Ready for a Challenge?

Here's a quote for you: "It is theological irresponsibility to have the great promises of Scriptures and put them off into a period of time for which we have no responsibility." ~ Bill Johnson {Face to Face with God}

What a challenge! The question really becomes: What do I believe God is still capable of doing today?

While the Book of Acts ended with the apostle Paul in Rome, the "Acts of the Apostles" did not cease. In fact, they were never meant to end. Can anyone imagine reading a history book containing the founding of our nation and considering that we were to ever stop doing the things that made America great. As unreal as that statement may sound, that is what we have done with the church. We have considered that God only meant to work through a certain time frame, in a certain way, and while all the fundamentals are in place - we should not entertain the thought that God still longs to move with the same power. What?

In 1978, Billy Graham wrote a book entitled "The Holy Spirit." In this book he endorsed laying on of hands, diving healing and tongues. He wrote: "As we approach the end of the age I believe we will see a dramatic recurrence of signs and wonders, which will demonstrate the power of God to a skeptical world." This was written in 1978 and yet it seems as though the critics of any type of move in the Holy Spirit have increased.

The Acts of the Apostles simply lay the groundwork for our faith. They give us a glimpse into a time when the church was operating in full faith. They believed that they were to be a continuation of what Jesus started in the world. Now it is our privilege to re-present Him in the world. The only time we find even a hint of the supernatural activity of God ceasing is after Jesus Christ is revealed in all of His glory (1 Corinthians 13:8-10). Some have assumed that Paul was referring to the completed work of the Holy Scriptures. That is quite an assumption! First of all, we have to believe that Paul considered his letters would be compiled in a book. Secondly, we have to read into the text something that is not there!

We need to return to the mindset of the apostles and first century believers. The mindset that says WE are to be the continuation of what Jesus and the apostles did in the world. It's a mindset that says WE can operate in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. WE can re-present Jesus to the world...not just in His love and compassion, but in His ability!

While I type these words, my mind is consumed with all the things that God will do through the church. When I consider all that the apostles and early believers accomplished in their day - imagine what can happen in ours. It took them days and months to travel, yet they turned their world upside down. We can get just about anywhere in the world within a day. The possibilities are limitless. Who will join me? Who is ready to take back their faith from the institution of religion and join the movement of the Holy Spirit? Who is ready to forsake everything else this world has to offer because they believe that what the kingdom of God offers is so much better? Are you ready for the challenge?

Let's Go...

The Need for Fellowship

Hebrew 10:25, "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

I want to talk to you about the need for fellowship. Too often we read Hebrews 10:25 in a negative tone. It could be because we have heard it preached negatively. If you will give me a few minutes, I want to speak encouragement to you.

Built within each and every one of us is a need for fellowship. This need for community is not based upon our faith but rather is a condition within the human spirit. We long for relationships and typically look for them on every level. The church was designed to be a family. When you and I read the book of Acts we see the early church sharing their lives together. It's hard to imagine the early church doing anything less. They NEEDED one another in more ways than one. Because of the persecution that came against the followers of Jesus, there was a need to encourage one another in the faith, help supply the needs of families, and to cooperate with one another in the goal of seeing the Kingdom of God advance in the world. This need for fellowship went far beyond convenience - it was a way of life.

Since we tend to view things through our current situation, the American church of today does not understand the necessity of Christian fellowship. This is due, in large part, to the fact that the Founding Fathers of this nation fought to ensure religious liberty. We do not face widespread persecution. Most of us do not have to worry about losing our livelihood because of our faith. Most of us are very independent so we don't have to pool our resources. The church has become a group of people who gather together out of convenience rather than necessity. Overall this may not change unless there is dramatic changes in our country.

With all that being said, I believe there is still a great need for fellowship within the Body of Christ. The writer of Hebrews was not trying to lay down some legalistic dogma. Instead, I believe, he was trying to show the scattered believers there need for fellowship in the midst of their persecution. There is still a need for this type of coming together to build one another up in the faith. Christianity knows nothing of Lone Ranger faith. In fact, right up until the time of His death, our Lord walked with His disciples. This community of disciples offered Him the opportunity to pour out all that God was doing in Him. Any revelations that He received from the Father, He shared with them. Whatever God wanted to speak, He spoke to them. What Jesus displayed in this community was replicated in the early church. They understood that it is through the gathering together, sharing life with one another, and encouraging one another in the faith that they would be able to withstand what the world would throw at them. It was also a means of pouring into one another all that God was doing.

I absolutely love fellowship with the believers. This isn't just a Sunday morning thing for me. In fact, I have already had some time with one of our church members this morning and I'm getting ready to have lunch with another. Why? The reason for this type of fellowship is to build one another up. While I love the company of these men (and women), what I really love is what it produces. It produces a bond of security within the body. It brings about encouragement for everyone involved. It also allows us to talk about the Scriptures, to build one another up, and to speak grace to one another. Church fellowship isn't about checking off a box of Christian accomplishments. It's about sharing life!!!

I want to challenge you in your relationships this week. As you get together with brothers/sisters in Christ, talk about what God is doing in your life. Share how He is challenging you in your faith. Pray with one another, encourage one another, and speak His blessings over one another and watch what happens. This type of interaction will bring about great growth to both of you. You will find yourself encouraged in your faith rather than discouraged in your walk. You will find accountability to the things of God. And you will also discover God's presence in your midst.

Take some time to enjoy the fellowship of God's people. You will be blessed!!!

Hungry/Thirsty for More

I have been personally challenged in my faith this week. The blogs about worship and experiencing God are an overflow of what God is doing in my heart right now. I pray that they will stir your heart as well.

Jesus (Matthew 5:6) said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled. Psalm 63:1, the psalmist says, "O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirst for You; my flesh faints for You, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." Luke 11:13, "...how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask." Over and over again, Scripture teaches us that if we are hungry/thirsty for God that we can be filled. I want to say this again this week: This is not about God's willingness to pour Himself into us - it's about our willingness to receive from Him.

I am challenged by the men and women who have been used by God at various times in history. I see in them a willingness to go deeper and deeper with God, never satisfied until they saw the manifestation of what they prayed for, consumed with more of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives. The question that I ask of myself is whether I am willing to continue in my pursuit of Him. The answer that I have continued to give is "YES!" I want to join the Apostle Paul in saying, "I have counted all things as rubbish for the excellency of the knowledge of Him."

Some would say that being saved is enough. Knowing that your sins are forgiven and that you are going to heaven should satisfy. However, I believe that the entrance into this kingdom cannot be compared with walking in the kingdom. I praise God for my salvation everyday. I recognize all that it cost God for the reconciliation of the world. It because of that cost that I seek to know Him more. A God that has done so much to bring salvation to my life is a God worth knowing and a God worth experiencing.

Don't lose the hunger!
Don't allow anything of this world to quench your thirst!
Keep pressing in!
May Heaven invade earth in your life!!!

Lost in Worship

John 4:23-24, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

I just want to get lost in worship. To be in an atmosphere of God's presence where time doesn't matter, phones are not a distraction, and appointments mean nothing. I want to be in a place where God has my undivided attention. A place where He can speak, He can move, and He can make Himself known.

As I type these words, there is worship music playing in an empty sanctuary. The chairs were moved out this Sunday to have the carpets cleaned. It's an awesome experience to hear the sounds of praise echo throughout the room. As much as I enjoy it, I wonder how much more God enjoys hearing the praises of His people. As much as I want to be lost in His presence, I wonder how much more God longs to draw me in.

This is God's will in worship. Jesus' statement to the woman at the well was more than just a declaration about worship. We have to understand that she brought up the subject of worship. She was discussing the proper place and practice of worship. Jesus didn't even entertain the place. He (as always) cut to the heart of the matter. Jews knew who they were worshiping while the Samaritans were worshiping in ignorance. Too often, I'm afraid, many believers are worshiping out of ignorance. We have thought it was all about our music, our buildings, and our style of worship that is pleasing to God. However, we must remember the words of Jesus "the hour is coming, and NOW IS, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth..." True and genuine worship comes from within. It is in the place where our spirit connects with the Spirit of God. It is in the place where we exercise the truth of who we are in Him and express that truth in our praise.

So much is accomplished in the presence of God: He is blessed and we are blessed!
There is an incredible exchange between the frailty of man and the glory of God. We approach God in our weakness and He gives us strength. We worship out of our need for Him and He blesses us with His presence. Please don't ever hesitate to get into the presence of God. There is GREAT FREEDOM in worship. Why? Because where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom!!!

May you lose yourself in His presence today. May you hunger for God and never be satisfied until you meet with Him. May you be like David and cry out that your soul and flesh cry out to God. But be careful...His presence in your life brings a hunger for more!!!

Seeking An Encounter With God

Have you ever sought an encounter with God? I mean...a real encounter with the God of the universe? Not your typical Sunday morning church service, etc.; but an encounter with God that changes everything about you.

John 14:21, "...And he who loves Me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." This is the promise that Jesus gave to His followers after telling them of another promise: the coming of the Holy Spirit. This weeks poll asks if you have ever had an encounter with the Presence & Power of God since your salvation experience. You would be amazed at how many "believers" have not.

The promise that Jesus gave to His disciples is a promise for each and everyone of us. The coming of the Holy Spirit to dwell within us provides the opportunity for Jesus to be revealed in everyday life. Is there are certain situation in your life that you are looking for Jesus to reveal Himself in? You are to look to the Holy Spirit for that revelation. Are you just wanting to experience more of God in your life? The Holy Spirit is the experience that you are looking for. Please don't miss what I am saying, and encounter with God awaits every person who seeks an encounter. God loves nothing more than to manifest Himself to His followers. The real question is whether or not we will seek after that manifestation.

The Bible teaches us that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. It is amazing what happens when we learn to cease from striving. When Isaiah uses the term "wait upon the Lord" he is referring to a patient expectation. This expectation keeps us pushing forward in the daily grind of life. This expectation keeps us searching, praying, hoping, and looking for God to reveal, revive, and renew us. The promise of Jesus is that anyone who seeks, asks, & knocks is that He will be found, you will receive, and He will answer.

I want to encourage you today. An encounter with God is coming if you will wait upon Him.
Wait upon Him in praise. He's not looking for works - your encounter will flow from His favor.
Wait upon Him in prayer. He's not looking for you to beg - everything you need for life and godliness is already your through Christ!
Wait upon Him in fellowship. God's Word becomes a comfort, a guide, an encouragement, and many times becomes the very encounter that you are seeking.

If what you seek is God, then He will be found by you. "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." {Jeremiah 29:13}

Baptism, Power, & Other Stuff

After being away from the blog for a week, it's hard to nail down exactly what to share. There was so much that happened during the Fresh Oil ~ New Wine Conference. I witnessed many of our people experience incredible breakthroughs in their spiritual life. We heard some incredible messages and spent the entire week immersed in the presence of God.

Yesterday I shared with our church family The Need for God's Manifest Presence. The text came out of Acts 4 where we find the early church having an incredible encounter with the presence of God. The house they were gathered in shook and each person was filled with the Holy Spirit. The came out of that encounter speaking the Word of God with boldness. Oh, how our churches need to experience this type of shaking & filling. I told the PBC Family that this type of shaking brings an awakening.

We focused a lot of attention on the baptism of Jesus. Jesus went to John to be baptized because He said that it "fulfilled all righteousness." It was this act of obedience that led the Father to open the heavens and send the Holy Spirit upon Him. The ministry of Jesus began after this encounter. He was led into the wilderness to be tempted - He overcame, He went into the cities and towns and preached the Kingdom of God - healing the sick, raising the dead, performing signs and wonders, & delivering those who were oppressed by the devil.

Here's what the Bible teaches us about baptism:

Romans 6:3-4, "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Galatians 3:27, "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

Colossians 2:12, "buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead."

Baptism for many people in the Baptist denomination has lost it's meaning. While we may understand the necessity of it, we may not understand the spiritual implications. It is through this act of obedience that we identify with the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus. We die with Him and are raised with Him through a faith filled act. Baptism is circumcision in the Spirit. Just as the Jews were set apart by the cutting away of their flesh, followers of Jesus are set apart through baptism. It links us together with the inheritance of Abraham. God has seen fit to graft us into the vine.

I also believe that just as Jesus encountered the power of God resting upon Him after His baptism that believers today can walk in a greater anointing of God's Holy Spirit upon their lives. When you and I enter into those baptism waters understanding the spiritual implication (rather than just following through with an ordinance of the church), we can come out of those waters under the power of God's Spirit resting upon us. Had I not seen this in action during the following week, I don't know if I would have developed this understanding. I watched as at least 60 people went through baptism waters - some to publicly profess their faith in Christ and others as a step of faith being baptized into their future inheritance. It was amazing.

Jesus being baptized in the Jordan River is significant. It is this same body of water that Israel had to cross to enter into all the promises of God. It was also during the passing through of the Jordan that the ark of God went from leading Israel to following behind them (Read Joshua 3). The glory of God began to follow His people. Jesus tells us that "These signs shall follow them that believe..." After we have experienced His baptism (water & Spirit), we are able to walk in all the promises of God. This is not an act of works but an act of faith!

I could go on...however, I want you to consider if you are walking in all that God's Word promises us. Are you experiencing the "much more" of the Holy Spirit? Have you encountered the power and presence of God? I'm not referring to your salvation experience but something completely separate. Many men and women of faith have had this type of encounter: Charles Finney, Charles Stanley, D.L. Moody, etc. I have also had this type of encounter with the presence and power of God. And what I can tell you from experience is that the Holy Spirit IS the difference maker in our lives. Do you want more?

Ready for a Collision!!!

I am currently attending the Fresh Oil New Wine Conference at Abba's House in Chattanooga, TN. This event has become one of the greatest times of refreshment in my personal life. Please pray for me and others from our church body as we join in this wonderful outpouring of God's Spirit. Below is a description of this years conference and the theme "Two Worlds Collide."

"Throughout history and the scriptures, there have been moments when our dimension and the heavenly dimension intersect. When that happens, everything that is God’s dimension is available in our present world. The limits and laws of our four dimensional world can be suspended.

"Are you ready for miracles? A miracle is a dimensional interruption when the spiritual world breaks into our mundane existence, changing our lives from ordinary to extraordinary. The impossible becomes possible when these two worlds collide."

I look forward to sharing with you all that God is doing. Blessings to you and your family.

When the Spiritual Looks Like the Natural

The first news of the morning: Tsunami Alert for New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, and others. Waves expected over the next few hours, caused by 8.9 earthquake in Japan. As I woke up to these headlines, I began praying for those who were affected by the earthquake & possible tsunami. However, it didn't take long before I was catching something in my spirit.

More often than not, what we see in the natural has implications in the spiritual. God often uses the natural things of this world to grab our attention. As I said earlier, I was praying for those who are affected by the earthquake and those who may be facing tsunamis when this thought occurred: God wants to shake the church with the awesome magnitude of His grace that results in a tsunami of love that engulfs the world.

Can you imagine the church experiencing such a shaking of the grace of God that we literally engulf the world with a tsunami of His love? There is no doubt that the church of America needs a fresh move of God. I am praying for nothing less!!! May God send a shaking upon the church. May we encounter the enormous magnitude of His grace. May we be in awe of His power and glory. The after effects of this encounter will result in believers being drawn back to Him and flooding out into the streets, moving out of our comfort zones, and taking the good news of God's unconditional love to the world. We need nothing less than a supernatural disaster that wrecks everything that we have created in the flesh. Maybe then the church can recapture that which was to be built in the Spirit.

This type of move of the Spirit will be costly. The clean-up of such an event would be messy. Imagine the church having to lose her religious nature to operate in the love of God. When this type of shaking happens in the church, all of our idols come crashing down. No longer will we be bound by style, tradition, ritual, and rules. Everything must bow down to the awesome presence of a holy God. Just as we see people after a natural disaster have to go back to the basics of life, the church will return to the basics of faith. Worship, Preaching/Teaching, Sharing Jesus, and Walking in the Spirit will once again become the necessities.

Are you ready for that type of grace to impact the Body of Christ?
Are you willing to be a part of the tsunami of His love in the world?

How can this happen? We pray it into existence!!!

2 Chronicles 7:14, "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."

Before there can ever be a cost that results from this type of move of God, the church must be willing to pay a price. God is moved when we are humble. God will hear from heaven if we will pray. God will forgive and heal if we are willing to seek and turn. A move of God is not as dependent upon God's willingness as it is our willingness. God longs to move in the lives of His people. Everything we need for this type of move is available to us. But we will not experience the magnitude of His grace unless we are willing to seek His face.

While I pray for those who are affected by these natural disasters, I also pray for those who have been unaffected by the Body of Christ. They don't need a shaking of the earth to get their attention. They don't have to experience a natural disaster before they are ready to experience His love. All they need is for believers to be awakened to all that is available in God and walk in His love.

We pray for more!!! More of you Lord in our lives. More of you in our churches. More of you in the world. When we pray this type of prayer, God says "Go." We will be the more of God in the world. We will manifest His power, His love, and His glory. Are you ready for more?

Marriage & The Gospel

I was driving home last night listening to a Focus on the Family broadcast. I was unable to catch the names of people involved or the location, but the discussion that I heard on marriage is worth sharing. To put it plainly: If the gospel doesn't work in your marriage then you have deceived yourself.

I have no doubt that many people will question this statement. However, when we consider the power of the gospel in our lives, how can I marriages not be affected? Is there any other relationship in the world where we need to offer forgiveness, grace, mercy, and truth? Is there any other area of our lives where we are required to love in such a way? Folks, if we love Jesus then we will love our spouse. If we have been forgiven then we can offer it to others. If God has shown us mercy then we should be doing the same.

I was talking with a friend of mine about this very issue. He shared with me an incredible quote: "There should never be irreconcilable differences in a Christian marriage. For a Christian to make that statement is to tell the world that the gospel is impotent." WOW!!! It's one thing to look out in the world and wonder why marriages don't seem to stay together, but it's quite another to look into the church and see that we aren't doing any better.

What are some core truths of the gospel?
Sacrificial Love
Grace
Mercy
Forgiveness
Most of us would agree with this but I wonder how many of us are living them out. If Jesus has changed my life through sacrificial love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness; then I should be offering these same things to others. I should definitely be offering these things to my spouse.

One of the other topics discussed on the broadcast was the idea of a "soul mate." The popularity of this type of thinking has lead people to believe that there is one person out there who can fulfill their every desire and need. This is not a biblical concept. Plato (Greek Philosopher)surmised that a perfect human being was tragically split in two, resulting in a race of creatures sentenced to spend the rest of their lives searching for that missing other who can complete them. However, this thought process is not found in the Bible. Here's how a believer should approach marriage: When we say "I Do" then that person is the one. We are to devote our entire lives to this one individual. We have chosen to be bound to them in the continual pursuit of love.

It's time for believers to get a stomach for the fight. Marriage is to be a picture of Christ and His Bride. Jesus has never given up and will never give up in His pursuit. His love knows no end. His mercy is everlasting. His grace is amazing. We must root out all selfishness in our lives because love doesn't seek its own. We are to die to ourselves daily according to the gospel. Have we done this in our marriage?

I'm praying for a revival in the church...a revival of marriages. May God bring back to life this sacred institution. We need nothing less than the Spirit of God to breathe upon us in this area. May the church, once again, be a safe place for marriages. May we never relent in the continual pursuit.

Still chasing...

Turning the World Upside Down

"These who have turned the world upside down have come here too." {Acts 17:6} I have always thought that this was one of the greatest statements concerning the missions activity of the early church. It was this band of "rebels" that God had used to impact much of the known world. What began as a group of 120 people in an upper room, quickly spread to thousands of people who were confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior.

I recently read an article that discussed the faith of U2's lead singer Bono. Personally, I have never questioned Bono's faith in Jesus Christ. Much has been said concerning his conversion. However, because Bono is Bono, he has been criticized on more than one occasion. In the article is a great conversation about Jesus Christ: "Christ says, I'm not saying I'm a teacher, don't call me teacher. I'm not saying I'm a prophet. I'm saying: 'I'm the Messiah.' I'm saying: 'I am God incarnate.' The article is a refreshing piece for anyone who follows the public faith of celebrities.

While I listen to the statements of Bono, I'm reminded that too often we over-emphasize the faith of those in the spotlight. I think that we think because they are celebrities that they can have a greater impact upon the world. Folks, we must remember that it was this cast of nobodies in the book of Acts that were taking the world by storm. God has always chosen to use those who were very insignificant to confound the wise. Over and over again, the God of Scripture reaches out to those who were less than popular to bring Him glory.

The ability to turn the world upside down for the Kingdom of God is within you. The Holy Spirit has the ability to make much of your life. Don't sell yourself short. I'm sure the natural inclination of most of us is to think that we don't have the skills, talents, or abilities to do what God would have us do. If you are in that category of thinkers then you are in a perfect spot to witness the supernatural activity of God in your life.

You may look at your life and say "I am insignificant" while God says "You are unique."
You may look at your life and say "I am a loser" while God says "You are more than a conqueror."
You may look at your life and say "God can't use me" while God says "Make yourself available to me."

The redemptive purpose of God in the world requires that each of us who calls on the name of Jesus be involved. It's not enough to send out a few missionaries to remote locations. It's not enough to have a few church building dotting the landscape. The salvation of the world rests in the "ordinary" followers of Jesus taking His call seriously, and sharing His message intently. To quote Bill Faye, "What God cannot use is your silence." If you have been saved, then God has someone to work with. If you have been delivered, then God has someone to lead others out of darkness. If you have received a touch from God, then God has someone He can use to touch the world.

Are you ready to turn the world upside down? God is!!!

Where Is The Risk?

I have read a few books concerning the persecution of believers down through the ages. None of them have been quite as compelling as Richard Wurmbrand's account of imprisonment & torture under communism in Romania. Brother Wurmbrand became the founder of Voice of the Martyrs - a ministry that serves the persecuted church around the world. Books like these remind me that what the church in America experiences is not the norm for the church in other nations.

I have another book among my collection that talks about 21st Century martyrs among Southern Baptist missionaries. It is amazing to consider that with more than 18,000 missionaries who have served with the IMB throughout its almost 160 year history, that so few have met unnatural and violent deaths. Fewer than 90 have been killed, mostly in accidents. Only 29 have been murdered, many in the course of a robbery or shooting that had nothing to do with their Christian witness. Regardless of how these individuals left this earth, there always seems to be some "well meaning" person who asks: "Why do missionaries go to dangerous places?"

For someone who has friends that serve in different areas around the world, I will try to answer that question. Here's some of those reasons:

#1 - God has called them to go!!!
Somewhere along the way we have lost the concept of God's command to His followers to take this gospel into the world. The "taking" of the gospel into "all nations" is a command for every believer. The "where?" is a matter of calling.

#2 - The world is a dangerous place!!!
We ask this question as if America is the only safe place to share the gospel. Let me remind you that pastors, missionaries, and other believers lose their life in this country as well. If we stop going to dangerous places to share the light of the gospel then we will eventually stop sharing in this country as well.

#3 - They desire to see God glorified in the earth!!!
Every short-term & long-term missionary understand that God is to be made known among the nations. They have looked into Revelation and discovered that every tribe and tongue is glorifying God around the throne. That will only take place in heaven after it takes place in the earth.

When are we going to recapture the urgency of the gospel? This is a message that is worth carrying into the WHOLE world and Jesus is someone worth abandoning ourselves to. The Apostle Paul said in Acts 20:24, 21:14: "...none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself...For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." It's one thing to sing "I have decided to follow Jesus" and quite another thing to live it out. It's one thing to call Him Lord, and quite another to follow Him as Lord.

This past Sunday I made a statement to our church: "We need to stop dressing up and playing church. The time has come to WAKE UP and BE the church!!!"

WAKE UP and see a world in need.
WAKE UP and see a God to glorify.
WAKE UP and see a message to be shared.

I know it's "risky" but it's the essence of the gospel.

Marriage - Enjoying the Pursuit

Much has been said this week regarding the continual pursuit of love in the marriage relationship. While I have attempted to give you some points on how to conduct yourself through this process, today's entry will be all about you. There are some things that cannot be taught. Only through a process between you and God will you be able to keep your heart fixed. The good news is that God wants your marriage to be blessed!!! He want you to enjoy this covenant!!! And He wants it to last!!!

In Genesis 2:23 we read the words of Adam after God had brought Eve to Him. "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." Please hear these words: "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh." I don't know if there is a more profound statement concerning the attachment that one man felt to one woman. Adam understood that Eve was a part of him. Have you considered that your spouse is truly a part of who you are?

It is this deep seated intimacy that we have to rediscover. In Song of Solomon 3:4 we hear the bride of Solomon say that when she found the one her soul loved, she held him and would not let him go. Hear the words of Solomon to his son in Proverbs 5:19, "...always be enraptured (intoxicated) with her love." There may have been a time in your marriage when you felt like this. You would have done anything to stay in the presence of the one you loved. You never expected to experience a loss of emotion. However, these words need to be deep inside of us. We should continue in the intoxication of love.

Song of Solomon7:7, "Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the flood drown it..." If there is one thing that I have discovered in my marriage, it's that God will help you draw from the well of love that He has placed inside of you. I remember thinking over those words in Proverbs and saying "God...I do love my wife...but I don't know that I have been enraptured by her. God...I'm saying that I want to be. Help me to love her like you love her. Help me to see her the way you see her. And may I always be satisfied with the wife of my youth." Can I tell you something? God answers this prayer.

While I do not lay claim to a perfect marriage, nor do I claim to be a perfect husband, I love my wife with everything in me. I want to show her honor. I want to love her as Christ loved the church. I want to give her everything she needs and deserves. This process wasn't easy. In fact, I had to die to myself to make it happen. But I love what God has done in my heart. I have discovered my wife to be my best friend, a wonderful companion in life, and a joy that is incomparable. She is everything that I could have ever asked or prayed for. She is the one that my soul loves and I will not let her go.

When Jesus spoke of marriage, He said, "What God has joined together, let no man separate." That's why I can say that God wants your marriage to last. He wants you to "cleave" to your spouse. But if the only love we operate in is the natural love that we possess then our tank will run empty. We must draw upon His love. We must love as He loves. And the only way that we are going to get there is to seek the face of God concerning our spouse.

I want you, right now, to ask God to give you the love you need for you spouse.
Ask Him to allow you to be intoxicated with their love.
Ask Him to allow you to see them the way He sees them.
And ask Him to give you the strength to never let go.

Say it with me: "I can enjoy my marriage!" "I can enjoy my spouse!" "Their love is enough!" Hmmm...their love is enough. This last statement will only be true if you learn to draw from the well of love that God has placed in you.

Keep pursuing!!!

Marriage - Leading the Pursuit

This has been a year that I have personally devoted to making my own marriage all that it could be. The continual pursuit of love may not always be easy, but it is worth it. When I began to understand how much security my wife and children found in this one relationship, the work took on a whole new meaning. The following are the lyrics to a song by Sanctus Real entitled "Lead Me." Please take time to read the words of the song and allow God to speak to you.

Lead Me ~ Sanctus Real

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I'm called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Here's what I believe every home and marriage deserves:

Men who are willing to lead. That's right men. God has given us the authority in the home. This authority allows us to lead in the continual pursuit of love.

Men who are willing to give and show love. This should probably go without saying, but some men are simply cut off emotionally. I realize that emotions can get messy at times but these people living in our houses need love.

Men who are willing to give their best. We cannot allow our marriages to become another thing we do. We have to give it full attention. Only our best will do. When we take this step, we will discover that marriage can be enjoyed rather than just endured.

Men who are willing to humble themselves before God. Only as I humble myself before God can I hope to love, forgive, and give of myself completely to the home. I have to find God's heart for my family. Then I get to display that heart everyday. This isn't easy and we might fail from time to time. However, we just continue to lean on God.

While I have dealt primarily with the men, it doesn't leave the women without work to do. These men need someone who will be a help-mate. They need encouragement, support, and respect through the process. They don't need whining or nagging. They need prayer so that they can fulfill God's plan. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and the wives are to submit unto the husband as to the Lord. We both have responsibilities in this marriage thing. It is a partnership of mutual love, mutual respect, mutual submission, and mutual pursuit.

How do we start this process in our marriages? How do we leave the failed system and get into the one that works?
1) Submit our marriage unto God
2) Forgive any and all mistakes and issues
3) Go at it with everything we have. We have got to sell out!!!
4) Don't quit. Too often we start well but don't finish strong. Don't give up.
5) Enjoy the journey. God longs to bless this union. Walk with Him and watch Him work.

Is Love Enough (for marriage)?

After receiving some encouraging thoughts about yesterday's blog, I thought we would keep on the theme of marriage. My question for you today is this: Is Love Enough? My answer: Yes & No. Please continue...

Typically, when I share with a couple that is preparing for marriage, I will tell them that love is not enough. Love - in the sense that most people use the word is never enough. Why? Because for the average person, love is simply emotional. We either feel it or we don't. And since most people base their perception of love upon their feelings then we cannot build lasting marriages on the emotion. However, if you and I were to take a biblical approach to love - love that is given rather than earned - love that is stable rather than fluctuating - love that is enduring and never ends, then we can build our lives together.

I told you yesterday that based upon the Hebrew word translated "cleave" we see marriage as a continual love pursuit by a man and woman that causes them to be joined together. While there are many people that would disagree with the idea that this is enough to keep a marriage strong, I hope they would take the time to consider what I am going to share. Think of love in marriage much like what we give and receive during courtship (I know that we rarely use this term anymore but bear with me).
> We are usually quick to forgive!
> We are usually looking to bring more into the relationship than we take!
> We are usually mindful of what we say & how we say it!
> We are usually trying to make the other person "feel" loved!
This is the normal pattern for those who are seeking to build a life together. We don't want anything to go wrong before we get married, so we do everything possible to make this relationship stick. The only problem is that we struggle transferring this type of love into the marriage relationship. Since we finally got what we were looking for, and they committed to stay in this thing for life; we tend to fall into complacency in the marriage. This complacency is what is normally seen as a lack of love or attraction. This complacency also leads to raw conversation where we rarely consider the feelings or thoughts of the other person. Does this sound like the continual pursuit?

What happens in most marriages becomes the constant struggle. The struggle to be heard, honored, and at peace in the relationship. Because of this breakdown we have learned to endure the constant struggle rather than enjoy the continual pursuit. Some people are able to manage the struggle better than others. Most cannot.

How then do we make love a secure foundation? We stop operating in the only love we know and begin to operate in the love that only God can give.
I Corinthians 13 describes to us the unconditional and incredible love of God. This "agape" love bears all things, believes all things, and endures all things. In verse 8 the Bible tells us that "LOVE NEVER FAILS." Based upon this understanding of love, if we operate in the unconditional love of God, we cannot go wrong. This type of love is enough. This type of love is worth pursuing. This type of love will keep us together regardless of what life throws our way.

Look at this way: If my wife and I are continually pursuing this type of love relationship with one another, then we will never give up in our marriage. Our marriage becomes a picture of the constant love pursuit of God for us. He never gave up! He never quit! He never stopped believing that His love would be enough to draw you unto Himself! So if we will operate in His love then we can see the same results.

Practical Application > A man and woman chooses to enter into a covenant that involves the continual pursuit of unconditional for one another that causes them to cling to one another for life. I don't know about you, but the continual pursuit sounds better than the constant struggle. Let's keep chasing!!!

How Well Do You Cleave?

Genesis 2:24, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." When you read this in the KJV you will read the word "cleave." "Cleave" is the English translation of the Hebrew "daw-bak'". In today's blog we'll ask the question: "How well do you cleave?"

It's days like today that makes me want to read Hebrew. The Hebrew language does more than just give us a word but will also draw a picture for us. Take for instance the word daw-bak': Literally it means to "cling" or "adhere". We understand that in the English. However, there is also a figurative meaning to the word. Daw-bak' also means to catch by pursuit, abide, fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together), keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, and take. WOW!!! Did you just see that? My definition of marriage just dramatically changed.

My New Definition of Marriage:
When a man and woman leave their father and mother to pursue one another in a love relationship that holds them fast together.

While I may understand what it means to be joined together with another individual for life, I have failed to see marriage as this constant pursuit of my wife. It is in this context of marriage that we understand the heart of God for husbands and wives. The vows that we keep to one another are just a part of the pursuit. Speaking from a man's perspective this means that I am continually looking for ways to love my wife, to constantly pursue her, and to never be satisfied with just getting by. Every morning I should wake up with the thought: How can I catch her? I mean...I know she is mine but I want her to see that I want her, I desire her, and I will do whatever it takes to make it stick.

Folks, I realize that marriage is hard work. It's difficult to put two people in the same house together and expect everything to be "perfect". But if there is one thing that I can be sure of...one thing I CAN control, it's how I pursue my wife. There should never be a time when she wonders if I truly love her. There should never come a time when she feels as though she has to earn my love. Every day for her should be a constant reminder that I am still pursuing her.

How well do you cleave? You might say "Well...we've been together for ____ years. I think I have done pretty good." But how well have you pursued her over those ____ years? I want you to take the whole definition into account. May we not simply look at our marriage in terms of years we made it. Let's begin to look at our marriage by how many years I have pursued our spouses in love.

Sorry to keep it short. I need to go catch my wife!!!

Blessing to you all.