What does nothing mean? Is that everything, and anything? Is God indicating that if I asked for any whimsical fancy he would grant it? Can I ask for an infinite array of worldly pleasures and would he grant it to me? Is God some sort of genie who grants wishes to those who ask?
As I ponder these things I realize that there must be more than meets the eye to this verse. Granted, the scriptures are right in indicating that God can do all things. However when it pertains to what we can expect him to do there are limitations. Scripture indicates that God can do nothing outside of his will, and that when praying we should pray in line with his will. Thus the scripture is true pending only on its alignment with God’s will.
Thus knowing God’s will becomes the key. God’s will must first be understood and then discerned. Understanding God’s will is probably the easier of the two. We may understand that God wants us to be provided for, thus it would be his will for us to have a job. Further, it is easily understood that God wants us healthy, hence we can pray for healing. Also we know God wants people saved, thus we can expect those we share our faith with to come to Christ. Thus understanding God’s will in many areas is often quite apparent. However, when faced with a situation where you have prayed and nothing is occurring, you may need to discern God’s will in that instance. Many have fallen by the wayside on the journey of faith, because of ignorance in this area. They may even doubt God’s word simply because of lack of perceived results.
Discerning God’s will always begins with the understood will of God. For often one will be tempted to forgo believing in God’s word, were it not be a strong assurance in what God desires. It is a series of events, decisions and actions. Discerning his will involves patience, as one waits for God’s timing. It involves accountability, as one listens to Godly people as to how God’s will could unfold in their situation. Discerning his will involves personal integrity, as the individual is challenged to “walk the talk” and not act contrary to what their belief indicates. Discerning his will involves an intimate, ongoing relationship with God that is based on grace and not works. Thereby underscoring that its all about relationship and not the effects of the relationship.
God indeed has stated that nothing will be impossible for you and I. We must not be unclear about that. His word is truth. We need to be people of faith, latching on bull doggedly to his word and persevering to see it come to fruition in our lives. How else are we going to see a great God do might things for a hurting world? Yet at the same time, let’s not forgot that fulfillment of his word is often related to an appropriate season that must accurately be discerned.
Let’s achieve great things for God together. I challenge you to use your faith as a tool, not necessarily for personal gain, but primarily for kingdom purposes, expecting God to do great and mighty things, making the impossible become possible in your life.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The road less travelled.
The battle is raging, the outcome of a gruesome, lingering war hangs in the balance. The forces of good and evil locked in arms wrestle to the bitter end to determine the fate of humanity. Jesus speaks about an unseen war in the spiritual realms. He states that the outcome of this war will be determined by the violence of the righteous. Is Jesus condoning warfare and bloodshed? Is this war literal? As I meditate on today’s Bible reading of the sermon on the mount, I am gripped by the analogy Jesus depicts of the reality of this life. Matthew 7, gives you and I two options. Either to take the favoured path through life or the less travelled road. Both have their pros and cons, yet the scriptures are clear. Only one road leads to God, which ultimately defeats the prevailing forces of this world.
Why then do most choose to fall casualty to the treacherous terrain and embark on the road of death. Matthew 7 reveals the answer. Jesus says the road of death is broad and wide. Indicating that it is easier to travel on. Think about it? If you had a choice to travel on a 5 lane interstate highway versus a one lane opposing traffic country road, what would you choose? Jesus clearly taught a revolutionary message that demanded too much from the average follower. No wonder they all left him at a point. Whether it is the glitter of materialism, the pizzazz of sex, or the solace in achievement’s and man-made accolades, the simple truth is that it is much easier to travel down the well worn path of the masses in this deceptive life we live in.
Jesus then speaks of a narrow road. This road similar to the “eye of a needle” which can only fit a few at a time. It is not glamorous, very costly and often lonely. It is the road far less travelled, which Bonhoeffer speaks of in his book the Cost of Discipleship. Though this path guarantees life, few find it Jesus touts. Why? Is he intentionally excluding his creation from spending eternity with him? By no means. The very opposite. He understands that our fallen nature will repel his righteousness, and disqualify us from eternal bliss. All too aware of the deception that our souls easily succumb too, he formulates a way that rescues us from our own self. He channels our often misguided hearts into a form which concretizes his image in us. The pressures of trials, the disappointments of friends, the revelation of our own shallowness, all acts as an imprint upon our souls, squeezing the bitter juice of this world’s fruit out, and creating a space where God can begin to work.
While this narrow road only gets worse, be encouraged friend for it leads to eternity. It also does get better. As you decide you will be a disciple, know that it will cost you something. In fact, it will cost you everything. Sell all you have, possessions of pride, self, rationalism, and yes possibly even material goods. Give your life to him, by giving your life away. Travel this narrow road, and don’t forget to catch a view from the window seat as God takes you on the journey of your life.
Why then do most choose to fall casualty to the treacherous terrain and embark on the road of death. Matthew 7 reveals the answer. Jesus says the road of death is broad and wide. Indicating that it is easier to travel on. Think about it? If you had a choice to travel on a 5 lane interstate highway versus a one lane opposing traffic country road, what would you choose? Jesus clearly taught a revolutionary message that demanded too much from the average follower. No wonder they all left him at a point. Whether it is the glitter of materialism, the pizzazz of sex, or the solace in achievement’s and man-made accolades, the simple truth is that it is much easier to travel down the well worn path of the masses in this deceptive life we live in.
Jesus then speaks of a narrow road. This road similar to the “eye of a needle” which can only fit a few at a time. It is not glamorous, very costly and often lonely. It is the road far less travelled, which Bonhoeffer speaks of in his book the Cost of Discipleship. Though this path guarantees life, few find it Jesus touts. Why? Is he intentionally excluding his creation from spending eternity with him? By no means. The very opposite. He understands that our fallen nature will repel his righteousness, and disqualify us from eternal bliss. All too aware of the deception that our souls easily succumb too, he formulates a way that rescues us from our own self. He channels our often misguided hearts into a form which concretizes his image in us. The pressures of trials, the disappointments of friends, the revelation of our own shallowness, all acts as an imprint upon our souls, squeezing the bitter juice of this world’s fruit out, and creating a space where God can begin to work.
While this narrow road only gets worse, be encouraged friend for it leads to eternity. It also does get better. As you decide you will be a disciple, know that it will cost you something. In fact, it will cost you everything. Sell all you have, possessions of pride, self, rationalism, and yes possibly even material goods. Give your life to him, by giving your life away. Travel this narrow road, and don’t forget to catch a view from the window seat as God takes you on the journey of your life.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Practicing God’s Presence
Have you ever been in a place, where you felt God’s presence intensely? This is no ordinary encounter. Your heart is beating, your mind is fully alert and possibly your body physically experiences unusual sensations. Maybe at a church service, or an encounter retreat, in your cell group or even at home, a supernatural encounter with God makes you incredibly aware of his presence.
Joseph was on the run from his brother Isaac. En-route to Haran, he stopped in Bethel for a bit of respite. He receives a dream featuring angels and a ladder whose top reached the heavens, and bottom touched the earth. The angels were climbing and ascending the ladder, as if to indicate a divine passageway from heaven to earth. Joseph wakes up startled, but also ecstatic, uttering this phrase “Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place, and I was not a aware of it”.
The presence of the Lord as encountered episodically often in the Old Testament, as God manifested himself sovereignely to his people. This would be a time for his people to experience his presence to fulfill a task, be encouraged, or to give a prophetic message. Things however changed in the New Testament. Jesus promised his disciples that upon his passage to heaven, he would send them another helper, this was the Holy Spirit. This same spirit was thus received after Jesus death and resurrection by those who committed their life to him in salvation. Further, the Holy Spirit was given in a deeper sense at Pentecost in Acts 2, and ensuing in a similar fashion. This Holy Spirit is nothing other than God’s presence.
As a New Testament believer you have God’s presence, abiding not just around you as Jacob encountered at Bethel, but inside you. You do not need to have a special retreat or church camp meeting to experience the Holy Spirit. He abides with you, ready to fellowship with you as you give him audience and approach him with a heart of faith. Jacob was unaware of God’s presence. Do you find yourself like Jacob? Is God inside of you, yet your life experiences are often devoid of this special relationship? Are you filled with the Holy Spirit, possessing the gift of tongues, yet you struggle to experience his presence? How do we become more aware of God’s presence?
I believe it begins with our understanding of his presence, despite our sensory perception. Our belief in the Holy Spirit must simply be by faith as revealed in the word of God. This faith comes as you spend time in his word reflecting deeply on the reality of the Holy Spirit in you. But to be truly aware of his presence requires you to bring this spiritual reality to your consciousness. Often times I would say audibly to myself “God is with me”, “the Holy Spirit is in me”. As I verbalize the spiritual reality several times, consistently over a period of time, I begin to be keenly aware of God’s presence.
Engaging in this activity is called practicing his presence. You intentionally practice being aware of the Holy Spirit regularly, fostering in you God’s heart and desires. As you engage in this process you will find your capacity to hear and obey God’s thoughts are heightened. He makes your energy reserve increase, your resiliency to sin stronger, your joy for the lord fuller, and your compassion for the hurting deepened, as he partners with you in living out his kingdom as a light in this dark world.
May you continue to be aware of his presence, that God’s potential for your life be fully maximized.
Joseph was on the run from his brother Isaac. En-route to Haran, he stopped in Bethel for a bit of respite. He receives a dream featuring angels and a ladder whose top reached the heavens, and bottom touched the earth. The angels were climbing and ascending the ladder, as if to indicate a divine passageway from heaven to earth. Joseph wakes up startled, but also ecstatic, uttering this phrase “Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place, and I was not a aware of it”.
The presence of the Lord as encountered episodically often in the Old Testament, as God manifested himself sovereignely to his people. This would be a time for his people to experience his presence to fulfill a task, be encouraged, or to give a prophetic message. Things however changed in the New Testament. Jesus promised his disciples that upon his passage to heaven, he would send them another helper, this was the Holy Spirit. This same spirit was thus received after Jesus death and resurrection by those who committed their life to him in salvation. Further, the Holy Spirit was given in a deeper sense at Pentecost in Acts 2, and ensuing in a similar fashion. This Holy Spirit is nothing other than God’s presence.
As a New Testament believer you have God’s presence, abiding not just around you as Jacob encountered at Bethel, but inside you. You do not need to have a special retreat or church camp meeting to experience the Holy Spirit. He abides with you, ready to fellowship with you as you give him audience and approach him with a heart of faith. Jacob was unaware of God’s presence. Do you find yourself like Jacob? Is God inside of you, yet your life experiences are often devoid of this special relationship? Are you filled with the Holy Spirit, possessing the gift of tongues, yet you struggle to experience his presence? How do we become more aware of God’s presence?
I believe it begins with our understanding of his presence, despite our sensory perception. Our belief in the Holy Spirit must simply be by faith as revealed in the word of God. This faith comes as you spend time in his word reflecting deeply on the reality of the Holy Spirit in you. But to be truly aware of his presence requires you to bring this spiritual reality to your consciousness. Often times I would say audibly to myself “God is with me”, “the Holy Spirit is in me”. As I verbalize the spiritual reality several times, consistently over a period of time, I begin to be keenly aware of God’s presence.
Engaging in this activity is called practicing his presence. You intentionally practice being aware of the Holy Spirit regularly, fostering in you God’s heart and desires. As you engage in this process you will find your capacity to hear and obey God’s thoughts are heightened. He makes your energy reserve increase, your resiliency to sin stronger, your joy for the lord fuller, and your compassion for the hurting deepened, as he partners with you in living out his kingdom as a light in this dark world.
May you continue to be aware of his presence, that God’s potential for your life be fully maximized.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Mercy and Justice
The citizens of Bethel were about to embark upon an annual fast. Before commencing, they inquired of the prophet Zechariah, as to God’s will concerning the fast. The answer they received was unexpected. One would have thought God would cheer them as they fasted, yet the opposite. They were rebuked. God actually told them not to fast. Can you imagine? You are about to worship God, read your word, go without food like Jesus did, but all of a sudden you get a glaringly clear signal from God to defer your spiritual activities.
Digging deeper we realize God was not against fasting. But in this situation, the people had overdone fasting. According to Isaiah 58, true fasting must result in acts of mercy and kindness to the less fortunate. Thus Zechariah corroborated Isaiah’s position when he indicted the people for choosing to fast. See, they had forgotten about works of mercy and justice for the poor. Mercy simply put is acts of kindness to help the oppressed, while justice is effecting change at the institutional level, such as in changing policies, in courts, etc.
Israel was in a time of prosperity. They had been freed from bondage to Assyria, Babylon and Persia. It was their time to rebuild temple and home. Thus they focused on industry, personal wealth attainment, home renovations, and maybe even temple duties. Yet they were forgetting the most important thing. For God, the hallmark of blessing, was that the poor would be catered to, and justice be served in their society.
God declared to Zechariah that he wanted to pour his spirit on the land, and restore Israel to glory. Yet this vision of the Lord would be inhibited if he could not trust his poor in their hands.
Maybe you are limited in a capacity, and wondering why? Or perhaps your clarity is blurring in areas of career, personal wealth and self-development goals. Why don’t you measure yourself up against the gauge of Zechariah “And the word of the LORD came again to Zechariah: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.” Zechariah 7:9-10
As a ministry, I believe we are in a similar season as the inhabitants of Bethel, Israel. We have just fasted and sought God. The next imperative is to take up the challenge and care for the less fortunate. Ask God to lead you in this period as to how to serve others. It might be in small ways such as talking to a homeless person, volunteering at a homework club, or larger ways such as advocating for injustice at a local town hall meeting. Remember, that in as much as you do to the least of these, you do unto him.
May you be blessed, by blessing others.
Digging deeper we realize God was not against fasting. But in this situation, the people had overdone fasting. According to Isaiah 58, true fasting must result in acts of mercy and kindness to the less fortunate. Thus Zechariah corroborated Isaiah’s position when he indicted the people for choosing to fast. See, they had forgotten about works of mercy and justice for the poor. Mercy simply put is acts of kindness to help the oppressed, while justice is effecting change at the institutional level, such as in changing policies, in courts, etc.
Israel was in a time of prosperity. They had been freed from bondage to Assyria, Babylon and Persia. It was their time to rebuild temple and home. Thus they focused on industry, personal wealth attainment, home renovations, and maybe even temple duties. Yet they were forgetting the most important thing. For God, the hallmark of blessing, was that the poor would be catered to, and justice be served in their society.
God declared to Zechariah that he wanted to pour his spirit on the land, and restore Israel to glory. Yet this vision of the Lord would be inhibited if he could not trust his poor in their hands.
Maybe you are limited in a capacity, and wondering why? Or perhaps your clarity is blurring in areas of career, personal wealth and self-development goals. Why don’t you measure yourself up against the gauge of Zechariah “And the word of the LORD came again to Zechariah: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.” Zechariah 7:9-10
As a ministry, I believe we are in a similar season as the inhabitants of Bethel, Israel. We have just fasted and sought God. The next imperative is to take up the challenge and care for the less fortunate. Ask God to lead you in this period as to how to serve others. It might be in small ways such as talking to a homeless person, volunteering at a homework club, or larger ways such as advocating for injustice at a local town hall meeting. Remember, that in as much as you do to the least of these, you do unto him.
May you be blessed, by blessing others.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Crucified with Christ
I have been crucified with Christ...and I no longer live.... but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body....I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me.
As I did my devotions this morning I asked the Lord what does it mean to be crucified with Christ?
It’s you who walks down that street on that fateful morn. After being stripped of your dignity, you are completely shamed, you are broken, exposed to the public. No longer hiding to the world. Everything about you is seen and known. You are God’s instrument....God’s tool. Crucifixion is encompassed in the word Gethsemane, which is the garden where you were caught with the disciples. It means olive press. This was a press made of huge stones, where they would crush olives between heavy stones, squeezing them make oil. Maybe this weekend, you feel God is squeezing you.....As you are being crucified, the first stage is the beating. You are flogged. Your friends have left you....these are those from the world (and from the church) who want nothing to do with your new determination to live 100 percent for God. The road of crucifixion is a lonely one....the world does not understand.....Your family begs you not to do it citing the voice of reason.....they tell you don’t be radical for God....don’ t give all your time to the church....don’t be so fanatical...., your friends think you are crazy. Like Jesus you experience similar criticism from all and sundry.
As you walk down that lonely road of Golgotha with that heavy cross only one thing is on your mind, be faithful to your call. You are crucified with Christ.
As you walk you see people surrounding you....these are faces that you barely know, and some you recognize from this occasion or that. You pity them because they don’t know the life of a surrendered disciple. They think you have it hard....little do they know they are headed for an eternal destination that is infinitely worse than crucifixion. You begin to tear up.
As you end the 40 Day revolution you wonder if you have been really changed...Are you truly different from the world? Can your efforts, tears and prayer really make a difference?
You begin to pray the prayers of Christ for these lost ones...father forgive them....father help them...father don’t hold their sin against them....Lord bring your salvation to the world...you are gripped with the call of God... your life is no longer your own...you are now living for God.
Sin seems distance from you now. Your mind is so focused on carrying that cross that the thought of offense, anger, indiscretion, lust....is far from your mind. The weight of the world like Atlas has squarely being placed on your shoulder. You are God’s person for the hour.
Your strength begins to ebb from you....you falter....stagger....and fall...Someone picks you up, you look up and instead of seeing the person...all you see is a bright light...and you sense a warm glow in your heart....you know it’s your father, he is helping you through your darkest hour
The destination is reached. Golgotha: the place of the skull. The soldiers drape you around the cross...your clothes are stripped from you...your shame is seen by the world....but it doesn’t matter for you are doing the will of the father....The 6 inch spikes sent jolts of searing pain through your nervous systems...they remind you of hurts, fears, wounds, and let downs that you have felt all your life.....One hand after another, you are nailed to this tree. As your feet get nailed your entire body now hanging on just 3 nails is wracked with excruciating pain...Yet all that is on your mind is your father - God...how he has been good to you. Others yell at you to curse God and die....if he really loves you why would this happen to you....Yet you know better. He loves you that is why you are dying...dying to live. Dying to self...dying to sin....living a new life...Christ centred...God focused.....a new bloom of joyful life that will bring a touch of love to a hurting world.
Indeed you now understand what it means to be crucified with Christ...the life you live is exchanged for Christ....for it is he who lives on in you.........
Every day he calls you to remember your crucifixion.....he challenges you to let the vivid image of your death keep you pure, holy, and ready to live for God....daily....today....now...take up your cross....and follow him
As I did my devotions this morning I asked the Lord what does it mean to be crucified with Christ?
It’s you who walks down that street on that fateful morn. After being stripped of your dignity, you are completely shamed, you are broken, exposed to the public. No longer hiding to the world. Everything about you is seen and known. You are God’s instrument....God’s tool. Crucifixion is encompassed in the word Gethsemane, which is the garden where you were caught with the disciples. It means olive press. This was a press made of huge stones, where they would crush olives between heavy stones, squeezing them make oil. Maybe this weekend, you feel God is squeezing you.....As you are being crucified, the first stage is the beating. You are flogged. Your friends have left you....these are those from the world (and from the church) who want nothing to do with your new determination to live 100 percent for God. The road of crucifixion is a lonely one....the world does not understand.....Your family begs you not to do it citing the voice of reason.....they tell you don’t be radical for God....don’ t give all your time to the church....don’t be so fanatical...., your friends think you are crazy. Like Jesus you experience similar criticism from all and sundry.
As you walk down that lonely road of Golgotha with that heavy cross only one thing is on your mind, be faithful to your call. You are crucified with Christ.
As you walk you see people surrounding you....these are faces that you barely know, and some you recognize from this occasion or that. You pity them because they don’t know the life of a surrendered disciple. They think you have it hard....little do they know they are headed for an eternal destination that is infinitely worse than crucifixion. You begin to tear up.
As you end the 40 Day revolution you wonder if you have been really changed...Are you truly different from the world? Can your efforts, tears and prayer really make a difference?
You begin to pray the prayers of Christ for these lost ones...father forgive them....father help them...father don’t hold their sin against them....Lord bring your salvation to the world...you are gripped with the call of God... your life is no longer your own...you are now living for God.
Sin seems distance from you now. Your mind is so focused on carrying that cross that the thought of offense, anger, indiscretion, lust....is far from your mind. The weight of the world like Atlas has squarely being placed on your shoulder. You are God’s person for the hour.
Your strength begins to ebb from you....you falter....stagger....and fall...Someone picks you up, you look up and instead of seeing the person...all you see is a bright light...and you sense a warm glow in your heart....you know it’s your father, he is helping you through your darkest hour
The destination is reached. Golgotha: the place of the skull. The soldiers drape you around the cross...your clothes are stripped from you...your shame is seen by the world....but it doesn’t matter for you are doing the will of the father....The 6 inch spikes sent jolts of searing pain through your nervous systems...they remind you of hurts, fears, wounds, and let downs that you have felt all your life.....One hand after another, you are nailed to this tree. As your feet get nailed your entire body now hanging on just 3 nails is wracked with excruciating pain...Yet all that is on your mind is your father - God...how he has been good to you. Others yell at you to curse God and die....if he really loves you why would this happen to you....Yet you know better. He loves you that is why you are dying...dying to live. Dying to self...dying to sin....living a new life...Christ centred...God focused.....a new bloom of joyful life that will bring a touch of love to a hurting world.
Indeed you now understand what it means to be crucified with Christ...the life you live is exchanged for Christ....for it is he who lives on in you.........
Every day he calls you to remember your crucifixion.....he challenges you to let the vivid image of your death keep you pure, holy, and ready to live for God....daily....today....now...take up your cross....and follow him
Friday, October 9, 2009
Pride goes before a fall.
Daniel 4, (one of our 40 Day Revolution readings) depicts a king who sought after his own gain despite the will of god, and his unappealing fate. As we explore this story together, I want you to put yourself in it. What would you do if it was you? Have you struggled with similar issues? How did you fare? How does God call us to handle things?
Nebuchadnezzar the powerful king of the Babylonians and the Chaldeans in the 6th century BC was laying on his bed, apparently unable to sleep when he began to have visions. These were not ordinary visions. They were messages from the almighty God. The first thing to note here is that God speaks to his creation. Here was an ungodly king who was privy to hearing from God. The content of these visions were alarming. After much search, the king found an interpreter in the person of Daniel, who essentially spells impending divine judgement upon the king for his prideful ways. The king is given about 12 months to repent, and avoid judgement, but chooses not to do so. Thus he is expelled from his royal seat, and finds himself an outcast, living amongst the wild in the forest.
One thing separated Nebuchadnezzar from success, it was his pride. The saying pride goes before a fall describes humanity to a tee. How many of us would say that we have been in situations where we knew God’s word, but chose to ignore it or procrastinate, and eventually found ourselves in hot water? For the king, his pride stopped him from repenting. After all things were going well. As he overlooked the city from his palatial roof top, the magnificent cityscape surely evidenced his greatness, and thus lured him into self deception.
Daniel in this story serves as God’s oracle to the king, and also to you and I. As God speaks to us constantly through his word, visions, other people, etc.,do we truly pay heed? What message of God are you currently ignoring? Don’t repeat the cyclical pattern of ancient Israel sojourning in the dessert aimlessly for decades. Is the Daniel in your life currently advising you on what to do, and are you taking it seriously.
Nebuchadnezzar eventually repented, and glorified God, but it was at great expense and much personal sacrifice. In today’s society, many are looking for rapid ways to attain fame, and gain public acclaim. While it might be tempting to follow the broad way of the masses, can I challenge you to look a different way. Jesus calls you and I to the narrow road. This road is travelled much less by many, but it leads to certain blessings and respite from the many pitfalls this life throws our way. Christ mantra was self sacrificing humility. He lived a revolutionary life of loving others until the end. God is calling you and I to destroy pride in our lives and defer to our friend, neighbour, spouse, leader and so forth. Challenge yourself to put other first, serve people, defer to them, give till it hurts, and I promise you, according to God’s word, in your humility you will be exalted.
Nebuchadnezzar the powerful king of the Babylonians and the Chaldeans in the 6th century BC was laying on his bed, apparently unable to sleep when he began to have visions. These were not ordinary visions. They were messages from the almighty God. The first thing to note here is that God speaks to his creation. Here was an ungodly king who was privy to hearing from God. The content of these visions were alarming. After much search, the king found an interpreter in the person of Daniel, who essentially spells impending divine judgement upon the king for his prideful ways. The king is given about 12 months to repent, and avoid judgement, but chooses not to do so. Thus he is expelled from his royal seat, and finds himself an outcast, living amongst the wild in the forest.
One thing separated Nebuchadnezzar from success, it was his pride. The saying pride goes before a fall describes humanity to a tee. How many of us would say that we have been in situations where we knew God’s word, but chose to ignore it or procrastinate, and eventually found ourselves in hot water? For the king, his pride stopped him from repenting. After all things were going well. As he overlooked the city from his palatial roof top, the magnificent cityscape surely evidenced his greatness, and thus lured him into self deception.
Daniel in this story serves as God’s oracle to the king, and also to you and I. As God speaks to us constantly through his word, visions, other people, etc.,do we truly pay heed? What message of God are you currently ignoring? Don’t repeat the cyclical pattern of ancient Israel sojourning in the dessert aimlessly for decades. Is the Daniel in your life currently advising you on what to do, and are you taking it seriously.
Nebuchadnezzar eventually repented, and glorified God, but it was at great expense and much personal sacrifice. In today’s society, many are looking for rapid ways to attain fame, and gain public acclaim. While it might be tempting to follow the broad way of the masses, can I challenge you to look a different way. Jesus calls you and I to the narrow road. This road is travelled much less by many, but it leads to certain blessings and respite from the many pitfalls this life throws our way. Christ mantra was self sacrificing humility. He lived a revolutionary life of loving others until the end. God is calling you and I to destroy pride in our lives and defer to our friend, neighbour, spouse, leader and so forth. Challenge yourself to put other first, serve people, defer to them, give till it hurts, and I promise you, according to God’s word, in your humility you will be exalted.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Great faith of a revolutionary
Abraham is commended in Hebrews 11 as being a person of great faith. What does it take to have such faith? Is it something unattainable for you and I?
The most striking thing about Abraham was his willingness to execute God`s will. See faith doesn`t necessarily mean you achieve some inhumane feat? At times it simply just means denying your own will, and deferring to God`s instead.
Reading Abraham`s history in Genesis 16 you will observe he was flawed like you and I. Yet despite his flaws, Abraham came to a place in his walk with God that set him apart. While others would have questioned God when asked to do something so unthinkable such as sacrificing one`s own child, Abraham simply trusted God. He was truly a revolutionary. Abraham had walked with God thus far, and had seen God prove himself time and time again. He had experienced God in several ways, beginning with his calling to venture into unknown territory, encountering God`s supernatural provision from enemies, receiving abundant provision for his family, and finally a child born to parents who where 90 and 100. Through it all Abraham had come to know God intimately, thus he trusted Him.
As God presents the ultimate test of faith to Abraham, the options were few. Deny yourself from your only son and give him up to death or indulge your own will, disobey God and walk away from a lifelong relationship with the creator. Giving up his son meant total loss. This was his only natural son born to him and Sarah. This son was his progeny, and would carry on Abraham`s legacy, oversee his estate, and would be an extension of Abraham into the next generation. These were benefits that every parent in the ancient East lived for. As Abraham took the fork in the path leading to self-denial, he was saying goodbye to his reputation, and embracing sure despondency. Abraham in his denial of flesh shows us what it means to have great faith. To the extent you are willing to sacrifice your own desire, the greater your faith would be.
What is it that you are holding on to? Let it go. Has God been challenging you to give up media, friends, a wrong relationship, or a personal habit? Take the fork in road of sacrifice. Deny yourself. It all begins with a firm decision to trust in God. As you act accordingly it won`t be easy.
Thus, as Abraham acted in faith, God proved faithful. His self-denial led to probably the greatest faith testimony in the Old Testament. Not only did God restore Isaac to Abraham, the nation of Israel came from Isaac, and ultimately our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we embark to live radically for God, we need to deny our self to experience great things. These things may not be immediately apparent, but as you consciously choose to love others, defer to God`s way, serve his people and his kingdom, you will see things change around you beginning with yourself. Get ready for a revolution, rise up and rescue this generation.
The most striking thing about Abraham was his willingness to execute God`s will. See faith doesn`t necessarily mean you achieve some inhumane feat? At times it simply just means denying your own will, and deferring to God`s instead.
Reading Abraham`s history in Genesis 16 you will observe he was flawed like you and I. Yet despite his flaws, Abraham came to a place in his walk with God that set him apart. While others would have questioned God when asked to do something so unthinkable such as sacrificing one`s own child, Abraham simply trusted God. He was truly a revolutionary. Abraham had walked with God thus far, and had seen God prove himself time and time again. He had experienced God in several ways, beginning with his calling to venture into unknown territory, encountering God`s supernatural provision from enemies, receiving abundant provision for his family, and finally a child born to parents who where 90 and 100. Through it all Abraham had come to know God intimately, thus he trusted Him.
As God presents the ultimate test of faith to Abraham, the options were few. Deny yourself from your only son and give him up to death or indulge your own will, disobey God and walk away from a lifelong relationship with the creator. Giving up his son meant total loss. This was his only natural son born to him and Sarah. This son was his progeny, and would carry on Abraham`s legacy, oversee his estate, and would be an extension of Abraham into the next generation. These were benefits that every parent in the ancient East lived for. As Abraham took the fork in the path leading to self-denial, he was saying goodbye to his reputation, and embracing sure despondency. Abraham in his denial of flesh shows us what it means to have great faith. To the extent you are willing to sacrifice your own desire, the greater your faith would be.
What is it that you are holding on to? Let it go. Has God been challenging you to give up media, friends, a wrong relationship, or a personal habit? Take the fork in road of sacrifice. Deny yourself. It all begins with a firm decision to trust in God. As you act accordingly it won`t be easy.
Thus, as Abraham acted in faith, God proved faithful. His self-denial led to probably the greatest faith testimony in the Old Testament. Not only did God restore Isaac to Abraham, the nation of Israel came from Isaac, and ultimately our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we embark to live radically for God, we need to deny our self to experience great things. These things may not be immediately apparent, but as you consciously choose to love others, defer to God`s way, serve his people and his kingdom, you will see things change around you beginning with yourself. Get ready for a revolution, rise up and rescue this generation.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The river of the Spirit
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the most high dwell” echoes Psalms 46, in respect to the phenomenon of the spiritual life found in heavenly Zion – God’s abode.
Ezekiel amidst his visions of the temple foresees an unusual occurrence. The temple was overrun with water. Not just a little splash of water, but a tumultuous amount amassing into a vast river that was too wide to swim across.
John 7:38, portrays one of Jesus temple outbursts, his words again speak of the river, for he says, “whoever believe in me out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water”.
Revelation 22, reveals yet again a picture of heaven, where the river flows in the midst of the heavenly Jerusalem, bringing life, administering healing to the nations.
What is this river? Why is there a sense of its being related to God’s temple? Does it have significance for us today?
An encounter with the river, simply stated is an encounter with the spirit of God. While salvation invites God’s spirit, the river does not stop here. The river is simply a manifestation of God’s spirit that produces fruit in whatever capacity it is featured. No wonder Ezekiel sees the river reviving the deadness in the Arabah (dry places) of Palestine, while desalting the Dead Sea in order for fresh water fish to teem.
What are the dry places in your life? Are there areas that no one knows about, and you would like to forget about? Do you need a touch from the everlasting Holy Spirit? God likens his presence to a river because of the life giving qualities embodied in the river. The river brings life in so many ways, ranging from watering farmland to hosting fish for fisherman to farm, earning existence for themselves while providing food for others. An overflowing river was equated with a boisterous economy, sufficient trade, and abundant living.
God wants you to experience his river. The woman at the well in John 4, though she went to fetch water, was filled with God’s river. As she believed in Christ, the river of the Spirit washed away her sins. This new cleanliness refreshed her neighbours, who also pursued this river offered in Christ. When the disciples received the Spirit in Acts 2 this was also a manifestation of the river. They were so filled with life, that it bubbled over into an ecstatic utterance of heavenly origins, their spirits communicated with God’s spirit in a new language. The river of God was ushering them into a deeper dimension of the spirit.
What is your experience with the river? Have you experienced it ever. If so , is the river fresh in your spirit, or is it only a historic experience. Ephesians 5:18 intimates God’s desire is to constantly fill you with his river. As I write this article I feel his river. I can almost hear the water of the spirit lapping ever so gently on its river banks. I drink up his spirit with deep refreshing gulps. Knowing his spirit means things will be ok. Come the storms, temptations, trials, naysayers, etc, God’s river instils peace that’s synonymous with the serenity fostered in any nature lover gazing at a curvy flowing river on a bright summery day.
Are you thirsty? May you crave the river. Are you filled? May you want more. Let the river of God flow into you, but let it not stop there. Let others around you sense God’s presence in you. Did you know others are sovereignely placed around us as river water level indicators. People innately seem to sense if the river is flowing in us. Are you patient, kind, gently, peace loving? Or do things get you down, causing you to lose your peace often? Do you find ministry a joy, or a never ending burden? Step into the river with me today. Pause in your busy day. Step aside from your routine . Catch a God breath, talk to him even for a couple minutes, say “Lord I crave your river”. “I need you to fill me with your presence”. Then relax and see what God will do.
Ezekiel amidst his visions of the temple foresees an unusual occurrence. The temple was overrun with water. Not just a little splash of water, but a tumultuous amount amassing into a vast river that was too wide to swim across.
John 7:38, portrays one of Jesus temple outbursts, his words again speak of the river, for he says, “whoever believe in me out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water”.
Revelation 22, reveals yet again a picture of heaven, where the river flows in the midst of the heavenly Jerusalem, bringing life, administering healing to the nations.
What is this river? Why is there a sense of its being related to God’s temple? Does it have significance for us today?
An encounter with the river, simply stated is an encounter with the spirit of God. While salvation invites God’s spirit, the river does not stop here. The river is simply a manifestation of God’s spirit that produces fruit in whatever capacity it is featured. No wonder Ezekiel sees the river reviving the deadness in the Arabah (dry places) of Palestine, while desalting the Dead Sea in order for fresh water fish to teem.
What are the dry places in your life? Are there areas that no one knows about, and you would like to forget about? Do you need a touch from the everlasting Holy Spirit? God likens his presence to a river because of the life giving qualities embodied in the river. The river brings life in so many ways, ranging from watering farmland to hosting fish for fisherman to farm, earning existence for themselves while providing food for others. An overflowing river was equated with a boisterous economy, sufficient trade, and abundant living.
God wants you to experience his river. The woman at the well in John 4, though she went to fetch water, was filled with God’s river. As she believed in Christ, the river of the Spirit washed away her sins. This new cleanliness refreshed her neighbours, who also pursued this river offered in Christ. When the disciples received the Spirit in Acts 2 this was also a manifestation of the river. They were so filled with life, that it bubbled over into an ecstatic utterance of heavenly origins, their spirits communicated with God’s spirit in a new language. The river of God was ushering them into a deeper dimension of the spirit.
What is your experience with the river? Have you experienced it ever. If so , is the river fresh in your spirit, or is it only a historic experience. Ephesians 5:18 intimates God’s desire is to constantly fill you with his river. As I write this article I feel his river. I can almost hear the water of the spirit lapping ever so gently on its river banks. I drink up his spirit with deep refreshing gulps. Knowing his spirit means things will be ok. Come the storms, temptations, trials, naysayers, etc, God’s river instils peace that’s synonymous with the serenity fostered in any nature lover gazing at a curvy flowing river on a bright summery day.
Are you thirsty? May you crave the river. Are you filled? May you want more. Let the river of God flow into you, but let it not stop there. Let others around you sense God’s presence in you. Did you know others are sovereignely placed around us as river water level indicators. People innately seem to sense if the river is flowing in us. Are you patient, kind, gently, peace loving? Or do things get you down, causing you to lose your peace often? Do you find ministry a joy, or a never ending burden? Step into the river with me today. Pause in your busy day. Step aside from your routine . Catch a God breath, talk to him even for a couple minutes, say “Lord I crave your river”. “I need you to fill me with your presence”. Then relax and see what God will do.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Metropolitan reflections.
The city is a beautiful phenomenon. Much life, rich diversity, industries, hustle and bustle, people interacting in a wide array of ways are all familiar traits of the city. As I sit at a coffee shop in the big apple I can’t help but reflect on the metropolis.
God has much to say concerning the city. A city is often treated as a personality in the Bible. Cities are seen to have a purpose and God given responsibilities that demand accountability. Think about the city in which you live in. What is its God ordained purpose? Why was it built? Where has it succeeded? In what ways has it being derailed from its goal?
Old Testament Jerusalem was a beautiful city situated on the hilltops in a land that was blessed with much abundance. God ordained this city for his ultimate goal – world evangelization. This would happen on 2 levels, naturally through its prosperity, it would signify the crowning achievement of a divinely controlled nation, provoking the nations to seek God. Spiritually it would be the centre of Christianity, disseminating the gospel to the world via the death and resurrection of Christ.
Jerusalem however fell short of its mission in the Old Testament, leading to its destruction. The prophets speak of much factors that led to the fall of Jerusalem, that are strikingly similar to what plagues our cities today. Family instability, abuse, violence, crime, systemic oppression, social injustice, lust for power and religious apathy and pluralism are only a few of the items that indicted Jerusalem.
As we reach our cities for God today, what can we glean from Jerusalem? Which one of the ills facing your city has God burdened you, and what are you doing to change things?
May God empower you as you take on the challenge of healing your city, allowing God to be glorified.
God has much to say concerning the city. A city is often treated as a personality in the Bible. Cities are seen to have a purpose and God given responsibilities that demand accountability. Think about the city in which you live in. What is its God ordained purpose? Why was it built? Where has it succeeded? In what ways has it being derailed from its goal?
Old Testament Jerusalem was a beautiful city situated on the hilltops in a land that was blessed with much abundance. God ordained this city for his ultimate goal – world evangelization. This would happen on 2 levels, naturally through its prosperity, it would signify the crowning achievement of a divinely controlled nation, provoking the nations to seek God. Spiritually it would be the centre of Christianity, disseminating the gospel to the world via the death and resurrection of Christ.
Jerusalem however fell short of its mission in the Old Testament, leading to its destruction. The prophets speak of much factors that led to the fall of Jerusalem, that are strikingly similar to what plagues our cities today. Family instability, abuse, violence, crime, systemic oppression, social injustice, lust for power and religious apathy and pluralism are only a few of the items that indicted Jerusalem.
As we reach our cities for God today, what can we glean from Jerusalem? Which one of the ills facing your city has God burdened you, and what are you doing to change things?
May God empower you as you take on the challenge of healing your city, allowing God to be glorified.
Planted
Once upon a time there was a tall, wide, hefty cedar tree that was admired by all far and wide. Then came an eagle that happened to land on the tree. As it flew away it grasped a branch in its clasp. The twig got planted in a fertile patch of soil by the river. After many days it sprung alive, and another tree was formed. Yet this new tree was weak and feeble and could not withstand much resistance, unlike its parent, it never grew to any significance and was eventually uprooted.
God used this allegory in Ezekiel to speak to the Israelites in their rebellion. As he predicted their fall, his question was “who planted you”? Who planted you is a question of viability and purpose. Except the Lord builds a house they that build, labour in vain. Many like the cedar are planted by accident. Often living life without a true sense of purpose and mission while some who fortune on a cause never fully succeed. Like the newly planted tree they lack the fortitude that undergirds a purpose birthed from the bowels of God.
Who planted you? What is your foundation? Why are you building? Search to answer these questions, hearkening to the voice of God himself. May you be a tall cedar of Lebanon spreading its branches wide, providing shade to many and nesting the birds of the air.
God used this allegory in Ezekiel to speak to the Israelites in their rebellion. As he predicted their fall, his question was “who planted you”? Who planted you is a question of viability and purpose. Except the Lord builds a house they that build, labour in vain. Many like the cedar are planted by accident. Often living life without a true sense of purpose and mission while some who fortune on a cause never fully succeed. Like the newly planted tree they lack the fortitude that undergirds a purpose birthed from the bowels of God.
Who planted you? What is your foundation? Why are you building? Search to answer these questions, hearkening to the voice of God himself. May you be a tall cedar of Lebanon spreading its branches wide, providing shade to many and nesting the birds of the air.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Humility
Moses was a self proclaimed leader over his people. Sensing God might have a leadership calling on his life he takes matters in his own hands, which backfires, as he winds up killing an Egyptian official.
The saying pride goes before a fall is very fitting here, for upon discovery, Moses becomes a fugitive in the desert, living with nomads and shepherding animals.
This transitionary time spent in the desert was approximately 40 years. A lot happens in 40 years. Prior to his fall from grace Moses had been a prince in the court of Pharaoh. Lavish and splendour was what he was accustomed to. The life he now led was totally different. As a shepherd his occupation was considered very insignificant. Shepherds often travelled from place to place, not possessing much, and often dirty and smelly because of their intimate dealings with sheep. It would seem that Moses was cursed, or being punished by God, yet this situation was sovereignly being engineered by God.
It was here in the desert that Moses met with God. As a young prideful individual, he was hardly useful to God. Seasoned through the years through much manual labour and adverse experiences, Moses pride had been replaced with humility. So humble was Moses that at first he rejected God’s call to lead his people from captivity. Having surrendered his life over to God’s control, Moses’ situation changed. He spends the next 40 years, leading his people out of Egypt to the promised land.
You might be in a period of transition in your life, and wondering why things are not as bright as they could be? Maybe like Moses God wants you to release control of your own destiny, and trust his leading. As natural people though, we sometimes are unable to acquire true dependence on God except through trials. For it is often only after much disappointment that God becomes our only option. My advice to you is to thank God for his process of transition. Release the reigns of control to God. Learn the lesson of humility through your current situation, and watch God exalt you to the place he has called you to.
The saying pride goes before a fall is very fitting here, for upon discovery, Moses becomes a fugitive in the desert, living with nomads and shepherding animals.
This transitionary time spent in the desert was approximately 40 years. A lot happens in 40 years. Prior to his fall from grace Moses had been a prince in the court of Pharaoh. Lavish and splendour was what he was accustomed to. The life he now led was totally different. As a shepherd his occupation was considered very insignificant. Shepherds often travelled from place to place, not possessing much, and often dirty and smelly because of their intimate dealings with sheep. It would seem that Moses was cursed, or being punished by God, yet this situation was sovereignly being engineered by God.
It was here in the desert that Moses met with God. As a young prideful individual, he was hardly useful to God. Seasoned through the years through much manual labour and adverse experiences, Moses pride had been replaced with humility. So humble was Moses that at first he rejected God’s call to lead his people from captivity. Having surrendered his life over to God’s control, Moses’ situation changed. He spends the next 40 years, leading his people out of Egypt to the promised land.
You might be in a period of transition in your life, and wondering why things are not as bright as they could be? Maybe like Moses God wants you to release control of your own destiny, and trust his leading. As natural people though, we sometimes are unable to acquire true dependence on God except through trials. For it is often only after much disappointment that God becomes our only option. My advice to you is to thank God for his process of transition. Release the reigns of control to God. Learn the lesson of humility through your current situation, and watch God exalt you to the place he has called you to.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Unorthodox faith
Have you ever believed in something completely unconventional? Studies in human nature reveal that we are products of our environment, creatures of habit and culturally bound. Thus it is quite rare to find a person embrace a faith or concept foreign to their pre-existing understanding.
Jesus message was unconventional. His teaching unapproved by the religious bosses of his day had a strange appeal to the masses. There was a man who believed in Jesus. Blind since birth, yet a religious adherent, his fate changed upon meeting Jesus. As he regained his eyesight from Christ’s touch, he knew whom he could put his trust in. Yet his belief in Christ was disapproved of by the Pharisees who were the religious authority of his day.
Organized religion can often be a stumbling block to faith in Christ. The Pharisees had to much to lose if they turned to Jesus. Today, our church leaders often suffer from the same fear. Some hold on to reigns of control by teaching biblical truth that promote denominational stance or by discouraging questioning of church taught doctrines. Like the Pharisees of old they monitor the intake of the spiritual diet of the masses, and all too often with mixed motives.
Eventually this new adherent of Christ was kicked out of the synagogue. His crime - belief in the unorthodoxy of Christ’s teaching.
Have you put Christ in a box? Do you expect him to move only in a way that has been prescribed for you? If you are then you are short-changing yourself. Scripture says all things are possible to him who believes, and with God all things are possible. God is a god of possibilities, and he wants us to simply believe. Are you burdened by unsaved friends? Have you lost hope concerning that intricate situation? Do you still believe there could be justice and social equality for the oppressed? Jesus answered Jairus whose daughter had died with those few powerful words “Have no fear. Just believe”.
The masses longed to believe in Christ because he preached hope with authority. Many were touched, many were saved, but only a few really believed in him. This was evidenced by the fact that he was deserted in his passion. As products of our environment, unorthodoxy of faith is rare. Yet that is what is required to follow Christ. I challenge you to love God, be passionate about your convictions, believe in the impossible, and take little steps. As you do, expect things to be unconventionally different for he rewards those who diligently and faithfully seek, trust and believe in him.
Jesus message was unconventional. His teaching unapproved by the religious bosses of his day had a strange appeal to the masses. There was a man who believed in Jesus. Blind since birth, yet a religious adherent, his fate changed upon meeting Jesus. As he regained his eyesight from Christ’s touch, he knew whom he could put his trust in. Yet his belief in Christ was disapproved of by the Pharisees who were the religious authority of his day.
Organized religion can often be a stumbling block to faith in Christ. The Pharisees had to much to lose if they turned to Jesus. Today, our church leaders often suffer from the same fear. Some hold on to reigns of control by teaching biblical truth that promote denominational stance or by discouraging questioning of church taught doctrines. Like the Pharisees of old they monitor the intake of the spiritual diet of the masses, and all too often with mixed motives.
Eventually this new adherent of Christ was kicked out of the synagogue. His crime - belief in the unorthodoxy of Christ’s teaching.
Have you put Christ in a box? Do you expect him to move only in a way that has been prescribed for you? If you are then you are short-changing yourself. Scripture says all things are possible to him who believes, and with God all things are possible. God is a god of possibilities, and he wants us to simply believe. Are you burdened by unsaved friends? Have you lost hope concerning that intricate situation? Do you still believe there could be justice and social equality for the oppressed? Jesus answered Jairus whose daughter had died with those few powerful words “Have no fear. Just believe”.
The masses longed to believe in Christ because he preached hope with authority. Many were touched, many were saved, but only a few really believed in him. This was evidenced by the fact that he was deserted in his passion. As products of our environment, unorthodoxy of faith is rare. Yet that is what is required to follow Christ. I challenge you to love God, be passionate about your convictions, believe in the impossible, and take little steps. As you do, expect things to be unconventionally different for he rewards those who diligently and faithfully seek, trust and believe in him.
Signficance
“No one who wants to be a public figure acts in secret”. These were the challenging words that Jesus disciples posed to him as he declined the invitation to publicly display his supernatural abilities. Surely Jesus wanted people to know he was the messiah that would come to redeem Israel from the torment of the Roman tyranny. Wasn’t Jesus here to stay? Wouldn’t he be crowned the king of the Jews? When would he release thunderbolts from heaven to silence the Roman enemy? All these questions and probably more would have been foremost in the minds of the Jews.
Jesus in his typical counter-culture way declined to satisfy their wish. He would stay in obscurity for a prolonged period of time, neglecting the opportunity of broadcasting his message. For Jesus, his message would be best received, not by spectacular, crowd-grabbing miracles, but by an unorthodox humility, requiring insignificance and death to self.
We are told in Philippians that Jesus found his significance in obedience to the father. This obedience ultimately resulted in his subjugation of his flesh leading to his incarnation, and crucifixion. Can you imagine? Jesus who is God, existing in a blissful euphoria in eternity chose to become one with fallen humanity. Why would he do this? Could it be that he was exemplifying the secret to humanity’s plague
Think about it. What caused sin, the fall of man, and the plethora of problems we face in our world today. It all resulted from pride. Humanity via Adam and Eve longed to elevate itself beyond God’s prescribed order. This pride so rooted in our makeup is typified by our desire to constantly elevate ourselves. Thus Jesus response to his disciples was strategic and intentional. In essence by avoiding man’s approval, he was asking them the question of the ages, “what determines your significance?”
What determines your significance? Is it you? Is it what others say about you? Could it be accolades, achievements and rewards of this life? What makes you feel good about yourself? Is it rooted in pride?
By acting in secret, Jesus teaches us not to desire to be famous, popular, rich or important. After all, he didn’t. We are meant to find our significance in Him. See Jesus found his significance in his identity. He knew who he was. Do you know who your are? He was the son of God. One with the father. Already elevated, already famous, popular and rich in the eyes of God. In 50, 80, 100, years, when we are all translated to the next life, what would really matter is what should drive us today. Strive to know God’s opinion of you. Anchor your significance in God, and crucify your fleshly demands. This won’t be a momentous victory, but God will keep you consistent as you stay committed to his purposes. Escape the short-lived significance of this world, withdraw from the crowds, and pursue your relationship with God, who thinks the world of you.
Jesus in his typical counter-culture way declined to satisfy their wish. He would stay in obscurity for a prolonged period of time, neglecting the opportunity of broadcasting his message. For Jesus, his message would be best received, not by spectacular, crowd-grabbing miracles, but by an unorthodox humility, requiring insignificance and death to self.
We are told in Philippians that Jesus found his significance in obedience to the father. This obedience ultimately resulted in his subjugation of his flesh leading to his incarnation, and crucifixion. Can you imagine? Jesus who is God, existing in a blissful euphoria in eternity chose to become one with fallen humanity. Why would he do this? Could it be that he was exemplifying the secret to humanity’s plague
Think about it. What caused sin, the fall of man, and the plethora of problems we face in our world today. It all resulted from pride. Humanity via Adam and Eve longed to elevate itself beyond God’s prescribed order. This pride so rooted in our makeup is typified by our desire to constantly elevate ourselves. Thus Jesus response to his disciples was strategic and intentional. In essence by avoiding man’s approval, he was asking them the question of the ages, “what determines your significance?”
What determines your significance? Is it you? Is it what others say about you? Could it be accolades, achievements and rewards of this life? What makes you feel good about yourself? Is it rooted in pride?
By acting in secret, Jesus teaches us not to desire to be famous, popular, rich or important. After all, he didn’t. We are meant to find our significance in Him. See Jesus found his significance in his identity. He knew who he was. Do you know who your are? He was the son of God. One with the father. Already elevated, already famous, popular and rich in the eyes of God. In 50, 80, 100, years, when we are all translated to the next life, what would really matter is what should drive us today. Strive to know God’s opinion of you. Anchor your significance in God, and crucify your fleshly demands. This won’t be a momentous victory, but God will keep you consistent as you stay committed to his purposes. Escape the short-lived significance of this world, withdraw from the crowds, and pursue your relationship with God, who thinks the world of you.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Waiting for direction
Jeremiah a charismatic prophet of the Lord was bound by the spirit. Often he is found not willing to relay his unpopular message. However out of sheer obedience to God he delivers the oracle without fail to God’s people. So dependent on the Lord was Jeremiah, that if God did not speak he would not act.
In Jeremiah 42, a situation enfolds, where God’s people need direction. Upon inquiring of Jeremiah, they found he did not have God’s answer. Yet Jeremiah persisted in God’s presence waiting for God’s word. Ten days later, the word came, and he delivered a prophetic message to the people of Judah.
How important is God’s word to you? I mean receiving direction from the spirit of God, and then acting boldly. Jeremiah would not proceed until he heard. Unfortunately it took ten days for this to happen. The prolonged uncertainty must have been a bit trying for him. I wonder what he was doing for those ten days. I imagine he was seeking God and praying. Possibly fasting, worshipping, sitting, stationary, simply waiting for God’s presence.
Most people I know would act differently than Jeremiah. In our frenzied pace consumer centric culture people are often impatient when hearing from God. We seem to often act to quickly, devoid of the spirit of God, even justifying our decisions biblically, yet not clearly sure of the direction of God. Jeremiah could have given his best biblical advice, but yet didn’t. He relied on the Spirit’s fresh direction. Do you have a key decision to make? I know you probably have considered many reasonable options, such as best case scenarios, peoples’ opinions, etc. My question for you though is have you heard the word of the Lord? Do you truly feel his peace internally about your course of action? How do you know God has spoken? Did you persist in waiting?
God promised to pour out his spirit in these last days upon his people. He desires for us his people to be spirit led. I believe like Jeremiah, God will speak prophetically to you, giving you the direction, and the wisdom you need. However you must position yourself to determinedly wait on God’s presence. This might mean you may have to pray extensively for a season, delay a decision, and possibly choose a course of action that might be unpopular. Be rest assured, if you have heard from the spirit, your course of action will have God’s approval.
In Jeremiah 42, a situation enfolds, where God’s people need direction. Upon inquiring of Jeremiah, they found he did not have God’s answer. Yet Jeremiah persisted in God’s presence waiting for God’s word. Ten days later, the word came, and he delivered a prophetic message to the people of Judah.
How important is God’s word to you? I mean receiving direction from the spirit of God, and then acting boldly. Jeremiah would not proceed until he heard. Unfortunately it took ten days for this to happen. The prolonged uncertainty must have been a bit trying for him. I wonder what he was doing for those ten days. I imagine he was seeking God and praying. Possibly fasting, worshipping, sitting, stationary, simply waiting for God’s presence.
Most people I know would act differently than Jeremiah. In our frenzied pace consumer centric culture people are often impatient when hearing from God. We seem to often act to quickly, devoid of the spirit of God, even justifying our decisions biblically, yet not clearly sure of the direction of God. Jeremiah could have given his best biblical advice, but yet didn’t. He relied on the Spirit’s fresh direction. Do you have a key decision to make? I know you probably have considered many reasonable options, such as best case scenarios, peoples’ opinions, etc. My question for you though is have you heard the word of the Lord? Do you truly feel his peace internally about your course of action? How do you know God has spoken? Did you persist in waiting?
God promised to pour out his spirit in these last days upon his people. He desires for us his people to be spirit led. I believe like Jeremiah, God will speak prophetically to you, giving you the direction, and the wisdom you need. However you must position yourself to determinedly wait on God’s presence. This might mean you may have to pray extensively for a season, delay a decision, and possibly choose a course of action that might be unpopular. Be rest assured, if you have heard from the spirit, your course of action will have God’s approval.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Who will go?
Two separate encounters in one evening has made me aware of the dire need for us to speak the truth boldly to the lost on the streets.
The other day we encountered a girl who had strayed far from the Lord. Once a believer, she had now incorporated a plethora of beliefs to her spiritual diet. As she spoke we were amazed at her confidence. I sincerely believe if we had not had an intimate knowledge with truth, we would have been confused.
The same night, our second encounter was uncannily similar. A young man of a charismatic heritage had deserted the faith. He had traded simplicity of belief in Christ, for endless speculative dabbling in multiple philosophies. His articulation and cynicism were poised to unnerve the most avid evangelist.
How could people be so lost be yet so bold in their convictions. Like the blind Pharisee guides, their misconstrued ideals would ultimately lead many down the same spiralling path of uncertainty.
As we reflected on the evening, our hearts were burdened. We clearly understood Satan’s agenda for our age. Under the guise of tolerance, the lines are becoming blurred between traditional Christian truths, and other religions and philosophies. Many are falling by the way side, as they are left speechless when confronted with the outdated exclusivity of Christ’s sole claim to salvation.
Friend, do you have an answer for the hope in which you trust? Why is Jesus the only way? How is Jesus different than Muhammed, or others? How can we know your faith is real? Endeavour to tackle these questions. Understand deeper truths of scripture and study to show yourself approved. If you need to, then talk to your leader or fellow Christian peer about your questions.
The parting words from the young lady still ring loud and clear in my mind. Upon understanding we were Pentecostals, she remarked about their scarcity on the street witnessing scene. Understandably enough, she mistook us for Jehovah’s Witnesses. The sad thing is I encountered the same remark a week earlier from another individual.
Take on the challenge. Dare to understand your hope, and boldly take it out there. When stumped for words, remember, nothing can trump your testimony. Pray and God will lead you to a spiritually starving individual, who just needs to be reminded of what truth looks like.
The other day we encountered a girl who had strayed far from the Lord. Once a believer, she had now incorporated a plethora of beliefs to her spiritual diet. As she spoke we were amazed at her confidence. I sincerely believe if we had not had an intimate knowledge with truth, we would have been confused.
The same night, our second encounter was uncannily similar. A young man of a charismatic heritage had deserted the faith. He had traded simplicity of belief in Christ, for endless speculative dabbling in multiple philosophies. His articulation and cynicism were poised to unnerve the most avid evangelist.
How could people be so lost be yet so bold in their convictions. Like the blind Pharisee guides, their misconstrued ideals would ultimately lead many down the same spiralling path of uncertainty.
As we reflected on the evening, our hearts were burdened. We clearly understood Satan’s agenda for our age. Under the guise of tolerance, the lines are becoming blurred between traditional Christian truths, and other religions and philosophies. Many are falling by the way side, as they are left speechless when confronted with the outdated exclusivity of Christ’s sole claim to salvation.
Friend, do you have an answer for the hope in which you trust? Why is Jesus the only way? How is Jesus different than Muhammed, or others? How can we know your faith is real? Endeavour to tackle these questions. Understand deeper truths of scripture and study to show yourself approved. If you need to, then talk to your leader or fellow Christian peer about your questions.
The parting words from the young lady still ring loud and clear in my mind. Upon understanding we were Pentecostals, she remarked about their scarcity on the street witnessing scene. Understandably enough, she mistook us for Jehovah’s Witnesses. The sad thing is I encountered the same remark a week earlier from another individual.
Take on the challenge. Dare to understand your hope, and boldly take it out there. When stumped for words, remember, nothing can trump your testimony. Pray and God will lead you to a spiritually starving individual, who just needs to be reminded of what truth looks like.
Monday, June 8, 2009
The kingdom of God is within you
Jesus inaugurated the kingdom of God in his incarnation on earth. The kingdom of God represents the rule and reign of God. Think about it. The word “king – dom” means king domain. Jesus Christ brought the domain of the king, God the father into manifestation on a daily basis. This kingdom was one of immense good news. The miracles, radical love, intentional community and sacrificial service that Jesus modelled were all semblances of this kingdom that he inaugurated.
Jesus not only initiated this kingdom, but passed it on to others. His disciples as they believed on him received the kingdom. Jesus said the “kingdom of heaven is within you” to his disciples, including us in this amazing statement. The kingdom of heaven being inside of us has tremendous ramifications. Could God be saying that heaven’s power, and manifestation potentially lies inside of us? Is this real or abstract? How do we make this kingdom a reality in our world?
I believe the key to seeing the kingdom of God established in our lives is an acute awareness of the existence of the king within us. Recently God has been impressing on me the need for intentional evangelism. One key reason I believe people don’t evangelize is they simply don’t realize firstly their potential, and secondly the dire need. If I really believed that I was the answer to the poverty, hunger, disease, social oppression, injustice, wickedness, vile and every unthinkable perpetration of fallen humanity I believe that I would wake me up. If I understood that in heaven I will cry tears of regret for every wasted moment, I would be more intentional in the here and now.
See, you and I can understand that Jesus is the answer. After all we glibly say “if God wills” he can do anything. Yet Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is within you. Not above you. Not in heaven. Not in Jesus. But within you. See with Jesus within you, God’s grace and power to alleviate the suffering of humanity has been transferred to you. Christ is in heaven, his job on earth is finished. We are the answer. He has left you and I with the Holy Spirit to establish his domain (the domain of the king) on this earth.
Fellow revolutionary, the hour is short. Jesus says night comes quickly when its too late to labour. The harvest is ripe. Lift up your eyes and see the vast world around you in need of desperate care. Catch an eternal view, and realize that you are the difference between people entering God’s kingdom or being destined to perdition in hell. Manifest the kingdom today. Pray for your neighbour, visit a friend, tell them about your story, see God move to establish just a bit more of his rule in their life, and catch a glimpse of heaven here on earth.
Jesus not only initiated this kingdom, but passed it on to others. His disciples as they believed on him received the kingdom. Jesus said the “kingdom of heaven is within you” to his disciples, including us in this amazing statement. The kingdom of heaven being inside of us has tremendous ramifications. Could God be saying that heaven’s power, and manifestation potentially lies inside of us? Is this real or abstract? How do we make this kingdom a reality in our world?
I believe the key to seeing the kingdom of God established in our lives is an acute awareness of the existence of the king within us. Recently God has been impressing on me the need for intentional evangelism. One key reason I believe people don’t evangelize is they simply don’t realize firstly their potential, and secondly the dire need. If I really believed that I was the answer to the poverty, hunger, disease, social oppression, injustice, wickedness, vile and every unthinkable perpetration of fallen humanity I believe that I would wake me up. If I understood that in heaven I will cry tears of regret for every wasted moment, I would be more intentional in the here and now.
See, you and I can understand that Jesus is the answer. After all we glibly say “if God wills” he can do anything. Yet Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is within you. Not above you. Not in heaven. Not in Jesus. But within you. See with Jesus within you, God’s grace and power to alleviate the suffering of humanity has been transferred to you. Christ is in heaven, his job on earth is finished. We are the answer. He has left you and I with the Holy Spirit to establish his domain (the domain of the king) on this earth.
Fellow revolutionary, the hour is short. Jesus says night comes quickly when its too late to labour. The harvest is ripe. Lift up your eyes and see the vast world around you in need of desperate care. Catch an eternal view, and realize that you are the difference between people entering God’s kingdom or being destined to perdition in hell. Manifest the kingdom today. Pray for your neighbour, visit a friend, tell them about your story, see God move to establish just a bit more of his rule in their life, and catch a glimpse of heaven here on earth.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
One thing you can do to make God happy
If I told you that you could do something for God that would make him happy what would you think? God is infinitely mighty, exceedingly abundant in beauty, esteem and deed. We on the other hand are human, weak, limited and totally dependent on the grace of God. Yet He depends on us to bring him immense joy. How paradoxical.
Jesus tells a few parables that illustrate the father’s heart in the gospels. A son deserts his father to find his fare in the world. The father is left heartbroken for an indefinite period of time, not knowing whether his son was dead or alive. A man owning a large amount of sheep that are healthy, safe and well-fed, is depicted as being uneasy, and restless until he finds a single mere sheep that has strayed away. Similarly a lady having lost a single gold coin does not rest, but turns her house upside down in search of it.
These stories all end up similarly. The father, man and lady find their desired item. The father is ecstatic as his son returns to him, figuratively from the dead. The man, along with lady both rejoice upon their discovery. All these individuals are full of joy and celebrate their good fortune.
Do you want to make God happy? Would you like to see him rejoice and celebrate? Then help him! The father bereaved of his son was devastated, and would not be truly comforted until his son came home. God is like this father. How many of God’s children are lost? Wandering in rebellion through the wilderness of this life and completely detached from true life. God needs our help!
As the shepherd finds his lost sheep and celebrates, scripture tells us such is the celebration that ensues in heaven upon the return of a lost child to the father. Can you imagine? God throws a party each time someone gets saved.
Help God to discover his children by reaching out to the lost souls of this world. Romans 10 indicate that they will never know except you and I tell them. We hold the key to God’s joy. Think about that last statement. Without you reaching out to souls, we leave God sad, burdened and devastated.
Won’t you help him today! Find someone who doesn’t know him and reach out to them. Perform a kind act. Let them know you care. Point them the way to God. Tell them about the reason for your joy. Help bring a smile to the father’s face today.
Jesus tells a few parables that illustrate the father’s heart in the gospels. A son deserts his father to find his fare in the world. The father is left heartbroken for an indefinite period of time, not knowing whether his son was dead or alive. A man owning a large amount of sheep that are healthy, safe and well-fed, is depicted as being uneasy, and restless until he finds a single mere sheep that has strayed away. Similarly a lady having lost a single gold coin does not rest, but turns her house upside down in search of it.
These stories all end up similarly. The father, man and lady find their desired item. The father is ecstatic as his son returns to him, figuratively from the dead. The man, along with lady both rejoice upon their discovery. All these individuals are full of joy and celebrate their good fortune.
Do you want to make God happy? Would you like to see him rejoice and celebrate? Then help him! The father bereaved of his son was devastated, and would not be truly comforted until his son came home. God is like this father. How many of God’s children are lost? Wandering in rebellion through the wilderness of this life and completely detached from true life. God needs our help!
As the shepherd finds his lost sheep and celebrates, scripture tells us such is the celebration that ensues in heaven upon the return of a lost child to the father. Can you imagine? God throws a party each time someone gets saved.
Help God to discover his children by reaching out to the lost souls of this world. Romans 10 indicate that they will never know except you and I tell them. We hold the key to God’s joy. Think about that last statement. Without you reaching out to souls, we leave God sad, burdened and devastated.
Won’t you help him today! Find someone who doesn’t know him and reach out to them. Perform a kind act. Let them know you care. Point them the way to God. Tell them about the reason for your joy. Help bring a smile to the father’s face today.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Joy to the world
If you had to think of meaningful events in life that would bring tremendous joy, what would you think of? Would it be the advent of a new job, the prospects of a romantic relationship or graduating from a post secondary institution? Whatever the event might be the impact of these situations is similar - gladness, happiness, joy and a desire to celebrate.
Luke 2 details an event which is bound to bring joy to any family. The birth of Christ is foretold via the angel stating that much joy will come to humanity because of this momentous event. The joy to be experienced by this birth was beyond the norm. Certainly the family and friends of Mary would be ecstatic at the birth of a new child. But beyond them, the world was to rejoice at the birth of Christ who signified freedom for all.
Having recently experienced the birth of yet another child into our family I have a little understanding of the joy that child birth brings. I recall the instant shouts of joy that my wife and I elicited upon seeing our child for the first time. Even the nurses who were strangers with us joined in ecstatic celebration as they praised the baby and the successful birth. As the hours and days progressed, the joyous responses were evidenced by phone calls, text messages, e-mails and visits by friends and family members. It seemed as if the news of the baby instantaneously brought people together, made faces smile and gladdened hearts everywhere. Even now as it`s been five short days since Elizabeth`s birth, my heart is warmed with joy at the thought that God has blessed me with yet another gem.
Christ being born was definitely joyful news to all who heard. The world could rejoice at the good news that his birth represented. The joyful declaration of the angels only confirmed what Isaiah had prophesied 500 years earlier. There would be a servant of God who would bring freedom and deliverance to those who needed it. This freedom was spiritual, yet tangibly felt. Christ would liberate us from the grasp of addiction to sin, while bringing us temporal relief from pain, sickness, misery and other felt needs.
Have you heard the good news? If not then receive it today. Do you know the good news? Then share it! Don`t dare keep it to yourself. We have the most sought after piece of information on the face of the earth. Let`s do all we can to live and preach this wonderful news, that the world can came to know the joy we have?
Luke 2 details an event which is bound to bring joy to any family. The birth of Christ is foretold via the angel stating that much joy will come to humanity because of this momentous event. The joy to be experienced by this birth was beyond the norm. Certainly the family and friends of Mary would be ecstatic at the birth of a new child. But beyond them, the world was to rejoice at the birth of Christ who signified freedom for all.
Having recently experienced the birth of yet another child into our family I have a little understanding of the joy that child birth brings. I recall the instant shouts of joy that my wife and I elicited upon seeing our child for the first time. Even the nurses who were strangers with us joined in ecstatic celebration as they praised the baby and the successful birth. As the hours and days progressed, the joyous responses were evidenced by phone calls, text messages, e-mails and visits by friends and family members. It seemed as if the news of the baby instantaneously brought people together, made faces smile and gladdened hearts everywhere. Even now as it`s been five short days since Elizabeth`s birth, my heart is warmed with joy at the thought that God has blessed me with yet another gem.
Christ being born was definitely joyful news to all who heard. The world could rejoice at the good news that his birth represented. The joyful declaration of the angels only confirmed what Isaiah had prophesied 500 years earlier. There would be a servant of God who would bring freedom and deliverance to those who needed it. This freedom was spiritual, yet tangibly felt. Christ would liberate us from the grasp of addiction to sin, while bringing us temporal relief from pain, sickness, misery and other felt needs.
Have you heard the good news? If not then receive it today. Do you know the good news? Then share it! Don`t dare keep it to yourself. We have the most sought after piece of information on the face of the earth. Let`s do all we can to live and preach this wonderful news, that the world can came to know the joy we have?
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Leaping in enthusiasm
Yesterday was a wonderful day. Someone we had recently been praying for recently gave their heart to Christ. Our hearts were filled with joy as we prayed with this person. God is really wonderful.
You could say we were very enthusiastic about what God had done. Enthusiasm literally means zealous or passionate interest in something. This dictionary definition however does not do justice to the historical connotation of the word.
The Greeks initially used enthusiasm to describe one who was possessed by a god. Initially this was really a person who was drunk, being possessed by Dionysus, the god of wine. This person obviously would be exuberant in actions and gestures beyond the norm. The word evolved eventually to mean someone who was filled with religious and sometimes political inspiration. Evidently these religious zealots still exhibited outer characteristics that warranted the same description. Essentially through history, enthusiasm has had both positive and negative connotation depending on the society and context. However the exuberance of the enthusiast in observable actions has never changed.
The reason we focus on this word is its linkage to the word joy in the New and Old Testament. “Leaping for joy” in scripture is rooted in the word enthusiasm. Thus, as Mary felt Jesus kick in her spirit, or as the disciples are enjoined to leap for joy at impending persecution, they are engaging in being enthusiasts.
What word picture comes to your mind in relation to enthusiasm? Do you envision a youth leaping for joy at the prospect of going on a summer vacation or a sports fanatic running wildly onto the field as its favourite team just won the cup? These pictures are both accurate. God desires that we would be enthusiastic in our celebration of Him. When he speaks of being joyful, it doesn’t relate to only inner contentment and satisfaction. It speaks of an exuberant, almost fanatic or infantile, outward display of unusual gesticulation. Does this describe you? Are you joyful? Are you enthusiastic in relation to God?
After last night my understanding of biblical joy has compounded. As a few of us stayed late to pray, we encountered God in a unique way. Several times during the prayer time, God’s spirit which possesses us was felt in an uncontainable fashion. We found ourselves literally leaping for joy and running around. There was no inhibition by our age, culture or temperament. I am not sure why I leapt for joy. It could have been because of excitement at the recent salvation or a plethora of things God has done. Whatever the cause it was a childlike-biblical response to the abundant excitement felt inside.
Be joyful. Rejoice. Be an enthusiast. Leap for joy. As you practice the joy of the Lord, his strength, splendour and goodness will be more evident in your life.
You could say we were very enthusiastic about what God had done. Enthusiasm literally means zealous or passionate interest in something. This dictionary definition however does not do justice to the historical connotation of the word.
The Greeks initially used enthusiasm to describe one who was possessed by a god. Initially this was really a person who was drunk, being possessed by Dionysus, the god of wine. This person obviously would be exuberant in actions and gestures beyond the norm. The word evolved eventually to mean someone who was filled with religious and sometimes political inspiration. Evidently these religious zealots still exhibited outer characteristics that warranted the same description. Essentially through history, enthusiasm has had both positive and negative connotation depending on the society and context. However the exuberance of the enthusiast in observable actions has never changed.
The reason we focus on this word is its linkage to the word joy in the New and Old Testament. “Leaping for joy” in scripture is rooted in the word enthusiasm. Thus, as Mary felt Jesus kick in her spirit, or as the disciples are enjoined to leap for joy at impending persecution, they are engaging in being enthusiasts.
What word picture comes to your mind in relation to enthusiasm? Do you envision a youth leaping for joy at the prospect of going on a summer vacation or a sports fanatic running wildly onto the field as its favourite team just won the cup? These pictures are both accurate. God desires that we would be enthusiastic in our celebration of Him. When he speaks of being joyful, it doesn’t relate to only inner contentment and satisfaction. It speaks of an exuberant, almost fanatic or infantile, outward display of unusual gesticulation. Does this describe you? Are you joyful? Are you enthusiastic in relation to God?
After last night my understanding of biblical joy has compounded. As a few of us stayed late to pray, we encountered God in a unique way. Several times during the prayer time, God’s spirit which possesses us was felt in an uncontainable fashion. We found ourselves literally leaping for joy and running around. There was no inhibition by our age, culture or temperament. I am not sure why I leapt for joy. It could have been because of excitement at the recent salvation or a plethora of things God has done. Whatever the cause it was a childlike-biblical response to the abundant excitement felt inside.
Be joyful. Rejoice. Be an enthusiast. Leap for joy. As you practice the joy of the Lord, his strength, splendour and goodness will be more evident in your life.
Friday, May 8, 2009
How does a disciple, rescue a generation?
We have recently been meditating on the book of Nehemiah. As you might know, because of Nehemiah`s selfless and courageous desire to help his fellows Jew, he forever changed the destiny of God`s people. His follow through in building the walls spurred a series of events that was intrinsic to Jewish identity. The walls, led to the building of the temple, which allowed for temple worship, and ultimately repentance and recommitment to God`s law by the Israelites.
Did you ever wonder what motivated Nehemiah? Who was this radical disciple? How does he differ from you and I?
The amazing thing about Nehemiah is that he was just like you and I. He was a privileged believer, living his own life, at the pinnacle of the career God had destined for him. As God began burdening him about the fate of desolate Jerusalem, he must have wondered, what could one individual do? After all he was just an individual in a complex system designed to favour only the privileged few. The admirable thing about Nehemiah was that despite these natural convictions he had, he still acted. He felt it was not fair that he should live lavishly, while God`s people were broken down. Thus he followed his gut, and was impressed to communicate his feelings to his king. Did you know however that Nehemiah was not guaranteed any outcome? The king could have laughed at him, ignored him and dashed his hopes to nothing. However Nehemiah`s sense of mission overcame the fear of failure. He spoke. We are told that fear of failure is often what stops any of us from trying something different. Fortunately enough in Nehemiah`s sake, God granted him favour, and the events we read about in Nehemiah ensued.
How does a disciple rescue a generation? Simply by being faithful to the simple directives God puts in your heart. You will never know the impact of your actions, until you try. Maybe God is asking you to talk to a neighbour or a co-worker, but you find yourself too preoccupied. Or you are getting an urge to commit to a certain cause, but you lack the follow through. It could be that He is speaking to you about making steps in a certain direction in your life, yet without the big picture you are hesitant.
The only difference between many of us and Nehemiah is a commitment to obeying God. Many don`t fully know that their obedience could determine the freedom of others.
Begin today by being a Nehemiah. Commit to obeying God in the little things, when no one is looking. Develop a keen sensitivity to God`s voice, so that when he does lead you to rescue a generation you are ready, willing and able. Maybe you will end up like Nehemiah, and your convictions will cause you to relocate to an area of great depravity to bring freedom to many, or you will simply change the world right where you at. Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, and leave the rest to God.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
God`s word is not enough
The situation looked bleak. King Hezekiah was under extreme pressure. He was faced with the real possibility of being decapitated by his enemies, while his kingdom would surely be ripped apart. After all, Assyria had already done such atrocious things to many, including their sister state Israel. The choices were clear, either fulfill the terms of the king and surrender or face certain demise. Surely these were the only two options that all his predecessors would have considered.
Hezekiah had one final hope. He sent word to the prophet, God`s servant. Could it be possible there was a third option? Could God deliver his people supernaturally from a nation so great? As Hezekiah waited for God`s word, he knew that his fate would soon be decided.
Imagine the anxiety, the panic, the double minded thoughts that would be running through the King`s head. Will God deliver? Would the answer be favourable? What if the answer was favourable and God would deliver, could Hezekiah really afford to wait?
Have you ever faced a situation where you could not afford to wait? Yes God loves you, and you know what the Word says. But can you truly afford to wait for God`s word….for God`s timing?
Hezekiah needed more than the word to assure his deliverance. He needed bold confidence to act on God`s directives. Boldness is required when the odds are against you, even if you know what God is saying. When your friends are pulling you the other way, or life stresses seem to dictate another gospel. I bet you that you know what God is saying. Your trouble is often confidence to wait, or lack of boldness to act on God`s commands.
Well listen to the end of the story as told in 2 Kings 19. The Lord supernaturally delivered Hezekiah because of his bold confidence. Not one single arrow or weapon was used by Judah. Yet 185,000 Assyrian soldiers fell by the Lord`s angel. Totally supernatural deliverance was obtained by the hand of the Lord.
Bold confidence infuses patience to wait on God`s word. May you continue to seek God`s word. But beyond that may you persevere in His word with daring boldness and strong confidence.
Hezekiah had one final hope. He sent word to the prophet, God`s servant. Could it be possible there was a third option? Could God deliver his people supernaturally from a nation so great? As Hezekiah waited for God`s word, he knew that his fate would soon be decided.
Imagine the anxiety, the panic, the double minded thoughts that would be running through the King`s head. Will God deliver? Would the answer be favourable? What if the answer was favourable and God would deliver, could Hezekiah really afford to wait?
Have you ever faced a situation where you could not afford to wait? Yes God loves you, and you know what the Word says. But can you truly afford to wait for God`s word….for God`s timing?
Hezekiah needed more than the word to assure his deliverance. He needed bold confidence to act on God`s directives. Boldness is required when the odds are against you, even if you know what God is saying. When your friends are pulling you the other way, or life stresses seem to dictate another gospel. I bet you that you know what God is saying. Your trouble is often confidence to wait, or lack of boldness to act on God`s commands.
Well listen to the end of the story as told in 2 Kings 19. The Lord supernaturally delivered Hezekiah because of his bold confidence. Not one single arrow or weapon was used by Judah. Yet 185,000 Assyrian soldiers fell by the Lord`s angel. Totally supernatural deliverance was obtained by the hand of the Lord.
Bold confidence infuses patience to wait on God`s word. May you continue to seek God`s word. But beyond that may you persevere in His word with daring boldness and strong confidence.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Have no fear!!!
These were the words of the prophet to his servant, in the midst of sure devastation and death.
The armies of Aram (Damascus) had surrounded Elisha and his servant. Their crime. Hearing accurately from God and relaying intelligence information to the king of Israel.
Thus a whole army descended on two unarmed individuals. This situation was far worse than that of Elijah and Jezebel. Where Elijah fleeing from Jezebel’s threat, ended up in the wilderness in utter despair, hunger and frustration.
Fear is real. I repeat, fear is very real. Recession fears are real. Fear of economic collapse is bona fide. Fear of marriage or relationship failure abounds. Fear of personal failure plagues people, and limits their divine potential.
Elisha responded to fear in an unusual way. Elijah fled, while Elisha looked at the situation differently. Do you look at things in the natural, or can you see with the eyes of faith? Elisha’s servant was astounded, as his spiritual eyes were open to see reality. What is reality? I heard a definition once that reality is the highest form of truth. Facts are true, but God’s truth is in a sense higher than facts. God’s word is true reality. Thus, while it was true that the prophets were outnumbered, the real truth was revealed. In fact, God’s army was greater. The servant was startled to see the hills surrounding them full of a heavenly army. Men, horses, chariots of fire loomed larger than life in comparison with the now puny seeming Aramian army.
Have you ever thought of looking at things differently? I know the facts are real. Your life, job, career, family, health, burdens, pains, are all real. But maybe God wants you to pray the Elisha prayer today. “O Lord open my eyes that I may see [reality]”. Let the reality of God’s word dispel the fear arising from current situations in your life. Find out what God’s word says. Pray, meditate, and fast about his word get another vision of your circumstances, seeing what God sees about things. Then stand boldly and be encouraged that those who are with you are more than those who are with them.
The armies of Aram (Damascus) had surrounded Elisha and his servant. Their crime. Hearing accurately from God and relaying intelligence information to the king of Israel.
Thus a whole army descended on two unarmed individuals. This situation was far worse than that of Elijah and Jezebel. Where Elijah fleeing from Jezebel’s threat, ended up in the wilderness in utter despair, hunger and frustration.
Fear is real. I repeat, fear is very real. Recession fears are real. Fear of economic collapse is bona fide. Fear of marriage or relationship failure abounds. Fear of personal failure plagues people, and limits their divine potential.
Elisha responded to fear in an unusual way. Elijah fled, while Elisha looked at the situation differently. Do you look at things in the natural, or can you see with the eyes of faith? Elisha’s servant was astounded, as his spiritual eyes were open to see reality. What is reality? I heard a definition once that reality is the highest form of truth. Facts are true, but God’s truth is in a sense higher than facts. God’s word is true reality. Thus, while it was true that the prophets were outnumbered, the real truth was revealed. In fact, God’s army was greater. The servant was startled to see the hills surrounding them full of a heavenly army. Men, horses, chariots of fire loomed larger than life in comparison with the now puny seeming Aramian army.
Have you ever thought of looking at things differently? I know the facts are real. Your life, job, career, family, health, burdens, pains, are all real. But maybe God wants you to pray the Elisha prayer today. “O Lord open my eyes that I may see [reality]”. Let the reality of God’s word dispel the fear arising from current situations in your life. Find out what God’s word says. Pray, meditate, and fast about his word get another vision of your circumstances, seeing what God sees about things. Then stand boldly and be encouraged that those who are with you are more than those who are with them.
Friday, March 6, 2009
A little compromise
Have you ever wondered why God is so particular? When God gives a command do you fully obey, or do you find ways to do things a little bit different?
This was the situation with story of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was a successor of King Solomon. Jeroboam had been promised a long lasting dynasty much like David if he followed God`s ways. This was particularly significant since King Solomon had forsaken the ways of God, through compromise. God was looking for one would serve him whole heartedly.
Jeroboam`s biggest compromise was in matters relating to the worship of Yahweh. God had taken time to institute an intricate system of rules and regulations of how to approach him, via his priesthood and in the temple dedicated to his own name. Jeroboam in an attempt to maintain loyalty of his Israelite subjects decided that he would duplicate the entire cultic worship system of Yahweh. Thus he built places of worship all over Israel, set up his own priests, made images of God in the form of calves, and other gross violations of God`s commands.
While this act of a duplicate worship system was a logical political manoeuvre it was a complete forsaking of God`s laws. It made much sense especially since Israelite had now been divided into two separate kingdoms (Judah and Israel) to have a separate worship system for each nation. It seemed reasonable to modify God`s prescribed laws, since this was a different situation. Surely God would overlook these minor changes, in understanding of the larger picture, kingdom sovereignty.
Have you ever found yourself thinking like this? You know what God has said, but you justify it based on a reason that might make sense. Can a little compromise really hurt? After all, God knows that I love him, and I am trying my best? Well look at Jeroboam`s story as an example on compromise. Because of this act of Jeroboam, he plunged a whole nation into idolatry for centuries. Much sin, including violence and murder resulted from his compromise. Further, Jeroboam`s offence is attributed as a major cause of the Israelite`s exile, where millions were displaced from their lands and carried off to Assyria in shame and bondage.
So what is the result of my decision to compromise? How many people will be affected? Does it really matter? These are important questions. Jeroboam`s example teaches us never to flirt with disobeying God`s commands, for we never know the end of our compromise. My challenge to you as you strive to be like Christ is to weigh every choice, judge every thought, and act as if Christ was physically present. Decide you will not toy with compromise, and let God build a kingdom through you that will have eternal significance.
This was the situation with story of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was a successor of King Solomon. Jeroboam had been promised a long lasting dynasty much like David if he followed God`s ways. This was particularly significant since King Solomon had forsaken the ways of God, through compromise. God was looking for one would serve him whole heartedly.
Jeroboam`s biggest compromise was in matters relating to the worship of Yahweh. God had taken time to institute an intricate system of rules and regulations of how to approach him, via his priesthood and in the temple dedicated to his own name. Jeroboam in an attempt to maintain loyalty of his Israelite subjects decided that he would duplicate the entire cultic worship system of Yahweh. Thus he built places of worship all over Israel, set up his own priests, made images of God in the form of calves, and other gross violations of God`s commands.
While this act of a duplicate worship system was a logical political manoeuvre it was a complete forsaking of God`s laws. It made much sense especially since Israelite had now been divided into two separate kingdoms (Judah and Israel) to have a separate worship system for each nation. It seemed reasonable to modify God`s prescribed laws, since this was a different situation. Surely God would overlook these minor changes, in understanding of the larger picture, kingdom sovereignty.
Have you ever found yourself thinking like this? You know what God has said, but you justify it based on a reason that might make sense. Can a little compromise really hurt? After all, God knows that I love him, and I am trying my best? Well look at Jeroboam`s story as an example on compromise. Because of this act of Jeroboam, he plunged a whole nation into idolatry for centuries. Much sin, including violence and murder resulted from his compromise. Further, Jeroboam`s offence is attributed as a major cause of the Israelite`s exile, where millions were displaced from their lands and carried off to Assyria in shame and bondage.
So what is the result of my decision to compromise? How many people will be affected? Does it really matter? These are important questions. Jeroboam`s example teaches us never to flirt with disobeying God`s commands, for we never know the end of our compromise. My challenge to you as you strive to be like Christ is to weigh every choice, judge every thought, and act as if Christ was physically present. Decide you will not toy with compromise, and let God build a kingdom through you that will have eternal significance.
The facts of faith
Are you like me where you are tired of the facts? I have stopped counting the encounters that I have had with people where they have told me why in no uncertain terms that this idea, a certain vision, or a dream that I have will not come to pass.
The hard part is that you know they are right. Worse is that you have been trying not to think of all these variables, which they so insensitively brought up. As I pondered over the message for the month I realized that the answer is easy for all the naysayers. Simply agree with them. See you and I cannot deny the facts. It is clear that we cannot achieve God’s plan for our lives. Further, it is evidently clear that we don’t know what we are doing? Just think about all the blunders that you have made in your life….see what I mean? Only God truly knows what he is doing, and thank him for the bit of wisdom he bestows us.
My point here is that you need to free yourself up from trying to ignore the facts. See the facts help me realize even more than ever before that I need God. In fact, God is one fact that all my naysayers won’t deny. Even if they are not Christian, they typically have a God factor. All you have to do is get to know your God facts. Yes there is a problem….a situation….a mountain. But what has God told you about that situation? What does his word say? I bet you if you spent more time in the word than worrying about the negative facts, you will begin to see things God’s way. Yes visions must be tweaked, plans must be changed, and even bad ideas pitched. Yet God still needs you and I to be true to our name as believers, and trust him. Let’s turn to God. Take the facts to God in prayer, hear his voice, act on it, and watch him turn the facts into God possibilities.
The hard part is that you know they are right. Worse is that you have been trying not to think of all these variables, which they so insensitively brought up. As I pondered over the message for the month I realized that the answer is easy for all the naysayers. Simply agree with them. See you and I cannot deny the facts. It is clear that we cannot achieve God’s plan for our lives. Further, it is evidently clear that we don’t know what we are doing? Just think about all the blunders that you have made in your life….see what I mean? Only God truly knows what he is doing, and thank him for the bit of wisdom he bestows us.
My point here is that you need to free yourself up from trying to ignore the facts. See the facts help me realize even more than ever before that I need God. In fact, God is one fact that all my naysayers won’t deny. Even if they are not Christian, they typically have a God factor. All you have to do is get to know your God facts. Yes there is a problem….a situation….a mountain. But what has God told you about that situation? What does his word say? I bet you if you spent more time in the word than worrying about the negative facts, you will begin to see things God’s way. Yes visions must be tweaked, plans must be changed, and even bad ideas pitched. Yet God still needs you and I to be true to our name as believers, and trust him. Let’s turn to God. Take the facts to God in prayer, hear his voice, act on it, and watch him turn the facts into God possibilities.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
God has the answer.
David king of Israel was facing a severe crisis. The land was plagued by a famine that would not abate. Scripture says in 2 Samuel 21 that David sought the Lord for a solution.
Seeking the Lord I believe is the answer to all our problems. While sometimes the answer comes via natural wisdom, commonsense, or the advice of friends, ultimately it is the Lord who orchestrates all affairs. However there will be times such as in this Davidic famine experience that defies natural wisdom, and we simply must seek the Lord for an answer.
What does it means to seek the Lord ? Is it just that we ask God pertaining a request, and simply hope for the best. What if we don`t receive a definite answer, do we simply move on proceeding with our own best judgement ?
Seeking the Lord is best answered in the context of David`s life. At other times when in crisis David would inquire of God via a prophet, priest, or the ephod (divine articles of clothing). In these instances a clear, understandable message was elicited from the Lord, and then acted upon. Whenever David sought the Lord, he waited for God`s word before proceeding. Thus in our narrative here David seeks the Lord concerning a prolonged famine. Think about it. If you had a severe problem spanning three months, would you really be able to wait for an answer from God, or would you lose hope, and relegate the non response simply as God`s ultimate will ? What place does perseverance have in your thinking as you seek the Lord for certain issues ? What is mind boggling is that David didn`t seek the Lord for 3 days, 3 weeks or even 3 months. He sought the Lord consistently, determinedly and perseveringly for 3 long years. I can imagine that these 3 years were full of pain, frustration, numerous complaints from his subjects and myriads of interwoven issues. Yet David did not give up, he simply sought the Lord as he had done at other times.
Amazingly the answer finally came. It was not something easy, but it was clearly divine. David executed God`s dictated command, and the famine relented. Thus ultimately was because he sought the Lord. As you move forward this year in kingdom mandates and pursuits, decide to seek the Lord always. Purpose in your heart that this is the only way, and be immobile at the thoughts and temptations to accommodate to natural directives rather than God`s word.
Seeking the Lord I believe is the answer to all our problems. While sometimes the answer comes via natural wisdom, commonsense, or the advice of friends, ultimately it is the Lord who orchestrates all affairs. However there will be times such as in this Davidic famine experience that defies natural wisdom, and we simply must seek the Lord for an answer.
What does it means to seek the Lord ? Is it just that we ask God pertaining a request, and simply hope for the best. What if we don`t receive a definite answer, do we simply move on proceeding with our own best judgement ?
Seeking the Lord is best answered in the context of David`s life. At other times when in crisis David would inquire of God via a prophet, priest, or the ephod (divine articles of clothing). In these instances a clear, understandable message was elicited from the Lord, and then acted upon. Whenever David sought the Lord, he waited for God`s word before proceeding. Thus in our narrative here David seeks the Lord concerning a prolonged famine. Think about it. If you had a severe problem spanning three months, would you really be able to wait for an answer from God, or would you lose hope, and relegate the non response simply as God`s ultimate will ? What place does perseverance have in your thinking as you seek the Lord for certain issues ? What is mind boggling is that David didn`t seek the Lord for 3 days, 3 weeks or even 3 months. He sought the Lord consistently, determinedly and perseveringly for 3 long years. I can imagine that these 3 years were full of pain, frustration, numerous complaints from his subjects and myriads of interwoven issues. Yet David did not give up, he simply sought the Lord as he had done at other times.
Amazingly the answer finally came. It was not something easy, but it was clearly divine. David executed God`s dictated command, and the famine relented. Thus ultimately was because he sought the Lord. As you move forward this year in kingdom mandates and pursuits, decide to seek the Lord always. Purpose in your heart that this is the only way, and be immobile at the thoughts and temptations to accommodate to natural directives rather than God`s word.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
None can match the spirit`s power.
David is a fugitive, running for his life, with Saul, the king in heavy pursuit. We read about this in 1 Samuel 18-20. How does one individual outwit a king who is obsessed with destroying him? Simple. It is by the power of the spirit. We are told that the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul. This indicates he was vulnerable, defenceless to the whims and dictates of his flesh. No wonder David cries out in Psalms 51:11 `take not thy Holy Spirit from me`. Where would we be without the Spirit? We would literally be up a creek like Saul was. To further compound his problem, Saul was given an evil spirit from the Lord. He was practically a raving lunatic, obsessed with only one thought – the death of David.
Our hero David represents what it is to be possessed of the Spirit. It seemed as Saul lost the presence of God, David gained more of the Spirit, and he continued to play his melodious harp. The more Saul lost grace with God, the more David gained favour with God and with people. God was with David wherever he went. When the Spirit is with you he delivers you from the throes of death itself. David is able to repeatedly escape from the murderous intents of his commander and king, Saul.
One standoff related to us in this narrative is that of Saul and the prophets. David escapes to Samuel, who hides him in the place where the prophets gathered. Saul sends multiple companies of men to retrieve David, but he grossly underestimated the power of the Spirit, for the soldiers overcome by the spirit began to prophesy. Finally Saul himself comes for David, the Spirit overcomes Saul, who rips off his own clothes, and lay on the ground prophesying. The mighty king was felled by the dynamic Spirit of God.
Don`t you long to be like David. I do. Encompassed by the spirit, driven by the whims of God, anointed for ministry. I tell you the Spirit will make you supra-normal. You will do things that you cannot do in your own might. Men and women will be astounded by the remarkable godliness that marks your life. But what do you have to do. Very simple. Do what David did. Live to please God. Say no to your flesh. Don`t retaliate against your enemies. Worship God like David did on his harp, but most importantly keep a soft and open heart to the Lord. This means surrender. Allow him to lead you wherever, whenever to do whatever. You know when he speaks to you don`t you? I believe you do. It`s soft, sensitive, persistent. Not in your ear, but in your heart. That knowing assurance that God is with you. Yes, that is the voice of the Spirit, may you heed it and be blessed.
Our hero David represents what it is to be possessed of the Spirit. It seemed as Saul lost the presence of God, David gained more of the Spirit, and he continued to play his melodious harp. The more Saul lost grace with God, the more David gained favour with God and with people. God was with David wherever he went. When the Spirit is with you he delivers you from the throes of death itself. David is able to repeatedly escape from the murderous intents of his commander and king, Saul.
One standoff related to us in this narrative is that of Saul and the prophets. David escapes to Samuel, who hides him in the place where the prophets gathered. Saul sends multiple companies of men to retrieve David, but he grossly underestimated the power of the Spirit, for the soldiers overcome by the spirit began to prophesy. Finally Saul himself comes for David, the Spirit overcomes Saul, who rips off his own clothes, and lay on the ground prophesying. The mighty king was felled by the dynamic Spirit of God.
Don`t you long to be like David. I do. Encompassed by the spirit, driven by the whims of God, anointed for ministry. I tell you the Spirit will make you supra-normal. You will do things that you cannot do in your own might. Men and women will be astounded by the remarkable godliness that marks your life. But what do you have to do. Very simple. Do what David did. Live to please God. Say no to your flesh. Don`t retaliate against your enemies. Worship God like David did on his harp, but most importantly keep a soft and open heart to the Lord. This means surrender. Allow him to lead you wherever, whenever to do whatever. You know when he speaks to you don`t you? I believe you do. It`s soft, sensitive, persistent. Not in your ear, but in your heart. That knowing assurance that God is with you. Yes, that is the voice of the Spirit, may you heed it and be blessed.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Risen Disciples, Rescuing a Generation
Ever wondered why on earth you are here? I have news for you, God knows and has revealed it in scripture. It is to do the works of Christ. Our first call of course is to know God, to be worshippers of Christ, to be true children of God. (John 6:28-29). When you got born again, you achieved your eternal destiny. Your light was no longer darkness, confusion vanished, clarity was restored, you became a child of God. However God left you and I here on earth to complete a job. He rescued us, woke us up and calls us as risen disciples to rescue this generation. This is why we get together as a group of young adults. Our mission is to raise up a generation of believers, that are discipled and released to serve, sacrificing radically in order to transform our culture and community by providing justice for the spiritually and socially oppressed within the city of Toronto.
Thus we don’t live for ourselves anymore, we live through God for others. We are believing to raise up a movement of young adults who believe the same we do. Living in purity for God, sacrificing radically and loving passionately. As we demonstrate our zeal for God through much ministry activity and community fellowships we are focused on our specific goals for 2009.
*To see 290 young adults coming together in our monthly services
*To see our cell groups multiply to 20 by the end of 2009
The months ahead promise lots of prayer, toil, labour, and tears, but its all for the master, it’s all for him. I beg you to jump on board. Find your niche in the ministry, reach out, do something great and you will be glad you did.
Thus we don’t live for ourselves anymore, we live through God for others. We are believing to raise up a movement of young adults who believe the same we do. Living in purity for God, sacrificing radically and loving passionately. As we demonstrate our zeal for God through much ministry activity and community fellowships we are focused on our specific goals for 2009.
*To see 290 young adults coming together in our monthly services
*To see our cell groups multiply to 20 by the end of 2009
The months ahead promise lots of prayer, toil, labour, and tears, but its all for the master, it’s all for him. I beg you to jump on board. Find your niche in the ministry, reach out, do something great and you will be glad you did.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The hows of multiplication?
If I were the disciples in the story of the feeding of the five thousand, I would have many questions. It had been a gruelling ministry season. They had been toiling, crowd controlling, running errands for Jesus for the last 3 days, as he ministered to a staggering crowd whose desire to linger with Christ wouldn’t wane.
Finally, the break that the disciples were hoping for had come. Jesus Christ looked at them and said it was high time that the crowds got something to eat. Naturally speaking the disciples would expect Jesus to send the crowds away since there were so many. Yet he didn’t…he wouldn’t. Jesus Christ was preparing them for a lesson in the school of the extraordinary, as he instructed the disciples to feed the crowds.
The disciples puzzled must have thought Jesus was crazy or joking. Feeding 10-20 thousand people (women and children included) was no joke. Besides all they had were five loaves and two fish. Sure Jesus had done many miracles prior, and so far his word was credible, yet this was different. No one had fed so many, with barely nothing. Food multiplication was far from their thought processes. Naturally speaking, people bought food, or prepared food when they were hungry, thus that was the thing to do.
As we embark on a miraculous journey this year, what do you expect God to do and how? Are you looking for God to move or you. Naturally speaking we know we need to plan, and figure things out. But who is our trust in, and to whom do we look to for results? The disciples represent many of us in that we are stuck in cultural and traditional models of viewing God’s workings. We look to see how God has worked around us, in our circles, and with contemporaries. Yet God clearly declares that all things are possible to him who believes. Belief for us becomes often a mental assent, where we say yes but.
Thus the disciples represent you and I as the “yes buts” people. Yes Lord you will do miracles in my ministry this year, but this is what I am prepared to expect. Jesus, yes I know you will take care of that problem, but its probably going to be this way.
I was recently overcome in a service by a miraculous stream of God’s healing power. This reminds me that while doctors, aspirins and knee braces are necessary, Jesus is the healer.
Friend, Jesus is the multiplier, Jesus is the provider, Jesus is the deliverer. But he needs you and I to hang on to him in faith. For his says all things are possible…not for those who try, not even for those who are faithful. No. All things are possible to him who believe.
So dream big. Reach out big. Talk big. Act big. Do something big, for we serve a tremendous God, who says, I can do more than you can ask think or even imagine, according to the power that works within you.
Finally, the break that the disciples were hoping for had come. Jesus Christ looked at them and said it was high time that the crowds got something to eat. Naturally speaking the disciples would expect Jesus to send the crowds away since there were so many. Yet he didn’t…he wouldn’t. Jesus Christ was preparing them for a lesson in the school of the extraordinary, as he instructed the disciples to feed the crowds.
The disciples puzzled must have thought Jesus was crazy or joking. Feeding 10-20 thousand people (women and children included) was no joke. Besides all they had were five loaves and two fish. Sure Jesus had done many miracles prior, and so far his word was credible, yet this was different. No one had fed so many, with barely nothing. Food multiplication was far from their thought processes. Naturally speaking, people bought food, or prepared food when they were hungry, thus that was the thing to do.
As we embark on a miraculous journey this year, what do you expect God to do and how? Are you looking for God to move or you. Naturally speaking we know we need to plan, and figure things out. But who is our trust in, and to whom do we look to for results? The disciples represent many of us in that we are stuck in cultural and traditional models of viewing God’s workings. We look to see how God has worked around us, in our circles, and with contemporaries. Yet God clearly declares that all things are possible to him who believes. Belief for us becomes often a mental assent, where we say yes but.
Thus the disciples represent you and I as the “yes buts” people. Yes Lord you will do miracles in my ministry this year, but this is what I am prepared to expect. Jesus, yes I know you will take care of that problem, but its probably going to be this way.
I was recently overcome in a service by a miraculous stream of God’s healing power. This reminds me that while doctors, aspirins and knee braces are necessary, Jesus is the healer.
Friend, Jesus is the multiplier, Jesus is the provider, Jesus is the deliverer. But he needs you and I to hang on to him in faith. For his says all things are possible…not for those who try, not even for those who are faithful. No. All things are possible to him who believe.
So dream big. Reach out big. Talk big. Act big. Do something big, for we serve a tremendous God, who says, I can do more than you can ask think or even imagine, according to the power that works within you.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Movement
Joshua moved a mighty nation through the River Jordan. This would only have been accomplished via a number of symbiotic events inducing hope in an almost impossible vision and commanding a forceful thrust able to accomplish their goal.
It is key at the end of Joshua 1 that the people saw Joshua as powerful as Moses, hence giving their allegiance to him. The first event occurring here is that of obedience. The people simply chose to obey thus making it easier for Joshua to lead them according to the dictates of the Lord. The second event is that of communion. This was no individualistic bunch of robot obeying a dominant general. They were a family, a Godly community submitted to authority. It was through their expression of this koinonia (fellowship) that a fluid passage would occur. This kingdom community thus would consecrate themselves together as the law demand and participate in cultic worship at the leading of the priests, enabling them to maintaining unified fellowship.
Another event is that of the supernatural hand of God. This was a two edged sword that had both direct and indirect effects in the Israelite’s victory. Directly, they experienced miracles such as the parting of the Jordan, thus allowing them to boldly forge their way towards Jericho. Indirectly these miracles generated fear in the enemy’s camp immobilizing them and greatly contributing to their defeat. A final event observed in the movement of the Israelites is that of order. Having the ark precede them carried by the priests (probably in conjunction with procession regulations as revealed in Numbers) as they embarked in to the Jordan. The import of this is that order is intrinsic to victory. Godly order. As the Israelites followed God’s prescribed order, the waters of the flooded Jordan abated, allowing an entire nation to cross in a relatively short amount of time.
God’s words to Joshua initiating the Jericho march are probably the most significant. “The time has come for you to lead the people, the Israelites into the promised land” (Joshua 1:2). This event is timing. For us as believers we also need to understand that the time has come to fulfill God’s destiny for our lives. 2 Corinthians 6 indicates that the time to fulfill God’s salvific commission is now. Not tomorrow, not next year, but now.
Thus be motivated by these events occurring in the book of Joshua. Obedience, Godly community of the saints, submission to Godly authority, a spirit filled life, and God’s timing are but a few keys that you will need to fulfill your destiny, participating as a co-labourer with Christ himself in the fields of harvest.
It is key at the end of Joshua 1 that the people saw Joshua as powerful as Moses, hence giving their allegiance to him. The first event occurring here is that of obedience. The people simply chose to obey thus making it easier for Joshua to lead them according to the dictates of the Lord. The second event is that of communion. This was no individualistic bunch of robot obeying a dominant general. They were a family, a Godly community submitted to authority. It was through their expression of this koinonia (fellowship) that a fluid passage would occur. This kingdom community thus would consecrate themselves together as the law demand and participate in cultic worship at the leading of the priests, enabling them to maintaining unified fellowship.
Another event is that of the supernatural hand of God. This was a two edged sword that had both direct and indirect effects in the Israelite’s victory. Directly, they experienced miracles such as the parting of the Jordan, thus allowing them to boldly forge their way towards Jericho. Indirectly these miracles generated fear in the enemy’s camp immobilizing them and greatly contributing to their defeat. A final event observed in the movement of the Israelites is that of order. Having the ark precede them carried by the priests (probably in conjunction with procession regulations as revealed in Numbers) as they embarked in to the Jordan. The import of this is that order is intrinsic to victory. Godly order. As the Israelites followed God’s prescribed order, the waters of the flooded Jordan abated, allowing an entire nation to cross in a relatively short amount of time.
God’s words to Joshua initiating the Jericho march are probably the most significant. “The time has come for you to lead the people, the Israelites into the promised land” (Joshua 1:2). This event is timing. For us as believers we also need to understand that the time has come to fulfill God’s destiny for our lives. 2 Corinthians 6 indicates that the time to fulfill God’s salvific commission is now. Not tomorrow, not next year, but now.
Thus be motivated by these events occurring in the book of Joshua. Obedience, Godly community of the saints, submission to Godly authority, a spirit filled life, and God’s timing are but a few keys that you will need to fulfill your destiny, participating as a co-labourer with Christ himself in the fields of harvest.
A new family
Family in ancient times were essential for survival, industry and affluence. Imagine the immense surprise that Jesus’ disciples would have met with when told that following Christ would bring family division in Matthew 10. Is Jesus against family? Why such polemical talk from the saviour who has created family and upholds peace and harmony.
Christ chose to use the established intrinsic institution of family to convey the new community that he had come to establish. This community would be as integrated as the family, yet also bring strong opposition.
The close knit characteristic of the family meant that Christ’s disciples were supposed to be united. Though they would come from different backgrounds, philosophical views, and different ethnicity (Romans and Jews) they would be grafted into a new community that was as close as the family. In this new family Zealots would have to love Romans, Jews would fellowship with Gentiles and slaves with their masters. No longer would one define themselves simply by their birth family, but their spiritual family would be just as important. This of course meant that prejudice and superiority ideals had to be done away with. Walls of division and suspicion would disintegrate as these believers worked towards having a close fellowship in Christ.
Not only would these new believers have to overcome divisive boundaries, they would also be subject to persecution from their own family. Parents wondered why their children were now involved with others not like them. Family traditions that were unbiblical or religious would be ignored causing further division. A passionate family member might even choose to forsake the family business for the calling of ministry.
Thus Jesus reminds us that joining his family takes extreme commitment. We commit to loving one another though we are very different. We commit to getting to know each other, understanding one another and valuing our differences. Despite the criticism of the world and often well meaning loved ones, our eyes remain on the prize – of maintaining real unity with those whom God has called us to share this supernatural life with.
So God I thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to be a blessing to day, serving, loving, giving all I am for those you gave your all to. Amen.
Christ chose to use the established intrinsic institution of family to convey the new community that he had come to establish. This community would be as integrated as the family, yet also bring strong opposition.
The close knit characteristic of the family meant that Christ’s disciples were supposed to be united. Though they would come from different backgrounds, philosophical views, and different ethnicity (Romans and Jews) they would be grafted into a new community that was as close as the family. In this new family Zealots would have to love Romans, Jews would fellowship with Gentiles and slaves with their masters. No longer would one define themselves simply by their birth family, but their spiritual family would be just as important. This of course meant that prejudice and superiority ideals had to be done away with. Walls of division and suspicion would disintegrate as these believers worked towards having a close fellowship in Christ.
Not only would these new believers have to overcome divisive boundaries, they would also be subject to persecution from their own family. Parents wondered why their children were now involved with others not like them. Family traditions that were unbiblical or religious would be ignored causing further division. A passionate family member might even choose to forsake the family business for the calling of ministry.
Thus Jesus reminds us that joining his family takes extreme commitment. We commit to loving one another though we are very different. We commit to getting to know each other, understanding one another and valuing our differences. Despite the criticism of the world and often well meaning loved ones, our eyes remain on the prize – of maintaining real unity with those whom God has called us to share this supernatural life with.
So God I thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to be a blessing to day, serving, loving, giving all I am for those you gave your all to. Amen.
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