SteveHuttoBlog

The Essence of Unity

2009-12-05T08:38:00.007-05:00

It's Saturday morning, I'm enjoying a good cup of coffee, we're expecting 2 or 3 snow flurries today, and I'm preparing for my message tomorrow at The Sanctuary. I love it! Tomorrow I will be sharing on "The Essence of Unity".

Unity is incredibly powerful. God uses unity among followers of Christ to perform His will in the earth. Unity does not take place when everyone agrees on everything. Unity is produced when everyone focuses on ONE thing. A good example of unity from the Old Testament is the incident of the tower of Babel. This was a unique occurrence. At this point in history all the people on the earth spoke the same language. This helped! The people of Babel decided they wanted to build a tower that reached into the heavens in order to make a name for themselves. There were many people who more than likely disagreed on many things. But they ALL agreed on ONE thing...to make a name for themselves by building a tower out of bricks that reached into the heavens. Listen to what God says about the situation in Gen 11:6, "The Lord said, 'Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them." Even though it was not God's will for these people to accomplish this project He recognized the power of unity among them. Again they ALL were focused on ONE thing. God had to confuse their language (Babel) in order to stop the project. The reason God disapproved of the project was because it was preventing the people from spreading out and populating the earth, which was His plan. The tower of Babel incident, as negative as it was, turned out to be a positive thing because it produced the many different nations of the world. But this incident is a very good example of how powerful unity is among a group of people.

Unity among Christ-followers is not when everyone agrees on everything. That is uniformity. In other words when everyone has to dress alike, act alike, speak alike, look alike this is uniformity, NOT unity. In an effort to produce unity, many denominations have created uniformity. On the other hand unity is when EVERYONE focuses on ONE THING. In this case of Christ-followers it is CHRIST!

Unity is produced among believers when we focus primarily on Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the only way, life, and truth. The Bible says we are all baptized into one body (church universal) by One Spirit. What is the opposite of unity? Disunity. Disunity occurs when believers focus on personal preferences and personal agendas over Christ. The truth is we're all different. We all have different preferences and agendas. But they all must take a much lower priority than that of Jesus in our lives and in our churches. We find many things we disagree on. But if we can all make Jesus the extreme priority over EVERYTHING in our lives, we all are focusing on the ONE thing that really matters! That's where the power of unity kicks in.

In the New Testament a group of Christ-followers were meeting for several days for the purpose of prayer. In prayer it is impossible not to focus on the One who really matters and makes the difference. The Book says they were all in "one mind" meaning their focus was on Christ..not even their own needs. The result was that the Holy Spirit was poured out and the church was instituted. That's the same church you and I are a part of. Again, that's the power of unity. Let me encourage you to focus on the ONE thing that really matters...your relationship with Jesus. Seek Him for His heart. He will begin to reveal the personal things you've prioritized over Christ. When you find His heart, you are connected in a more relevant way to anyone else on the planet that also has found His heart!

And finally Jesus said, If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven." Unity is very powerful between as few as only two people. But I really think Jesus was using only two as a powerful example to illustrate the multiplied power of the church in unity. What do you think?

The Power of a Grateful Heart

2009-11-28T11:33:00.003-05:00

Well since it's the Thanksgiving holiday I thought I'd pen a few words about...well...Thanksgiving. I like to call it a grateful heart or simply...gratefulness. Isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about? It didn't start as a national holiday back when the first settlers started the concept. Actually after that first brutal winter and growing season, it was a celebration of life and harvest. The first settlers (the ones who were still breathing) gathered to commemorate God's protection and sustenance. The gratefulness was genuine. I mean think about it. Many of your family and friends died throughout that first year. Through the difficulty, death, and destitution...a group had survived and now wanted to give God all the thanks. Making it through hard times and difficulty produces a truly grateful heart.

Understand that a grateful heart is very powerful. It is a force that motivates a person to endure the most difficult of circumstances. A grateful heart can recall God's past faithfulness and envision His future faithfulness. The result is a steadfastness in the present that has a supernatural origin. No one looks forward to tough times. But it's the tough times that toughen us up! Connie and I understand tough times and I'm sure you do too. Tough times come in different shapes and sizes for different people but the result (should we choose it) is the same...a grateful heart. I'll admit, tough times can also produce numerous opportunities to complain and maybe even murmur (I'm sure you don't though.) But a truly grateful heart acknowledges that God is fully in control. We don't always understand the circumstances...but we can understand God does and has all the answers. This simply means that we can thank Him in the hard times as well as the easy times.

A grateful heart makes one sensitive to the needs of others. I don't mean this to sound bad, but there is always someone whose situation is worse than ours! What a great time to thank God for His faithfulness to us, and offer ourselves to Him to be an instrument to help others. A grateful heart. It's very powerful. A grateful heart endures circumstances because its eyes are not on the circumstances but on God.

Finally, I'm reminded of how Judah was completely surround by its enemies in II Chronicles Chapter 20. Jehoshaphat was a godly king and gathered the whole nation for prayer. If God doesn't intervene...the whole nation will be wiped out. In this prayer meeting Jehoshaphat leads the prayer and begins to thank God for all He has done and all He has promised for Israel. Then He says, "We are powerless against this great multitude, nor do we know what to do. Nevertheless...our eyes are on You." God moved in behalf of the nation of Judah and routed its enemies. It took three days for Judah's people to collect all the spoils of the battle. A grateful heart is powerful. I encourage you in these hard times...remember His faithfulness, thank Him for His future faithfulness, and thank Him for all you have today. It really will make a difference. It's the power of a grateful heart. It's powerful!

Entrances & Exits or is it Exits & Entrances

2009-11-21T07:14:00.003-05:00

I once heard the late Dr. Edwin Louis Cole say that life is a collection of entrances and exits. That really impacted me. He went on to say that life was like a collection of doors. When you go through a door you leave one room and enter another. Or you simply exit one realm and enter another. I think that's very interesting. Ecclesiastes 3: 1 says there is an appointed time for everything. Some versions use the word "season". There is an appointed season for everything under the sun. There are entrances and exists at God's appointed time.

Our lives consist of successive entrances and exits. In order for you to get to work you must exit your home, enter your car, exit your car, and enter your workplace! Wow! Pretty deep huh? In order for you to exit your bedroom, you just may have to enter a hall or some other room in your home! Again, life is a succession of entrances and exits. Why is life like that? It is because we live and operate (for now) in a realm that is governed by time and seasons. The sun rises and the sun sets (while the earth rotates). Seasons come and seasons go (because the earth revolves around the sun). It is the very nature of changing seasons that keeps us moving forward toward our destiny. Here's a simple example. In order for your destiny to be fulfilled you must get from point A to point Z. You'll never get there unless you get to point B first. You'll never completely get to point Z by settling in at point M. With God in control, you must go through every point between A and Z until you arrive at Point Z. Each point is a season in your life. The transition from point to point is simply a series of entrances and exits. But each point and each door is necessary! Each season of change in your life prepares you for an eternity with God in a realm that is no longer governed by time!

If you are leaving a season of your life and you don't know why, it is because it is necessary. If you were comfortable in your current season and everything changed, it is because it was necessary. It is because you are moving forward toward completion of your destiny! God never intended for things to stay the same way every day of your life. I am convinced that many Christ-followers endanger the fulfillment of their awesome destiny because they cannot recognize seasons of change. They don't see the door of opportunity that takes them out of one realm, and launches them into the next God-ordained realm! Don't change just because you think you have to. Simply look for the doors God will place before you. True change never takes place unless you go through the door. Let God open the door for you, but you must see it and go through it. He won't push you though. And remember, there is a season for everything! (See Ecclesiastes Chapter 3).

Majoring On The Minors

2009-11-11T10:05:00.003-05:00

Perspective. What does it mean? The dictionary says perspective is: A mental view or prospect; it is the faculty of seeing all the relevant data in a meaningful relationship. Perspective is what you see, the way you see it, and how you respond to it. A key word in the definition above is "relevant". Proper perspective is the faculty of being able to identify what is really relevant to the relationship or circumstances. Perspective comes in two forms: proper and improper. A proper perspective sees the truly relevant data and keys on it. Decisions made from a proper perspective essentially are based on truth. Truth meaning - the way things really are or the way things really happen or simply, the true facts. Proper perspective allows one to major on the majors and minor on the minors. Less time and energy are expended responding to data that is not true. On the other hand an improper perspective is just the opposite. An improper perspective lacks the vision to see the truly relevant data. Decisions made from an improper perspective are based on falsehood and improper data. The data gained is gained from a lack of ability to see the "relevant". An improper perspective causes one to major on the minors and overlook on what is really major. Time, energy, and resources are used up in areas that make no impact or are even destructive.

Too often (much too often) as Christ-followers we operate from an improper perspective. What we see and the way we respond is based on false data because it is simply not relevant to God's will, plan, and purpose. For instance, God says that the relationship between husband and wife should be a reflection of the relationship between Christ and His church. Is that how you marriage is? Jesus said the world will know we are Christians by the love we have for each another. Do you know some Christians that are determined to fight against one another to the death? I can guarantee that the reasons for the fight are totally "irrelevant" to the relationship God wants us to have with one another. Too many times we major on what is really not important. And we vow to fight to the death over things that really have no value to Jesus! What does the world think about this? How do non-believers respond to this? I'm just asking.

What is the answer? The answer is Jesus. At the time of this posting I am teaching a series entitled "The Jesus Man". It is about how Jesus was God and Jesus was man when He came to the earth. The text of the series is based on Philippians Chapter 2, verses 5 - 11. This passage describes the attitude (mental view or perspective) of Jesus. The attitude reveals the heart. The key to our salvation is the fact that Jesus, as God the Son laid aside all His privileges and became one of us. In other words, Jesus saw the relevance of humility and laying aside what was truly important to Him in order to be The Way for you and me. Paul said in Philippians Chapter 2, "Have the same attitude that was in Christ in yourselves." There it is. That's the key. We must all learn that nothing can be so important to us that we hold on to it - even while Christ's church is becoming separated. We must remember, everything we are willing to lay down (as important as it seems to us) will result in unity in God's church. That's the perspective that was in Christ. Are you majoring on something that is truly a minor? Is what you are holding on to going to make a difference say in 20 years? Is your "major" so major that it tears down, divides, and separates? If we could see it all through the proper perspective, which is Christ's attitude, we would see what is really major. Then we would stop majoring on the minors. Think about it. Pray about it.

The Power of Unity

2009-11-05T06:38:00.003-05:00

The Bible teaches that the most powerful human force is unity. Generally stated unity is agreement between 2 or more folks on a common vision or goal. In Genesis chapter 11 we find the account of the tower of Babel. In this situation a large group of people agreed to build a tower to reach to heaven. The purpose was to "make a name for ourselves". God looked down from heaven and saw what was going on. He came down and confused their language so that they could not effectively communicate. As a result of the confusion the plan to build the tower was aborted. God's reason for confusing their language was to cause the people to scatter out and populate the earth. His goal for man at that time was to "be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth". The tower of Babel is a very good example of how unity among people can be a very powerful force.

In Psalm 133: 1, the psalmist David writes, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!" Unity is a very powerful force. And when you add to it the present of God...nothing is impossible! The kind of unity David speaks of is the unity between brothers. In a New Testament sense it is the unity between followers of Jesus Christ. David also writes in Psalm 133 that in unity God commands His blessing!

God is the one who gives vision. I'm talking about the ability to dream, plan and execute God's purposes for His church in the earth. But in order for any vision from God to be executed by His church there must be unity. Unity does not mean looking, thinking, dressing, or acting the same. Unity is the force that brings together the diversity which makes up the His church in the earth. Unity harnesses diversity. Diversity represents all the different gifts of each member of the church. Unity brings it all together to effectively work toward a common goal set by God.

The greatest enemy of unity is division (disunity). Jesus said in Mark 3: 25, "A house divided cannot stand." That's a very powerful statement that Christ-followers seem to ignore. A house divided will not stand. A church divided won't make it. A marriage divided will not stand. A business relationship divided...won't stand. Paul tells us that we should not be unaware of the schemes of the enemy. The enemy's greatest scheme is the deception of disunity. If he can get people to disagree on the principles of God, it is the same as getting them to ignore the principles of God. And if he can get God's people to disagree on God's vision, it's the same as getting them to be blinded to His vision.

My heart stays pierced these days at the disunity in the church of Jesus. My prayer is that we wake up to the truth of what is really happening. If we could see the effects of disunity through God's eyes, as well as through the eyes of the unbeliever, I'm sure we would be more diligent to preserve the unity of the Holy Spirit among us. Every second, believers remain divided is a second lost to express God's heart in the world.

I would like to invite you to join me in recommitting to unity among believers. It is not easy to promote unity. A consistent prayer life is not easy...but we all know that it is necessary, and God blesses it! In the same way unity is not easy to maintain but God blesses it! (Psa. 133) The result of disunity is loss. However the result of unity is gain. Help me stop the loss and to enable the gain!

Are You A Producer?

2009-10-31T16:24:00.002-04:00

Are you a producer? No, I'm not talking about a movie, TV, or music producer...even though they are producers: movies, TV shows, and music. But I mean are you producing? Producing what? That depends on what you do or perhaps what you are called to do. Many folks spend years doing things they don't really like doing for the sake of making a living. And yes, making a living is a good thing, especially these days. (Don't quit your day job yet.) But I think we all struggle at different times in our lives just living a status quo, "just getting by" kind of a life-style. Sometimes we spend too much time spinning our wheels. Question: Are you truly fulfilled in what you do? If not, chances are you could probably be a better producer if you did something else. (Something you loved to do.)

I was out walking earlier this week and I feel God really, really impressed something on my heart. I'm no young whipper snapper any more (not over the hill either), and with each passing day I see more clearly the need to seriously make an impact through this precious life (only one) we are given here on the planet. What God impressed upon my heart was the realistic number of years I have left on this earth to be productive for Him. All the days, months, and years that have passed brought great opportunities, but every single one of those opportunities (taken advantage of or not) are gone for good along with the days, months, and years. That may sound some what depressing, but it is true. However, there is good news too. The years ahead that God gives me can be the most productive of my life! Looking ahead to all the marvelous opportunities He will offer, along with the experiences of the past, and with God's leading...the future is pretty bright! Now to me...that is good news.

Perhaps you are spinning your wheels. Perhaps it seems as if you're just not really producing...at least to your fullest potential. God may be presenting you an opportunity to evaluate your life. This is an opportunity you may not want to miss. Many times we overlook these opportunities because we're so ingrained in our routines (even when we hate them) or we've worked so long in a certain career field that money and getting by take precedence over being productive for Him. How many years do you have left? Truthfully that is a question none of us can answer because He is in total control of that. We simply trust Him for the next breath, and then the next, and then the next..... When I was a teenager I was convinced I was invincible. All the things I knew I needed to do could be postponed...at least for now. Why? Because I had the rest of my life. When I was a young man, just starting a career I felt I had forever to be a producer. I even thought that the years I "skated" I could eventually make up because I had so much time. Now that I am in my upper, middle age years (tell me there is such a thing), I look at life much differently. And of course, as a follower of Christ, my heart is to diligently serve Him. I truly, truly (verily in King Jimmy) want my life to be productive...and only for Him.

Finally, the Book says that if we're serious, He will redeem the time. I believe that includes the seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, and years that we have left. Let me encourage you, no matter what your age, ask God to make each day productive for you. But be warned, He will probably require you to change in some area, and in some way. Ask Him to give you extreme opportunities to make Him known by serving others. Ask Him to show you the things that are important, not simply urgent...and then do them. Look at today as another gift packed full of opportunities to be a producer...for Him!

Win a Free Sacred Roads DVD Kit!

2009-10-24T11:42:00.002-04:00

Hey-- want a chance to win a free leader kit of Sacred Roads: Exploring the Historic Paths of Discipleship, my new small group study published by Threads? The leader kit includes a member book, a DVD with video clips to jump start discussion in your small group, and a CD-Rom with leader helps, music, audio files, and more.

Winning is easy. All you need to do is post an entry on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter telling your readers about this Threads giveaway and linking them back to this post. Then, come back to this page and post a comment linking to your social network post. We will randomly choose one winner from those who posted to receive the leader kit.

Let the games begin!

There 4 You

2009-10-23T07:48:00.003-04:00

My last post dealt with our own faithfulness. Faithfulness is a virtue desperately needed in our world today. Even in the church, there is a deficiency of this particular virtue. Faithfulness is a key ingredient to success in just about any realm.

The dictionary defines the word "faithful" as: ( a.) Strict or thorough in the performance of a duty. (b.) True to one's word. (c.) Steady in allegiance or affection. (d.) Loyal, constant, reliable, trusted, or believed. Faithful. Sounds to me like faithfulness is a very good thing to exude. What do you say?

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to deduce that the genuine source of faithfulness is God Himself. I mean He is the epitome of faithfulness. The first definition of faithfulness listed says "strict or thorough in the performance of a duty. I'd say that nails God! He's God, right? I'm convinced that God is very strict and loyal as God. He's not God today and simply a legend tomorrow. He's always God and He's quite good at it! That's because He's faithful. The second definition was "true to one's word". Bingo! God again. What God says He will do...He will do. What God has said He would do...He's done! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever according to what He said. He's held true to that. The third definition says "steady in allegiance or affection". If there's one human word (among a gazillion others) that describes God it is steady. Isaiah says God loves with an everlasting love. That's pretty steady and affectionate. The Bible says God is "love". How can you get more affectionate than that? Other definitions listed are "loyal, constant, reliable, trusted, or believed. All all of these accurately describe God's infinite faithfulness.

If God were not trustworthy, He could not be trusted. Yes, quite a simple statement but with profound implications. In other words, if trust did not have as its aim One who is trustworthy, it would not be possible. In the same way faith can only be substantiated by the One who is faithful. If God were not faithful, it would be futile to walk by faith. I am always saying (because I am passionate about it) that if you want to experience God's faithfulness...you must take steps of faith. Your faith gives God the opportunity to express His faithfulness. As a matter of fact, the Book says we must walk (live) by faith...not by the way things appear. But this is only possible because He is truly faithful. Many Christ-followers are not experiencing God's faithfulness to the incredible level they were created to. Why? Because they're not walking by faith. Many think walking by faith requires them to muster up some invisible force from within that causes them to believe and trust in God. And when that doesn't happen they think they are just one of those who don't have faith. God has given us all we need to trust Him. His Word.

My encouragement to you today is, if you need to trust Him more (experience His faithfulness), then trust Him to do what He's already said He will do...for you. Become a student of His Word, not just for knowledge, but for faith. The book says "Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the Word of God." Live your life according to what His Word says. I promise you...you'll experience His faithfulness. He is there for you!

Thank God For The Faithful!

2009-10-20T17:05:00.002-04:00

Are you faithful? That's a vague question I know. Faithful to whom? Faithful to what? Faithful when, etc? But it is a question we must ask ourselves quite often. We get a better understanding of the application of the word "faithful" when we look at what the dictionary says. Faithful: ( a.) Strict or thorough in the performance of a duty. (b.) True to one's word. (c.) Steady in allegiance or affection. (d.) Loyal, constant, reliable, trusted, or believed. Faithful.

Faithfulness is key to success in any realm. Faithfulness says, "Not only will I commit, but I will stay committed!" Faithfulness says, "God is faithful, so I can be faithful." Some folks believe faithfulness is conditional. Man, I'm glad God doesn't think that. He's been so faithful to me and I don't really deserve His faithfulness. If God's faithfulness were conditional, even walking by faith would be futile, because some days He just wouldn't be there. But the truth is...He is faithful (as the old Randy Stonehill song said), "Even when I'm not."

Let's break down a few of those definitions above for faithfulness. Are you true to your word? Can people trust your word? Are you steady in your allegiance to God, your spouse, your family, your leader(s), your church, or employer? I'm just asking. Are you constant and reliable? Can you be trusted and believed? If you answered "yes" to these questions you are more than likely faithful and you are a blessing to others! The truth is faithfulness is not hereditary, you must learn it and apply it. It must be cultivated and developed. "How can I develop and cultivate faithfulness?" you ask. Start with God as your example. Also look for humans that have developed faithfulness in their walk with Him. There's no doubt you will find faithfulness as a fruit of their life too. While there is a shortage of faithfulness among Christ-followers these days, there still are those who understand and walk in faithfulness. How do you notice them? Actually they stick out like a sore thumb!

Remember, faithfulness always has as its target others. Faithfulness is God's heart for people applied through people. Faithfulness is a major vehicle for God's love to be distributed to others. Faithfulness will cause nonbelievers to trust your character and eventually God Himself!

Need Some Encouragement?

2009-10-14T16:06:00.003-04:00

Last I was invited to dinner at the home of some new and very incredible friends. Since Connie was out of town, I felt I was being cared for, and believe me the homemade chicken pot pie and the homemade blackberry pie (picked by one of my hosts) confirmed what I felt! I love hanging out with people like George and Mary Kay. We sat and talked Jesus for hours. I really have to be careful when I am given the opportunity to talk about Jesus, his calling on my life, and what I feel He is up to at the moment! But so do my new friends too. So when we get together for a great home-cooked meal, the best part is the godly conversation. How encouraging is that! Isn't that what encouragement is? The Book says, "But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called 'Today,' so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." The greatest form of encouragement comes through the medium of fellowship; just hanging out together. That's why the book of Hebrews also says we should not neglect to get together. God inspired the writer to stress the importance of encouragement through hanging out together. Godly conversations result in believers being protected from deception. We also call it encouragement.

If there is a lost art in the church today, it is the lost art of hospitality. Most people I know have nice, comfortable homes. But very few see their home as a tool to encourage other believers and non-believers alike. Perhaps we are too busy or we just don't see the connection between hospitality (using our homes) and encouragement. But man, let me say that it is extremely wonderful to meet people like George and Mary Kay who through their home, great cooking, and love for Jesus understand the power of encouraging folks. I'm encouraged!!

Are You Perfect?

2009-10-09T16:01:00.002-04:00

Are you perfect? Well there's a good question to start a post with! Well, are you? Just in case you struggle to answer the question - the answer is NO, your are not perfect. But don't be too distraught because, well...er...neither am I! And neither is everyone else you think you need to be perfect around. Being a follower of Christ does not mean we are perfect or have to be perfect. Most of us really, really know (deep down) that we are not perfect. We'd love to be, but we're just not. And God never requires a state of flawlessness (human perfection) to be in right standing with Him. What He requires is a broken and humble heart. A heart that says "I need Jesus to even function for Him in the least."

The drive for flawlessness is initiated and fueled by guilt. We know we fall short (on our own), so we feel like "doing better" will get us into God's graces. We feel that if we can "master" the struggle, God will approve of us. So we try harder to be perfect. And when we don't achieve perfection we feel guilt. But let me tell you something. You are approved! God's approval of you began to be manifested in the Garden of Eden. The thread of His approval winds perpetually throughout the events of the Old Testament and the New. God's final seal of approval of you was manifested the day Jesus was born over 2000 years ago. When Jesus gave up all on the cross and was raised from the dead 3 days later it was done! Approved! Approved! Approved! It's like that car place commercial that approves every application: "Approved (stamp), Approved (stamp), Approved (stamp)!

Let's see if you're like me. (I'm not a gamlin' or a ramblin' man but I bet you are like me.) Have you ever goofed up? Then you're like me. Have you ever sinned? Then you're like me. Have you ever stumbled? Ditto. Have you ever struggled with something over and over again? Ditto again. So there you have it, we are alike. We are not perfect! This is what I've learned and it's the key to being a VICTOR instead of a victim. (I John 1: 9), "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This scripture establishes two very import principles that affect you and me. Principle #1: God is able to forgive. He has the ability to deal with your sins...forever. When god deals with them, they're history. He has dealt with them. Principle #2: God is faithful. He is always faithful to do what He says He will do when we believe in and do what He says! In other words if He says He will forgive you when you truly confess your sins...He can and will forgive you. You will always have to deal with guilt when sin is allowed in. But the guilt doesn't come from God. And by faith you overcome the guilt by believing God just did what He said He would do...forgive you! When you stumble, ask God to forgive you. Be honest with Him. Admit your struggle. God truly wants you to get back up and resume your walk with Him. Guilt says, "You blew it...forever!" But God says, "Here's my outstretched hand. Get up and walk with me. You can do it!" Every time you confess and forsake your sins, whether or not you feel like it, you walk in victory. You are a victor!

What Are You Looking For?

2009-10-02T08:40:00.003-04:00

The past few days have been incredible to me because of the sunshine and cooler temps. In north GA we've had our share of rain this summer. The rain finally came after several years of drought. The summer heat hasn't been tormenting this year as it can be in the South. This is due mostly to the amount of rain we received. But...summer is summer in the South if you know what I mean. Even when the temps are not oppressing you, the humidity is! So when fall temps begin arriving it's really a good thing for me! This week has been extremely pleasant with highs in the 70's and lows in the low 50's (one day in the mid 40's).

In North GA we have all 4 seasons. However, the emphasis is on Fall and Spring. These are the 2 times of the year you experience the quickest and most distinct change in our climate. For those of you in my area, think about it. Just a few days ago we were experiencing steady 90's and a very high percentage of humidity. Not only do the temps begin to change but the atmosphere also drastically changes here during the fall. Let me explain. As one who notices stuff (I can't help myself, I just do), I noticed years ago that everything began to "look" like fall (to me) even by the middle of August. I would say, "I know this sounds crazy but I feel Fall in the air." I would say this by the 15th of August as we lived in Florida! I got a few of those "looks" from folks. I learned in later years that as the earth begins its tilt away from the sun on about the 22nd of June I would begin to notice the change in its angle by mid August. Have you noticed that in the Fall the shadows take on new angles, the sky seems to be more blue (when its not raining), and the air is more crisp? That's because less and less of the sun's direct rays are heating up the atmosphere. (Sounds like I know my stuff huh? Actually that's about all I know.)

Why this meteorological lesson? My point in all this is that when certain signs begin to appear each year, I begin looking forward to some very comfortable weather. I begin to get excited! I don't have to wait for the weather person to say "It will be 45 degrees in the morning" to get excited about cooler temps. I see the signs and know it's already happening! The same is true in God's kingdom. Look around. What do you see? Do you see any signs of His return? It depends on what you are looking for. Some people look around and mope over how bad things are (and they are). But others are getting more and more excited every day because they are discerning the signs of our current time. Jesus told us 2000 years back to discern the signs of the times. I truly believe the most exciting and most powerful time to exist (on this planet) is right now...just before His return! Jesus said, "Learn from the fig tree. When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; even so you too, when you see all these things, recognize the He is near, right at the door". So...what you do see, and what are you feeling? I guess the more accurate question would be...what are you looking for?

Infused With Humility

2009-09-26T10:14:00.003-04:00

Back in my early days as a worship leader (before history was actually recorded), I had an experience that really impacted the rest of my life. First of all, I come from a family of musicians, and have raised and launched a family of musicians, 3 of whom are worship leaders. God has been good to me! I guess you could say that music is in my blood. I had been involved in music long before God called me to serve Him.

So as a young worship leader I had a good amount of self-confidence, even though I was completely inexperienced. Notice I said "self" confidence. There's something about musicians, especially if you have to lead a bunch of them. I heard someone once say that musicians are "squirrelly". It really made sense to me because I am a musician. What he meant was that many musicians don't like to be told how to play, how loud or soft to play, or how fast or slow to play, etc, when performing or rehearsing with others. The reason is because most really proficient musicians got that way by giving up thousands of hours of personal practice. To be an accomplished musician requires much personal time and energy. Many accomplished musicians become that way mostly by themselves. Of course, there must be teachers and/or mentors involved. But even at that musicians don't receive from just anyone. They receive mostly from whomever they choose. So let's just say that a musician's ability to play represents much of who he/she is.

Back to that life-changing experience. I was a new worship leader. To me I was the hottest thing in a suit at the time. I was on the grand piano. We came out smoking the music. The first song was tight! Man, was I good! It came time for the second song and I ripped (with "self" confidence) into the 3rd song in the set list. You heard right...the 3rd song. At the same time, all other musicians and singers ripped boldly into the 2nd song in the set list. I was determined. I was the leader. I had much "self" confidence. I just knew the rest of the team would recognize that I started on the wrong some and would join with me. Nope! They barreled right on into the 2nd song. Listen, the whole group (but me) was singing one song...and doing it well. I (only) was singing another song...and doing it well. Finally I realized I had to stop this train because it was destined to de-rail very soon. I just stood up from the grand piano held up my hands until everyone stopped. I said to the congregation. "Whups! I think we'd better start this thing again." After getting me on the right page, we restarted the 2nd song on the list and all went well. What an experience! I was so embarrassed. I wanted to crawl up under the lid of the grand piano (which was up) and close it! I had this really vain thought as we cruised through the 2nd song (the right way this time), "I wonder if people could really tell I messed up?" Remember I said it was a vain thought. The truth is, I just committed about the worst mistake a worship leader could make! I led in the wrong direction.

I'll have to say that one particular experience changed my life. It humbled me. Even today as a senior pastor, I remember that event. First, we'll never do things perfectly. And when we think we must, God will use similar events to humble us. Humility is a good thing even though we sometimes must learn it through our failures. Humility says "I can't do anything without Him." And it also says, "I don't have to be perfect, because I can't be perfect. I need Him to infuse my humanity to bring glory to Himself." Humility definitely effects others, but it depends solely on our attitude with God. Philippians 2: 5 - 7 says, "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. The key here in humility is the emptying of "self". We learn humility because Jesus lives in us. But humility doesn't happen just because He's in us. Humility comes from the "emptying of self". God will use circumstances and events to help us empty ourselves. Humility is a powerful force that changes lives and situations. If you have a life-changing, humility-infusing situation I'd love to hear about it.

We're Getting What We Asked For!

2009-09-21T18:36:00.003-04:00

As I write this post I can hear the roar of thunder and the sound of rain falling rather heavily. As a matter of fact, it has been raining rather heavily for about the last 6 days, and this historical rain making system is supposed to loosen its grip and finally begin moving out of the area tomorrow. The last time I saw this much rain, this consistently was in a hurricane. However, from what I am hearing on the local news tonight, this thing is a big-time history maker in the southeast. People will be talking about the great rains of 2009 for many years to come.

Today, in contrast to the rain, I was thinking about how incredibly dry it was in this area for about 3 and a half years. I can remember several summers in a row in which rain was almost nonexistent. I can remember getting together consistently with other believers and praying for rain. We would stand in agreement that God would break the power of the terrible drought over our region. Not only has our group prayed for rain, but groups all over the southeast have persistently and fervently prayed for rain over the past few years. I firmly believe what we are experiencing now is the result of fervent, concentrated prayer launched into the heavens over a period of time. Prayer is like that you know. When we pray for something specific, we don't always see instant results. But when we pray for something really significant it could take some time (God's time) to see the results. And if we persist in our prayers, what we pray for will eventually happen - if we don't give up! I know all this natural rain we've been getting can be too much of a good thing in too short of a time. But I know it is the result of God's people praying through a desperate situation.

As we experience the deluge of rain today, I feel the urge to tell you to stay persistent in your prayers for God's outpouring on His church. Truthfully, sometimes it seems as nothing is happening. I know you agree. However, if we remain faithful to bombard the heavens with prayer for the Holy Spirit's outpouring...it will come! He will come. Just as this history-making, rain-making system has overwhelmed us, He will overwhelm us. If you and I remain faithful to pray for the reviving of His church, she will be revived. We will be overwhelmed by the rain of the Holy Spirit. And we cannot get enough of the Holy Spirit's rain!

So...as you experience this mighty outpouring of natural rain today, be encouraged to pray even more. And in your spirit begin now to listen for the outpouring of His holy rain. It will come. Hang in there!

How Will You Tackle Today?

2009-09-15T07:01:00.003-04:00

Wow! Another morning...another day filled with opportunities. Some people wake up each morning and say "Good morning Lord!" But others wake up and say "Good lord, It's morning!" Which one are you? How do you look at a brand new day? Today is filled with opportunities, many of which won't pass your way again. Will you look at today as another God-given adventure, or perhaps more time to kill until the weekend?

If you are like me (and I know you are because you are human), you tend to magnify the negative things until you don't see any positive. But the truth is, the positive things in your life are much more numerous than the negative. Sometimes we allow one truly negative occurrence to ruin our day or our week, or for some, their entire outlook on life.

So how will you look at today? That will determine how you live today. Will you head out to work dreading the grind of the job, focusing on all the negative aspects (and there are some)? Or will you focus on the positive things of your life? When is the last time you thanked God for your job? I'm just saying. When is the last time you thanked God for your coworkers? When is the last time you thanked God for your family, health, and home? When is the last time you thanked God for your church family?

Here's a suggestion for you. Deliberately have a grateful heart today and see if your day is any different. Just try it. When your are tempted to focus on negative stuff, arrest those thoughts and be grateful for the good things. Sometimes life can be hard and people can be harsh and cruel. However, there are so many wonderful gifts directly from God that I thank Him for...all the time. Here are just a few: My salvation, His Spirit, my bride, children, grandchildren, friends, and church family. Man! Yea, I said it! Those things are enough to dwell on! Try it. I challenge you to take on today as a day filled with incredible opportunities! You won't regret it.

Working On It

2009-09-11T08:01:00.005-04:00

This morning I arose before the sun (guess he was eating his Jimmy Dean sausage biscuits). I do that quite often. It doesn't matter what time I go to bed. I usually wake up around the same time...before the sun comes up. I stuck my head between the ear buds of my Ipod (and worship music) and had some real communion. Man, it was good! To some people it sounds silly to just hang out with God. What did I ask God? Nothing. What did I ask Him for? Nothing. Who did I pray for? Love me now...no one. I just hung with God. How unreligious is that?

It's like my own marriage. I've been in a marital relationship with Connie almost 36 years. The most incredible blessing of our relationship is not what I can get out of it (even though the rewards are infinite). But it's the fact that I just love being with Connie and she with me. We just love to hang out. I cannot stand to be away from her. She is not my "Old lady", she's my bride of almost 36 years. And you know what, it just gets better and better! But isn't that the way it should be with God? Shouldn't we be in relationship with Him through Jesus? Shouldn't our relationship be steadily growing? Shouldn't it be getting better and better? The answer is yes.

Your relationship with Jesus, like marriage, takes effort on your part. In marriage relationships a major cause of divorce is lack of communication. Couples really don't know each other. I've heard couples say "We just grew further and further apart". The truth is you should be growing closer and closer together. That takes effort and work from both parties. The only difference with God is that He's always there. He already knows you to the bone. He cannot love you any more than He does right now! Your part and my part is to work at the relationship. Think about this. You don't study the Bible simply because you are a believer. You study the Word also because it is the "Word of God". It contains His thoughts, His ways, and His will for every life situation! You don't pray just because you are a follower of Christ. You pray because He shares His heart with those who pray. You don't just commune with Him in praise and worship because you are a Christian. But you commune (hang out) with Him because He is the most incredible being in the universe period! (By the way He created the universe.)

I want to encourage you to set time apart to be with God. He says He will never leave or forsake you. So He's doing His part. I agree, it is so hard in today's culture to find extra time. So then, make it top priority. When it is truly a priority, you will see the significance in hanging out with Him. I will change your life! What about it?

I wonder...

2009-09-09T21:14:00.004-04:00

I wonder how many relationships shipwreck because of a misunderstanding. I wonder how many relationships could have been salvaged by simple communication; by talking and praying it out. I wonder how many destinies are never fulfilled because people determine not to walk together. I wonder how many people never become whole because they won't face the necessary steps that lead to God's wholeness. I wonder how many marriages end in divorce because "It's my way or the highway". I wonder how many churches never reach their full potential because they're filled with folks who arrive with baggage; and instead of checking it are determined to add to their collection. I wonder if a fresh start is really just another opportunity to run from the challenges faced. I truly wonder how many people could have been spared a crushed, broken heart if only church leaders would lay aside personal agenda for God's.

I wonder when followers of Christ will follow Christ. He said "Deny yourself, take up your cross, and then follow me." I wonder when Christians will be Christ-like in all relationships, not just selected ones. I wonder if being attacked by the enemy is really God stretching. I wonder if a disagreement is really an opportunity to hear another opinion. I wonder if sometimes division is simply an opportunity to unify. I wonder when the church will realize her potential. I wonder if most believers really believe. I wonder if "God told me..." really means "You can't argue with that." I wonder if "God said..." really means "I said". I wonder when people will become a priority over buildings, meetings, and programs. I wonder when "God, bless what I am doing" will truly become, "God help me to do what your blessing".

I just wonder...

THE NINES - A great event. A great idea.

2009-09-09T16:12:00.003-04:00

I am involved in something now that I think is incredible. Actually it's a one-day Internet event called THE NINES. Today is 09.09.09. The event begin at 9:09am this morning and features a different speaker every 9 minutes. I love the concept. Most of the speakers are leaders in Christianity and are involved in building God's kingdom through churches and ministries. It will continue throughout the day and on into the evening. Of course, if you're like me, you can't sit and watch every single speaker (I would if I could) but at several points during the day I logged on and have been encouraged (and instructed) by the speakers and their different subjects.

One thing I've noticed that is very interesting to me. That is most of the speakers are on the younger end of the age scale! This says a couple of things to me (one who is somewhere in the middle of the age scale): First, on a positive note, the overwhelming number of younger folks means a promising future for the church. It means breaking out of the box of traditional ministry that has become so ineffective over the last couple of decades (or so). Younger leaders in the body of Christ make up a leadership corp that is pliable, flexible, and open to new, innovative and more effective methods of building God's kingdom. But second, on a little more negative note, where are the older leaders? I have seen some on The Nines and I am grateful but not too many. Age in itself does not mean one is too old to change and implement new and better methods. We'd better change, or go ahead and step down and pass the baton to the next generation of leaders. The old and outdated methods and procedures of ministry clung to by some of the "more seasoned" folks are missing an entire generation (or two) of world changers. And let me note: the world is changed by world changers.

I have been serving Jesus for a few years now. I have seen things that used to work, but clearly do not work anymore. And if we'd all face the truth - they haven't worked for a very, very long time. I have been involved in methods that once produced noticeable results but don't any more. Our culture has changed because people have changed. Since I began in the ministry a few years back a whole new generation of adults have come on the scene. Four of those are my children some of who now have their own children (a third generation now on the way in since I began this journey). With each generation stuff changes. We must change not only to be effective, but simply to obey Him. He knows best. And the truth is obedience to Him is the key to any successful ministry method. Events like THE NINES, presented by the Leadership Network and Catalyst are changing our nation because they are changing our leaders. My hat is off to the Leadership Network, Catalyst, and all of today's speakers for being so innovative and creative with the technology available today. My hat is also off to those men and women who are tuned in today, because not only do they want to obey God's call on their lives, but they want to do it in the most effective ways.

I love what Brian Houston always says at the end of the Hillsong broadcast. "Your best days are still ahead!" I'm excited!

God Is Good!

2009-08-30T20:09:00.003-04:00

You know, I never cease to be amazed at the goodness of God. He is truly good. God's intentions for you and me are good to the core. His will for you and me is nothing but good. The destiny (engineered by Him) for you is only good. God's best for you is good. The road to fulfillment of your destiny is good. Every test you are faced with throughout your life is for your good. Why? Because our God is extremely good. God is good! He's not only great, awesome, incredible and wonderful...He is good.

Every unanswered question will result in good. Every answered question from Him (even though we don't like the answer) is for our good...because He is good. Even every attack from the enemy on you, God causes to work together for your good. Why? Again, because He is good.

He is a good God. He is a good Lord. He is a good Savior. He is the Good Shepherd. God is good. He is so good, He collects every one of your tears in a bottle the Bible says. He is so good that he became one of you and me. He is so good that He paid the price for our sins. He is so good that He was tempted in every area (that we are tempted in)...but He didn't sin. He is so good that He left His glory, laid aside His privileges, and laid down His life for you and me in the form of a man. He is so good that He came up out of death and conquered death, hell, and the grave for you and me. We serve a good God. Why? Because He is good.

He wants only good for you and me because He is good. The fact that our God is good means that you are in the palms of His hands as the apple of His very eye. God is good!

The End Is Not Near!

2009-08-19T09:32:00.002-04:00

This morning I was in one of the places God distinctly speaks to me clearly about the subjects of many of my messages and blog posts. It's that special place that seems to provoke one-on-one unity with God. You know, one of those places where most of life's screaming voices are screened out. I'm sure you have a place or places like that. Where was I? Well...er...actually, I was in the shower. What a refreshing, cleansing time it was. OK, but God really spoke to me!

I was sort of reeling over a news story I had just heard on the news and then looked up and read on the Internet. It was about a school official at a high school in Florida who was asked to say grace over the meal at a dedication ceremony of an athletic field house. He is now being charged with violating a federal court order (which is ridiculous) and if convicted will have to pay a fine of up to $5000, go to jail for 6 months, and possibly lose his retirement. I was thinking to myself (in the shower), "The end is near...Come Lord Jesus!" But then God began to give me some pretty distinct impressions! What I felt Him saying to me was, "Just because of some mild persecution, you think the end is near? Hello!" I was reminded about people in nations like India and China that spend years in prison for being caught having a prayer meeting in their home. I was reminded about those in some countries whose homes and churches are destroyed because of some kind of ministry operating there. I was reminded of Pastor Purushotham, a pastor I've been working with for over 12 years, who has raised up over 250 pastors and planted them in the ministry in various places in India. About 8 or 9 years ago one of those pastors was stabbed to death (by militant Hindus) after an evening meeting for not heeding threats that he would be killed if he didn't shut down the church immediately. Of course this young pastor's desire was to obey God rather than men. Persecution of the worse kind is happening all over the world right now, and has been for centuries. But I am also reminded of the churches in these nations that are flourishing (underground) because of or in spite of the persecution! Persecution itself does not mean the end is near!

When things like this event in Florida happen we immediately think, "The end is near!" But I have to tell you the truth. It's just now beginning! When Y2K was looming the question was, "Could this be the end of the world?" When 9-11-01 took place many were wondering, "Is this the end of time?" But we must realize that for believers in Jesus in our nation, this is the beginning of the greatest time of influence ever!

Yes, things are changing in America. But those changes are taking place under the full knowledge of Almighty God, and under His incredibly powerful hand. He is positioning His people for their destiny...to truly function as His body in the earth and in the United States of America. During these rapidly changing times remember, you are on a mission. Look for opportunities to be God's true church. He is positioning you to make a difference.

You Are Awesome!

2009-08-11T16:58:00.003-04:00

I wish I could see myself sometimes completely in the eyes of my Creator. The older I get, the more I do understand that His perspective of me is a lot different than mine of me. As I grow I am beginning to see of myself who and what He sees. I'm finally learning that I have nothing to give Him but myself. I'm finally learning that I can do nothing for Him. All that I am and all that I can do does nothing to change God. He is already the fullness of full, all by Himself. There is nothing I can say that will build Him up. He is already the Most High God. There is nothing new I can divulge to Him because He already knows everything. If you agree with what I just said then, think about this. Out of His fullness He created you and me. Out of His wisdom and knowledge He brought us forth. From within His infinite power He made you and me!

Do you realize this makes you pretty special? I realize it makes me pretty special too. Unfortunately many people due to life's experiences, can't seem to see anything special about themselves. But the Book says we are "fearfully and wonderfully made". Man! That's good stuff! Because of personal experiences many people cannot see the entire human race as very, very special. Instead some see more value in picketing with "Save the Chicken" signs in front of McDonald's.

I was in deep communion with Him a few weeks ago and I began to feel many of life's inhibitions melt off of me. Here's how it happened. Somewhere in the thickness of His presence I began to sense myself as God knows me. It's as if God placed a heavenly mirror in front of me. It was the kind of mirror that only reflected the truth of who and what He sees. It was awesome. It was incredible! I was actually overwhelmed by who and what I began to sense that I really was. I am God's! God is awesome! You are God's. God is awesome! That makes us awesome too!

I'll have to say that the more I see the truth of who I am in Christ (fearfully and wonderfully made), the more dependent I become on Him. The Bible says that you and I are "His workmanship, created in Christ for good works". What I am and what you are (in Christ) is the work of a truly incredible God. You are eternally significant because you are His work. I am eternally significant because He created me.

Let me encourage you to get to know Him more. The result is you'll get to know the truth about yourself. You are awesome!

How Do Your Standards Compare?

2009-08-05T07:38:00.004-04:00

Throughout this post I will use the word "different" a few times. I want you to understand that I don't mean "better than" when I use the word. As a matter of fact dictionary.com gives these definitions for the word "different": not alike in character or quality; differing; dissimilar; not identical; separate or distinct. To be different is not "to be better than", just different. But different is what any follower of Christ is.

First of all, the Book says we become new. Man, that's different. We're taken out of darkness into His light. There it is again...different. We're born again...different. We're forgiven. BIG DIFFERENT! We're still in this world...but no long are we "of" it. Different. We are connections to Him from the midst of the world. Different. We're to love our enemies and love people who hate us...different again. I could ride this pony for a long, long time. But as you can see, the Keyword is different.

If you are a serious and genuine Christ-follower your standards are different. You are not any better than a "pre-Christian"...but you are different. Your desire is to please God and your conscience is infused with an uncanny ability to feel what God likes and what God dislikes. As a result your standards are different. What does this mean? It means that much of what you did you don't do now. Much of the way you once talked...you no longer talk that way. Much of what you used to think, you no longer think. Does that make you better than anyone? Absolutely not. But you are different and your standards are different.

The world is craving a generation that will live by different standards...the standards of God. But to do so these people would stick out like a sore thumb. They would have to continuously go against the flow and standards of the world. There would probably be some ridicule and even persecution...even in America! But that is what God's creation craves...a generation whose standards are different. Are you ready? Are your standards different?

Should We Pray For The Harvest?

2009-07-27T16:54:00.003-04:00

Today I've been pondering something that's been pressing on my heart. It begins with a question. How much "harvesting of the harvest" should I be involved in as opposed to simply praying for the mighty end-time move of God? What I mean is while some are praying for the "outpouring" others are actually out there working in the harvest. I believe Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." I know we should pray for the harvest of souls but it seems to me Jesus is saying since there is a shortage of workers, our praying needs to be focused on asking God to provide more workers while we get out there and work in the harvest ourselves. I mean we should know what to do, right? I am sure I heard Jesus say "The harvest is plentiful". I think I may just have a clue here. Jesus states that there is no shortage of the harvest, but there IS a shortage of workers. Perhaps our praying for more workers is really praying for the revival/stirring of His church to be driven out into the harvest by a love for the lost (the harvest).

Could the great "end-time" harvest have already begun? How could it have already begun? Over the past 10 to 15 years I've seen some churches get outside the tradition church "doing" box and become very effective in reaching people. I've seen some become very innovative in touching especially unchurched people. They've moved outside of the mind-set that the churched are all saved and that the unchurched are all unsaved! They've faced the fact that the percentage of genuine Christ-followers who don't attend the church is growing by leaps and bounds every day. So in God's wisdom and by His leading many churches are re-thinking church! There has been a lot of criticism aimed at churches who tend to draw people in by meeting them right where they are. (Jesus did that.) Many say that the ministry offered is shallow and not challenging. But I wonder how many new Christians would still be lost and certainly not darkening the doors of a church without this end-time paradigm shift. If Jesus came back today, how many more people would be with Him as a result of doing church differently. Again, could the great harvest have begun already?

Finally I just want to say that I believe we live in the most exciting time there has ever been! The harvest has never been more plentiful. Are you a genuine follower of Christ? Then you qualify as a "worker" and so do I. If you and I have been praying for the harvest we've been praying for ourselves...and it's TIME to report to work in the harvest fields! I promise you, your Christian walk will never be more exciting if you do!

Is God's Church Effective?

2009-07-14T10:56:00.003-04:00

In these days I hear a lot of talk blaming the church for its ineffectiveness to connect with people on a "real" plane. I do agree that church as we know it today (and as we do it today) does not have the same effectiveness it once had. But if I want to totally blame the church I have to point my figure first right in my own face! If you want to blame the church...then blame yourself! If you are a true follower of Christ, then whether you like it or not, you are a part of God's church!

Here are just two reasons why the church has been ineffective as of late:

1.) Because our culture changes with time and the church has not. As time changes our culture, we too are changed. You can see it everywhere...from cars...to industry...to technology...to demographics...to the economy. Things (and people) change with time. The ideas to improve the quality of life through technology for instance come from people. Man is constantly trying to better himself and the quality of his life. This in time results in a change in some of the key elements of culture. As the church, there are many innovative and creative ways to connect with people through ever-improving, available technology. The church must be willing to change and employ many of these methods. The church for the most part has been ineffective because she has not changed in her methods with time. My pastor always said the last 7 words of a dying church are "We've never done it this way before." He always stressed that "If you always do what you've always done, you will always have what you've always had!" How true these statements are!

2.) The second reason why the church has been ineffective is probably the most important while simultaneously, the most overlooked. We have failed to prepare the next generation for the things of God. Let me reiterate here again that the church is made of of people who follow after Christ. It's not just a system or an organization, even though systems and organizations are critical. But the church is us! If she's not effective it's because I am not effective. The Biblical concept of preparing or "raising up" people to serve God has been delegated to the church organization. But again, who is the church? You are the church! I am the church! I firmly believe (and I may be a bit liberal) that a believer who is at least 3 years old in the Lord ought to be preparing someone else...especially from the next generation! It is our responsibility to pour into others what God pours into us. If parents are teaching their children the things of God those children will eventually cause the church to be effective. Who are you encouraging to live for Jesus? Who are you coaching - one person at a time to make a difference - one life at a time? I believe the church will again be effective because those who truly love and serve God cannot help but to be effective. But we must change where change is required and we must prepare any and everyone who is willing to be prepared? Who are you preparing?

Over the past decade we've seen many churches strike out in new directions using creative methods and technologies that help to reach the people of our time. Many of these churches have become successful in relating to real people. I was pondering all this just this morning. Think about this. There is a generation of adults, and a generation of teens closely behind who have no concept of traditional church. Why? Because their families never darkened the doors of a church. All the "church" they've had is the negative publicity about churches who split, or the infidelity of pastors, or some kind of scandal with T.V. evangelists. But there is a true and real church who is effective in the world today. It is made up of followers of Christ who have surrendered their lives to live for Him. These members of the real church have committed to establishing God's standard of righteousness in the midst of people, right where they live, work, and play (not just in church). Their words are confirmed by their actions. Actually many speak louder by the standards they live than by than the words that come out of their mouths. This is the God's church..THE church! And she is most effective! This is the church I am a part of! How about you?

The Joy of Repose!

2009-07-08T11:15:00.003-04:00

I am really in chill mode right now. Our scheduled trip to Honduras was postponed recently due to all the political unrest there. The trip has been rescheduled. That left me with more than a week with a completely open schedule! Well, I guess I could have found a little somethin' somethin' to do. But I didn't! I decided to take the time to get out of town with my bride, with no plan of action, and just do nothing! It is so cool! We are hanging with family (way out of town) and really (I mean really) doing nothing. The last 2 mornings I have actually slept in! I didn't think I could do it! It's been such a long time! But baby, I've still got it!

At this moment I am blogging. Imagine that! Blogging is one of the joys of my life. Just sharing what I feel. It's so cool to blog and not be rushed. I have only looked at my watch 2 times all day! But that's 2 times too many. I'll have to say I'm feeling it. It feels good! I am on it!

It is amazing the things you can think of and the ideas that become abundant when you just take some time to do nothing. When there is no agenda it seems the juices of creativity seem to bubble up out of me. I love it! I know what you're thinking. "Yea but it all comes to and end in a few days and it's back to the ole grind." Yes, that's true but the insertion of just a little much-needed repose at the right time can re-energize a person; spirit, soul, and believe me...body! (Repose: the state of reposing or being at rest; rest; sleep. Peace; tranquility; calm.) By just doing nothing God's voice and His written Word become incredibly keen and distinct. His awesome presence becomes even more present! I am having such a good time! No surfing, no fishing, no shopping, no running...no anything!

I will admit that tomorrow Connie and I will leave family and check into a nice motel in a nearby coastal town. And I will admit that for the last 5 days of our vacation we do have an agenda...NOTHING! I am looking forward to lounging around a pool, walking on the beach, eating some good seafood, sleeping in, staying up late, watching some good, wholesome family movies ... in the motel room! None of the preceding will be synced to a clock. Repose, what a joy!

Let me encourage you, don't just take a vacation...repose. Don't just get out of town...repose! Repose, repose, repose!

Failing Forward II

2009-06-24T10:43:00.002-04:00

Man, I think I'm on this thing. If at first you don't succeed try, try again. I've heard that little saying all my life. Actually, growing up we had a different version of it (which means about the same) but it's a little too crude to share with you.

I've been in Christendom for quite some time and even almost to the point of becoming indoctrinated in the "Christianese" artificial sub-culture. Perhaps you didn't realize this but some time after a person becomes a born again Christian they are pulled into a sub-culture that If not careful will actually cause one to be - not separated but "disconnected" from those who are not yet followers of Christ. Paul said we are to come out and "be separated" from the flow of the world because the truth is - we are not of this world. However, he never said we are to be disconnected from people in the world. I'm saying this because in our Christianese sub-culture we are taught to believe and confess things that simply are not realistic. My case in point...as born-again, blood-washed, saved and sanctified, Spirit-filled followers of Christ we're not supposed to fail...right? No, not right! But wait a sec. We're King's kids, highly favored, and blessed...and should never suffer or struggle right? Again, NO not right. The truth is we are NOT created to be failures! God doesn't make failures! But everyone at some time fails at something more than just one time. Peter, one of the pillars of the early New Testament church failed Jesus miserably. He denied three times that he even knew Him in front of a large crowd. To further reiterate his point Peter cursed and swore just to make sure this rather large crowd would not identify him as one of Jesus' followers. How big-time failure is that? All to save his "blessed assurance".

After Peter failed Jesus, he went out and wept bitterly. Yet the Bible tells us Jesus foretold to Peter that He would deny Him three times. So let's get the picture. Jesus knew beforehand that Peter would deny Him 3 times and yet He also had created him to (soon after) be a pillar in the church. Here comes the long-awaited bottom line: If Jesus knew Peter would fail Him miserably, and if He knew He had made him a pillar in the church, Jesus knew that Peter's failing had to be a part of his success! He knew that Peter would "fail forward" toward God's call for him. Perhaps you have failed Jesus or someone or something in some way. It doesn't make you a failure. Perhaps you have failed at an attempt at something like a job, ministry, business, etc. That does not make you a failure. As I said in my first post a failure is actually someone who, because of fear of failure or failing again, never tries. The truth is, if one never tries...they never succeed.

We live in a culture in which so much emphasis is put on success. And the picture of success we are bombarded with is the world's view of success. Failure is unacceptable. But to anyone (worldly or godly) who has achieved any measure of success, the wisdom of using our failures to launch us forward is realized extremely. (Google the life of Colonel Harlen Sanders). Failure is inevitable, but failing can also be the spring board to launch us forward. If you have some big time failures in your life first of all...you are NOT a failure. Allow those failures to motivate you toward your call and your dream. The worst thing you could ever do is not try again. That would make you a failure!

Failing Forward

2009-06-11T18:02:00.002-04:00

I am working on a series of teachings to encourage followers of Christ on the subject of failure. Huh? Did he say the words "encourage" and "failure" in the same sentence? Yea I did. How in the world can failure encourage someone? I mean I failed, right? The truth is all of us have failed, and all of us have failed quite much! What does it mean to fail? Generally speaking to fail means "to fall short of success or achievement in something expected, attempted, desired, or approved." (dictionary.com).

If you're like me, you've failed several times at different things throughout your life...and you will fail again at something. Does that make you and me a failure? Absolutely not. Listen carefully to this: The only thing that can make you a failure is the FEAR of failure. You see, a person who is afraid of failing is also a person who is afraid of trying. So if one doesn't even try (because they are afraid of failing) they will never succeed. In my humble opinion a person is a failure if they let fear keep them from even trying. Now that's failure! You may fail at times when you try something and don't succeed. But that doesn't make you a failure. There will be times when we fall short of success or we fall short of achieving something attempted and even expected...but that does not make you and me a failure.

Listen to me carefully. Failing can be something you and I can learn from. Sometimes failing teaches us what NOT to do again, and what NOT to try again. But sometimes failing can reveal areas of short-coming we were not aware of until we failed. As a result of failing we learn where to try harder and where to tighten up so we will be a success.

Most people would agree that Abraham Lincoln was the greatest President of the United States so far. Did you know that between the years of 1832 and 1860 Abraham Lincoln had 11 major failures in his life? I'm not talking about missing the trash can with a wad of paper. These were big time failures. Most involved his political career. In addition, during that period of time he had a nervous breakdown and had to deal with the death of his sweetheart. I truly believe Abraham Lincoln learned from his failures. Again, he is without a doubt considered one of the most (if not the most) successful of U.S. Presidents. I am glad he didn't quit!

I'm sure you've heard of Colonel Sanders and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) When Colonel Sanders was 65 years old, he received his first social security check of approximately $100. He was busted! His only asset was a secret recipe for frying chicken. He left his home in Kentucky and traveled the U.S. looking for people to buy his recipe. At times he also offered his secret recipe to restaurants for absolutely nothing! Over and over he got "the boot" from restaurant owners and managers. Listen to this. More than 1,000 restaurants "showed him the door" without cutting a deal. But....on his 1,009th offer...someone purchased his secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices! The rest is history. Just last year I was in Hyderabad, India and ate several meals at KFC! It's still finger-lickin' good!

You many have failed but you are not a failure. Make your failures work for you. Let them be your teachers. I heard someone once call it "failing forward". Remember success is not achieved by those who are afraid to try!

Let's Hang Out

2009-06-06T11:30:00.003-04:00

I started my day very early this morning with an incredible encounter with my Creator. It was so cool. I like to do this quite often. I just put my earbuds in (other end attached to my MP3 player) and listen to some anointed music. Lately I have literally longed for such times just to be with Him. It is not so important during these time that I ask Him for stuff or to do stuff (even though I need stuff and need Him to do stuff). It's not as important as just being with Him. The really cool thing is that when I have these encounters, the things I needed and wanted, and the things I really needed Him to do for me didn't seem to be so urgent any more. Just being with Him truly meets my needs.

I've also been pondering lately what it would be like if every believer discovered the blessing of just being with Him. If we all could experience the joy of hanging out in His presence. Our lives would be lived out of overflow and would make significant impact in our personal world. God wants to to great feats for us and even through us. But even more than that He simply wants to be with us. Connie and I have been married nearly 35 and a half years. We've worked hard on our marriage. We've worked hard to trust God and stand on His principles that bless and protect our marriage. I thank God that He is the One who makes marriages last. Yes, marriages are designed by God to last! But I'll have to say that simply being with Connie is the greatest blessing of my marriage. We just love to be together. We don't have to do a lot, we just hang together. We don't have to be entertained by expensive activities and large crowds of people. I want to do things for her and she wants to do things for me. But even more so...we just love to be together. It is truly the greatest blessing of our marriage.

Thank about God. He just wants to be with us. He loves it when we make and take the time to come and not say "Give me" but "Here I am...I love You and want to be with You." The truth is...that's when we get the most blessed. That's when we are changed. It's by being in His presence. I always like to say "Lord don't bless what I doing. But instead help me to do what you are blessing." He is not following you and me around trying to get us to slow down long enough to bless us. No, He's waiting patiently for you to come to Him...just to be with Him.

We all get so worked up over things. We stay so busy. We run and run...doing many things in the name of ministry and Christianity. But what we need more than any of that stuff is just to come to Him and hang out. Man, if we could just grasp this...the world would never be the same again!

It's A Lot About Perspective

2009-06-03T10:34:00.002-04:00

How do you look at the world? What is your general perspective of the people that inhabit this planet? Do you assume most of the inhabitants of earth live just like you do? What is perspective anyway? Dictionary.com says perspective is: "a mental view or prospect". Where does your mental view of the world come from? The main source of most any "American" perspective comes from just a handful of sources: The news media, television, and Hollywood. We could add more but these are the main ones. I've learned over the years when one's perspective of the planet is framed by the American news media, American television, and Hollywood, it is very limited and mostly inaccurate. I once assumed that most of the planet lives just like I do, has what I have, and thinks like I do!

That drastically changed for me in 1997 when I made my first missions trip to the great nation of India. I was there for 2 weeks and it took the first week just for me to get over culture shock. I've said many times since that first trip that if you want to experience a culture exactly opposite of the western culture...visit India. India is the 2nd most populated nation on earth, second only to China. However these more than one billion people live in an area roughly 1/3 the size of the U.S. What did India really do for me? Well again, after the culture shock stabilized somewhat, and I finished my first trip, I returned to the States with a different perspective on the world. It really wasn't until after I returned to the States that I saw what I had and how I lived in a much different manner...different perspective. I have now made 8 trips to India and will visit again in 2010. Since 1997 I have experienced the Latin American culture in Central America, more like ours but still many, many differences.

One of the greatest needs of Christian Americans is a proper perspective on the world we live in. This will change us as well as the churches we worship in. However if we continue to live with our perspective framed by faulty news reports, Hollywood movie fantasies, and a steady diet of reality shows we will continue to think that we American Christians are the more blessed by God, and that we are superior to believers in other lands. But the truth is, the hunger I experienced among the people of India for God, the depth of their commitment to Him, and their willingness to obey Him at any cost literally broke my heart! It literally messed up my thinking! Thank God!

I want to challenge you to plan to go on a short-term missions trip to a developing nation. Go on a trip that won't be an easy one. Go somewhere that is far away from America. Go to be a servant to them - not the answer to all their problems. Let God speak to and change your heart. I promise you when you return to America the way you see not only the rest of the world, but even America will drastically change.

Finally, some people think it is a waste of money to go on missions trips to other nations. Especially when our national economy is down. But remember, when ours is low, many others are even lower. Some think we should spend our money at home first before going abroad. But from my experience and a more accurate perspective of the whole world, a visit to a developing nation will send us home with a much stronger burden for the less fortunate in our own land. I encourage you to make your plans to travel to a foreign land to serve Christ among them. You won't be the same...neither will your perspective.

2009-05-27T17:23:00.003-04:00

I was browsing a forum not too long ago that deals with worship. It is a very good connection to people who share the vision to glorify God with the means He gives them. I was impressed by the input given and the revelation of worship some of these people have. It got me to thanking about our ability to worship God. You know, kind of like the brain. Huh? Well what I mean is we use about 10% of our brain. This is a simple (but profound) illustration of the magnificence of God. The creation and function of the human brain is mind-boggling. (No play on words intended.) But it does demonstrate the infinite capabilities of our Creator.

In the same way, you and I were created to function as whole worshipers of God; to bring glory to our Creator. The capabilities are limitless because God created us. But the truth is, like our brain, we probably bump (at the highest) around 10% usage of our worship capability! Why is that. There would be several reasons but the main reason is we are not yielded to the Holy Spirit - not only for physical worship - but in our existence as His servants.

According to the Scripture, we are supposed to be radical, bold worshipers of our God. Worship is our life-style, not just something we do periodically. Worship is not a segment of our life - it is our life...it is what we are created to do. Once the early believers received the Holy Spirit, they were compelled out into the streets. The first thing they did after being filled with the Spirit was worship God and proclaim His Word with boldness. The more they worshipped, he more they proclaimed! The more they proclaimed, the more people were drawn to Jesus.

Many of us are seeking success in our methods of worship. We should constantly be pliable and relevant to our culture when it comes to connecting with people. But the greatest Connector of all times - the Holy Spirit - brings an energy into our lives and our worship that we can't manufacture. He brings it as He worships and glorifies Jesus in and through us. Jesus said that because He would return to the Father, He would send forth the Promise of the Father. He would be the One who takes from Jesus, discloses it to you and me, and ultimately glorifies the Father. Much of our worship is rote, dry, and uninteresting because we are rote, dry, and uninteresting. My suggestion is to seek Him for the fresh fire of His Spirit. He is here on the planet to bring amazing, overwhelming glory to Jesus. He will do it through you and any believer who is hungry for Him. Simply yield to Him. Press in to Him. He stands ready to return the fire to you and to your worship. The result is, instead of worshiping at 10% capacity, your ability to worship will be unlimited and contagious! It will spread to others as Jesus intends it to. The church will no longer be scratching her head and wondering what we're doing wrong or what procedure can we pick up to change things! Thanks for your attention in this!

Awakening The Dawn

2009-05-22T06:48:00.002-04:00

There's not much I love better than an early morning encounter with God. This morning is no different. My body's alarm clock seems to "go off" at just about the same time every morning...give or take a moment or 2. It doesn't matter what time I hit the sack. I just happen to be one of those who loves to awaken the dawn - every morning. And it is always with the Word and some good, good coffee.

This morning it was Proverbs and some Ethiopia Sidamo. It's such a special time. Usually not too many people are stirring and there is a positive anticipation of the day ahead. Early time with God gives me the opportunity to clear my head with His awesome Word. It gives me the opportunity to reflect on the previous day and arrange my thoughts for the current day...before I hit the ground running. I am so in to this that I have one of those coffee makers with a timer on it. I know most everyone does...but how many use the timer like I do! I prepare my coffee (last thing before going to bed) so that it's waiting on me when I rise up. Yea, I know. If I love coffee that much why don't I grind it fresh just moments before I brew it? The truth is...I love coffee, good coffee. But I love the time with God more. When I rise to be with Him, I love to have a great cup of coffee (remember, God created coffee). But I want my initial focus for the new day to be entirely on Him. That's why the coffee is freshly brewed...when I hit the kitchen, and my cup, sweetener, and spoon are all neatly arranged in a beautiful ensemble!

I love what David writes in Psalm 108: 1 - 2, "My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul. Awake harp and lyre; I will awaken the dawn." There it is. David was a morning person. He loved to "awaken the dawn". I feel kind of special knowing that I'm in there with the likes of David. Maybe you are too and can relate to this. Well...I'm outta here. The dawn has been stirred and I've got to hit the ground running.

Let's Burn!

2009-05-19T16:28:00.003-04:00

I think it is so interesting that Moses in Exodus Chapter 33 actually told God, "Don't send us up from this place unless Your Presence goes with us." He actually told God, "Don't even lead us up from here unless Your Presence goes with us." That's paraphrased but that is actually what He said! Moses had gotten some clues earlier when He stood before God on Mt. Sinai and God said, "Remove your shoes. You are on Holy Ground." What clues did Moses get? He learned from being with God that His presence brings abilities that are impossible with man alone. He learned that God's presence brings about not subtle, but drastic change! But here's another very important clue Moses obtained. He learned that God's presence among Israel distinguished them as God's people on the planet Earth! Listen to Exodus 33: 16. Moses said, "For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?" There's something incredible! It is God's presence among His people that distinguishes His people from all others. I think this is so incredibly cool!

Jesus came 2000 years ago and broke down the wall of sin that separated man from God. He made is possible (for Himself) to abide in whoever receives Him and His work on the cross. But 50 days after He sacrificed Himself for our sins, He sent forth the Promise of the Holy Spirit. On that day the Church was born and those who would become a part of His universal church would be distinguished from others...by His Spirit and His presence! It is not only His Spirit that makes the difference...it is His presence in and upon us that makes the difference! This is not to minimize His Spirit but actually we can grieve and quench His Spirit by not allowing Him to manifest His presence. Please love me as I say that many, many Christians today are not allowing Him to manifest His presence; therefore, many Christians actually cannot be distinguished from the rest of the world.

The incredible news is that even now He stands ready to manifest His presence (the essence of all He is) to, in, and through any believer who is hungry for more of Him! Let me ask you, are you tired of the same ole, same ole in serving Him? Are you tired of the status quo in your walk with Him? Are you thinking, there has to be more to this? If you are, simply take some time (more time than you have been taking), get alone with Him, and intently ask Him to fill you (again if necessary) with His incredible Spirit. Ask Him to make His presence in and upon you be a sign to others that you are His, and no one else's! I DARE YOU!

The Presence of God

2009-05-15T19:24:00.003-04:00

I am so fascinated by something Moses said to God as God was preparing he and the Israelites to move on from the Red Sea toward the Promise Land. He said "God, You are telling me, 'bring up this people, but you have yet to tell me whom you will send with me." He went on to say "Consider this Lord, these people (Israel) are Your people". God answers and gives him the best answer that could ever be given. Because the answer He gives means that Moses and all of Israel could accomplish whatever was necessary to reach and posses the land of promise. Here's what God said; "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." You can tell by Moses' response he already had a clue about God's presence. Moses said, "If your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here." I think this is incredible! Moses is saying to God, "We need You in our midst in order to accomplish what You have destined us to do!" "And if Your presence is not with us - don't send us anywhere!" (Paraphrased by Steve). It's clear that Moses knew what to do (lead the people into the Promise Land), but He knew it would be impossible without God's presence going with them. Many of us know what God wants us to do and how to do it. But we should not even try unless we are willing to seek God's face for His presence to go with us!

Don't you think there's a clue in this for you and me? Perhaps there's a clue in this for our church. So often we try to accomplish even what God says to do...without even acknowledging His presence. We want to do the culturally relevant thing. (Very necessary.) We want to be current with our methods. (Also very necessary.) But if God's presence is not with us...should we even try to proceed without Him? I've heard people say (including me) "Where 2 or 3 are gathered in His name, there He is in our midst." This is true, but why do we say this and then proceed without Him? Sometimes we make that statement and dash off in the wrong direction! Why would He even show up in the midst of 2 or 3 as He promised? As a starter, how about to hang out with us. How about to do the supernatural, or perhaps to change us, or to accomplish through us what He calls us to do! Too many times we seek God for what He can do and for what we can get...even for others. But I am sensing that it's time to start seeking God's face...and not just His hand. To seek God's face is to seek His presence. There is no doubt that Jesus is in our midst when just a few of us get together. But He's not there for us to do our own thing and to watch us satisfy our own whims. He's there to do whatever He wants to do. I think the way Moses said what he said is very, very interesting. Listen to this. Exodus 33: 15, "If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here." Moses admits that it is not enough just to be led by God. But He must also be in our midst as we go. It's one thing to follow Him, but it's quite a bit more to go with Him!

And finally let me say that the church (God's people) needs the manifested presence of God in our midst. Yes, we walk by faith and not by sight...but everywhere we step in faith He wants to manifest His life-changing presence in and through us. We must stop whatever we are doing for Him until we sense that His presence is with us. If not, we must petition Him NOT to send us...and we must wait longingly for Him until His presence is there to make the difference! Let's learn from Moses!

Change - Necessary For Progress!

2009-05-07T19:53:00.003-04:00

I've been pondering something for a couple of days. Something everyone has to deal with, but most of us don't want to deal with it. No it's not our income tax return or a trip to the dentist for a cleaning or even worse...a root canal. It is change. Yea, change.

As a whole change is necessary to move forward in life. Chance involves our position. I know you've heard the old adage "being in the right place at the right time". That's what position is. Sometimes we need to reposition in order to move ahead or to even stand our ground. But in most cases repositioning requires change. For most change is the direct opposite of comfortable!

Change is necessary to be effective in whatever we do. If we do something a certain way without getting the desired results perhaps we need to change the way we're doing what we're doing! My pastor always said, "If we do what we've always done, we will always have what we've always had!" That's speaks volumes to me. The problem is that what we've always had is not what God wants for us today! He is fresh, like a flowing river. He is always moving and wherever He moves life flows.

The greatest roadblock to change, thus the roadblock to progress, is focusing on the past. Many of us had wonderful pasts. Some would love to forget some of their past. But the truth is, looking back on "what we had" makes it impossible for you and me to acquire "what we need" to move ahead. Therefore we become stiff and brittle, not being pliable and resilient which is what we need to change. Focusing on "where I used to be" and how wonderful it was is in direct opposition to "where I am going" and how much more wonderful it could be. Notice I said "focusing" not remembering. There is a big difference. Back a few years I knew some people in which whose home a church was born. Over the years as the church grew these folks (as sweet as they were) always referred back to the days when the church was in their home. It's as if God could never top anything as good as that. The sad part is that's where their focus was. It was hard for them to move beyond the days that took place back then. Everything from back then and forward was measured against those particular days and experiences.

I see this so much in people today. Many people simply don't want to change and don't really realize it. To them it seems as if it will never be as good as it was "back then". The truth is...their focus has them blinded to reality. Listen to what Paul says in Philippians 3: 13a - 14, "...forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Please remember this..the goal is always ahead of you. It is never behind! God has so much in store for you, your family, and your church. But we must be willing to change in order move ahead to pursue it. Change may not be comfortable but it is vital!

The Urgency of the Times is Redefining How We...

2009-05-05T10:16:00.004-04:00

I'm on it now. I love this stuff! I can't stay away from it too long! I mean blogging.

I was watching God TV this am and something was on with Franklin Graham's ministry. Franklin said that as the coming of Jesus draws closer, the urgency of preaching the Gospel in the whole world increases. I thought about that. How true that is. Just look around at the direction of the world's flow and how things have escalated so in just the last decade. Man! Jesus is near!

As a person somewhere in my fifties (I have a hard time remembering just where), I remember the time when preaching the gospel wasn't so urgent. I don't mean that churches had no burden for the lost. It's just that more emphasis was on methods and procedures of "running" the church organization and its services. I remember a time when you just weren't with it if your praise and worship was less than one hour. And you were missing it if you didn't have 20 foot banners parading around in processional during the service. There was great emphasis on walking by faith, the Word, Bible teaching, and the gifts of the Spirit. We should continue to heavily emphasize most of these things. But I said all that to say that I really feel in my spirit in these last days, that the urgency of the times will redefine how we do church. God's Spirit is stirring His people to an awakening of the value of those people who are still lost. The closer His return, the more He is stirring us to the reality that time is short, days are evil, and His coming is very, very soon. As His people become consumed with the desire to "create vacancies in hell" the emphasis will become more on living the life "out there" in order to win some to Christ. Personal desires will give way to a desire to share Jesus with someone else. Again, the urgency of the times will redefine the way God's church operates inside or outside of a building. I am reminded of something Jesus said when He told "The parable of the Lost Sheep". At the end of this parable in Mark 14, Jesus switches from parable mode to "shooting straight from the hip" mode. He said, "I tell you the truth, there will be more joy in heaven over ONE sinner who repents, than over 99 righteous ones who need no repentance."

When we start leading sinners to repentance, heaven's joy will return to the church in greater proportions than ever before. Followers of Christ will once again be full of joy, something the world does not have but is attracted to. As the times get worse, let's expect the greatest of days for His church. Let's seek His face more than ever to be used in creating more and more vacancies in hell!

Let's Grow Up

2009-05-05T09:42:00.003-04:00

Wow! It's been a while since my last post. I can't go too long without blogging. It's one of the joys of my life!

You know, one of our greatest needs (if not THE greatest) is to grow up in Christ. Of course this is outside of knowing Christ to begin with. But Jesus didn't sacrifice Himself just so that we could go to heaven and not go to hell. He gave all so that our lives would be changed from the second we meet Him as our Savior. I could make a very, very long list of needs we all have as followers of Christ and it would reach a long way. We need finances, health, healing, peace, homes, cars, jobs, education, churches, spouses, children, etc. All these things we can believe God for and stand for. But our greatest need outside of knowing Jesus is to mature as a follower of Christ! His destiny for you is to grow up and bear fruit. The enemy's greatest opposition to you and me is to keep us from growing up in Christ. Jesus said that maturing and bearing fruit makes His Father known in the earth!

The truth is...living this life for Christ is a maturing process. You've heard it said before that Jesus will meet you right where you are...but He won't leave you there. Let's get a hold of that! It is the truth! There is so much talk today about how the church has become ineffective in connecting with the lost and simply being ineffective as His people in the earth. This is true! But eliminating the church organization is not the answer. Changing our methods alone is not the sole answer. Followers of Christ maturing is! When God's people grow up in Christ, as Paul says, they put away childish things. When one puts away childish things there's a good chance it is because they are maturing. So much of what is done by the church (whether we're inside a building or outside a building) is done out of immaturity in Christ. You and I have a responsibility to grow up in Christ. We cannot pin that on the church organization alone. Can you imagine what would happen to your church or your family if church leaders grew up! Things would change drastically for the better! When leaders grow up and put away childish stuff...politics will be eliminated from the church. Power struggles would become a thing of the past. Position and spotlight wouldn't matter anymore!

So your greatest need is not your finances. It's not your position. My greatest need is not a new house, car, or club membership. It's not to have a blessed ministry. My greatest need as a believer in Jesus Christ is to grow up in Him. It is to become an adult in Christ. Because as this is happening things begin to change in and through me. The good news is that Jesus says if we avail our lives to Him, He will do the maturing process in us! (Philippians 1: 6) Don't you think?

I Love The Resurrection!

2009-04-09T19:33:00.003-04:00

This time of the year is so special to me! Here in Northeast Georgia we've had a cooler than normal winter. We even got several inches of snow on March 1st. And then one day this week (in April) we had snow flurries on and off all day! Isn't it supposed to be Spring? Well, actually the cold weather is beginning to loosen its grip and slowly fade. Thank God! That's one thing I love about Spring! Plus all the flowers and trees blooming! (Sorry all you allergy sufferers.) But there is a freshness about Springtime. The cold is just about gone and the warm (hot) is almost here!

But the greatest thing I love about Springtime is the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus! Wow! We're just a couple of days away from that incredible celebration as I write this! There is a freshness in the air that doesn't come from April showers and May flowers. It's what the Bible calls "newness of life".

I am so glad Jesus went to the cross and died for all humanity. I am so glad that on the cross He bore your sins and my sins, and all that goes with it! But think about this. Without His resurrection, His death would be powerless. His death would actually be meaningless; at least for you and me. Jesus died our death on the cross so we can live His life. Because He rose! Isn't that great! In other words, we deserved to die, not Jesus. But he died in our place so that we could live His life! It was all made possible when He came up out of the grave. Paul put it like this: "I have been crucified with Christ (He died in my place.) And it is no long I who live (He died for me, therefore I am dead to sin) but Christ lives in me (because He rose from the dead). And the life I now live (after receiving His life) I live by faith in Jesus who loved me and delivered Himself up for me." Galatians 2: 20

And finally it is His resurrection life in you and me that gives power to the work of the cross in you and me. What is the work of the cross? It is the fact that He has delivered us from the power of sin. We are no longer controlled by sin's power. And because He rose from the dead we are alive to God and no longer dead in our sins. I love the words of Paul in Romans 6:11, "Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." How is this possible? It is possible because He rose from the dead! He lives!

Freedom Tower or One-World Trade Tower?

2009-03-31T07:04:00.003-04:00

If you don't see the signs of the times by now...you are blind! As I was watching the news this morning (actually I still am) I heard that a proposal has been made to change the name of the Freedom Tower to the One-World Trade Tower. In case you don't know the Freedom Tower will be built in the place of the World Trade Center which was destroyed by Terrorists on 911 in which nearly 3,000 people were killed. Personally I think this is a slap in the face to the victims, the victims families, and the United States as a whole since "freedom" is the basis for our existence as a nation.

The term "One World" completely removes the autonomy of this great nation. As I see it we are closer to the end of these end times than many care to believe. I'd like to know your thoughts on this. I'd love to write more but I have to get busy for the day. By the way... is IS a great day!

God Is In Control

2009-03-28T08:35:00.003-04:00

It's another great Saturday morning. I've just had a bath in God's Word, I'm sipping on a nice cup of Holiday Blend (yes I can still find it @ our local Starbuck's), and Jimmy Houston is doing his Saturday morning thing on Vs.

As I write this it is still raining. As a matter of fact it's been raining since Thursday and it is predicted to continue until tomorrow! Somehow I cannot get tired of the rain. In our Northeast Georgia region, it's been a very long haul through an extremely severe drought. Throughout this drought Lake Lanier had dropped to very dangerous levels. At one point there were few boat ramps that actually extended into the water. The lakes are rising considerably as a result of the rain we've had this winter. But just yesterday it was announced that Lake Lanier was still about 11 feet below its standard healthy level. The lake level has made great strides this winter but still has a way to go.

I have prayed for rain the past 3 years more than all of my life! We've seen God be faithful to answer our prayers as He promises us in His Word!

A drought is a good example of a life event. During a drought sometimes we could be tempted to believe God may have concentrated His most important work somewhere else! In other words we wonder if God is neglecting, punishing or just ignoring us! But just like life, the truth is we all experience times of spiritual drought. During those times I've learned to pray seriously - and pray accurately. Instead of believing God has departed, I've learned that God is teaching me to draw closer to Him and to trust in the stuff I've already learned from walking with Him. During a spiritual drought I've also learned that God never leaves. It is just that He simply requires me to walk by faith in Him and His Word. Remember II Corinthians 5:7 says, "We walk by faith, not by the way things appear

And finally, just like a natural drought - the spiritual rain always eventually comes again! It is so sweet when it does. It's like God saying, "You see, I was in control of the whole thing - the whole way through." God always knows what is best for you and me. No matter how the situation appears He is in control. So let me say it again. It is still raining and I'm loving it! How could I not? It is the answer to my prayers!

What a Difference THE Day Makes!

2009-03-27T08:26:00.002-04:00

As I write this post it is Friday! You know, T.G.I.F. And as I look over who's doing what on FaceBook I see several comments about this being Friday. As a matter of fact, some comments actually started showing up late Wednesday! Isn't it interesting how we live for the day? Friday means it is the weekend "eve". Everyone is excited about Friday! The weekend actually begins when you exit the place of your job - on Friday! Everyone is in a good mood - anticipating the weekend.

Now contrast that to Monday! Monday is the beginning (not the end) of the work week. Attitudes are somewhat different! On Monday morning no one seems to be even the least excited about a FULL week of work ahead! I've also noticed over the years (I have worked a few) that as the week progresses toward Friday attitudes lift accordingly. It is amazing how we live for the day! Wow! What a difference THE day makes!

I've learned something very, very important over the years as a follower of Christ. Every day is a great day! When you consider this in light of our awesome relationship with Him you realize the truth of the preceding statement! Why is every day a great day? Because He is great! The Bible says He is the same past, present, and in the future. His life-changing love for you and me is the same on Monday as it is on Friday! When you realize the depth of His love for - your circumstances no longer make or break your day! As you grow closer to Him feelings no longer determine your mood for the moment!

I have to tell you this. Way back when, the day I genuinely met Jesus it was during the very worst time of my life, I was at the very bottom of the pit, and it was on a Monday! What started out as the all-time, worst day of my life turned out to be one of the greatest days of my life! Yea baby!

So if you know Him today - it is a great day! Not because it is Friday, but because He is great! Let me warn you....today is Friday but Monday is on the way. And when Monday arrives choose to make it what it truly already is - a great day!

Beware of Christian TV Fraud!

2009-03-18T08:44:00.003-04:00

This morning I got up, had some time feeding on God's Word (sipping my Starbuck's), and sat down to check my e-mail. I flipped on the TV to a newer Christian network. I really like this network because they seem to connect with people in a more contemporary way. They are really reaching the people of today. I noticed they (like many other networks) are having their Spring telethon to raise funds for their ministry. But when I saw the means in which they were appealing to the people for financial support I'll have to admit - I was turned off! Actually I was appalled!

What I saw was a Christian TV ministry that reaches people in the world with innovative ways - using old fashion, outdated gimmicks (that border on fraud) to coerce Christ-followers to make pledges of money! I am so tired of this! There was a gentleman on the program (brought in) exclaiming with intense boldness that God told him to tell me (and everyone else watching) - if I give $77 for so many months, an angel would visit my home today with supernatural blessings. (Word check!) The owners of the network had constructed an altar on the set with stones from the Holy Land. This gentlemen continued to say that God told Israel to build an altar and He would meet them there. There His name would always be. The gimmick was - if you fax in your pledges (they actually had several fax machines by this altar), God would meet you there and send an angel to your home. He spent several minutes repeating over and over that these stones were from Israel as if all this was what made it work. He kept saying "I feel the power of the Holy Spirit". What an abuse of the incredible person of the Holy Spirit! The thing that really turns my stomach is that you see this gentleman on practically every Christian TV network raising financial support saying practically the same thing. It is as if he is the "expert" from out of town.

Let me tell you the truth. Jesus was quoted as saying "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Notice Jesus did not say "YOU are more blessed to give than to receive." When you and I give out of our love for Jesus, what we give makes people and situations better. Your giving will improve the quality of any situation, life or ministry. Example: The church operates on tithes and offerings from its people. Your giving makes God's local church more effective. It's that simple! How can a church full of people who don't faithfully support their church be effective? (It's sad that I recently discovered the average church in America operates on 1/5 to 1/10 of its potential due to lack of financial support.) The truth continues: Jesus also said, "Give and it will be given to you..." Why then will it be given to you? Of course giving activates the principle of sowing and reaping. But why that? God will give back to those who give out of their love for Him - because He knows they will just give away more! Thus "It is more blessed to give than to receive." The problem comes about when we pastors, teachers, ministers, and TV ministries teach our people that we should give soley for the purpose of getting! This according to Paul changes our efforts from cheerful giving to giving under compulsion. (2 Cor. 9:7)

My prayer for you is that you will keep to God's Word concerning your giving. Study what it says about giving and tithing. Don't let anyone (including me) coerce or compel you to give. There are many areas of financial giving that are God areas - starting with the local church. But there are also many, many ministries through the power of television the enemy uses (by gimmick, coercion, deception, and compulsion) that divert financial support away from God's fields to the hearts of the greedy.

Finally, I will continue to watch this great Christian TV network - but not during their fund raising programming. As a matter of fact, I don't watch any Christian TV network during their sharathons. I get sick to my stomach at how God's Word is twisted to take advantage of well-meaning people.

Just remember. Beware of Christian TV fraud!

I Love The Sanctuary!

2009-03-16T06:54:00.002-04:00

By the way, The Sanctuary is the church to which I am called to pastor! Connie and I are into our 5th year at The Sanctuary and we truly love what we are doing. This coming Sunday I will start a series of messages entitled "I Love The Sanctuary". I am so excited about doing this! This series of messages will explain much about WHO we are and WHAT we do as a church. I will have the opportunity to share many of the things I love about The Sanctuary. The really, really neat thing about doing this series is that I am not doing it alone. I have been obtaining short video testimonials from members of our church that explain what they love about The Sanctuary. It has been especially fun to be the one going around recording folks! You know how many people do not like to have a video camera in their face? Well to my surprise and blessing most of the folks I've approached gladly gave me their testimonial! So I will be sharing these short video clips throughout the series.

Connie and I truly do thank God for the opportunity to be where we are and to do what we are doing! Sometimes the road has been a little rough and the journey challenging, but the call to the Sanctuary has been (and continues to be) Glorious!

Compassion...What's Your Level? (By Lisa Parks)

2009-03-11T14:44:00.003-04:00

(The following are some comments Lisa Parks wrote on her Face Book site. Lisa is a former student of mine from my Youth Pastor days in Macon, GA.)

So, at church the past few Sundays, we have been challenged to be looking for opportunities to share the Gospel with others and to be actively praying for them to commit their lives to Christ.

I have a friend who is an atheist...not just someone who just flippantly does not believe, but someone who has spent HOURS of researching and looking for “proof”.
Our conversations have challenged me in a great way to not only know “what” I believe but “WHY” I believe what I believe. I have been impressed by the great amount of time that my friend puts into studying religion, etc. because it has challenged me in my personal life in the amount of time that I put into my personal relationship with Christ.

Ok, so now that you have some background I want to tell you about a challenging conversation I had with them recently:

They understand that the Great Commission that has been presented to Christians is to “preach the Gospel” (Lisa’s paraphrase)…they also understand that we should be filled with compassion in regards to people dying and going to hell. They said to me “Lisa, if I was part of a religion that believed that anyone who was not a part of it was going to burn in hell for eternity, I’d be telling everyone I knew and BEGGING them to accept the truth”.

They went on to say that they do not see/hear Christians consistently sharing their faith. Their experience from interaction with family and friends who are Christians has been that they have the response of “oh, well…it’s your choice…that’s on you”…even I personally sometimes have the conclusion of “well, they have been told the truth and know the consequences of their choice” and just leave it at that. Yes, I think there is some validity to that approach, but I also think I lack compassion in the area of being mindful to continue to pray for them and trust that God will change their heart.

In our conversation about it, I ultimately had to own up to the fact that I am not always at the place of having compassion for the lost…I mean, if asked if I do, I would say “yes” but when I take a close look, do I really? And if so, what am I doing about it? I think many times, we just get consumed with our every day lives that we lose focus of the big picture. My friend said he concludes it as most Christians are ultimately okay with people dying and going to hell and have the “I’m just glad it’s not me” attitude. This definitely made me pause for a moment of self-reflection…I want to be someone who’s actions line up with my words! I do not want to be in the category of ultimately “not caring” that people are dying and going to hell. Yeah, it’s hard just doing the day to day tasks of life, but we have to remember that there is much more to life that!

My friend actually went to church with me a few Sundays ago…during the service, my pastor issued a challenge (for lack of a better word) for everyone to be intentional with connecting with two unbelievers and ultimately inviting them to our Spring Fling/Festival (outreach) and/or to church on Easter Sunday. After the service, my friend said “so, who are your two people going to be?” I did not have an answer.

Honestly, when the challenge was given, I guess my thought process was “oh, I don’t know who I would have to invite” and my mind just moved on. My friend later revisited the idea of the challenge and made the point of people have the attitude of either a) it going in one ear and out the other…it being “heard”, but not “acted” upon or b) oh, someone else will do it! I am hopeful that my church community will respond otherwise and that we will see a lot of new believers as a result!

This has, yet again, challenged me in a deeper way…I want to be a person of deep compassion for the “lost”…I in no way want to be “okay” with people that I know and love dying and going to hell…or anyone for that matter…as we have been hearing at church the past few weeks, if I don’t tell them, who will???

Just my thoughts…

More Americans Say They Have NO Religion

2009-03-09T16:44:00.003-04:00

After a stirring time in His presence this morning (with my head once again between the earbuds of my I-pod), and some spiritual "Wheaties" from the Scriptures, I powered up the laptop to check my e-mail and see who's doing what on FaceBook. One of the e-mails that downloaded was my daily Headline News update from Robin Meade of CNN. One particular headline caught my attention. It read: More Americans say they have no religion. I also turned on the TV to Headline News and there it was. She was talking about the same subject. She was asking people to text her with their opion of why more Americans are less interested in religion. One man wrote in to say that he thinks it is because parents today don't force their opinions on their children these days. He made it clear that He and his wife did not force their opinions (which included God) on their children. He believes they should find out for themselves. That sounded very interesting. Looking back I'm glad we didn't let our 4 children find out for themselves that playing on the interstate was not conducive to a long and healthy life. The more I thought about the subject I remembered what God told the people of Israel in the Old Testament.

"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons (and daughters) and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. "God (through Moses) went on to say, "...watch yourself, that you do not forget the Lord who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." (Deuteronomy 6: 6-9, 12).

Now I will agree 100% that one of the MAIN reasons people seem to be less interested in (let's call it what it/He is - God), is because parents are not teaching their children the things of God, and they are not living for Him either. It's not that people who know Christ get less and less interested in Him. No the problem is that one generation fails to declare Christ to the next generation. The psalmist David said "One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts." (Psalm 145: 4)

Today many people are criticizing the church and blaming her for all of this. It is true that we have to change the way we do church to be effective in these last days. But the real problem originates in the family. Church is made up of people who live in and come from families.

And finally let me say that Christ Jesus is a legacy worth passing down to the next generation. No I am not trying to minimize Jesus to some family tradition. But if parents live for Jesus, their children will catch on - and will be brought at an early age to make a decision for Jesus. This is simply the way God engineered the process. Today less people are interest in God (and becoming interested in self and world) because more parents fail to pass on the legacy of a life lived wholly for Jesus. The church needs revival. But not the church organization that meets a couple of times a week. The church is made up of people that make up families that eventually make up the local church. What do you think?

Where Is Your Heart?

2009-03-07T14:16:00.003-05:00

I've always been intrigued by something Jesus said one day. He said "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". I have often pondered that statement. (Actually I've pondered quite a few of His statements!) But this one has really gotten my attention lately. "Where your treasure is - there your heart will be also". What is my treasure? The treasure Jesus was talking about is something like a deposit. A deposit of something extremely valuable to you.

After thinking about this for some time, I believe I can name 3 general deposits we all make every day of our lives: Time, energy, and money. Here's the question: Where are you and I depositing our time, energy, and money? Wherever that is - that is our treasure and there you'll find our hearts.

I really enjoy fishing. I've done a lot of fishing in my life but I haven't been fishing in about 9 years! It's not that I've quit fishing (and will never go again), I have simply found a better depository for my time, energy, and money! Now if any of you want to offer to take me to Steinhatchee to fish the flats for specs I will be MOST OPEN to the invitation! Some people like golf, some movies, some water sports, others music, some jobs, TV, video games, etc. But let me get back to what Jesus said. He said "Where your treasure (deposit of time, energy, and $) is, there your heart will be also.

In order to be effective in serving Jesus He has to have possession of our hearts. I remember growing up hearing the statement "His heart just wasn't in it." It's when a person undertakes a task but their heart just isn't in it. You can do it, but you just don't give it your all. I've heard coaches talk about athletes that are good but have no heart. Many Christ followers are like this. We must be careful that we don't profess to serve Him, but our hearts are far away from Him. Our treasure is deposited in the things of this world.

In Matthew 6: 19 - 21 Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Bottom line: Let's be careful that our treasure (along with our heart) is not stored up in the things that are passing away. What we deposit in heaven today will last forever!

Exchanging My TIME for His PRESENCE

2009-03-04T18:15:00.003-05:00

The above phrase came to my mind today as I was basking in His presence. "Exchanging my time for His presence". Quite often I get alone with God with my head between the ear buds of my I-pod. It seems that during those encounters (when I just sit and enjoy His presence in the midst of some anointed worship), time almost stops. But at the same time I am amazed at how much time slips by during these encounters! I guess that proves God owns time - but is not confined to it.

Through the years I've heard pastors and teachers teach on the subject of the Law of Exchange. It is when you give something and in return get something. For instance, when you give $1.77 @ Starbuck's, you in return get a delicious, tall cup of Sumatra or a Cafe Verona brewed to perfection. In a sense, you turn your buck 77 into a delicious cup of coffee! God kind of used that analogy on me today. (I wonder why!)

When I give my valuable time to God, to just be with Him - in return I experience a dimension of His presence that only comes by exchanging my time. How valuable is my time? I will answer that with another question. How valuable is His presence? In His presence I experience so many things that literally change the course of my day. Here are just a few: His love, His energy, His joy, His gladness, His strength, His voice, His input, His direction, His Word, His Son, His Spirit, and more.

Let me ask you, are you ready to exchange your time for His presence? I can promise you this - it will change your life - and it's much better than even a cup of French Roast from Starbuck's!

Hot, Cold, or Lukewarm?

2009-03-04T14:07:00.002-05:00

In the book of Revelation Jesus sends messages through John to 7 churches. To 6 of those 7 churches he has some good things to say. But to one of those churches he has absolutely nothing good to say - the church at Laodicea. John writes in Revelation 3:14-16, "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth."

Jesus says, "I know your deeds." In other words, "I see your actions. I know what you are doing." He says, "Because I see all, I know that you are neither cold nor hot." This is pretty heavy. Then at the end of verse 15 (into 16) Jesus says something very interesting. He says, "I wish you were cold or hot. So because you are neither hot not cold, I will spit you out of My mouth." Did you catch that? Jesus actually states that out of the 3 conditions mentioned (hot, cold, or lukewarm) - only 2 are acceptable to Him: hot or cold! I can understand HOT being an acceptable condition to Jesus - but COLD? Hot, of course, means on fire for Him. It means a fervent relationship with Him. But let's take a look at cold. Cold is the condition of being destitute because of our lack of faith, trust, and obedience to Him. But the key to this condition is that we REALIZE the condition we are in. Remember the Prodigal Son? In arrogance he demanded his inheritance early, went away and squandered it all in a foreign land with very lose living. After awhile he found himself in a pig pen, eating the pig's food he was supposed to be feeding to the pigs! It was in that condition (COLD) that the Scripture says "He came to his senses." That was the point at which he realized that he needed to change his ways. That point (COLD) is as far away as one can get from hot - but it is still acceptable to Jesus! It is the point just before a believer can be set on fire! Cold is a factor in the critical mass necessary to make someone on fire. On the other hand lukewarm is totally unacceptable to Jesus. Why? Because a person who is lukewarm really believes he/she is OK and doesn't realize that they are not OK. Lukewarm = self-righteousness and religion. It's like coffee. I like it best hot, but it's not too bad cold! I like my tea preferably cold, but I can take it hot. But I don't like either lukewarm. Yuck! Jesus said the lukewarm He will vomit out of His mouth. Why? Because it is an unacceptable condition to Him.

We must understand that Jesus writes these messages not to the cities mentioned in Revelation, but to the CHURCHES in these cities. Jesus had a very hard message to the church at Laodicea, which can easily be compared to many churches in our western culture today. But He ended with something very, very positive and encouraging for we, the church of today. Revelation 3:19-22, "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'" This passage is used so often to refer to unsaved people. It works for them, but Jesus wrote it to the CHURCH at Laodicea.

Finally, If you are as cold as ice, and you realize you need His fire in your walk; if you actually miss the warmth of His love in your life that perhaps you once experienced, you are in an acceptable place as far as Jesus is concerned. Your heart may be cold, but you are just a short step from the incredible fire of God! Call out to Him!

Applebees Sets A Good Example

2009-01-30T21:07:00.002-05:00

I just got back from eating a great meal with a good friend of mine at Applebees. The place was extremely packed. It is Friday evening. But with the economy down I sort of expected to see fewer people. In this nationally famous restaurant you couldn't tell the economy is struggling. At least you couldn't tell anyone was worried about it! It was really nice to be in a place bustling with friendly people, having a great time and enjoying their meal. It was easy to see that even in the midst of a struggle there are certain things people intend to keep doing. I was wondering how many of those people had given up something in order to experience a great evening in a great restaurant. It goes to show that many of the things we truly want to do, can be done if we are willing to make some adjustments. What are we willing to set aside to do something we are really passionate about?

I believe in these uncertain times (uncertain in the world's view) knowing God can be the same way. The things on the outside can be stressing; even a struggle. However if we are passionate about God, we can find His extremely comforting presence in the midst of any circumstance. God never changes. His principles hold forever. If we truly desire to be used by Him, and we are willing to lay aside some stuff, God will be the incredible God He is through you and me. I've never found in the Book where we are told that when things get rough we are no longer qualified to do great exploits for Him. As a matter of fact, it is in times like these that God wants to show His awesome power and love to people through you and me. Ask God to use you during these rough times. Ask Him to simply be the mighty God He is through you! He'll do it you know!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T09:13:00.002-05:00

I want to take this opportunity to say Happy New Year to all! What a great time it is! There is something fresh about the start of a New Year. With the New Year comes new opportunities. New opportunities to be used by Christ. Ecclesiastes 3: 1 says, "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven." The beginning of 2009 is the beginning of a new season. I am convinced that we exit one season and go through the door of a new season as we enter a new year.

I want to encourage you to press forward in the vision God has laid upon your heart. Last night I was involved in an incredible celebration of God's goodness for 2008, and for what He will do in 2009. I feel I heard God say "I want to bring into existence the desires of your hearts. I want to make that thing that is utterly impossible for you possible!" He said to some, "You are looking at a totally HOPELESS situation...at least for man. But I will take your hopeless situation and make a way!" It was a very encouraging celebration!

The beginning of the new year presents to us an opportunity to focus or refocus on the things we know He's laid upon our hearts and push forward toward them. I am also convinced that 2009 is a year for break-through for the person who has been standing on God's promise. It's easy for me to say something like that because it is so common for ministers to declare encouraging things. But I am speaking to the person who has been standing, believing, and yet sees no results. This year you will if you don't give up! Keep standing! Do be encouraged because God will honor the faith and perseverance of the one who remains standing!

God never says we won't be challenged as we have in former years. But He does say that those will reap the harvest of God's promises if they don't lose heart and grow weary. (Gal. 6: 9)

May you and your family have a most blessed and prosperous 2009!

What is Christmas to You?

2008-12-16T17:19:00.003-05:00

What is Christmas to you? Some would say Christmas is the time of the year when most of the world commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Others would say Christmas is a time when families gather for some hang time and great food. Still others would say Christmas is all about presents, stockings, and Santa Claus. The truth is, for most of us Christmas is nothing more than a big deadline! Everything we believe concerning Christmas has to be done by December 25th - Christmas Day! The decorations must be hung and put in perfect order. The cards addressed, stamped, and mailed out. The gifts must be purchased for every person. The house must be perfect for family and guests. The food must be prepared for all those hungry family members and guests! Whew! And it all must be done by December 25th - Christmas Day!

The push begins just before Halloween and gets hotter and heavier until Christmas Day. Then it's all over! The radio stations play Christmas music all the way to 11:59PM on Christmas Night. Then it's all over! All is back to normal for another 9 and a half months until the cycle begins to run all over again. Is Christmas just a deadline to you?

All of this is not evil in itself, but it is very distracting. Distracting? Yes, from the real meaning of Christmas. During the Christmas season most of the world (including most religions) acknowledges that Christ came. And those who are true Christ-followers understand that not only did He come, but He came as Savior of the world. The most positive aspect of the Christmas season is that most of the world is at least conscious of the fact that Christ came. What a great time to promote the real meaning of Christmas! The greatest Gift of all was given to you and me by the Creator of the universe! Let's share the Gift with our families, friends, guests, and anyone who will listen during this Christmas season. Let's thoroughly enjoy the season, but let's not forget its true meaning. Merry Christmas!

Miracles

2008-09-29T06:44:00.003-04:00

It's been awhile since I last posted. I have been very busy being a part of building Jesus' church. My, how time flies by!

I have been doing a study and teachings on the miracles of the Bible and how they still apply to us today. Miracles do still happen. They're all around us. We tend to place miracles in one selective class - "creative miracles". You know, when God creates an arm that was not there or an eyeball that was not there. Those certainly are miracles and man, could we stand to see more of those. But miracles are all around us. The Bible says that a miracle is a "work of power". (Power being God's power.) By the way I've been using a quote (from me) that I think is very profound. Here is it: "In order to do God's work we need God's power". Think about that. The church in the earth should be all about doing the WORK of God right? But man cannot do God's work! If the work is born of or accomplished by man alone it is only of man. That's religion! But if what we do in the earth is the work of God - we desperately need His power to accomplish it. God's power is the difference between religion and the supernatural! My prayer partners and I are always praying "Lord don't bless what we are doing, but help us to do what you are blessing". We need God's power to do God's work.

Here is the greatest miracle - the saving of our souls. Think about it. The only way to God and the kingdom is through Jesus. We can't do it in and of ourselves. We cannot save ourselves. But He did the work for us! When we trust in Jesus and receive the work of the cross (God's power) something happens to us that we could not accomplish in and of ourselves. That's a miracle! That is the greatest miracle!

This is one thing I have learned from studying many of the miracles of the Bible. The miracle has more to do with HOW God performed them than the fact that He performed them! The feeding of the 5000 is just one of the many examples. The miracle is not so much that over 20000 people (including women and children) ate. Everybody eats! It's not so much that He supplies a need. The Bible promises that "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." But many times the miracle is in HOW He provides. In the case of the 5000 Jesus took, only 5 loaves and 2 fish. However He took them from the disciples, blessed them (there's the power), gave them back to the disciples, and the disciples fed ALL of the people. Over 12 baskets full were left over!

Before Jesus left the earth to ascend back to the Father, He told the apostles NOT to leave Jerusalem until they were wrapped up in POWER he would send to them from heaven. Then in Acts 1: 8, Jesus says, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you..." Paul said in Galatians 3: 5, "He provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you..." What do you think?

Know You Part

2008-07-07T15:51:00.002-04:00

I just finished the 3rd part of my teaching series "Passion with a Purpose". The 3rd session is entitled "Know Your Part. The series deals with group/corporate worship. What part do I play when I am worshipping with other people who are worshipping?

Generally speaking my part and your part is to participate. We can either participate or spectate. In my humble opinion it is better to be a participator than it is to be a spectator. The difference between group worship and individual worship is sharing. God designed the corporate gathering to be something that is shared among worshippers. That's why Jesus said, "Where 2 or 3 come together in My name - I'm there." Listen to what the word "participate" from the English language means. Participate: to take or have a part or share in. To participate means to take part in, to have a part in, or to share in. That's what group/corporate worship is all about. There is a tremendous blessing for the person who takes part in or shares in corporate worship. In addition he/she is a blessing to God and others. One who is a participator in worship is one who experiences God's life-changing presence. On the other hand one who is a spectator of worship is one who is in the room - but is actually disconnected from the flow of God's presence. From God's Word which substantiates my own experiences, we learn it is our responsibility to participate in group worship. Sometimes we feel like it and sometimes we don't feel like it. Since we walk by trusting in God, not the way things appear, we must make the choice to "enter into" His presence in group worship every time we have the opportunity. Let's don't miss any opportunity to be in His incredible presence!

Acceptable Worship

2008-06-25T17:18:00.002-04:00

I am now in the 2nd part of a 4-part series entitled "Passion with a Purpose". In this second session I am covering the subject of "Acceptable Worship". Let me say something we must all understand right at the beginning: The way we worship and approach God MATTERS to Him. God establishes the protocol for approaching Him and has laid it out in His Word.

From what I have experienced in worship there are two types of worship: Acceptable worship and token worship. What is token worship? Understanding that a token is a substitute for the genuine, token worship is something offered to God to please self alone. How does that happen? Some examples: Many people do church to do their time. Who does that please? Themselves. Somewhere within there is a "self" gratification that "I have met the minimum requirement". But that is token worship. The same is true in group praise and worship in the church. Some endure the praise and worship (it's very obvious on their faces) thinking they are offering something to God. The truth is they are doing their time. They think this actually satisfies God too! The truth is God doesn't receive or accept token worship! Token worship (which pleases man) is pure religion!

But then there is acceptable worship. This worship is accepted by God. Cain and Able (See Gen. 4) are a very good example. At harvest time Cain brings an offering to God from his crops. God doesn't accept Cain's offering. Cain is very upset! God says "Cain I'll accept you're offering if you respond to Me in the correct way!" Abel shows us the correct way. The Word says Abel brought several "choice" lambs from the "best" of his flock. The difference? Cain brought God a token offering. Abel brought an acceptable one! Cain brought God a little somethin' somethin'. Abel brought God the best he had. The real lesson in this story is that when God accepts your offering, He accepts you! When He does not accept your offering (Cain) He doesn't accept you! Pay close attention to this scripture. "Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name; bring an offering and come into His courts." If the worship we present to God (in group worship) is acceptable to God - we get in! When we get in to His incredible Holy Place we are never the same!

Passion With A Purpose

2008-06-20T07:27:00.003-04:00

I'm in a teaching series on Group Worship entitled "Passion With A Purpose". It seems that in many Spirit-filled churches today, group worship has become nothing more than a song service or a preliminary to fill up an alloted slot of time. Part of this is because of a lack of Biblical teaching on the subject. In many cases we do what we do because it's just what we've always done! An earlier generation experienced a real break-through of the Spirit that changed the course of the church. So we seem to cruise on simply doing what we know to do.

Another reason that group worship (in some cases) is nothing more than a process is: a lack of passion in the worshipper. Where do we get the needed passion to offer acceptable worship to God? Passion is born out of relationship. The depth of one's ability to worship God is directly proportional to the depth of their relationship with God. We must understand that God initiated the process of worship as he reached out to us in Jesus. God made the way for mankind to be in relationship with Him by offering His Son for our sins. Why did God do this? So we could be in a real relationship with Him.

Even in the Old Covenant (Old Testament) God made it possible for Israel to approach Him through the sacrificial system. Why? Because He desired a relationship. The result is that Israel became the people of God. It is truly a manifestation of God's infinite grace for God, even in the Old Testament to allow a people to approach Him at all! We do serve a mighty God!

Just what is worship? Generally speaking worship is a response to God. The dictionary says that the word response is: an answer or reply, as in words or in some action. We can only respond to God as a result of a relationship we have with Him in which He initiates His incredible goodness toward us! There are many ways in which man responds to God's goodness. Here are just a few: joy, celebration, lifting of hands, applause, clapping, music, song, dance, shouting, bowing, kneeling, and tears.

Our relationship with Christ should provide the motivation to celebrate in church or in any place! (To be continued!)

A Tribute To Joe

2008-06-14T12:24:00.003-04:00

On Tuesday, May 27th Joe Duckett went home to be with Jesus. Joe had battled Alzheimer's Disease since the early 90's. But on Tuesday, May 27th, 2008 he was totally healed!

Joe was a tremendous man of God who influenced the lives of hundreds of people of all ages. He was a loving husband and father who understood what it meant to be the priest of his home. He was a true family man and influenced my life in that area particularly.

I met Joe in August of 1977 when he interviewed me for a job position at his own radio station in Lake City, Florida. He was not only a great employer but a great friend also. He saw to it that the needs of my family were met. He really cared.

In early 1978 Joe Duckett met Christ and was never the same. His life changed drastically! This brings me to the best of many reasons that Joe was so dear to me: He is the one who led me to Jesus just 8 months after he became a follower of Christ! My life changed drastically too! Joe and Barbara Duckett (along with some others) mentored me and stood with me. Joe stood with me during one of the toughest times in my life. It was his encouragement that caused me to grow as a young Christ-follower and take God at His Word! It worked!

I will miss Joe, but I also envy him! Joe is now totally healed and in the presence of the One he truly loved from this side of glory. Joe has finished the journey, one we will all finish one day. Joe has received his reward and crown of glory he so deserved. He is now a part of that great cloud of encouraging witnesses Hebrews tells us about. The good news is that I will again see Joe Duckett. I will again see his infectious smile!

And finally I thank God for the opportunity to know Joe. I will never forget those wonderful experiences as a new believer. I owe much of it to Joe Duckett because of his willingness to serve the God he loved so dearly.

Jacked up

2008-05-24T07:15:00.002-04:00

We just returned from the Evangel Fellowship International (EFI) spring conference. It was incredible! The setting was Epworth By The Sea on beautiful Saint Simons Island, Georgia. The conference celebrated 25 years of world-wide ministry. We were so blessed to be a part of it.

The conference offered so many things that I took away as practical tools to make our ministry more relevant to the people of our community. It was also very refreshing. The atmosphere was permeated with some really cool (anointed) praise and worship. And one of the best things about the conference is the great new friendships you establish along the great friends you get to see again. We got to spend some time with our own pastors Bishop Sam and Rheba Drye. What a blessing! All in all it was most encouraging!

Bound for the Island

2008-05-20T09:06:00.003-04:00

Connie and I are on our way to Saint Simons Island for a 3 day EFI conference. It actually begins today but we left North Georgia on Sunday afternoon! We are sort of taking our time! I love it!

I am so excited about the time away and the time at the conference. Our hearts are wide open for the voice of God. We are expecting to receive life-changing nuggets that can be applied in practical ways. That's what I love about God. He is so supernatural. But he uses people (ordinary people) as His vessels to bring the supernatural to practical use in our lives and ministries. But isn't that exactly what Jesus is all about? He was God, The Son, and He became a bond-servant in the form of human flesh to change the course of our entire life!

Connie and I are on this trek for personal blessing. However, as pastors of the greatest church on the planet, we want to also be those human vessels to translate His supernatural in to practical, usable ministry to change the lives of those awesome people who call themselves "The Sanctuary Church"!

Bullies In The Church?

2008-05-01T18:23:00.000-04:00

Bullying is the act of intentionally causing harm to others, through verbal harassment, physical assault or other more subtle methods of coercion such as manipulation. Bullies hurt people verbally and physically because they themselves have been the victim of bullying, (e.g. a bullying child who is abused at home, or bullying adults who are abused by their colleagues).

Believe it or not there are bullies in the body of Christ! Yea I know the church should be a safe place right? Most of the bullying usually comes from leaders in the church; from the pastor to anyone in a form of leadership. Before I go any further I let me say that not every single person in leadership and not every pastor is a bully. As a matter of fact they are few and far between, thank God! But you will know a bully when you encounter one.

Most bullies are hurting. You've probably heard the saying "Hurt people hurt people". People who are bullies haven't dealt with their own insecurities of low self esteem and self-worth. By controlling and manipulating and coercing they hide their own insecurities.

Actually most bullies crave acceptance by others; especially people of prominence and importance. They will even brown-nose the influential while at the same time coerce someone of equal or lower position. The problem is that a bully doesn't trust God in the areas of his/her insecurities. They look to their own "strengths" instead acknowledging their weaknesses. Thus the power of Christ is not free to move in and through them.

Bullies use intimidation and often feel they have to put down others to promote themselves. A leader who is a bully will often use their position to manipulate subordinates into doing whatever they want. They often use guilt as a form of manipulation and control. A bully is obsessed with his/her authority and ends up abusing it grossly. They are quick to let people know of their authority. And they never really operate in that authority because true authority is born out of servanthood and submission to authority!

How do you recognize a bully? A bully does not function as a servant. He/she expects others to do the seemingly more menial tasks while he/she enjoys directing from their position.

And finally a bully has his/her own agenda. Their cause is the only cause. I am reminded of how the greatest servant of all times (who happened to be the King of Kings) lay aside His agenda, His privileges, and emptied Himself, becoming a bond-servant in the form of a human being. (Philippians Chapter 2). Of course His name is Jesus and He is our example.

The Instrument of God

2008-04-21T17:11:00.003-04:00

I was teaching the other night about being an instrument of God when He dropped something in my spirit that I think is really incredible.

Being a musician myself I understand why God would drop this on me. He had me use my son and worship leader as an example. Billy plays guitar and plays quite well. When he is playing his guitar who enjoys it the most - the guitar or Billy? Obviously the answer is Billy! I play the keyboard. I really enjoy playing the keyboard, especially when I am playing to God! The question again is who enjoys it the most - the keyboard or me? Again the obvious answer is me! It is similar when God uses you and me as an instrument in His hands. There is a difference because we as His instruments are living beings and we get tremendously blessed as He uses us. But the similarity is that when we are yielded and He uses us, He gets blessed more that we do!

Listen to this example. Jesus said in Matthew 25: 40, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me." To me this is one of the greatest reasons to yield to God as His vessel/instrument. As His instrument (in being used by Him to impact others) we actually bless Him! In whatever ways we minister to others - we minister to Him. If we can just see that blessing others really blesses Him. Many want to serve and bless because they know He will bless them back. But underlying all of that we must realize the greatest way to bless Him is to bless others! We are blessing Him! How incredible is that!

What's A Servant?

2008-04-09T10:57:00.002-04:00

There's much talk today (especially among Christ-followers) about being a servant; or serving others. Obviously The Book says a lot about the subject. But I wonder if we really have the necessary insight into what it means to be a servant. I wonder if we are really paying attention to what The Book says. I say this because we live in a fast-paced, technologically developed society that is replete with stuff from Ipods to cell phones (that act like Ipods) to high definition plasma TVs that don't hang on the wall - they replace the wall!

Our only genuine example comes from The Bible (The Book). Of course our example is Jesus Himself. I'm not talking about Jesus washing His disciple's feet or riding into Jerusalem during the last week of His life on earth on the back of a donkey. And I am not denying that Jesus was the greatest servant to mankind. But the greatest example Jesus can give us of servant hood came before He left heaven to come to the earth!

What motivated Jesus to come to the earth? Was it love? Of course. Was it love for humanity? Of course. But something greater than love for you and me motivated Jesus to come. It was love for His Father! There's the example! In the book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 15 we can learn about the principle of the "bond-servant".

It explains that a bond-servant was a slave who was offered the opportunity to go free after serving his master for 6 full years. At this time the servant had the opportunity to go free. However, if the servant so desired he could remain a slave. The only thing was that if he chose to remain a slave - it was for the rest of his life! He now becomes more than a servant - he is a bond-servant. Why would a slave choose to do this? Deuteronomy 15:16 says he chooses to stay because he loves his master and his family! The motivation to become a bond-servant is - love!

In the New Testament, in the book of Philippians, chapter 2, verse 7 we find that Jesus "emptied Himself, took the form of a bond-servant, and came to earth as a human being". Who did Jesus become a bond-servant to? Not to humanity, but to God the Father. The Hebrew definition of a bond-servant tells us that this person is "one whose will is consumed in the will of another". In this case Jesus' will was completely consumed in the will of His Father. "For God so loved the world that He gave His unique and only Son...." (John 3: 16) Listen to Jesus in John 14:31b, "...but so the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commands Me". In the Garden the night Jesus was handed over there was a battle between His own will and the will of His Father. However, after a great battle for your and my soul, Jesus completely submitted His will to His Father's will!

So, what does this mean for you and me? It means that we must love Jesus so much that our will is consumed in His will. It means that whatever He says to do we love Him so much that we will do it. He put it this way. "If you love Me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15) It means that being a servant is being a servant to Him first. Our motivation to serve others can only be born out of our love for Him! We serve others because we are eternally bound to Him. We know that His will is to love and care for others. We do it because we want to please our Master. Again, because we love Him and choose to serve Him all the days of our live! Cool!

Back On Track

2008-04-09T10:54:00.002-04:00

Wow! It's been a long time since I last posted! Life is busy!

I want to get things rolling again with the blog. I want to share my thoughts and insights as I live each day. I'll do my best to stay on track!

Why Is Mary's Story So Important?

2007-12-22T17:05:00.000-05:00

Well, here it is Christmas again! It amazes me how Christmas comes sooner and sooner each year!

The true story of Christmas is told in the Bible in Luke Chapters 1 and 2. The angel comes to young Mary and announces to her she will give birth to the Son of God! She is nearly overwhelmed and asks the angel "How can this be since I am not having sexual relations with a man?" This was a legitimate question coming from a godly young woman. The angel precedes to tell Mary that God's Spirit would come upon her and God's power would cause her to be impregnated with the seed of God. As a result the child would be called the Son of God. The unique thing is that Mary remained a virgin through the pregnancy and birth since she had no sexual relations with a man. It was even prophesied in the Old Testament that "the virgin will be pregnant with a child". This is a physical impossibility - unless God's power intervenes!

Here's the scenario: God had to become a person like one of us in order to experience the frailties of humanity. But at the same time this person had to be sinless. God had to be human and yet sinless! Without divine intervention this would be impossible! The Bible says He was touched with every single thing we are touched with, but He did not sin. The goal of Jesus was the cross where He became the sacrifice for all our sins. But understand that no human conceived of a man and woman could suffice as the sacrifice. Why? Because we are not sinless. But a human conceived of God and a virgin would suffice! Why? Because He would be "God in the flesh". Even though He lived in the flesh He would be sinless! So when He offered Himself for our sins He would be THE acceptable, spotless, sinless sacrifice!

The conception and birth of Jesus is one of a kind, unique. It has never happened like this before and never will again. God refers to Jesus as His "Only begotten Son". When we see the significance of the virgin giving birth, we also get a clear picture of how incredible God is. And even more we see how much he really, really loves us humans!

Merry Christmas!