 

For those of you who do not know me I’ll let you in on a little secret. I like to wear trendy jewelry. By trendy I don’t mean expensive. What I consider trendy is wearing five silver rings, on one hand, three rings on the other, two necklaces and a leather cuff, if “the mood” strikes me right. Well today I was in one of those moods and decided to wear a necklace that has more of a rocker feel than the life changing symbol is carries. What is the symbol? The Cross. At some point in time we have all owned a cross. Perhaps it is a cherished heirloom or a beautiful accessory but somehow the Cross has slipped into just another symbol, lost in a sea of logo’s and icons, for today’s popular culture consumption. But today I asked myself a challenging question, “What if the Cross moved away from accessory status and returned to a sign of true life, forgiveness and freedom?”

Oswald Chambers said it best, “We are too much given to thinking of the Cross as something we have to get through; we get through it only in order to get into it.” For the believer, in the Biblical Jesus, the Cross should stand for one thing and one thing only – complete, entire and absolute identification with Him!

Every year, when I re-read the Passion of Jesus, I am struck by how much time He spent praying leading up to the Cross as well as dying at Calvary. Are the Father and Son trying to reveal to us a truth about the power of prayer and true identification, of the oneself, with the Cross? I believe so.

“Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.” Unfortunately, much of what we have been taught ,on prayer, is much like a “drive thru” mentality. Think about it: We make the line, place an order of what we want and then expect the order to be properly taken and given with our total satisfaction guaranteed.
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The purpose and power of prayer is not to get answers from God; prayer is perfect and complete oneness with the Father. Guess what? God is always speaking and answering every time, but not always in the way we expect. And when we do not get what we have asked for our spiritual immaturity shows a refusal to identify ourselves with Jesus in prayer and on the Cross. We are not here to prove God answers prayer; we are here to be living testimonies of the Father’s grace.

Again Chambers asks an important question we all need to answer: “Have you reached such an intimacy with God that the Lord Jesus Christ’s life of prayer is the only explanation of your life of prayer? Has Our Lord’s vicarious life become your vital life? “

I hope and pray “at that day” you will be so identified with Jesus that there will be no distinction between you, Him and the Cross.

Blessings – JOSHUA

Inspirational

GETTING LOST IN THE CASTLE AND THE SIMPLE WAY THROUGH

“Getting Lost in the Castle and the Simple Way Through”

Over the past few years theologian NT Wright has written a series of books titled: “Simply Christian”, “Simply Jesus” and “How God Became King.” Of course he has written many wonderful works but these three recent books stood out because their titles offered a simple approach to a complex God and faith.

I remember, as a young boy, visiting several great castles in England and Germany and I was always amazed by the inner workings of these massive fortifications. Each structure had their share of hidden passages, great walls, majestic works of craftsmanship and if one did not stay on the tour path you could get quickly lost. In much the same way our Christian faith reminds me of these great castles, and not from a negative perspective. Our ancient creeds, doctrines of faith, confessions, prayers and theological opinions have made for a rich and varied Christian faith without equal. However, if one does not stay on the tour path you can get lost in all of the hallways and side doors that, before long, may end up leading you outside of the walls of the castle. Today there are many who started, their journey of faith, behind the great castle walls and over time walked off the tour path managing to not only exit the castle but now try to tear the down the walls that once protected them.

So I turn back to NT Wright and his “Simply” series of books. Certainly there is great danger in dumbing down the Christian faith, to such a level, where it may appear to be a castle but is not any stronger than a house of cards. Likewise we also risk making this faith so complex that all of the gates, windows and doors remain shut to where no-one is allowed inside. While there are many doctrines, with the Judeo-Christian faith, that are complex and worth studying we also need to encourage each other to remain on the simple walking tour through the great castle of Christianity. This is what NT was attempting to convey through his “Simply” series. Yes, there are some hard and challenging areas we need to study and comprehend. But there are also some simple, not elementary, truths we do not need to overcomplicate.

Here are some “simple” questions worth asking: “Am I simple enough to identify myself with my Lord in the way I live my life?” “Is He getting His wonderful way in me?” “Is God realizing that His Son is formed in me, or have I carefully put Him to the side?”
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Today we live in a generation of great clamor. We hear stories of people who claim they were failed by the Christian faith. We read stories of what Millennials want and desire. And we listen to panels of theologians and pastors saying, “I believe…” It seems like today everyone is clamoring and I ask, “For what?”

While debate is healthy and very productive it can also close many doors. While opinions and theories are intriguing they can also serve to add additions, to the great castle, that will aid people in getting lost and confused. So, in an age of “sound and fury” do we risk signifying nothing? (Shakespeare, Macbeth) I want to encourage you to ask, and answer, some of the simple questions. Said another way, stay on the “walking tour” before you get exploring too far. Once on the tour you will discover simple but life-changing questions like: “Is the Son of God praying in me or am I dictating to Him?” “Is He ministering in me as He did in the days of His flesh?” “Is the Son of God in me going through His passion for His own purposes?”

Oswald Chambers said, “The more one knows of the inner life of God’s ripest saints, the more one sees what God’s purpose is—“filling up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ.” There is always something to be done in the sense of “filling up.”

Blessings – JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Inspirational, Motivational

COMMONSENSE NEED NOT APPLY

“Commonsense Need Not Apply”

Earlier this week I posted on respecting the call of God on a persons life. In that post I mentioned how commonsense can get in the way of Kingdom perspective and how the Spirit of the Father is very different than the spirit of the world.

Yesterday Jeannette and I were talking about this very point and came to another truth I wanted to share with you: Commonsense can get in the way of faith. Often we are told , and encouraged, to have faith in trying circumstances, faith for better opportunities, relationships, finances, etc…But how often do we apply faith, to the call, when often we judge the call according to commonsense?

Today we live in a generation that can’t help but judge everything by outside appearances. Success, happiness, struggle or sorrow is all determined by what our eyes tell us and our commonsense adds up. We look at the circumstances, do the math and make a commonsense judgment. But could we be totally wrong? Are we undercutting one’s faith? Are we torpedoing our own faith with commonsense? These are questions worth considering.

When it comes to faith, in the plans and purposes of the Father, commonsense need not apply. Please do not misunderstand that statement. I am not advocating complete wreckless abandonment to the wisdom of the Father. The Holy Spirit is present to lead you in all truth and it is the truth of the Father that builds your faith in His plans and purposes. This attitude and lifestyle is very different from one that relies just on commonsense.
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Oswald Chambers asked, “Is Jesus being abundantly satisfied in your life or have you got a spiritual ‘strut’ on? Never let common sense obtrude and push the Son of God on one side. Common sense is a gift which God gave to human nature; but common sense is not the gift of His Son. Supernatural sense is the gift of His Son; never enthrone common sense. The Son detects the Father; common sense never yet detected the Father and never will. Our ordinary wits never worship God unless they are transfigured by the indwelling Son of God. We have to see that this mortal flesh is kept in perfect subjection to Him and that He works through it moment by moment. Are we living in such human dependence upon Jesus Christ that His life is being manifested in our mortal flesh?”

As you consider this morning’s reflection seek the Lord as to how you are being led. Ask Him by what standards you are making your life choices. Are you trusting in His Holy Spirit or is commonsense getting in the way?

“Father, I thank Thee that thou hast heard Me.” (John 11:41)

Blessings – JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Motivational

IT’S NOT ABOUT YOUR GLORY OR MY GLORY…IT’S ABOUT HIS GLORY!

“It’s Not About Your Glory or My Glory…It’s About His Glory!”

“Let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well-doing.” (1 Peter 4:19)

I’m not much for thrill rides. In fact just seeing them makes my blood run cold. But this summer I took my family to a theme park and so thrill rides were part of the journey. One such experience was walking up the endless flight of stairs, with my son, and ascending the 6 story slide to find ourselves resting on a straight drop. For me the worst part was sitting on the slide waiting for the all clear, but by the time I got there is was too late. I was committed and down the slide I went. Within seconds it was over, and I survived while leaving my stomach somewhere between the third and fourth story. It seems kind of silly but that water slide taught me a little more about myself and this morning I want to place my summer journey within the context of suffering. To be honest a water slide is the farthest test of suffering, but if you knew I have a fear of heights then you would know every step, I took, I was suffering.

Let’s face it! We all cringe at the very idea of any type of suffering. Questions of fairness, why me and God’s silence are just a few of the many thoughts that arise during such times. Guess what? To choose to suffer means there is something wrong; but to choose God’s will even if it means suffering is a very different thing.

No healthy believer ever chooses suffering; he or she chooses God’s will, as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not. And here is another “guess what moment” NO OTHER Christian should interfere with the suffering of another saint. This is not to say we don’t offer words of encouragement, aid or love in a trying season. But our role is not to rationalize their trial or play armchair theologian to help them dismiss their season. Our role, as the disciples at Gethsemane, is pray and stay on watch.
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The man or woman who satisfies the heart of Jesus will make other believer strong and mature for God. Oswald Chambers said, “The people who do us good are never those who sympathize with us, they always hinder, because sympathy always deprives strength. No one understands a saint but the saint who is nearest to the Savior. If we accept the sympathy of a saint, the reflex feeling is—‘Well, God is dealing hardly with me.’ That is why Jesus said self-pity was of the devil (see Matt. 16:23). Be merciful to God’s reputation.”

Questions of God’s goodness are hard for the heart of flesh and the spirit of this world to comprehend. In fact, at every turn, the anti-Christ spirit will always try to blacken God’s character. Exercise great caution if you believe Jesus needed sympathy in His earthly life. Jesus refused sympathy from man because He knew few understood His call or purpose. Jesus took sympathy from His Father only. (Cf. Luke 15:10.)

Likewise, according to the judgment of the world, God plants His saints in the most useless places and often seems to waste their talents. This is NOT Throne Room perspective or Kingdom thinking! For the true believer, in the Biblical Jesus, we say—‘God intends me to be here because I am useful.’ God puts His saints where they will glorify Him, and we are not in the position to judge where that is.

Blessings – JOSHUA

Inspirational, Motivational

THE LOUD VOICE OF GOD IN WHISPERS

Not long ago I was having a conversation with a fellow Christian and the question came up, “Have you ever heard God speak?” This fascinating question has been mulled over by Christians, in every walk of life, for generations and still we continue to ask as if there has never been an answer. While modern movie magic has gone a long way in making God’s voice as a big, booming, earth-shattering event, the voice of the Spirit can be so gentle, that unless you are living in communion with the Father, you never hear it.

In our marriage Jeannette and I communicate many different ways. Sometimes we have long running discussions that may last days or even weeks. Other times we just having passing one-liners which plant a thought that later require an action. In the same way we should live expecting the full spectrum of conversations with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Have you ever heard a person say, “I just had a check of the Spirit?” For me it can be a feeling, deep within, of peace or caution. Either way such an encounter becomes a prompting of how to act in that moment. In short: this brief conversation is a prompting, by the Spirit, of how to live in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes in the most extraordinarily gentle ways, and if you are not sensitive enough to detect His voice you will quench it, and your personal spiritual life will be impaired. His checks always come as a still small voice, so small that no one, but he or she who is in communion with the Father, notices them.

Oswald Chambers said, “Beware if in personal testimony you have to hark back and say—‘Once, so many years ago, I was saved.’ If you are walking in the light, there is no harking back, the past is transfused into the present wonder of communion with God. If you get out of the light you become a sentimental Christian and live on memories, your testimony has a hard, metallic note. Beware of trying to patch up a present refusal to walk in the light by recalling past experiences when you did walk in the light. Whenever the Spirit checks, call a halt and get the thing right, or you will go on grieving Him without knowing it.”
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Maybe you are in a crisis, a dry season or feel as if you haven’t head from the Spirit for far too long? Suppose God has brought you to a place of encounter and you nearly engage Him but not quite? The Father will engineer the encounter again and again but it will not be as it was before. If we are not discerning, of the Spirit, than we will miss the awesome opportunity of obedience to His will. But if you go through the encounter, listening to the Spirit, there will be a testimony of praise to God. “Never sympathize with the thing that is stabbing God all the time. God has to hurt the thing that must go.” (Chambers)

BLESSINGS – JOSHUA

Christian Apologetics, Motivational

“FROM BIG WHEELS TO TRAINING WHEELS TO RIDING A BIKE”

“From Big Wheels to Training Wheels and Finally  Riding a Bike”

Do any of you remember big wheels? If so, then you probably owned one at some point in your childhood. If not, then the picture (below) shows you all you need to know and I can still remember pedaling all summer hearing the sound of pavement grinding underneath those large plastic wheels. Then, I experienced the training wheels phase of learning to ride a bike and though I can’t remember this time too clearly I am reliving it, in some ways, as I am teaching my daughter how to ride her bike. Eventually, she like I, and millions of others will learn how to ride a bike.

In our journey with Jesus we too have to learn how to mature from big wheels to training wheels and eventually riding a bike. Using God’s intended spiritual pedal system (the Holy Spirit) you begin to mature to a place where the training wheels are no longer necessary to hold you up and this is demonstrated in the life of Elijah and Elisha.

The great prophet Elisha who, in some ways, experienced more miraculous events than his mentor, began learning on the “training wheel” of Elijah. As a mentor Elijah was there to help, guide and instruct Elisha through his “training wheels” season because  it was necessary for Elisha to learn how to pedal. However, a time soon came when Elisha was ready to pedal on his own and he would have to let go of Elijah.

But why? Isn’t it better to always have Elijah close by? Wouldn’t it have been best for Jesus to stay with His disciples a little bit longer? It sounds like a flawless plan, perfect and without error but that is not the plan of the Kingdom. God’s plan for our life is not keep us pedaling on big wheels or training wheels but to prepare us solo bike journey (with Him). We would all say, “Something is wrong?” if we witnessed a grown adult, on a professional bike, still needing training wheels which is why God’s Kingdom intention is for you to let the Holy Spirit guide you in all truth and when you say, “I cannot go on without Elijah.” God says you must.

Oswald Chambers spoke of three alones every believer must face in their walk of faith. The first is the “ALONE AT YOUR JORDAN.” This is the place where there is the type of separation, and there is no fellowship with anyone else, and where no one can take the responsibility for you. It is at this season in life you have to apply what you learned when you were with your Elijah. “You have been to Jordan over and over again with Elijah, but now you are up against it alone. It is no use saying you cannot go; this experience has come, and you must go. If you want to know whether God is the God you have faith to believe Him to be, then go through your Jordan alone.” (Chambers)
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 “ALONE AT YOUR JERICHO.” Jericho is the place where you have seen your Elijah do great things. “When you come to your Jericho you have a strong disinclination to take the initiative and trust in God, you want someone else to take it for you. If you remain true to what you learned with Elijah, you will get the sign that God is with you.” (Chambers)

 “ALONE AT YOUR BETHEL.” At your Bethel you will find yourself at commonsense’s failure and at the beginning of God’s perspective. “When you get to your wits’ end and feel inclined to succumb to panic, don’t; stand true to God and He will bring His truth out in a way that will make your life a sacrament. Put into practice what you learned with your Elijah, use his cloak and pray. Determine to trust in God and do not look for Elijah any more.” (Chambers)

We all face alone times in our life. It feels great when the company of friends, family and allies hold up your arms, co-labor with you and press toward the goal of the Kingdom. And yet, as wonderful as these times are, we need to remember they are training seasons preparing you for those alone times where it is just you and God. In those seasons the Holy Spirit is never far off and God’s silence should not be mistaken for His absence. It is the alone times we remember what God has done, for us, and promised to do. So, boldly get off your big wheels, or training wheels, and start riding your bike.

He is with you at Jordan, Jericho and Bethel…and He is with you now in your next season!

Blessings – JOSHUA