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Living Hope/Leadership Part 1
Living Hope/Leadership Part 1
I want to start these thoughts by defining three important principles that we must take to heart. They are leadership, ministry, and goals.
Leadership is defined this way; “The action of leading a group of people or an organization. A leader is a person who guides and inspires. WIKI says of leadership, a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others to accomplish a common task.”
Ministry is defined this way; “The act of serving. One that serves. Ministry comes from a Greek word which actually means to serve as a slave.”
Goals are defined this way; “An observable and measurable end result having one or more objectives to be achieved within a more or less fixed time frame. A goal is a desired result a person or group of people envisions, plans and commits to achieve within a set time period.”
Goal setting involves establishing specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time targeted objectives.
I want to define leadership and ministry from the Biblical perspective. I will begin by sharing two passages from the Gospels that represent our example for leadership and ministry.
Matthew 20:28 NASB
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Mark felt it important to share as well.
Mark 10:45 NASB
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
Now grant it the mission of Christ far exceeds anything that we have been called to accomplish. It will at times seem like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders but it is nothing close to what He accomplished by His service to us.
Let me make something clear from the onset. From time to time you may hear me share some aspects of ministry that will sound negative. It is because I want you to understand that there are things you will face that may discourage you or even hurt you. Christ being our example of this.
With that said I want you to know that serving the Lord and His people has been and will continue to be the greatest joy that I have ever experienced. Sharing my life with others has been an amazing journey.
If you dedicate your heart and life to ministry you will find out what I mean.
Let me get back to Biblical ministry. The type of servant leadership that Christ represented was embedded in Biblical tradition from Genesis to Revelation. It was clearly represented in the life of Christ.
Even leadership positions outside of the church recognize the importance of service. The famous NBA coach Pat Riley wrote in his book how easy it was to become selfish in a team environment. He wrote, “It becomes all about me.”
He wrote that you must give up something in the immediate present, to attract something better in the future.
The reality of ministry begins with servant hood to the people that God has already placed in your life. Ministry to God, is service to others.
Remember these passages from the Gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 25:31-40 NASB
31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.
32 All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;
33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;
36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’
37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?
38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?
39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
40 The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
You know how it ends for those who did not serve.
He doesn’t ask us to do something that He has not already done. We will look at this ministry concept from the record of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples.
Normally at a house like this where a supper was being hosted there would have been a servant to carry out the customs of the times one of which was washing the guests feet. This was done for comfort because the roads traveled were dusty and the common shoe was a sandal.
To the disciples Jesus did the unthinkable when He took on the role of the servant. Just recently some of the disciples had argued who would be the greatest in the kingdom so they were having a huge problem understanding what Jesus was doing. Jesus was and had been trying to teach His followers what we call upside down values. In other words Kingdom living is totally counterintuitive.
“Contrary to what intuition or common sense would indicate.”
Jesus was teaching them and us that, “The way up is down”
You can’t really follow Christ unless you believe that what He calls us to pursue is better than what the world can give.
Ministry or leadership will not succeed until we believe that we are not just called to give up something but to actually gain something much better.
John 13:1-3 NASB
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him,
3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God,
This account begins with Christ acknowledging that His time had come. The Father had put all things under His power. He knew where He came from and where He was going.
Here is a ministry and leadership principle that you must never forget. It is simple in nature yet crucial for your success.
“You must be sure of your calling and you must be sure who you are!!”
Now I want you to play very close attention to the next two verses.
John 13:4-5 NASB
4 got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself.
5 Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
You need to understand something. Jesus washed the feet of Judas.
Jesus washed the feet of the person that would betray Him to the High Priest.
The kingdom perspective of ministry is to die to your own ambitions and find your life by losing it in the service to others.
Part two coming later. Be blessed as you follow Christ.
#lovewins #hopelives
“Here Comes This Dreamer”
Here Comes This Dreamer
Purpose is defined several ways but there are two definitions relevant to me.
First, the reason for which something exists. Secondly it refers to determination and resolve.
Bear in mind, as a pastor, I look into the present, and the future. The broader reason you and I exist is to fulfill the will of God. We exist because of His mercy and grace. There is never a question of this truth.
The question is do we know what our role is in fulfilling the will of God?
What also remains a question is our determination and resolve to believe in the purpose of God for our lives.
My purpose as a Pastor is, “To help people access their dreams and, or, maximize their potential.”
For some it will be helping you see the obstacles that hinder you. While others still it will be helping you grow into your ministry. All the while consistently and persistently telling the story of Jesus.
I want to eliminate most of the reasons that cause us to think we have no potential to accomplish God’s will for our lives. I will do so by reading 3 verses from Hebrews 12. You will find that with determination and resolve you can do anything.
Hebrews 12:1-3 Message
1 Do you see what this means – all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running – and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.
2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.
3 When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
For some you need to read these passages over and over until faith arises in your souls. “Here Comes This Dreamer.” is the story of Joseph and what God fulfilled in his life. All of it started with two dreams.
Genesis 37:18-20 NASB
18 When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.
19 They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer!
20 Now then, come and let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; and we will say, ‘A wild beast devoured him.’ Then let us see what will become of his dreams!”
Let me say something clear and unambiguous. “There will always be someone who wants to kill your dreams.”
If you will read Genesis 37-50 you will see the constant adversity that Joseph faced before his dreams were realized.
Now we know that His dreams were given by God. We know that because it is the past and there is record that we believe the dreams came to pass.
Our dreams often lay dormant in our minds because we can not see how they will come to pass.
For the purpose of these thoughts, a dream is defined this way, “a condition or achievement longed for; or oversimplified it means a goal.”
I have always been a dreamer. Today I dream of at least 2-3 Amazing Life Church locations with pastors raised up to carry the same vision and purpose for the preaching of the Gospel that we have delivered in this house.
I dream of ministries that have faced failure or hurts that have stopped their dreams in their tracks to once again rise up in the Amazing Grace of God and fulfill their dreams and visions that God placed in their hearts. Looking at adversity with faith in Who He is and What He has done.
I have dreams for the people that God has placed in my path.
Purpose that they have yet to acknowledge because they do not believe in themselves and the grace of God in their lives. I see them in their anointing and it is amazing.
Let me share quickly three things that Joseph did that were examples to us.
1-Speak your dreams.
2-Believe your dreams
3-Never doubt your dreams even in your adversity
We do not have the benefit of a magical crystal ball where the future appears with a wave of the hand. The only resource we have is our faith in God. I can share one thing with you that should strengthen your faith and your resolve to move forward in your dreams.
Here it is.
God has already seen you in your future and your success has already been established in His will.
The psalmist David shared this in one of his psalms.
Psalms 31:14-15 NASB
14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.
That word times is translated from a Hebrew word which means, “seasons.
The season for the fulfillment of Joseph’s dreams took a while but His trust in God never wavered. He walked in his dream before it came to pass.
This is one of my favorite quotes from Oswald Chambers.
“Leave the broken, irreversible past in God’s hands; and step out into the invincible future with Him.”
Don’t let doubt and fear fill your heart and mind. When God puts a purpose, or a dream in you, He has already seen it come to pass.
Believe in Him Trust His leading, and move forward. It will most often take a while. Remain faithful, and you will see it come to pass.
#lovewins #hopelives
“Knock Knock”
Knock Knock
We are in a season of awesome opportunities. Hearts and minds within the church are coming to understand the power in the message that the Apostles built the church on. Jesus. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
I have been asked, what about the whole Bible. The answer is simple. Jesus is the whole Bible!!! In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The OT is all about how you can’t make it without Him. The NT is about embracing Him, accepting Him, and believing in the Kingdom authority He delivered to us.
Know Him, and you will know His word. Love Him, He first loved you. Follow Him, you will fear no evil.
Jesus used the words I am, to describe 7 different components of who He is. They are all found in the Gospel of John.
“I am, The bread of life. John 6:35. I am, the Light of the world. John 8:12. I am, the door. John 10:9. I am the Good Shepherd. John 10:11. I am, the Resurrection and the Life. John 11:25. I am the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6. Finally. I am, the True Vine. John 15:1.”
I Am The Door Interests me
John 10:1-11 NASB
1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.
2 But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
5 A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”
6 This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them.
7 So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
“The word door in these passages literally means, an opening or entrance. It is used metaphorically to be the name of Him who brings salvation to those who follow Him. Also denotes the door to the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Verse 9-“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
The word through from the Greek means, “by means of.” The word pasture is a great word. From the Greek it means, “fodder or food.” Figuratively it means, “we shall not want the needful supplies for the true life.”
Verse 10-“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
The word thief comes from the Greek word, “klep-tace.” It means, “embezzler or pilferer.” In the use of the Greek lexicon it means this. “The name is transferred to false teachers, who do not care to instruct men, but abuse their confidence for their own gain.”
The Apostle John finished the message from Christ to the seven churches in chapter 3. This followed.
Revelation 3:20-22 NASB
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
21 He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
Jesus declared Himself to be the door. He was talking to His churches, and to us. Now He is knocking on a door. This is so awesome.
“If you don’t knock at His door. He will knock on yours. The door to your heart.”
Are you conscious of His appeals?
When He knocks and you open He becomes your guest. When He is your Savior, He is your host. Spreading a table before you filled with His goodness. Filled with everything that you will need to walk in victory. Walk in Kingdom authority.
What do you want today? What would you ask if you knocked, and He answered?
Matthew 7:7 NASB
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Luke 11:9 NASB
So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Today is your day. #lovewins #hopelives
“Uncovered”
Uncovered
What an amazing time to know the Lord. I have always loved the shift, the change of winds that occur when a new season is coming around. The supernatural presence of God is filling hearts that are receptive.
He is, as He always has, using the willing to confirm the Gospel with signs and wonders. It is how the church was built and how it’s construction will continue. People are tired of talking about it, and they are experiencing it. The amazing, powerful, presence of God.
I want to share today a story that is very familiar to anyone who has been in church or around Christians any length of time.
The story of David and Goliath is very well known.
1 Samuel 17:1-11 NASB
1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.
2 Saul and the men of Israel were gathered and camped in the valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array to encounter the Philistines.
3 The Philistines stood on the mountain on one side while Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.
4 Then a champion came out from the armies of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
5 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze.
6 He also had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders.
7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron; his shield-carrier also walked before him.
8 He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel and said to them, “Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me.
9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us.”
10 Again the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together.”
11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.
This gives us a picture of a very formidable and dedicated enemy. Jewish history says this taunt by Goliath had probably occurred twice daily for 40 days.
I must acknowledge something that is notably missing from this picture. In these Biblical times the Ark of the Covenant represented the presence of God. Joshua marched behind it around Jericho, and it went before the children of Israel under Moses. Moses said this of the Ark.
Numbers 10:35-36 NASB
35 Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said, “Rise up, O L ORD ! And let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You.”
36 When it came to rest, he said, “Return, O L ORD , To the myriad thousands of Israel.”
The ark was in the house of Abinadab and his son Eleazer an estimated 20-30 miles away. Saul did not follow the Ark.
Back to Goliath. The name Goliath means, splendor but it comes from a very interesting root word. Goliath is translated from the Hebrew root word, “Gaw-law’” which means, “to strip, to reveal, to uncover, and to disclose.”
The awesome presence of this formidable warrior had striped Saul and his followers of their faith in God. He had revealed, uncovered, and disclosed their fear.
How many have had a Goliath in your life. Something that pulled back the facade and exposed your weakness, failure, or vulnerability?
David’s father had sent him with some goods to check on his brothers.
1 Samuel 17:22-23 NASB
22 Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line and entered in order to greet his brothers.
23 As he was talking with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the army of the Philistines, and he spoke these same words; and David heard them.
The men fled again and when they reached a safe place they began to tell of the great rewards that the king would give the person who killed this Goliath.
1 Samuel 17:26 NASB
Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?”
His words trickled down to Saul and David said this.
1 Samuel 17:32 NASB
David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”
Saul questioned his ability and David shared the victories that God had already granted Him and replied this way.
1 Samuel 17:36-37 NASB
36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.”
37 And David said, “The L ORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the L ORD be with you.”
I Samuel 17:40 NASB
He took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine.
The rest of the story you know. David won.
Goliath revealed fear in Saul and his armies.
To David he revealed covenant.
Goliaths will come our way from time to time in our life. They come to peel back, reveal, uncover or disclose something that needs attention.
Remember the first passage I read? First part.
“ Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah”
David was from the tribe of Judah. This speaks of covenant and inheritance.
Goliath was standing on David’s front yard. God had given it to Him and His family.
He was not only defending the armies of God, He was defending His covenant, and his inheritance with God.
Would that we would stand against the enemy on the grounds of our inheritance.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done. “In His Name”
Have a great day and weekend. Blessings to you all.
Revealing Jesus Everywhere
“Revealing Jesus Everywhere”
I believe with all my heart that we have only just begun to influence this community and our worlds with the amazing Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I love the global church and I love Amazing Life Church.
The plan of God has never been that complicated. Most often He tells us what He wants before we even start. His Word reveals a clear destiny for God’s people and the Church. It’s simple. We are the light of the world. The salt of the earth.
(We Reveal Jesus)
What complicates this is the way we deviate from the Gospel and taint it with our own opinions. Our religious traditions and rules will dim the light. Those who are yet to follow Christ find us hard to understand.
As I say this I am giving God all the glory. When I look into our communities I see churches beginning to talk of awakening. Sharing a more inclusive message of Christ and His love for everyone.
I said prophetically years ago that we, at ALC, were plowing a path. Tearing down walls that have imprisoned people. People who needed Jesus, but were rejected because of the way they looked or the lives they lived.
The tears came at this point as I thought on our sacrifices and our faithfulness to His Gospel and His plan for ALC.
We have only begun to see the Glory of God in this church, this community, and the surrounding areas. God is big in His promise. He has much more in store for us as we follow Him.
The Lost Sheep Are Coming Home!!!
Psalms 139:7-12 NASB
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,”
12 Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.
If we really understood the value He places on us. The relevance to His amazing plans for the world. The enormous wealth of power and dominion He has transferred to us. All the while, with us as we follow Him, and even as we run from Him. There is nothing that we could not accomplish in the name of Jesus.
Let me unfold a few of these passages and endeavor to make them relevant to everyone.
Psalms 139:7 NLT
I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!
Jeremiah 23:24 NASB
“Can a man hide himself in hiding places So I do not see him?” declares the LORD . “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD .
I suspect there are times that many of us wish we could hide ourselves from the Lord. Maybe, maybe not, but there were those in the Bible that did.
The most notable that came to my mind was Jonah.
Jonah 1:3 NASB
But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD . So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD .
Jonah 1:3 Amplified
But Jonah ran away to Tarshish to escape from the presence of the LORD [and his duty as His prophet]. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish [the most remote of the Phoenician trading cities]. So he paid the fare and went down into the ship to go with them to Tarshish away from the presence of the LORD .
Psalms 139:11-12 NLT
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.
The word light has a different meaning in each verse. In verse 11 it is translated from a Hebrew word which means literally, light of day, but figuratively, the light of instruction. In verse 12 the Hebrew word has no literal meaning. Figuratively it means, the light of joy and happiness.
There are two very important statements made by Jesus regarding light.
John 8:12 NASB
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
The Greek word for light in this passage has all the literal meanings you would expect. Light from a lamp, heavenly lights, light from a fire. In this passage it is used metaphorically and the meaning is this.
(God is light because light has the extremely delicate, subtle, pure, brilliant quality of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it that which is exposed to the view of all, openly, publicly reason, mind the power of understanding especially moral and spiritual truth.)
The second statement from Jesus is this.
Matthew 5:14 NASB
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden
The same Greek word with the same meaning. If God is with us. If He is everywhere, knowing everything, how can there be darkness when a Christian
is there.
Go back to the first statement from Jesus.
(he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.)
That word follow from the Greek means this, “to follow one who precedes, join him as his attendant, accompany him to join one as a disciple, become or be his disciple”
You can narrow our Christian responsibility down to two principles. First. Believe, believe that God is with us and that we are His children. Born not of man but by the Spirit.
Second. Reveal. Reveal Jesus Christ to our family friends and in our world. Everywhere we go being the light of Christ.
Hebrews 2:3-4
(how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.)
Tel the story of Jesus. Be the light to someone in your world. It will change your life and theirs.
Praying always for God to reveal Himself in your life.
Be blessed as you walk with Him.
Only the Beginning
Only The Beginning
Greetings to everyone in the name of the Lord. What an awesome Father, and an amazing season of ministry we are in.
People are praying all over this country for God to heal, and strengthen His church. There can only be one result from intense, committed, and persistent prayer. “God Will Answer”
It is my constant prayer for Him to do great things in our region. Praying that He stir the hearts of the faithful to tell the story of Jesus. His greatness is reflected in our words, and our footsteps. “Do we leave a path to Jesus everywhere we go?”
That is at least something to work towards, as we follow Him.
I want to share some thoughts today titled, “Only The Beginning”
Before I get into the text, and the heart of my thoughts I want to share a passage from Psalms. A word to describe the greatness of God in our lives, and our continued quest for more of Him.
Psalms 34:8 NASB
O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
Amplified
O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.
Message
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see, how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.
The word refuge from the Hebrew means, “to flee to for protection, to put trust in, to confide or hope in.”
David is using as a metaphor physical senses. Taste, see, that God is good. This is how we experience Him.
Keep this in mind for the rest of this message, and the rest of your life. “You will embrace what you experience.”
There is a lot of stuff going on in the next few verses.
1 Peter 2:1-6 NASB
1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,
2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,
5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”
In these passages there are three topics I want to cover.
“Leaving Behind-Moving forward-Stones.”
1st Leaving Behind
Verse 1 said, “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”
The Apostle is reminding converts of some very dangerous obstacles. Take note that these are character traits. The Apostle, like me, believes that the things that hurt the church, and our relationship with Christ, are the things we say and do.
Leave malice, an intention or desire to do evil-Leave deceit, the action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth. Leave hypocrisy, the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform. Leave envy, a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions or qualities. Leave all slander, the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person’s reputation.
“Leave behind your flawed character and take on the mind of Christ.”
2nd Moving Forward
Verse 2-3 says- “2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.”
Pure milk of the word. Pure from the Greek means, unmixed. Milk from the Greek speaks of, less difficult Christian truths. Word is not referring to logos. It is from the Greek word, log-ik-os’ and it is referring to reasonable and logical speech or speaking.
You have to follow these basic principles so you can grow, “to increase or become greater” into salvation. Repentance from the old and following Christ is only the first step in a journey of growth, revelation, and experience. “This passage is an admonition to long for more. We must ever be coming to Christ.”
Hebrews 6:1 NASB
Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
Message
So come on, let’s leave the preschool finger painting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God;
“Not By Yourself”
The next 4 verse are talking about stones. Living stones, corner stones. “Why Stones?”
Stones are hard. When the Apostle called us living stones he did not mean hard headed.
To really understand what He is saying we must look at it from an Architectural perspective.
“Stones were for building. Building is a living process in that our relationship with Christ is constantly being built.”
After Peter’s confession of who Christ was. Jesus compared that truth to a stone. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, “upon this rock I will build my church.”
Everything the devil throws at His church will never knock it down. It is a living, breathing, growing work of God.
In Matthew 7:24-25 Jesus ended a parable this way.
Matthew 7:24-25 NASB
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.
Message
“These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.”
“Are you fixed to the rock today? What principles are you building your life on?”
Your initial experience with Christ was only the beginning.
The building is in process!
“I Wonder If”
“I Wonder If”
Sometimes I just can’t hold it in.
The news cycles for the last few weeks have been different, to say the least. In my lifetime I have never seen such irresponsibility and anger from both sides of the political world.
I am not going on a political rant so don’t worry. I am one Pastor who believes that politics in the pulpit is divisive. I really don’t care if you differ. Do it like you want to.
My mission is to tell the story of Jesus. Equip the saints. Disciple the followers of Christ, and whatever else I can do in the name of the Lord.
I wonder if some of the responsibility for the confusion and fear can be laid at the doorstep of the American church.
For decades the message has changed, according to the messenger. Yet for thousands of years the message has remained the same, Biblically.
Before I go further understand this. I love the church. Local and global it is the only real hope for the world. The only source of redemption is the Christ we share. The only source of restoration to the Father, and the Kingdom Authority that has been passed to His church, is Christ.
If I could share one thing that everyone in the church would hear it would be, tell the story of Jesus. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension is the Gospel.
The church needs to share the Gospel, not the Gospel plus!!
I have never been a fan of the Reformation. This year is the 500 year anniversary. What Luther did had to be done. It is the aftermath that bred division.
In 1517 there were 2 recognized churches. The Catholic and the Orthodox church. Today there are more than 41,000 Christian denominations and religious institutions. This according to Christianity statistics.
Do you see my point. It is very difficult to preach unity in the house of God with so many different opinions of our faith.
Much of the division is structure, order, symbolism, that can be merged with a common message. It is my prayer that the ministry begins to seek this common ground.
I am not suggesting merging churches. Each church that was ordained by God has a purpose in their local area.
Back to our awesome country. We are the light of the world. The salt of the earth. The sin, fear, destruction, wasted lives. The anger, disappointment, unbelief, can be placed at the doorstep of the local church. At least to some degree.
Light cancels darkness. Salt preserves. The message is a life changing message. Somehow it is not reaching some of our age groups in a powerful way.
The message of the Gospel that was proved with signs and wonders changed the world in the years after Christ ascension.
The foundation of the church was built on the message of Christ, and the blood of the Martyrs. The greatest testimony of the time were those who faced death, praising God and singing Psalms.
In 2016 over 96,000 Christians were killed, just for being a Christian.
God has protected the American church from physical death by persecution for many years. “I wonder if” We have failed to die to ourselves?
Our society has moved, in some degree, away from any accountability. What I want, when I want it, and how I want it is the theme for many.
The church has not escaped this movement.
Praise be to God. Strong and powerful leaders of prayer have risen in the American church. These and countless numbers of local Pastors are crying out to God for our country.
Our prayers are being joined in synergy with all the prayers of the present and the past. Prayers that have cried for revival. A great awakening.
Prayers for the healing of the land. The healing of the broken and the hopeless.
Amazing Life Church is small in comparison to many churches. Yet we are huge in prayer. Believing for our community and putting boots to the ground. Making a difference in the lives of our school children, and the lives of people trying to find their way.
I pray that you made it this far. The love I have for the church and its place in the world consumes me.
“I wonder if” We would pray longer, give more, love with all our heart. “I wonder if” We would tell His story more. Reach beyond the limits in our minds, and step outside our religious box. “I wonder if” Our world would change. Our light would shine, and our faith would grow.
Do this and you will not wonder anymore. You will see the glory of God.
Thanks for looking. Praying blessings and favor for you.
#lovewins
“He’s Always There”
“He’s Always There”
God has been so awesome and faithful as this year has progressed. Each week His presence has been awesome. Humbled yet determined I find myself expecting more.
There is something frightening, at least to me, about being satisfied.
I look to Father everyday for revelation. Strength, and answers to prayer. He is the source of my breath, and the surety of my faith. I love Him always.
I want to begin with some passages from Isaiah. His writings are unique considering he often fails to distinguish intervals of time. In many of his writings he will begin with Israel being judged for their rebellion. Revealing God’s plan for their punishment or their demise. Then, in the same chapter begin to write prophetically about the Messiah that would deliver them and save them from sin.
Isaiah 59:19-21 NASB
19 So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west And His glory from the rising of the sun, For He will come like a rushing stream Which the wind of the LORD drives.
20 “A Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” declares the LORD .
21 “As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the LORD : “My Spirit which is upon you, and My words
which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says the LORD , “from now and forever.”
In this Messianic prophesy we find the promise of an eternal covenant. It has always been God’s purpose to reveal Himself to every generation. Eternally embracing the people of the world with His awesome love and grace.
Verse 21 NLT, “And this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children’s children forever. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
His plan has always been an eternal plan. From your 1st heartbeat, to your last, God’s plan for you was established. The plan for salvation. The plan for victory and peace. Every aspect of our lives He is aware of.
His love is eternal. He loves you in your rebellion, your failure, your doubt, your insecurity. He loves you in tragedy, in your fear. He loves you in obedience. When you follow Him and reveal Him to others. His love for you will never be diminished by your sin. I love Him because He first loved me.
Isaiah 62:10-12 NASB
10 Go through, go through the gates, Clear the way for the people; Build up, build up the highway, Remove the stones, lift up a standard over the peoples.
11 Behold, the L ORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth, Say to the daughter of Zion, “Lo, your salvation comes; Behold His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him.”
12 And they will call them, “The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD ”; And you will be called, “Sought out, a city not forsaken.”
Isaiah 62:10-12 Message
Walk out of the gates. Get going! Get the road ready for the people. Build the highway. Get at it! Clear the debris, hoist high a flag, a signal to all peoples! Yes! G OD has broadcast to all the world: “Tell daughter Zion, ‘Look! Your Savior comes, Ready to do what he said he’d do, prepared to complete what he promised.’” Zion will be called new names: Holy People, G OD – Redeemed, Sought-Out, City-Not-Forsaken.
When God restores, He changes our name. From who we are to who He has destined us to be!!
These passages have a very clear meaning. His purpose is an eternal purpose. He is always with us. Forgiving, directing, speaking, and protection.
God comforted Abram about His promises.
Genesis 15:1 NASB
After these things the word of the L ORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.”
The word shield in this passage is defined from the Hebrew, “defending, covering, surrounding.”
Not a promise has He ever made that He would not defend. To the giving of His only Son, in death for our sins.
Love this one. Psalms 91 is called a Psalm of protection. The author is unknown. Here is a very familiar verse.
Psalms 91:1 NASB
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
“Everlasting protection”
There are a couple of words need some attention. The word shelter from the Hebrew means, “covering, hiding place, protection,” I love that.
Dwells is an awesome word. From the Hebrew it means, “to be inhabited.”
It implies living in Him, but it means Him living in us!!!
2 Peter 1:3-4 NASB
3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
His promises are eternal. Eternal love, forgiveness, protection. “He’s always there”
Be blessed this week with His favor and grace.
A Season of Increase
“A Season of Increase”
I am excited about what God is doing, and positioned to do in our lives and in the world. We are living in an exciting time of expectation. People are rising to the challenge that faces the church. Moving away from dead works of the law and becoming relevant in their communities.
Some say that people have abandoned the truth, but Jesus said I am the Way, and the Truth.
Preaching the story of Jesus is preaching the pure undefiled by the hand of man truth. The Truth, Jesus will set you free.
It is the Divine destiny of the church, and God’s people to live in Kingdom authority and provision. Words and phrases like, I want more, more of Jesus, increase, supernatural, ring over and over in my head.
I have heard others say similar things as we press forward in the amazing presence of God.
I want to establish this fact. I can not give you more. You have to get it the same way I do. I can create hunger, share examples, define more, and present the path that will take you to more of Christ. You have to follow it. You have to want it.
Remember this, God is always available to lift you up, heal your brokenness, and establish your paths in Him.
The prophet Jeremiah was telling of the promise of deliverance of God’s people from captivity in His 30th chapter.
Jeremiah 30:17 NASB
‘For I will restore you to health And I will heal you of your wounds,’ declares the L ORD , ‘Because they have called you an outcast, saying: “It is Zion; no one cares for her.”’
God says I will do it because I can. Not because others do, or do not want me to. I will do it because I can.
In God’s plan for us and for His church there has always been seasons. I will define this as periods of time that are a part of our relationship with Christ. The passage in Jeremiah tells of a season of hurt and persecution. These things develop into depression and feelings of despair. They felt as if they had no value.
God took this season of drought and watered it with a promise. I will heal, I will restore, because I care for you.
In Hosea the fifth chapter God had rebuked Israel and their priests for their apostasy. Apostasy meaning turning from God to other false gods.
Hosea 6:1-3 NASB
1 “Come, let us return to the L ORD . For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.
2 “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him.
3 “So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD . His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.”
Hosea 6:3 Amplified
So let us know and become personally acquainted with Him; let us press on to know and understand fully the greatness of the LORD to honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him. His appearing is prepared and is as certain as the dawn, And He will come to us in salvation like the heavy rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.
I believe that God is calling us as a body, and some of us as individuals to press on to know and fully understand the greatness of God.
All of us together, the faithful, the givers, the prayers. Those of us who are risk takers not satisfied with status quo. All of us together will weep for the lost, cry for the church that has left it’s first love. Repent of our sins, fears, and doubts. Rejoice and worship for His mercy and grace.
We will see friends and families saved, healed, and restored.
I want to share an awesome word from the Gospel of John.
John 3:26-30 NASB
26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.”
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.
28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’
29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
From the Greek increase means, to cause to grow, to increase, to become greater. Decrease means, in dignity to be made less.
This mighty man of God stepped down from the stage
and gave place to the one whose season had come.
“Jesus said this of Him.”
Matthew 11:11 NASB
Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
There are seasons of time that seem like we are losing ground. Heaven seems quiet. Revelation comes slowly. It is just a season of time. Requiring our faithfulness and love to remain strong.
One thing I have learned in my relationship with Christ, and studying His words.
There are times we have to give up, to get.
Jesus taught us that when He wrapped a towel around Him. Picked up a bowl of water and washed the disciples feet.
He was teaching us that strength, faith, power. All the Kingdom authority that we have inherited. All of this and more is shrouded in humility.
You want to be great in the Kingdom of God? Learn to serve. Do it like He did it.
May you be blessed and favored by His love and grace. In Jesus name.
There is Opportunity Everywhere
There is opportunity everywhere.
Chapter 4 of the Gospel of John is one of my all time favorite chapters in the Bible. It tells the story of the woman at the well.
John 4:1-6 NASB
1 Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John
2 (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were),
3 He left Judea and went away again into Galilee.
4 And He had to pass through Samaria.
5 So He *came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph;
6 and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
Now I know that the scripture says Jesus was weary from His journey. While looking at this something stood out to me. On His way to Galilee He went through the country of Samaria and stopped at a city called Sychar.
From the Greek Samaria means, guardianship. The name of the town Sychar from the Greek means, “drunken.” I am not suggesting that He wasn’t tired. I am suggesting that Jesus stopped at this city because the name itself presented opportunities.
Every day of our life we are presented with opportunities to share the story of Jesus. To help someone in need. Share an encouraging word. Simply put, someone in your world needs you.
One of the definitions of compassion from the Greek is, active compassion. In other words, if something moves you, this compassion would ask you to do something about it.
You wouldn’t be able to say I feel sorry for you and leave it at that.
Active compassion was the very heart of Christ. Faith moved him, and need moved Him. These things moved Him to do something.
In this dog eat dog world we must rise to the same level. Do it like He did it.
John 4:7-14 NASB
7 There *came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus *said to her, “Give Me a drink.”
8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.
9 Therefore the Samaritan woman *said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
11 She *said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water?
12 You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?”
13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again;
14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
John 4:14 AMPC
But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life
John 4:14 Message
Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”
Two words need some attention. “Living Water”
The word living comes from a Greek word and is used metaphorically. It means, “to live, breathe, be among the living. Having vital power.”
Water, also metaphorically from the Greek means, “of the primary element of which the world arose.”
Eternal creativity. It is in us!!!! It will consistently satisfy our thirst for God. For Eternity!!
John 4:15-20 NASB
15 The woman *said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw.”
16 He *said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.”
17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus *said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’;
18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.”
19 The woman *said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.”
Jesus is giving her a picture of who she is. This is the benchmark of His ministry. Revealing Himself by His compassion for others. Breaking two very serious customs during this time to do so. Samaritan-Woman
What was He doing? He was tearing down walls of religion.
John 4:21-26 NASB
21 Jesus *said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23 But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
25 The woman *said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.”
26 Jesus *said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”
The words spirit, and truth are used metaphorically in this passage. Spirit means, “the power by which the human being fells, thinks, and decides. Truth means, respecting God and the execution of His purpose through Christ.”
Then He tells her straight out who He is.
Remember, do it like He did it. It will reveal Jesus to the world.