The Gospel Effect

Luke 9:23...can we deny the true nature of Jesus' call to follow Him? He tells us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. Doesn't this sound radically different than "Say this prayer after me"? It does. And that is the point.

The good news of Jesus Christ is meant to bring salvation into our lives. However, salvation never stops short of abandoning ourselves to God. The effect of the gospel upon our lives is that we would become a people that would follow after the Lord. His mission would become ours. His priority would become our priority. His Word would become our plans for life. God did not save us so we could live a saved version of our former lives. His salvation was to create a group of radical people who would live for His glory.

David Platt, RADICAL (p.133), "We are discovering the joy of a radical gospel inside of us that produces radical fruit outside of us...The point is not simply to meet a temporary need or change a startling statistic; the point is to exalt the glory of Christ as we express the gospel of Christ through the radical generosity of our lives." Is this where you find yourself in your relationship with Jesus? Is there radical fruit coming out of your life because of the radical change that God has made on the inside? Or are we expending our energy and our time simply living a cleaner version of the lives we have lived before?

Platt shares a letter in his book from a friend overseas that causes us to ask not "what can we spare?" but rather to ask "what will it take?" What will it take to change the world? What will it take to reach the lost? What will it take to impact the poverty around us? What will it take to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and house the homeless? As long as we only give what we can spare then we will see limited results.

Here's what I am discovering in my life:
There is more that I can give!
There is more that I can do!
There is more that is deserved!

Can we join the Apostle Paul in saying "forgetting those things which are behind and reaching for those things which are ahead..."? Will we begin to ask the questions that will keep us from continually building our own kingdom to establish God's Kingdom? This is the life of blessing! This is the life of true reward! While we may not enjoy some of the comforts of this life, we can begin to enjoy the peace, joy, and power of the kingdom of God.

May we live our lives for His glory.

The Heart of Salvation

I was listening to one of my favorite Jars of Clay songs this morning when I received visual of what they were singing. I will post the lyrics of the song below and share the insight the Lord gave me. I truly believe this should be at the heart of salvation.

"Love Song For A Savior" ~ Jars of Clay

In open fields of wild flowers,
she breathes the air and flies away
She thanks her Jesus for the daises and the roses
in no simple language
Someday she'll understand the meaning of it all
He's more than the laughter or the stars in the heavens
As close a heartbeat or a song on her lips
Someday she'll trust Him and learn how to see Him
Someday He'll call her and she will come running
and fall in His arms and the tears will fall down and she'll pray,

"I want to fall in love with You"

Sitting silent wearing Sunday best
The sermon echoes through the walls
A great salvation through it calls to the people
who stare into nowhere, and can't feel the chains on their souls

He's more than the laughter or the stars in the heavens
As close a heartbeat or a song on our lips
Someday we'll trust Him and learn how to see Him
Someday He'll call us and we will come running
and fall in His arms and the tears will fall down and we'll pray,

"I want to fall in love with You"

It seems too easy to call you "Savior",
Not close enough to call you "God"
So as I sit and think of words I can mention
to show my devotion

"I want to fall in love with You"

"my heart beats for You"

Salvation should be nothing less than you and I falling in love with Jesus. When I heard the song this morning, I caught a vision of a little girls life. I saw her thrust herself into the arms of Jesus. The same for the people inside the church walls. Once they got the understanding of what was being preached, they pressed into the Savior. The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "This is what it's all about."

Folks, in case you haven't come to this understanding let me help. God wants our affection. He created us to have a relationship with Him. This relationship should consist of more than just our making Jesus our Savior, going to church on Sunday, and putting some money in a plate. We are to thrust ourselves upon the mercy of the Savior and give Him everything that we have. The greatest commandment, according to Jesus, is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart..." Does this idea sound similar to your experience? Did you fall in love with Jesus?

As I was humbled in the vision before me, I couldn't help but think about Mary anointing the feet of Jesus. None of us really know if she struggled with her decision. We are not told if she stood outside the house and said, "Should I do it or not?" What we do know is that she entered the home where Jesus was, broke open an alabaster box, anointed the head and feet of Jesus, and then proceeded to kiss his feet and wipe them off with her hair. While the thought of this causes most of us to turn our heads (just as it did everyone else at the table), we need how Jesus blessed this woman for her act of love.

Do I love Jesus enough to humiliate myself for His glory?
Do I love Him enough to become extravagant in my affection?
Do I love God enough to submit to His commands and live out His teachings?
Do I love Him enough to love the brethren?
Do I love Jesus enough to share Him with others?

This is the heart of salvation: We should fall in love with Jesus!!!

The Needs Within the Body

Ephesians 4:11-12, "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

One of the interesting aspects of the early church was there structure. Since we know that many of the NT believers met in homes rather than established church buildings, there structure was quite different than what we see today. The idea of one pastor would leave most of them scratching their heads. However, regardless of our current system/structure in America, the standard was set in the early church. Ephesians 4 gives us the model of how God has designed the church to be equipped.

There are some misconceptions about ministry that we need to deal with before we go any further.
#1 - God did not intend for a pastor or pastors to do all the ministry.
#2 - The equipping of the saints should not come through one person either.
#3 - We need to rid ourselves of this idea of the superstar pastor.
#4 - We need to be willing to learn from everyone.

The early church did not have the luxury of full-time pastors. There wasn't any money, nor was there a need. The body of Christ was immediately equipped to handle community and discipleship. While the apostles were scoping out new territories for the proclamation of the gospel, the fellowships were well equipped with leaders at various levels. Every "church" had overseers in place (we call them pastors today). The pastors would care for the flock. They would guard them from wolves, feed them, and help nurture them in their walk with Christ. There were also prophets that would come in to equip the body on how to hear from the Lord, evangelists that would share their gift with the people so that they could go out and share the good news of Jesus, and teachers who could help the believers understand this new faith. The apostles would come and visit as well. All of these leaders had one function as it pertained to the body: equip them for ministry.

Today's church relies heavily on the gifting of one man or a group of people. "Special" people who have been called to the ministry. What we have lost in all of this is the idea of our own responsibility, our own gifting from the Lord, and our ability to do the work. It's almost as if the church has resorted back to the days of Moses. We tell Moses to go to the mountain to hear from the Lord and then he is to return to tell us what God has said. This is not NT Christianity. The spread of the gospel and establishment of the church relied heavily on individual members doing their part. There was not a 10/90 principle in play - you know 10% of the people doing 90% of the work. No! Each member was equipped. Those who were gifted in certain areas were encouraged to use their gifts in ministering to one another. Everyone was to be equipped. Everyone was to be involved.

My purpose in this blog is not to slam the American church. My purpose is to get you (the reader) to consider where God has gifted you. How has He equipped you to minister within the local church? I also want you to consider how your pastor or a teacher has equipped you for the work of ministry. Have you been taught how to share you faith? Have you been given the tools to help others grow in the Lord? Ask yourself: What can I do for the glory of God?

The Bible makes it very clear that every part of the body is essential for the church to function properly. We each have an opportunity to "pull our weight" within the church. Things that need to be taken care of, people that need to be ministered to, and opportunities that need to be taken. We can all be involved and we can all be effective. Not only that, but we have been called to that reality. Each of us.

You can do that...right? You can minister to others. You can help build up the Body of Christ. But it won't happen if we sit on the sidelines and watch others do ministry. We don't grow from watching. We grow as we go. Let's get going!

Can You Believe?

In Mark 9, we read about the account of a man who came to Jesus because his son was possessed. He had already taken the boy to the disciples but they couldn't cast the demon out. Jesus response to the man is something we should all address: "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." {Mark 9:23}. Can you believe?

You will never find Jesus wavering in His faith in God. That may sound like a strange statement but we have to remember that Jesus came into this world fully man. His life was a demonstration of a life empowered by the Spirit of God. It was the faith of Jesus in the grace of God (God's ability) and the Holy Spirit that allowed him to function in things that seem contrary to modern Christianity. So the question in the healing and miracles that we see in the life of Jesus wasn't whether or not He could perform these things. The question is, can you believe?

This father's response is a classic. "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" This man had the faith but he also knew his frailty. Although he was operating in faith when he brought the boy to the disciples, you have to wonder if his faith wasn't shaken when they could not cast the demon out. But now he stood in the presence of Jesus. He had heard the stories, maybe even witnessed some of the miracles. He wanted to see his boy delivered. All that was left was throwing all of his trust upon Jesus. Can you believe?

The God we serve today is the same, He never changes. The Bible says of Jesus that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore, He hasn't changed either. God will never flinch in our adversity. He is never caught by surprise with the things that we face. All that God waits for is to see His children come and ask for the mercy and grace they need. Can you believe?

I see a faith stirring among God's people that is refreshing. I see a longing for greater things. I truly believe that many have grown tired of putting all of their hope in the medical system. They know God can heal. They have discovered that they cannot fully provide for themselves. They know God can provide. The peace they are looking for in life seems to be allusive. But they know God is peace. They know, but can they believe? Can you believe?

We must approach God in the same way that Jesus did - with a full confidence in His ability, and willingness to act upon the lives of those who believe. Ask yourself if there are areas where you have failed to believe God. Discover what Scriptures say about these circumstances. I promise that you will never find a place where God says that He will not work on behalf of a people who have thrust themselves upon His mercy and grace. Jesus never said that God might or possibly would respond to our prayers. He simply told us to ask, seek, and knock. If we would take this approach then God would give, allow us to find, and open the doors that need to be opened. Can we believe?

May God stir your heart today to trust in Him without reservation. God still cares for His flock like a Good Shepherd. He still watches over His children like a good Father. He is still an awesome Provider in our lives. We can never exhaust His mercy (it endures forever) and we can never go beyond His grace. He is still All-Powerful, All-Knowing, and Almighty God. His reign will never end. That is a God you can trust in. Can you believe?

Just for Fun

I received this in an email and thought it was too funny not to share. After Sunday's historic win at Daytona (Woods Brothers Racing), I must be feeling a little nostalgic. I hope that your day is blessed and that you enjoy all of the good things that God gives to His children.

"TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

"First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

"Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

"We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

"As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags. Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

"We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

"We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

"We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because, WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

"We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

"We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

"We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computer! s, no Internet or chat rooms.......

"WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

"We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

"We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

"We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

"We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

"Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

"The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

"These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever! The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

"We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

"If YOU are one of them, CONGRATULATIONS!

"You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good."

Sermon Refresher

Yesterday I preached a message based on 2 Timothy 3:1-5. In verse 5 the Bible says, "having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" Allow me to share some points from the message.

In the latter part of his second letter to Timothy, Paul warns him of the perilous times ahead. He gives a detailed description of what we can expect to see in the world. Men will be lovers of themselves, boasters, lovers of money, etc. These are easy traits to pick out. However, the most deceptive trait of people in the last days is found in verse 5. People will have an outward appearance of godliness but will deny its power. Here's what I believe:

1) They Will Deny the Power of the Gospel
When we read passages such as Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:18, we discover that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. If we are talking about those who are simply playing the game...going through the motions...and using hypocrisy to cover up their sin, then you can be that the "Good News" of Jesus Christ will be nowhere to be found. You cannot allow the Gospel to be preached or you will see the power of God manifest itself in the lives of someone.

2) They Will Deny the Power of the Word
Hebrews 4:12 teaches us that the Word of God is powerful. God said of His own Word that it will accomplish that which He has sent it out to do. Just as we have found people today who deny the power of the Gospel to change lives, we have also found that there are way too many in the church who do not believe in the Word of God. We will see an increasing denial in the power of God in creation, the incarnation, and redemption. In these last days you will find a more humanistic approach to preaching, teachers that will scratch itching ears, and a more socially acceptable version of Christianity. We must remember that the Word of God is the foundation of all that we believe!

3) They Will Deny the Power of the Spirit
Paul knew nothing of preaching the Gospel without the power and demonstration of the Spirit of God (Read 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 & 1 Thessalonians 1:5). In the book of Acts we find that the early church operated in the power of God while proclaiming the Good News of Jesus to the world. Far too many churches operate just the opposite of this approach today. We vainly think that it's all about our singing, our preaching, our programs, and our ministries. How desperately we need to see the power of God in our midst!!!

Here's what we need to remember: "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." {1 Corinthians 4:20}

In the Greek we read that the kingdom is not in "logos" but in "dunamis". It's not in our words, the expressed ideas of the kingdom, and not just in the Word of God only. This verse tells us that the kingdom is in the MIGHTY, ENLIGHTENING, QUICKENING, CONVERTING, & SANCTIFYING Power of the Holy Spirit. This kingdom is also found in the demonstration of that power.

We already see many today who deny the power of God. We even find them trying to use the "logos" WORD of God to claim that certain aspects of the "dunamis" POWER of God are not the same. But I still believe in Acts 1:8!!! I still believe that we are to be "endued with power" when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. That power coming upon us should transform our lives, our churches, and our mission in life. It is through the power of God that we expect to see nations changed, communities awakened, and people saved. It is the power of God that is needed to impact our families, our schools, and the kingdom of God. If we deny this power then we lose our ability to touch lives.

I guess if all you ever want to do is "play church" then the power of God will only get in the way.

Applying Wisdom

Proverbs 25:28, "Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls." I have always enjoyed the wisdom of Solomon and this particular proverb has become one of my favorites. It challenges me in the one area of life that I can control: ME.

Have you noticed how many products are on the market to help you do what you should be able to do already? Can't stop smoking? Get a patch or some gum. Need help losing weight? Take a pill or drink this foreign substance. Have a hard time getting motivated to do the work around the house? Try energy in a bottle. The point that I am trying to make is that in almost every area of life, we have taken control away from ourselves and replaced it with a drug or an herbal remedy. What ever happened to good old self control? You want to stop smoking? Then stop! You want to lose weight? Then stop cramming food in your mouth at every opportunity and get some exercise. Having a hard time getting motivated to do the work around the house? You don't need to down an energy drink. Just get up of the couch and do it.

I was thinking about this principle the other day while reading a book on parenting. By the way, I do recommend "Loving Our Kids on Purpose" by Danny silk. Funny thing about reading a book that you think will help you control your kids behavior. You discover that it's your behavior that needs to be controlled. The same tends to hold true in books on marriage. Rather than looking at the changes my spouse needs to make, they tend to focus on the one thing that can be controlled: the person who is actually reading the book. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it all comes down to this thing called self-control. We have to recapture the ability to tell ourselves what to do in each and every situation. When everything falls down around us, the only question that will remain is what could I have done different.

In an interview with Billy Ray Cyrus that discussed his recent divorce and breakdown of his home, the interview asked if he would have changed anything over the past few years. "Heck yeah..." I think was his response. Hindsight is always 20/20 vision. He would have said "NO" to Hannah Montana. He would have said "NO" to a lot of the junk he let into his home. He would have exercised more control over the situation. Now all he can do is look over the choices and blame outside influences and himself on the destruction of his family. Believe me when I say that I don't enjoy sharing his story. This is one of the saddest things I watch play out in public in a long time. And when did the train wreck start? It all started when he stopped exercising his control over the situation.

We all need to understand that we cannot control other people. I cannot control my children, I cannot control my spouse, and I cannot control outsiders. What I can control is me and the environment that I create for my family. I can control my desires. I can control my actions. I can control my reactions. I can use my self-control to create a wall around my family. Without it...the enemy has a way into the house.

The wisdom is Solomon's proverb is that he doesn't take about the enemy that can invade the city. He doesn't talk about things that are lacking in the wall. He simply says that a person who has no control over his own spirit is defenseless. God has given each of us the ability to control ourselves. We cannot play the "blame game" anymore. And if you know Jesus, and the Holy Spirit dwells inside of you, one of the fruits that comes out of this relationship is self-control. Not only has God given us the natural ability to control ourselves, He has provided the supernatural ability as well.

It's time for men and women, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, and everyone else to regain what we have placed in the hands of others. When it comes to this topic, I know that I can be very straight forward. But I have been a first-hand witness to what happens in a family when blame gets passed around. I have seen the destruction of marriages that did not come from any outside force. If people would have exercise some self-control then their lives would be very different today.

Don't let this proverb become a reality in your life. Learn how to control the only thing you can control: You.

The Ark Encounter (FYI)

A few weeks ago, Answers in Genesis & the Creation Museum announced that they would be adding "The Ark Encounter" to the property. This will be a life sized reconstruction of Noah's ark along with animatronics, real animals, and plenty of information about the biblical account of the flood.

This announcement has brought about some serious criticism and inquiry. Ken Ham, President of AiG - USA, is no stranger to controversy. Many of his speaking engagements, public appearances, and publication bring heated debates, protests, and blogs. In the most recent publication of "answers update", Ken talks about the controversy that has swirled around the Ark announcement.

I think the most amazing thing to me is that there are people from the "evangelical" community who are coming against AiG and the Creation Museum. The following is an excerpt from a letter that was co-authored by a Baptist minister in the state where the Ark will be built:
"We represent lay and clergy leaders from the Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Baha'i, Quaker, Buddhist, Hindu and other faith groups practicing in Central Kentucky.

"As an organization that has been promoting and practicing interfaith engagement and understanding here in the Bluegrass [state] for over 10 years, we have serious concerns about the recent announcement of the proposed Ark Encounter them park sponsored by Answers in Genesis...

"We know many people still hold anti-scientific views. However, when Kentucky presents even the appearance of advancing or promoting on particular version of faith over other faiths, or over none, it does enormous damage to the future of interfaith understanding, respect and hope for peace that so many have worked hard to ensure."

CUE THE COLLECTIVE SIGH!!!

Give me a break! Answers in Genesis is an organization and ministry that hold to the foundational truths of Scripture. They are the ones who are building this Ark along with partners from around the world. This isn't being done by the state of Kentucky, however, the state will benefit from the tourism that this Ark will produce.

On another note: What do these people mean by "many people still hold anti-scientific views"? Creation and science are not at odds with one another. There may be some claims that scientists make that are at odds with creationism but to say that Creationists are anti-scientific in the beliefs is a falsehood. Those of us who hold to the Genesis creation account have simply said that we believe the Bible over any other claims.

Last of all, it really bothers me that a "Baptist minister" would help co-author such a letter. Answers in Genesis has done an incredible job over the years of being a solid witness to the account of creation. The Creation Museum has been a wonderful addition to the state's tourism. It's just unfortunate that someone who holds a label in an evangelical denomination (one that is supposed to hold to the authority of Scripture) has said that interfaith engagement means more than promoting Biblical understanding. Here's the facts buddy: Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." {John 14:6} While you may strive for interfaith engagement here on earth...in heaven, there will be only one faith. The faith that comes through Jesus Christ! There is "no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." {Acts 4:12}

With all that being said, I want to personally thank Ken Ham, AiG, and the Creation Museum for their efforts. I look forward to being able to visit the museum and the Ark attraction when it is finished. I'm appreciative of your stand for biblical authority and the foundation of Scripture. May the Lord bless your efforts and increase your vision. I also hope that believers in Jesus Christ will stand with you and help make this dream a reality.

If you are interested in donating to this wonderful dream - visit www.ArkEncounter.com

This Week's Poll

ATTENTION READERS: The poll question for the week is a little tricky!!!

When I asked about your passion for God, you were given three choices: hot, lukewarm, and cold. I say it's tricky because I was pulling the answers from Revelation 3 where Jesus said that he knew the works of the church in Laodicea that they were neither cold or hot. "...I could wish that you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." {Rev. 3:15-16} Since I don't have anyway of knowing who has answered the poll questions - thank you for your honesty. However, I pray that you will none of us will stay "lukewarm."

The whole idea of using these choices was to make us aware of where we are spiritually.

All Consuming Fire

This past Sunday I challenged our church body with a message entitled "The Norm of the Kingdom." The reality is that the message challenged me as well. The foundation for the sermon came from the parables of Jesus in Matthew 13. In particular we looked at the comparison Jesus gave to the kingdom of heaven being like leaven, a hidden treasure, and the pearl of great price.

"...The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened." {Matthew 13:33}

The idea of leaven can be lost in a world where we predominantly use self-rising flour. However, leaven is a powerful agent. If you add just a little to a mound of dough, you can watch it take over the entire lump. What Jesus is telling us in this parable is that the kingdom of heaven is a powerful work in our lives and in our world. It may start out small but it should completely take over our lives. Every fiber of our being should be saturated by the kingdom of heaven!

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." {Matthew 13:44-46}

The one thing that God continued to speak to my heart about from these verses is the idea of total abandonment. The 1st man mentioned wasn't looking for anything. He simply stumbled upon this hidden treasure. However, because of the joy of finding this treasure, he went and sold everything to be able to purchase the field. The 2nd man was looking for something. He was a merchant and his life was all about finding rare and valuable things. When he comes across a pearl of great price, he sells out! He gets rid of everything just to be able to obtain this one great pearl.

Have you come to know Jesus as the hidden treasure in life? Is He your pearl of great price? These men gladly gave up all they could have to obtain what they had found. What about us? Can we consider everything else in life to be garbage just so we may obtain that which has been offered to us? Are we willing to sell out completely because we consider Jesus to be enough in this life?

Hebrews 12:29 tells us that "...our God is a consuming fire." When you and I begin to understand the implications of what Jesus is teaching through the parable of leaven and what Hebrews tells us about the nature of God - should there being anything left to wrestle with? Wouldn't you like to live a life that was completely consumed by God in every area? Can you imagine your home, your family, your children, every relationship, who you are at work...everything...completely consumed by God!!!

How do we get there? We consume ourselves with God, His Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit. We ask God to remove anything in our lives that would hinder us from becoming all that He wants to make out of our lives. We humble ourselves, pray, seek the face of God, and repent (change our minds); then we will see the transformation come. All of a sudden our lives become a burning fire for the whole world to see. Immediately we will begin to worry less and less about the things of this world. Our lives will become an instrument in the hands of God that He can play for His glory.

Let us be consumed with the leaven of heaven and the fire of God!!!

There's Just Something About that Name

Remember the old hymnal "There's Just Something About that Name"? It's definitely one of my favorites. The song was written by Bill & Gloria Gaither. It still amazes me the peace, joy, and glory that comes from singing the name of our Lord and Savior. It's almost indescribable. While many of us grew up singing that song, I wonder how many of us truly understood the power behind it.

First of all, I want to set the record straight. Jesus (as we know it in the English) comes from the Latin transliteration of the Greek. If you look up the name "Jesus" you will typically find it as the short version of "Joshua" which means "The Lord is Salvation." The Aramaic proper name is "Yeshua" which comes from the Hebrew. It means both "Salvation" and "The Lord who is salvation". While I am not here to argue over the validity of calling Him Jesus (as the faith has been handed down to us); I do think it is important that you understand the power behind His name.

It is at the name of Yeshua that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord.
There is not other name given under heaven by which we must be saved. We confess the name of Yeshua.
It is in the name of Yeshua that we have our salvation and understand that salvation is from the Lord. He is more than just our way to salvation. He is our salvation. He is the great reward of the Gospel. Yeshua is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father (Jesus speaking of God) unless they come through Him.

The reason I don't argue over the usage of His name is because we rarely argue over the name of God. Funny how people work!!! In the Hebrew we understand that YHWH (Yahweh) is the proper name for God. His name is revealed as Jehovah, Adonai, and Elohim. There are many titles that are ascribed to God by the way that He manifested Himself to His people. What is the point of all of this? You and I need to know who we believe in. We were passed down a faith that has its roots in Judaism. Yeshua came to reveal the heart of Yahweh. And it is in the name of Yeshua that we have all the promises of Yahweh.

The Hebrew language is special and powerful. It is the language of God (the way in which He has spoken to His creation). Why not take some time to look into the ways that God (Yahweh) has revealed Himself to us. Praise Yahweh for sending Yeshua into the world. Glory in the revelation of who He is and what He has done. And you will discover once again that "there's just something about that name!"

I've Been Thinking (Watch Out!)

Well...just said good-bye to some good friends. They will board a plane tomorrow to continue Mission work overseas. While it is a great joy to know the Gospel is heading to UPG (unreached people groups), it's never easy to let them leave. Please keep them in your prayers.

As I watch my friends pack up what they can and head back out, it's caused me to do a lot of thinking.
Why is it strange to us to think that people would abandon everything in order to share the Gospel?
Why are there so many in the American church who are not willing to do the same?

I don't want to be critical here but let's be real. There are hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people in America who claim to be "Christian." Now...I'm not an idiot. I realize that not all those who claim to know Jesus are actually true followers of Christ. However, I cannot help but consider what the world would look like if all of us who claim Jesus as Lord of our lives got serious about our faith. Imagine the change that would take place in our own country!!!

Maybe I'm in this train of thought since I just left a Missions Conference. Maybe it's because I have been reading a book that talks about reclaiming the Gospel from the American Dream. Or maybe it's because I have come to understand the lostness around us and that God left us with the responsibility of spreading the Good News. Regardless of the "Why?" that has got me to thinking this way, why don't you join me.

Consider the entertainment factor that we have built into our current church services.
Consider that there are multitudes of believers who gather around the world in shacks, jungles, and "safe havens" just to be able to fellowship around the Bible.
Consider how many have given their lives for the sake of the Gospel.
Consider the current state of the American church and how we do not shape our culture.
Consider...

I just read a story about a man who picked up a Christian publication not long ago. On the front cover were two pictures with two headlines. On one side you have a church that was celebrating their "New $23 Million Building." On the other side you read how a certain denomination "Raised $5,000 to Send to Refugees in the Sudan." I hope you caught the stark contrast in dollar amounts. Can you imagine? Only in America would we spend this type of money to build a building and let refugees suffer. Only in America would we consider putting down new carpet over feeding the hungry. While I am not condemning the fact that we have buildings, nor the fact that there is maintenance to take care of; it does bother me to think that anyone would spend that kind of money on a facility.

I know we live in America and we have the freedom to operate this way. We can purchase land, have buildings, etc. But do we really need all this stuff? Folks, it's time we consider some of these things. When will we consider that in the days of "The Great Depression" that many churches did without heat so that they would be able to keep missionaries on the field while the statistics tells us that most churches send less than 10% of their budget to fund mission work? WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE CHURCH?

Think about it: You know how costly it is for you to chase after "The American Dream"...cars, houses, vacations,etc. Imagine how costly for the church if it does the same thing. Not only does it hurt the church but it endangers the souls of the countless millions without Christ.

Last question: Isn't Jesus worth losing everything for?

Only you can answer for yourself.

Thinking About Missions...

I'm currently in South Carolina at a Missions Conference. It's been a great couple of days. Ron (Missions Pastor) & I will be heading back to Wytheville tomorrow.

One of the greatest aspects of being involved with a Missions Conference like this is being able to share with like-minded people. These are "regular" men and women from the Body of Christ who understand the Great Commission that Christ gave to the church. In other words...they "get it."

I look forward to sharing some more thoughts with you all when I return.

Blessings to you all.

God's Willingness

In Matthew 8:2-3 we find the story of a man with leprosy coming to Jesus. He says, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out His hand and touched the man. He said, "I am willing..."

Over the past few days I have been praying for a friend of mine who is in the hospital. I have no doubt that God is touching his body and that he will be coming out very soon. The words that Jesus spoke to this man with leprosy have brought me great encouragement. Oh, how we need to hear Him say, "I am willing."

I want you to think with me about how we handle God's willingness.
Is God willing to SAVE?
Is God willing to PROVIDE?
Is God willing to DEFEND His Children?
Is God willing to SPEAK to us?
Is God willing to LEAD?
The answer to all of these question usually come with a positive response. We hear them and almost automatically say "Yes" or "Absolutely". We have read God's Word and found the answer. We know that anyone who comes to Jesus, He will not cast out. We know that God has revealed Himself as our Provider and that we do not need to worry about the things that tend to consume our thought life. We have read that God watches over His children and that He will not leave or forsake us. We have also discovered that God speaks to us when we are willing to listen and that the Holy Spirit will always guide us in truth. However, when we come to this issue of healing...we have plenty of reasoning to keep us from considering God's willingness to touch our bodies.

Here are a few of the prayers that I have heard in my lifetime:
"God if you are willing..."
"Lord, if it will bring you glory..."
"I know that you are able..."
"Let your will be done..."
While most of these prayers are grounded in an understanding of God's ability to heal, many of them lack a foundational understanding of God's willingness to heal. I'm not trying to stir up controversy. I am trying to stir up faith in God's people.

Jesus told His disciples (Mark 16:17-18) that these signs will follow them that believe: "...they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." While there has been much argument over the validity of this portion of scripture, there is no valid reason to not believe these words to be true. This portion of Mark is found in all the major and commonly used manuscripts. In other words, this portion of Mark belongs with the rest of the Gospel. When we look at how the followers of Jesus ministered in the book of Acts we find them laying hands on the sick and people receiving healing. Isaiah told us of the suffering Messiah and that it is by His striped that we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). Why then do we struggle in our understanding of God's willingness to heal?

Here's why we struggle (in my opinion):
We have never experienced it.
We have prayed for people but didn't see the answer.
We don't believe that God still operates this way in the world.
We trust the words of Doctors over the words of Jesus.
We don't see healing as something provided in the finished work of Christ.
Etc., etc., etc...

Folks, I'm not saying that I have all the answers. I don't even have all the questions!!! There have been people that I have prayed for and didn't see the desired results. However, I am confident that God is willing to heal more people than we understand. I still believe that we are able to lay hands on the sick and see them recover. I still believe in calling upon the elders of the church, anointing with oil, and that the prayer of faith saves the sick. While I may not be able to explain everything, I still trust in the heart of God. Jesus still says, "I am willing."

The church must recapture this confidence. We must be like Jesus - moved with compassion, willing to stretch out our hands. This act of faith is grounded in God's Word and established in the heart of God. To question His willingness is to question His heart for His children. We must stop thinking that God gives stones instead of bread, and scorpions instead of eggs. God is much more willing than we perceive. Every act of grace in our lives is a manifestation of His heart for us. When we realize that, and understand that this reaches out to every portion of life, we will begin to move in faith.

Jesus says, "I am willing." He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). You can trust in the heart of God as revealed through Jesus Christ.

Keep Fighting

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12

Have you ever considered what it means to "fight the good fight of faith"? I don't know about you...but what I have discovered is that the fight is very different than what I thought.

Who are we fighting?
- The Bible teaches us that our fight is not against flesh and blood. In other words, people are not the enemy. We are actually fighting against principalities, powers, and anything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. I realize that who you consider to be your enemy looks like a regular person. However, what you and I have to consider in this fight of faith is that there is a greater enemy at work. Somewhere along the way we have considered that anyone who stands in opposition of what we do to be our enemy. But our fight IS NOT against flesh and blood.

How are we fighting?
- Paul told Timothy to "fight the good fight" by "laying hold on eternal life." The greatest weapon that we have is the security found in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This isn't about degrees or education. It's about being grounded in who you are in Christ. What you have experienced in this relationship is far greater than what you have learned. I can choose to be a man with a theory or I can choose to be a man with an experience. As long as our experience is grounded in biblical truth and the leadership of the Holy Spirit then we are never at the mercy of a man with an argument. It's time for the Body of Christ to lay hold of that which God has given us.

What are we fighting for?
- This is where the fight has changed for me. I once thought that I was fighting to preserve what I thought was right: the way we do church, all of our doctrinal stances, etc. However, what I see in the ministry of Paul is that he was continually fighting to preserve the message of the Gospel. He longed to ensure that the Gospel would be held in ALL of its purity and ALL of its power. He didn't want Timothy to give in to those who would pervert the message.

When do we fight?:
- We fight continually!!!

The PURITY of the Gospel is always under attack. Paul's message to the church at Rome was to believe and confess. Anything outside of that message can begin to create a works righteousness. It was God's design that we would believe in the finished work of Christ and confess Him as Lord. Once that happens, then we can live this "Good News" out to the rest of the world.

The POWER of the Gospel is always at stake. Anytime we allow this message to be perverted then we have stripped the Gospel of its power. We can not allow this message to fall under the persuasive words of man's wisdom. This isn't a man-centered gospel. This is a God-centered Gospel!!! The "Good News" has always been about the heart of God being revealed to a lost world. It was God who chose to send Jesus into the world. It was God who determined that He would die for the sins of man. It was God who reconciled the world to Himself through Jesus Christ. It is simply our job to proclaim this powerful message to them.

Ways to Prepare Myself for the Battle:
Lay Hold On Eternal Life
Confess who you are in Christ
Stand Firm in the Promises of God
Live out that faith
Maintain the Purity & Power of the Gospel

Keep Fighting!!! The world is in dire need of this message.

Happy to Support Family Values

I recently ran across some articles regarding a Pennsylvania Chick-fil-A that has stirred up quite the controversy. It seems as though some people were upset that this locally owned restaurant chose to donate food to a pro-biblical marriage seminar called "The Art of Marriage" which was created by "Family Life."

As a result of the "controversy," sparked by homosexual groups, one university decided pull the franchise's food while Chick-fil-A has received overwhelming support from customers as the company has refused to back down from their values.


The following is Dan Cathy's complete statement from January 29th:

"Recently, there have been some misleading stories about Chick-fil-A in the media and on the Internet. As a result, I feel strongly about the need to clarify some things. In recent weeks, we have been accused of being anti-gay. We have no agenda against anyone. At the heart and soul of our company, we are a family business that serves and values all people regardless of their beliefs or opinions. We seek to treat everyone with honor, dignity and respect, and believe in the importance of loving your neighbor as yourself.

We also believe in the need for civility in dialogue with others who may have different beliefs. While my family and I believe in the Biblical definition of marriage, we love and respect anyone who disagrees.

Chick-fil-A has a long history of trying to encourage and strengthen marriages and families, both within our Chick-fil-A system and with our customers. My father and our Founder/CEO, Truett Cathy, is a role model for the Cathy family and all those who have joined Chick-fil-A. His personal and business values have always reflected a belief in the importance of marriage and family. We have seen these principles honored powerfully in Dad's marriage of more than 63 years to our mother Jeannette and those of his family, including my wife Rhonda and me in our 37 years of marriage.

At Chick-fil-A, we have a heart for helping marriages because we know marriage can be difficult at times. Through the years, we have supported our Chick-fil-A staff and franchised Operators in their marriage journey, and since the formation of our family foundation, the WinShape Foundation, we have helped others as well. Primarily through WinShape, we have supported summer camps for girls and boys, 14 foster homes, more than $26 million in college scholarships and the development and operation of the WinShape Marriage Retreat Center.

Some recent coverage has incorrectly reported that we require potential franchisees to discuss their church involvement. In addition, we do not require this in our franchisee selection process nor do we require a pledge to follow Christian values for the college scholarships we provide.

Chick-fil-A's Corporate Purpose is "To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us, and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A." As a result, we will not champion any political agendas on marriage and family. This decision has been made, and we understand the importance of it. At the same time, we will continue to offer resources to strengthen marriages and families. To do anything different would be inconsistent with our purpose and belief in Biblical principles.

In summary, we are a dedicated family business committed to three core areas:

* A 65-year history of operating the business according to Biblical principles.

* A 65-year history of providing genuine hospitality for all people.

* A 65-year history of serving families and communities without a political agenda.

Our commitment to these areas has never been more important in light of recent events. Speaking of commitment, I want to thank our restaurant Operators and their more than 60,000 team members for their commitment to customer service.

We appreciate, value and have enjoyed serving all of our customers for many years. We also appreciate this opportunity to clarify any confusion about our beliefs, and we thank everyone for supporting our restaurants and your love for the Chick-fil-A experiences. It has and will continue to be our pleasure to serve you."

PBC Voice stands with Chick-fil-A and their support of family values. Not only do we love their chicken sandwich, we love the foundation this company is built upon. When will the world understand to be pro-family & pro-biblical marriage does not mean we are anti-anyone else? May God continue to give strength and courage to Dan Cathy and those within the corporation.

The Foundational Message

What is our message? It was God's intent that, through the church, His manifold wisdom would be made known (Eph. 3:10). With that being said...why is there so much confusion?

The foundational message of the church is the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ. Within this good news we have discovered the unconditional love of God. John 3:16 was the life of verse of Jesus Christ. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son..." All that Jesus did, said, and displayed was the love of God for mankind. He came with no other intention but to reveal the heart of the Father and to be the atoning sacrifice for our sin. How can we possibly miss this?

Before I go any further, I want you to know that I love the church. However, I am not blind to the reality of how the church is perceived in the world. We are often seen as critical, judgmental, and hypocritical. Do you know why? I have a simple answer: We don't live out the message that we say we believe in!!!

1 John 4:8 tells us that "God is love." John then goes on to tell the church that we shouldn't be anything less. We should be the embodiment of love to the world. We should preach a message of God's love for the world. And we should operate as those who are loved by loving one another. God has done everything possible to show us His love.
In the Word - you read it.
In History - you see it.
In the Cross - you find it.
In the Church - ???

I was actually thinking about this issue last night while discussing theology with some friends. There are actually certain denominations that believe once you experience a particular manifestation of spiritual gifts that you have received the fullness of the Spirit. However, because they do not believe that you are secure in your salvation that this same Spirit (which you have received fully) can/will leave you. Where is the love of God in that?

Before you think I'm picking on a particular denomination keep reading. Other denominations believe that you are secure in your salvation by the grace of God but spend a lot of time focusing on works for establishing your righteousness. Although it may not be communicated so directly, the thought process is there. Grounded in salvation but bound in legalism. Where is the love of God in that?

All that we are as believers, all that we do, and all that we can operate in is based on faith. It's a faith that believes in the unconditional love of God, operates in the grace of God, and trusts whole-heartedly in the fact that Jesus Christ accomplished all that needed to be accomplished. As a believer I now rest in all that God has done in Christ and walk in this love relationship. The work, the discipleship, the growth...it all comes as a result of living out this love that I have for God. Because I am saved - I flesh it out. It comes out in my worship, in my conversations, in my decisions, in my family, and in my preaching.

The message that must be re-claimed by the Body of Christ is the love of God. The understanding that we have of God must be grounded in the unconditional love of God. This is the foundation for all that we do - all that we are - and all that we hope to be. Get into His Word and rediscover the love of God. It will change your life.