OBX Day... I'm a lifeguard!!!

Today was a beautiful day. I spent the majority of my day on the beach... another large portion of it eating and I even took a nap!

So I'm resting in a very large wooden lifeguard chair after tearing it up skim-boarding this evening, and suddenly it hits me... I'm a lifeguard!!!

Let me explain what I mean.

Tonight, as I was sitting in this ridiculously large wooden chair... there was a thunderstorm out over the ocean. I couldn't hear it but the whole sky lit up when the lighting hit... I was sitting there thinking about how large our ocean is... and how huge our sky is... and it all reminded me of how awesome our God is!!!

I often think about God when having the opportunity to gaze at our beautiful world... this is God's creation. It was all created by him (Gen 1:1). Me personally... I love a sunrise or sunset... there is something about the sky that points me to our God... (Psalm 19:1).

As I was sitting there meditating on God... I thought of Romans 1. Here Paul is setting up his argument and position that all have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). He begins by explaining that God has been and is seen in his creation (Rom 1:18-25). It is so easy for man to worship the creature instead of the creator (Rom 1:25).

I thought about the many people that walk this beautiful beach everyday. I wonder what holds the attention of their hearts. Are they immediately captured by how beautiful God's creation is and compelled to worship him as a result or are they merely distracted by God's creation and compelled to worship it instead? What about my own affections?

As I prayed, my heart began to break for the world and the people that don't know God... my heart was immediately burdened for the lost. For those who have had their minds veiled to the truth of the gospel... (2 Cor 4:4).

I have a hope (2 Cor 3:12)! I have good news for the world. I have the gospel of Jesus Christ to share. I know there are people who are walking in darkness in this world with a veil over their foolish hearts unable to see God for who he is (Rom 1:21). He has called me and saved me. God has brought me into his family... his people. He has called me to love him with all my heart and love others (Mark 12:30-31). He has called me to be a light to this dark world (2 Cor 4:6, 2 Peter 1:19). He did not just save me from my sin though. He also saved me to something... He has called me to proclaim his love and his excellencies (1 Peter 2:9).

Actually, we all proclaim something... we all herald something... maybe our favorite restaurant, a favorite vacation spot, possessions, a hobby or even a person!!! We are really good at it. We were built to proclaim something... I believe that we are built to proclaim God's salvation (Psalm 96:1-2)!!!

Do you see? I'm a lifeguard. I have a life-preserver... one that saves whosoever will grab it (John 3:16-18).

So instead of sitting here for the rest of our time on this earth watching people drown in sin... let us preach the good news of the cross!!! We are lifeguards!!!

I pray that this thought will help us all understand more deeply the message of the gospel and the privilege of being a minister of it...

Blessings!

Give Me Jesus (Repost)

This is a repost from February... A friend of mine visited the Billy Graham museum in NC this weekend. Her stories reminded me of this post... I pray that it encourages your heart.

Give Me Jesus

There is a song called Give Me Jesus by Fernando Ortega. The lyrics are...

In the morning when I rise

In the morning when I rise

In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,

Give me Jesus,

You can have all this world,

Give me Jesus

When I am alone

When I am alone

When I am alone, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,

Give me Jesus,

You can have all this world,

Give me Jesus

When I come to die

When I come to die

When I come to die, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,

Give me Jesus,

You can have all this world,

Give me Jesus

Please listen to and watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu2E2FUcIiE

Billy Graham has been a servant of Jesus Christ along with his wife Ruth for decades. His crusades have seen millions of people commit their lives to Christ! God has taken the surrendered hearts of this couple and used them to reach an entire world with the love of Christ and the power of the gospel! They were a great team. Its been said that every great spiritual leader or pastor has a great godly helper and partner by his side. Ruth Graham devoted her life to serving God and her husband and went home to be with the Lord in 2007. Together they raised five children to know Jesus! One among them being Franklin Graham who leads Samaritan's Purse and will be his father's successor.

Paul knew what it meant to live a life devoted to Christ! For Paul nothing was more important than Christ.

1 Cor. 2:2 says, "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

Romans 8:38-39 says, "For I am sure that neither death not life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

It is all about him!!! Nothing else matters!

Jesus himself said, "... apart from me you can do nothing" (Jn 15:5).

I try so many times to live my life without him. As a follower of Christ I should follow him! He alone is good. He alone is what I need. As the song says, "Give me Jesus... You can have all this world... You can have all this world... You can have all this world... but give me Jesus!!!"

He loves us! He died for us. Give me Jesus! "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends" (Jn 15:13). Jesus then then says, "These things I command you so that you will love one another" (v.17).

You see God is love (1 Jn 4:8). Love is not God but God is love. We sometimes get confused that we can love without God being our first love. This thinking could not be more insane. There are various types of love. Google the Greek words for love and read about them. We must remember that "love is from God and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God" (v.7). The greek word being used in this passage is agape. This is the same love that is described in 1 Cor 13. From this love all other forms of love are shared. Without it we cannot love.

To keep Christ as our first agape (Rev 2:4) is to live a life of worship to our God!!! I love God because he first loved me. He saved my soul! He made me new. He is my Lover, my Savior, my Lord, my Friend and my Life. He is Jesus.

Give me Jesus.

My Prayer Tonight

My God... Dear God,

I am so less than you are! I want to decrease more, so that you will increase more... I want my life to be spent making more of you, much of you, everyday. May it be so...

God I know that I, unless in your graciousness allow me not to..., must suffer the consequences of my past sins... not that I am not pure before you and your work on the Cross is in vain!!!! I claim the Blood of Christ! My gift, my salvation, my love!!!

But that choices produce circumstances... circumstances may lead to trials. Have you not called me to walk wisely? You have! Give me the wisdom to do so now so that I may not suffer ahead! And in the middle of my trials, whether they be ordained by your sovereignty or they be a result of my unwise choices... you have called me to rejoice... and I rejoice!!!

Because I know you love me. I know you are making me complete... mature. I know you have something in mind for me... and I know that it is good! I don't deserve it.... but you have promised it!

I trust you Lord... I accept my life... whatever life you give. May I be pleasing to you as you work all things together... teach me to love... In your precious, glorious, gracious name I pray, Amen.

Smile

So I went to Wal-Mart today.

I have to confess that I don't really enjoy going to Wal-Mart. Actually the only thing I like about it is seeing someone I know! Haha...

I was visiting my family today in my home town. My dad and I went to Wal-Mart and guess what... Yep! I saw someone I knew. He's an old friend from the neighborhood that I grew up in. His name is Brian... But most call him "Smiley"

I thought it appropriate that I ran into him in a store that sports a big yellow smiley face for a mascot! That made me smile! Haha...

I spoke with him for a moment (nothing deep... just kind of small talk) then after giving him my number we bid one another farewell. As I was walking away... I felt like God spoke to my heart and said "Did Smiley seem very happy? Was he joyful? I want you to go back and ask him how you may pray for him!"

Actually Smiley didn't seem very happy at all! He smiled but it seemed very hard. It was as if there was a weight on him that covered up his joy! He was like a broken, dirty smiley face!

It took a moment for me to be obedient to what I felt God was asking me to do... I kept telling God that Smiley would call me and I'd talk to him then... but God didn't smile about that! He burdened my heart with the truth that I may never talk to Smiley again! I had to take advantage of that moment to love on this guy (Eph. 5:16).

When I finally got over myself and returned to my friend... I asked him if there was anything I could pray about for him. He was really open to it and seemed very grateful. This led to us talking about what God is doing in my life here lately. Somewhere in our conversation I asked him the question!

"Hey Bro, are you a Christian?"

That question led to a conversation about agnosticism and my favorite thing that Smiley said today, "I'm just not the church going type." Well, he didn't really know what being agnostic meant... but he called himself that... and then after explaining it to him... he assured me that he was not... agnostic.

I asked him about his beliefs concerning God and Jesus. He told me he believes! But he also told me that he is not a Christian. Apparently Smiley is dissatisfied with the Church. At least with what he has experienced of the Church.

We know from the book of Acts that when we were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). We know that what it really means is "Little Christ." Before that... Paul referred to those who followed Jesus as "followers of the Way" (Acts 22:4). Jesus said that He Himself was the Way (Jn. 14:6)!

The reason I share this with whomever reads it is simply this.

Are we following Jesus... the Way? When we read the Scriptures (if we read them) can we look at the picture of the Church (Acts 2:42-47) and say "That's what we look like"?

Or... do we look like "church going people" to my friend Smiley? Are we showing Jesus to this world? Or.... are we showing something else and calling it Christian?

There are so many people in this world who are hurting! They are in bondage! They are living without joy! They need the Truth of the gospel. But the one place they can find it is the one place most don't want to be affiliated with. They say, "I'm not the church going type" ~ Smiley.

I'm not saying that we are to be perfect! Do not misunderstand me. But to the world we live in we often are hypocrites!!! Don't just be a church going type! I urge you... follow Christ!!! They are watching... they need to see Christ in us!!! There are many like this!!! Let them know us by our love (Jn. 13:35)!!!

You say... "Yeah John! Look in the mirror..."

Fine... I'll lead the way! Let's go. Follow me. Let us love one another!

Love

I went Ice Skating for the first time about a month ago... I was thinking...

Have you seen the movie Hitch?

In one scene Hitch and Sarah are sitting on the couch (Hitch is pretty messed up from Benadryl) when Sarah is telling a story about her sister almost drowning after the ice breaking under her while ice skating! The conversation soon moves to love. Sarah says, "I guess it's better not to love at all?" To which Hitch replies, "Yeah... or skate."

Here's my point...

I enjoy ice skating... I can't believe I never done it before now! I also am fond of love. Believe me... I'm a sucker! Hopeless romantic... can't help it. I have often wondered why some people are not. For some it's really hard to fall in love. I know it's a risk! Haha... I just remembered that in one of Will Smith's songs (the actor playing Hitch) he says to his son, "Ewww son, aint no pain like from the opposite sex!"

A mentor of mine wisely told me, "Here's the thing... Love is a choice!"

I'm crazy about those emotional highs that come at the beginning and can be rekindled! But on a day to day basis... "Love is a choice!" This is true for all types of relationships... marriages, friendships, families, and definitely our relationship with our Father in heaven!

My fear is that we are scared to love!!!

There is a time when we should guard our hearts and not awaken love - Proverbs 4:23, Song of Solomon 2:7, Song of Solomon 3:5, Song of Solomon 8:4

But we must not be afraid to fall head over heals crazy in love with God!

I think John the Apostle got this!!!! I mean he got it! Everything he wrote in the Scriptures is filled with stuff about love! He never referred to himself by name. He only said, "The disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23). He never got over the truth that God loved him!!!

Remember that God has called us to love (Mark 12:30-31). To love Him and others! There are many different types of love, but we must remember that our highest calling is to love!!!

Consider this... (1 Jn 4:7-12).

So how can we begin to love as Christ loved? How can we run full speed ahead into love?

Hitch says, "Because thats what people do... they leap and hope to God they can fly! Because otherwise, we just drop like a rock... wondering the whole way down..."why in the .... did I jump?" But here I am Sarah, falling. And there's only one person that makes me feel like I can fly... That's you."

I say... know that you are loved!!! Let Christ and the gospel be the reason you jump! Go ahead... fall! Fall hard and fast.

Choose to Love!!!

Spiritual Disciplines Part 2

Bible Intake

Whitney opens this section of his book with a sad and challenging story. He tells of a time when he and some friends were traveling on mission in East Africa. They soon realized that the church they were ministering to looked as though it was "started by Corinthian missionaries" (23). Very soon, they noticed that the reason for the immorality of this church was that they had no Bible. No one! Not even the pastor had a copy of God's word!

"Most of us shake our heads in pity at such sad conditions. It's hard to imagine that many of us have more Bibles in our homes than entire churches have in some Third-World situations. But it's one thing to be unfamiliar with Scripture when you don't own a Bible; it's another thing when you have a bookshelf full" (24).

Whitney rightly argues that...

"No Spiritual Discipline is more important than the intake of God's word".

It is common for us to become so busy in our lives that we neglect the nourishment needed to make it through this life! Our culture rewards busyness. The more we do the more we feel like we have it all together. But honestly, if we are neglecting our souls of God's Word... I doubt we are doing anything remotely worthwhile. We must cherish and practice the intake of Scripture!!!

Whitney communicates that there are 3 ways that we can do this. They are...

• Hearing God's Word
• Reading God's Word
• Studying God's Word

"The purpose of all methods of Bible intake is obedience to what God says and the development of Christlikeness" (25). Hearing is the easiest. Even so, we must discipline ourselves to hear God's Word. If not, we will only hear it occasionally or never at all. Jesus implied that we would hear Scripture (Luke 11:28). We must remember that merely hearing it is not the point. Obedience to it is!

The way most of us listen to God's word is by attending a New Testament church. This is good for many reasons... one being that God's word commands it (Heb. 10:24-25). Another way that we can listen to it is via technology. I often listen to God's word through sermon podcasts. Most are free for download from Itunes. I recommend pastors/teachers like Mark Driscoll, John Piper, Matt Chandler, Francis Chan, Mark Batterson, and John MacArthur. There are many more that I like. There are more out there than any one person can listen to. Whomever you choose, I encourage you to always pray that God will guard your hearts and minds from error! You should find God fearing men who spend their lives praying and teaching God's Word that you can trust... But remember that no one is perfect... we all have the Holy Spirit to guide us into understanding the Scriptures.

It is also important that we discipline ourselves to read God's Word. You know it doesn't come naturally for us to sit down and take in Scripture! We are so sinful. We have depraved minds and hearts. We must, with the help of the Spirit, discipline ourselves to read it (Rom. 8:1-11). Whitney gives three practical suggestions for consistent success in Bible reading:

• Find the time
• Find a Bible-reading plan. I use... http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/readingplans/index.php/today?plan=1&version=47
• Find at least one word, phrase or verse to meditate on each time you read

In addition to hearing and reading... we must study God's Word. "If reading the Bible can be compared to cruising the width of a clear, sparkling lake in a motorboat, studying the Bible is like slowing crossing that same lake in a glass-bottomed boat" (31). I am to often guilty of neglecting the discipline of dissecting the Scriptures! I want to, but it takes time and effort.

R.C. Sproul said, "Here then, is the real problem of our negligence. We fail in our duty to study God's Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull or boring, but because it is work."

I have taken classes on how to study the Scriptures. It is a science called hermeneutics. Some times people feel very inadequate to study God's Word. It is not merely a discipline for the pastor or church leader alone... it is a privilege for all! There are many resources available to assist in Bible Study. We can do it! We must! Think about this...

If your growth in Godliness were measured by the quality of your Bible intake, what would be the result?

Our growth in Godliness is greatly affected by it! The process of growing in Christlikeness is called sanctification. Jesus prayed that God's people would be sanctified by His Word (John 17:17)! Whitney says, "If we settle for poor quality intake of hearing, reading, and studying God's Word, we severely restrict the main flow of God's sanctifying grace toward us" (33).

It is easy to begin feeling guilty when thinking about this. I've heard it said that the quickest way to humble a Christian is to ask about one's prayer life. But remember that our salvation is not by works of our own, but from what Christ has done for us (Eph. 2:8)! Also, join with Paul in his humble pursuit of holiness (Phil. 3:12-14).

What is one thing you can do to improve your intake of God's Word?

Whatever we do, we must do it with the understanding that our goal is Godliness. To know Him intimately!

Blessings.

Spiritual Disciplines Part 1

In the first chapter of Whitney's book we are immediately exposed to this truth...

"Discipline without direction is drudgery" (p.13). 

It is important for the Christian to understand that God intends to conform His children to the image of His Son (Rom 8:29). This process is called sanctification (Rom 6-8). It means becoming more like Christ. Growing in Godliness and holiness. I don't think any one bearing the name of a believer would consider this a bad thing. But the sad observation I have with most of the Church today is that there seems to be a lack of understanding among believers about how to grow in Godliness as well as an understanding that it is not merely a good thing but actually it is a command (Heb 12:14, 1 Peter 1:15-16). It is vital. We must pursue holiness! 

It is true that we are unable to make ourselves holy (Rom 8:8). But by the Spirit of God in us we can overcome sin and death. This is the meaning of God's Word when it says "... he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you" (Rom 8:9-11). We walk by the Spirit.

Whitney submits and I find his reasoning without concern, that the way in which the believer actively chooses to obediently pursue holiness is found in Paul's instruction to Timothy (1 Tim 4:7). Where the Scripture is translated here "train yourselves for Godliness" it can also be translated "discipline yourselves for godliness. Whitney maintains that "the only road to Christian maturity and Godliness [...] passes through the practice of the Spiritual Disciplines" (p.14). He encourages his readers that when this is remembered, the Spiritual Disciplines become a delight instead of a drudgery. 

"The Spiritual Disciplines are those personal and corporate disciplines that promote spiritual growth. They are the habits of devotion and experiential Christianity that have been practiced by the people of God since biblical times" (p.15).

The Spiritual Disciplines that will be covered in this book are:

• Bible Intake
• Prayer
• Worship
• Evangelism
• Service
• Stewardship
• Fasting
• Silence
• Solitude
• Journaling
• Learning

These are ways (and there are many more) in which we as believers participate with the Spirit of God in sanctification. "Think of the Spiritual Disciplines as spiritual exercises" (p.16). In any effort one understands that in order to become more effective, one must discipline oneself in practice. Whitney points out that there are three ways in which God uses to transform or conform us to Godliness. These are people (Proverbs 27:17), circumstances (James 1:1-4), and the Spiritual Disciplines. He is quick to note that only one of these are primarily under our control... the Spiritual Disciplines.

There are three main points of application:

• There is danger in neglecting the Spiritual Disciplines 
  

          - by neglecting the Spiritual Disciplines we face the danger of bearing little spiritual fruit.

• There is freedom in embracing the Spiritual Disciplines

          - any one who plays an instrument or plays a sport with excellence has heard... "Man, they make that look easy". But the truth is that the freedom they experience in their execution or demonstration of ability comes as a result of practiced discipline. 

• There is an Invitation to All Christians to Enjoy the Spiritual Disciplines

          - all in whom the Spirit of God dwells are invited to taste the joy of a Spiritual Disciplines lifestyle.

"Discipline without direction is drudgery. But the Spiritual Disciplines are not drudgery as long as we practice with the goal of Godliness in mind" (p.22). 

I pray that this has encouraged you to engage in the practice of growing in Godliness. 

Blessings!          

A New Book

Ok... so I was in Lynchburg the other day and I decided to go by the used bookstore. It's painted like a big American flag. I forgot the name of it.

So I found about 10 books that I absolutely felt I needed to buy. I was able to because they were all around 2 bucks each!! The one I am most excited about right now is: 

Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian L.I.F.E by Donald S. Whitney.

This book is a classic. The spiritual disciplines are the ways in which we as believers in Christ grow in godliness. The Scriptural basis and motivation for this book is (1 Tim 4:7). We know that the Holy Spirit does the work of sanctifying the church... the spiritual disciplines are prayer, intake of God's Word, fasting, meditation, worship, service, evangelism and many more ways that we obediently grow in Christlikeness.

As I read I will post some reflections on a chapter by chapter basis. I'd like to share how through the practice of various spiritual disciplines God is growing me into the man he created me to be in His church. 

I have a great idea... I will do this in a series of blog posts called Spiritual Disciplines Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and so on...! I look forward to sharing with you. Coming soon!

Blessings!    

Well... I'm Back!!!

About two months ago my life changed dramatically and instantly. God has taught me many things through various experiences these last couple of months. I have not posted anything during this time and I will not use this blog to describe any of the events in detail. However, I will continue to share my insights and reflections on what God is doing in my life in hopes to encourage and challenge anyone who reads this blog.

I have begun reading some really good stuff and I will soon post some reflections on this material as well as whatever amazing crazy stuff God is teaching me and doing in my life! 

May you be blessed as we worship our God! 

Love ya!  

Do You Love Me?

Have you ever heard that song, 

Do you love me, (do you love me) 

Do you love me, (do you love me)

Do you love me, (do you love me)... Now that I can dance... 

I can mashed potato... I can do the twist! 

I love that song! It ask a great question. "Do you love me?"

Everywhere we go there are people. Some may be saved and some may not know Jesus. Do you know Jesus? Has he changed your life? Do you love him? 

I have been hearing about an atheist who is fairly well known. When reflecting on a experience he had where a Christian approached him to share the gospel... The atheist questioned in his own mind why this did not happen more often. He pondered, "If you really believe what you say you do about heaven and hell. If you really believe what you say you do about Jesus. Then how much do you have to hate someone to not try and tell them the truth?" 

This is a simple yet heavy question. At times it is so difficult to talk to others about Jesus. Why is it so difficult for us? I know that sometimes I fear how people may respond. Sometimes I don't know what to say. Many times I forget that I have a message of love, of good news to those who are perishing. Lately I have been encouraged to grow in my faith and sharing my faith in these ways:

Find 2-3 fellow Christians and make a commitment with one another to hold each other accountable. Pray for one another. 

Make a list of ten people in your life... (maybe family, maybe neighbors, maybe co-workers) who you are unsure about their salvation. Hopefully you can think of someone who doesn't know Jesus. They are out there. I promise. 

Commit to pray for these people everyday and ask God to give you the opportunity and ability to share the gospel of Jesus with these people. Pray for their salvation. When the time comes... trust God and do it. It might be awkward at first if you have not done it a lot but it will become more natural and you will be filled with joy and strength because of your obedience.

Commit to talk with your accountability friends at least once a week about who you and they are praying for. Pray for each other and even ask if you can pray for one another's list. 

Don't worry about how to do it. Just build relationships. Start conversations. Live out in your life what you believe in your heart. Share your heart with others.

I want to encourage whoever reads this to not keep the "Good News" to yourself! Jesus taught us to love God and love others (Mk. 12:30-31). If we do... then we must tell them of his love! 

Blessings!

Say what...? Continually... sacrifice... fruit of lips?

I was reading the other day about worship and this statement really caught the attention of my heart...

"Many people foolishly believe God will accept anything offered by well meaning worshipers. It is clear, however, that sincerity is not the test of true worship" (MacArthur, Pastoral Ministry, 190).

What do you think about that? What kind of worship will God accept? We know from (John 4:19-24) that God desires worshipers who worship in spirit and in truth. Jesus explains to the woman at the well that true worship is about the attitude of a person's heart. So what makes a person's worship acceptable to God? How are we even able to come before God in worship?

Read (Hebrews 13:15). 

Jesus is the only way that we can offer to God worship that is acceptable. It is through him that we can offer a "sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name" (Heb. 13:15). It is by the cross of Christ that we are able to offer anything that is pleasing to God!

One of my favorite verses of Scripture about worship is Romans 12:1-2. Paul says that we are to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship" (v.1). What does that mean? A living sacrifice. I often thought that I knew what it meant but really never associated it with Jesus and him being the only way we can offer acceptable worship to God. Let me explain...  

We read in (Hebrews 10:5-13), that Jesus offered for all time a single sacrifice for sin. Before Christ, there were many who offered multiple sacrifices to atone for their sins. But Jesus, the Lamb of God, has paid for sin. Notice (Hebrews 10:10). This is how the author of Hebrews can say as we read above, "Through him then (...) offer a sacrifice of praise" (Heb. 13:15). Why does Paul say in (Romans 12:1) to offer ourselves as living sacrifices? A quick survey of Romans will show us why. 

Paul begins by explaining that all are condemned and no one is righteous (Ch. 1-3).

Then he explains that we have righteousness and peace through faith (Ch. 4-5).

Now Paul explains that we are dead to sin but alive in Christ! Read (Romans 6:3-11). 

Since then, through faith we are alive in Christ (which by the way is the only way to offer acceptable worship to God) we are able to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God (Rom. 12:1). After what Christ has done for us... it is only reasonable. Consider... (1 Jn. 4:10). This understanding is reiterated again by Paul in (Gal. 2:20). 

Finally, consider this... What is worship anyway? It is more than singing songs. It is a lifestyle. We are worshipers. We are always worshiping something. Think again for a moment about (Heb. 13:15). The author says that we "continually offer." That means without ceasing! How do we do that? Well... we are already continually worshiping something. I humbly suggest that we must look to Jesus (Heb. 12:2). We must look to the cross! He is the only way, only truth and only life (Jn. 14:6)! 

Through Christ we offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Rom. 12:1)! 

Blessings!

One more thing for the really deep... 

Notice that the author of Hebrews says, "... the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name" (Heb. 13:15). What verse does that remind you of? 

Paul said, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Rom. 10:9).

The words acknowledge and confess are translated from the same original Greek word... homologeo (English Transliterated, Strongs #3760). Believe me... Its all about Jesus!

Worship Him!   

 

Leaders Equipping Leaders

Hey friends! This week I am on Spring Break from my studies! Maybe you are too. I'm taking a one week long class entitled Training Local Church Leaders. To be honest, it is proving to must more difficult than I expected. So... 

I wanted to share with you an exert from one of my oral presentations. It is a little different than what you normally get from me on here. It's a lot more leadership focused. However, I believe that it will either challenge you to be a part of a healthy church body and or focus you on the call of all believers to make disciples for Christ! So read on...

 

The church's main goal is to glorify God. The church's mission is to make disciples (Mt. 28:19-20). The Scriptures are clear that in order for this to happen leaders are to equip others to understand and fulfill their role in the body of Christ. 

In The Leadership Baton, author Jeff Jones says, "If we evaluate pastors primarily on how well they are doing ministry as individuals, we are emphasizing the wrong criterion" (p.35). The goal of the pastor is to equip. It is imperative that leadership development remain (or become) a high priority for any congregational body and it's leaders, if they hope to be biblical and effective in their ministry. "Without leadership the church is unable to fulfill it's purposes of ministering effectively to those within and reaching those on the outside, nor can it render the glory to God that he deserves" (Pastoral Ministry, MacArthur, ch.17). An underdeveloped leadership within the context of the local church is a recipe for a direct contradiction of Paul's exhortation for a mature body of Christ. 

"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelist, the shepherds and teachers (pastors), to equip he saints for the work of ministry, for building up of the body of Christ, until we all attain the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ," (Eph. 4:11-13). 

It is the responsibility of all believers to make disciples. This is a biblical principle. The fact that we call ourselves Christians is synonymous with the identity of disciple-makers (PM, MacArthur). But pastors and leaders are to set an example and create a culture for developing leaders by realizing and fulfilling their calling to equip. Paul disciples Timothy to live by example when he says, 

"Let no one despise you (...) but set an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12).

This exemplary discipline of leadership must be a part of every believer's heartbeat or DNA. It must be a part of the church's culture. "As [we] work to develop a culture of leadership development, remember that [we] will create in a church what[we] model" (Baton, p.35). It is understood that most churches have no intention strategy for developing leaders. Understanding that "Strategic thinkers determine the most important long-term goals, and then develop plans to reach those goals" (p.61), leads one to acknowledge thee need for alignment among those involved in leading. Often there is a common goal of discipleship with varying philosophies about of discipleship. This even happens in the context of a local church among leadership. It is the equivalent of a car being out of alignment. This of course is a recipe for disaster as well (thought borrowed from Simple Church, Eric Gieger). 

I suggest that the most effective to equip those following is to faithfully equip by example. This will lead to the Church becoming what Paul describes as one working properly, building itself up in love (Eph. 4:16). 

(end of exert)

It is my hope and prayer that this has been encouraging to you as you seek to live obediently to the call on all believer's lives to reach the world with the love of Christ and His Gospel! 

Blessings!

Why Pray?

I want to talk about prayer... I have recently had my attention directed to prayer by a lecture from Dr. Daniel Henderson. I humbly share these thoughts... 

Jesus said, "When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward" (Matt. 6:5).

He was discussing motive. What is my motive for praying? What is your motive for praying?

We pray for many reasons. Here are some that I have heard and lived out myself:

     - Guilt

     - Approval (from God and others)

     - Need

     - Crisis

     - For peace

There are many reasons we pray. Paul taught that we should "pray without ceasing"

(1 Thess. 5:17). We should. But what motivates us to do so? 

The problem with the above mentioned motives for prayer is that they cannot motivate us to "pray without ceasing." 

Most prayer times that I've been a part of center on this question... "Does anyone have any prayer request?" This question sparks what honestly is nothing more than gossip masqueraded as prayer! Even then it usually about physical things instead of Spiritual. Before we know it... we have spent 30 mins talking about each other's family members or people who have fallen into sin until we look at our watches and say "Well, it's getting late... we better pray." This is not what God intended for prayer. 

 A little further in Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus teaches what is commonly referred to as the Lord's Prayer. I have heard the prayer described in categories such as:

Who God is - v.9

How we respond - v.10

What we need - v.11-12

Where do we go - v.13

or...

Reverence

Response 

Request

Readiness 

Why is it so easy to spend all of our time focused on request? I believe it is because we don't know how to pray. Prayer is an act of worship. God knows our questions and needs. He doesn't mind hearing them... but we should never neglect spending time worshiping God for who he is by constantly bringing our "grocery list prayer request before him." How selfish we are!

If our motive to pray is simply because we feel we must, or to be approved, or because we have a problem... then we are not truly men and women of prayer. 

Daniel Henderson said, "The only enduring motive for prayer is that God is WORTHY to be SOUGHT!" There is a difference in seeking God's face to know him and seeking God's hand for our needs. 

Prayer is worship. We were created to worship. Live it... 

Blessings    

Do You Know God?

For those who are checking this today... I thank you and I am so blessed that you are encouraged enough by this to check it without an email reminder. The only purpose I have in sharing this weekly devotional thought is to encourage and edify the body of Christ. I pray that what I share here will be completely saturated in God's Word. I pray that God will by His Spirit guard your heart from any error that may come from my understanding. I want to point you to God's Word. 

Do not substitute reading this blog post for the sanctifying truth that is the Scriptures. Be in the Word! We must spend time with God if we hope to know Him. God speaks to us through His Word. Right now I am reading through the gospels. You can find reading plans on websites like... 

www.biblegateway.com  

I was encouraged just yesterday by someone with the thought... 10, 10, 10

This means to spend 10 mins reading God's Word, 10 mins praying to God, and 10 mins listening to Him in quite solitude. This is a strategic way to spend 30 minutes with God. Do this everyday. I suggest that you do it in the morning... if you already do this...

try... 20, 20, 20! Keep growing! We can't know God without spending time with God! 

With this said... I want to ask for your forgiveness that I am not prepared to share a deeper devotional thought today. In a effort to only edify the body of Christ I will never post something that I have not spent enough time grasping myself. I pray that God will use this short message to encourage all who read it. Anything else would be a waste of time. 

Suggested Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:5-6, 4:23

I plan to post a devotional for this week by Friday... I will send an email to those who I have an address. 

Blessings!

The Wonderful Cross

I once heard someone say, "Man... You can't have enough songs about the cross." One of my favorite songs about the cross is Chris Tomlin's "The Wonderful Cross." A part of the chorus is:

O the wonderful cross

O the wonderful cross

Bids me come and die 

and find that I... may truly live!

Listen to it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skxiHGj6lIU

When you think about the cross... does it seem wonderful to you? What makes the cross wonderful? It was horrible! It was cruel execution. So why can we say that the cross was beautiful? The cross itself was not beautiful. It was not wonderful. We can say that the cross is beautiful because of what Jesus did for us on the cross! 1 Jn 4:10 teaches us that because God loves us, Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. I believe we can sing "O the wonderful cross" because worship begins with the cross. 

When Jesus "breathed his last" on the cross... one of the centurion that had crucified him responded in this way... "And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, 'Truly this man was the Son of God'" (Mk 15:39). 

This centurion responded to the death of Christ with worship! For him... it began at the foot of the cross. He heard the cries of the cross! My favorite way to define true worship is, "Our response to who God is and what God did for us on the cross." Worship is who we are. It is what we do. We are responding. But to who? 

Today is Ash Wednesday. Today begins what most refer to as Lent. It is the season leading up to Easter. I encourage you to observe this time in some way... not because we must but in remembrance of the cross. One way is to read through the gospel accounts in the New Testament. Check out www.biblegateway.com and look for reading plans. They have one for Lent. 

There is nothing more beautiful than the cross of Christ. Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (Jn 15:13). In order to truly live as the song says... we must be "...crucified with Christ" (Gal 2:20). We must remember the cries of the cross! That is the gospel. That is wonderful. That is beautiful. 

Reflect on the cross as we approach Easter. Remember what Christ did for us. Gather with others to worship Him for what He has done. Celebrate His victory and His life! Worship Christ alone! We have reason to sing!!! This is our Lord... and He loves us. 

Blessings

Give Me Jesus

There is a song called Give Me Jesus by Fernando Ortega. The lyrics are...

In the morning when I rise

In the morning when I rise

In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus, 

Give me Jesus, 

You can have all this world, 

Give me Jesus

When I am alone

When I am alone

When I am alone, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus, 

Give me Jesus, 

You can have all this world, 

Give me Jesus

When I come to die

When I come to die

When I come to die, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus, 

Give me Jesus, 

You can have all this world, 

Give me Jesus

Please listen to and watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7INRn4LRrE&feature=related

Billy Graham has been a servant of Jesus Christ along with his wife Ruth for decades. His crusades have seen millions of people commit their lives to Christ! God has taken the surrendered hearts of this couple and used them to reach an entire world with the love of Christ and the power of the gospel! They were a great team. Its been said that every great spiritual leader or pastor has a great godly helper and partner by his side. Ruth Graham devoted her life to serving God and her husband and went home to be with the Lord in 2007. Together they raised five children to know Jesus! One among them being Franklin Graham who leads Samaritan's Purse and will be his father's successor.

Paul knew what it meant to live a life devoted to Christ! For Paul nothing was more important than Christ. 

1 Cor. 2:2 says, "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." 

Romans 8:38-39 says, "For I am sure that neither death not life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

It is all about him!!! Nothing else matters!

Jesus himself said, "... apart from me you can do nothing" (Jn 15:5). 

I try so many times to live my life without him. As a follower of Christ I should follow him! He alone is good. He alone is what I need. As the song says, "Give me Jesus... You can have all this world... You can have all this world... You can have all this world... but give me Jesus!!!"

He loves us! He died for us. Give me Jesus! "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends" (Jn 15:13). Jesus then then says, "These things I command you so that you will love one another" (v.17). 

You see God is love (1 Jn 4:8). Love is not God but God is love. We sometimes get confused that we can love without God being our first love. This thinking could not be more insane. There are various types of love. Google the Greek words for love and read about them. We must remember that "love is from God and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God" (v.7). The greek word being used in this passage is agape. This is the same love that is described in 1 Cor 13. From this love all other forms of love are shared. Without it we cannot love. 

To keep Christ as our first agape (Rev 2:4) is to live a life of worship to our God!!! I love God because he first loved me. He saved my soul! He made me new. He is my Lover, my Savior, my Lord, my Friend and my Life. He is Jesus. 

Give me Jesus.  

The Transforming Power of the Gospel

Mk 14:3-9, Matt 26:6-13, Jn 12:1-8

Just before Passover we find Jesus in Bethany. There is a party and He is the guest of honor. From a cross-reading of the gospel accounts we find that some of the other people present consisted of Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Simon the Leper and various disciples including Judas Iscariot (who was about to betray Him). 

At this party we find a woman (Mary), who demonstrates extravagant worship of Jesus! Why would she do this? I mean there are many other people around, but she doesn't seem to even acknowledge them. To her it's all about Jesus. Understanding that Mary is the sister of Martha and Lazarus, whom Jesus just raised from the dead (Jn. 11:38-44), we can begin to get a glimpse of why Mary is acting the way she is. She sees Jesus as Lord and worthy of worship. This heart of worship Mary demonstrates is also found in the story of Mary and Martha where Martha invites Jesus into her home and becomes distracted with the preparations while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus listening to His words (Lk. 10:38-42). Mary is a worshiper! Mary is a Jesus lover!

This outpouring of worship from Mary's heart is contrasted with the irritated reaction the disciples demonstrated (specifically Judas) when they questioned her stewardship of this costly perfume (Mk. 14:4-5). They scolded her for her expression of worship. Jesus however felt quite different about her sacrifice. 

I think Mary understood what was about to happen to Jesus. She anointed His body beforehand for burial (v.8). She had obviously been transformed by Jesus. And as a result of this transformation she expressed her worship in a beautiful way (v.6b). 

I wonder myself if I am living a life like Mary lived her life. Am I expressing my worship to Jesus while others are simply reclining at the table or complaining about money? Does my worship even come close to resembling what Jesus would call a beautiful thing? 

I heard C.J. Mahaney preach on this passage recently and he asked the question, "Are you still skipping?" You see sometimes we allow ourselves to loose the passion our worship once possessed. C.J. urged us that when this happens we must get close enough to the cross to hear the cries of the cross! Remember what Jesus did for us! Remember that he poured out his blood for our sins! Remember the cries of the cross. The things Jesus cried out as he took the weight of the world's sins on himself! This is the gospel! Jesus saves! Jesus redeems! Jesus loves! We are living in a world where people are going to hell. It's true! We can help...

Are we living our lives in a way that demonstrates beautiful worship of Jesus? Who do we look like to the people we are with everyday? 

Mary or Judas?   

Promotion or Devotion?

One of the most common Scriptures that I hear quoted is Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." It is a powerful, motivational and great claim to grab on to this truth! The concern I have is that most of the time I hear people quoting it they are speaking of "all things" in reference to their worldly ambitions. Is this you? Do you say, "I will get that promotion, or I will achieve this goal"? 

The word ambition comes from the Latin word meaning "campaigning for promotion." I have often thought of myself as an ambitious guy. When I was 18 I couldn't sleep one night thinking about what I was going to do with my life. The year before was the year of 9/11 when our towers fell because of terrorist's ambition. I got out of bed and researched online about the military. The next day I spoke with a recruiter. The next week I enlisted in the Marine Corp. I was very ambitious. I think I even remember saying, "I can do this through Christ who strengthens me." It is true that Christ could strengthen me to serve in our nations military but was he asking me to that or was I simply compelled by my own ambition? I've learned that the later is true. A year later God provided a way out of this commitment that I had made and through a series of events I ended up in my first ministry position as a youth pastor. 

The amazing thing to understand is that Paul was referring to living a life of being content without in any situation. Read vv.10-12 to see what I mean. Never single out a verse and claim it apart from it's context. 

Think of how this applies to a believer's service to the kingdom of God and the body of Christ. Are we really ready to be a servant as Christ was a servant. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life..." (Mk 10:45). Oswald Chambers said, "It is one thing to follow God's way of service if you are regarded as a hero, but quite another if the road marked out for you by God requires becoming a doormat under other people's feet" (Utmost for His Highest; Feb. 5th). Are we servants when in all circumstances or just the easy ones? I pray all! 

It is not wrong to want better. Ambition is no sin. The sin is in the heart of the ambitious. By what are we compelled? Promotion or devotion? J Oswald Sanders said, "Ambition which centers on the glory of God and welfare of the church is a mighty force for good" (Spiritual Leadership, p.13). Chambers asks, "Are you willing to give and be poured out until you are used up and exhausted - not seeking to be ministered to but to minister?" (Feb. 5th).

It is this type of service Jesus was talking about when he said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mt 16:24). I believe it is this type of servant who can truly cling to the proclamation "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). 

Blessings! 

Copyright: Jonathan Spencer, 2009.

    

What a Thought!!!

God is good! If we get that today then we've moved forward. 

Blessings.

Have you ever been on a mission? I'm reminded of the Mission Impossible movies with Tom Cruise (what is it about that guy anyway that women like so much). In the movies he is presented with a mission. It usually sounds something like this, "Your mission, if you choose to accept it..." and the message device always explodes in a matter of seconds. 

As a disciple of Christ we have all been given a mission to proclaim the gospel of Christ and make disciples (Mt 28:19). Unlike Cruise we are commanded by our Lord to make disciples. But like Cruise, because of God's mercy and our free will we have a choice to accept the mission. We have been entrusted with the most precious treasure there is. The gospel of Jesus Christ! There are many philosophies of how to best communicate and share this gift with the world, but there is one unifying truth which is that we are to share it. In the words of the great missionary Paul, "... woe to me if I do not preach the gospel" (1 Cor 9:16)! 

I just returned from my first cross cultural mission trip. With a team I had the privilege of going to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. The most obvious and popular response is the emotional reflection on the physical need that the Haitian people have. In our American culture we know no poverty like the average Haitian. But I found a unity with these beautiful people. A spiritual depravity which left untreated leads to certain death. Romans 3:23 says, "We have all fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death." 

I pray our hearts are consumed and heavy with weight of the world's spiritual depravity! Also, I pray that we would not sin against God by failing to accept the mission he commands of us! 

Blessings.  

My First Blog Post! Here I Come!

So... I think I'll blog.