Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our country. The brief history of America has been protected by the men and women of our armed forces. PBC Voice takes this opportunity to say "Thank You" to all of those who have given their lives. We are grateful for your sacrifice.

"...The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve[d] that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." ~ Abraham Lincoln "Gettysburg Address"

There is no doubt that this nation owes an enormous debt of gratitude to those who have served and died. May God bless the families of the fallen and may He continue to bless the United States of America.

Endued With Power

One of the greatest attributes of this blog for me is that I get to share a lot of fresh thoughts and insights. However, there are times when I need to bless you with the thoughts and ideas of others. Since becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, Oswald Chambers has been a part of my daily devotionals. "My Utmost for His Highest" is a collection of sermons that God has continually used to stir my heart.

The Life To Know Him

"...tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49)

"The disciples had to tarry, staying in Jerusalem until the day of Pentecost, not only for their own preparation but because they had to wait until the Lord was actually glorified. And as soon as He was glorified, what happened? "Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear" (Acts 2:33)...The Holy Spirit has been given; the Lord is glorified - our waiting is not dependent on the providence of God, but on our own spiritual fitness.

"The Holy Spirit's influence and power were at work before Pentecost, but He was not here. Once our Lord was glorified in His ascension, the Holy Spirit came into the world, and He has been here ever since. We have to receive the revealed truth that He is here. The attitude of receiving and welcoming the Holy Spirit into our lives is to be the continual attitude of a believer. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive reviving life from our ascended Lord.

"It is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit that changes people, but the power of the ascended Christ coming into their lives through the Holy Spirit. We all too often separate things that the New Testament never separates. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not an experience apart from Jesus Christ - it is the evidence of the ascended Christ.

"The baptism of the Holy Spirit does not make you think of time or eternity - it is one amazing glorious now. "This is eternal life, that they may know You..." (John 17:3). Begin to know Him now, and never finish."

~ Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest - May 27 - Discovery House Publishers

FORGIVEN!!!

Isaiah 53:5, "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."

FORGIVEN - it's a word that Christians use a lot. In fact, we use it so much that it can often lose it's significance. Here's the definition of forgive: 1) To cease to feel resentment against (an offender): PARDON 2) To give up resentment of or claim to requital for - to grant relief from payment of - to grant forgiveness. {Get the Picture?}

To say that I am forgiven is to announce a remarkable event in my life. In my case: I have been forgiven by God. Therefore, God has chosen to cease feeling resentment against me (the offender) and to no longer hold a claim for payment on my behalf. God has granted forgiveness to me on the basis of Jesus' death on the cross. His blood paid the entire penalty of my sin and the sin of the world.

I have been taken back by this word due to a song that I heard with this title: FORGIVEN. The song says, "No matter what I've done, no matter who I've been, I'm forgiven."

Isaiah tells us why - Jesus was wounded, bruised, and punished for us. God unleashed His fury against sin on His own Son! Wounded - mortally, Bruised - intently, Punished - severely. Jesus took it all and God didn't hold anything back.

Now you know why Romans 5:8 says that "God demonstrated His own love for us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." WOUNDED - BRUISED - PUNISHED. And to go another step further, Isaiah said that "by His stripes we are healed." The wounds on His hands and feet = for us! The crown of thorns upon His head = for us! The stripes across His back, the punches and spit in the face, the plucking of His beard, and the piercing of His side = for us!

FORGIVEN!

I'm FORGIVEN!

You need to know that this is how God sees you. In regards to your relationship with Him, you are FORGIVEN.

I pray that the weight of this word grip your heart today.

Closed Doors

How do we handle closed doors? I'm referring (of course) to doors of opportunity. Have you ever felt led of God to do something only to find closed doors? What we do next says more about our belief in God than our belief in ourselves.

One of the greatest lessons learned from "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby is: When it seems as though the doors are closed (or none are opening)- "Do the last thing God told you to do." As I type these words the thought of "Step by Step" keeps coming in my mind. If I'm to do the last thing God told me to do then it means that I have been trusting Him step by step. Go to the last step!

I'm curious how many people have stood in front of closed doors and though God had abandoned them? It makes it a lot easier to blame God than ourselves. But could it be the reason we stand in front of a closed door is that we didn't take the last step in faith? Is it possible that we took the next logical step rather than the next faith step? These are some of the questions I ask myself. I'm not saying that when we are following God that we won't experience closed doors. I mean...this is a life/walk of faith. What I am saying is that we should make/take every step according to His divine direction.

This lesson from "EG" has been on my mind since last Thursday. You see, last Thursday Jenn and I received a phone call about a closed door. We have been taking a faith journey together when all of a sudden the landscape changed. It's times like this that you wish it was a simple choice:
Paper or Plastic?
Pan or Hand Tossed?
Fries or Baked Potato?
Those are easy decisions. But how do we make decisions that involve our family and the will of God when we find that all the doors are closed?

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)

"Do the last thing God told you to do!" What we have to do is get before God in prayer and the Word and allow our minds to be renewed. Sometimes when the doors close, we find ourselves with stinking thinking. We have to stop those thoughts immediately and get before God and say: "Lord, I'm going to keep on doing what you have told me to do." In Acts, we find that the Lord closed certain doors to the Apostles but we never see them stop doing what God had instructed them to do. Neither will we!

God has placed a person on our hearts - not a place. Our decision is about a child - not a country. We will keep doing the last thing He told us to do. In the end, we will go in the right direction. How do I know this? "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13) I know this because I can trust His heart!

A Gallon of Water & A Cracker

To say the vision was strange would be an understatement. The thought that continually came to my mind is: "Weird!" However, after much prayer and some insight from God, we moved forward. What am I talking about? I'm talking about a gallon of water and a cracker.

I took a picture of the platform early on in our worship service. Our PBC folks had heard me challenge them for the past couple of weeks about bringing a gallon of drinking water per member. What they didn't know was the significance of what God was getting ready to do. Our people responded and God moved.

What I shared yesterday came from a vision that a trusted friend of PBC has when praying for our church. In the vision there was a line of water jugs with crackers on top of them. The question for us was whether or not it was a challenge from the Lord. I spent several weeks praying about it. I asked the Lord for insight and He gave it. There was symbolism in the jugs of water and the cracker.

Here's the breakdown:

Every person - each of us had to bring a jug of water because the Bible says that every joint supplies. It was all about unity and cooperation.

Gallon of Water - Represented the Spirit of God. The reason for gallon jugs was due to the handle (portability) - they could be carried out of the building.

The Cracker - Represented those who came for worship. The salt on the cracker makes us thirsty. We are to be the salt of the earth! However, the cracker also absorbs water when place inside (I used the example of soup and crackers).

The Application - As we worship God and He pours out His Presence upon us, we soak it in and carry Him out into the world. We become one with Him. In essence, we become the presence of God in the world.

The Results - At least two people were saved. People came for prayers of healing (physical, emotional, spiritual). Lives were recommitted to God and His purpose. A Church was edified in love!

What did we learn from all of this? I think what we learned is that you can have church without preaching. We learned that as we honor God's presence that He blesses us. We learned that through worship we truly engage with God and worship becomes more than a ritual/routine.

Personally, I learned to trust God with things even if they seem weird. I learned how to listen when things come through other servants. I learned to trust in the power of God in a more meaningful way.

To those of you that were not with us - it's hard to understand. For those of us who were there - it's hard to explain. What we encountered was a special time of the manifest presence of God. Some of us were pushed beyond our comfort zone, some were challenged to go even deeper, and others experienced God in a way that they had never experienced Him before.

What I have discovered in my walk with God is that Worship should always be an encounter with Him. I shouldn't have to bring a gallon of water and place a cracker on top to understand how I am transformed through worship. When I honor Him through praise and worship, He honors me. Isn't that an amazing thought? Doesn't blow your mind to think that you are bringing Him what He deserves but then He turns and gives you what you don't? WOW! God is good.

My prayer from is experience is that we never forget how God moved in this time. I pray that we won't become complacent in our worship. And I pray that when we come together that each of us will seek to soak in His presence so that we may carry Him out into the world.

Blessings to you all ~ Neal

Boxcar Christians

I have to thank one of our PBC folks for the imagery I'm about to share. In preparation for our annual ministry to the community, we had a group of believers prayer-walking the track and field down in Max Meadows. When we finished up, I asked if anyone gained insight while praying. This is what one of our team members shared: "As the train was going by, I saw all the boxcars and they all looked the same. You don't know what's inside of them. I don't want to be a boxcar! I want people to know what is inside of me."

2 Corinthians 4:7, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."

What is a boxcar Christian? Simply put: It's an individual that has bought into a religious system rather than a personal relationship. It's someone who has chosen the path of uniformity thinking that was the only way to live in unity. It's any believer who has been deceived into thinking that if we wash the outside of the cup then the inside is o.k.

Unfortunately, the culture we live in has found this type of "Christianity" to be acceptable. As long as you carry the right version of the Bible, dress in the appropriate attire, listen to the "only" acceptable music, and attend the right church you will be in good standing with God and man. Be assured that the Bible says a lot about unity. However, unity isn't uniformity (or the other way around). Unity is about walking in the love of God together. Unity is about esteeming others better than yourself. Unity is recognizing Jesus as Lord and following after Him together. This doesn't mean you will always agree. It doesn't mean that you will hold to the same convictions in every area of life. You are meant to be more than a boxcar.

I'm all about being "uniquely Christian" - an individual who follows hard after the heart of God. We may travel the same narrow track, be pulled by the same engine, have the same conductor, and carry the same cargo; but it doesn't mean that we all look the same. I'm not saying that you need to go out of your way to be different. As a professor of mine once said, "Just be yourself and you will be different enough!" Folks, if God wanted us all to be the same, He could have easily given us the same hair color, eye color, tone of skin, etc. But in His grand design we are different heights, weights, and colors; all of which (by the way) are in the image of God.

Talking with some believers you would think that becoming a Christian is like entering the military. Everybody gets the same haircut. Everybody is issued the same uniform. And everyone is to walk in the same line, speak the same things, and never think for yourself. I don't know about you, but "I want to be more than a boxcar."

Freedom in Christ is what breaks us out of the boxcar mentality. It's a freedom that is based upon God's grace in our lives. A grace that says it's o.k. to look different, do "church" differently, worship through different types of music, etc. It's acknowledging that we are all earthen vessels carrying the same treasure but realizing that God can paint that vessel anyway He chooses. It's submitting to how God chooses to use the vessel. It's being uniquely Christian.

What I love about 2 Cor. 4:7 is that the main point of the verse isn't the vessel but the treasure. In fact, Paul emphasizes the point that it's not about us at all. The excellence of the power is of God! All I do is carry the treasure that He has placed inside me. That's my job: to be a good steward of the treasure. "And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, fut for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Cor. 5:15-17)

Take time today to thank God for the treasure that He has placed inside of you. Thank Him for allowing you to be a steward of the glorious mystery of Jesus Christ. Allow God to shape and mold you as a vessel for His use. I don't know what it will look like in the end but I truly believe that you will be more than a boxcar.

Nothing Like a Good Fight (I guess)

It's been long enough! I haven't taken any personal time for the blog in a while, so be prepared. Neal is walking over to his soapbox...ready...set...go!

I posted a song on my Facebook page yesterday. "From the Top of My Lungs" by Phillips, Craig, and Dean seemed appropriate. Personally, I hadn't heard the song in a while and when I played it - WOW! So I gladly posted the song w/ lyrics onto my profile and watched the notifications light up. This person "liked" my link, then another, and another, and...well you get the point. It was only after I went to my profile page that I found a comment under the link. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!

It seems to me that there has been a little controversy surrounding this group because they are from a particular denomination with a certain set of beliefs that I was unfamiliar with. This friend of mine thought it was necessary to "call them out" openly. I politely deleted the comment and sent him a message.

Here's my point: Who crowned any of us the sole possessors of truth? I'm not saying that I have the same set of beliefs but is it worth making an open statement? What irritates me is that we can handle these things so much differently. My suggestion to this friend and many others is to email me with comments so that my friends don't have to watch the discussion progress (or digress).

Don't get me wrong. I have some very FIRM convictions that will not change (unless God changes them). I know what I believe about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I know what I believe about Salvation, Humanity, and Eternity. I shouldn't have to spend my time defending the beliefs of others because I enjoy one of their songs. AMEN? I thought you would agree with me!

I never see the "truth police" attack or comment on any other songs/videos that are posted. But as soon as we post something about God, the church, or our own beliefs - get ready. I was actually de-friended on Facebook by a fundamentalist who kept thumping his beliefs on my page. Over and over again he would start an argument with me or anyone else who was willing to fight. I'm just curious as to what would happen if we took this same zeal and went into our communities to share the gospel?

Nothing like a good fight! At least that's what some people think. Listen to the words of Paul to Titus: "But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless." (Titus 3:9) We have a choice in all of this. We can handle it responsibly or we can do what the world expects us to do: come out swinging.

It wasn't too long ago that I was preaching at a church when the "KJV Police" showed up to check my license and registration. The sad part was that I knew it was coming. I could see him sitting over there discussing this whole thing with his son. Sure enough! As soon as the service was over he had to come and ask me what translation I was preaching from. The thought came to my mind: "Really? This fight has been going on since I was a kid." I tried to be respectful...TRIED.

I read this quote the other day and believe it fits what I'm sharing: "Be strong in your convictions, but always put out the welcome mat of grace." Good advice!

The Discipline of Humility

"...Concerning the words which you have heard - because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke...and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you..." (2 Kings 22:18-19)

There is an interesting phenomenon that I have noticed in Scripture: When people humble themselves - God responds! It doesn't seem to matter what has already been spoken either. God seems to be moved when our hearts have been moved toward Him.

This phenomenon is very noticeable in the Old Testament. God puts a word in the mouth of a prophet - it is spoken - the recipient hears the word and humbles themselves - God honors their humility. This is true in the life of David, Hezekiah, Josiah, and countless others who found themselves at a pivotal point in their history.

David - he may have lost a child but he didn't lose his life or kingdom. [2 Samuel 12]

Hezekiah - not only did he not die but God added 15 years to his life [2 Kings 20]

Josiah - When the book of the Law was found and read, Josiah tore his clothes and responded to God's Word. God saved Josiah from seeing the destruction [2 Kings 22]

These are just a few of the instances that are found in Scripture where God responds to the humble heart. But this shouldn't surprise us. God has already told us that the sacrifices of a broken and contrite heart, He would not despise. We are also told in the Word to humble ourselves in the sight of God and He will lift us up in due time. Humility is a key that unlocks mercy's potential in our life. However, humility is a discipline.

For some people, humility is easy due to their nature. I have known humble people in my lifetime and have always been touched by how they esteem others before themselves. In fact, I often find myself thinking how wonderful it would be to walk in that type of humility. For me...humility isn't natural. I must choose to humble myself and every time I do - God's mercy has been available.

Please understand that God's mercy is always available. The Bible actually teaches us that God delights in it. That's right...God delights in it! I truly believe that God is more eager to give mercy to us that we are ready to receive it. Why? Because humility isn't an easy thing.

Listen to the Word of God through the prophet Micah: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)

Although there may be times that I will have to walk in the consequences of my sin, it doesn't mean that I have to live in sin. Unfortunately, too many of us continue in the sin because we are bearing the consequence. It doesn't have to be you! Humble yourself before God - confess it - agree with God about your sin - and He will forgive you completely.

Has God been speaking to you about something recently? HUMBLE YOURSELF
Has God been trying to do a particular work in your life? HUMBLE YOURSELF
Is God leading you down a path that you have never walked before? HUMBLE YOURSELF
You will find that when you relinquish control - when you choose to walk in humility - when you choose to "lose" in a certain area of life so that you can make way for God to work - He works! That is why the key to REVIVAL in the church and SPIRITUAL AWAKENING in the land is linked to humility: "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

The Discipline of Losing

"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." (Luke 9:24)

There's something you need to know about me. I don't like to lose. It doesn't matter if we are talking about checkers, basketball, or thumb wrestling...the thought of losing drives me crazy.

Being competitive is a part of my nature. I can't simply blame it on being an athlete because I was that way long before I joined a recreation league or played sports in school. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I'm a twin. It seems as though I have always competed with someone else for my identity, the front seat in the car, or being first in line. The funny thing is that it doesn't even matter if I know how to play the game: I DO NOT LIKE TO LOSE!

However, there is a discipline that I have had to learn since becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. I had to learn the discipline of losing. It wasn't easy. Actually...it still isn't easy. To turn the other cheek means that I had to lose on the first one. To forgive someone means I had to lose on the side of my vengeance. To go the extra mile means that I had to give up the 1st one. I didn't mind hearing Jesus say "Take up your cross and follow me." To me...that seemed like a given. But to know that I had to lose my life in order to save it - that was another story.

I truly believe this is where most people struggle. We like our rights don't we? In our minds we think that we deserve to call the shots. We deserve to make up our own minds. We deserve to act out on our emotions. But we don't have to walk with Jesus very long before we understand that this is not the way of a disciple. We are called to live a life that is nothing short of what our Savior embodied. When He came into this world He gave up all rights to Himself. He chose to live the life of a servant. In the garden of Gethsemane we hear our Lord say, "Not MY will but Yours be done."

Here's the point:
To be a disciple of Jesus Christ I must submit to Him as Lord. He becomes the Lord over my life in every area.
My Marriage is His!
My Relationships are His!
My Role as a Parent is His!
My Position at Work is His!
My Place in the Body of Christ is His!
And the only way that this can be true in my life is when I choose to LOSE.

The good news in all of this:
When I lose my life - I actually save it.

I use to think of this verse only as it pertains to eternity. However, now I'm understanding that it does apply to this life. When I choose to lose in the area of my pride, I always see God come through. So I have had to learn to give in during an argument, humbles myself even when I thought I was right, and give love when I wanted to show anger. It hasn't been an easy transition but I'm learning. And in all my learning I have seen my marriage saved from many trials, my kids saved from an emotional roller coaster, and my position as a pastor strengthened. All of this through the discipline of losing.

Where do you need to run up the white flag of surrender? What part of your life are you still claiming rights over? Here's the thing: God doesn't just want to be on the top of a list of priorities. He wants all of you! Then (and only then) will you begin to see victory.

Remember this quote: "Your arms are too short to box with God!"

Be willing to lose in some areas so that you may win.

He is Lord...or is He?

"Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:3)

This verse has always intrigued me. The first part of it makes perfect sense. I mean..who would think of calling Jesus accursed especially if they were speaking by the Spirit of God? But the second part of the verse is what grabs my attention. "NO ONE can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit." Hmmm...

There are three guiding principles that we can see when considering the work of the Holy Spirit in this verse:
1) The principle of conscious control
2) The principle that Christ is glorified
3) The principle of faith (the main work of the Spirit is to bring people under the Lordship of Christ)

Without a doubt...Jesus is Lord! The words written in red in the picture above state "It is finished!" When Jesus finished the work of salvation on the cross, He cried out with a loud voice. The atonement for man's sin was complete. After crying out he died, was buried, but on the third day rose again. He is Lord over death, hell, and the grave. When we accept Him as our Savior, He becomes Lord over us as well.

Or is He?

If you were to talk to most marriage counselors today, you will find that there are various reasons for couples to get into trouble. "We fell out of love" "We can't get along" "We're always fighting about money" Regardless of the reason for a couple to be in counseling, all the trouble comes from one common denominator: Jesus isn't Lord. Not only is this true for married couples - it's true for each and every one of us.

Let me explain. The Lordship of Christ should affect EVERY area of my life. It should affect my relationship with my spouse, child, family, and friends. It should be seen in my work and in my recreation. His Lordship is good for Sunday and the rest of the days in the week. We must stop looking at certain segments of our life and think: "Well...I'm not a very good ______________." Why not be real about it and say instead: "I need to submit to the Lordship of Jesus in this area."

This is something that the LORD has been speaking to my heart. Is Jesus Lord of every area? Every relationship? Every circumstance? Trust me when I say that when we make Jesus Lord in this way, it changes everything!

Take time today and ask yourself some questions. Line up every area of your life with the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Then watch Jesus make a difference in your marriage...in your family...in YOU!

"Utmost" Thinking

Rather than simply post Oswald Chambers' devotional today, I'm just going to share some highlights.

Today's entry in "My Utmost for His Highest" is titled: "The Habit of Having No Habits." Chambers message is to encourage believers not to get stuck in any habit even if it's good.

"The right thing to do with godly habits is to immerse them in the life of the Lord until they become such a spontaneous expression of our lives that we are no longer aware of them." True Christianity always causes us to look within ourselves so that we may examine if we are "in the faith." Too often we get into a rut with our spiritual lives and hang on to our habits rather than continually pursuing God with all of our hearts. If our Bible Reading is only about continuing in a "Quiet Time" rather than meeting with God then the habit has trumped the intimacy. If the reason we give, pray, or even share our faith is out of habit then we can lose the worship aspect of all that we do. Don't get me wrong...we have to establish some things in our lives in order to move forward in the Christian life but we don't want to be consciously aware of what we are doing.

I'll give you an example: Most of us know someone who smokes, dips, chews, etc. These people have developed a bad habit. At first many of them were conscious of what they were doing. After a while, it became a normal part of their every day life. If this is true when it comes to bad habits then why not good ones? Why are we still so consciously aware of our "quiet times" or times of prayer. Why do we fail to allow them to become a natural part of our everyday lives?

Chambers goes on to say this: "Your god may be your little Christian habit - the habit of prayer or Bible reading at certain times of your day. Watch how your Father will upset your schedule if you begin to worship your habit instead of what the habit symbolizes." This statement blew me away. Too often we blame the devil for messing up our quiet times. But could it be that God would actually interrupt our schedule to move us into a greater experience with Him? We need to make sure that our times with God are more than just times with our habit!

I have always been a firm believer in establishing time alone with God. I think it's vital for us to have these times. However, I also believe that we should be willing to live in a spontaneous expression of our devotion to God. God may wake me up earlier than usual or He may ask me to spend more time in prayer. There may be a day when I have to take my "devotions" outside or move them to a different place. I'm not saying to get out of the habit - what I am saying is maintain the intimacy with God.

"If these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful..." (2 Peter 1:8)

Ministry Within the Home

Hello to all my PBC Voice friends and family. Ready for another week of sharing? Let's get started!

Over the past few weeks, I have been reading Wolfgang Simson's book entitled "Houses that Change the World." You can check some of the most recent blogs to find out how this book has impacted me already. Here is Simson's "Fifteen Theses Towards a Re-Incarnation of Church":

1) "Christianity is a way of life, not a series of religious meetings."
2) "Time to change the 'cathegogue system.'"
3) "The third Reformation"
4) "From church houses to house churches."
5) "The church has to become small in order to grow large."
6) "No church is led by a pastor alone."
7) "The right pieces - fitted together in the wrong way."
8) "Out of the hands of bureaucratic clergy and on towards the priesthood of all believers."
9) "Return from organized to organic forms of Christianity."
10) "From worshiping our worship to worshiping God."
11) "Stop bringing people to church, and start bringing the church to the people."
12) "Rediscovering the Lord's Supper as a real supper with real food."
13) "From denominations to city-wide celebrations."
14) "Developing a persecution-proof spirit."
15) "The church comes home."

The reason for Wolfgang's theses is to provide vision, purpose, and clear direction to what he believes is a return to an Acts type of Christianity. In other words...a New Testament church. Thus far the book has been an incredible and interesting read. Much of what he shares is challenging to the current structure of the church. However, he doesn't in any way "condemn" although he may sound critical.

Why am I sharing this today? Well...in all honesty, I came across a quote that stirred me up again. This quote came from James Richards in a book entitled "Supernatural Ministry." Here's what Dr. Richards said: "When your home becomes a refuge of ministry, it affects your entire family. Your children and mate become involved in ministry. It is no longer something you do that takes you away from your family; it becomes something you do that involves your family. They get to see the results of personal ministry." How timely that this particular quote came across my reading path. As I have been thinking about having an expression of the body of Christ in my own house, I hear of the benefits that one man saw in the life of his wife and children. His children were growing up seeing people get saved, healed and delivered in their dining room! The prayed with mom and dad as they were praying for individuals. Ministry became a way of life.

This is important! In our current system we see families separated. Children go to their "place" for ministry. Parents go to theirs. We have artificially separated the family. In essence, church has become a place for me to "get mine" and for them to "get theirs." As a pastor, I understand the need to minister to particular age and affinity groups; but if we are not careful there may come a time when we will not be able to minister to both groups at the same time. Church in the home will break through the age barrier. I'm not saying that we have to stop having Sunday morning celebrations, etc. However, I want you to consider who you could reach in your own community while affecting the way of life for your family.

One other aspect of "doing church" at a smaller level is the type of true and genuine community that will come out of these local fellowships. Who knows? We might even be able to intervene in some troubled marriages long before critical stages since they will be sharing with a smaller group and thus feel comfortable enough to be real. Trust me when I say that there are a lot of churches that are looking for methods to reach out in tangible ways. Most pastors have come to understand that the larger the congregation - the harder it is to really minister to the whole. That is why you hear of small groups, Sunday School fellowships, etc. When we choose to go smaller, we will actually grow larger. Smaller groups multiply quickly. True community comes out of the smaller fellowships. Rather than building bigger to house this large group maybe we should consider taking smaller groups to a suitable house.

Here's my challenge to you: Think about it!

Think about the affects (long term) on the health and condition of church life. Think about communities being affected by the presence of the Body of Christ where they live. Think about the strength of your own family as you meet with other believers (many of whom have children) - growing together, praying together, worshiping together, and fellowshipping together. Things would be different wouldn't they?

Thermometer or Thermostat?

"Are you a thermostat, or a thermometer? Do you merely reflect the environment, or do you change it?" ~ Unknown

Although I'm not sure of the original source of this quote, it's worth using. I know that many great men and women down through the ages have used it to illustrate some of the choices that we have in life.

Before we go any further, let's consider these two items. A thermometer is used to measure the temperature while a thermostat is used to regulate it. A thermometer reflects what is happening around it while a thermostat moves the temperature one way or another. One follows - One leads.

Too often in life we choose to just reflect our environment rather than change it. The path of least resistance is always to go along. I don't have to exert any energy, adjust my life in any way, I simply exist. That's all a thermometer does. But if I choose to live a thermostat life then I'm going to have to work, make adjustments, and do all that I can do to affect what I can affect.

When you and I read the book of Acts we find that the followers of Christ were thermostats (at least after the "Upper Room" experience). Once the Holy Spirit came upon the believers in power they began to change their environment. Immediately they began to preach the Gospel and people were being saved. Immediately they went from hiding out to standing out in the streets.

Believer, don't think that God has called you to merely exist. You should not conform to this world (thermometer life). NO...instead God has called us to make a difference in the lives around us. It may mean standing up for what we believe in, sharing Jesus with a friend or stranger, giving of our time or finances to make a difference; whatever it is, a thermostat life is one that changes the environment.

This is not only true in regards to spiritual matters. This is true in every day life! Here's some thoughts to consider:
Am I going to reflect what is going on in my marriage or change it?
Am I going to simply go along with all that my child wants or am I going to make a difference in their life?
Am I going just going to be a reflection of what happens in the church or am I going to be involved?

Whatever the circumstance...whatever the cost...I want to be an agent of change in the Kingdom of God. What about you? If you are a believer then your family is just as much a part of the Kingdom of God as your church. Your marriage is all about the Kingdom of God. Your children are the Kingdom of God in your home. When we become followers of Christ then everything we involve ourselves in are an opportunity to affect what God wants done in the world.

Once again, we have a choice. Much like the other blogs of this week - we need to make a decision. Am I going to build my life upon the foundation of God's Word or the shifting sands of man's wisdom? Am I going to be constructive or destructive in the things that I do? Am I going to reflect my environment or am I going to change it? God is leading us to a place of decision. I truly believe there is a line being drawn in the church and in the lives of the followers of Christ. Who will we be? What will we do?

I choose Jesus!

Construction or Destruction: The Choice

Yesterday's blog dealt with building our lives upon a solid foundation. In particular, building our lives upon the words and teachings of Jesus Christ. This is the one time-tested model for building a life that will survive the storms of life.

My work as a pastor allows me to minister in various ways. I preach, teach, evangelize, help comfort, equip the believers, and counsel those in need. The toughest job of any pastor is that of counseling. Why do I say that? Because it's hard to teach people the concept of personal responsibility. I would like to say that this is a new concept. However, if we go all the way back to Genesis (beginnings) we will find Adam & Eve placing the blame on someone else.

When we survey the problems within families, marriages, personal lives, and other relationships - we will quickly find that the majority of problems are there through our own choices/decisions. Sure...there are some problems that have been caused by someone or something else. There may have been a traumatic experience in my life that has caused me to live in fear, shut people down, or live in distrust. There are times that I become a product of what I have been through. But that isn't the reason for all the problems we face. Most of the problems in marriage are there because we have failed to live lives of mutual submission. Instead of the husband "loving his wife as Christ loved the church" and the wife "submitting unto her husband as unto the Lord", I have found that couples have been quick to establish their own identities and routines in marriage. Many of the problems in the home can be resolved if children would "honor their father and mother" and if dads would stop "provoking their children to anger." And these are just some of the issues.

Please read the lyrics from "The Problem" by Downhere. The speak so clearly as to what I want to say to you today.

"There's got to be some reason for all this misery
A secret evil corporation somewhere overseas
They're pulling strings, arranging things
It's a conspiracy

"Or what about the ones who shape the course of history
What if we petitioned for one grand apology?
I'll write to my prime minister
You, write your president

Chorus:
"Everybody's wondering how the world could get this way
If God is good, and how it could be filled with so much pain
It's not the age-old mystery we made it out to be
Yeah, there's a problem with the world
And the problem with the world is me

"Some will say the devil and his legions
They put us in a headlock of submission
But they lost all power over me
A long, long time ago

"And since I was a kid you know I've caused a lot of hurt
And no one ever taught me how to put myself first
It came so very naturally
But I'm not a prodigy

Chorus

Bridge:
"So I will look no further than a mirror
That's where the offender hides
So great is my need for a redeemer
That I cannot trust myself
No, I cannot trust my self
I dare not trust myself
So I trust in someone else

Chorus

"The sooner you can sing along
The sooner you can sing this song
The happier we'll be
The problem with the world is me."

One of my favorite lines is: "No one ever taught me how to put myself first..." How TRUE!

When I read the word of God, the greatest exhortation to the followers of Jesus Christ is to "love one another." Therefore, the church should learn to live in love. Families should learn to live in love. Husbands and wives need to learn to live in love. And when you and I walk in love, we don't have a problem blaming ourselves for our problems. We're not as quick to point to the other individual and say "It's their fault!"

Folks, if I go through the drive-thru at McDonald's and spill a cup of coffee on my lap - it's not their fault. I shouldn't be surprised when the hot coffee burns my flesh because that is what happens when hot coffee hits my legs. In the same way, if I fail to build my life on the principles of God's Word then I can't stand with my fist in the air blaming God for the results. I cannot question God over my marriage when I haven't put anything into my relationship with my wife. We need to be willing to say that we are the problem.

Romans 3:23 says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Even in salvation we must recognize that we have been the problem - it's our sin that has driven a wedge between us and God - and be willing to confess our sin so that we may be forgiven. Once we begin to "own" our problems then we can work on fixing them.

I hope that this thought process will help each of us to be willing to examine our own lives. I'm not trying to be critical for the sake of criticism. I want this topic to be constructive in your life. Use it to build upon and I believe that God will bless you. The choice is clear: Construction or Destruction.

A House on the Rock

"Whoever hears these saying of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." (Matthew 7:24-27)

Today's blog comes from "A Life God Rewards" by Bruce Wilkinson.

"Not far from where I used to live in Oregon is an island that hides a secret - a town that fell into the sea.

"The island is all that remains of a peninsula that looked like prime real estate in the early part of the 20th Century. Developers laid out the streets for a town and named it Bayocean. Families built homes. A three-story hotel went up on the top of a bluff 140 feet above the ocean. Picnickers from Portland crowded the beaches.

"But the town was built on sand, and winter storms started taking their toll. One house at a time, Bayocean tumbled into he waves. By 1952, the town - including the hotel, the bluff, and most of the peninsula - had washed away.

"Stories like this one leave us with a hollow feeling, don't they? All that effort for nothing. All those hopes vanishing without a trace.

"...How do you build a "house" that will survive? Jesus put it in very direct terms. The person whose house rests on rock is "whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them."

...Amazing isn't it? God's blueprint for a life that endures is simple enough for anyone to understand: Listen to the truth and do it.

"Today, I invite you to do a building inspection of your life. Ask yourself, What did Jesus tell His followers to do? What comes to mind?

"I'll get you started:
Give...
Forgive...
Resist temptation...
Turn the other cheek...
Deny yourself...
Love God and love your neighbor as yourself...
Go and preach the gospel...

"...How wonderful that you and I don't have to guess what it will take to please God with the building of your life! Today we have the teachings of Jesus, and of the whole Bible, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And today we have many more opportunities to obey - and impact eternity.

"Within sight of the deserted sand of Bayocean stands a small lighthouse. It's been there through fog, sleet, wind, and darkness for a hundred years, shining a beacon out to sea. Why has the lighthouse endured when the town didn't? Because the lighthouse was build two hundred feet above the waves...and its foundation rests on solid rock."

*Day 12 of the devotional. (pp. 35-67)*

Vicarious Intercession by Oswald Chambers

"...having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus..." (Hebrews 10:19)

"Beware of thinking that intercession means bringing our personal sympathies and concerns into the presence of God, and then demanding that He do whatever we ask. Our ability to approach God is due entirely to the vicarious, or substitutionary, identification of our Lord with sin. We have 'boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.'

"Spiritual stubbornness is the most effective hindrance to intercession, because it is based on a sympathetic 'understanding' of things we see in ourselves and others that we think needs no atonement. We have the idea that there are certain good and virtuous things in each of us that do not need to be based on the atonement by the Cross of Christ. Just the sluggishness and lack of interest produced by this kind of thinking makes us unable to intercede. We do not identify ourselves with God's interests and concerns for others, and we get irritated with Him. Yet we are always ready with our own ideas, and our intercession becomes the only glorification of our own natural sympathies. We have to realize that the identification of Jesus with sin means a radical change of all our sympathies and interests. Vicarious intercession means that we deliberately substitute God's interests in others for our natural sympathy with them.

"Am I stubborn or substituted? Am I spoiled or complete in my relationship to God? Am I irritable or spiritual? Am I determined to have my own way or determined to be identified with Him?"

(My Utmost for His Highest - Updated Edition - Oswald Chambers - May 4)