A New Beginning...

In Revelation 21:5, the Bible says: "Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new...'" With the approaching New Year, you have a couple of choices on how to view life. You can view the end of the year as a chapter closing or you can look at the coming year with the attitude of a new chapter beginning.

Closing a chapter can be a good thing. If we have taken the time to understand what we have been through...to learn all the lessons...then closing a chapter in our lives can bring about great growth. However, if we do not listen to the lessons of the past then we will be doomed to repeat them in the future. All that you have gone through this year can be used to strengthen you, shape you, and create great character. Even if you have had a rough year, I would encourage you to reap all that you can from the experience and you will find that there is some good in there.

Opening a new chapter is exciting. Where will the story take us? How will the plot of life develop over the pages of this year? What does God have in store for us? The possibilities are limitless when we are walking with the God who makes all things new. If you will resolve to seek Him out over this next year, I think you will be amazed at all He is able to accomplish.

Allow me to encourage you to make Revelation 21:5 a fresh revelation for your life.
1) Let God sit on the throne
- This verse is quite clear about who is in charge. If this is going to be a year of fresh beginnings then we have to relinquish control. Let God have His rightful place in your heart.
2) Let God make all things new
- May this be the year that you stop striving in the energy of your flesh. Allow the grace of God to be your strength and ability. If there is one lesson that I can pass on to you from the last chapter (this past year) is that God's grace is enough! There is grace available for everything that you will face in this coming year. And understand that His grace is able to keep you from falling. Too often we only see His grace as the ability to get up when we fail but I pray that this will be the year that you walk in victory. Go ahead and step into all that God wants to do in and through you.

Thank you for sharing this past year with me. I appreciate you taking the time to read what I have posted. I trust that in this coming year God will continue to give me fresh revelations to share with you. It is the desire of my heart that PBC Voice will be able to minister to you directly. I pray that God will allow me to affect your life in a positive way.

Happy New Year to you all. May God's richest blessings be yours.

Cliché doesn't Work

One of the greatest dangers facing the church today is that we become a cliché to the rest of the world. Please hear me out on this point. It is not my intention to sound mean-spirited...I'm simply concerned.

A good definition of "cliché" is: "expression, idea, or element of an artistic work which has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect, rendering it a stereotype...frequently used in modern culture for an action or idea which is expected or predictable, based on a prior event..."

The words that you see in the picture above have been used to the point that they can be rendered useless or predictable. Mission/Vision statements for a lot of churches are simply regurgitated slogans and phrases that do not reflect the fellowship that uses them. This problem is common among a church that simply doesn't know who she is, her place in society, and her purpose within the kingdom of God. Cliché sayings and programs have moved many churches into a posture of trying to be cute or operating in the wrong kind of creativity. When will we understand that the world doesn't need the church to be cliché, cute, or critical? What the world needs to see is a church that flows in genuine creativity given by God, walking in the power and presence of God, and preaching the good news of the Gospel.

I have been in the ministry long enough to see fads, ideas, projects, and programs cost the church money, time, and valuable resources without any lasting results upon the community. What is needed is a return to the heart of God as it pertains to church life if we ever hope to make an impact where we live. Just as Jesus came to reveal the heart of God to a world in unbelief; the church should stand as a revelation of the reality of Jesus Christ. We don't need to be on the street corners condemning everyone to hell. We don't have to have great marketing skills. All we need is the power of the Holy Spirit that was promised in Acts 1:8 and recorded in Acts 2 to be upon us. This was God's design all along. The witness that He promised in the world would only come as a result of the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of believers. The early church turned their world upside down. I'm afraid that much of what we do in the name of the church only turns their stomachs.

Folks...hear what I am saying. This is not a plea for a politically correct church, nor is it a cry for the church to turn away from our biblical base. All I am asking for is that the church be the church. If we are the "called out" and "gathered together" ones who operate under the Lordship of Jesus Christ then we will be all that God wants us to be in our generation. Our programs are not going to change the world. Our budget is useless in the eyes of God unless it fuels the harvest. Our buildings are empty shells if the lives that come in remain empty. Let us return to the heart of the Father that longs to see the world come to repentance. Let's recapture the burning desire that He had when Jesus came to "seek and to save that which was lost."

I'm expecting big things in the life of the church this coming year. What I say next may only be for the PBC crew that I gather with on Sunday and Wednesday but you need to hear it. I'm looking for a greater experience of His power in our lives, a more intimate experience of His presence, and a flow of divine creativity that comes from His heart. We will not fall victim to the cliché or cute method of church because our eyes are upon the Father. He will not leave us nor forsake us. He will build His church and the gates of hell will not be able to withstand the force that is His body. We will walk in God-given authority to reclaim that which was lost, open eyes that have been blinded to the truth, and set the prisoners free. We will proclaim the year of Jubilee!!!

Let the Countdown Begin

In just a few more days we will be celebrating the opening day of a new year. New Year's Day seems to bring hope to a lot of people. There is something about saying goodbye to the past that offers great anticipation for the future. My question: Why wait?

Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Consider this verse with me:
Mercy allows us to say goodbye to the past!
Grace allows us to say hello to the future!

For the follower of Christ there is never a need to wait. There is mercy and grace available NOW in our time of need. God's Word encourages each of us to come boldly - in confidence - to obtain those things which we desperately need. The past does not have to dominate us and the future does not have to frighten us. God can handle it all.

Romans 6:4, "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

What if I told you that you could bury the past and walk in the newness of life today? Would you believe me? Would you do it? For most of us, the shame, guilt, unbelief, and mistakes of the past seem too difficult to overcome. We struggle with the idea that we can actually let it go. What God offers us is more than just letting go of the past. He completely removes the past - wipes our slate clean - and allows us to walk in our new identity in Christ. God gets no glory when we wallow in past failures but loves to see His children walk in the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit.

Don't wait until Saturday to begin a new chapter in your life. Begin today to enjoy all that God has for you.
Believe in the finished work of Christ
Confess Him as Lord and Savior of every part of your life
Walk in who you are in Him
Start today!!!

You can enjoy the hope and anticipation of God's goodness in your life today. It's a matter of faith.

The Word Became Flesh

I hope that during this Christmas season that each of us will be able to rise up above the materialism, commercialism, and routine of the holidays. Many Christians around the world use this time of year to celebrate the birth of Christ. However, even in our celebrations we can lose the meaning of His coming.

Here's some tips to helping you keep Christ in your Christmas:

#1 - Remember that He would be called Emmanuel - "God with us"

#2 - Jesus Christ was the Word become flesh (according to John 1:14). The "Word" in the Greek is "Logos" - "Divine Expression".

#3 - John 1:18 also tells us that Jesus declared God to the world. The word "declared" in the Greek literally means to lead forth into full revelation. It metaphorically mean to draw out in narrative. Jesus came to reveal, manifest, and interpret God unto man. In Him we have the full revelation of God!!!

#4 - In our Christian tradition we refer to Jesus as God-incarnate. The incarnation is basically the personification, embodiment, manifestation, and materialization of God in living form. Jesus told His disciples "If you have seen Me you have seen the Father." (John 14:9).

#5 - The Bible also tells us that He will be called Jesus because He will save His people from their sins. We sing the song: "There's just something about that name" - this is why!!! At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord.

Don't allow the coming of our Lord to be clouded with the image of a young lady holding a baby. Don't get caught up with the thoughts about the actual date of His birth (I know we could spend a lot of time arguing these points). I want you to take some time to consider that the reason for His coming was to fully reveal the heart of God to the world, demonstrate a life filled with the grace of God and empowered by the Spirit of God, and to give His life as a ransom for ours.

In the days to come I will be celebrating the miracle of God coming in the form of man. I will give thanks for this incredible gift of eternal life. And I will be leading my family in praise to the God who loved us enough to send His Son into the world.

Many Blessings to you all & Merry Christmas!!!

Talk About Mercy!

We were created to worship. If we do not worship God then we have forfeited our reason for existence. Too often, we have mistaken praise for worship (or vice versa). Worship is a spiritual response. It is something that happens inwardly. That is why we speak of the heart of worship. Praise, on the other hand, is a physical response that is a result of what is happening inwardly. Praise is something you see and hear. Why am I saying all of that? Keep reading...

The book of Lamentations was written under deep distress. Thus the title: Lamentations. Jeremiah is lamenting the death and destruction around him. However, in the midst of this five-poem dirge comes a statement that is hard to comprehend if you do not understand the "heart" of worship. In Lamentations 3:22-23 he says, "Through the LORDS's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; GREAT is Your faithfulness."

Great is the faithfulness of God even when I don't understand the situation I am in.
Great is the faithfulness of God even when I am not experiencing joy.
Great is the faithfulness of God even when problems have come against me.
Great is the faithfulness of God because He is always faithful!!!

Notice how Jeremiah states this faithfulness:
God's Compassion Does Not Fail!
His Mercy is New Every Morning!
Do we understand the faithfulness of God in this way?

I don't think we can ever understand true worship unless we can worship in the most difficult of circumstances. Jeremiah knew His God. He understood His heart. He had experienced the mercy and compassion. He had been warning Israel of what was about to come and they didn't listen. And although Jeremiah had to see all of this come to pass, he could still worship a faithful and compassionate God.

What has the enemy used to try to steal your praise and rob your worship? Jesus said that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. If he can disrupt your worship then you will take your praise. Don't give him that opportunity. Settle in your heart that God is good, He is faithful, and His mercies are new every morning. You may have to sing the old song: "GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS". Get it into your spirit. Then when the problems comes you can join Jeremiah and worship God because of His faithfulness.

Remember: His compassions NEVER FAIL!!!

A Great Christmas Present!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! My family and I just returned from a trip to New York. This was our Christmas present to the kids. We thought that it would be better to create a memory than just buy a bunch of stuff. The family had a blast.

Some of the highlights:
A Broadway Play
Times Square
Statue of Liberty
Rockefeller Center
Empire State Building
World Trade Center Site
Yankees Stadium Tour
Etc., Etc., Etc.

I could take up an entire blog sharing the sites and sounds of New York but I would rather tell you about one of the places that we visited: The Brooklyn Tabernacle.

It has been a desire of mine for some time to visit The Brooklyn Tabernacle. For years I have enjoyed the choir music, the books from Pastor Cymbala, and the overall ministry of this congregation. This fellowship of believers ministers to the homeless, addicts, and many other "hopeless" people in Brooklyn. Our time of worship with this church body was incredible.

The "worship" portion of their service was an hour long. I told my wife that we tend to have the setup of our services backwards. We tend to think that you need a lot more time for the preaching. However, I have discovered that if you get the worship right then you don't have to preach for an hour. Hearts will be sensitive to the Word of God and lives will be changed. This is the impact of the presence of God!

The preaching wasn't anything out of the ordinary for Pastor Cymbala. He preached a simple message that was powerful. It was amazing to me how he was preaching a lot of the things that I have been sharing with our church family. A message about the heart of God, the impact of our relationship with Him, and allowing His work to be complete in us!

One of the reasons that I have longed to visit with The Brooklyn Tabernacle is because their approach to ministry is what impacted our church body to do Wednesday Night Prayer Meetings. That may sound odd to some of you but you have to understand that many churches have "prayer meetings" but they include Bible studies, etc. We simply PRAY!!! And what we have discovered is that prayer works!

Prayerless churches lead to powerless churches. If we do not invoke the help of Almighty God then we might as well call it a social club. Without the power of prayer we will be doing ministry in the energy and power of the flesh. Any ministry that is started in the energy of the flesh has to be maintained through the energy of the flesh. And to be quite honest with you: I don't have that kind of time or energy.

Our church has been able to witness healing, provision, and amazing results because we stopped activity and entered into an attitude of going before God. We are learning the beauty of being still before Him. Too many churches have fallen into the idea that activity is what God is looking for from us. But we must remind ourselves that unless the Lord builds the house then we labor in vain.

This holiday season I want to remind you of the importance of waiting upon God. Take some time to get into His presence and bring all of your requests unto Him.

I'm Away From My Desk...

Folks, it's time to take a few days away from the blog. I will return on Monday.

By way of encouragement, I do want to leave some Scripture with you:

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you...I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." {Ezekiel 36:26-27}

Part of the renewal of Israel was a promise from God to put a new spirit and heart within His people. Not only that, but a promise to place His Spirit within them.

This promise has been passed down to us as well. We have the same problem that Israel had...we struggle in having a heart for God. It is through the new birth that we receive a new heart and new spirit - as well as the Spirit of God within. It is the Spirit of God that causes us to walk in agreement with God's Word. It's the Spirit of God that allows us to accomplish all that God asks of us.

The time has come for us to cease doing ministry by the energy of the flesh. We must stop viewing our walk with the Lord as something that we do for Him. He has given us everything we need for life and godliness. The life of the believer is to be empowered by the Spirit of God. Our heart and our spirit (which has been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb) comes into agreement with the Spirit of God (which guides into all that is true) and we can now "flesh out" what we believe. Gone is the reliance upon the flesh. Gone is our natural ability. We now fully rely and trust in His work within us.

Over the next few days, I want you to focus upon the work that God has done in you. Then, and only then, you can focus upon what God wants to do through you.

Walk in His Grace!
Enjoy His Love!
Allow Him Full Access to who you are!
Be Amazed at all He Accomplishes!

May Grace and Peace be multiplied to you. We'll talk soon.

Movie Review Time

The family went to the movies last night. This is a rare occurrence during on a weeknight but the kids were out of school. We watched "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" in 3D.

First of all, I want to commend Disney for continuing the Chronicles series. I'm not sure how the profits compare to something like "The Lord of the Rings" but these movies allow us to sit down as an entire family and enjoy some action/adventure. The 3rd movie in the trilogy did not disappoint.

There were several things that I carried away from the movie that parallel my relationship with Christ:
1) Identifying myself by who I am in Christ
- The identity crisis theme comes up in all the Narnia movies. Apart from Aslan and what He has made them to be, the characters struggle with who they are.
2) Faith is the key
- Even when you cannot see Aslan, He's always there. Even in the darkest times it seems that you can hear him roar.
3) There is a kingdom to establish
- The kingdom of Narnia is always being advanced and defended in these movies. Just like the kingdom of God is to be established in the earth, we must overcome our fears and seek to rescue the lost souls and defeat the evil of our day.

These are just a few of the things that I can share with you without giving away the story. If you haven't seen the newest Narnia movie then I would encourage you to watch it with prophetic eyes and hear with prophetic ears. God will speak to you through the struggles, the encouragements, and the plot of the movie.

Never forget that God can use anything He chooses to speak to our hearts...even a Disney movie. All of us (kids and adults alike) walked away inspired. So much of what we saw and heard last night became confirmation for things that God had been doing in our hearts. What is truly amazing is that these were the things that C.S. Lewis was alluding to when he wrote the fantasy series. How have we missed these truths in the church for so long?

As you go about your daily routine of life today I want you to take some time to listen. Listen for the roar of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah!!! He's always with you, always "roaring" into your life, and always seeking to use you in His purpose.

A Return to Family

If you enjoy college football then you have probably heard the name of Urban Meyer. Meyer was the head coach for the Florida Gators football team. He resigned his position yesterday (this is his second resignation - 1st due to health reasons but only lasted a day) due to family.

Coach Meyer had this to say:
"At the end of the day, I'm very convinced that you're going to be judged on how you are as a husband and as a father and not on how many bowl games we won...I've not seen my two girls play high school sports. They're both very talented Division I-A volleyball players, so I missed those four years. I missed two already with one away at college. I can't get that time back..."

I wonder how many parents hear something like this and reflect upon their own investment in their children. It's real easy for us to look at our jobs and think that we are providing for our families. We might even think that the best thing for our family is that we advance our career to the point of never having to worry about college, etc. The fact of the matter is that regardless of our job/career, we will not get back the time lost with our children. But we can redeem the time!

How can we redeem the time?
- Make the most of every situation. Make the time you get with your children an investment into their future. This is an act of the will. You have a choice to make.
- Use your time with your children as an opportunity to build up rather than tear down. How many times have we heard stories from troubled teens/adults who had a parent that wasn't around that much but when they were all they did was tell them all of the wrong things they have done? If you aren't involved enough to give some encouragement then your criticism will only be used to bring about a negative effect.
- Make your children a priority. Did you ever think you would have to hear those words? Most of us bring children in this world with the idea that we will do anything in the world to make them happy. However, raising children isn't cheap, it isn't automatic, and it isn't easy. If I do not map out a plan on investing in my children then I will be investing in other things.

Kids need parents. They need the love of a parent, the attention of a parent, the correction of a parent, and the presence of a parent. The Bible tells us to raise our children in the reverence and instruction of the Lord. It is our responsibility to equip the next generation in their own relationship with God. Family time in prayer, instruction of the Word, and exemplifying godliness within the family environment are the best ways we can pass on our love for God. I truly believe that we are living in a day when God is drawing the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children back to their fathers. We simply need to respond to what God is doing in our hearts.

I hope that each of us will take some time today, while this thought is fresh upon our hearts, to make wise investments in our children. Don't wait. Begin redeeming the time you have with your children and watch God begin to shape their hearts along with yours. May we be the generation that reclaims the family for God and His purpose.

God's New Thing

"Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." {Isaiah 43:19}

Have you ever heard someone say that the church is always 20 years behind? I believe it's true because we argue about the validity of something for the first 10 years and then spend the next 10 years trying to make it work. Why do we fear new things?

God told the Prophet Isaiah that He was getting ready to do a new thing. You can almost hear God saying, "You better get ready because it's coming!" God was prepared to put roads in the wilderness and rivers in the desert if it meant accomplishing His purpose. Can I tell you that God hasn't changed?

I think the problem for many of us is that we hear verses like "I am God...I change not..." and think that God is somehow stuck in a rut. In other words: He only works through certain prescribed methods and ideas. However, it is in times like this that we need to be reminded that our God is a creative God. God may have ceased with the creation of the earth on the 6th day but He never ceased being creative. All throughout the Bible we can read about a God who constantly does new things. This whole idea of a systematic God was the downfall of the Scribes and Pharisees in Jesus' day. The truly believed that God was confined by their religious practice. In their ignorance, they completely missed the revelation of God before them.

It is my prayer for the church that we do not miss what God is doing in our days. This is not about going against the foundations of our faith; nor is it a rant against religious practice. It is a call that we do not lose sight of a creative God should He choose to move in a way that is against our conventional way of thinking. We must be willing to take a serious and honest look at how God is moving in the world, the people that He is using today, and the way in which ministry is being done. We cannot be content to look the same way we did 30, 20, or even 10 years ago. We must be willing to embrace all that God wants to do for today's generation. His truth does not change and we should not compromise, but we must be willing to change.

The strange thing about much of what is considered "new" is that we can find a lot of it in the OT. Years ago, dance was considered sinful. Yet we know that David danced before the Lord. It wasn't that long ago that people did not use instruments in the church (much less modern instruments), but we find David using all types of instruments when He established the praise and worship ministry of his day. The list goes on and on: media, drama, and all of the arts. All of these things should be a part of the creativity of God's people in an effort to worship Him rather than an escape from the mundane activities of life.

We were created in the image of a creative God. The creativity that God has placed within His people needs to be embraced and used for His glory. Let the church paint, sing, perform, and dance for the glory of God. Let us remember that God is more than willing to do a new thing in the earth. "May His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

The question we need to ask today is not "What is God doing?". The question we need to ask is "How does God want to use us?" Then we must embrace all that God wants to do in and through us to reach this generation for the kingdom of God.

Perfect Day to Hit "500"

Before we get started I want to note that today's blog is number 500! This milestone may not mean as much to the reader, but for someone who has attempted to be creative, informative, and engaging (not sure that was I was for all 500) it's amazing to think that so many have taken the time to read what I have shared. Thank You!

I also believe it's a perfect day to hit "500" as we remember Pearl Harbor. It was on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese bombed our US Naval Base in Hawaii. President FDR told America that this day would "live in infamy", and he was right. Some have called this a day of celebration over the last few years. Personally, I don't think we can celebrate what happened on December 7 but we can celebrate the honor and courage of so many brave men and women who rose up to defend this great nation. We can celebrate the resolve of a nation that said "We will not back down from a fight!" Today we remember all the lives that were lost and honor those who sacrificed for a stronger America.

The defense of our nation has always been a hot button issue. It amazes me to think that some believe America has used her military might to become a great empire. However, it is my belief that when you investigate the wars of this nation that you will discover we have fought on the side of freedom (many times our own). We haven't been perfect as a country but I hope that we will never lose our willingness to protect the sovereignty of this nation.

America is still a very young nation. It's almost mind boggling to think of how far this country has come. Do you realize that the Revolutionary War dates from 1775-1783? We declared our independence in 1776 and the war didn't officially end until 1783 under the Treaty of Paris. A lot has happened in the 227 years since the Revolutionary war ended. As a nation we have survived a Civil War, two World Wars, been involved in other wars/conflicts around the globe (Korea & Vietnam to name a couple), Desert Storm, the attack of 911, and we are currently fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our country has seen great losses of both men and women in the defense of our sovereignty and freedom.

With all of that being said: I will use "500" to give thanks to our Founding Fathers, our military, the families of those who serve, and every American who has shaped the greatness of this country. We remember your sacrifice and service to something so much bigger than yourself. And I give thanks to Almighty God who saw fit to bless this nation. We remember His protection, provision, and providence. May God continue to bless America.

The Place of Social Ministry

"And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." {Acts 10:38}

I used to think that it was important to "strike a balance" when it comes to ministry. That typically means that we will feed the hungry, help the needy, and continue the work of evangelistic ministry. However, what I am discovering in the ministry of Jesus is that the whole purpose of ministry is to lead people to the saving knowledge of Himself. Social Ministry (doing good) is only half of the equation. Unless we seek the healing and deliverance of those oppressed, all we have done is feed, clothe, and provide for natural things that will pass away.

As you read Acts 10:38, I want you to see some important lessons about ministry that we need to learn:
#1 - God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power
#2 - Then Jesus went about doing good AND healing all who were oppressed by the devil
#3 - God was with Him

*Before we do anything FOR God, we need to be anointed by God! Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He gave His disciples "The Great Commission"; but before they could follow through with His instructions they had to be endued with power (Acts 1:8). The need for the world to be saved was important but the followers of Christ could not carry out the work without the anointing of the Holy Spirit with power.

*After being endued with power from the Holy Spirit, we should set out to perform the same ministry of Jesus. Doing good (social ministry) was only a part of what Jesus did. The "doing good" of Jesus was a means to show the world the goodness of God. Where the church falls short today is that we have neglected the healing of those oppressed by the devil. Mark 16:17-18 says, "And these signs WILL follow those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons...they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." {emphasis mine} James Richards said, "We have wanted to reach the world by becoming socially accepted and influential. What we have wound up with is a bunch of socially-accepted, demon-oppressed people influencing the church. What good does it do to reach people and get them in our churches if we do not set them free?"

*When you and I are empowered by the Holy Spirit, set out to do good and deliver those who are oppressed by the devil, God will be with us. This is the church body that God blesses. We have become too focused on doing the right kind of ministry, performing the newest cutting edge program, imploring the most effective growth strategies, or even watering down the Gospel as a means of growing the body. What if we simply walked in all that Jesus said we could/should walk in? Think it will make a difference? I do!

Doing good is an important part of what the Body of Christ is all about. We are to walk in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior. This is how we help the world experience the goodness of God. However, I want to encourage the Body to walk in all that Jesus died to give us. Let us seek to heal and deliver all of those who are oppressed by the devil. In this way we demonstrate the goodness and power of God in the world.

God has Reconciled

Is God really good? That seems to be a major question in today's culture. We want to believe in a good God but there is not much in this world that is not good. How can we get to a place where we trust in the goodness of God?

I'm glad you asked...

In 2 Corinthians 5:19, Paul (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) said: "...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation." He goes on to talk about their ministry as ambassadors for God - sharing this message of reconciliation. It is through our understanding of what God has provided for the world through Christ where we can see the goodness of God. If there is ever a doubt in your mind about His goodness; all you have to do is look at the Cross.

The Good News of the Gospel is this: God has already forgiven men's sins. Jesus died and carried the sins of the entire world. Not only did He take care of the sins of the world but He took the punishment for those sins. When Jesus said "It is finished", God said that we are forgiven. Our salvation isn't a matter of God being willing to forgive. Our salvation is a matter if we are willing to believe.

Reconciliation - 1a) to reconcile (those who are at variance). 1b) return to favor with. The Bible says that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. Jesus was the "Christ" (Anointed One) sent into the world to bring about this reconciliation. It was the Christ who bore our sin, shed His blood, took our punishment, and overcame death to conquer sin once and for all. The Bible goes on to tell us that God no longer "imputes" our trespasses to us. In other words, He no longer takes inventory, estimates, or reckons our sins to us. You and I are saved when we believe upon the finished work of Jesus Christ and confess Him as Lord of our lives.

Romans 10:9, "...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." It is that simple! We have got to stop with the idea that people go to Hell because of their sins. People go to Hell because they don't believe in the finished work of Jesus. What God offers us in Christ is His righteousness. If we refuse His righteousness, we can never be fully reconciled to God. God has already reconciled the world to Himself - we just need to believe it, accept it, and confess it.

"The message of reconciliation tells us that God did all we would ever need through Jesus. He became our sin so we would not have to stay sinners. He took the curse of the law so we would never have to be punished for our sins. He went to hell so we would never have to pay the ultimate price for our sins. He conquered our sins we He arose from the dead so we would never need to fight the battle with our sin. He obtained our righteousness so we would never have to earn it. He gives it to us as a free gift, thereby, qualifying us for all of the promises of God. In so doing, He is worthy to be our Lord." {James Richards}

Only when we believe and accept the finished work of Jesus can the grace of God empower us to experience the life of God. Once we do that, we have a message to share with the rest of the world: Be reconciled to God! He has already done His part.

I pray that you have a weekend filled with all the good things that God wants to give. May you rejoice in His goodness, thank Him for His mercy, and praise Him for His grace.

Responding to Truth

Jesus told His disciples that if they would ABIDE in His Word that they would "know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you free." (John 8:32)

Most of us know this verse. We have heard it, we can quote it, and we appreciate it. But how do we respond to truth? How we respond to the truth of God's Word will tell us whether or not we are abiding in truth.

The letter to the Hebrews tells us that the Word of God is quick, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It is with this understanding of the Word that we have conditioned ourselves to believe that God only delivers truth to us when He wants to cut us to the bone. Not true! God doesn't speak truth to us so that we may be pierced in our hearts, but rather to reveal to us how we can be free.

The way we respond to truth is directly related to how we perceive God and the life that we are living. If we are living a life that is contrary to God's Word, it's easy to see truth as abrasive. If we have a view of God that says He is out to punish me every time I mess up then we will not be ready to receive truth. It's funny to me that we tend to blame God for how His truth rubs us the wrong way. I have said it in the past (and so have most of you): "God nailed me with that one!" It is with this type of mindset that we have totally negated the work of our conscience. Could it be that the pain we feel (conviction) is related to the fact that we know we are living a life that is contrary to God's Word?

I have had several conversations with believers who are living outside of God's best for their lives. The purpose of my conversation wasn't to make them feel bad. I'm not out to convict anyone. I get absolutely no joy from tracking people down and sticking it to them. It's actually the pastor's heart within me that wants to help people see the life that they could be enjoying. Here are some of the responses that I have received:
"Every time you talk to me, you just make me mad."
"Why is it that you are always pointing out the bad stuff that I'm doing?"
"I don't care what you say..."
"That's not how I view it!"

These are typical responses from people who are living in opposition to the truth that can set them free. Only as we abide in the Word of God, walk in all that God would have us walk in, can we experience the freedom that God wants us to have. When God gave His commandments to the children of Israel, He said that He wanted them to have a heart to do all that He commanded so that it would go well with them and their children. God wants His absolute best for all of us, and the way that we enjoy His best is by walking in the life that He blesses.

Think about it: A lawyer comes to Jesus and says, "What is the greatest commandment?" His response: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength...and the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." The Jewish people had taken the commandments of God and made them an outward standard. This is the reason for the question. In essence the lawyer is saying "What can I do that is best in God's sight?" Jesus' reply demonstrates the nature of the law. He summed it all up by saying all that was given in the Law and from the Prophets is to lead us in a love relationship with God and one another. It doesn't matter if you follow the letter of the law if it doesn't lead you to loving God with every fiber of your being and loving your neighbor as yourself.

Remember: How we perceive God and how we live life will determine how we respond to truth. Do you view God according to His unconditional love? Are you living your life in the freedom of God's Word? If we cannot say "Yes" to these statement then it will be hard to respond to truth positively. Understand that God has His best in mind for you.

Unguarded Strength

Beware: An unguarded strength can become your greatest weakness!

When David was anointed king over Israel, we hear the Lord say that David was a man after His own heart. David's reign over Israel was triumphant. The Bible tells us that God gave him victory everywhere he went. Israel was prosperous and a true shining light among the other nations.

Even though God proclaims that David was a man after His own heart, we find a moment in David's life when his heart did not line up with God's. It is interesting to note that before David fell in sin with Bathsheba the Bible says "at a time when kings go to war...David stayed in Jerusalem." Does anyone know why he stayed? Could it be that David had become so confident of God's victory that he didn't see the need to go? Could it be that David had become lazy? Was it his age? Was he tired? The Bible doesn't give us a clear reason as to why David stayed at the palace; however, what happens next gives us some insight.

The story of David's sin is well known. We find him on the roof of the palace and he sees an attractive woman bathing. I will bullet point the rest:
- He calls for the woman
- He commits adultery
- Finds out later that she is pregnant
- He calls for her husband to come home
- The husband will not be with his wife out of respect for his fellow soldiers
- David gets him drunk and he still won't go home
- David plans for this man to be killed in battle
- The husband dies
- The woman is brought to David after her mourning
- They get married
- Nathan the prophet comes and exposes David's sin
- David confesses his sin and repents
- She loses the baby

I don't know about you but I read this story and say "How in the world did we get here?" The answer: At a time when kings go to war, David stayed in Jerusalem. Why did he stay? I believe he stayed because that wasn't his first time on the roof.

Peter tells us to be on guard because our adversary (the devil)roams about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Here is what each of us need to learn: our adversary has no power over us except what we give him. He's simply seeking whom he may devour. He cannot devour you if you don't let him. We must guard our hearts unless we, like David, find ourselves crying out to God for mercy. David allowed the lust of his flesh to cloud the judgment of his heart.

The only way that you and I can continue to guard our hearts is to walk in the grace of God. When we allow God's ability to be our strength, there is no temptation that can overtake us. It is when we drop our guard...become lazy in our devotion, slack in our prayer life, uncommitted in storing God's Word in our hearts, or we stop having fellowship with God's people; this is when the enemy strikes. And he will strike in the unguarded areas of our hearts. The Bible says that we are not foolish to the schemes of our enemy. We know how he works. However, we must guard our integrity.

Before we jump up to judge David and his actions we must look into our own lives. How many times have we fallen when we had the ability to walk in all that God would have us walk in? How many times has a bad attitude made its way back into our lives? How often has a bad habit showed back up on our doorstep? How many of us have found ourselves fighting the same battle that we thought we had won?

Aren't you glad that God loves us completely? He knows our frame. He knows our weakness. He knows our struggles. Even in all of that...He loves us. The point of guarding our hearts and minds is that we can continue to enjoy this relationship - that we never allow anything to come in that would cause us to lose the joy of our salvation. I imagine that the days following David's sin with Bathsheba and the death of her husband were some of the most empty days of his existence. Just think of the guilt and pain that he brought onto himself. Nine torturous months passed before Nathan shows up and exposes David's sin. Is it any wonder that David cries out "restore unto me the joy of Your salvation"?

You need to know that David's story did not end with his failure. In fact, God continued to be with him and continued to say that David followed him with all of his heart except in this one area. Oh, the mercy of God!!!

My prayer for each of us today is that we will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. He alone is able to keep us from stumbling. He is the one who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. May we walk in His grace.

Designated Praise

"And he appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the Lord God of Israel" {1 Chronicles 6:4}

King David is a truly remarkable figure of the Old Testament. It is noted in Scripture that he was a man after God's own heart. He wasn't perfect, but God took note of his heart.

God used David to establish Israel as a kingdom that would give praise to His name. In 1 Chronicles we find that one of the first things that David did was to bring the ark of the covenant into the city. This was something that was never done under the rule of Saul. But we must remember that in Saul that God gave the people what they wanted. They wanted a king like all of the other nations. In David, we have God's man.

After bringing the ark of covenant back into Jerusalem, David set up a tabernacle to house it and designated the Levites to minister before it. The most notable aspect of all this is that part of their job description was to do more than just offer sacrifices according to the law of Moses. David actually set apart certain men to play the musical instruments. Horns and stringed instruments were continually playing before the presence of God. Songs were being sung by men that were set apart for this service - those who were skilled in singing. And we cannot forget those whose ministry was to give praise to God for all the good things He had done.

The praise ministry of Israel was established under David. The king said: Some of you will offer the sacrifices. Some of you will play and sing songs. Others of you will commemorate our God, thank Him for all that He has done, and literally give praise from your mouth.

Once David got everyone into position, he gave a psalm of thanksgiving to Asaph so that it could be used in rendering thanks unto God. We find it here in 1 Chronicles 16:8-36:
"Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!...For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised...Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!...Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; and let them say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns.'...Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever...Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting!"

Let's put this into perspective. If God truly dwelt in a church building then when you drove by you could hear songs being played, songs being sung, praise being given, and you would see smoke rising from a chimney where sacrifices were being offered. However, God doesn't work that way anymore. We are His temple. God has chosen to dwell within each of us through His Holy Spirit. We do not need others designated to give praise for us. We are told to offer unto God the sacrifice of praise continually - the fruit of our lips - giving thanks unto His name (Hebrews 13:15).

Here's what we need to take away from this teaching:
God enjoys the praises of His people
God is worthy of the praises of His people
It is our choice whether God will receive praise

Chris Rice came out with a song several years ago called "The Cartoon Song". The whole song was filled with the sounds of praise that would come out of certain cartoon characters: Fred Flinstone, Scooby-Doo, the Jetsons. The song is a lot of fun but has an awesome message. Chris goes on to say that the point of the song is that cartoons were not created to praise God. We were created to praise God. So let's sing "Hallelujah!!!"

Designate some time today to REMEMBER all that God has done for us - THANK Him for His mercy that endures forever - and give PRAISE to His name.

Reality Christianity

I don't know about you, but I'm not a big fan of "Reality TV". If I wanted to see a marriage fall apart and children dazed and confused, I could go up and down the streets of the neighborhood. I don't need to see that stuff play out on TV. In fact, if I'm going to sit down and enjoy a show on television, I want to escape reality. It was during my quiet time this morning that Oswald Chambers got me to thinking about "Reality Christianity."

Unfortunately, much of what we see in the church of America has nothing to do with the reality of faith. Sure...you can see a little drama, excitement, and maybe even a fight scene or two; however, there is something lacking. When will we understand that the people who walk into the doors of our churches want something REAL?

Pay attention to the words of Oswald Chambers:
"The holiness movements of today have none of the rugged reality of the New Testament about them. There is nothing about them that needs the death of Jesus Christ. All that is required is a pious atmosphere, prayer, and devotion. This type of experience is not supernatural nor miraculous. It did not cost the sufferings of God, nor is it stained with 'the blood of the Lamb'...It is not marked or sealed by the Holy Spirit as being genuine, and it has no visual sign that causes people to exclaim with awe and wonder, 'That is the work of God Almighty!' Yet the New Testament is about the work of God and nothing else.
"The New Testament example of the Christian experience is that of personal, passionate devotion to the Person of Jesus Christ. Every other kind of so-called Christian experience is detached from the Person of Jesus. There is no regeneration - no being born again into the kingdom in which Christ lives and reigns supreme. There is only the idea that He is our pattern. In the New Testament Jesus Christ is the Savior long before He is the pattern. Today He is being portrayed as the figurehead of a religion - a mere example. He is that, but He is infinitely more. He is salvation itself; He is the gospel of God!" {My Utmost for His Highest - November 29}

We find Jesus in the Gospel of John 16:13-14 saying: "...when He, the Spirit of truth, has come,...He will glorify Me..." When the Spirit of God is at work in our faith, the reality is Jesus Christ. It's not a better me, a more pious me, or a more devoted me. It's all about the reality of Jesus! The reason I focus so much attention on the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is because the work of the Spirit is to bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ. Our focus as the people of God needs to be shifted again to the reality of His Spirit at work in every area.

Spirit led worship
Spirit led preaching
Spirit led living
Spirit led giving
Spirit inspired dreams & visions
Spirit prompted words
Healing
Miracles
Prophecy
All the things that are accomplished by the Spirit of God in our midst for the revealing of the Son of God.

Attention all churches: Let's make Jesus Christ the main attraction once again! It's not about our singing, our programs, our ministries, or our buildings. It's not about our preaching/teaching, our small groups, or our purpose statements. Real Christianity is about advancing the Kingdom of God where we live and abroad. It's about being empowered by the Spirit of God - being used by the Spirit of God - so that we may leave a mark in the world about the reality of Jesus Christ.

Are you ready for REAL CHRISTIANITY? REAL FAITH? GENUINE CHANGE? SALVATION OF THE LOST? Then get on board with the work of the Holy Spirit and you will experience all that God wants for you and the world. Let's get REAL!!!

Returning Thanks

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." {James 1:17}

My grandmother is a firm believer in "Thank You" cards. Whenever she opens a gift, she brings out her little notebook and pens the persons name inside. The next day (or so) she will sit down, write out, and send a note of thanks to the people who gave her gifts. This is the mindset of a truly thankful person. They are thankful for the gift and for the person who gave them the gift.

Do you understand the importance of James 1:17? It is here that we see the giver and the gift. The Giver is God. James calls Him the Father of lights. The gift: every good and perfect gift. Don't you think it's time to return thanks?

What an awesome God we serve!
The God of Creation
The God of Eternal Life
The God of Provision
The God of Protection
The God of Peace
The God of Redemption
The God of Righteousness
The God of GOOD THINGS

As if I needed anything else from His hand, He has provided every good and perfect gift! I am truly thankful.

And before you begin to think that you have received bad gifts from Him, read what James has said. "...with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." God hasn't changed. His nature hasn't changed. He is still the Giver of good and perfect gifts.

I hope that during this Thanksgiving holiday that you will be revived in your thanksgiving. Share it during the meal. Talk about it with your family. Make sure that your friends understand what you are thankful for and to whom you are grateful. You may not be able to send Him a note, but you can give Him the sacrifice of praise - the fruit of your lips.

Blessings to you all.

I am Thankful

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'" {Romans 1:16-17}

There is no doubt that I could spend a great deal of time thanking God for all of the material blessings in my life. I have a roof over my head, a vehicle to drive, food in my refrigerator, meat in the freezer, and other vital necessities. Most of us can also move past the necessities and thank God for the non-essential stuff that we own. However, I can honestly say that of all the "things" that I am most thankful for, I am most thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul told the church at Rome that the gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation. I can testify to that truth. It has been almost 19 years since that became true in my life. I had heard the gospel countless times before I ever accepted Christ but on that day something happened. I believed the gospel and it has forever changed my life.

What about you? Have you ever taken the time to thank God for the power of the gospel? Everything else in life means very little if we have never allowed the truth of the gospel to set us free. The old saying is true: "He who dies with the most toys still dies." I can accumulate all the wealth in the world, never want for anything again, be blessed with all material blessings; but without the power of the gospel at work in me I would still be lost.

Think about it:
The RIGHTEOUS ONE bore my unrighteousness on the cross.
The SINLESS ONE became sin for me.
The PERFECT SON OF GOD gave His life for the imperfect ones like me.

God in His great love chose to give Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. We can be forgiven, set free, and have His Spirit take up residence in our lives by believing in what He has done. The Bible tells us that it is by GRACE through FAITH that we are saved. If we confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead we shall be saved. This is true for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord!

As we prepare to gather with family and friends over this thanksgiving holiday, let us not forget to give thanks for the incredible power of the gospel. I have been made the righteousness of God in Christ. Sin no longer has dominion over us because we are no longer under law but under grace. All because of the amazing, wonderful, and grace filled power of the gospel.

If you have allowed this message of the gospel to change your life then you can be truly thankful. If you haven't accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you can do it today. Thank God that you have the opportunity to be saved. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you can spend this Thanksgiving truly thankful for what God has done in you by His grace.

Great to be Home

Thanksgiving week is upon us and God has given me many reasons to give thanks.

Last week I was in Missouri with my father-in-law and brother-in-law. We had been invited to go up and hunt whitetail deer in this beautiful state. It was a great week. I was able to bag my first trophy buck (8 pt), while my brother-in-law killed an excellent 10 pt.

The week away provided a lot of time for relaxation and reflection. It allowed me to think about all the wonderful things that God has been doing in our PBC family. Folks...we serve an awesome God!

I just wanted to stop in today and say "Hello." Tomorrow is a new day with a new blog entry. I pray that your week is filled with all the goodness of God. I pray that you will be able to find some time to reflect upon all the good things that Jehovah has provided for you. And I pray that you will have a thankful heart.

May the Lord bless you all in the name of Jesus!

Pardon the Interruption

When I decided to start blogging, I never considered that there would be so many interruptions. Immediately after typing those words...the phone rings (LOL!).

I will be taking about a week off from the blog to do some hunting. I look forward to returning with a few stories, fresh ideas, and challenging words.

Thanks for checking in with PBC Voice. It is our prayer that this blog will continue to bring encouragement and instruction into your life. May the Lord bless you in your walk with Him.

Going with the Flow

"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" {Philippians 4:11}

Paul's lesson of contentment is found in the understanding that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (verse 13). These verses cause me to ask the question: Can I go with the flow?

We all have certain moments in life (possibly days) where we have to make a decision. Am I going to be upset at changes in schedules, stressed at the problems that life throws at me, or bothered that I cannot always do what I want to do? OR...can I go with the flow and make things work? We often look at Paul's comments and say, "I don't have to have everything." And we immediately link contentment with material things. But what happens when there is a conflict of schedule? What happens when a flight is delayed? What happens when I find out that it will take another day to get my car out of the shop? Most of us understand that we cannot possess everything that we want but struggle being content when our time is affected.

Time seems to be one of the most valuable concepts in the American culture. We know that money can slip through our hands rather quickly but try to make the most of all the time that we can. That is why devices that make life simpler, cause us to save time and effort sell like hotcakes. If you can save me a few minutes, I might be willing to spend a little more money. But there are some things in life that cannot be helped and we find ourselves having to change our plans:
One of the kids is sick
The car doesn't start
The power goes out and the alarm doesn't go off
There is an accident on the highway and traffic is backed-up
Etc., Etc., Etc.

Paul told Timothy that "godliness with contentment is great gain." We may be able to learn contentment but are we God-like in the process? This is one of the hardest lessons of life. It is righteousness in character. It's more about attitude than action. Can I go to the Father and say, "I know that you are in control."?

Remember: Not every bump in the road is meant to be a distraction. There are some things in life that become Divine opportunities. Don't be so quick to be upset when things don't go the way they should. Learn to be content and godly through the process. It's a lesson we can all learn.

Jesus said "Go"...

I heard a quote some time ago that I fell in love with: "Jesus said 'Go". You need permission to stay."

The quote, of course, is a reference to the Great Commission. The followers of Jesus Christ are to go into all the world making disciples, baptizing, and teaching those disciples to obey all that He commanded. Until He returns, we must continue to "GO!".

This Saturday PBC will be sending out our 3rd team to South Africa. Over the last couple of years, this trip has been remarkable. The stories that come out of the squatter camps are amazing. We have heard of demons being cast out, the lame walking, the Gospel being preached, and people being saved. If it sounds like something out of the book of Acts...well...it is! God is doing amazing things in this part of the world and our folks are always eager to go.

Please keep this team in your prayers over the next couple of weeks.
Travel
Family back home
Their effectiveness in the field
Sensitivity to the Spirit of God
And pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send out laborers because the field is truly white!

While this team is overseas I want you to consider being a missionary at home. While they share with strangers, take some time to share with family and friends. You can "Go" while you are at home. Go across the street. Go to that person who is hurting. Go to that co-worker. You will be amazed at how God will use you. What He cannot use is your silence.

What You Witnessed

There are certain moments in American history that cause you to sit back and say "WOW!" Last night, we witnessed one of those moments. According to Fox News, Republicans won more than 60 seats in the House with a 65 net gain being projected. Our nation hasn't seen this type of historical shift in more than 70 years.

I want you to put all of this into prospective. You can look at the "Tea Party" movement, any other "grass roots" organizations, or just the general disgust of the people over our current economic status and say these were all the cause of the election results. Each of these items played a part in getting people out of their homes and into the voting booths. However, what I want you to take away is the MOMENT we witnessed. We witnessed a great uprising of people who wanted to make a difference. These people were tired of the current situation and decided to do something about it. They did what every American citizen had the right to do - cast a vote - and they voted for a change.

Imagine, if you will, what our nation would look like if the church of the living God did the same thing. I'm not referring to the political arena but to the advancement of the kingdom of God. Imagine all churches zealous for good works, seeking to save that which is lost, and longing to be a force in their communities. Imagine every believer empowered by the Spirit of God to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Imagine every church fellowship feeding the poor, clothing the naked, and caring for the broken. Imagine all followers of Jesus Christ taking God at His Word and standing in faith. Do you think that we would see some significant moments in church history?

In the book of Acts 17:6, the Bible says, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too." You have to remember that they were referring to Paul and Silas who had come to Thessalonica. What an incredible statement! What an incredible MOMENT in church history!

I pray that the church will see what can happen when men and women move within common goals and values. I pray that the church will consider what can happen when we are not in competition with each other. If we could remember that it is His kingdom that we are to advance, His message that we are to preach, and His creation that we are to reach; then maybe we can see Jesus exalted as Lord and Savior upon every heart.

I know what I saw last night. The message was clear. People had become frustrated with the state of our nation. When will the church become frustrated with the state of lostness within our country? When will we grow weary watching the enemy have his way in the lives of so many around us? When will we begin to walk in the authority that Jesus gave us? It's time for a Divine Moment that not only affects church history but the history of the world!

Vote - Election 2010

It's Election Day...aren't you glad? I'm sure that most people will be glad to rescue their phones from all the calls and their televisions from all the commercials. It looks as though tomorrow is shaping up to be an interesting day.

Although I am a proud American and believe in having certain people representing our country, I do not believe that the future of our nation rests upon our elected leaders. To quote James Richards: "The future of our nation will be determined by the church's willingness to win and disciple the lost. History is written in the hearts of the believers."

Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people." The truth of the matter is this: If we do not win the lost and develop disciples, our country will become corrupt and fall through all the junk that we sow. God doesn't have to overthrow a nation; it rots on its own.

I hope that you took the time to exercise your Constitutional right to vote. It is a freedom that should not be taken lightly. I also hope that you took the time to share your faith in Christ with someone. The salvation of the lost will do more to influence this nation than how we vote. The Church must recapture this vision!!! If we do not bring change through relevant ministry within the world, then we will have no more influence that another political party.

The Church was never intended to be a political force. In fact, we have never been very successful when it comes to politics. We are to be a force in the kingdom of God!

Stress Free Living

Happy Friday everyone!!! Glad to be back and share some encouragement with you. This has been a wonderful week of refreshment. It's amazing what a little time away helps to bring focus in a lot of areas.

In case you are wondering, I was in South Carolina Monday - Wednesday. The last 3 years I have been able to do some hunting in Ehrhardt thanks to some farmers that do business with my in-laws. So...instead of blogging, I was spending time in a deer stand. Enjoyed a lot of time watching wildlife, enjoying time with my Heavenly Father, and being still.

Have you ever considered what life is like when there is no stress?
Spiritually
Mentally
Physically
Emotionally
Everything is better without stress!


What God continually teaches me is that I don't have to "get away" to live without stress. Scripture tells us: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7). God doesn't want you to live a life of anxiety.

Hear the Word:
"Be anxious for nothing..." - Do not be troubled with cares. It's a command!
"...but in everything..." - YES, EVERYTHING!!!
"...by prayer and supplication..." - This is you transferring your cares over to God.
"...with thanksgiving..." - Have an attitude of gratitude.
"...let your requests be made known to God..." - Quit keeping them to yourself.
"...and the peace of God..." - Sounds good doesn't it?
"...which surpasses all understanding..." It may not make sense but it works.
"...will guard your hearts and minds..." - No question here - WILL guard...
"...through Christ Jesus." - This is through your relationship with Christ.

This is the only way that we can hope to live stress free. Every time the "cares of this world" come upon you - give them to God. Jesus taught us in the parable of the sower that it is the cares of this world that choke the Word of God out of our lives. What typically happens to each of us is that we want to deal with everything that comes our way. We handle it...And what we often miss is the peace that God will give us if we would simply let Him be God.

While I am grateful for the times of "getting away", I'm also grateful for the times of giving away all my cares and concerns to my Heavenly Father. He truly is my Comfort, my Defense, and my High Tower. I will continue to trust in Him.

A Day of Meditation - Psalm 91

Rather than use today's blog to share my thoughts, I want you to take some time to meditate on the Word of God. The following is from Psalm 91. I pray that God will speak to you and give you comfort through His Word.

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, 'He is My refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.'
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and your buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

"A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

"Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."

Some Basics About Sharing

So you have heard me talking about sharing the gospel. While there are a lot of people who understand what witnessing is all about, many don't know how to do it. Allow me to share with you a few simple things to get you started.

Before I begin, allow me to remind you of some incredible truths:
- Being a Witness is not what you do but who you are. Rather than focusing on what you need to do for the kingdom, focus on who you are in the kingdom. When this happens, the doing becomes a natural outflow of who you are in Christ.
- You do not have to be a theologian to share Jesus. I have literally watched people get saved and turn around to tell their friends about what just happened. The actually sharing of the gospel is telling others what you know to be true. You know that Jesus died for you, that He rose again from the dead, and that He just made a dramatic impact in your life. If all you can do is tell them what Jesus has done in you then you can make a difference.
- By the grace of God, live in such a way that you do not confuse the message. The Bible says that we are light. We are either a bright light that will show people the way or a dim light that will make it harder to see. Through your salvation, God has given you the ability to life a life that reflects His nature. Live in it while you talk about it.

Keys to Sharing Your Faith:

1) Learn to be a Conversationalist
This may require you to step out of your comfort zone a little bit but you cannot just walk up to someone and throw-up a gospel presentation. We must learn how to ask questions, show genuine interest in people, be humorous, etc. You know...all the things that make conversation fun and interesting. The art of conversation also deals with listening. Be sure to listen to the people you talk with because there may be some hidden things that God reveals to allow you access into their life.

2) Learn to Recognize and Seize Opportunities
This is where most of us miss it! We pray for opportunities but rarely recognize them. The fact is, we don't have to pray for them because God allows us to be in contact with people everyday. We simply need to walk in a sensitivity to the Spirit of God and seize every opportunity that He give us.

3) After Sharing - Ask for a Commitment
It's playoff time in baseball so I am going to us a sports analogy. Be a FINISHER! A lot of folk start well and do a decent job in the middle but never close. A simple "Is there any reason why you wouldn't make Jesus Lord and Savior of you life?" works well. Regardless of their answer, there isn't any good reason. Salvation is by Grace through Faith. This is the time we help them walk in faith.

I came across these simple keys in the book "Supernatural Ministry" that I told you about yesterday. It was a great reminder about the simple things. If you are open to sharing with others and use these tools, you can impact eternity.

May God use you to advance His kingdom!!!

Run to the Battle!

In the book, Supernatural Ministry, James Richards shares an incredible vision the Lord gave him while attending services at a large church one Sunday morning. If you aren't ready to "run to the battle" I'm sure that you can find some psycho-analytical stuff on another blog (LOL!).

"In my heart I could see a soldier dressed in armor. He had on a sword with a shield and all the weapons of war, but instead of being in battle, he was sitting at the table eating. Then this word came to me, 'No man girds himself up, puts on his armor, taking his sword and shield in his hand and sits down to eat. No, when you gird yourself up in your armor, taking your sword and your shield, you run forth into battle. Run to the battle says the Lord. God forth, for I have equipped you with my weapons of warfare, yet you sit and eat. You desire to be fed more, but I say run forth to the battle.'" [p. 68 - Supernatural Ministry]

What a picture! Can you imagine being in full armor sitting at a table eating? The imagery is so powerful. Here's what I take from this:

#1 - If you are in full armor with a sword and shield, you have but one purpose. There is a battle going on in the world between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. God has supplied us with everything we need. The armor and shield are for protection. The sword and the Spirit are our weapons. These are not carnal weapons but weapons that will allow us to cast down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.

#2 - Can you imagine how uncomfortable it must be to sit at a table to eat in full armor? This explains why so many people get frustrated in their Christian life. They have been satisfied to come and eat - never thinking about the battle - but they are never fulfilled. If we never become engaged in the battle (ministry to others), then all that's left is to complain about how uncomfortable we are at the table. This is why a lot of churches have to endure the complaints of the saints rather than enjoying the edification of fellow believers.

#3 - This is a waste of good armor and powerful weapons! By now we should all know Acts 1:8 (if you are a regular reader of my blog or the Bible). We know that Jesus never intended to send His followers out without power. However, he also never intended them to keep it at home. If all we ever do with the gifts that God has granted to us is minister to one another, we aren't any better than the battle ready soldier sitting at the table. These gifts, this ability, are provided so that we may demonstrate to the world who God is and what He can do. Spiritual Graces are not a badge of honor or something for our entertainment; they are to be used to bring a lost and hurting world to Jesus.

I always place a poll in the top right hand corner of this blog. I'm not sure how many times I have asked the particular question that I'm using this week. I'm always amazed at the response when it comes to believers sharing their faith. The sad part is that if I could take a survey of Christians all across America the numbers would be staggering in response to how many of them actually share the Gospel with others. Why is this true? The reason is that we won't pull ourselves away from the table to engage the world. We are too busy feeding ourselves (and others) to run to the battle.

You might be thinking right now that you don't feel ready. I have heard people say that they just don't know enough. "What if I get asked a question that I cannot answer." This is what happens when you take the supernatural out of evangelism. We are more concerned with winning an argument than converting a soul. This isn't a battle of philosophies. I'm not asking you to be Plato or Socrates. You don't have to have all the answers, all you need is the SOLUTION.

So...get up from the table...make sure your armor is in place...pick up your sword and shield...and RUN TO THE BATTLE!!!