Looking for the Next Big Thing?

Do you know anyone who just has to have the newest phone, newest car, newest computer, or newest ipod? Our society seems to be consumed with having the next big thing. Unfortunately, this mindset has crept its way into the faith community. Go into any Christian Bookstore and you can catch up on all the latest fads in church growth and Christian thinking. While I'm appreciative of all the input that is available, I almost cringe we I see a new book hit the market because I know what is coming next.

Do you remember when Experiencing God was the greatest thing available? This is the study developed by Henry Blackaby that helps people to know and understand the will of God. There for a while you couldn't go anywhere without seeing or hearing about it. Personally, I still use the study because it is very helpful. But who would have thought that "Experiencing God" would be replaced with the Next Big Thing?

EG is just an example of how things happen in Christian circles. A book is published, a study is created, conferences/workshops become available, then it is repackaged for specific ages or affinity groups, when suddenly out of nowhere it disappears. I've seen it time and time again. I could create an entire blog entry of book titles, small group studies, and training materials that were once considered cutting edge. While people in the publishing world may understand this phenomenon - I do not. It's not because I don't like to see change. I tend to embrace change. I love the different seasons that the Lord allows us to enter into. It's just that I don't like the mindset. I don't like the approach. And I don't like the culture it has created. Think about it: How many people bought a pet rock but found themselves unfulfilled? Sure...they had the next big thing but what did it accomplish?

On the Day of Pentecost, the disciples of Jesus received the Next Big Thing. The Holy Spirit came upon them in power and the world was forever changed. It's hard to imagine things being radically different after Jesus left the Earth but isn't that what He promised? John 14:12, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." I'm not trying to burst anyone's bubble but the Holy Spirit has always been the next big thing that would overtake all other experiences in the Lord. He would take us further than we could imagine. He would provide everything we would ever need. He would gift us beyond comprehension, lead us into all truth, and forever alter the way we relate to the Father. It doesn't get any better than this.

Please understand where I'm coming from. I enjoy reading new perspectives on church life and ministry. I love to see people challenged in they way they think, the way they approach prayer, etc. What I don't like is the idea that we have to have the latest fad in Christian thought. God's Word shall endure to all generations. How is that possible? Does God repackage it? Does He send it out to the next focus group to see what the effect would be? NO - one of the reasons His Word endures to every generation is because He has placed within us a receiver who is able to interpret into our day and time. The Spirit of the Living God continually makes His Word fresh and alive in us. That's the power of the Holy Spirit!!!

So...why is there this need for the next big thing? My opinion? I believe the church has taken on the persona that says "We shall not be moved." That's why you can easily step into a church building and feel as though you entered a time warp. Songs that never change, wardrobes never change, structures never change, and the way the Bible is taught never changes. Is it any wonder that people get incredibly excited when there is something put on the market that causes us to consider God differently or ministry in a different light? When we do not allow the Holy Spirit to breath new life into our "church life" then the result will always be traditionalism. Man always seems to default to a religious mindset. The next big thing that is needed isn't new - it's the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit.

Allow me to encourage you in this: You don't need the next big thing. You need an encounter with the Holy Spirit. Your church - although there may need to be some changes - needs to do more than adopt a new program. It's needs the freshness of life that comes from the Spirit of God breathing into the Body of Christ. The only way we will ever enter into the SAME works of Jesus (or the GREATER works for that matter) is when we become intimately involved with the work, ministry, and excellence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Spend some time today thanking God for the incredible gift of His presence in your life. Ask Him to fill you to overflowing. And stay in that place until you know that He has moved upon your life. Jesus said, "How much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask."

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PBC Voice will not have a blog entry tomorrow. I'm going away for a couple of days with my awesome family. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. See you next week.

Are You REALLY Living?

One of my favorite movie quotes comes from Braveheart: "Every man dies but not every man truly lives." When I think about Jesus' statement, I have to ask myself the question, are we REALLY living? John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

The life that Jesus' speaks about is an absolute fullness of life. The Greek word is "Zoe" - it is the same quality of life that belongs to God and given to us through Jesus. The thief on the other hand wishes to destroy life. He will do everything possible to keep us from entering into a God-quality of life. As I have been reflecting upon this aspect of life it has stirred up some things I want to share with you.

Is there anything that is keeping you from experiencing fullness of life? Immediately there are people who will begin to list physical problems, financial situation, emotional baggage, and the like. However, I want you to probe a little deeper. If Jesus died to make us whole (and He did) then what is hindering us from entering into wholeness? What physical problem, financial situation, or personal feelings could keep us from abundant life? What you and I have to remember is that the quality of life that Jesus is willing to share is not dependent upon anything other than our willingness to receive. One of the greatest hindrances to walking in abundant life is our mindset. It's the way we perceive life. It's the way we postpone entering into all that God has given.
We say things like:
"I'll really be happy when..."
"I'll be glad when this is over."
"I can't wait until..."
All of these statement are void of the truth that each of us need to cling to and that is that abundant life is already ours through Christ.

What you and I have to recognize is that one of the ways the enemy works is to give us thoughts that are not our own. He works to make us think that life isn't what it's supposed to be or that we are always missing out on something. How many times have we seen what looks like a normal and happy family fall apart after years of marriage. Typically you will see one or both spouses begin to search for happiness and life in other things. It's amazing how quick things can change in those situations. Blinded by the lie that they were never really happy or under the delusion that things were never really that good. It's a hard statement for some people to swallow but the reality is that they bought into one of the greatest deceptions known to man: "You really aren't experiencing everything that you should be experiencing."

This is the deception that caused Adam & Eve to fall. They bought into the lie that they really were not like God and that they were not experiencing the life He had promised. In the midst of that lie they had forgotten about the incredible fellowship they had with their Creator. They were blinded to the reality that they had everything they could ever need in that place. Sadly, in the end, they were betrayed by their emotions. What a horrible discovery - to know that you always had the fullness of life inside of you but you never realized it.

The challenging part of history is that we must always remember it or we are doomed to repeat it. This same deception pulls wool over the eyes of countless lives. Men and women, boys and girls, believer and unbelievers alike can share in the destruction that comes from the enemy never realizing that God has provided everything we need. 2 Peter 1:3 is still true: "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence". Never ever lose sight of this all important truth or you will find yourself searching for life outside of the life giver.

If you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus then you already have His quality of life within you. By faith you need to access that life. You need to learn how to tap into the God-quality of life that Jesus gives. It's a quality of life that will change everything. How many marriages could be saved when infused by a Zoe life? How many parent/child relationships can be amazingly altered by Zoe life? How many people would be able to find contentment, joy, and purpose if they would allow Zoe life to flow through them?

Faith actualizes what it realizes. In other words, when you know you have something in Christ then your faith makes it a reality. Jesus told His followers that they would possess His life, His joy, His peace, and His power. They were constantly encouraged to enter into the same quality of life that He possessed. I think it is high time for the Body of Christ to do the same. We have an incredible wellspring of life in the Holy Spirit. Learning to tap into this well needs to be the discipline that we pursue above all others. From Him flows the righteousness, the peace, the prosperity, the joy, and the power that we all need. It's already ours because of Christ. TAP INTO IT!!! There are a lot of people who say they have life but are they REALLY living? God has given you a choice. Choose Life.

The Lordship of Christ & Our Wholeness

This past Sunday I shared a message with PBC about the Lordship of Christ & Our Wholeness. It's my belief that when we make Jesus Lord over every area of our life that those places come under His rule and reign. Isaiah 9:7 speaks of the increase of His government and peace that there will be no end. Are you ready for that?

When you and I confess Jesus as Lord, believing in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we are saved. Do you believe that? The word translated "saved" is the Greek word "Sozo". This word is powerful because it allows us to see the total package. It means: saved, healed, delivered, and made whole. The Lordship of Christ over our lives brings us into the wholeness that Jesus died to provide. That's why it is called good news.

The problem that many of us face is that we don't always encounter the wholeness. We don't always feel at peace. We don't always feel loved. We don't always feel abundant life flowing through our lives. Why is that? It's typically because we are not trusting God in certain areas of life. Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." His Lordship means that I give Him full authority in every area. I give Him my hopes and dreams. I give Him my ambitions in life. I give Him all fear and anxiety. I give Him every situation (good or bad) and I allow Him to reign by fulling trusting.

The question is never about the validity of God's Word. The question always is whether or not I will allow it to be true in my life. When Isaiah prophecies of the increase of His government and peace that there will be no end - will you allow it to become true in your life? Will you allow Him to set up His throne in your heart? This is the only way to wholeness.

It's my belief that we only receive from God what we believe He possesses. That's why forgiveness is generally accepted. We believe Christ died so that we can be forgiven. But what if the message was preached that He died for your wholeness? What if the good news that people heard is that Jesus paid for your forgiveness, your healing, and your emotional well-being? I think the results of salvation in people's lives would be very different.

Let me encourage every reader with this: Jesus dies to make you whole.
Give Him Lordship in every area of life and allow Him to bring His wholeness into those situations. Confess Him as Lord over your family, Lord over your relationships, and Lord over every part of you. The changes will be dramatic.

Entering Into God's Fullness

Over the last several days I have been consuming myself with Paul's letters to the early church. We have briefly looked at the the freedom in Christ that Paul shared with the church at Galatia. Today I want us to peek into his letter to the church at Ephesus and discover is the understanding needed to enter into the fullness of God. What you will find may shock you.

As I have mentioned before, Paul's preached the gospel to a brand new audience. This group of Gentile believers had not been entrenched in the religious system of the Jews. That's why we find such great liberty in his first letter. The letter to the church at Ephesus came much later and continues in a great procession of leading the people of God into their God-given identity. With the foundation of freedom in Christ firmly established (Galatians), after dealing with necessary instructions on how to function as the Body of Christ (Thessalonians & Corinthians), and following powerful teaching on the grace of God (Romans) and the supremacy of Christ (Colossians) - Paul opens up a whole new world of revelation. We should follow in these steps. The discovery of our freedom in Christ is elementary teaching. How we function as the Body of Christ together is necessary for our growth. Understanding the grace of God will take us to new levels and the recognition of Christ's supremacy will allow us to follow Him into greater things. The identity, inheritance, and intimacy discovered in the Ephesians will allow us to firmly rest in what God has accomplished in Christ and to press into His fullness.

What sticks out to me most in this letter is found in Paul's prayer for the church. In fact, I believe you will see that what he is writing is to help foster the answers. It is my prayer that as you read through this letter that Paul's prayer will be answered in you. In particular that you would be:
1) Strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being
2) Rooted and Grounded in love by Christ dwelling in your heart through faith
3) Able to Comprehend the breadth, length, depth, and height of Christ's love
4) Filled with all the Fullness of God

I have blogged about this before but the need is still there. The church has tried her best to be well pleasing to God. We have sought the Lord concerning His commandments. We have tried to be the best that we could be in almost every area. However, it seems to me that we have missed the boat in terms of stepping into our rightful place. Is it any wonder that what Paul addresses here is the same thing that Jesus addressed to the church at Ephesus in the book of Revelation? The whole issue of love is a powerful thing. Paul is trying to help them become established in the love of God. Jesus tells them that they have left their first love. A coincidence? I think not.

If you and I are to enter into the fullness of God then we must lose the idea that we are going to work our way into it. There is no amount of religious effort, no amount of good deeds, and no amount of personal holiness that will make up for being rooted and grounded in the love of God. When you and I are able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, length, depth, and height - to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge - then we will be able to be filled with all the fullness of God.

Paul tells them about their inheritance in the saints. Paul talks about their heavenly position. The only obstacle they face is to be strengthened, rooted, and grounded in the love of Christ. If they can just enter into it then they can enter into the fullness they long to have. The same is true for us. This thing of comprehending the love of God isn't just there to make us feel good about ourselves. It actually helps us in understanding how God deals with us, operates through us, and how He approaches the world. If you really want to know God then you have to know His love in the deepest possible way.

Take time throughout the remainder of this day to meditate and reflect upon the love of God for you. Recognize the immeasurable greatness of it. Bask in the glow of His redeeming love. Strengthen yourself in the resolve that there is nothing you could do to make Him love you more and that there is nothing you can do to make Him love you less. Rejoice over the fact that you have been seated firmly into Christ and there is nothing that will ever separate you from that love. And from this position you will be able to enter into all that God has for you...ie...His fullness.

Enjoy the journey!!!

The Power of Revelation

It's no secret here that the letter Paul wrote to the church of Galatia is one of my favorites in the New Testament. The freedom and liberty that is passed on to these new followers of Christ is truly remarkable. The older I get in the faith the more impressed I am at the ability of the other Apostles to accept Paul. His message and methods were radically different.

At the beginning of his letter Paul states that the gospel he preaches was not passed down to him from man but was something he received through revelation [see Galatians 1:11-12]. This is no small statement. Imagine someone coming into the "church" of today and stating that they had received a revelation from God. Do you understand the scrutiny that there life and message would receive? Thankfully, for all of us, Paul's message stands as a true gospel of liberation. It's a testimony of the true freedom that is found in Christ.

What makes this gospel radically different?

For starters, the audience was different. We are no longer hearing a message that is communicated to a Jewish audience. These men and women (at least for the most part) did not have their roots in the traditions of Judaism.

Secondly, the message had absolutely no hints of legalism. There wasn't a need for these new believers to adhere to the Law in any shape or form. They were free to experience God outside of religious obligation.

Last of all, in my opinion, what makes this gospel message so radically different is that it trusts the work of the Holy Spirit in every believer. That's HUGE!!!

While I cannot speak for all of you, I know that my background in the faith is founded in the traditional church. I have been taught the basic principles of the faith, gone through the rituals, and grown accustomed to the routines. The fact that I have been able to embrace a true gospel of grace wasn't an easy task. The truth of the matter is, had I not received revelation along the way, I could have easily "stayed the course." It's all too easy to regurgitate what has been handed down to us without ever seeking the Lord for ourselves. We can come up in those environments, be recognized as faithful people, and even operate as a teacher who continues to pass down what has been handed to us.

Now...before I go any further it's important that you understand where I'm going with this. Not everything that has been passed down to us is wrong. There are truths that will endure to every generation. These things will never change. What I am saying is that there are some beliefs within the faith community that need to be challenged. There are some mindsets that need to be torn down. And the only way this is going to happen is when you and I become willing to hear from God.

Throughout the centuries we have seen several reformations that have come through God revealing Himself. Can you imagine where we would be today had "salvation by grace through faith" not been recaptured? What about the "priesthood of all believers"? It's easy for us to think that all the hard work has been done but the truth is that the Christian faith in many areas is still steeped in the traditions of man. What needs to be recaptured is the heart of God. This only comes through the power of revelation.

Whether you choose to believe this or not, the Holy Spirit was always meant to be the Supreme Teacher in spiritual truth. I do believe that this concept is being recaptured in many areas of our faith. I see this especially in the areas of recapturing what grace means for the believer and understanding what true freedom in Christ looks like. These are exciting days for us because the more we capture God's heart in this generation, the greater the expression in the next generation.

Here's what I want to encourage you with:
If you are looking at some of the beliefs that have been handed down to you and questioning them, take them before the Lord along with the Bible and ask Him to speak to you. This may sound too simple but the fact is that many of us have only looked into the Bible to explain what we believe. I think the time has come for us to change our motives. Why don't look into the Bible and allow it to explain to us what we should believe? This idea is even harder in an age of reasoning. However, I do think it's necessary for us to recapture the heart and mind of God. It also means that we have to trust the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

With all that being said, I'm excited for you. I see the Lord opening up more doors for you to see into His heart. I see you encountering the Word of God afresh. The words on those pages will no longer seem dry and/or empty but they will come alive in you. In the New Testament we find two different words translated as "word": "Logos" refers to that which has been spoken. "Rhema" refers to that which is uttered. One is viewed in the past tense while the other is viewed as right now. In this season God will take the logos (the Bible) and make it rhema (God breathed) in your life. What makes the difference? That is the power of revelation.

May God continue to breathe upon His Word in your life. Enjoy the journey!!!

Spiritual Introspection

One of the greatest tools of the enemy is to cause us to be so introspective that we are unable to change the environment around us. It's really important that you get this. When you and I become too preoccupied with ourselves then we hinder the work of God through us. Today I want you to be able to celebrate what God IS doing in your life.

How many times to you read in the Bible where God has called people to a specific task and yet they argue with Him? You hear phrases like (and I'm going to paraphrase): "I'm not a good speaker" - Moses, or "I'm too insignificant" - Gideon, etc. The problem that most of us face isn't whether or not we hear what God is asking us to do but rather than we cannot see past ourselves to think He can use us. This is dangerous introspection.

Introspection, for those who might ask, is basically a looking into one's own thoughts or feelings about themselves. It's a searching of the heart. The problem is that if we do not go through the process with the help of the Holy Spirit then we tend to come up empty. Religion has done a good job of teaching us how to beat ourselves up and to view our lives outside of Christ. We have been taught that there is nothing good in us, that we will always be sinners, and to think differently is to have an exalted view of one's self. However, if you are going to look inside of yourself then you must do it through the lens of Christ. You must have God's view and opinion or you will never be able to move past yourself.

One of the greatest expressions of proper introspection came from David when he asked the Lord to search his heart. Notice that he didn't go on the journey by himself. I would encourage you to do the same. If you notice that there are areas of your life where you have failed to bring them into agreement with the Word of God then ask the Holy Spirit to shed light in those areas. Learn to confess the problems without owning them. In other words, confess who you are in Christ and that those behaviors/feelings/etc. do not line up with your position in Him. This is one of the greatest things about prophetic ministry. We learn to "mine" out the gold in people's lives because we view them in Christ. It doesn't mean that we shrug off sin but that we call out the greatness that is in them. We say things like "Hey...you don't need to do that because this is who you really are." And trust me when I say that you will always find it difficult to see the "good" in others when you are unable to see any good in yourself.

You may be wondering why this is important. Let me explain: You and I have an opportunity (every day) to affect the environment around us. We are constantly going into situations where there is negativity, anger, disappointment, hopelessness, and/or despair. If we enter those environments totally consumed with our own "issues" or "problems" then we fail to see what needs to change around us. In no way am I belittling what you are going through, I'm simply saying that if you are in Christ then you should be able to process things a lot faster. The quicker we can get through our own "stuff" the quicker we can help others.

My advice to you today:
Celebrate what God is doing and has done in your life.
Claim His promises over your life
And step out in that anointing.

Never shove things down that you should be dealing with. Never allow the enemy a foothold in how you view yourself. Live in a constant awareness of who you are in Christ. You might be thinking there is so much in your life that is wrong. I'm saying that if you are in Christ then there is so much about you that is right. Go in His grace and you will discover great opportunities to be used for His glory.

If you don't know "who you are" then I encourage you to read God's Word. Read those early letters to the church in the New Testament. Read that you are "In Christ" and that you are "seated in heavenly places". Read that you are "the righteousness of God in Christ", that you are "more than a conqueror", and "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." God has done a marvelous job of ensuring that we have His definition of our lives available to us and he wants us to know that "sin no longer has dominion over us" because of His grace at work in our lives. I trust that these truths will help you establish your heart and frame the way in which you view yourself. In this process, you discover that what you believe will actually change the way you behave. Continue renewing your mind and be amazed at what God does through your life.

Talk to You Tomorrow

Sorry folks. It's been a busy day. I plan on having a new blog entry for you tomorrow. Thanks for checking in. Be Blessed!!!

Are You a Social Drinker?

Before we go any further I want you to understand that I will not be discussing drinking. I'm using this title as a play on words. According to Ephesians 5:18 the Bible tells us "...do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit." It's an incredible comparison. Most of us know how to get drunk but we don't know how to be filled with the Spirit.

Hopefully by now I have your attention. In this portion of the letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul is teaching the believers how to walk in love. We learn how to walk in love by being imitators of Christ. And we become imitators of Christ when we learn how to be filled with the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit of God is not a one time event. The way this verse is constructed in the original language tells us that we are to be continually filled. That's why Paul follows up the statement "do not be drunk with wine" with "be continuously filled with the Spirit." Is it starting to make sense? You and I will be able to walk in love as much as we are willing to be filled with the Spirit of God.

Read the Gospels with the sole purpose of viewing the life of Christ. You will discover that at His baptism the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. You will also discover that Jesus constantly withdrew Himself to a private place to pray and commune with the Father. Jesus' life is the example for us of what it means for a man to live rightly related to God. Anytime Jesus came out of His time with the Father there was always something significant that took place. Why? Something significant would happen because Jesus was continuously being filled with the Spirit of God.

You see this same approach in the book of Acts. Anytime something significant begins to take place in the lives of the Apostles, the Bible tells us that they were filled with the Spirit of God. Therefore, the Christian life is a continuous filling of the Holy Spirit that is marked with significant activity in the power of God. This filling of the Holy Spirit is not regulated to church services but is a vital part of the intimacy we have with Christ. The problem we see today is that too many people are waiting to "get to church" to get their fill. In other words, we have not learned how to draw from the well of the Spirit on a daily basis and somehow think if I can just get into the "filling station" then I'll get enough for another week. Sad to say but most Sunday mornings people look like they are coasting into the building on fumes and are desperate to get the tank filled.

It sounds horrible to say it but I have met a lot of social drinkers as it relates to the Holy Spirit. In other words, the only time they drink is when they are in the presence of those who drink. The early Christians knew nothing of this type of experience. For starters they did not go to church - they were the church. Secondly, they were not dependent on people to fill them up because they were brought up to understand their relationship with Christ along with their function within the Body of Christ. I'm not saying that they didn't experience different levels of anointing or fillings when they would fellowship with other believers. What I am saying is that the Christian experience was very different.

You and I must get out of this mentality. While I am grateful for the opportunity to worship and fellowship with other believers, I do not "go to church" to get filled. I have learned how to live in such a way that the Holy Spirit can continuously fill my life. This does not imply that I am perfect or that I always get it right. It simply means that I have learned how to "drink" on my own.

Let me encourage you to:
Read the Bible - You will be amazed at how much the Lord can teach you on your own.
Pray - This is vital to experiencing Christ on a daily basis.
Meditate - Allow the Word of God to permeate your being. Listen to Lord.
Get Ready - God will continuously fill your life with His Spirit.
And as always - Enjoy the journey!!!

I'm going to go ahead and say it...

To quote Popeye, "I stands all I can stands and I can't stands no more." To say that our nation is divided over politics is an understatement. To say that the church is any different on this matter would be a lie. So how do we handle the mess of American politics as a follower of Christ? I'm glad you asked.

Before we get too far into the conversation, I feel it's important to tell you where I'm coming from. When I logged onto facebook this morning I saw a post from a "friend" about another "friend." Apparently he had been de-friended on fb because of political differences. He called it childish and that this person needed to grow up. I then noticed in the comments that he had mention his "friend's" name. This sparked other people to comment in like manner. Being the laid back non-confrontational person that I am (LOL), I commented. It seemed to me that this person was being just a childish because he posted something about another person when they couldn't see it. If you have issues then you should email them. Personally I don't believe putting these things out for everyone to see is the right way to handle it. The response? He de-friended me. Oh the irony!!!

What's my point? My point is that we tend to view other people in a light that we are not willing to live under. Jesus told us that whatever judgement we wanted to hand out would be the same judgement that we would have to live under (major paraphrase here). The thing we have to remember when it comes to political and religious discussion that they can become heated if we are not willing to allow Jesus to be Lord over these areas of life. And right now things are heating up. Not a day goes by where I don't see hundreds of posts in favor of one political party or another. I get emails from different groups about supporting this candidate or this cause. It's amazing how many different political organization are out there. Seriously...can you imagine what the world would be like if there was this type of excitement over sharing the Gospel?

My encouragement to all of us regarding faith and politics is very simple. If we cannot share our thoughts or our views in a way that honors God and the other person then let's stop. Most people that are talking about politics tend to have their mind made up already. Therefore, the sharing of political beliefs becomes a great big party for those who are like-minded. But for those who are outside the inner circle it feels more like "bull in the ring".

I'm not saying that you cannot have an opinion. I'm not saying that you cannot share your opinion. I'm simply saying when it comes to social media or social interaction that you need to be prepared to hear opposing opinions. If you are entering into an open discussion then get ready for this little surprise: NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO AGREE WITH YOU. If they do then there is a good chance that your friends are too much like you.

When it comes to people of faith and their politics (and I'll probably take some heat on this one) - there are times when the best response is to not say anything. I'm serious! Let your voting do your talking for you. It's really that simple. There is a time and season for everything under the sun. If someone asks your opinion then feel free to share. If someone is looking for answers then you have an opportunity to give them yours. I would just like to see all of us turn it down a notch when it comes to the issue of politics. Especially if you call yourself a follower of Christ.

I know this hasn't been a typical post. Believe me when I say there are other things I'd rather be discussing. It's just my opinion that people of faith have a greater responsibility when it comes to these issues. We have the opportunity to share Christ in everything. We can express His heart and His character in every situation. And what we have to understand is that how we vote doesn't make us a better Christian. We don't become more like Christ because we pulled the lever for the right candidate. We become more like Him when we allow our minds to be renewed by the truth of His Word. To quote the Apostle Paul, "As much as lies within you, live peaceably with all men." 'Nuff said.

Functioning in the Gifts of the Spirit

Romans 12:6, "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them..."

1 Corinthians 12:4, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit."

One more quote. This one comes from Bill Johnson: "I try to stay conscious of the God who invades the impossible. Otherwise I will reduce ministry to my ministry gifts."

What we need to understand from the Word of God is that each of us have gifts that we can operate in through the Holy Spirit. These ministry gifts are meant to be used to build one another up in the Body of Christ. They allow us to function outside of natural talents and to be reliant upon the power of God in our lives.

What we need to understand from Bill Johnson's quote is that keeping our focus upon a God who invades the impossible keeps us from functioning just from the gift. Instead...we learn to function from His voice, His direction, and His presence. Some people may question this type of approach especially if they have never had to function outside their gifts. However, it's a complete reliance upon the Giver of the gifts rather than the gift itself.

I'm a firm believer that every follower of Christ has a primary ministry gift. This gift becomes our expression of Christ among other believers. We all have a part of Him that we get to share. This doesn't mean that we are not completely in Him. It just means that as a part of His body we are not the whole. We learn to rely upon His gift within us along with the gifts found in the rest of the body. And as each of us learn to express our part in Him when we come together - He becomes visible.

With all of that being said, I'm very disturbed with how many churches approach the idea of spiritual gifts. Have you ever filled out a "spiritual gift inventory"? I have. In fact, I have handed them out. Most of these inventories ask you a series of questions that are used to pinpoint your particular ministry gift. What I don't like about them is that it becomes a glorified personality test rather than a true marker of spiritual gifts or it tends to trend toward activities people enjoy versus discovering the gifts that God has given them. Some may ask why this process is in place. My opinion? With all the arguments about what gifts are "valid" within the Body of Christ and what ministries are still available, we don't have anyone using the discernment of the Holy Spirit to identify what He has place inside of individuals.

Understanding your primary gifting is important. You and I need to understand how the Lord desires to use us in His church. However, because of the limited understanding many believers possess about spiritual gifts it can leave us lacking or unwilling to function outside of them. Have you ever heard someone say "I'm not gifted to do that"? Dear friends, if you have the Giver of the gifts inside of you then you have access to every ministry gift. You have access to the divine nature of God. His power is always at work in you. As important as understanding your primary gifting in the Body of Christ is, it's equally important to know that you can draw from the God of the impossible in every situation.

Focusing on God rather than the gift makes you ready for anything. If you are in a situation that requires discernment, a word of knowledge, or the prophetic then you must learn to draw from His indwelling presence. All of these things are available in Him. This type of approach also keeps us from trusting in the "specialized" ministry mindset. God is not limited in His capacity to use you unless you have limited Him. And this is how we need to function as the followers of Jesus in the earth. We must live with the awareness that He can invade any situation.

I want you to remember that Jesus is our model for life, ministry, and intimacy with God. Too often we look to our church structures for guidance in the area of ministry. I'm encouraging you to look at the Head of the Body which is Christ Himself. The best laid ministry plans can never trump what God is able to do in one individual who has totally submitted themselves to His use. Jesus functioned in every ministry gift that was available. How is that possible? It's possible because He learned to live with the awareness that God was always with Him, God always heard Him, God always answered Him, and with God all things are possible.

Enjoy the journey!!!

Never Forget - Never Surrender

As I begin today's blog entry, let's take a moment to remember those who are still dealing with the pain and loss of 9/11. My heart goes out to the thousands of families who lost loved ones through this senseless act of terrorism. May we never forget and may we never surrender.

The words spoken by President George W. Bush following this horrible tragedy still linger in the minds of most Americans: "Never Forget - Never Surrender." It's this mantra that has served as a battle cry for action against terrorism and a united effort to keep our country strong. They were powerful words spoken by a powerful man. However, as with all words, if we lose the resolve to flesh it out then we will find ourselves doing what we have always done - live in complacency. To be quite honest with you, I see this as one of the continual tragedies of 9/11. While we tend to pick up our resolve around the anniversary and honor the ones who are still suffering, people in our nation typically revert back to life as usual.

The issue of complacency also finds it's way into our spiritual lives. How often have people attended conferences, read books, been involved in studies, or encountered inspiration through a particular service only to revert back to the same old habits and way of life within a few days? It seems that almost every believer that I know has been through this very thing. Some may say that their resolve simply wasn't strong enough. It's my opinion that it isn't the resolve that's the problem it's that we have allowed complacency to replace it.

Consider this with me: What would our world look like if we continued to walk out all of the decisions that we have made? How would our relationships be different if we walked in the commitments we made to our spouses, our children, or our friends? What would be the environment within the community of believers (the church) if we never allowed complacency to be entered into the equation? I think all of us would agree - things would be DRASTICALLY different.

The key to overcoming complacency? Never Forget - Never Surrender.
Always be mindful of your relationship with Christ. Remind yourself of His incredible sacrifice. Think about all that God has accomplished through His death and resurrection. Remain in awe of His life changing grace. AND never surrender yourself to complacency.

Personally I believe that if we maintain a continued focus upon our relationship with Christ (you know...where He is everything) then we never give place to complacency. We continually rediscover ourselves in Him. We begin to view ourselves the way He views us. We are constancy aware of His presence in our lives. We hear His voice, we see His hand at work, and we know His heart. This is a REAL place of existence. Jesus never doubted who He was. And please don't pull out the "well He's Jesus card" because it doesn't work for me. Jesus didn't come to show us what God could do as a man but to unlock the possibilities of man rightly related to God. He did nothing of Himself but only what He saw His Father doing. Everything Jesus did, He did, as a man who was empowered by the Spirit of God. Then...before He left His followers, He said in essence "Go and do the same."

I'm actually excited about what can take place through the lives of Jesus' followers when they never forget and never surrender. I believe that we can shape this world, awaken each generation to the love of God, and continually be amazed at all that He does. We have the opportunity to see Heaven invade Earth as long as we walk in the awareness of who we are in Him.

Be blessed my friends. It's good to be back with you.

PBC Voice Returns!!!

Hello PBC Voice readers. I will return next Tuesday - Sept. 11th - with some new blog entries. Hope you can join me.

I hope to share with you more thoughts on your identity in Christ, continue to challenge any religious mindsets, and encourage you to press into the reality of God's Spirit in your life.

Enjoy the rest of your week. Look forward to sharing with you on Tuesday.

Be Blessed!!!