Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Build-Your-Own-World Games


You've seen them - all those games out there where you build your own world, farm, amusement park, zoo, etc.

You usually begin with a blank slate, then start adding landscaping, buildings, furniture, animals and more. You keep improving your world until you put the last piece in place and consider it perfect.

Some may think that God created the world like that. He began with a blank slate then added the heavens and earth, sky, then dry land, plant life, heavenly bodies, sun, moon & stars...then he stood back and said, "Hmmm...what else would look cool here."

So he added all sorts of fish, birds and flying insects and after that all the creatures that live on dry land. He game all of them the ability to reproduce.

Once again he stood back and wondered what more he could add to his world. Maybe something in his own image that could talk, reason, choose...so he created man and plunked him down as the finishing touch of his masterpiece and called it all good.

THIS IS NOT THE WAY IT HAPPENED!

Ephesians 1:4 says...

Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. (MSG)
 God didn't create us to inhabit the Earth...He designed the Earth to sustain us - because he had already conceived us in his mind as the focus of his love.

If that doesn't make you feel special, I don't know what will.

Next time you take a look at the world around you, mountains, oceans, flowers, animals, plants that grow food - take a moment to consider that all that was placed here to sustain your life because God loves you. You were not an afterthought in creation - you were the FIRST thought!

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Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Are you a fan or a follower?

photo credit: Scott Ableman via photopin cc
"My concern is that many of our churches in America have gone from being sanctuaries to becoming stadiums. And every week all the fans come to the stadium where they cheer for Jesus but have no interest in truly following him. The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren't actually interested in following Christ. They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them." (quote from Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman)*

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

Salvation is free, but that doesn't mean it doesn't cost something.

It cost Jesus his very life, the surrendering of his human will to the will of the Father. It cost him time as he ministered to the throngs that followed him day and sleep as he prayed through many a night. It cost him acceptance - the religious leaders scorned him and the secular leaders plotted his demise. It meant giving his all for those who would reject him and ridicule him . Yes, it cost him plenty, but he was willing to pay the price for those who would believe and receive him, for those who would fall in love with him and enjoy a restored relationship with the Father through him.

And then he tells us that if we want to be his disciple (a Christ follower), we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow him.

Salvation is free, but being a Christ follower will cost us, just as it did Jesus. It will mean total surrender to his purposes for our lives, laying our will aside for his will. Ministering to others who may or may not appreciate it. Sharing the message of God's love even if it means that those who hear will ridicule us and toss the message back in our face. But we will sacrifice, and we'll do it for those who will hear and receive the message and invite Christ into their lives. For those who will then carry the message to others, that they will come to know forgiveness and restoration through Christ.

Surrender - that word has come to have a negative connotation today. Giving up, giving in, defeat, failure, but that's not what happens when we surrender to God. We lose nothing when we surrender to Him...and we gain everything. Doing life our way usually ends in despair and destruction. Surrendering to the One who love us immeasurably and has wonderful plans for our lives can never be a bad thing. It brings freedom, confidence, peace, joy and strength through the hard times in life.

We're never alone when we walk with Christ, so let this be the day when you surrender to the One who created you to the One who gives purpose and meaning to your life. Surrender and walk in freedom.

How? Simply pray (talk to God) and let Him know that you are His for life.

God is not looking for fans...He's looking for followers. Men and women that will humble themselves and seek His face. Fall in love with him. Surrender their lives, then allow God to use them to reach others.

Is that you?

Are you a fan or a follower?



*Recommended reading:
 
Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus
by Kyle Idleman


Are you a follower of Jesus? Don't answer too quickly. In fact, you may want to read this book before you answer at all. Consider it a 'Define the Relationship' conversation to determine exactly where you stand. You may indeed be a passionate, fully devoted follower of Jesus. Or, you may be just a fan who admires Jesus but isn't ready to let him cramp your style. Then again, maybe you're not into Jesus, period. In any case, don't take the question---Are you a follower of Jesus?---lightly. Some people don't know what they've said yes to and other people don't realize what they've said no to, says Pastor Kyle Idleman. But Jesus is ready to clearly define the relationship he wants with his followers. Not a Fan calls you to consider the demands and rewards of being a true disciple. With frankness sprinkled with humor, Idleman invites you to live the way Jesus lived, love the way he loved, pray the way he prayed, and never give up living for the One who gave his all for you.

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Friday, March 29, 2013

Do we really believe this?



As I listened to a sermon this morning based on the 23rd Psalm, I was blown away. I've been a Christ follower for over 35 years and I've heard and read Psalm 23 many, many times. It's a beautiful passage of scripture that flows with poetry, with beauty - it's comforting, peaceful and reassuring. But today I discovered the challenge hidden within it's verses. See if you can spot it.


The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

So where's the challenge? 
The challenge is found in living
as if we really believe the promises
of this passage. 

Do we really believe that we lack nothing?
If so, why do we whine about what we don't have?
Why don't we just trust that whatever we need, God will supply?
Why are we afraid to give generously?
Are we afraid that if we do, God will punish, rather than bless by not giving us what we need?

Do we really believe that God will guide us along the right path?
If so, why do we wrack our brains trying to figure out our next move?
Why do we stress and lose sleep over what we should do?
Why are we afraid of the future? 

Do we really believe that God is able to prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies?
That He could give us enough peace and protection to be able to sit down and enjoy a meal in the midsts of  a dangerous situation?
If so, why are we afraid to minister to the homeless, to those who live in crime-ridden areas, to those who are in prison, to those in foreign countries?
Are we really convinced that God will protect us?

Do we really believe that God will anoint us to do any work He calls us to do?
If so, why do we hesitate when He calls us to step into a leadership position?
To teach a Sunday School class? To lead a Small Group?
Why do we shrink back when He prompts us to reach out to the seemingly unreachable?

Seriously...do we really believe the Word?
With God for us, who can stand against us?
What can they do to us?
Kill us?

Oh, please...don't make us go to Heaven!

This morning, my eyes have been opened.
I'm praying that I never again let fear keep me from doing something brave for God.
I'm praying that I never again let my perception of lack keep me from stepping out in faith.
I'm praying that I never again allow well-meaning people talk me out of doing something outrageous for the One who loves me, protects me, provides for me, equips me and anoints me.

I pray that I will take Him at His Word, for when we are bold enough to do that, to live like we believe it, the world will sit up and take notice...not of us, but of our Almighty God.

God's promise is this...


Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Believe it!
And live like you believe it!



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Sunday, March 10, 2013

Are You a Follower?


photo courtesy Tacluda, rgbstock.com
When Jesus invited people to follow him, he wasn't asking them to tag along behind him and watch what he did. He was inviting them to walk along side him and be a part of what he was doing. He taught them how to do what he did, and then he invited...no, expected them to dig right in and work with him in the ministry. Those were the people he called disciples.

The crowds that followed him, the tag along-ers, the curious onlookers were not followers. They were not disciples and Jesus did not bother go share deep spiritual truths with them. Those were reserved for those who demonstrated their willingness to lay everything aside and join him in his work.

Many today claim to be Christians - Christ Followers, but in reality, they just a part of the crowd, the onlookers. They show up at church when they have nothing more interesting to do, just to see what's happening, or perhaps just to ease their conscience. They're not a part of the many ministries that are going on in the church. They're there to receive, please don't ask them to give or they might not show up for another several months.

Jesus had little patience with folks like this and I have to admit, neither do I.  I'd rather have a church full of unbelievers who are earnestly seeking to know what it means to follow Jesus Christ and grow in a relationship with God than a roomful of "Christians" who are not truly following Christ at all.

Don't get me wrong - I love these people and I know that Christ died for them...I just don't have much patience with them. I guess it's because they already know what Christ did for them. They know how far God went and what He was willing to sacrifice for the forgiveness of their sins, yet they still remain in the infant stage of Christianity, always looking to be catered to and fed instead of growing up in their relationship with Christ so that they are mature enough to minister to others.

As you can probably tell, this is a pet-peeve of mine, but more than that, it's a crying shame for those who claim the name Christian, but are not following Jesus, not really involved in the work he has asked us to do so that others might know Him and have their needs met. It always makes me thing of this verse in Revelations...

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.(Rev 3:15-16)
Please take a moment and ask yourself if you are a true follower of Jesus, walking alongside him, doing the works of the ministry, because the last commandment Jesus gave his disciples before he left  this earth was...Matthew 28:19-20


"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Are you doing that? Are you assisting your church with making disciples? with encouraging others to know God and follow Jesus Christ? 

If not, let me encourage you to call your church today and ask where you can help. Every ministry, from working in the nursery to being on the prayer team, hosting a small group in your home, to helping vacuum the carpets at the church...and everything in between is all a part of providing a place where people can find Christ, grow in Him and experience the joy of being a part of a church family.

Please let me know if you've decided to follow Jesus closer as a result of this blog post and if you've become involved in a ministry in your church. I would love to celebrate with you because you have just taken one more step closer to Christ yourself and many will be blessed by your willingness to serve.

Prayer:
Father, I pray that you will show each one who reads this where they can serve you in their church and I thank you for speaking to their hearts. I celebrate with them that they have decided to be a part of what you are doing in the hearts and lives of people today. Bless them, bless their efforts and bless others through them. In Jesus Name, Amen

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Monday, February 25, 2013

Foul Weather Faith


photo courtesy fishmonk, rgbstock.com
Last week I wrote about Fair Weather Faith - people who follow after Christ as long as things are going well, but turn away when the storms of life hit.

There's a flip-side to that coin. I call it Foul Weather Faith. These are people wo live life on their own terms without God as long as things are going well, but when life gets hard, they run to God, desperate for His help. This is a good thing, except that as soon as the crisis has passed, they turn away from God again, reverting back to a self-directed life, which often includes on-going sinful habits. Their desperate need for Gos has waned and so has their commitment to live God's way at least until the next storm hits their lives.

Neither Fair Weather Faith nor Foul Weather Faith is pleasing to God.  What He is looking for is true faith, consistent faith - in good times and bad. Faith that is fully committed to a steady and faithful walk with Him everyday and in every situation of life.


Do you have that kind of All Weather Faith?

Are you a fully committed follower of Jesus Christ? 

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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Fair Weather Faith

 photo courtesy micromoth, rgbstock.com
You've heard of fair weather friends, right? Those people in your life who are right by your side when the winds are blowing in your favor. When you have plenty of money, when your marriage is happy and healthy, when your children are stellar students and spiritually grounded, but where are they when things are not so good?

Oh, they'll be there for a while, but if your problems linger too long - if you talk about them too often or if they begin to feel as if they should do something to help you out, then you'll quickly learn who's your true friend and who's your fair weather friend.

When you think about it, are fair weather friends really friends at all? Do they really love you? Are they really committed to the relationship

And that leads me to something else I was thinking about this week - Christians who have fair weather faith. You know them. They're committed to God as long as their life is comfy and rosy. As long as it appears that God is answering their prayers in the way they want and within the time frame that seems reasonable to them. But let trouble come their way, let God seem silent for a while and some "followers" become "flee-ers".

Please tell me you are not like that. Please tell me that you are faithful to God through every phase of life.

We know that Jesus said, "In this life you will have trouble," but he was quick to add, "But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

And in Matthew, we read that "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:45) 

This doesn't sound like God has promised a rose garden life to Christians. In fact - brace yourselves...God will allow hardships in your life to strengthen you, to help you realize that when you are weak and helpless, He is strong and able. But remember, He has promised to walk through the rough places in life with us. He will strengthen us and give us peace through the storm.

So, let's make up our minds to be faithful followers, fully committed through anything life can throw at us, knowing that God is just as committed to us.

What do you say? Are you in it for the long haul? Committed until you see Jesus face-to-face? Until Heaven is your home? 

  
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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

What if You're the One?

I was listening to KFLR (Family Life Radio) this morning in my car when I heard...

"What if you are the person that God has appointed to stand in the gap for someone you will come in contact with today?"

Years ago I was waiting at a red light. A young man crossed the street in front of me. He was dressed entirely in black. Black shoes, black pants, black t-shirt and a black trench coat that flapped in the wind. He had jet black hair that stood straight up in a mohawk and multiple piercings. His face was pale, his eyes blackened with makeup and his countenance was menacing, yet sad.

The wind blew his trench coat open again and I saw these words written in white across the front of his t-shirt, "I am the Devil."

My heart broke. This young man was once an innocent baby boy with all the promise in the world ahead of him. He was fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-16) in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27) The Creator had a definite plan for his life (Jeremiah 29:11 and I'm pretty sure this wasn't it.

When God formed this boy inside his mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5), his life was full of promise...what happened?

I snapped up the opportunity to pray for that young man as he crossed the street and to continue praying for him as I drove toward my destination. In fact, God has brought him back to mind many times over the years and I have prayed for him again.

Ezekiel 22:23-31 recounts the story of ancient Israel, who had strayed far from following God. The nation was overrun with sin. The prophet Ezekiel was sent to warn the nation of the impending judgement of God and the destruction of the nation. God looked for someone to "stand in the gap before me...that I should not destroy it", but He found no one.

There are several incidents in the Word where God was willing to spare people if only there was someone praying, someone willing to beseech God for mercy for others.

I wonder, how many lives are turned over to their own destruction because there is no one praying for them? No one to plead for mercy. No one who cared enough to ask God to move on their behalf to bring them back to Him, to spare their lives and turn them around.

Which leads me back to the question...

"What if you are the person that God has appointed to stand in the gap for someone you will come in contact with today?"


Keep your eyes open today. God may bring someone across your path that desperately needs prayer.

If you feel God prompting you to pray for someone today, I would love to hear your story . Share it with us in a comment.

God bless and guess what - God has prompted me to pray for anyone who may stumble across this blog post, so I AM PRAYING FOR YOU!

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