Isaiah 6:9&10 says,
"And he said, 'Go, and say to this people:
Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
keep on seeing, but do not perceive.
Make the heart of this people dull,
and their ears heavy,
and blind their eyes;
lest they see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.'"
When I joined the military we were sent to basic training. In this training they broke us down and built us back up to exactly what they wanted us to be. They wanted men and women who would follow orders and carry out duties for military campaigns. Soldiers we became.
This passage above shows God telling Isaiah to go tell his people that they needed their hearts dulled, ears closed, an eyes shut. This needed to happen in order for his people to be able to see, hear, and feel spiritual instructions.
God, give us ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to love your ways.
Break us down and build us up to what you want us to be.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Calling You Out
We can move right on through life without any challenges and never getting in the game. Some would say that it is easier to just watch from the sidelines. Why wouldn't you? It is safer. Takes less energy. It is more fun to critique those playing than to be critiqued.
There is an interaction that Jesus has with some Herodians and Pharisees while he was in Jerusalem. It is recorded in Mark 12. It is the story that many are familiar with, because it is the story that states you render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. The reason it is a calling out is the image that is on the coin is Caesar and that is why it goes to Caesar. The reason we are to give ourselves to God is because we are made in the image of God.
WE ARE MADE IN HIS IMAGE! This should rock your world.
It is easier to blend into society and quietly go through life without any waves being made that would cause any problems for ourselves. Staying on the sidelines and not getting in the game. Staying in the world and not getting in the Kingdom work.
Give yourself to God. Give Him you because you are His.
I am calling you out!
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are calling you out!
Don't be a sissy. Do what your made to do.
Seek after God.
A real man or woman will seek after God. A pansy, weak, lazy person will not.
A real church will seek after God's will. A fake, wimpy one will not.
Contact me if you need help with getting in the game. Otherwise, be a wimp, sit down, and miss out.
There is an interaction that Jesus has with some Herodians and Pharisees while he was in Jerusalem. It is recorded in Mark 12. It is the story that many are familiar with, because it is the story that states you render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. The reason it is a calling out is the image that is on the coin is Caesar and that is why it goes to Caesar. The reason we are to give ourselves to God is because we are made in the image of God.
WE ARE MADE IN HIS IMAGE! This should rock your world.
It is easier to blend into society and quietly go through life without any waves being made that would cause any problems for ourselves. Staying on the sidelines and not getting in the game. Staying in the world and not getting in the Kingdom work.
Give yourself to God. Give Him you because you are His.
I am calling you out!
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are calling you out!
Don't be a sissy. Do what your made to do.
Seek after God.
A real man or woman will seek after God. A pansy, weak, lazy person will not.
A real church will seek after God's will. A fake, wimpy one will not.
Contact me if you need help with getting in the game. Otherwise, be a wimp, sit down, and miss out.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
God Made Church and Church Can't Hurt
While in Baghdad I had to eat a great deal of Meals Ready to Eeat (MRE). There was one that had the chocolate covered brownie. One day I was watching as someone else was eating the awesome dessert in front of me when after they took the first bite they dropped it on the desert floor and began to walk away frustrated. I said, "Are you not going to eat that?" Of course they were not and of course I would. I went to get it and the guys were watching me with amazement as I attempted to remove the sand from the warm chocolate that covered the brownie. I couldn't remove it all, but I ate it anyway. After all of the sound affects from the disgusted brothers in arms, I sounded off with that familiar saying, "God made dirt and dirt can't hurt." That was the best chocolate covered brownie I have ever had in my life.
God made church and church can't hurt.
It is sad to say that there are a great number of people that are hurt by the church. When people find that I am a pastor they like to share with me how bad the church was to them. Of course, I assure them that the church that I serve is not one that will hurt them. I let them know that the church that I serve is one that will love them unconditionally, encourage them in their faith, cry with them, and celebrate with them. I let them know that it is a church that will allow them to share their struggles and victories. A church that will always pour out grace and forgiveness on them. I am honest with them when I give them the disclaimer that the church I serve is a gathering of sinners who will mess all of that up because of sin in our lives. I have to tell them that our church is one that not only does all these things for others, but our church is one that needs grace and forgiveness from people. I inform them that they must partake of our church along with the sand and grit (sin) that is on us. It can be the best church you have ever experienced in your life.
God made church and church can't hurt.
Paul writes to the church in Corinth and says, "'Everything is permissible' -- but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible' -- but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others." (1 Cor. 10:23&24) The church in Corinth had questions of Paul about how to deal with these meats that were used in idol feasts. Paul deals with the real issue at hand which is the freedom of believers. The freedom to, "Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, 'The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.'" (1 Cor. 10:25&26) People should feel free to come to the body of Christ because...
God made church and church can't hurt.
There is responsibility that comes with freedoms and Paul addresses that also in chapter 10 of this same letter. My point is not freedom to sin, but my point is that the church is established by God, for God, and God's son died for it. It can't possibly hurt, but it does hurt many.
God made church and church can't hurt.
Too much dirt, sand, and grit on my brownie would hurt me. Sin will hurt me and others, but the church would do good to learn to love more and judge less. May people be able to partake in the body of Christ without so much dirt, sand, and grit (sin). Paul says in chapter 15 and verse 34 of his letter to the church in Corinth, "...stop sinning..."May we all embrace the fact that we are the hurt that comes from the church and not God. We should always look for the good of others more than our own good, because...
God made church and church shouldn't hurt.
God made church and church can't hurt.
It is sad to say that there are a great number of people that are hurt by the church. When people find that I am a pastor they like to share with me how bad the church was to them. Of course, I assure them that the church that I serve is not one that will hurt them. I let them know that the church that I serve is one that will love them unconditionally, encourage them in their faith, cry with them, and celebrate with them. I let them know that it is a church that will allow them to share their struggles and victories. A church that will always pour out grace and forgiveness on them. I am honest with them when I give them the disclaimer that the church I serve is a gathering of sinners who will mess all of that up because of sin in our lives. I have to tell them that our church is one that not only does all these things for others, but our church is one that needs grace and forgiveness from people. I inform them that they must partake of our church along with the sand and grit (sin) that is on us. It can be the best church you have ever experienced in your life.
God made church and church can't hurt.
Paul writes to the church in Corinth and says, "'Everything is permissible' -- but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible' -- but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others." (1 Cor. 10:23&24) The church in Corinth had questions of Paul about how to deal with these meats that were used in idol feasts. Paul deals with the real issue at hand which is the freedom of believers. The freedom to, "Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, 'The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.'" (1 Cor. 10:25&26) People should feel free to come to the body of Christ because...
God made church and church can't hurt.
There is responsibility that comes with freedoms and Paul addresses that also in chapter 10 of this same letter. My point is not freedom to sin, but my point is that the church is established by God, for God, and God's son died for it. It can't possibly hurt, but it does hurt many.
God made church and church can't hurt.
Too much dirt, sand, and grit on my brownie would hurt me. Sin will hurt me and others, but the church would do good to learn to love more and judge less. May people be able to partake in the body of Christ without so much dirt, sand, and grit (sin). Paul says in chapter 15 and verse 34 of his letter to the church in Corinth, "...stop sinning..."May we all embrace the fact that we are the hurt that comes from the church and not God. We should always look for the good of others more than our own good, because...
God made church and church shouldn't hurt.
Monday, February 13, 2012
STOP
My wife's cell phone started flaking out last week and she couldn't figure out the problem. The phone began to shut off and it would not answer calls the way it usually did.
Of course, she took the battery out and put it back in because that is what happens when you take your phone in for repair. The clerk always goes straight for the battery removal technique. That didn't work.
I noticed last night that she was looking on line for options to replace her existing phone so I asked her today if she found a phone she likes. She told me that she had left the battery out all weekend and put it back together on Monday and now the phone is working as usual.
Many of us have complicated our lives so much that we are stressed out, overworked, out of shape, have pour diets, and juggle to many obligations. We are sprinting to the end of our lives. What's the rush?
Why don't we all take the battery out for the weekend?
No projects.
No trips.
No parties.
No church activities (it is not a sin).
No eating out.
Just rest.
How healthy would we be if we just stopped every once in a while?
I am going to find time to take my battery out for a couple of days. Not sure when, but I'm due. I don't want to have to go to the shop for repair.
Of course, she took the battery out and put it back in because that is what happens when you take your phone in for repair. The clerk always goes straight for the battery removal technique. That didn't work.
I noticed last night that she was looking on line for options to replace her existing phone so I asked her today if she found a phone she likes. She told me that she had left the battery out all weekend and put it back together on Monday and now the phone is working as usual.
Many of us have complicated our lives so much that we are stressed out, overworked, out of shape, have pour diets, and juggle to many obligations. We are sprinting to the end of our lives. What's the rush?
Why don't we all take the battery out for the weekend?
No projects.
No trips.
No parties.
No church activities (it is not a sin).
No eating out.
Just rest.
How healthy would we be if we just stopped every once in a while?
I am going to find time to take my battery out for a couple of days. Not sure when, but I'm due. I don't want to have to go to the shop for repair.
Monday, October 10, 2011
What Really Matters?
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." 2 Peter 3:10-12 (NIV)
Peter is encouraging all of the scattered believers by reminding them that this world is not the priority. When the Lord returns everything will melt away and He will establish a new heaven and a new earth.
Yet, the world still takes priority over God's will. His Word and His church are not priority one. Relationships, careers, plans, and personal gain rule our lives.
It is so true that God is not priority that one simply can look at the decisions that have been made by believers in this economy. When times get hard financially the first thing to cut is giving first fruits to God. When we get busy the first thing to cut out is time in His Word and with His people.
What really matters when we are looking at how things are going to be when Christ returns?
God is what matters above all things. He is first and everything else is last.
Friday, September 23, 2011
The Club or the Church
I can honestly say that I love the body of Christ. I have made decisions in my life that are heavily swayed by my love for the church. I am concerned that those of us that love the church can be loving the club more.
The body of Christ is the church. The church is the bride of Christ. The church is filled with those that will inherit the Kingdom of God. The church is made up of regenerate hearts. The bride of Christ is beautiful because it is a collection of followers of Christ. It is beautiful because the bride of Christ has no one that is not a sold out follower of Christ. The church is disciples that make more disciples. Only those that love God above all other things are in the body.
One might say, AMEN. Others might say that we have some that are that way in our church, but most only fit a few of those descriptions. I will say that either you are regenerate or you are not. If you are not sold out for Christ then you are not a part of the church. Oh, there may be those that claim to be a member of a group of people that say they are on a roll of a church, but they are not necessarily a part of the bride of Christ.
A professor at a Christian college asked students in his class to raise their hands if they were Christians. All that were in the class raised their hands and he then asked for those that were disciples of Christ to raise their hands. There were few hands that went up timidly.
Some may consider being a Christian means that I am justified by Christ. Meaning that because I have called on Christ I have received my ticket to heaven. Some may think that to be a disciple means that if I am ever called to ministry then I am a disciple. All Christians, people that are Christ like, are called to ministry. The word Christian is only used twice in the Bible and it is used in a negative context. The people of God are called disciples in the Bible.
Who do we consider to be a part of the church body?
Is everyone in our church sold out for Christ?
Are the leaders in our churches disciples that make more disciples?
Is everything we do in the church done so to make disciples?
Because I love people I want everyone to be in the church and I wish for no one to leave the church. Nothing breaks my heart more than when someone finds the excuse to leave a body of believers and to simply do life their way. But am I loving the church to death?
I would argue that we are killing the church by being more concerned about keeping all of those in the body that are not regenerate. Leaders are killing the church by allowing the body to have a foundation on entertaining the lost in the pews. Leaders are loving the church to death.
Now I know with all my heart that the church wins. My hope is in Jesus Christ returning for His church. He is not returning for the lost in the pews or the non-regenerate people. If that is the case then why are we so consumed with holding on to the lost and being influenced by the non-regenerate that consider themselves a part of the body?
I believe leaders have actually created clubs all over the world that we call churches. I believe that we have a generation of pastors that want to bring the body back to making disciples. I believe that we need men leading the body in that direction at the cost of losing many members of the club. What is a man saying to Christ when he sacrifices discipling the flock for the sake of keeping the money or lost in the church?
God will be my judge and not man. I need to be willing to sacrifice my income, my family, my friends, and my self for the bride of Christ. That means that I must lead Mountain Creek Baptist away from the man made, worldly acts in the church and point them to scripture and making disciples. If I am loving the church to life then I will do so.
It is sad to say that this is not the popular thing to do when leading a church. Many club members will leave the church, but followers of Christ, members of the body of Christ, will rise up and make disciples for the Kingdom of God.
Paul told Timothy that everyone had forsaken him in Rome except for Luke. Jesus had all the apostles forsake Him when He was taken by the guards. Jesus even had God the Father forsake Him on the cross because of our sins that He took on Himself. What should you expect to happen if you imitate Jesus and Paul?
Pastors and leaders I want to encourage you to not be caught up in doing what is loved by the world to the extent that you sacrifice the bride that needs to carry out the great commission. Sacrifice the club for the bride. Trust God more. Jesus promises that He is with us.
The body of Christ is the church. The church is the bride of Christ. The church is filled with those that will inherit the Kingdom of God. The church is made up of regenerate hearts. The bride of Christ is beautiful because it is a collection of followers of Christ. It is beautiful because the bride of Christ has no one that is not a sold out follower of Christ. The church is disciples that make more disciples. Only those that love God above all other things are in the body.
One might say, AMEN. Others might say that we have some that are that way in our church, but most only fit a few of those descriptions. I will say that either you are regenerate or you are not. If you are not sold out for Christ then you are not a part of the church. Oh, there may be those that claim to be a member of a group of people that say they are on a roll of a church, but they are not necessarily a part of the bride of Christ.
A professor at a Christian college asked students in his class to raise their hands if they were Christians. All that were in the class raised their hands and he then asked for those that were disciples of Christ to raise their hands. There were few hands that went up timidly.
Some may consider being a Christian means that I am justified by Christ. Meaning that because I have called on Christ I have received my ticket to heaven. Some may think that to be a disciple means that if I am ever called to ministry then I am a disciple. All Christians, people that are Christ like, are called to ministry. The word Christian is only used twice in the Bible and it is used in a negative context. The people of God are called disciples in the Bible.
Who do we consider to be a part of the church body?
Is everyone in our church sold out for Christ?
Are the leaders in our churches disciples that make more disciples?
Is everything we do in the church done so to make disciples?
Because I love people I want everyone to be in the church and I wish for no one to leave the church. Nothing breaks my heart more than when someone finds the excuse to leave a body of believers and to simply do life their way. But am I loving the church to death?
I would argue that we are killing the church by being more concerned about keeping all of those in the body that are not regenerate. Leaders are killing the church by allowing the body to have a foundation on entertaining the lost in the pews. Leaders are loving the church to death.
Now I know with all my heart that the church wins. My hope is in Jesus Christ returning for His church. He is not returning for the lost in the pews or the non-regenerate people. If that is the case then why are we so consumed with holding on to the lost and being influenced by the non-regenerate that consider themselves a part of the body?
I believe leaders have actually created clubs all over the world that we call churches. I believe that we have a generation of pastors that want to bring the body back to making disciples. I believe that we need men leading the body in that direction at the cost of losing many members of the club. What is a man saying to Christ when he sacrifices discipling the flock for the sake of keeping the money or lost in the church?
God will be my judge and not man. I need to be willing to sacrifice my income, my family, my friends, and my self for the bride of Christ. That means that I must lead Mountain Creek Baptist away from the man made, worldly acts in the church and point them to scripture and making disciples. If I am loving the church to life then I will do so.
It is sad to say that this is not the popular thing to do when leading a church. Many club members will leave the church, but followers of Christ, members of the body of Christ, will rise up and make disciples for the Kingdom of God.
Paul told Timothy that everyone had forsaken him in Rome except for Luke. Jesus had all the apostles forsake Him when He was taken by the guards. Jesus even had God the Father forsake Him on the cross because of our sins that He took on Himself. What should you expect to happen if you imitate Jesus and Paul?
Pastors and leaders I want to encourage you to not be caught up in doing what is loved by the world to the extent that you sacrifice the bride that needs to carry out the great commission. Sacrifice the club for the bride. Trust God more. Jesus promises that He is with us.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
I Think I Am in Love
My wife and I have been married 21 years the 15th of September. We have been together since 7th grade. We did take a little 2 year break for freshman and sophomore years of high school. The amazing thing about it all is that we have been together most all of our lives. I am 40 years old and I will not disclose the age of my wife, but I am one month younger than her. We have not known each other for 11 years of our lives. This is amazing to me.
The reason these stats are so amazing to me is because I am more in love with my wife than I ever have been in the 28 years that I have known her. The things that we have been through are incredible and all of the experiences have drawn us closer together. The tough times have been hard and sometimes we even entertained not staying together. We even still get into arguments. I always win, because I always admit that it is my fault.
When I say that I am in love with my wife, I mean that I long to be with her and I miss her after a few hours. We can spend days and weeks apart and we got good practice while I was in the Army. We were married for a year before we ever lived together due to Desert Shield and Desert Storm. But it is astonishing how my love for her continues to grow. I want more time with my wife. I want to talk to her more. I want to experience more of life with her.
I think I am in love.
When I was eight years old I prayed and committed my life to Jesus Christ. I admitted to Him that I was a sinner and that I needed Him in order to have a relationship with God. One can say that I have known God longer than I have not known God. I have been in a relationship with God for 32 years and I am more in love with God than I have ever been in my life. It is amazing to me.
The things that I have experienced with God are incredible and the experiences have drawn me closer to Him. The tough times have been hard and I have even gotten away from Him and ignored Him for long periods of time. I even still sin today. I always win though because I always admit that I am a sinner and He forgives me.
When I say that I love God I mean that I long to see Him and I miss Him when I walk away from Him and do not hear His voice. I have spent days and months away from Him and it astonishes me how He never stops loving me. I want more time with Him. I want to talk to Him more. I want to experience more of life with Him.
I know I am in love.
I know He loves me.
John 3:16
The reason these stats are so amazing to me is because I am more in love with my wife than I ever have been in the 28 years that I have known her. The things that we have been through are incredible and all of the experiences have drawn us closer together. The tough times have been hard and sometimes we even entertained not staying together. We even still get into arguments. I always win, because I always admit that it is my fault.
When I say that I am in love with my wife, I mean that I long to be with her and I miss her after a few hours. We can spend days and weeks apart and we got good practice while I was in the Army. We were married for a year before we ever lived together due to Desert Shield and Desert Storm. But it is astonishing how my love for her continues to grow. I want more time with my wife. I want to talk to her more. I want to experience more of life with her.
I think I am in love.
When I was eight years old I prayed and committed my life to Jesus Christ. I admitted to Him that I was a sinner and that I needed Him in order to have a relationship with God. One can say that I have known God longer than I have not known God. I have been in a relationship with God for 32 years and I am more in love with God than I have ever been in my life. It is amazing to me.
The things that I have experienced with God are incredible and the experiences have drawn me closer to Him. The tough times have been hard and I have even gotten away from Him and ignored Him for long periods of time. I even still sin today. I always win though because I always admit that I am a sinner and He forgives me.
When I say that I love God I mean that I long to see Him and I miss Him when I walk away from Him and do not hear His voice. I have spent days and months away from Him and it astonishes me how He never stops loving me. I want more time with Him. I want to talk to Him more. I want to experience more of life with Him.
I know I am in love.
I know He loves me.
John 3:16
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)