Tag: Faith

You Have To Be Kidding

April 20, 2017

You Have to be Kidding

Yesterday I posted a blog with some short thoughts on the condition of the church, and the message it shares. Of course I was speaking broadly, as I indicated in the post.

You will find no greater advocate for the church than me. Betty and I have fought for more than 14 years for the right of all people to find safety and love in the church. For some unknown reason to me, some people define the love of God for all people as flesh pleasing. Avoiding the truth of their sin filled lives.

There is nothing further from the truth. At Amazing Life Church we have seen many over the years come to Christ and be baptized, all because they were shown God’s love. They turned to Christ because they heard His story. The only thing that can redeem them is to believe in Christ as their Savior.

I hate sin. The problem in many churches is there is only one or two sins preached. Heaven forbid you teach Proverbs six, or the rejection of Christ by the wealthy young ruler. The story of how we put things before Him. Jealousy, pride, or failure to forgive.

Who are you worried about offending when you will not acknowledge these sins?

There is not a person, in my belief, that does not see their sin,when in the church, you create an atmosphere of love and praise.

When this happens you allow God, and the Holy Spirit to do their job. (When He comes, He will convince the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.)

I have to say that I love it when religion is angered. It confirms the word from the Lord and its relevance to us today.

Some may take from my earlier post that I am criticizing the church. Once again, nothing is further from the truth. I call it like it is. I am a Pastor, not someone who just shows up. I Pastor a church, not just a group of people.

I love the church, and it is nothing more than arrogant hypocrisy to tell the world it needs to repent. All the while refusing to look at ourselves as members of His body, and acknowledge our faults and failures. Then repent ourselves.

In Romans 2 Paul was rebuking the church for passing judgment on others. Then He said this.

Romans 2:4

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? The Kindness of God!!!

Five different verses in Revelation show Jesus calling on His churches to repent.

The church at Ephesus, Revelation 2:5. The church at Pergamum, Revelation 2:16. The church at Thyatira, Revelation 2:21. The church at Sardis, Revelation 3:3.

I love the fifth one, it is the church at Laodicea.

Revelation 3:19

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

You see, I love the church, and when you find me challenging the church and its message, two things are going on.

First, I look at myself and the work we are building. Have I, or others within our church wandered off course. Is there something we need to improve. Something requiring repentance.

Secondly, because I love the church I will point out what I believe to be the danger that occurs when the church rejects the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

From the Greek, the word Gospel is defined as good news. Vines dictionary further defines the Gospel as the story of Jesus. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.

It is not Jesus plus, it is just Jesus.

Hope this clears things up for some of you who were confused.

As Paul said, let me show you a more excellent way.

I pray you are blessed and empowered by His love.

#lovewins #hopelives

My heart, To Yours

April 3, 2017

My heart, To Yours

I wanted to share some thoughts today about my responsibility as a pastor, and all of our responsibilities as Christians.

There are those who tend to complicate these issues. Wrapping them around theological issues and statements of faith. This approach is ok for those who enjoy the depth of the scriptures and the plan of God for our lives.

I am one of those who digs deeper and deeper as time goes by. Looking at the church fathers and writings from the Apostles who studied and followed the original 12, and throughout over 2000 years of writings from church fathers, desert fathers and so on.

There is so much great stuff available. It is awesome. With that said, the Bible is my heart and my life as I follow Christ. It is knowing Him. The Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Back to my original point. As a Pastor I believe that we all must take on the heart of Jesus. He looked beyond the religious community and their acceptance of people. He offered His love and compassion to everyone He came in contact with.

The world today is raging with controversy. Even in the church world people are divided by boundaries and theology.

Before I go further, I have never been a fan of the reformation. It had to happen, but it created an historical divide in Christianity. At the time there were basically 2 recognized churches. Catholic and Orthodox.

Today, the most recent statistics I could find, tell us that there are over 41,000 different denominations and religious institutions. Many of these are related to each other, still there is too much room for division.

There are many praying in intercession today to tear down these walls of division. Revival is coming. With all my heart I believe it.

The Gospel is simple in nature, yet profound in accomplishment. The story of Jesus, His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension is the Gospel message. It has changed the lives of millions when delivered in that form. It will continue to do so today.

To take on His heart means I have to care about others. Every Christian has this responsibility.

Not only to care, but we must endeavor to help in what ways we can.

Prayer is the most effective way to join people together, and feel the burden of those who need us.

Prayer softens our heart and moves our will, to His will. It will reveal your purpose and the steps you must take to fulfill it.

One of the things that the Holy Spirit moves in me is a burden for those who are struggling. Often I don’t even know the reason, but when prompted to pray, I do so.

Many times it is a physical drain as intercession cries out from my heart to His.

I want so much to help, yet often I can only pray. God positions healing, and answers as we intercede in prayer.

From feeding thousands and healing the sick. Encouraging the hopeless, and teaching His followers, Christ taught us how to care.

How can we turn our face from the tragedies in this world and call ourselves, followers of Christ.

Start in your local area and begin to pray. The Holy Spirit will open a path for you to follow.

It will lead you to more prayer, and intercession. It may also lead you to someone in need. Be ready. He will test your faith.

I am praying everyday for His love, mercy, and grace to move throughout this world.

Remember this. It moves through us. He loves, through us. Heals, through us. Reveals Himself, through us.

We are the light of the world. We must shine the light of Jesus.

Be blessed this day. In Jesus name I pray.

#lovewins #hopelives

“Here Comes This Dreamer”

February 21, 2017

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

There is Opportunity Everywhere

February 2, 2017

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.

Dressed For Battle

January 26, 2017

“Dressed for Battle”

The healing power of the Gospel moves forward in our world as we pray and deliver the message to the people that God puts in our path. It is a message of life and not death. Strength in weakness, faith in the midst of tragedy and failure. It is the greatest story ever told. Tell it everywhere you go. The Good News will create hunger and change in your world.

I want to begin these thoughts with Ephesians the 6 th chapter.

Ephesians 6:13-18 NASB

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS

WITH TRUTH , and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ,

15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE ;

16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION , and the sword

of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.

This reading gives you a general view of the weapons and protective gear that we must develop in our lives to become powerful in Kingdom Authority.

I want to read these verses again from the Amplified, and one by one share some thoughts on each verse.

Ephesians 6:13 Amplified

Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to successfully resist and stand your ground in the evil day of danger, and having done everything that the crisis demands, to stand firm in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious.

That word stand in these passages from the Greek means, “to make firm, fix, establish,-to uphold or sustain the authority or force of anything.” There is nothing in the battle for our destiny that teaches us to settle. We will successfully resist, do everything to stand. We will be prepared, and victorious.

We are going to have some fun with this next verse.

Ephesians 6:14 Amplified

So stand firm and hold your ground, HAVING

TIGHTENED THE WIDE BAND OF TRUTH personal

integrity, moral courage AROUND YOUR WAIST and

HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS an upright heart.

In the KJV and the NASB waist is rendered loins. This is important to understand for in the Jewish culture as

well as other cultures the loins were considered to be the

source of reproductive power. The word truth comes from the Greek word, al-ay’-thi-a, and it means. “what is true pertaining to God and the duties of man-truth as a personal excellence.” It also means, “of a truth, in reality, in fact, certainly.”

Now if we move forward in Christian principles and understand today the source of reproductive power in

the Kingdom of God. We will have to understand how we as Christians produce other Christians. Christians are born out of the preaching of the Gospel. The telling of the story of Jesus. Sharing our personal testimonies and praying for those who have not followed Christ.

So what is the source of truth. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes

to the Father but through Me.” Same Greek word I defined earlier.

What is the source of reproductive power in Christianity? The words we speak.

Proverbs 18:20-21 NASB

20 With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be

satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Matthew 12:36-37 NASB

36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.

37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your

words you will be condemned.

Ephesians 4:29 NASB

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

These are amazing passages that tell us the importance of what we speak. Do we share words of life or words of death? Is our speech uplifting or does it leave people confused and discouraged?

Wrap the truth of the Gospel around your tongue. Your life will reveal Jesus and change the world you live in.

Ephesians 6:15 Amplified

and having strapped on YOUR FEET THE GOSPEL OF

PEACE IN PREPARATION [to face the enemy with firm-

footed stability and the readiness produced by the good

news.

Ephesians 6:16 Amplified

Above all, lift up the protective shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Being covered with our persuasion and confidence in the saving power of Jesus Christ. Completely confident in His love and purpose for our lives.

It will stop every wicked tongue and false accusations that the enemy forms against you.

Ephesians 6:17 Amplified

And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION , and the sword of

the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Protect your minds from doubt and fear. Allowing the Word of God to comfort you, lead you, and develop you in Kingdom Living. (Let the same mind be in you that was in Jesus)

Ephesians 6:18 Amplified

With all prayer and petition pray with specific requests at all times on every occasion and in every season in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition interceding in prayer for all God’s people.

Message

In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

The value in warfare of being a collective. A unified group of believers that have each others back in times of need.

Thanks for looking today. Praying blessings and favor in your walk with Christ.

What about Them?

January 20, 2017

“What about Them?”

This year is moving fast. Not only in time, but in involvement in our community. God has been moving in people’s hearts to see this ministry bear the fruit that God has positioned us to bear.

Ever since we started the backpack event at Amazing Life Church, our mission has been to serve our community. We have also been committed to provide a safe place for any and everyone to hear the awesome story of Jesus.

The only walls we have standing are the ones who hold back religious persecution. Those who use the Bible to divide God’s people, and alienate others who want to know Him.

“These walls will stand strong, as we continue to do what Jesus did. Minister in every way we can, to everyone we can.”

Jesus spent much of His time refining religion. He tried to put God first in the hearts of His priests but they would not hear. The concept of God being present, and in them was something they could not embrace.

As a result He moved God and His power beyond the singular control of the Levitical priesthood. He empowered common people to build His future church, and establish His presence in the hearts of man.

He took people who lacked education, and most lacked wealth. Many were common sinners, some prostitutes. Some housewives. Tax collectors and fisherman.

He chided the Jews for their unbelief. Healed lepers, blind men, demon possessed. He fed thousands with a prayer. Many of these unnamed men and women followed Him. He sent forth people to establish His works and many more were touched by His words and deeds.

After His ascension He empowered His church to work the works of God.

His ministry was rough on the religious community. He caused them to look beyond the normal standards of service. He taught that service must be shrouded in humility.

That word shrouded has 2 meanings. It means to conceal or hide something. It is also speaks of the garment that dead people were wrapped in.

Many years ago, even before God moved me here. He began to deal with me about the focus of my preaching. He moved me away from what was normal. Simply put everybody preached against sin. The sins for the day would vary, based on news cycles or whatever our favorite preachers would establish each week. That was considered hard, tell it like it is preaching.

One day God showed me what hard preaching was. Like the story of Isaiah I shared last week, He showed me a picture of who I was. I didn’t like it. He showed me wasted time. A critical spirit. The need for prayer. Most notably, He showed me my failure to love as He loved.

It changed my life and made me a rebel in certain circles. A title that even today I am proud and honored to claim. Compromise they say. Afraid to tell the truth.

I have never feared God’s truth. He is Truth. His way is Truth. His life is Truth. I love Truth. The truth is, the hardest preaching is not preaching sin. It is preaching that makes us look at ourselves. Saint or sinner. Preaching that challenges our faith and our love. Preaching that demands we forgive. Preaching that moves us to hunger for more of His presence. Preaching that challenges us to love sinners and tell them, without prejudice. The story of Jesus.

It is this preaching I embrace today. It is this preaching that will change us, and as a result, it will change the world we live in.

There is no greater revelation than that which comes from seeing ourselves, saint or sinner, for who we really are. Seeing what God sees.

I have found myself many times referring to portions of Psalms 51. David’s prayer of repentance. Although I have never been guilty of the sin he had committed. Sin is sin, is it not? Failure to love. Being critical. Wasting your time or your gift. Pride, arrogance, and so on and so on. This is part of David’s prayer.

Psalms 51:10-13 NASB

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.

Message

God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don’t throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home.

This prayer speaks to a very important trait that all of God’s people must obtain.

Being in a position to reveal God, and to day, the path to God, Jesus. In a manner of authority and accountability. A position of humility and repentance.

I find it awesome that a prayer from a repentant OT figure can be relevant today. Cleanse me, renew me and give me strength. Embrace me with your presence. Restore my joy and my willingness to obey. “All of this so I will be able to tell your story!!!”

In The Gospel of John chapter 21 Jesus had risen and found some of the disciples at the sea of Tiberias.

Preparing to go fishing. When you get down to verse 15 you find Jesus challenging Peter. Do you love me more than these. Peter responded several times in the affirmative.

Just above verse 18 is the title, “Our Times Are in His Hand” Then Jesus said this.

John 21:18-23 NASB

18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.”

19 Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He *said to him, “Follow Me!”

20 Peter, turning around, *saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”

21 So Peter seeing him *said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?”

22 Jesus *said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”

23 Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Preach-What about Him?

What about you today? Your relationship. Your dreams. Your faults and failures.

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