John 4:34
My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. (NLT)
And as His disciples for today I believe we are tasked with the same mission.
There are so many places to go for a meal it would be difficult to name more than a handful of them. Of course our tastes differ so those you might name would be different from the ones I might. And some of us cannot afford ones some of you might enjoy.
But when we leave after finishing our meal, we are either just filled up for the sake of eating or we are really satisfied after a great meal at a special place.
Usually we pick the place based on the occasion. The other night we went to a restaurant we had never been to before in hopes of a great meal as we celebrated another wedding anniversary. The success of the evening could not be enhanced or lessened by the ambiance or the meal, but it was nice to be out together for a special time.
There is nothing as exciting and fulfilling as seeing Him work through our hands and the words Holy Spirit speaks through us. Of course those we speak to are those He has placed in our path and made known to us. The work we have to do is helping in the finishing of what God has begun in their lives; the task he has placed before us.
We must be always at the ready; ready to reach out and be a doer of the word as Holy Spirit encourages us forward to complete the Fathers' work.
Monday, July 02, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Learning Truth
Proverbs 14:15
Only simpletons believe everything they're told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. (NLT)
From the time we come into this world we are taught to believe those over us. It starts with our parents and grandparents. Then it extends to our teachers at school and then college.
Mix in the surrogate teachers such as the video games, movies, and television shows we are exposed to early in our lives and we have a lot of things we consider truth.
Video games and television have replaced personal contact at home. They have become babysitters allowing us to separate ourselves from our children while we do our own thing at home. We let screenwriters and computer programmers teach our own children.
Wow, what a mess has been made. And we wonder why many grow up confused and unable to discern right from wrong, good from bad.
Gone are the days of learning moral values from stay at home moms. Gone are those days of learning to read and then enjoying books where we learn additional values. Gone are those days of even reading the Word of God.
Many churches have even given over their sunday schools to video teachings of others. They listen/watch the production and then discuss what has been said. Instead of reading God's Word and learning how to find the Truth in it, we are told the truth.
Thank God for the preachers who still rely on Holy Spirit to help them prepare a message and even all HIm to put words in their mouths as the speak. For a message might be good when it is created by piecing it together from little bits of other's talks. But it is life changing when Holy Spirit is allowed to step in and step up the message.
No matter who we are listening to or what we are reading, the most important thing to do is test the message with the Word of God. And I am not just speaking about a sunday message at church. No, I am talking about our daily walk in life. If what we see or hear does not line up with what God has revealed to us personally in His Word, then we MUST avoid it. We must turn the other way toward God and be free.
Only simpletons believe everything they're told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. (NLT)
From the time we come into this world we are taught to believe those over us. It starts with our parents and grandparents. Then it extends to our teachers at school and then college.
Mix in the surrogate teachers such as the video games, movies, and television shows we are exposed to early in our lives and we have a lot of things we consider truth.
Video games and television have replaced personal contact at home. They have become babysitters allowing us to separate ourselves from our children while we do our own thing at home. We let screenwriters and computer programmers teach our own children.
Wow, what a mess has been made. And we wonder why many grow up confused and unable to discern right from wrong, good from bad.
Gone are the days of learning moral values from stay at home moms. Gone are those days of learning to read and then enjoying books where we learn additional values. Gone are those days of even reading the Word of God.
Many churches have even given over their sunday schools to video teachings of others. They listen/watch the production and then discuss what has been said. Instead of reading God's Word and learning how to find the Truth in it, we are told the truth.
Thank God for the preachers who still rely on Holy Spirit to help them prepare a message and even all HIm to put words in their mouths as the speak. For a message might be good when it is created by piecing it together from little bits of other's talks. But it is life changing when Holy Spirit is allowed to step in and step up the message.
No matter who we are listening to or what we are reading, the most important thing to do is test the message with the Word of God. And I am not just speaking about a sunday message at church. No, I am talking about our daily walk in life. If what we see or hear does not line up with what God has revealed to us personally in His Word, then we MUST avoid it. We must turn the other way toward God and be free.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Urgency
John 10:10
The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (NLT) ...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (NASV)
It is so easy to think we need to do God's work for Him. We forget what Jesus did while he walked the earth. He reached out to everyone by being who he was. He was not Bible bashing or telling everyone they needed to follow him or they would go to hell in the afterlife.
He completed the Father's work. As he was led, he healed and taught. Those who were healed became followers and learned from him as he taught life lessons which always lined up with the scripture they knew.
God wants us to live life to the fullest. The New Testament is filled with details for living life in harmony and truth. We need to read it, absorb it, and live it.
The urgency is not about where others are going to end up. No, It is about life here on earth right now. It is about living a rich and satisfying life, an abundant one. And as we go about life, others God has for us to meet will come across out paths so we might share His light with them.
The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (NLT) ...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (NASV)
It is so easy to think we need to do God's work for Him. We forget what Jesus did while he walked the earth. He reached out to everyone by being who he was. He was not Bible bashing or telling everyone they needed to follow him or they would go to hell in the afterlife.
He completed the Father's work. As he was led, he healed and taught. Those who were healed became followers and learned from him as he taught life lessons which always lined up with the scripture they knew.
God wants us to live life to the fullest. The New Testament is filled with details for living life in harmony and truth. We need to read it, absorb it, and live it.
The urgency is not about where others are going to end up. No, It is about life here on earth right now. It is about living a rich and satisfying life, an abundant one. And as we go about life, others God has for us to meet will come across out paths so we might share His light with them.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Follow Me
Luke 18:42-43
And Jesus said, "All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you." Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too. (NLT)
There are many thoughts on evangelism today and numerous tracks meant to entice people to know about Jesus. Often they use scare techniques about heaven or hell. Who wants to go to a place of eternal fire?
Although it is true that those who do not follow Jesus will be subject to judgement and probable eternal damnation, He did not use this approach to get people to follow Him. Why do we?
The Word, and Jesus is the Word, went forth with signs and wonders following. All who saw it praised God and followed Jesus. So simple. yet why do we adopt other methods?
As we go about our daily business, are we "the Word" to those whom we meet? Are the words we speak filled with His Love and Mercy? Are our actions those of a humble servant meeting the needs of others?
I know I find myself focused on my todo list and driven to check off all on the list. Do I miss those around me because of my myopic vision or am I open to the leading of Holy Spirit as I go from place to place?
May we reach out to others in all we do. May we be ready with a kind word, a touch, or even to do a deed for everyone He puts in our path.
And Jesus said, "All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you." Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too. (NLT)
There are many thoughts on evangelism today and numerous tracks meant to entice people to know about Jesus. Often they use scare techniques about heaven or hell. Who wants to go to a place of eternal fire?
Although it is true that those who do not follow Jesus will be subject to judgement and probable eternal damnation, He did not use this approach to get people to follow Him. Why do we?
The Word, and Jesus is the Word, went forth with signs and wonders following. All who saw it praised God and followed Jesus. So simple. yet why do we adopt other methods?
As we go about our daily business, are we "the Word" to those whom we meet? Are the words we speak filled with His Love and Mercy? Are our actions those of a humble servant meeting the needs of others?
I know I find myself focused on my todo list and driven to check off all on the list. Do I miss those around me because of my myopic vision or am I open to the leading of Holy Spirit as I go from place to place?
May we reach out to others in all we do. May we be ready with a kind word, a touch, or even to do a deed for everyone He puts in our path.
Monday, June 04, 2012
Anticipation
John 12:26
Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. (NLT)
Jesus says to follow Him. He also says to just believe. And He tells us we must be born again. Wow, which are you--a follower, a believer, or born again? Are these choices or are they a path we take from believing, to following, to becoming born again?
Many have used the technique of asking a non-believer where they are going when they die. Heaven or Hell? Many are encouraged to give their lives to Jesus with this approach. They listen to the message following the question and say what we refer to as the sinners prayer. We count them as being in the Kingdom!
This leads me to another question. Do we lead a righteous life because of who we have become as a follower of Christ or in anticipation of judgement after death? In other words are we saved just because we said the words?
Back to the beginning. Does saying the words make us believe? Does it make us a follower? Does it automatically give us new life in Jesus with Holy Spirit in us?
Truth is, we can believe whatever our mind has decided to believe. Convinced the only way to heaven is through Jesus, anyone would want to take that path. So we believe because of that conversation with another believer. The test is in where we go from there.
Believing is not following and Jesus knows His sheep. He knows who is following Him. And it is those manifesting the fruits of the spirit He baptizes in fire. It is those who receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling of Him forever.
Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. (NLT)
Jesus says to follow Him. He also says to just believe. And He tells us we must be born again. Wow, which are you--a follower, a believer, or born again? Are these choices or are they a path we take from believing, to following, to becoming born again?
Many have used the technique of asking a non-believer where they are going when they die. Heaven or Hell? Many are encouraged to give their lives to Jesus with this approach. They listen to the message following the question and say what we refer to as the sinners prayer. We count them as being in the Kingdom!
This leads me to another question. Do we lead a righteous life because of who we have become as a follower of Christ or in anticipation of judgement after death? In other words are we saved just because we said the words?
Back to the beginning. Does saying the words make us believe? Does it make us a follower? Does it automatically give us new life in Jesus with Holy Spirit in us?
Truth is, we can believe whatever our mind has decided to believe. Convinced the only way to heaven is through Jesus, anyone would want to take that path. So we believe because of that conversation with another believer. The test is in where we go from there.
Believing is not following and Jesus knows His sheep. He knows who is following Him. And it is those manifesting the fruits of the spirit He baptizes in fire. It is those who receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling of Him forever.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Followship
Mark 8:34
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me." (NLT)
It is not because we were convinced to follow Jesus that we get to heaven and it is not by happenstance either. Following Jesus requires more than a road map. That is just following a set of rules. True followship requires friendship and fellowship.
In our zeal to tell others about Jesus it is easy to work hard and giving a logical explanation as to why it makes sense to follow Him. Like who wants to spend eternity in hell? But Jesus is not an insurance policy we grab a hold of just in case it is all true. We have to believe the story.
We can attend church all our life and never really know Jesus. It is not about Him becoming a friend of ours because we hang around with other Christians. Associating with Christians does not make us believe; it is not something that happens by osmosis. It is about us seeking Him out and becoming His friend because we believe.
John 14:6
Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." (NLT)
That belief comes when God flips a switch in us and it all becomes clear. We know in our heart that Jesus is the way, the Truth, and the light. Then the decision is truly made and we begin a walk that will continue through eternity with our new friend
Then we have true followship and no one can turn us away.
Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me." (NLT)
It is not because we were convinced to follow Jesus that we get to heaven and it is not by happenstance either. Following Jesus requires more than a road map. That is just following a set of rules. True followship requires friendship and fellowship.
In our zeal to tell others about Jesus it is easy to work hard and giving a logical explanation as to why it makes sense to follow Him. Like who wants to spend eternity in hell? But Jesus is not an insurance policy we grab a hold of just in case it is all true. We have to believe the story.
We can attend church all our life and never really know Jesus. It is not about Him becoming a friend of ours because we hang around with other Christians. Associating with Christians does not make us believe; it is not something that happens by osmosis. It is about us seeking Him out and becoming His friend because we believe.
John 14:6
Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." (NLT)
That belief comes when God flips a switch in us and it all becomes clear. We know in our heart that Jesus is the way, the Truth, and the light. Then the decision is truly made and we begin a walk that will continue through eternity with our new friend
Then we have true followship and no one can turn us away.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Live Long and Prosper
Deuteronomy 5:33
Stay on the path that the LORD your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy. (NLT)
We remember the prosper piece of this scripture and hope for those prosperous times as we define prosperity in this country. Too often our hopes are so high we put all of those things we associate with prosperity on credit cards and then pray for God's help in paying them off.
Are we really so confident in His promise to give us prosperous lives or are we just greedy? Do we just want all that our parents had and more sooner than we should? Do we just feel entitled to it?
Let's look at the sentence preceding the one on prosperity. This is the condition, the IF. First we have to stay on the path Father God has commanded us to follow. Too often the path we are following is one of our own making having nothing to do with that which God has for us.
So then how do we justify the expectation of prosperity by God's hand when we live by our own plan? We live thinking it is by our own hands that we will succeed and then ask God to prosper us.
Isn't it about time we listened to God and let Holy Spirit guide us into the truth about the path meant for us? Then we will see prosperity in ways better than finances.
Stay on the path that the LORD your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy. (NLT)
We remember the prosper piece of this scripture and hope for those prosperous times as we define prosperity in this country. Too often our hopes are so high we put all of those things we associate with prosperity on credit cards and then pray for God's help in paying them off.
Are we really so confident in His promise to give us prosperous lives or are we just greedy? Do we just want all that our parents had and more sooner than we should? Do we just feel entitled to it?
Let's look at the sentence preceding the one on prosperity. This is the condition, the IF. First we have to stay on the path Father God has commanded us to follow. Too often the path we are following is one of our own making having nothing to do with that which God has for us.
So then how do we justify the expectation of prosperity by God's hand when we live by our own plan? We live thinking it is by our own hands that we will succeed and then ask God to prosper us.
Isn't it about time we listened to God and let Holy Spirit guide us into the truth about the path meant for us? Then we will see prosperity in ways better than finances.
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