Sunday, January 20, 2013

Following and Thirsting After Christ



Thirsting After God
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1, by Os Hillman
01-20-2013
..."Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit"....
- 2 Kings 2:9
The first requirement to move in greater power and authority in God is to hunger for it. Yet even this hunger is born from God. Elisha hungered after God. Elisha saw many miracles as Elijah's servant. But he wanted more. He wanted a double portion of Elijah's spirit. When he asked Elijah for this, the prophet responded, "You have asked a difficult thing." It wasn't because it couldn't be granted. Elijah knew that with great anointing came a great weight of responsibility and difficulty.
Second, humility comes before honor. Elisha was known as the "servant of Elijah." How would you like to be known as "the servant of John"? Your name is not even mentioned. This was the preparation of Elisha. It has been the preparation of many men of God. Consider Joseph, the servant of Pharaoh. Consider David, the servant of Saul.

Third, Elisha committed himself totally to his calling. The Scripture says when Elisha was called to join Elijah, the younger man left his farm business completely. He slaughtered his oxen and had a great feast for the community. It was all or nothing. He could not fall back on his farm trade if his new venture didn't work. This demonstrates Elisha's pioneer spirit in stepping out, not knowing what was ahead.

Do you want greater anointing in God? "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you" (Jer. 29:13-14a). Begin thirsting for God's anointing in your heart today. This is the starting place.
Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013


I’ve been reflecting on the word CHANGE all day today (January 1, 2013). I've been singing the chorus to Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror for the past several days and the hymn, I Will Bless Thee Oh Lord is in my spirit. Hallelujah!  
 
change
  [cheynj]  Show IPA verb, changed, chang·ing, noun.
verb (used with object)
1.     to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: 
2.      to transform or convert (usually followed by into  ): 
3.      to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind
4.      to give and take reciprocally; interchange: to change places with someone.
5.      to transfer from one (conveyance) to another: You'll have to change planes in Chicago.
 
Look at number 4 above - isn’t that what God did for us?  He loved us so much that he gave up His son to die in our place on the cross. Can we honestly say that we have reciprocated and loved God back by dying too?  (Mark 8:34 - “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”) (Philippians 1:21 - For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.) 
 
So here we are again at the start of a new year where the desire for change in our lives consume us and resolutions are made.  Each year we make them.  We start out good but seem to fall off that wagon by spring time.
 
It is okay to desire change, but what are those changes that we seek to accomplish and where are they coming from – flesh or spirit?   (Romans 8:5 - Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.)
 
The only change we make this year should be to commit ourselves to God, to desire Him more than anything; and to remain faithful and obedient to His Will over our lives. (Psalm 40:8 - I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.)  Once we put ourselves in God’s hands, He will change us and mold us into the persons He ordained us to be.  That is the only change that matters. 
 
My brother in ministry (thank you Rev. Parker for sharing what the Holy Spirit gave you)sent me these 6 words of inspiration this morning (acronym for C.H.A.N.G.E.) I’ve added some of the scriptures that came into my spirit when I read them.  I pray you all have a year of CHANGE… and I pray that God starts with me (Create in me a clean heart Oh Lord, and renew a steadfast spirit within me).
 
Correcting
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[b] may be complete, equipped for every good work.
 
Matthew 7:3-5 - Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
 
Habitual
Hebrews 10:19-26 - 19 Therefore, brothers,[c] since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
 
            Psalm 119:15 - I will meditate on your precepts     and fix my eyes on your ways.
 
Attitudes
Romans 15:5 - May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Ephesians 4:22-24 - 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
 
Negating
James 3:13-15 - 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
 
1 John 1:8 - If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
 
Hebrews 10:26  -  If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
PS - Stop saying, "it's so hard being a Christian"!   Jesus never said that.  He said that in the world we would have trials and tribulations, but to be encouraged because He over came the world.  We need to speak life - It's EASY being a Christian!  Why?  Because Jesus said so!  He said, "...my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Generational
Deuteronomy 11:18-20 - 18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 20 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates,
 
Psalm 34:11 - Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
 
Errors
Matthew 22:29 - Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.”
 
James 5:19-20 - 19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
 
2 Peter 3:17 - Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Does the Holy Spirit have priority in our lives?


As I complete my shopping and mailed the last couple of Christmas cards. My mind wandered back to our class discussion about the Holy Spirit. We discussed how fans tend to limit the Holy Spirit to a lesser role in their lives. How many of us are guilty of this unintentional oversight as well? As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, do we recall the Holy Spirit's active role in the birth of Jesus Christ? Luke 1:26 – 38 describes the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus birth. It was by the power of the Holy Spirit that Mary became pregnant. I don’t know about you, but I’ve often read these verses and glossed over this important contribution while focusing more intently on other details of the story. Perhaps Kyle is right, that often we treat the third person of the trinity like, “cousin it”. When in actuality, the Holy Spirit, Father, and Son share equal roles and purposes God’s plans.

 
As we celebrate Christmas and prepare to welcome 2013. Let’s resolve to welcome the Holy Spirit in all facets of our lives. We have the privilege of the indwelling Holy Spirit within us. Many a prophet and seer longed for what we now have at our disposal. We have the power of the living God within us. I can’t wrap my mind around it fully, but this knowledge propels me forward. It gives me hope in a world that is not always hopeful. Because, I believe that the Holy Spirit is still active in history. I believe through the Holy Spirit our world can be transformed and rejuvenated. It is the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead that empowers us. I believe it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that salvation is perfected .The Holy Spirit can transform our lives for God’s purposes. What if we completely grasp the power at Christian’s disposal? I believe that with the Holy Spirit guidance we can change our communities, families, and friends, by our witness.


Friday, October 26, 2012

Christian Atheist?


This week I discovered a book with a title that got my attention: The Christian Atheist: Believing in  God but Living as if He Doesn't Exist.  The book, published in 2010 by author Craig Groeschel, challenges our thinking--and conduct--about what it really means to be a Christian.  Groeschel is a pastor of a large church in the western part of the US and describes himself as a "recovering Christian atheist" and recalls that at one point he was a "full-time pastor" and a "part-time follower of Christ."  He notes in the book's introduction:

Instead of a fully devoted follower of Christ, you've unintentionally become a full-time mom or full- 
time student or a full-time bank clerk--and a part-time follower of Christ.  Maybe like so many,      you're a member of a church, but you're secretly still ashamed of your past.  Perhaps you've heard about the love of God, but you're still not convinced that Bod totally loves you.  Or though you're convinced God exists, your prayer life isn't what you know it should be.  Perhaps like many other well-meaning Christians, you know what God wants you to do but you still do whatever you want.  Or you genuinely want to trust God as your provider, but you find it so hard to actually do. 

The Christian Atheist book is another approach to help us consider in essence: Do we act like who we say we are as Christians--followers of Jesus Christ?  See the article below from The Christian Post on the book and Groeschel's message:

Pastor Calls On Christians to Shed Hypocrisy

By Lillian Kwon , Christian Post Reporter
April 7, 2010|9:32 am

Pastor Craig Groeschel is a recovering Christian Atheist.

He may have called himself a Christian all his life, but he didn't always live as if God existed.
It's a struggle he's had both as a layman and as a pastor (of one of the fastest growing and largest churches in the country). And it's a struggle he wants to help millions of so-called Christians to overcome.
Christian Atheists are everywhere, Groeschel, who leads LifeChurch.tv, writes in his newly released book, The Christian Atheist.
They attend church and seminaries and some even read their Bibles everyday.
"Many of us look the part," the Edmond, Okla., pastor says. "Or we think we're Christian because, you know, it's not like we're Buddhists. We believe in God, but our lives don't reflect who he really is."
Groeschel introduced Christian Atheism a few years ago in a sermon series titled Practical Atheist.
The way Christian Atheism plays out, he preached at that time, is: "I believe in God but I want to do whatever the heck I want to do. I want enough of God to keep me out of hell and enough of God to get me into heaven but I don't want so much of God that it makes me change my lifestyle because at its root I believe in God but I do not fear Him."
The four-week series proved to really connect with long-time churchgoers and more than 2,100 people ended up giving their lives to Christ.
Groeschel is hoping that that more people in the pews, the Easter and Christmas Christians, the cultural Christians, and those who simply believe in God but live an atheist lifestyle can shed their hypocrisy and see that there is a better way to live.
Cultural Christian
Like many, Groeschel was born into a "Christian" family. They would go to church when convenient, donate goods to food drives and pray before meals. But that was the extent of it, he says.
He knew about God and believed in God but he didn't know God.
Even the demons believe in God, he notes. So, obviously there is more to the whole Christian thing than just believing in God, he says.
It wasn't until college when he read the New Testament books of Romans and Ephesians and discovered salvation was by God's grace alone that he transformed from a Christian Atheist into a Christian.
"For the first time in my life, I believed in God and began to live like he is real," Groeschel writes.
As a transformed believer, he became more than a fanatic and began "collecting converts to Christianity like Michael Phelps collects gold medals." He went into ministry at the age of 23 and though his love for ministry burned hotter, his passion for Christ cooled.
"My mission had become a job," he recalls.
Again, he began falling into Christian Atheism and by the age of 25, he was a "full-time pastor and a part-time follower of Christ."
Believing in God but ...
Some of the symptoms of Christian Atheism are illustrated in his past life but there are also symptoms that may be difficult to recognize, especially by those who are infected, Groeschel points out.
Believing in God but pursuing happiness at any cost is one of them.
To the Christian Atheist, the pursuit of happiness gives license to sin. And happiness to them is based on the things in this world rather than God's kingdom.
Moreover, "to the Christian Atheist, the holy God of the universe is quietly transformed into a cosmic soda machine. If we give enough money, or pray the right prayer, or live the right way, God must deliver and do what we ask."
Pursuing happiness seems like the right thing to do, but Groeschel stresses, "God doesn't want us to be happy."
"God doesn't want us to be happy because God wants us to be blessed," he explains.
"When we believe the things of this world will provide happiness, we're settling for a counterfeit," he says. "The happiness of this world is based on fickle happenings, but the blessings of God transcend the things this world offers."
Other symptoms include believing in God but not being certain that He loves you, not really knowing Him, not believing in prayer, not thinking He's fair, not thinking you can change, trusting more in money, worrying all the time, shunning the church, and not sharing your faith.
"I believe one of the main reasons people don't share their faith in Christ is that they don't really believe in hell," Groeschel offers. "Many of us are out of touch with the genuine urgency."
"If we really believed in heaven and hell – and we sincerely cared – wouldn't our actions be transformed?"
Crossing the Third Line
Several years ago in ministry, Groeschel went through another transformation.
He had increasingly recognized inconsistencies between what he claimed to believe and the way he actually lived. Though he preached that people without Christ go to hell, his life showed he wasn't equally passionate to reach those people. Though he preached that prayer is critical, his prayer life was virtually nonexistent. And he surrendered parts of himself to Christ rather than his whole life.
One day he cried out for God and was born again – again. He crossed over the "third line," as he describes it.
Most people are line-one and line-two believers – they believe in God and the Gospel of Christ enough to benefit from it (but not change their lives) or they believe enough to contribute comfortably (give back as long as it doesn't cost too much).
But Groeschel calls Christians to cross the third line – believe in God and Christ's Gospel enough to give your life to it. Anything less, he says, doesn't seem like real Christianity to him.
Though it took him almost two years to cross the third line, he says he is now a different person, one who desires nothing more than all of God.
"Step across the line," he encourages Christians. "Welcome to true Christianity."






          






Wednesday, October 3, 2012


Not a Fan – Chapter 4- DTR – Daring to…….

If anyone has completed reading chapter 4, perhaps like me, you feel like crawling under a rock. Idleman compares Jesus’ place in our hearts as, in the words of Stevie Wonder, a part time lover. He also quotes Ezekiel Chapter 16 to illustrate those things in our lives that steal our focus and desires from our creator as our lovers. How many lovers do we have? Idleman imposes four questions upon the reader to conclude where Jesus stands in their lives – is He our one and only, OR is He one of many? During our last session we focused on some of the characters in the Bible and answered the question –were they a fan or a follower. Now it is time for the tables to turn on ourselves and answer that same question.

DTR 1 – Dare to Reflect
Yes, we have to go there and ponder these questions. We must take full-examination of ourselves.

DTR 2 – Dare to keep it REAL
Come clean! There is nobody to fool here.  Remember, God will not be mocked! It didn’t take long for me to identify where I was whoring – 1) Where was I sacrificing my money? – Shoes and music; 2) Where do I turn for comfort? – mother and friends; 3) What disappoints and frustrates me most? – not being where I “think” I should be in life (financially, professionally); 4) What is it that really gets me excited? – Music. Hmmmm – I don’t see Jesus in any of these. I could say that I listen to gospel music but I don’t think that counts. I recall a time when I being engaged in conversation with a professor about music and jazz artists. He commented on how my whole demeanor changed when we got on this topic -- how my face lit up, how I was smiling the whole time and how much I knew about jazz music and up and coming artists. The professor said that my excitement and passion for music was SO evident. Sadly, I can’t recall the last time someone said that to me when talking about Jesus (well, actually it was 7 years ago shortly after I dedicated my life to Christ – long time). Let’s keep it real.

DTR 3 – Dare God to Reveal
Okay, some of us may feel we are complete and total followers of Jesus. If you cannot seem to pinpoint where you are falling short, ask the Lord to reveal it to you. In Psalm 139:23-24, David dares to ask of God - 23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. How many times have we mustered the courage to ask God to show us what’s really wrong with us and to expose the dysfunctions and true nature of our hearts?

DTR 4 – Dare to Repent
If your answers (like mine) leaned more towards fan then follower, we must recognize sin has taken place (and still is). This is an opportunity to become a follower – a time to pray and ask God for forgiveness – He wants this. Ask for His wisdom, guidance and strength to rearrange, transform and renew how we view those things that have pushed Jesus’ place in our hearts to the side.

DTR 5 – Dare to Respond, Reverse and Reprioritize
Our response to this lesson should be to act on what we have discovered about ourselves. We have the power to turn the tables and make Jesus our one and only. Instead of Jesus revolving around our schedules, start revolving our schedules around Jesus. If we take care of Him, He’ll take care of us. We have a tendency of doing, doing and doing, and then at the end of the day say, “Okay, I have a little time to spend with the Lord before I go to sleep.” We need to reverse the order of our activities and reprioritize what is really important  - Jesus first, then the rest so that we can carry out the work of the Lord, in the way He guides you. 

Challenge: - Identify your other lovers and partner with one person in your group. Share your weaknesses with each other and pray for one another daily, that God may strengthen you both so that your other lovers will no longer hold a place of importance in your lives. James 5:16 - Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  Let us do so with spiritual maturity, keeping what is confessed to each other in confidence.

Meditate:
Psalm 40:8 - I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (The Message Bible) - When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.”GOD’s Decree.

May God bless you and keep you during this period of renewal and transformation!

Monday, October 1, 2012

Dr. Tony Evans has written a book of daily devotions entitled, Time to Get Serious: Daily Devotions To Keep You Close To God.  The first section of the book focuses on devotions about "Knowing God".  We learned in our last session that knowing God --as opposed to only knowing about Him--is fundamental to our becoming completely, committed followers of Jesus Christ.  Read one of Dr. Evans' devotions below:


"Let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD." Jeremiah 9:24

LIFE'S GREATEST PURSUIT
Read It:  Philippians 3:3-7

Here we are with a new year ahead of us--a whole year to learn and grow.  So where do we start?  How about at square one: the knowledge of God.  That's where it all begins.  Getting to know God is the greatest pursuit in life.

God said so Himself through the Prophet Jeremiah.  In fact, in Jeremiah 9:23 God says, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches."

God says, "There is something in life worth bragging about, but it's not your bank account, your position in the marketplace, or your educational degrees."  God says there is only one thing in life worth bragging about: "Do you know Me?"

It's amazing how we brag about everything else.  Some of us can brag about our educational achievements.  We've gone through school, and we graduated magna cum laude, or "Lord, come soon!" whichever was appropriate.  People treat us respectfully; they give us titles to recognize our achievement, and if we are not careful, we might boast about that.

Or you may have started at the bottom of your company and now you're in the executive suite.  Now there's extra money in the account.  The home is nice.  The cars are new.  The clothes are authentic.  All of the data necessary to indicate success might tempt you to brag.

But God says, "If you really want something to shout about, can you brag that you know Me? Because if you can't talk about that, then it doesn't matter how much money is in your account, what degrees are on your wall, or what position you have in the company."

Pride is like growing a beard.  It needs to be clipped daily.  Every day you and I need to get up and look at our degrees, our careers, our money, and then say, "If it were not for the grace of God..."

See, the knowledge of God affects everything about you.  God says, "If you are going to brag, brag that you know Me."

----Think About It----
Do you know God well enough that He could
brag on you if He wanted to?


LRHR



Thursday, September 13, 2012

On the One Hand...on the Other Hand


One of my favorite authors, Robert J. Morgan, yesterday posted a blog entry that focuses on our discussion about what it really means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. His insights cause us to think about whether our behavior aligns with who we say we are in Christ. By the way, Pastor Morgan's book, The Red Sea Rules: The Same God Who Led You In Will Lead You Out, based on Exodus 14 is a great read. His blog entry is reposted here:

On the One Hand… On the Other Hand…
Last Sunday I began my sermon (“More Than Skin Deep” — read it, watch it, or listen to it here) on an unusual note—talking about Katy Perry’s tattoos. Katy was born in Santa Barbara, California, and grew up in a Pentecostal home where both of her parents were engaged in evangelism. As a young person, Katy sang in the church choir. She attended Christian schools and camps. She was at church whenever the doors were open.

While she was still a teenager some record producers here in Nashville heard her singing and signed up on a Christian label. She recorded a Christian album. But her music didn’t do very well, and before long she crossed over into pop music. And when she crossed over, she really crossed over. She told reporters that she idolizes Madonna and wants to be like her. Many of Katy’s songs are explicit. They embrace a brazen sensuality that includes bisexuality or whatever kind of sexuality brings a sense of ecstasy—exactly opposite to the values of Christianity.

But here’s the interesting thing. Katy Perry insists that she is a still a spiritual person and that God is in her life. And that brings us to her tattoos. On her left wrist is the word “Jesus.” It’s a tattoo she got at age eighteen. But on the other arm is a tattoo she got in India while dating Russell Brand. It’s a Sanskrit phrase meaning, “Go with the flow.”

That is just about a perfect symbol for the pluralism of our culture. On the one hand, we want God. We want Jesus. We want spirituality. On the other hand, we want it our way, to go with the flow, to go with the crowd, to go with our own lusts and lovers.

Katy told reporters that she still considers herself a Christian, but she just doesn’t get into the details.

How different is the philosophy of Jesus: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). For us, it’s Jesus on the one hand — and Jesus on the other.