As The World Turns

Earthquakes, Volcano Rumblings/Eruptions, Flooding, Tornadoes, Etc. These are all signs of the time in which we live. In the face of such uncertainty one thing is for sure: the earth is only doing what Scripture says she will do - "groans and labors with birth pangs..." (Romans 8:22). I don't believe in "Global Warming" because it is a MYTH but I do believe in "Global Groaning" because it is a fact stated in God's Word.

"For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body." Romans 8:19-23

What a thought! Creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

It's hard to put this into words. Can you imagine that every time the Gospel is shared that the earth bends her ears to hear the results? Or can you imagine that the earth groans even louder in those places where the Gospel has not invaded?

From the fall of man until now the earth has been under subjection to the same corruption that we face. The earth is slowly dying - just as you and I - until the day she can be delivered and set free.

What are we waiting for? Let's join God in the mission of seeing the sons/daughters of God revealed in the earth. Now is not the time to wait. There is no better opportunity than now for us to be involved in the work of the Gospel.

I started thinking about this yesterday evening. As final preparations are made for PBC's 1st mission trip of the year (Alaska), I found out that Mount Redoubt has been rumbling. Immediately this portion of Scripture came to mind. Oh, how Mount Redoubt awaits the revealing of the sons of God in Alaska.

Please pray for the team that heads out on Friday. Pray for their usefulness in the Kingdom. Pray that God will begin to prepare the hearts of the Native Alaskans. Pray for a harvest. There is a lot of work to be done, however, God is already at work. This Arctic Mission Team will simply be joining God in what He is already doing in the state.

And while you are praying for this team and their work. Pray that God will begin to move in your own heart. This portion of Romans also speaks about the groaning within ourselves. The Spirit of God should be moving us to compassion and intercession for the lost around us! Do you groan for those in your life who do not know Jesus?

May each of us join in the resounding song "Jesus SAVES! Jesus SAVES!"

The Common Struggle

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond-servant, and coming in the likeness of men." Philippians 2:5-7

One of the greatest misunderstanding we have of Jesus is thinking that all the great things He did while in the earth was done because He was God in the flesh. As long as we keep His humanity at a distance we will never unlock our own potential in the kingdom of God.

Jesus told His disciples that they would do "greater things" than what He did while on the earth. He assured them time and again that they could operate in God's power and gave them authority over sickness, and demons. As long as they walked in faith and in what Jesus proclaimed them to be - nothing could stand in their way.

Don't you find it interesting that after Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him that He went into the wilderness to be tempted? This was a necessary part of His obedience to the Father so that He could become the High Priest that we needed. Hebrews 4:15, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Jesus showed that through the power of the Holy Spirit (becoming completely reliant upon His work in life) we can overcome any temptation the enemy throws our way. It doesn't matter what the temptation is or what form it comes in: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, or the pride of life; each of them can be overcome if we will submit to the perfecting work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

I know that Jesus was God in the flesh. However, He chose to operate as a man. His body grew weak, He was hungry and thirsty, He felt pain, and He knew sorrow. And even though He could say "I and my Father are one" - He chose to operate as a servant of God through the power of God flowing in His life.

Please don't miss this! Jesus chose the title "Son of Man" so often. He didn't run around saying that He was the Son of God. He could have! He also could have called down legions of angels to deliver Him from the agony of the cross. He could have stopped Pilate in his tracks. There's so much He could have done but chose to operate on the basis of faith, submission, obedience, and dependency upon His Father.

Should we be any different?

Trust me when I say that our common enemy doesn't want us to operate in this knowledge. One of the greatest temptations that we face is living a life that is far below what God has intended. If the enemy can get us to think that we are less than what Jesus says we are then he will keep our possibilities limited. But if we can learn to operate in life the way Jesus did - trusting that what He spoke over His followers is true for us as well - then our possibilities are limitless!

I can see the church beginning to think this way again. I'm excited about the opportunities that are happening right now in kingdom minded believers. There has been a lack of spiritual reality in the church for far too long. We have turned our members over to the mercy of surgeons, their spiritual growth to the ability of programs, and their faith experience over to our convenient planning. May God forgive us for limiting Him in the lives of others.

Almighty God,
I thank You that Your Word is truth. What You spoke to us through Your Son is true in our lives. It's the knowledge of this truth that sets us free to live for You.
I pray that You will continue to unleash Your power in our lives. May the children of God begin to live in the authority that You have given to them. May we see the Holy Spirit as more than just a seal over us but as the life source within us.
I pray that Your followers will begin to operate as the early church. May we never leave opportunities untouched. May we walk in the faith that You have granted. And may we see the Kingdom of God advanced in our generation.
Until Your Coming - In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Resurrection Sunday!

He's Alive!

May the resurrection of Jesus become a reality in your life today.

Standing at the Cross

I pray that the story of the Cross never gets old. You may think that sounds ridiculous but I'm serious. It's far too easy for things to become familiar even when we speak of the foundation of our faith in Christ.

Paul said, "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14

When was the last time you looked upon the Cross? Have you ever put yourself there by faith and stood in awe of the love of God? How could we boast in anything but the Cross? It was on that dark day at Calvary that the payment for my sin was made. It was there at Golgotha where God demonstrated His love for me. It was there that the Savior of the world poured out His blood so that I could go free!

As we reflect upon the death of Jesus today, I want to share with you some of the old hymnals of the faith. Look upon the words and make them your own. May God cause us to blush at the shame, scorn at the humiliation, weep at the anguish, and rejoice over our salvation.

And as you look upon the Cross I want you to remember: "Sunday's Comin'!"

At the Cross
"Thus might I hide my blushing face
While Calv'ry's cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt mine eyes to tears"

At Calvary
"Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan!
Oh, the grace that bro't it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary"

The Old Rugged Cross
"In the old rugged cross
Stained with blood so divine
Such a wonderful beauty I see;
For 'twas on that old cross
Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me."

All that Jesus did on the cross bought salvation for you and me. If it were not for His blood being shed we would never be set free. Praise His glorious name!

As I close out today's blog I want to share with you the words of Charles Wesley as he thought about what Jesus' sacrifice meant in his life.

And Can It Be
"Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

Amazing Love!
How can it be
That thou, My God, should die for me!"

April Fools

Psalm 14:1, "The FOOL has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'..."

I can enjoy April Fools Day like many of you. I woke the kids up this morning telling them to look at the snow outside. I troubled my wife with the thoughts of mouse droppings in our bathroom. Most of us enjoy practical jokes. However, the thought that there is no God is no joking matter.

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse," Romans 1:20

Ray Comfort has given one of the greatest arguments concerning the existence of a Creator by simply saying, "The greatest evidence of a Creator is to look at creation. You cannot have a creation without a Creator just like you cannot have a painting without a painter, or a building without a builder." Scripture teaches us that creation itself speaks of the existence of God. When we step outside of our homes we have all the evidence that we need to understand that there is a God.

I don't open the door to my home and say, "Boy, I sure am glad that there was a big bang and my home started existing." No...I know that there was a builder and I am thankful for his workmanship. My house didn't evolve from an ant hill nor did my car evolve from a matchbox toy. Each of these possessions were the product of intelligent design. The same is true concerning each of us and the world in which we live.

As for those who go around thinking that they are too intelligent to believe in God. The joke is on them. Regardless of whether or not we believe in God, each of us will face Him on Judgment Day! He knows every sin that we have ever committed. He views hatred the same as murder and lust as adultery. God is not only the Creator of the World but is the one true Judge over our lives. All of us have sinned against Him regardless of our personal beliefs. How can we ever expect to be acquitted of our guilt? Only through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

This is the Good News that the Gospel message proclaims. Jesus died on the cross according to Scripture. He was buried according to Scripture. And on the third day He rose again according to Scripture. We may try to walk in a God-less existence, however, God has done everything that needs to be done so that we can be forgiven. The moment we turn to Him in faith - that is the moment we are saved.

The fact of the matter is that it takes more faith to believe that there isn't a God. If atheists and agnostics alike will take that faith and turn to a loving God they can be saved. It's simply a matter of repentance. If they will "change their way of thinking" and "turn from their wicked ways", God is all too ready to receive them.

Interesting that April Fools Day falls on the same week that we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus this year. Jesus' ministry, life, and death is one of the most well recorded events in human history. Our calendar even marks the time before He arrived and after His coming. There is an empty tomb in Jerusalem where He was laid. The EVIDENCE is there! All you have to do is believe and receive.

For anyone out there who thinks that I am boasting of my intelligence - I am not. What I have received from God cannot be understood through man's wisdom. The Bible clearly teaches that the natural man doesn't receive the things of God. All I can offer you is the same thing that I received by faith: Eternal Life. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become Children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12-13