Willing & Obedient In 2008

Here we are in a New Year, 2008 has begun and what is this year going to bring us? I want us to remember it is not a new years resolution that we should be making but a resolve to be "willing and obedient" daily in our walk with Jesus.

Isaiah 1:19 "If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land."

In verses 16-18 God offers to His people forgiveness and restoration but in verse 19 He challenges our resolve by starting it off with “If”, which gives the believer again the choice to chose whether or not they want to abide according to His leading. Then He addresses two different areas of the believers resolve, the first being “If you are willing”. This means if you are ready, if you are prepared in mind, agreeable.

So let me as you a question; How many of you are willing and prepared in mind and agreeable that you shall eat the good of the land? Now it’s easy to say Yes to that isn’t it but God doesn’t stop there. Remember He started this by giving us a choice “If” then He stated of what mind we should be, ready, prepared and in agreement with Him. The second, “If we are obedient”. This means, If you are submitted to the will, guidance, and control of another. Which is this case would be the Lord God and His precepts and standards. This also means you are submissive, dutiful, duteous and loyal.

So let me ask another question; How many of us are submitted to the will, guidance and control of the Lord God understanding that you are to be submissive, dutiful, duteous and loyal unto Him in all things?

So here it is God has given me a choice to Chose to be willing, prepared in my mind and in full agreement with Him as well as to be submitted to His will and guidance under His control being loyal to Him and I will eat the good of the land.

So many want the good of the land, want to see their life change, want to loose weight, want to be free from bondage or sin, want, want, want. Yet let me take something we can all understand like loosing weight. We always here about people making new years resolution and loosing weight is usually on someone’s list right? Friend It took personal commitment to “change” as well as giving up of time and energy and maybe money, but with Christ all things are possible! What about financial breakthroughs? What about freedom from bondages? I think you get the point as in each area it took a willing heart and commitment to change and not just a mindset that said sometime this year but a daily resolve of their mind and body committed to that change. Many people do it with out God, but the lord is asking us to choose here with a promise. We will eat the good of the land!

The opposite meaning to the word “willing” are; averse, disinclined, indisposed, loath, reluctant, un-minded, and unwilling. For “obedient” those words are; insubordinate, rebellious; contrary, perverse, wayward, willful; headstrong, intractable, Unmanageable, refractory, uncontrollable, ungovernable, unruly, and disobedient.

Lets not find ourselves in these words listed here, and not just for this year of 2008 but in our daily walk with the living God and we too will eat the good of the land. Should we set goals for this year? Absolutely! Make your goals in Christ Jesus and allow Him to help you achieve them as well. Remember Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Also remember that this verse is not talking about achievements, it is talking about a willingness to allow Christ’s power to sustain in difficulty and scarcity, and to enhance the enjoyment of abundance and prosperity. This faith gives teaches us to believe for all Christ’s sufficiency in all of life’s circumstances. Let us daily walk in this and we will eat the good of the land in 2008 and forever.

Blessings in 2008!

The Wilderness Way

Have you ever found yourself complaining about life, your job, maybe the church, or your family or friends, maybe about your pastors or even God? If so then you are probably going through what I call a “Wilderness Road”. Everyone who calls themselves Christians will be led down this road many times in their lifetime. How then do we walk during these times when we are in the wilderness is the question?

“There are no shortcuts to wholeness; if you want to reach the Promised Land you must first go through the wilderness.” – Clifton Burke

When we think about any kind of wilderness experience the thought is usually not a pleasant one. We understand that it usually is something difficult that presses against our entire being. We also understand that many times it could cost us something; usually something we don’t want to give up at the time. During this time our emotions rule how we respond which usually carry overtones of irritation instead of joy. Friends, even though we may not be at our best during these times we can be encouraged because we join the ranks of Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Paul, and our Lord Jesus who all journeyed through the wilderness road as well. I understand that we live in quite different times but the challenges remain the same. I'm going to list five points that I have used in a recent sermon that I believe we need to understand when we face our wilderness experience as well as a few quotes along the way. I hope you comment on these as well as maybe share your insight from the Lord on this topic.

1) The wilderness is the training ground for future victories in our lives. (Exodus 13:17,18)

2) The wilderness is where God reveals who He is for us so that we know He is the great I am no matter what circumstance may surround us. (Exodus 14:1-4 & 17)

“That’s where faith begins….in the wilderness, when you are all alone and afraid, when things don’t make any sense.” – Elisabeth Elliot

3) In the wilderness we will be made to choose to trust God or complain against Him and His leaders. (Exodus 14:10,17)

4) In the wilderness is where God Himself teaches us to have faith that moves mountains.

“Experience is a different teacher, giving you the test first and the lessons after.”

5) In the wilderness is where God teaches us to move forward in the authority that He has given us. (Exodus 14:15,16 ... Matthew 17:20)

6) In the wilderness is where we will learn about who we really are and who God is for us as well as where He is in us.

After you go through these if you find yourself like the people of Israel then I encourage you to do a study on Moses or any of the leaders mentioned earlier and how they responded while going through their wilderness times. God Bless!!

Judging Without Prejudice

As a part of my life in Christ i have often faced those who are very opinionative about everything around them. Some I have learned to simply phaze out (although I know thats not the right thing to do), and others I tend to pull out my sword and start hacking. So how do you Judge without prejudice?

The Apostle Paul in 2nd Corinthians 5:16 "Therefore, from now on, we reguard no one according to the flesh." In my study I have found that Paul chose ("from now on") to not view people from a worldly or "earthly" perspective based on his personal bias, instead I suppose he would discern (better word then judge) those around him in accrodance to Christ, being led by the Spirit of God as well. I have to admit that my frustration is usually not with those in the world but those in the Body of Christ. I also don't want to sound "brash" or make me seem "better then" but why do we (the church) seem to find fault everywhere we look? Different denominations don't exist today because we are all in unity thats for sure, but even with those who fly the same flag there is much adversity within. Many of these indiscretions I believe are just simply rediculous, brought to the forfront by believers who have forgotten the "grace" and "mercy" of God for their lives as well as those they now scrutinize. Many are also biblical principles taken out of context and used to control those that Christ Jesus has set free. Is everyone suppose to be a judge? According to scripture, we are NOT to judge, although that does not mean that we can't have an opnion (that alone makes me laugh because we all have opnions).

As a Christian Leader I fully understand the consequence of sin base on biblical standards and precepts. What I do not understand is when those who claim Christ become judgmental and critical of others within the body based on externals and according to their own bias instead of biblical precept. Now I want to note that people are allowed to have their opnion and right to disagree with fellow Christians as well as we should condemn wrongdoing (I.E. Sin). But to quote one Bible Scholar "Jesus forbids censoriousness, the spirit of faultfinding that overlooks one's own shortcomings while assuming the role of supreme judge in regard to the sins of others." Pastor Jack Hayford.

If you remember the story of the woman caught in sin, she had been caught in adultery and that she was brought before Jesus by the teachers of the law (John 8:3). They tested Jesus concerning the law and that the law required that this woman should be stoned. the Lord responded by saying to the crowd "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first" (John 8:7 NKJ). We know the rest of the story, no one could throw a stone at this woman; why? Well friends Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". There is my point and yet even in my heart I see bias which could lead me to become critical and judgmental. Let's face it without Christ Jesus in our lives we would devour each other readily, but with God all things are possible. Yes, even for those in Church leadership positions ha ha ha. In the picture above it deplicts the woman (prostitute) who washed Jesus feet with her tears and wiped it with her hair and anointed him with expensive oil. This passage is found in the Gospel of Luke 7:36-50 and Jesus sees her heart in action and forgives her of her sins and says to her "your faith has saved you". I encourage you to use His lesson for your life as you rub shoulders with those in the body of Christ as well as those who are yet to be saved. Paul said of himself as being "the chief of all sinners" are we better then Paul? I think not yet like the wise Apostle we are sinners saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not my desire to offend any with this excerpt, but to encourage you to a deeper walk with Jesus. I will be encouraged to hear your comments on this post. Blessings in the Name of the Lord God!

What Is The Church?

What is the church? Is the church a building where people of like faith come to gather? No, but the church is made up of people of like faith who gather together in a building. However, today there are many who call themselves Christians, yet do not gather together with those who are of like faith at all. Lets discuss what the Church is according to scripture.

Ephesians 1:22,23 NKJ “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” The second half of that scripture in the Message Bible says “The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.” Friends, the Church is made up of people that are diverse yet one in faith who gathers together on a regular basis that Jesus speaks through acts through, and is manifested through.

In 1st Corinthians chapter 12 it reveals that the body of Christ is made up of many different parts with different gifts and functions yet still one body. And this body is whom our Lord is revealing Himself through. Today many whom are not actively involved in a local church may dispute my comments but you cannot dispute the Word of God. Lets look at Ephesians chapter 4:11-16, here the apostle Paul describes what we have come to know as the five-fold ministry and the purpose of the ministry is to “equip” the saints for the work of the ministry. He also encourages us to “unity of the faith” and to not be children any longer tossed about by every wind of doctrine. Let me comment on this point of “every wind of doctrine”; so many today are out of church because they have been deceived by “every wind of doctrine”. They haven’t studied the Word for themselves or are rebellious in nature and against God’s ordained government called the Church. Ok back to Ephesians, Paul also teaches us that this body of Christ is suppose to be “joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working be which every part does its share.” Friends you cannot be outside of the body and fulfill this verse of scripture. He concludes by saying that because of this unity it will cause growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. When we as the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ become that “jointly fitted” body we can expect growth and edification for us all in love.

Here lies the first point of what will be 6 points to this post concerning the topic, What Is The Church?
1) The Church is a body

New Beginnings Pt.2

Continuing my pervious post on "New Beginnings", I would like ask the question, What does it mean to "Live and move and have our being" in Christ Jesus? I believe that most Christians would agree that it means to "have a lifestyle that is patterned after Christ Jesus. Its not just talking about it but walking our faith and convictions. In 1st Peter 2:21 the apostle reminds us that Christ left us an example and that "you should follow His steps". It is much more then just talking about having faith, but living after our Lord Jesus Christ. This Jesus who said "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what he sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner" (John 5:19 NKJ). Jesus operates in the example that Father God has set for Him, friends how much more should we then operate or "live" in the example that Christ Jesus has set for us. Lets challenge ourselves in this:
1: How much time did Jesus give to the plan and purpose of God in His life? (John 6:38)
2: What did Jesus say concerning money? (Matthew 5:21, Matthew 23:23)
3: What did Jesus say concerning being His disciple? (Matthew 16:24)

Friends when we read these scriptures and many more that are found in the Bible, we see that in becoming a Christian we are expected to grow in and through Jesus Christ and the best part is that He has already made the way for us to do just that! Again I encourage you to seek Him and His will for your life as you will never regret it. I encourage you to get involved in your local church as it is the vesseel that God has chosen to reveal Himself through. Pastor Jack Hayford is quoted "The Church is the fullness of Christ Jesus, it is the "expression" of Jesus coming through the Church." I encourage you pour all that you are and have into the kingdom of God, for this is one investment that will never go belly-up on you and the return will be more then you could possibly imagine. Be blessed!

New Beginnings

Recently I did a series on "New Beginnings" at our local church and decided to add some of the thought that I had to this blog. In the body of Christ today we have so many people that are sitting in their local churches not involved in any area at all and are spiritually dry. Many just come to church religiously as a part of their lifestyle which I would commend but not realizing that there is so much more that God has for them and that God expects from them as well. Pastor Jack Hayford in a commentary is Quoted "Salvation must express itself in progressive Christian living and upright character, not only individually, but through obedient participation in God's corporate call to the local church". This was a commentary based on the scripture found in Philippians 2:12,13 where the apostle Paul talked about christians "working out their own salvations with fear and trembling". I believe that many believers simply believe that salvation is soley for their benefit and to think that God could expect to benefit from their salvation isn't even considered. God didn't save us so that we could simply fill a place in heaven but also to fulfill a function both now and in heaven. Remember when God created Man in Genesis, it wasn't just to lay around the garden of eden, He gave man a purpose Genesis 1:28, Genesis 2:15. Today for whatever reason many in the church are idle and the bible teaches us to "warn those that are idle". Friends we were saved to serve!

I do want to encourage us that the bible clearly points out three areas that we as Christians are to be active in and it's found in 1st Corinthians 12:4-6 where it outlines these three areas. 1: Diversities of Gifts 2: Differences of Ministries 3: Diversities of Activities. Friends I believe that in one of these areas or a combination of areas every believer will find their function that God has intended for their lives individually and corporately in the local church. We also have to understand that our function will prove our faith as well as bring glory to God in several areas as we live and move and have our being in Him. I'll comment further on this in my next blog so for now be blessed and pursue Christ.

Passion & Pursuit

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you might" But we have loved all other things more. This is what sin is - dishonoring God by preferring other things over Him, and acting on those preferences. Our passion must first be Christ, then all other things will become clear.