Encounter Jesus

The reality is, church as it is structured in the American culture, does not work. Admittedly, its effectiveness is disputable depending on how you define the mission and intention of the church.

The true Church is made up of all who have made the decision, the choice, to die to self and follow Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, most members of the true Church are buried in the rut and routine of Sunday church attendance, behavior management, and loose community. This is not the life we, the true Church, is called to.

I am currently reading a book by Hugh Halter (BiVo - A Modern-Day Guide For Bi-Vocational Saints, ©2013, published by Missio Publishing). Hugh describes church that is incarnational (God with us) and missional. This combines three key elements that bring the church to life.

First, the church is community. Small groups of tightly knit, like-minded disciples. This community serves each other, works with each other, helps each other, and lives life together. The second component is communal. This is the more traditional component we are familiar with. The communal component involve corporate worship, prayer, teaching, and breaking bread. The final component is mission. This is the church in action, together, bringing hope, love, and joy.

Church lived in this manner inspires transformation. It is simple. We are not called to sit in church every Sunday, as consumers, listening to the teaching of a single leader or teacher. Rather, we are called to live life together, in action, to bring the Good News to those God has placed in our lives.

Don't be satisfied with being a Christian consumer. Encounter the real Jesus and step into a life the impacts the world you live in. Make a difference and help those around you discover the Goo News of Jesus Christ!

Recently, I have been intrigued with the story of Joshua as he led the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. We often talk about living by faith and trusting God to see us through difficult times, yet few of us have faced the overwhelming challenge of leading a nation as they step into the fulfillment of God's promise to them. In addition, Joshua has the unenviable position of following Moses as the national leader. These are no small shoes to fill.

Yes, Joshua was the nation's military leader and knew the burden of leading. Yet, he had always had Moses to encourage and remind him. As I see it, it is very likely that Moses spent much of his time mentoring Joshua to remember all that God had done to protect and provide for His people. Joshua was one of only two men that were delivered out of slavery in Egypt and also crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. All other adults had died while the nation wandered in the desert. It was vitally important that Joshua remember God's faithfulness as he lead the nation after Moses's death.

In Joshua, chapter 1, we see God's encouragement to Joshua as he becomes the leader of Israel. Three times, God instructs Joshua to "be strong and courageous." He also reminds Joshua that, as Israel's leader, he must obey all of God's commands. Obedience would ensure the nation prosperity and success. This obedience is not out of self-will or legalistic discipline. Rather, it is an act of love and honor for all that God had done and would do for His people. Obedience sourced out of a deep and genuine love.

At the end of chapter 1, we see the response of the nation to Joshua's appointment as their leader. First, they tell Joshua to "be strong and courageous." This is the fourth reminder to Joshua. I think God really wanted him to hear this. As the successor to Moses, he was probably, and understandably, fearful and doubting himself. How could he ever live up to the standard Moses had set. The key is, God did not want Joshua to be Moses. God wanted Joshua to be Joshua... strong and courageous! So, the people remind Joshua of God's instruction and while providing their vote of confidence.

Joshua 1:17-18 - Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous! (NIV)

This was his nation to lead. He was committed to God and knew God would do what He had promised. Joshua looked to God, not at the circumstances. Joshua believed God.

Do you?

Grace and peace to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Which one of these guys is wearing a mask?

In my opinion, the answer is BOTH… one is just a little more obvious than the other. I am not being critical of Jim Carrey as I suspect he is just like the rest of us (I don't personally know Mr. Carrey and don't presume to know any personal details about his life). We are all actively hiding and trying to put on a front.

Genesis 3:8-9 — Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" (NIV – emphasis added)
 
We have been posing and hiding from the moment sin entered into humanity. It is only as we actively and intentionally press in to be closer to God that we have any hope of overcoming the habit of posing. Honestly, I suspect that we are all terrified that what we are trying to hide behind our mask will be exposed.

Yet, God is calling us to live in the true identity He has given us.

Psalm 139:13-16 — For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. (NASU)

Jeremiah 1:5-6 — “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." (NASU)

Galatians 1:13-16 — For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles (NASU)
 
Men, put away the masks and stop posing. Every single one of us is dealing with issues that result from our constant battle. It is as we walk in truth and grace that we begin to experience the joy of community and the blessing of a unity through the Spirit. Don’t let our common enemy gain an advantage by living in secrecy, shame and solitude. Walk in His strength knowing that our faith is being perfected (not yet perfect) and that the body NEEDS each member to be actively engaged and fully available.

Christianity has become a soft, timid religion. We are more concerned about winning arguments, political debates, and convincing people that their beliefs are wrong. We are focused on the wrong target. As a result, we have lost our effectiveness and have become a joke. 
 
Many Christians are afraid to stand up and proclaim that Jesus Christ is God and eternal life is only possible through Him. Yet, Jesus said:
 
    John 14:6 – Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no 
    one goes to the Father except by me. (NIV)
 
And:
 
    Matthew 7:13-14 – Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and 
    broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But 
    small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 
    (NIV)
 
He seems to be saying, repeatedly and clearly, that there are not many ways to heaven, but One. So, Christians needs to stand and proclaim for all to hear that Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life. This is not done to win a debate, but to change an eternal destination.
 
However, we are timid and fearful that we might offend someone or someone might become upset that we are not more tolerant of their beliefs. Let me say, simply, this is not an issue of tolerance. I can tolerate your beliefs just fine. I just can’t sit back and let you think that you are right or that it doesn’t matter. I do not need to convince you that you are wrong, but introduce you to the One that is THE TRUTH so that deception can melt away. It is critically important that the light of truth shine. There is only ONE WAY to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ.
 
    2 Timothy 1:7 – For God did not give us a Spirit of fear; but of power and of 
    love, and of a sound mind. (KJV)
 
    John 14:15-17 – If you love me, you will obey my commandments. I will ask 
    the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you 
    forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot 
    receive him, because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him, 
    because he remains with you and is in you. (NIV)

Jesus left us to return to the Father. He did not do this out of selfish gain. In fact, it was just the opposite. He had to leave us so that we could receive His Spirit, One that would never leave us and would always remain with us. The Spirit is given so that we can carry out the mission Jesus gave just before ascending into heaven:

    Matthew 28:18-20 – And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All 
    authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and 
    make disciple of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father 
    and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I
    commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
    (NIV)
 
The only way to accomplish this mission is to proclaim the truth in love and grace. We are not to demean or belittle to win a debate; we are to encourage and lift people up pointing them to the Lover of their soul. We are to introduce them to the only One that can give them eternal life! Then, we can welcome them into the family to become part of the body. No arguments. No debates; just faith, hope, and love.
 
    1 Corinthians 13:13 – And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But 
    the greatest of these is love. (NIV)
 
    1 John 4:16 – And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is 
    love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. (NIV)

Happy New Year!

Inspired, intentional intensity! What if these were the words that marked our lives? What if this was how people described us when talking about how we lived life? Every activity is inspired by God as He leads us to put into practice the gifts, talents and abilities He has given us as part of our mission. Every action and activity an intentional movement that accomplishes something that is a specific target consistent with our mission. Always working with an intensity and passion that can only be present while we are completely in line with the work that God has predestined us to accomplish.

The remarkable thing is that some have accomplished this life of inspired, intentional intensity. It is my belief that this is the "zone" that God intends each of us to live in while we are in service to Him. Unfortunately, most of us become distracted with the mundane pursuit of the American dream only to find ourselves trapped in a lie that is void of meaning and purpose. We end up chasing a constantly moving target of pseudo-satisfaction and empty accomplishments. If you don't believe me, ask a neighbor, friend, or associate. If they are being truly honest, they will admit that their reality is far from where their passion lives.

STOP! It is time to stop the madness. Course correction is not admission of failure or wasted effort. It is necessary and healthy. It is the only way to stop going down a dead-end. Spend time asking the One who created you with a purpose to help you find that purpose and begin to live in it. Then, listen for the response and take the steps necessary to begin living in the "zone" defined by inspired, intentional intensity!

How can I be filled with the Spirit when I am already full?

John 20:22 - And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."

Acts 2:4 - And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

Romans 8:11, 14 - But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you... For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Often I find myself crying out for more of God. The question is, "How can I have more if I'm already full?" It isn't simply a matter of making more room. I am at capacity. The Spirit is fully in me. So, what am I really asking?

I am asking for the ability, from the Spirit, to empty myself of my own desires and passions. While that may sound disheartening, it is exactly the opposite. It is the only way to have full life!

While filled to capacity with the Spirit, I am still hanging on to my old way of thinking. I'm still holding on to my old way of functioning. This causes great conflict and disharmony. I cannot hold on to my old ways, ideas and passions while simultaneously asking to be led by the Spirit. I cannot serve two masters.

The solution is simple, but can be painful and unsettling. Give it all away. Give every passion, every dream, every desire, and every ambition to Jesus. Lay them all at His cross. Absolutely and completely let go!

Then, ask Him to return to you the passion and desires that He intended for you from the moment He created you. Ask Him to return the dreams that are in complete harmony with the identity He has given you as your Creator. Ask Him to return your ambition but only for those things that He wants you to accomplish.

Total surrender leads to total life. It isn't about getting more of the Spirit; it is about living more IN the Spirit. That is where you will find your true identity and the only place you will find total fulfillment.

James 1:12-18 
    Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 
    Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. (NIV– emphasis added)

This is a very intriguing passage. It flies in the face of what I have believed for several years. See, I thought that I should pursue the desires of my heart, my passion, so that I could walk in the true gifting that God has given me. After all, I do believe that God is the one that gave those desires and passions. I strongly believe God has wired me in such a way that I can quickly identify zeal, passion, and desire in my heart. Unfortunately, if I am in full pursuit of desire, I am on the road to death.

So, what is the balance? If God is the one who wired me to have certain desires, how can that lead to death? James does a brilliant job of clarifying the real issue. It isn’t that God wired me so I am susceptible to certain temptations as a result of my wiring. It is that I become intently focused on those desires. This misdirected focus drags me away, entices me, and leads me away from God. The wiring is inherently good because every perfect gift… read perfect desire… is from God. When God is the central desire of my heart, the zeal leads to a kind of firstfruits of all He created because He has given us birth through the word of truth. It all comes back to Him!

Psalm 37:3-7 
    Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. 
    Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. (NIV – emphasis added)

When I focus on my desires and chasing my dreams, something critical is missing... God. In my pursuit, I am elevating the zeal to a level higher than God. My focus is satisfying my own passion rather than trusting God to do this as he promised. I am removing him from a most important equation and inserting self. It is no wonder that my desires bring forth death.

Delight yourself in the Lord. Then, watch what he does. While you are watching, delight yourself in the Lord. After all, isn’t he enough to satisfy your every desire?