Experiencing God's presence

What we experienced last weekend was God's presence.

I was grateful for Nathan Morris praying with and for me at the end of the service Sunday.

There was a definite sense of God's presence on my life.

At the same time, BEFORE the service started, we were sitting in the conference room of the church - and Nathan came over and "laid hands on me" in prayer and prayer with and for me.

It has been around 13 years since I have felt God's presence like that.

I am grateful and humbled by that visitation of God's Holy Spirit.

Now then, I need, or rather I feel prompted to explain what I mean by the word "felt."

Feeling God's presence is different from feeling any other kind of physical emotion that we might experience.

Paul writes in Romans 8:16, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."

God's spirit speaks to my spirit, giving me the assurance that I am a child of God.

Paul also writes in Philippians 4:7, "and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

It is a peace that Jesus gives. 

This peace is not generated from our human emotions but from the Spirit of Christ.

This is what many of us (dare I say most of us - even as Pentecostals) do not get.  Too often people think that the witness that Romans 8:16 talks about is a physical something.

It is not.

It is a spiritual something.

It is the Holy Spirit connecting with my spirit.  He does not testify to my body - but my human spirit.

In life, you and I cannot go by physical feeling - especially in this area of "experiencing God's presence."

This "inner witness type of connection of the Holy Spirit" is a thing that you sense, not in your physical body and not in your emotions.

It has nothing to do with physical feelings.  The inner witness has to do with your spiritual feelings within your spirit.

That takes many years of prayer and practice before the average Christian can distinguish between the two.

You begin to recognize the difference between a godly joy and a joy that comes from your circumstances being perfect.

You begin to recognize the difference between a peace that comes from "perfect circumstances" and a peace that comes no matter what the circumstances are.

Let me give you an example of that. 

When a Christian is hurt by another person, they may feel angry, rejected and wounded by their human feelings.

However, in their human spirit, the Holy Spirit can give them an inner witness of peace and joy to guide them to forgive and love this person that has hurt them.  It is a feeling that transcends the human emotion of resentment and hurt and anger.

Or, conversely, a Christian person may feel very peaceful and joyful in their physical feelings about buying a new car.

However, in their human spirit, they may at the same time have an inner witness of a lack of peace or an uneasiness from the Holy Spirit.  God may be giving them this lack of peace because they may know that the money that would be spent on a new car is needed for some other purpose.

Here's the principle:  You and I as followers of Christ should not do what our human emotions tell us to do but what the Holy Spirit tells us to do.

In encourage you this Sunday, to come expecting God to move in your spirit, by His Holy Spirit.  I encourage you to not try to "work up some kind of emotion" but let God's Holy Spirit touch your human spirit - and lift you once again into the glory of God!

Come Holy Spirit we need you!

We desire more of your presence and power!

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend

Wonderful, powerful, anointed services over the weekend!

It was an "exclamation point" type weekend!

Both Saturday evening and Sunday morning were life changing - I pray - for everyone who attended.

People are hungry for God's presence!

We do need more of God!

May His fire fall on us!

Many, many thanks to our worship team for their faithful service in leading us in worship.  Thanks for taking us to the throne room of God!

God is moving - our prayer and desire is to ride that Holy Spirit momentum!

God's presence is to be emotionally experienced as well as theologically understood.

A mature Christian walks in God's Spirit - while understanding that the foundation of what God is experienced is God's Word.

The goal of the manifestations that we saw and experienced yesterday is transformation.  And the glorification of the name of Jesus.

We encourage you to come expecting this Sunday!  God always moves on the level of expectation that we desire.

Our expectations were high this past Sunday - let's come with those same expectations this coming Sunday!

The experience of God's Spirit is an intangible that cannot be explained. 

It is, as Paul writes, as "foolishness to those who are perishing (speaking of the message of the Cross), but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God."  (1 Corinthians 1:18).

We are all afraid of those things we can't fully explain.

I enjoyed worshipping with the body of Christ yesterday.

From my blog (December 2, 2010).....I write:

"One of the things I do is to answer questions that are emailed me - questions pertaining to the Bible, theology and practical Christian living.

I thought I might share one with you today.

I was asked:

"In regards to orderly worship, in 1 Corinthians 14, Paul explains that there should be at most 3 people speaking in tongues at one time, taking turns, and that there must be an interpreter.

Obviously, the Pentecostal Church does not necessarily follow this guideline.

At Stone there are many times when numerous people are praying out load in tongues. How do we justify this as we are aware of Paul's teachings?"

Here is my response:

In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul is speaking of tongues as prophecy.

When he writes or teaches about tongues as prophecy (prophecy is the sense of forth telling and not fore telling) he encourages the body of Christ to have at the most three, one at a time, and interpreted each time.

That would be distinguished from tongues as praise.

When we, as a congregation, are in the act of corporate praise, than praising God with our spiritual language(s), as a church family is very appropriate and interpretation is not needed.

A disclaimer: Sometimes the lines and distinctions between the two over lap. For instance, tongues as prophecy can include praise. And out of a time of praise (using the gift of tongues as worship) the use of tongues as prophecy can spring forth.

That's why I love worshipping in the Holy Spirit. While there are guidelines, we never know how God is going to move.

May we all enter in to worship this Sunday - and walk in the freedom that He desires for us!"

Expecting great things.

Love you all.....

Walking in fear and trusting in God

I must admit that there are times when I am anxious and walk in fear.

When those times come, I know to tell myself that every person who has ever done something for the Lord will experience feelings of uneasiness as to the future - and what is going on in the present.

We know that "God is in control," and "all things work together for God."

We believe in the promises of God.

Yet we still have times of doubt and worry and well, just outright fear of what might take place.

During those times, I try to do the following:

Immerse myself in scriptures that build my "spirit man" up.

2 Timothy 1:7 is one that we talk a lot about at Stone Church, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

I also make it a point to hang out with "firelighters," or those people who when I am around them I want to put on a t-shirt that has a big "S" on it for Supernatural.

I leave there presence afraid of nothing, especially the enemy and his attacks.

I like to be with people who despite their own fears and worries - are trusting in God.

But I also fill my mind with stories like the one below. 

It exemplifies the attitude we should have when those anxious moments come - that we can stand firm in our faith.

We need to be like the 84 year old grandmother who fiercely maintained her independence and lived alone in the family home.

Her 4 children lived in the same town, but she rarely called them except in emergencies.  It was with some apprehension, therefore, that one of her sons drove to her house one morning in answer to her phone call.

When he arrived, she said she suspected that there was a burglar in her bedroom closet, since she had heard noises in there the night before.

"Why didn't you call me last night?" he exclaimed.

"Well," she replied, "it was late and I hated to bother you, so I just nailed the closet shut and went to bed."

That's the kind of attitude we can have when faced with anxious moments in our lives.

Nail the door of fear shut and go to bed in calm assurance.

I encourage you, as you go to sleep this evening, give your worries to God - he's going to be up all night anyway.

Just a thought for a Thursday.

Using a pencil instead of an pen

Here's what I know:  When we sin - God always writes down our sins with a pencil and not a pen.

Paul writes in Romans 8:1,2 (Which we will look at in tonight's bible study):

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set me free from the law of sin and death."

There is no condemnation in Christ.  To those in Christ.

Sometimes we are harder on ourselves than God is.

I read a story today in which the author writes, "One day, while I was grieving over some past failures, I received a letter from a friend who told me how she and her granddaughter had been watching a plane sky write.  The little girl was puzzled when the words began disappearing, but suddenly piped up, "Maybe Jesus has an eraser!"

In her innocent wisdom I realized that just as skywriting disappears, Jesus wipes away all things I so bitterly regret.   No matter how much we mature as Christians, and try desperately to compensate, memories of our own failure can rise up and haunt us.  But with God's forgiveness, they will fade away - and Jesus does have an eraser."

I am very grateful today that when I sin, Jesus always writes down my sin with a pencil and not a pen.  His love is unconditional. 

So why not exchange your perfectionism for His peace today?

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

Sometimes you get what you ask for

To a certain extent, I am really grateful that God has many times NOT given me the desire of my heart.

He knows what is best for me far more than I do.

Here's what I know:  Sometimes when people finally get what they want and long for - it is not all that it is cracked up to be. 

In fact, it can even be detrimental to their spiritual, emotional and physical health.

There is the story of a fly that was buzzing along one morning when he saw a lawn mower someone had left out in their front yard.  He flew over and sat on the handle, watching the children going down the sidewalk on their way to school.

One little boy tripped on a crack and fell, spilling his lunch on the sidewalk.  He picked himself up, put his lunch back in the bag and went on.  But he missed a piece of bologna.

The fly had not eaten that morning and he was very hungry.  So he flew down and started eating the bologna.

In fact, he ate so much bologna that he could not fly, so he waddled across the sidewalk, across the lawn, up to the wheel of the lawn mower, up the handle, and sat there resting and watching the children.

There was still some bologna laying there on the sidewalk.  He was really stuffed, but that baloney sure did look good.

Finally temptation got the best of him and he jumped off the handle of the lawn mower to fly over to the baloney.  But alas, he was too full to fly and went splat!!! - killing him instantly.

The moral of the story:  Don't fly off the handle when you are full of baloney.

There is a dark side to us - that is a reckless as the fly.

It doesn't matter, seemingly, what the cost are, we just HAVE TO have it. 

Our carnal nature is like that, so full of baloney, that we can't see it and we fly off the handle, thinking we can handle it all and in the end - we end up splat!

My word today?  Be careful what you ask for - you just  might get it.

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

First of all, let me give a big shout out to those who came and ministered Saturday morning by going door to door - leaving door hangers behind which share about our church.

It is all part of the bigger picture of "getting the word out" about our church.  More and more people in our area are beginning to find us - it is exciting!

It was also fun to watch whole families come to participate in this ministry.  Parents bringing their children.  What a wonderful way to "coach" your children about the spiritual needs of others - by bringing them with you - and going door to door - letting people know about Jesus!

A big hand clap for all of your parents!

Beautiful fall days we are having.  I love it.  Looking out my window here at the church I can see the leaves beginning to turn. 

It is a wonderful time of the year - sweater weather is coming!

Thanks so much to all of the encouraging words about the teaching yesterday.  It thrills me that God is giving us a big, big vision - with goals to match!

God is doing a new thing!  God is going to do a spiritual thing in our community!

Let me give you the word picture that God gave me last Saturday morning - concerning our church.

Here's what I said (you can listen to the entire message - with the goals of our church - on our church website):

"In years past, we have been like a big jumbo jet, floating through the sky.  Tremendous things took place in the past.  Much ground was covered.  Now, since we have relocated, we are like a smaller, modern jet - just ready to take off - the engine is running.

It's taken us 3 years to do all the flight checks and acclimate the passengers to the new plane.

Some have come on board since we have been here.  Some have gotten off board.  Some are thrilled to take the flight with us - and yes - some are complaining about the trip.

Here's the word of the Lord:  We are just about ready to fly through the skies.  God is just about ready to do a new thing!  A Spiritual thing.  A supernatural thing!"

I also quoted from Haggai 2:9, "The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house," says the Lord almighty."  "And in this place I will grant peace," declares the Lord Almighty."

May it be so, Lord!

May it begin this coming weekend with our revival services!

Love you all......

Potential and your child

One of my favorite things to do as a pastor is to visit parents who have just had a baby.

The hospital room is always a place of joy and celebration.

The parents are filled with happiness and anticipation!

There is such hope and expectation for the child!

Good times.  Happy times!

If there is one word that could possibly summarize this season of child rearing - it is the word potential.  The "sky's the limit" as far as a mom and dad's hopes are for the potential of their newborn.

But then, as the child gets older and moves from the maternity ward to junior high school and then to those "wonderful" teenage years, the hopes and expectations of most parents can be eroded.

You live with your child, mom and dad, day in and day out, through the bad times as well as the good - and begin to realize that they are human beings just like the rest of us, with strengths and weaknesses.

How can you recapture the dreams that you once had for your children? 

If you don't read any farther - know this:  See your child not as he/she is, but as he/she can be.

Every child has room to improve.  Every child has potential that they have never even touched.

That's what you can do as a parent - work to help unlock your child's potential.

Help them be the people God created them to be.

God has a plan and a purpose for your child's life (and realize that it might not be your plan and purpose for their lives but God's plan and purpose - we are to train up our children in the way they should go).

Disclaimer:  You are not ultimately responsible for your child in reaching his/her potential.  They are to make the decisions that will affect their lives.  But you can help them unlock their own potential by encouraging them and moving them in the right direction.

That's a principle in our walk with God - God never looks at us as we are but as we can be - in Him.  God never gives up on us - especially when we fail.

You don't think that Jesus saw the potential in Simon Peter when he was standing by the seashore, fishing?

Most people thought of Simon as a "pebble".  God saw him as a "rock".  The "rock" that would lead his church.  Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you a fisher of men."

So, I encourage you to encourage your child to dream.  To reach for new heights.

Here's what I know:  it is not what they are that holds your child back from reaching their potential, it is what they think they are not.

If your child sees themselves as a failure - they will act as a failure.  They will fail.  If they believe they have little to offer the world, they will contribute nothing.

No person can act in a way that is inconsistent with the way they see themselves - especially children. 

Your child will only go as far as the image they have of themselves - specifically in Christ.  Let your child know that with Christ, they can do all things.

Speak positive blessings over your child.  Speak creatively to your child.  Discipline them when they fail.  Teach them to accept responsibility.  And then - lift them up with love and encouragement.

Some "bullet point" lessons to teach your child to help them  reach their potential:

1.  Pay before you play. 

2.  Pick your friends wisely.

3.  Minimum effort will never bring forth maximum results.

4.  If you fail - get up and try again.

5.  Don't always expect the experts to be right.

     Beethoven's music teacher said about him, "As a composer he is hopeless."

     When Thomas Edison was a young boy, his teachers said he was so stupid that he could never
     learn anything.

     Walt Disney was once fired by a newspaper editor because he was thought to have "no good
     ideas."

6.  You can never go wrong doing the right thing.

7.  Make your choices wisely - they have consequences both good and bad.

8.  I trust you - but I don't trust the devil and his temptations.

Just some thoughts for a Thursday 

Walking in the spirit, not the flesh

This evening, we are studying the wonderful, classic passage of Paul in Romans 7:15-25. 

It is basically an autobiography of Paul’s struggle with sin.  As you read the passage (and I encourage you to read the entire passage today), notice how many times Paul uses the pronoun, “I”.

Paul speaks of wrestling with his carnal nature; his tendency to sin.

Here’s what I know:

The Christian life is not hard; it is impossible – if I am trying to walk in the Spirit on my own.  Using my own will power.

There’s the true story of a Christian who was driving home from work each day and had the temptation to stop at a certain bar, but he knew he’d stay too long and his family would get made over his drinking too much.

So to keep from going in, as soon as he got into his car, he’d pull of his shoes and socks, because you don’t ever go into a bar without shoes and socks on.  Then he’d pull off his tie, and he’d pull of his shirt, and he’d be saying to himself, “Now I can’t go into the bar.”

But as he drove down the Pasadena freeway from Los Angeles, he’d get to about Avenue 64 and he’d be pulling at his socks; and as he kept driving he’d be toeing his way into his does.  On would go his shirt, and when he go to the bar he’d go on.

Why?  Because, as Paul says,  “What I hate I do.”

Here is one of the principles we will look at this evening:

Your Christian life was begun by grace and it must continue by grace.

Every Christian must experience the “second crash.”  The first “crash” came when you saw you were spiritually bankrupt, a sinner with no righteousness to present to god on your own. 

The “second crash” comes when you see you can’t even live the Christian life on your own.  You need God’s help.

Watchman Nee writes, “Living in the Spirit means that I trust the Holy Spirit to do in me what I cannot do myself.”

It is not a case of trying but of trusting; not of struggling but of resting in God.”

If you have a temper, or impure thoughts or a quick tongue or a critical spirit, you can’t change yourself with your own will power, but your must consider yourself dead in Christ to these thing and look to the Holy Spirit to produce in you the needed fruit that you need in your life.

When you are struggling with the flesh - the Holy Spirit will see you through.

The object of temptation is always to get us to do something.

Watchman Nee writes, “During the first three months of the Japanese war in China we lost a great many tanks, and so were unable to deal with the Japanese armor, until the following scheme was devised.  A single shot would be fired at a Japanese tank by one of our snipers in ambush.  After a considerable lapse of time the first shot would be followed by a second; then, after a further silence, by another shot; until the tank driver, eager to locate the source of the disturbance, would pop his head out to look around.  The next shot, carefully aimed, would put an end to him.  As long as he remained under cover he was perfectly safe.”

The whole idea was to get the soldier to come out into the open.

In the same way, Satan’s temptations are not designed primarily to make us do something particularly sinful, but to cause us to act in our own energy; and as soon as we step out from the covering of the Holy Spirit and try to overcome the flesh on our own – the enemy has won. 

That’s why Paul says, “Walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.”  (Galatians 6:15)

Walk in the Spirit.  Choose to walk in the spirit – and then let the Holy Spirit give you the power to overcome the flesh.

The cross has been give to obtain salvation for us – God’s Holy Spirit has been given to produce salvation in us. 

Would you pray this prayer with me today?

“Lord, I cannot live the Christian life on my own.  Therefore I will take my hands off; from now on I will trust in your to lead me in the ways of righteousness.”

Handling mistakes

While some of your mistakes in life can be devastating, did you know that the vast majority of your failures can be turned around for something good?

It is true.

We all fail.  We all make mistakes.

Yet, I want you to know today that you can turn that mistake into something positive in your life!

Proverbs 24:16 tells us that "a just man falls seven times, but keeps on getting back up!"  (My paraphrase).

You are only a failure if you refuse to get back up and keep on going.

Some quick thoughts on this:

You will make mistakes.  You are not God.  You are not perfect.  You will fail.

It is important to admit that you failed.  Don't live in denial.  Do not try to justify it.  Confess your sin to others who were damaged by your mistake.  Proverbs 28:13, "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."

Give the responsibility of the mistake (failure, sin) to those who are truly responsible.  Accept responsibility if the genesis of the mistake comes from you.  If others are involved, allow them to accept their own share of the blame.  Don't cover for someone else!  I see parents who always "cover" for their children - and in doing so they destroy their child's chance to grow emotionally and spiritually.  Proverbs 19:18, "Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death."  Sometimes little "Johnny or Susy" did do wrong.

Be willing to experience the pain of your mistake.  We live in a world that refuses to allow themselves to experience the full depth of the difficulty they are going through.  From substances to medications to technology, people are doing everything they can to avoid "going to the mat" with their suffering.  There are times when God wants us to feel the hurt of our mistakes.  Can I share this with you?  If God cushioned every blow, you would never learn to grow.

Write out a list of lessons that you are learning from your mistake.  What have a learned about myself?  What have I learned about others?

Stop talking to everyone about your failure.  It's great to have that someone that you can trust to pour your heart out to (after pouring out your heart to God).  Stop putting yourself down!  Make up your mind that you are not losing the battle, you are in the process of learning!

Mend the broken fences that your mistakes have caused. 

Allow yourself time to heal.  Time does NOT heal all wounds.  But many times we need to give ourselves some time to get over, to grieve the fact that we have done something wrong. 

Use your failure to help someone else who struggles with the same thing.

And finally, never, never, never quit.  You can make it!  Don't let yourself stay on the bottom.  Rise up and reach for new heights once again!

Remember:  "Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."  1 John 4:4

Just some thoughts for a Tuesday

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend

We had a wonderful meeting with our adult Bible teachers last Saturday morning!

Thanks to all the men and women who came.

It is exciting to all of us to come up with a "game plan" for discipleship - for our church family.  I encourage you to look for some positive changes in the "way we do Sunday School," for our adults in the next year and a half.

Changes that will help the spiritual growth of both the new convert and seasoned saint at the same time!

Debbie and I had the privilege of attending the Illinois Family Institute banquet last Friday evening, with Dr.  Ben Carson as the guest speaker.

He challenged all of us that America is heading down the pathway of every other civilization in the world (focus on entertainment and sports, moral collapse of country, laying aside of spiritual values) but encouraged us with the fact that as we all work together, and pray together and minister together, our country can turn around!

It was personally gratifying to have Missionary Doug Hollis with us this weekend.

Doug is a life long friend of mine.  He also is one of those missionaries that is being extremely effective in the country that he ministers in (Indonesia).

What passion!  What commitment!

May God continue to call missionaries such as these to the mission field!

May God help us all to "pick up the torch" and do what we can to see the gospel of Jesus Christ spread throughout the earth!

Please consider giving monthly to missions.  $10, $20, $30 or $40 or $50 a month.  Our desire is to support even more missionaries for the cause of Jesus Christ.

People need Jesus!

Do we care?  Will we pray?  Will we give!

Great, challenging questions for all of us.

Love you all.....

Focusing on what you do have

This evening we will continue to work our way through Romans 7, which is a self-portrayal of Paul in his struggles with the flesh as a mature Christian.

Tonight:  Romans 7:7-13.

In my studies yesterday and today, I noticed something I have not pay attention to before. 

Paul struggled with coveting.  Being content with what he had.  Wanting what others had.

Another nugget in establishing this is that Paul writes in Philippians 4:12, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation."

It was something he learned.

It is was something he wrestled with.

Out of all of the 10 commandments, Paul mentioned this one - possibly because it is the only one of the 10 that deals with "just" the attitudes of the heart.  Sin begins in the heart and you and I can covet without anyone knowing it.

We can be discontent while giving off the appearance of being satisfied.

We always want more.  We focus not on what we do have but on what we don't have.

Elias Morgan, the former president of MOPS (Mothers of Pre-schoolers) shares this insight into how a child views the world.  It's called the Toddler's Creed:

If I want it - it's mine.

If I give it to you and change my mind later - it's mine.

If I can take it away from you - it's mine.

If I had it a little while ago - it's mine.

If it's mine - it will never belong to anyone else, no matter what.

If we are building something together all pieces are mine.

If it looks like mine - it's mine.

Mine, mine.  Me, myself and I.

Do you see a theme there?

Here's a great principle to overcome covet:  Focus not on what you don't have but on what you do have.

Appreciate what you've got and be grateful to God.

Open your eyes.

Ecclesiastes 5:19 tells us, "If God gives a man wealthy and property, he should be grateful and enjoy what he has.  It is a gift from God." 

Grateful.  Enjoy.  Gift.  God says I want you to enjoy and be grateful for what you've got.

It's a gift.

You wouldn't have anything if it weren't for God.  It's all a gift from God.

We get into a trap that is called, "When and then thinking."  "When and then" thinking says, "When I get (and you can fill in the blank) ________, then I will be happy.

Here's what I know:  That "fill in the blank" will not ultimately make you happy.  You will be happy for a little while, but it won't last because something else has happened.

You've got to get the newer, bigger, better, more improved model.  Apple makes billions on this one principle.  They want you to look forward and buy the next IPhone.

What are you waiting on to make you happy?

When I get married - then I will be happy.

When I get out of this marriage - then I will be happy.

When I have kids - then I will be happy.

Listen to me:  You are as happy as you want to be.  It is  your choice.  Forget the "When and then thinking."

Happiness is not getting whatever you want.

Happiness is enjoying whatever you have.

God wants you to enjoy what you have.

He commands you to enjoy what you've got.

God enjoys watching you enjoy what He's given you.  I always really like watching my children enjoy what I have given them, how much more God does!

Again, the word of the day:  Focus not on what you don't have, focus in on what you do have.

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

Now or Forever?

Are you living for the "now" or are you living for the "forever".

It's a huge question for all of us - especially as followers of Christ.

Every moment, of every day, you and I have a choice.  Will I live for the moment?  Or, will I live for eternity?

Your alarm clock goes off, you get ready for work, eat breakfast, drink your coffee and then bam, almost immediately you are faced with the question, "will I live for what I can see, knowing it will soon disappear?  Or will I live for eternity?

When we put our work before God - we are living for the "now".

When we put our hobbies before God - we are living for the "now".

When we put our family before God - we are living for the "now".

Don't get me wrong, the "now" is important, but only in the context and priority list of following after our relationship with God.

Here's what I know:  When I put God first, then my "living for the now" becomes incredibly better!

Jesus said it this way in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and then all these things will be added to you."

And what's really cool is that when we put God first, we not only receive temporary benefits (happiness, spiritual security, emotional help) but we will receive an eternal reward!

Revelation 22:12 tell us, (Jesus is talking) "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work."

Did you notice there that Jesus is not coming to set up his kingdom?  He's coming for his people because he cares about the people of his kingdom, people who have given a lifetime to Him because they believed what he said, and they wanted to please him and they chose to be faithful.

Listen, God notices and cares about every decision you make to live for the "now" or for the "forever".  

What is your choice today?

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, and God asks, "Won't you be mine."  :)

I really enjoyed attending the Chicago Christian Homecoming football game last Friday evening.  Great to see some of our Stone Church students who go there.

A great reminder of how much fun high school football is to watch.

Many, many thanks to Rick Heise, Don Janis, Vic Nutter, John Goddard and Frank Wolf who came out to help us with our Stone Church work day!  Thank you men for giving of your time!

The outside windows look great!

To all of my Chicago Bears friends (fans).  The grieving process is:  Denial, anger, depression, bargaining and then acceptance.  My condolences on their loss (of course the Dallas Cowboys also lost).

It was fun to watch all of the married couples who renewed their vows yesterday at the end of the teaching in both services.

You can have a marriage that last over the long haul!

Here's what I know:  Every marriage can be better.

Every marriage.

No marriage is perfect.

How can a marriage be perfect when it has two imperfect people in relationship?

With these beautiful fall days, I encourage you to take a walk this evening(if possible) and spend some time with God.

Principle:  When I try to control everything in my life - it will lead to a life of frustration and fear.

You and I can't control most of life - only God can.

Don't be caught up in trying to control your spouse, your children, your parents, your co-workers, or someone here at the church.

If you do - it will drive you batty.

We are responsible to people not for them.

October is going to be a great month at Stone Church!

Love you all....

Tolerance and truth

Let me state the obvious:  We live in a society of tolerance. 

It has now become the centerpiece of our culture.

When it comes to religion, tolerance means accepting that all religions are equally true or untrue.

There can be no distinction.

One definition of tolerance is "to allow (something one dislikes ore disagrees with) to exist without interference - (or to) patiently endure (something unpleasant)."

As Christians, we can be considered intolerant because we dare take the stance that there are some things in this world that are wrong and we are right.

It has become wrong to tell others that they are wrong.

Of course the ironic thing is that the person saying that it is wrong to say that someone else is wrong is also saying that Christians are wrong for saying what they believe!

Just a thought then - the ultimate question at stake is not whether Christian belief is tolerant (or intolerant) but where it is true and real or not.

I believe it is.  In fact, I know it is.  So am I being intolerant of other religions and beliefs?

Am I being intolerant in stating that Jesus is the only way to God?

There is a (now famous) story of an elephant in the jungle.  Different blind scribes come up to the elephant and take hold of the different body parts.

One holds the trunk and declares, "This is a snake."

Another holds the leg and says, "You are wrong.  It is not a snake, it is a tree trunk!"

Still another holds the tail and says, "You are both wrong.  It is a rope."

The different individuals are said to represent the different religions of the world, and the moral of the story is that no one faith has the whole truth; it would be the height of intolerance and arrogant to state so.

In other words, everyone has a little piece of the truth.

But who is being intolerant and arrogant?

The people inside the story who are up close to the elephant or the storyteller who is standing back and thinks he has the whole picture?

The people inside the story who are blind or the person telling the story who thinks that he can see?

The implication of the story is that Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Muhammad and Moses were blind - but only the storyteller can see.

So who sounds intolerant now?  Who sounds arrogant now?

Is it not just as arrogant and intolerant to claim that YOU know that all paths lead to God as it is to claim that you agree with Jesus that he is the only way to God?

That in and of itself is intolerance.

Perhaps a more practical and pragmatic approach is needed here.

At the end of the day, anyone who claims the truth can go back to the first hand experience that they have of that truth.  The Bible promises that if we draw near to God, he will draw near to us.

That is a perfect and direct invitation to encounter God.

Why not pray this prayer today:  "God, if you are there, please reveal yourself to me."

And I believe that He will.

Why?  Because the Bible says so. 

How intolerant of me to say that......:) :)

Just a thought for a Thursday.

Perfectionism

Before I share about what I am going to teach on this evening (Romans 7:1-6), let me answer the question that was posed concerning my blog yesterday.

Here's the question:  "How do you comfort someone who has been hurt or grieving?"

Great question.

Just off the top of my head (and I will eventually devote an entire blog to this) here are some suggestions.

Don't belittle or put down someone's emotions that they are expressing.  "You shouldn't feel that way."  "If you were a Christian, you wouldn't say that."  Those kinds of words are mean.  Allow the person to vent without being judgmental.

Don't give Christian clichés.  "Everything will work out in the end."  "All things work together for good" (which is true, but there is a time and place to say that).

Don't talk to much.  Sometimes when we don't know what to say, we talk too much.

Don't try to figure out the "why" for them.  You don't know why.  They don't know why.  Many times we won't ultimately know "why" until we are with Jesus.

Do "be there".  More than anything else your presence is needed and speaks volumes.

Do use physical touch.  A hug.  An arm around someone is so needed during this time.

Do pray with them.  A short prayer.

Do more than say, "If you need anything I am here for you," but do actually bring them that meal.  Do actually come over and see how they are doing. 

There is more I can say, but let's return to this at a later time.

Now then, for this evening, Romans 7:1-6. 

Two great chapters, Romans 7 and 8.  In chapter 7, Paul describes the struggling Christian.  The Christian who wrestles with the flesh, the carnal nature and the law. 

Our theme of the evening?  The law defines sin - and our Christian life is not based on rules, but a loving relationship with God.

God's will for your life is not be live a performance based walk with Him!

That is legalism.

A legalist is a person who insists on letting their conscious be your guide.

Do you know that I found out about legalistic people?

They are intolerant of the failures of others.  The put a high level of expectation on other people that other people cannot live up to.  They put a high level of expectation on themselves that they cannot live up to.

What are the results?  Pride.  A critical spirit.  Hypocrisy.  They begin to put on a face, a facade and begin to cover up their own sins and failures.  They being to act like something they are not and do thing that they are no.

It's what I call the "plastic Christian" game - as if everything is fine and I have no problems and life is a fluff ball.  When we do that - we case to be real, transparent and vulnerable.

Did you know that perfectionist can never establish and keep long term relationships?

Because nobody, and I mean nobody ever measures up. 

From their spouse, to their parents, to their children, to their boss, to their church, to their church leaders, nobody ever measures up to their standards. 

What are their two favorite words:  Ought and Should.  They ought to be that way.  They should to his.

I am so happy that Jesus doesn't expect me to be perfect.  Striving for holiness yes.  Striving for righteousness yes. 

Jesus said in Matthew 11;28, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." 

Finally, know this:  A true walk with Christ comes not from the keeping of rules but from a relationship with Jesus.

Just some thoughts for a Wednesday.

Weeping over our hurt

We Christian types are really good about hiding our grief, pain and hurt.

Some think that God wants us to walk around with a smile on our face all the time.

Some Christians have this idea that we should never be sad, we should never grieve, we should never hurt.  We should never cry.

Whether it is a parent who gets Alzheimer's or a child who gets cancer or a husband or wife who gets laid off from work or somebody stabs you in the back, that you should always walk around with a big smile, like it is no big deal and you should never grieve over these losses.

That God wants us to put on a "smiley face" and walk around saying, "Praise the Lord"!

"Nothing wrong here"!

It doesn't take a psychologist to know that is living in denial. 

And all denial does is put off the inevitable - that you and I will eventually be confronted with handling the grief that we feel.

"Don't show any negative emotion, you are not trusting in God!"  "You are showing a lack of faith!"

That is heartless and even rude.

I was hurting the other day over something someone said, and I was counseled, "that just comes with the territory of being a pastor.  You'll get over it."

I thought, "okay, thanks a lot for the comfort."

While it is true that we are not to hold on to wounds and hurts from the past, we are called upon by the Lord to have a time when we express our hurt and our pain to God.

In a real way.  In a sincere way.

In Matthew 5:4 Jesus taught, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

In other words, it is okay to grieve. 

It is normal, natural and biblical to release your pain through tears.

It is okay to cry.

You don't repress it - stuff it down.

You don't rehearse it and go over and over it in your mind.

You release it and give it to God.

You cry out to God, "I hurt"!

"This is a tough one to handle!"

"I am hurting God"!

David prayed in Psalms 62:8, "Pour out your heart to God, for He is our refuge."

He also said in Psalms 34:18, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

I encourage you today, to "let it all out" to God and someone you trust.

In fact, I encourage you to schedule a window of time this evening where you are going to say to yourself, "I am going to grief over this situation.  I am going to give it to God.  I am going to release my feelings to the Lord."

And then move on.  And then let it go.

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

Thoughts from the weekend - and a prayer from Ignatius Loyola

Thoughts from the weekend:

Beautiful fall days - you have to love them.

I really like taking walks with Debbie in the evening - as the sun sets.

Congratulations to all my Chicago Bears friends (fans).  You are now 3-0.  Just remember:  You started out last season 7-1.  :) :)

God is an "on time" God - as in the case (as we saw yesterday) of arriving on the scene just as Abraham was going to sacrifice his son Isaac.

I would suggest that Abraham was the happiest guy on the planet after God stopped him.

And then God provides a ram to take the place of Isaac!

Our God is truly Jehovah Jireh - The "God who provides."

Do you have a need today?  Trust God to provide.

Yesterday was such a great day of worship - next Sunday can't come soon enough!

It was wonderful to see the men and women of God on their faces or knees before Him yesterday after each service.  Truly, as we commit ourselves to Him, He will do incredible things!

Many, many thanks to all of our volunteers at Stone Church. 

Your faithfulness is a continual encouragement to all of us on the pastoral staff!

We love you and appreciate you!

So much anger in the world (Shooting at Cornell Park over the weekend).  My prayer is that we can represent God's peace to the world.

God is beginning to plant within my heart and spirit a theme for our church for 2014.  More to come.

I would ask that you consider bringing a friend this Sunday.  We encourage you to invite and bring a non-churched friend!

Our desire is to see people connect with Jesus Christ!

Going back to the thought of God being "Jehovah Jireh".

Did you know that as you pray in the name of Jesus, knowing that God is your provider, that God is capable of meeting your every need?

Ignatius Loyola was the youngest of eleven children.  He grew up in Spain centuries ago.  At 43 years of age (at that time considered to be old), Loyola took an enormous step of faith that involved the surrender of all his wealth and worldly claims.

Having moved to Paris, Ignatius gathered six disciples around him to establish a new order called "the Company of Jesus," or Jesuits.

Incredibly, just 22 years later at Loyola's death in 1556, those half-dozen disciples had grown to 1000, many of whom - like Francis Xavier who visited 52 nations in just 10 years - had gone to the ends of the earth as foreign missionaries.

But most significant is the fact that Ignatius Loyola trusted God completely.

As he neared life's end, Loyola prayed with passion:

Take, Lord, all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my whole being.

You have given me all that I have,
all that I am,
and I surrender all to Your divine will,
that You dispose of me.

Give me only Your love and Your grace,
with this I am rich enough,
and I have no more to ask."

May that be your prayer today as it is mine.

Being the church

It is now a reality of our culture:  "Church" is now just another part of our busy lives.  Sunday is now just another weekday.

Stores and restaurants are open on Sunday.

Kid's sporting events are in full swing on Sunday.

Sunday can be a work day for some.

For others, Sunday is the only day to sleep in or do chores around the house.

Church is no longer a priority in our lives.

Other people don't go to church because there are "just too many hypocrites there."  Others still don't go because all the church talks about is money.

Or, "church just makes me feel guilty," and I don't need that in my life.  Everyone seems so perfect - all those perfect people just make me feel worse about myself.

Finally, there are those who think that they know what the church should be like and their standards are so high that no church could possibly meet them.

They carry with them a detailed list of what their church is or isn't:  The worship music isn't "Spirit led" enough, or it's too loud, too soft, or too whatever. 

The sermons are too shallow or too intellectual.  The missions program isn't aggressive enough or it's all the church talks about.

They spend too much money on the building or not enough. 

When you put all of the above into the recipe and try to come out of the oven with something delicious - it can be challenging.

Let me remind us that the church is not a building - the church is people.  And "church" in its truest form is not about what "I am getting," but "What am I giving away."

We talk a lot about meeting people's needs in our church as leadership (and rightly so).  We desire to meet people's needs where they are at.

But at the same time, church will never truly be "church" for you and me if we are not reaching out to others and meeting their needs. 

We give ourselves to God by giving ourselves to others.

Erwin McManus once said, "The church does not exist for us.  We are the church, and we exist for the world." 

I guess what I am saying is this:  God is not calling us to go to church; he is calling us to be his church, which is the hope of the world.

And once we are "being the church," maybe, just maybe a lot of that stuff I mentioned above won't matter as much.

Just a thought for a Thursday.

Whose slave are you?

Do you want to be as good of saint as you were a sinner?

Great question.

This evening we will look at Romans 6:15-23.  Wonderful passage of challenge.

Paul writes in Romans 6:16, "Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are salves of the one you obey - whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Ray Stedman tells about visiting Los Angeles during the days of the Jesus People.  He saw a strange-looking character walking the streets wearing a sandwich board. 

On the front of it - it said, "I'm a slave for Christ."  He walked around back.  The question on the back of the sandwich board was, "whose slave are you?"  That's exactly what Paul is asking here - and the question I ask you today:

"Whose slave are you?"

To sin?  Or to the savior?

Paul's target audience was the church at Rome which would connect immediately to what Paul was talking about.

One-third of the people in Rome were slaves during the first century.  In fact, there were so many slaves that a law to make slaves wear a certain type of clothing was abandoned because it would reveal their numerical strength.

It is estimated that one-half of the church in Rome were slaves.

Now then, there were two forms of slavery in ancient Rome:

1.  Someone who was captured by the enemy would have all of their worldly possessions destroyed that would tempt them to go home and then they were transported to Rome for sale on the auction block.

2.  The older, more common type of slavery was "voluntary indenture."  Impoverished people could offer themselves as slaves to someone in order to have food to eat and a place to live.  In other words, people willingly accepted slavery in order to meet their basic needs.

Free men would become slaves out of financial need.

Perhaps Paul is referring to this second type of slavery and is asking, "Why would you choose a master whose dedicated purpose is to keep you enslaved and ultimately kill you?"

Whose slave are you? 

It is a choice for all of us.  Daily.  Moment my moment. 

Am I going to commit myself to Christ?  Or am I going to serve sin?

In the last days of the Civil War, the Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia, fell to the Union army. Abraham Lincoln insisted on visiting the city.

Even though no one knew he was coming, slaves recognized him immediately and thronged around him. He had liberated them by the Emancipation Proclamation, and now Lincoln's army had set them free.

According to Admiral David Porter, an eyewitness, Lincoln spoke to the throng around him:

"My poor friends, you are free—free as air. You can cast off the name of slave and trample upon it …. Liberty is your birthright."

But Lincoln also warned them not to abuse their freedom. "Let the world see that you merit [your freedom]," Lincoln said, "Don't let your joy carry you into excesses. Learn the laws and obey them."

That is very much like the message Paul gives to those whom he has liberated by his death and resurrection.

Jesus gives us our true birthright—spiritual freedom. But that freedom isn't an excuse for disobedience; it forms the basis for learning and obeying God's laws.

Whose slave are you?

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

Creating and knowing people would go to hell

I don't know about you - but every so often I think about questions like:  If God is so loving and relational, why did he go ahead and create people when he knew they would end up in hell?

Great question.

Perhaps one for your life group.

More and more, people are believing in hell less and less.  Even in God's kingdom.

Hell is getting a lot of "bad press."

Bumper sticker:  "You say I am going to hell?  That's where the party will be happening with all my friends.  Bring it on."

Okay.....

The French philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre wrote of hell as being "locked forever in a small room with two other people."  I guess that depends upon who those two people are.  :)

Woody Allen said that, "hell will be the place for people who have personally annoyed me."

Here's the logic:

Hell exists.

God creates people.

God knows who will connect with Him and who won't.

God is a loving God.

Then why would God create someone whom he knew would reject him?

Here's part of the solution.  Where you find love - you will find justice.

Love cannot exist without justice.  When someone injuries us, we long for justice to be done.  We desire, and rightly so, that it be made right. 

If people around us really care, those around us want justice on our behalf as well.

Love and justice go together. 

To be truly loving, God must also be a God of justice.

It all comes down to freedom.  If love is to exist, it must be a love that is freely given and freely received.  Love cannot be forced.

And, if freedom is possible, the withholding of love is possible.  When that happens, injustice occurs.

When injustice occurs, justice must be handed out.  Hell is the means of God's judgment, allowing God's justice to be upheld.

God created you with the capacity to choose or reject Him.  That being the case, that's where the cross comes in.  Jesus (God himself) died on the cross to remove any automatic connection to receiving the justice of God for your sins. 

While God knows who and who will not accept Him, He continues to do everything he can to connect us to him.

God creates, God gives us freedom to choose or reject Him, and based upon that choice we go to Heaven or we go to hell.

What will your choice be today?

I choose heaven - how about you?

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

Friday evening was wonderful.

Our life group retreat was a "success" in the sense that:

The lessons were meaningful.  Helpful.  What we can do to facilitate and grow our life groups, spiritually and relationally.

The food was excellent - thanks, everyone, for bringing food!

Many, many thanks to David Dewes, Rick Maldaner and Debbie Smith for your leadership and hard work!

I appreciated David's passion in sharing about life groups.

The theme of the evening?  If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat!

Saturday morning's teachings were very helpful as well.

Here's one of the many principles that were presented by our speaker:  Ben Deboef.

Take a piece of paper and put on one side "Fill" and on the other side "drain".

Write down what fills your tank.  Write down what drains your tank.

Make a conscious effort this week to "fill your tank" so that your tank is not so depleted you can give anything away.

To put it in my terminology:  You can't give what you don't have.

What fills your tank?

What depletes your tank?

If your tank is continually being depleted it could lead to anxiety and then to an emotional breakdown and then to a nervous breakdown and (God forbid) the possibility of suicide.

Realize that your time is limited.

Realize that every moment of your life is spend doing something.

Realize that somebody will determine how your time is spent.

Here's the key principle:  Relationship is what happens in the margin of your life.  Is there enough margin in  your life for relationship?

Thankful for Evangelist Jaroy Carpenter's presentation yesterday.  Powerful story of how his son was touched by God from birth and now is a healthy baby boy.

My favorite line from his sermon?  He was confused as a "termite on a yo-yo."

I love that. 

Describes my life most of the time.

I am excited about this fall!

Love you all!

Turning your pain into something good

Helen Keller once said that "as long as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain."

Many times we find ourselves living in the "in-between time" of walking into a crisis and that crisis not being resolved.

It is a season of stress, worry, fear, depression and emotional or even physical pain.

We are waiting for God to alleviate our hurt.

It's in those "in-between" times that we suffer.  We hurt.  We go so far as to wonder if "God is there" or if "God really cares."

I get that - and have felt the same way at different times in my life.

One of the ways, I would suggest, to bring a redemptive quality to your suffering and pain is to reach out to those around you who are also hurting.

I have found that when I am walking through a difficult season (that in-between time when God has no yet relieved my suffering) it really does help to help others.

Almost always, when I hurt, God will allow me the privilege of visiting someone in the hospital, or counseling someone who is in pain.

And as I reach out, that it turn helps me deal with my own pain and suffering.

I realize that I am not the only one with a problem.

I realize that God can and does work through me to help others who hurt as well.

So, the challenge is this today.  While you are waiting for God to meet your own needs, reach out and minister and send love and help others who are hurting as well.

In that way, purpose is given to what you are going through.

Just a thought for a Thursday.

What is the purpose of grace?

(Before I begin, I would encourage you to read the illustration at the end of the blog today).

This evening we have the privilege of looking at Romans 6:8-16.

Theme:  The purpose of grace.

There is one thing I know:  all theology must become biography.

We must apply theology to our lives in a practical way.

Christian living is always dependent upon Christian learning because duty follows doctrine.

We believe in faith - but we must also behave in faith.

Christ died for me - and that should effect how I live each day for Him.

Romans 6:10 tells us that Jesus "died to sin once for all."  For you and for me.

That is the "what," of grace.

Paul then goes on to give us the "how."

"In the same way," he writes in Romans 6:11.

"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."

That's a command (the first command given in the book of Romans).  It is a command that is to be acted out daily in our lives.

We are dead to sin.  We are alive to God. 

In other words, when you are faced with a temptation, respond to it as a dead man would.

You know as well as I do that a dead man in a casket is not tempted by a piece of hot apple pie with ice cream on it!  Why?  Because he is dead!

When you are tempted, you can pray something like this:  "I count myself crucified with Christ and therefore I am dead to this sin and alive to God.  I consult my account and know that what Jesus has accomplished has been credited (counted to me) to me.  I appropriate it and apply it to this situation."

In other words, we must talk theology to ourselves.

Paul goes on to say, "Therefore (because of your position in Christ) do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires."  (verse 12)

How do we "not" let sin reign in our bodies?  By refusing sin.

Here's the principle:  don't excuse sin - refuse it.

Finally, yield your life to God.

"Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments (the word "instruments" means "weapons.") of righteousness.

So the question of the day is this:  What part of your body have you yielded to God?

Your mind?  (Colossians 3:2,3)
Your heart?  (Jeremiah 17:9)
Your eyes?  (Job 31:1)
Your ears?  (Proverbs 18:8)
Your mouth?  (Proverbs 13:3)
Your hands?  (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
Your feet?  (Psalms 37:31)
Your intimate parts?  (1 Corinthians 6:12-18)

It all comes down to a choice. 

In his book Hidden in Plain Sight, author and pastor Mark Buchanan writes about a woman named Regine.

Originally from Rwanda, Regine came to Christ while reading her sister's Bible during the genocide that ravaged her country. When she fled to Canada for refuge, she met her husband, Gordon.

They decided to return to Rwanda to show the love of Christ to the people who had once been her enemies.

Regine told Mark Buchanan this story of agape love:

A woman's only son was killed. She was consumed with grief and hate and bitterness. "God," she prayed, "reveal my son's killer."

One night she dreamed she was going to heaven. But there was a complication: in order to get to heaven she had to pass through a certain house. She had to walk down the street, enter the house through the front door, go through its rooms, up the stairs, and exit through the back door.

She asked God whose house this was.

"It's the house," he told her, "of your son's killer."

The road to heaven passed through the house of her enemy.

Two nights later, there was a knock at her door. She opened it, and there stood a young man. He was about her son's age.

"Yes?"

He hesitated. Then he said, "I am the one who killed your son. Since that day, I have had no life. No peace. So here I am. I am placing my life in your hands. Kill me. I am dead already. Throw me in jail. I am in prison already. Torture me. I am in torment already. Do with me as you wish."

The woman had prayed for this day. Now it had arrived, and she didn't know what to do. She found, to her own surprise, that she did not want to kill him. Or throw him in jail. Or torture him. In that moment of reckoning, she found she only wanted one thing: a son.

"I ask this of you. Come into my home and live with me. Eat the food I would have prepared for my son. Wear the clothes I would have made for my son. Become the son I lost."

And so he did.

Agape lovers do what God himself has done, making sons and daughters out of bitter enemies, feeding and clothing them, blazing a trail to heaven straight through their houses.

The only way she was able to do this was by giving her grudge to God.  She yielded the memories in her mind, and offered up her rights for revenge that were hidden in her heart. 

What do you need to surrender to God today?

So - what is the purpose of grace?  To propel us, prompt us to live a holy, righteous life.

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

Crying out to God

I was asked yesterday to blog today about part of my message last Sunday on "crying out to God."

Many times we find ourselves in a position or place where things are snowballing in a downward manner.  Everything is going wrong.  As Captain Ed Murphy said (Murphy's law), "If it can go wrong, it will."

When those times come - it seems like all we can do is to cry out to God.

David says in Psalms 142:2,3, "I bring God all my complaints, I tell Him all my troubles.  When I'm ready to give up, He knows what I should do."

The thing I like about God is that he lets us complain until we are out of words.

God does not interrupt us as we pour our hearts out to God.

God is not shocked when you complain, when you say, "God I think my job stinks!"

"My marriage is horrible."  "I can't take all this stress"!

God is listening. 

"God, I don't like the fact that I am sick all the time!"

The Psalms are full of David's complaints.

David gets mad at his enemies in the Bible and would say things to God like, "Knocked their teeth out, God!  Bash their babies against he wall."  (Doesn't sound too spiritual to me).

God was letting David get it off of his chest.

There's a spiritual catharsis in that, a spiritual cleansing.

I would suggest to you today that in the midst of that difficult time, you cry out to God.

Peter writes, "Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you."  (1 Peter 5:7).

Peter says to take all of those cares and those burdens and dump them on the Lord.

Cast all your cares on God.  "Here, God, I can't handle it."

God says, "I already knew that!"

There is power in crying out to God.

Psalms 116:1 tells us, "I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy."

David found out time and time again in his life that when he cried out to God with deep and sincere emotion - God heard him. 

One more verse today from Psalms 30:2, "O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me."

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend

Summer seems to be hanging on for a few more days.

I like that.

Fall is coming.  I like that.

The leaves turning.  Sweater weather.  Football. 

I really enjoy the different seasons.  Each season has something great to offer.

The Dallas Cowboys looked good at times last evening.  At other times they looked very sloppy.

If it weren't for the 6 New York Giant turnovers, I don't know who would have won.

It was nice to have our coffee connection time back yesterday.  There is just something about having a donut and a coffee (to stay awake during the sermon) :) :)

We continue to pray for a moving of God's Spirit. 

We cry out to God!  Move Holy Spirit!

There is power in crying out to God.

God is not deaf.  He doesn't need us to cry out to Him because He is hard of hearing.

We are to cry out to God for our benefit.  It shows what we really care about.  It shows that we are passionate in praying for that which is on our heart.

We are grateful for all of those who serve in ministry at our church!

You are needed! 

Challenging questions:  Are we making our children "idols" in our lives?  Is putting our children before ourselves (and our relationship with Christ) and our church the biblical pattern?

Just some questions.   Great discussion questions for a life group.

We would ask that you pray for the coming weekend.  Life group retreat with Pastor Ben DeBoef.  Special speaker, Jaroy Carpenter.

You will be ministered to!

Praying with you for a good week in your own personal life.

Love you all......

Turning your mess into your message

If there is one thing I know - it is that we all live messy lives.

I would suggest that there is not one person who is completely whole.

We are all messy.

We all need something that corrects the negative and many times harmful decisions that we have made in the past.

No one is exempt.

This morning, I am sitting in a missions board meeting for Network211 (you can click on network211.com to read more).

In listening to a video testimony from a woman who came to Christ through this ministry, she commented, "he took my mess and turned it into my message."

I love that.

That's what Jesus does.

He takes my mess (let me personalize it), and turns it into His message.

It is a message of love.

It is a message of hope.

It is a message of forgiveness.

It is a message of second chances.

It is a message that no matter what you have done in the past, Jesus can take your mess - and turn it into your message - a message of a changed life.

Why not let Jesus give you His message today?

Just a thought for a Thursday.

He must increase, I must decrease

David Brainerd was a missionary to the American Indians from 1743-1747. 

He is also remembered for his daily practice of fervent prayer and single minded yearning for holiness. 

As Andrew Murray writes, Brainerd's example "rebukes the prayerlessness and luke-warmness of most Christian lives."

In reading his published daily prayer journal, let me share with you one entry from October 14th.  He writes with just this raw honesty that I appreciate.

Here are his words:

"Lord's Day, October 14. 

Was much confused and perplexed in my thoughts; could not pray; and was almost discouraged, thinking I should never be able to preach any more.  Afterwards, God was pleased to give me some relief from these confusion; but still I was afraid, and even troubled before God.

I went to the place of public worship,. lifting up my heart to God for assistance and grace, in my great work:  and God was gracious to me, helping me to plead with Him for holiness, and to use the strongest arguments with Him, drawn from the incarnation and sufferings of Christ for this every end, that men might be made holy.

Afterwards, I was much assisted in preaching.  I know not that ever God helped me to preach in a more close and distinguishing manner for the trial of men's state.  Through the infinite goodness of God, I felt what I spoke; He enabled me to treat on divine truth with uncommon clearness; and yet I was so sensible of my defects in preaching, that I could not be proud of my performance, as at some times; and blessed be the Lord for this mercy!

In the evening I longed to be entirely alone, to bless God for help in a time of extremity; and longed for great degrees of holiness, that I might show my gratitude to God."

One of the many lessons in David Brainerd's words (and I encourage you to read the above journal entry and write down all of the lessons) is that it is at the times when we are the weakest - that is when God can use us the most. 

He must increase, I must decrease.

That is my prayer today.

Just a thought for a Wednesday.

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

Many, many thanks for all of the volunteers who came out to help make our annual church picnic such a success!  We were blessed to have great weather.

I enjoyed watching our church family play bags and volleyball.

The food was exceptionally good.

Loved the desserts! 

Congrats to all the ladies who won prizes for their pies and/cakes.

Here what I know about Pentecostal people - we do know how to eat - and eat well!

I wonder what kind of potlucks will be in heaven?  :)

Thanks to our hard working pastoral staff as well!

Wasn't it wonderful to hear the testimonies of God's grace and forgiveness Sunday morning? 

The Teen Challenge presentation was stirring.  Heartwarming.  It filled all of us with thanksgiving and praise to a powerful God.  A God who can change even or especially the most "down and outer" there is.

I loved hearing the "holy roar" of God's people in worship.

Really like the "life group video."  Life groups - it makes you want to shout!

I encourage you to sign up for a life group - and/or a "My Journey with Jesus," Bible class.

Only the Holy Spirit can truly change someone's heart.

I can't change anyone on my own.  God can.

I am not God.  You are not God. 

Maybe, just maybe, the principle is that we need to let God change that "person" in our lives.

Professional football starts again this week!

Go Cowboys!

It seems like the players are getting bigger and bigger, stronger and stronger.

Did you know that it is said that knowledge (information) now increases every two days?

Thankful to the Lord for the three people who raised their hands for salvation this Sunday!

To go into Syria or not?  Tough call. 

Love you all.....

Worship is every believer's responsibility

Last night's "Pure Worship" was a the type of worship service where you walk out of it going, "God fell down."

People lifting hands in worship.  Praising God.  Crying.  Weeping before the Lord.  Repenting.  Experiencing the presence of God.

We believe that it is but a foretaste of what God wants to do.

Incrementally, in our church, we are seeing and experiencing God's presence in a powerful way.

We desire more of His ministering presence, more of His power in our lives!

How will we see this happen?

Praying together is a key.  I would encourage you to come to our church-wide prayer meetings on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.  (Followed by "Pure Worship")

Living in unity is a key.  Psalms 133 tells us that the anointing flows from the unity of believers.

Taking personal responsibility is the last one I would leave you with today.

We live in a day and age where vibrant worshipers are rising everywhere.

Where does that come from?  It comes from an understanding of the royal priesthood and a willingness to be focused, involved and discipline during the worship event.

Jack Hayford once said that, "today the Holy Spirit is directing our appointment to priestly worship for the release of Kingdom advancement."

As we (you and I) grow in participating in worship, and focus on Jesus and His glory, we come into agreement.

And...as we do....the Lord is free to move, both among us and on our behalf.  And God begins to do great things!

Ask yourself as you leave this Sunday's worship these questions:  How did I do?  Did I please you Lord?  Were you blessed by my worship?

Just a thought for a Thursday.

Changing and growing in Christ

I am excited about tonight's teaching (from Romans 6:1-7), because it teaches us how to actually change.

We repent, and that's great.  But we also need to realize that because of Christ's work we are dead to sin.  We no longer have to sin.

Here's how we change:  Change happens when we consider ourselves "dead to sin" each and every moment of each and every day - and let that fact and God's power keep us from sin.

Paul writes in Romans 6:1-7, "What shall we say then, are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?  By no means.  How can we who died to sin still live in it?  Do you not KNOW (what are we supposed to know?) that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were buried, therefore, with him by baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too, might walk in newness of life.

For if we've been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.  We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would not longer be enslaved to sin." 

You've received forgiveness for your sins - and that's great.  You will have eternal life.  But Jesus didn't die and rise from the dead to simply forgive you.  He rose to live his life through you.

Paul writes in Romans 6:8, "Now, if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him."

I can overcome sin by Christ living in me.

Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."

We live by means of Christ.

We change by means of Christ.

We live in a world that is quickly changing.

Listen to this:  From 1960 to 1990 all the information available in the world had doubled.  Then that number doubled in five years, and the amount of information in the world continues to grow at a staggering pace.

The CEO of Google recently said that by the end of the year the amount of knowledge will double every two days.

That one statement alone just boggles the mind.

But here is the bad news:  Everything is changing but Christians are not changing.

Most statistics indicate that Christians are no different from non-Christians.  They are living for the same reasons, they have the same level of happiness, and they struggle with the same things.  Yet they are not different.

I read today that 100 people were asked to name something that Christians do instead of changing.

Here are the four most popular answers.

1.  Rituals.  As Christians we go to church, sing songs, raise our hands, do our little routines, but they really don't impact our life or the way we live during the week.

2.  Debate.  The survey said that most Christians will debate, not non-Christians, but other Christians who don't believe exactly like they do.

3.  Remember.  People states that Christians (instead of changing) will remember (with sentimentality) and reminisce about their "glory days" in God.  The fact that their walk with God was better in the past than it is now.

But the final thing people said Christians do instead of changing is number four.

4.  They live sinful lives. 

Again:

Jesus didn't die and rise from the dead simply to forgive you.  He rose again for your transformation.

My suggestion to you today? 

Let the Holy Spirit change you today by realizing what God has done for you on the cross and at the resurrection - and letting Christ live through you.

Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  (Philippians 4:13).

"Father, live through me this day.  I can't live the Christian faith alone.  I need your Holy Spirit.  I need to remember who gives me the power to walk a walk of holiness.  Live through me, Jesus Christ.  In your name I pray.  Amen."

Crutches and the Christian faith

Every once in a while I come across someone who says that Christianity is only an emotional crutch for needy people.

On an academic level, the roots of that concept finds itself in the teachings and thinking of Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, a movement that popularized the theory that unconscious motives control most of our human behavior.

He taught that God is a creation of the human mind, a creation that comes from some kind of human need and desire rather than some kind of objective reality. 

Instead of you and I being made in God's image, so the theory goes, God is made in our image.

Yet, let me suggest something to you:

A desire for God and for the meeting of our needs exists precisely because we have been designed and created by God to desire them. 

Here's an analogy.  A person floating on a raft in the ocean is thirsty beyond human imagination, but he doesn't get a drink of water just because he is thirsty.  The very existence of the fact that he is thirsty shows that the way for his desire to have his thirst quenched exists - by drinking fresh water.

C.S. Lewis once wrote, "Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists." 

What am I saying?  Leaning upon God during difficult times does not mean that he is a crutch and does not exist.  It is a logical, reasonable response if God himself is real - and He is.

How do I know?  I am leaning upon him.

Just a thought for a Tuesday.

Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

After the second service, Debbie and I (along with our guest speaker, Bob Menzies) had lunch at the Filipino life group.

I can't express in words how much we enjoyed the fellowship and the food.

Our Filipino's brothers and sisters in Christ are so loving and kind and generous and positive.  It is truly a joy to be around them.  Again, it is like a breath of fresh air to be around positive people.

And their life group is growing!

We all agreed that they would bring Filipino food to the mission's banquet!

One of my God-given goals is that we increase the diversity in our church.  God is granting that desire!

May we truly be open to all everyone - no matter what their race, ethnic background, or financial status!

It was wonderful to hear of what God is doing in Southwest China.  The way people are coming to Christ!  Lord, bring in the spiritual harvest!

Saturday night:  A powerful time of worship and praise. 

I really appreciated everyone who came out - a Saturday evening and a beautiful evening outside at that. 

God is looking for people who hunger and thirst after him!

Bob Menzies gave a wonderful teaching from Luke 10 and Luke 24, taking us then to Acts 2.  The main thesis - God gives us his Holy Spirit to empower us to bring people to Christ!

It was a joy for me to watch as God's people took the time to pray for one another during the altar time after the teaching.

Had a very, very profitable meeting with all of the adult Bible teachers on Saturday morning.  We are blessed with a very mature group of teachers who enjoy bringing God's Word!

Thanks to Anita for her leadership in this!

Please know that the new title of the adult Bible ministry is:  "My Journey With Jesus."  Chosen by the teachers themselves, it states the mission of our Sunday morning Bible Classes.  To further our journey with Jesus.

A reminder:  All church prayer meeting:  Wednesday, August 28. 2013, at 6:00 P.M. in the church chapel.

A reminder:  One service this Sunday.  10:30 A.M.  Church Picnic to follow.

Love you all!